Chapter 18

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 18

Chapter Title: Don't Keep Pressing There...!

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Don't keep pressing there...!

Hisenna Perryhill sought out Ian Isaac the moment the Class Placement Exam ended.

It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wasn't for anything else. It was because of the scores posted on the electronic board after the exam concluded.

Ian's score was absurdly high.

A whopping 900-point gap over her, the second-place finisher.

She had been certain she'd take first after beating Chayuri and setting a rare 1000-point record, one seldom seen in history.

As if mocking her conviction, Ian had posted an unbelievable 1910 points.

"Two people in the 1000-point range? I heard there have only been a handful of freshmen who've ever broken 1000 historically."

"But the gap between first and second is 900 points? Who even is Ian Isaac?"

"Is 1910 points even possible?"

"Perryhill makes sense, but Floridel underperformed more than expected. Ever heard of House Isaac?"

The freshmen checking the results were all saying much the same thing.

Perryhill breaking 1000 was impressive, but 1910 points stole the spotlight.

Hisenna felt a familiar pang, reminiscent of the entrance exam.

This time, though, knowing Ian was the First Archmage's disciple kept her from getting upset.

Seeing that impossible 1910 only filled her with awe.

If the First Archmage's disciple was in a league of his own, she'd still beaten everyone else—which felt pretty good.

Especially topping entrance exam top student Chayuri by 100 points.

"Ah, Hisenna! Seen Ian? How the hell did that loser snag first?"

"I'm looking for him too, Elrim. He's nowhere."

"Seriously. That guy's definitely cheated. 1910? No way."

Just then, Elrim Shuskalra came bounding up to Hisenna, hopping mad.

Since the Grand Prostration incident, she and Elrim had grown close.

Elrim had initially avoided Hisenna after that humiliating display.

But Hisenna pitied her and approached first.

Elrim never picked fights with Hisenna directly.

Contrary to rumors of her prickly personality, she had her cute side, and they bonded quickly.

Of course, Elrim only held back because she knew she'd lose anyway.

Unaware of that, Hisenna saw her merely as a 'poor girl who'd crossed the First Archmage's disciple and suffered humiliation.'

She ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was still debating whether to tell Elrim the truth, seeing her keep lunging at Ian.

In any case, the priority now was locating Ian.

"I was looking for Ian too. But he's nowhere to be found."

"Maybe he cheated to boost his score and got hauled off for punishment? 1910 doesn't add up."

"That... might be right. But... hmm."

"By the way, on a different note. Did you hear something weird earlier?"

Elrim dropped an odd comment on Hisenna, lost in thought about Ian's whereabouts.

"Weird rumor?"

"Yeah. They said the forest field for the exam was divided into zones managed by teaching assistants, with auto-protection spells active in each, right?"

"Yes. Standard for exam grounds. Why?"

"But rumor has it the protection spell didn't activate in one zone. Some cadets were whispering about it."

"...Didn't activate? No way. Each zone has constant TA oversight. They'd handle any issues."

"I overheard some kids speculating the TA vanished. Apparently, the supervisor zone was chaotic when the exam ended. No cadets inside saw what happened since it was controlled, but word is something went down in that zone."

"The exam's over, but no further announcements... that's suspicious."

Indeed, despite the exam wrapping up, no further guidance had come.

If something really happened... what if Ian was the victim?

The two, struck by the same thought, locked eyes.

They vaguely sensed they'd both been searching for Ian for the same reason.

"N-No way. He's got luck on his side—he beat me in that duel."

"I think so too. Even if trouble hit, Ian wouldn't go down easy..."

Ian knowing up to 5th-circle spells made danger seem unlikely.

Still, the rumors stoked her anxiety.

In the end, they didn't spot him in the waiting area.

The belated professor's guidance wrapped up the day's schedule.

And that evening.

On a hunch, Hisenna visited the infirmary—and found Ian lying there unconscious.

She asked professors and TAs what happened, but got no answers.

Just that he'd taken minor injuries during the exam and would wake soon.

She considered leveraging her family's influence for details but held back.

Using background clout at the academy was strictly forbidden,

and unbecoming of a proud mage.

Instead, she decided to sneak into the infirmary the next day when the health teacher was away.

As to why sneak? It felt like they were keeping the health teacher and exam profs at bay.

Hisenna sensed something fishy.

And she couldn't bear the worry over Ian.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Mm... still out cold... Professors and TAs won't say what happened..."

That's how Hisenna ended up secretly checking on Ian.

Drag-

"H-Hiiik?!"

Someone entered while she was peeking covertly; she had no choice but to hide.

'W-What do I do? Gotta hide!'

The door creaked open, and Hisenna flailed in panic.

She first thought to duck under the bed, but couldn't.

Boxes crammed the space underneath.

Phoenix was closing in, footsteps nearing. No options left.

"I-I don't know...!"

In her desperation, Hisenna made an absurd choice.

Hiding in Ian's bed.

She crawled under the covers and plastered herself to him.

To avoid detection from outside—like only one person was there.

Hisenna clung to his waist and thigh, holding her breath.

No plan for what came next.

She hadn't time to think.

'S-Something's moving...!'

She needed to stay still, but there was a problem.

Something between Ian's legs kept twitching.

To hug tight without notice, her arms had to wrap this area—but the hot, wriggling thing threatened exposure.

Whatever it was, Ian wasn't awake.

To stay hidden, she had to press it down firmly.

Blind to Ian's feelings, Hisenna endured the steamy ordeal under the covers.

'U-Ugh...! Why keep pressing there, Hisenna? If you do that...!'

Hisenna suddenly crawling into my blankets.

Her baffling embrace forced me to stifle moans worthy of a gonk orgasm.

I could guess why she'd snuck in.

Probably to hide from whoever just entered.

Why hide there, under my covers? No clue.

Anyway, this made getting up trickier.

Revealing I knew she was there would make things excruciatingly awkward.

Plus, someone was here now.

"Hm? Still out? Injuries all healed with potions and healing magic. Hmm."

The intruder hummed, drew the curtain, and left.

Desk chair creaking—she must be the health teacher.

Her returning spelled trouble. Hisenna could only slip out if clear.

What now? Just get up?

It'd be awkward with Hisenna briefly, but with the curtain drawn, maybe sneak her out.

Damn. More pressingly, quit poking there. That's the real issue.

No choice. Beyond my wisdom.

Ask the gallery. With Hisenna inside, half-lidded eyes won't betray me.

I cracked my eyes and tapped out a post on the gallery screen.

Comments on fire.

Consensus: No immediate threat to me.

True—if they wanted me gone, I'd be gone.

Pull Hisenna out first, embarrassment be damned...

I whispered to her.

"Hisenna! Get up!"

"...E-Eh?!"

"Shh! Gotta slip out. Before health teacher notices. Explain later."

Nod nod.

Hisenna nodding furiously, face beet red.

Awkward for me too, but not the time.

"Infirmary's second floor, right? Can't get caught, whatever this is? I'll distract health teacher. Window out ok?"

"I-I'll try. Can land with magic from two stories."

"Got it. Go."

Plan set, we moved.

I'd cough loud, peek curtain, exit partial.

She jumps window meantime. Handles rest.

"Oh, awake?"

"K-Khem! Ahem! Yes! Why was I down?"

Exaggerated volume for awkward cover.

Should be out by now? Glanced—yep, window leap.

Whew, crisis averted. Chat with Hisenna later to defuse awkward.

But troubles didn't end there.

"Hm. Body seems fine. Principal will explain details. Head to principal's office now. I'll notify. Straight there—no detours."

"...Pardon?"