Finally, the Results
At last, the week-long evaluation came to an end.
The students' reactions varied widely. Some wore happy smiles, having navigated the grueling ordeal successfully, while others let out despairing sighs. Plenty were buzzing with excitement now that it was over, leading to incidents where they sneaked drinks in the shopping district only to get caught by enforcement officers. But the officers, who had once been students themselves, turned a blind eye to such minor transgressions. In truth, the entire Solemnute Adem showed considerable leniency toward those who had just endured the evaluations. The professors, swamped with grading and other tasks, conducted classes a bit more loosely than usual.
And amid this anticipated slack, just as the students were starting to let loose completely, the evaluation results were posted at each grade's dormitory.
It was the same as during the previous skill verification. Ludenberg Lavante headed to the dormitory corridor with the expression of someone bracing for the inevitable upon hearing the results were out.
Finding his name among the countless others was no challenge. It was right at the top—the most eye-catching spot on the long results sheet. His diligent efforts hadn't been in vain; he had proudly claimed the top spot in his year.
A rare, deep smile graced his lips. It wasn't just the top rank; his gaze lingered on the name boldly listed just below it.
Ashytara Solenute.
She had seized second place. All the rolling around under Duke Leonard's guidance and their joint cram sessions for the theory exam had paid off.
Familiar names followed: Eden Asta, Mion Altis, Evelyn Ansis... The Innocence students seemed to prove why they held that rank, filling the top 30 except for one. Amid the Innocences stood a single non-Innocence Ador: Gawin Greta. He had boasted that, had he not faced Ludenberg during the skill verification, he too would be Innocence—and he had proven it wasn't empty talk.
And one more name caught Ludenberg's eye: Cletta Peliche. Her standout performance in this evaluation had landed her an unbelievably high rank for an Abyss student: 75th in the year. Purely by position, that put her at the bottom rung of Ador. If she maintained this or even climbed higher by the finals, she might leapfrog straight past Frigus into Ador.
Students staring at the results sheet snapped to attention as if struck by lightning. This wasn't the time to fool around mindlessly. The finals schedule had been pushed back a bit, but time was fair to everyone. Seeing their scores, they realized they couldn't stay complacent. A few diligent ones ditched plans for the shopping district and bolted to the training grounds, but most shoved their newfound alertness aside with lazy thoughts of "starting tomorrow."
Ludenberg pondered what to do next, then decided to share the good news with Ashytara and headed toward the girls' dormitory.
But before he arrived, he spotted her.
"Huh? Tara?"
"Lud! You see the results?"
"Ah. Yeah. I did. Was just on my way to find you."
"Really? Same here. Congrats on first place anyway!"
"You too on second. Does this mean I win the bet?"
"B-bet? No idea what you're talking about..."
The moment Ludenberg brought up the bet, Ashytara broke into a cold sweat and started playing dumb. He narrowed his eyes at her.
"Tara? Why dodge my gaze? You're not gonna say you forgot, are you?"
"O-of course not! I remember perfectly! So, what's your wish?"
"Hmm... Nothing specific right now. I'll claim it later."
"Not right away, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good. So, what're you up to now?"
"Dunno. Probably training. Nothing else pressing."
Ashytara nodded as Ludenberg replied thoughtfully.
"Training? Makes sense. I saw kids who checked their scores bolting to the training grounds. Must've hit 'em hard."
"Self-inflicted. If they'd studied and trained while others played, they wouldn't be in this mess."
"True..."
"Anyway, I'm heading to the training grounds now. What about you?"
"Hmm... Got something to discuss with my sister, so off to see her."
"Sione?"
"Yeah. Festival's coming up soon, y'know? Stuff to ask about that."
"Ah, the festival..."
"Yep. Adem Festa is right around the corner. It hits before finals, then straight into finals, and after that, Founding Day. Two festivals already, sandwiching the exams. And as a Solem priestess student, I have to light the sacred fire every festival, so checking the procedure."
