Final Exam (2)
I was a bit dumbfounded by the idea of me stepping in as a siege weapon or mercenary, but it made perfect sense on second thought. This exam was all about territorial conquest. There was a high chance it'd devolve into muddy trench warfare, with territories snatched back and forth. If I joined any one team, they'd have an overwhelming edge. Even if the students swarmed me like a pack of dogs, they wouldn't stand a chance against me. That was undeniable.
"You'd better accept it now. No matter what you try, beating Sivar is damn near impossible. But we can't just exclude him—that wouldn't be fair."
Marlboro swept a hand down his face, looking conflicted. It was their own plan, but clearly not ideal. This must've been their best shot.
"So Sivar won't participate directly. We'll score him a different way. I'll explain the details after the exam, so that's all for now."
"Professor. With Sivar's strength, he could smash a castle to bits. You sure that's okay?"
Kara raised her hand and spoke up. She was exaggerating a little, but not really. She was one of the few who'd witnessed my power firsthand. No surprise there. A few Death Beams would reduce most castles to rubble. And I mean a few—not just one.
Castles here are insanely tough.
Castles in my past life were fortresses, sure. Some had stood firm for centuries. But even they crumbled before cannon fire. This world was different. Absurdly, ridiculously durable. They shrugged off barrages of magic like it was nothing. Whatever material they used went beyond mere toughness.
"That's exactly why we're treating Sivar like a siege weapon. We designed this assuming he could topple walls easily. If they hold up better, all the better for us."
"They're really handling him like a strategic weapon."
Grace muttered beside me, incredulous. I had to agree. Problem was, I couldn't find a solid counterargument. Like I said, the professors had put real thought into this.
"Unlike other siege weapons, Sivar's position is fixed. But as a siege weapon and mercenary, teams need to form a 'contract' to ally with him. Break it or if you don't like the deal, you can cancel anytime."
"We find out the contract details at the exam site?"
"No. You'll have to negotiate the terms directly with Sivar."
Murmurs rippled through the students at Marlboro's answer. It sounded like it could turn into political maneuvering. He must've anticipated that, adding clarification.
"But no dragging in outside matters. Nothing like 'We'll do this after the exam.' Contracts limited strictly to what's available on-site."
"Damn. Was gonna bring chocolate."
"That's gonna be tricky, then."
Kara looked disappointed; Grace nodded seriously. The method seemed dumb at first, but the substance held up. Way more convincing than midterms. Blocking external promises prevented total chaos—probably inspired by Kara sweet-talking me last time.
"Sivar, watch out for double-dealing to your advantage. That could mean penalties or disqualification for you, so choose contracts carefully."
"……"
Others took the exam; I'd learn social skills. Not a bad deal. From my side, I just picked the best offer. But the exam's nature would make choices agonizing. Smartest bet: food rations.
"Professor, one question?"
"Go ahead."
"You mentioned resupply at occupied territories near main base. How much exactly?"
"Good question, Luna."
Right on cue, Luna asked the perfect thing. Marlboro looked pleased. Thoughtless words spell doom; thoughtful ones shine.
"Supplies scale with personnel. Class has 31 including Sivar, so teams split roughly 15 each. Supplies match headcount precisely."
"Including the castle, then…"
"No supplies for castles. Remember that."
Key info straight from Marlboro. Unlike nearby territories, castles got zilch. Meaning you'd haul supplies from occupied zones, running logistics trains.
True high risk, high reward.
Contract for food? Prepare to starve. Unless you toppled the castle—then auto-cancel. Odds plummet.
Chewing it over, you could see the crowd-sourced tweaks. Professors weren't idiots.
"Sivar gets supplies at his spot until he leaves it. Step out, and they cut off. Factor that in."
"What is he, some hermit from an Eastern tale…?"
"Even Eastern tales don't have weirdos like that."
Lee Yeonju shut down Grace's mutter flat. Fair enough—no reclusive master aids for food. Personality wrecks, maybe.
Exam sounded intriguing overall. I learned society; others focused on tests. Marlboro wrapped up, stressing outside deals meant instant DQ.
"Give it your all, everyone. Questions?"
"Do we pick team leaders separately?"
"Decide that among yourselves later. Exam's individual, but leadership's crucial."
He granted prep time before leaving the classroom.
Students started chatting as he exited.
