Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Big, Beautiful, and Deadly That Thing
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Always the same thought—there's no cure for the fatigue that builds up in your body.
I pull all-nighters pretty often, so maybe I should whip up some kind of tonic later.
Share it with the professors too... They'd probably love it.
"Good day."
"...Yeah."
Today was exam day.
I arrived early and exchanged brief greetings with Professor Cecil.
And after that?
I didn't have any friends to chat with, so I headed to a corner and checked over the stuff I'd brought in my bag.
Nothing missing.
Everything in good condition.
I fiddled around pointlessly, then closed the bag again.
...Nothing to do.
Maybe stretch a bit.
Boring times always drag on forever.
Still, by the time I finished my solo stretches, all the students had gathered.
"I'll explain the rules."
Professor Cecil stepped forward and began explaining in a loud voice.
"The final exam is a 'team battle.' Teams of five total. Check the roster for your team."
Looks like the professor wasn't participating directly.
Well, if it was like last time, everyone would just get Fs.
I cheered inwardly. The difficulty had dropped a notch.
"It's a team battle, but not just mindless brawling. You'll split into attackers and defenders. Attackers aim to capture all defenders; defenders aim to avoid capture until time's up. Think of it like tag."
Simple rules.
I hoped to get placed on the attack team if possible.
"Each side gets 30 minutes total. The area is the forest next to the academy."
Professor Cecil handed out the rosters.
I quickly checked my team.
No one I knew anyway, but still curious...
Huh?
"Skill gaps exist between teams. Losing doesn't mean low scores, so give it your all no matter what."
"...Professor?"
"What's wrong? Rain Ortiz."
"My name's not here?"
Something weird.
My name wasn't on the roster Professor Cecil handed out.
A mix-up?
"Oh, that?"
Professor Cecil smiled brightly as she spoke.
"Teams didn't match up evenly. You'll take the exam separately."
"...Pardon?"
"Just you and me."
No way.
You've got to be kidding.
Professor Cecil was deep in thought.
Rain Ortiz's bold demand for special treatment just for himself.
She'd accepted it as fair after weighing the pros and cons, but something still felt off.
That look on his face definitely hid ulterior motives.
Even if it was to bridge the unavoidable gap, non-standard gear could be a problem.
Kevin Aldeherm had learned that the hard way.
"Should've added more restrictions."
But then he'd complain about unfairness...
Tricky either way.
"Can't exactly fight him myself."
Hm?
"Oh."
Her mind lit up like a flash!
Perfect. Easier to evaluate up close than watching from afar.
Special treatment for an academy-favored student? No issue stepping in personally.
Decision made.
"Gotta handle Rain Ortiz myself."
Let's see just how special he is.
"Fuck."
I swore.
Obviously, no one around.
Me against the professor solo? What kind of bullshit is this?
I fought so hard against the unfairness, only for a new one to hit me.
Why me?
Why only me...
"Ah..."
Goddess above.
Why are you so harsh only to me?
Life's really tough.
I washed my face three times in the bathroom, slicked back my drenched bangs, and took a deep breath.
My turn was coming soon.
"Right, I made this assuming it'd happen..."
I'd built it for facing Cecil in the first place, so using it properly should be fine.
Yeah, no issue getting an A.
The shitty part is just that my difficulty is different.
...No choice. Gotta do it.
I headed back to the training grounds.
"Hm?"
And bumped into someone.
"You, you...!"
Someone reacting intensely at the sight of me.
Who was it?
Familiar face, though.
"...You don't remember me?"
"Sorry, who are you?"
The guy grimaced in disbelief.
Pinched his brow, sighed, clenched his fist...
"Kevin Aldeherm."
He introduced himself.
Kevin Aldeherm?
Oh, that guy.
"Right, you're from the Knight Department."
The one I fought during midterms. Not a great first meeting, but nice to see him again.
"Good to see you, man."
"Uh? Y-yeah... Good to see you."
"Would've been great if you were my opponent."
"Wait, what do you mean?"
Already pissed about the physical matchup, and against Professor Cecil no less...
She won't go all out, right?
"You gotta respect me. I surpassed five family brothers and countless knight aspirants, and soon I'll lead House Aldeherm..."
"Whatever, just one question."
Kevin shut his mouth.
"Any weaknesses for the professor?"
We crossed paths for a reason—might as well pry something useful.
"Hah, you think I'll tell the guy who disrespected me?"
"You started it..."
Kevin radiated hostility.
Seemed tough at first glance, but this type's easy to butter up.
"A guy like you would know."
"...What?"
"Only the diligent spot others' weaknesses. You're the best at that, right?"
Just stroke his ego a bit.
Wisdom honed in my past life.
"...Y-yeah, true."
See?
Easy peasy.
"Alright, I'll let you in on it special."
I saw Kevin's lip curl up.
Lucky he's a naive dummy.
"Come to think of it, you're fighting the professor, huh?"
"Yeah. Need your help bad."
"Can't do without me, eh..."
"Yeah, yeah. So spill it."
"Professor Cecil's weakness is obvious."
Kevin declared confidently.
"She's a battlefield vet, right? Stimulate those memories, and it'll rattle her."
"..."
Speechless for a sec.
No...
This is kinda...
"W-why the face?"
"...Can you give me something else?"
Even for me, poking at war trauma? That's straight-up scumbag territory.
I realized something.
Even assholes have levels.
"I got trauma from making people cry."
"Trau-what? What's that?"
"It's a thing."
Kevin pondered briefly, then offered an alternative.
"Professor Cecil has slightly weak vision in her left eye."
"Left?"
"Yeah."
This seemed useful.
"Thanks."
Pat pat. I clapped Kevin's shoulder and headed to the training grounds.
"Last up."
Perfect timing—my turn.
"Come on out, Rain Ortiz."
.
.
.
We moved locations.
The forest next to the academy that Professor Cecil mentioned.
Towering trees packed densely—easy to flee, but also tough to navigate.
"You know the rules?"
"Yes."
"I'm the tagger. You run."
Figured it'd come to this.
"Hope it's different from last time."
"Thanks."
Professor Cecil started warming up.
Meanwhile, I put some distance and activated my prep.
First up: Magic Department.
Not sure if this counts as Magic Department stuff...
It's magic, at least.
A breeze enveloped me—cool, body feeling super light.
Feels like I could jump over 2 meters right now.
"Next..."
Alchemy Department.
I pulled a glass vial from my bag.
Ingredients from Professor Pelliana, recipe from the system: 'Body Enhancement Potion.'
Effect lasts exactly 30 minutes. Cutting it close, but perfect.
I chugged it. Lemon flavor.
Last but not least...
"Rain Ortiz, ready?"
"Yes."
Magic Engineering Department.
"...What's that?"
"This?"
I'd originally planned powered exoskeleton armor. Direct body enhancement seemed ideal.
But a week was way too short for that.
So my focus shifted.
Something smaller, more efficient.
A machine perfect for evasion.
Sleek silver design.
Mana swirling like smoke.
Long barrel.
Know what?
The best escape is offense.
"Cool, right?"
I aimed the hefty shotgun at Professor Cecil.
"Let's begin."
My invention: the 'Magic Engineering Anti-Gravity Shotgun.'