"Can't be helped then. Go on, Tara."
"Yeah. Train hard, you."
Ashytara waved and headed to the faculty quarters where Sione stayed, while Ludenberg made for the training grounds.
But right after parting from Ashytara, someone approached Ludenberg.
"Hey, ash-for-brains buddy."
Nadan Tes. He had suddenly come up and spoken to him.
"What's up?"
"Nah, just wondering if my sis mentioned it."
Ludenberg nodded at Nadan's question.
Come to think of it, Professor Nah said her big lug of a brother had a favor to ask.
"Yeah, heard you needed my help."
"Oh, you did? Makes this easier. Got time today to lend a hand?"
"If I help you, what's the compensation?"
"Uh, well..."
Nadan looked troubled. Bluntly, he couldn't afford to pay for Ludenberg's help. Discussing money with him was laughable, and holy relics wouldn't work since Ludenberg lacked divine power.
After agonizing, Nadan made an offer.
"How about a blessing?"
"Blessing?"
"Yeah. Setra's blessing. I can infuse it into an accessory if you want. When you're in danger, it overlays a past event tied to you onto the spot, confusing the enemy."
"Gotta be an accessory?"
"Strictly speaking, yeah. Easiest to apply. Weapons or armor take more work..."
"Fine. I'll source an accessory myself."
"Sweet. Bring it by, and I'll enchant it. Or later, no rush. I'd give you one, but honestly, who'd want a pendant from another dude?"
Ludenberg grimaced at the instant image of taking a pendant from Nadan.
"No kidding."
"Or have your girlfriend gift it."
"Girlfriend?"
Ludenberg raised a quizzical brow, but Nadan nodded.
"Yeah. Princess Ashytara. Y'all been glued since that raid mess. What else you call it?"
Ludenberg shook his head at Nadan's bluntness.
"Ashytara and I are just friends."
"Suure, whatever you say. Do you. Oh, pick metal or gems that vibe well with divine power for best effect."
"Got it. Now spill—what do you need help with? If it's quick, I'll wrap it and hit training."
"Eh... it'll take a bit. Heard you bagged a high-grade erosion beast? My research advanced, so I'm onto high-grades now."
"High-grade... Figures. That's why you need me."
"Right? High-grades aren't easy to encounter. Lit records are all the old Setra fogeys know. Need fresh intel, and you popped into mind. You fought one, so jot down their traits."
Ludenberg nodded.
"That much? Sure. Let's head to the Wisdom Pavilion."
"Yup."
Nadan and Ludenberg headed straight to the Wisdom Pavilion.
Upon arriving, Ludenberg took paper and pen without a word and began listing the traits of the high-grade erosion beasts he'd fought: the massive bull-like one, the flail-swinging brute, the horned fiend that troubled knights with its strikes. As he filled the page densely, Nadan stared in genuine surprise.
"You remember all this?"
"Miss one detail, and you're dead. Gotta catalog every trait, every habit."
"Fair, but still... Impressive. Good call asking you."
"That's all I know. Sort the rest, compare to other erosion beasts—your call."
"Obviously. Seriously, thanks. Saved me from the elders' nagging."
Watching Nadan grin like a fool, Ludenberg genuinely wondered what kind of place the Setra Church was to have a saint like this. Even trying to hand out favors...
Just the blessing Nadan offered was no trifle—a saint's blessing. Immense value on its own, and potent: overlaying his past onto the current location. The environment around him and his threat would flip in an instant, bewildering the foe. If Ludenberg was in peril then, it could save his life. Fitting for Setra, rulers of past and future.
Trading that for high-grade erosion info showed the Setra Church's substantial goodwill toward him.
"Anyway, I'm done. You can go."
"Yeah. I'll drop by with a decent accessory later."
"Cool."
Nadan waved it off absently and dove into the notes Ludenberg had compiled.