"Seems fair… but still brutal. At least we can wash up?"
"Raided supply lines… Ugh, don't even think about it."
"How do we even contract with him? That's the real question."
No real complaints. Effort showed, and crucially, I sat it out. My existence wrecked balance; distancing me eased worries. Still a strategic weapon, though. They'd scheme somehow.
"Sivar."
"?"
"Anything besides food? Oh—wait, can't ask that?"
Kara's question. She realized too late and clammed up. Exam-site limits left zilch beyond food anyway. Nothing else feasible.
"Nothing but food on-site. Issue is using supplies as upkeep… Headache."
"Force a contract and hold out. Viable."
Antonio slipped in smoothly. Solid improv strat. But required seizing a castle—or threatening main base.
Final-exam worthy all around. Honestly, I was looking forward to it.
"…Not nothing."
Luna piped up timidly amid the debate. Bare whisper—easy to miss. But super-hearing Kara was right there.
She grabbed Luna's arm instantly. "What? You ain't holding out on your team, right?"
"Uh…"
Luna's eyes darted. Didn't expect eavesdroppers. Classic—her mouth was eternal trouble. Silent, no issue.
Me? Kinda curious too. What beyond food?
"Kara, don't bully innocent Luna. Let's be fair and square."
"Fair? She knows something I don't—suspicious."
"S-Sis knows too!"
Desperate, Luna blurted. Kara glared expectantly. Luna's eyes rolled again. Brain-grinding noises almost audible. Not illusion.
Doom-jaw primed to spill.
"You know too? Spill."
"Uh… Not here. Can we step out?"
"…Fine. Outside quick."
"Mind if I join?"
Antonio edged in slyly. Scheming his specialty. Luna shook her head no.
Suspicious already—but worse followed.
"No. Especially not you, Antonio."
"Why?"
"You're a guy."
"…?"
Antonio tilted his head slowly. No clue.
Luna, Kara, Grace headed out. I rose stealthily to follow.
"Hey, where you going?"
"Eavesdrop."
"Nooo, eavesdropping's bad."
Lee Yeonju blocked hard—probably Grace's request. So earnest, I sat back. No rush.
Find out later what contracts I can make.
About five minutes passed.
+1 Faith
******
Grace was curious. Beyond food, what did Sivar like? She'd studied him closely, but personal prefs? Barely knew. Unlike Kara or Luna, she'd only recently warmed up. Weekends? Holed up in dorms unless he came calling.
But this chance revealed it.
Use it to close in… but…
"…Pardon? What?"
"Hugs. Like this—arms wide open."
Luna demonstrated, arms spread. Her looks made it oddly cute.
Sivar liked hugs, per Luna. Enough to fluster Grace.
"That's it? I could do that anytime."
Kara shrugged it off—barely worth the secrecy. Still blushed faintly; tan hid it, but shame lingered.
"Just for that, you dragged us out?"
"More… but don't tell. Embarrassing as a person."
"I-It's fine. I can handle worse."
Eventually inevitable. Grace swallowed, forcing it out. Marriage meant hugs. No—required them. Savoring warmth, then clothes off to—
Ugh, it's just… proper…!
Face burned visibly. Arms crossed, aloof pose—massive gap.
Meanwhile, Luna scratched her head, hesitating. Would this even sway the exam?
Should be fine? Rules block it anyway.
Probably. Hands to chest, kneading motions. No intent—just demo.
"Uh… He likes full maternal affection?"
"…What? Not… breasts, right?"
"Yep."
"……"
Absurd. Speechless—Kara and Grace alike. But Luna pressed on, reasoning.
"Wild-raised, so he craves human comfort. Especially burying in Ellie's chest."
"…Come to think, yeah. Just 'cause they're big?"
"Then yours too, sis. Ellie said anytime for cuddles."
"…When'd she say that?"
Kara grumbled. Grace just glanced down at her own ample chest—noble perks.
F-Fine. Natural for us. Preemptive practice…!
Grace advanced mentally. Funny part: zero denial, all acceptance.
Kara noticed, frowning. Would love proposing blind.
"…Skip that. Could label him a perv. Morals clause violation."
"Yeah, probably."
Luna and Kara nixed it.
Noble ladies off-limits usually, but Sivar… If rumors spread…!
Grace excepted.