Midterm Exams (1)
By now, I'd gotten used to academy life. Finally, midterm exam season had arrived.
"It's only been a little while since we enrolled, and we're already having midterms!"
"Can't be helped. Come on, everyone—let's study hard!"
Estelia spoke with forced positivity, but there was one person who could never be positive about this.
"Review what we covered yesterday. What did I say mana is?"
"The force that composes the world."
"Perfect. Then how does a knight handle mana?"
"Aura!"
"Khuk... Hrrrng! That's it! That's the one! Good... And mages?"
"Um... Holy power?"
"Why... Whyyyyy!"
Radien's anguished scream echoed out while Elesia watched with a faint smile. Quite the peaceful scene.
After cramming like this for a full week, midterms were finally right around the corner. There were two parts: written and practical. The practical exam varied by department.
"For this midterm's practical exam, you'll form parties and clear a dungeon. The location is the Lucian Kingdom Dungeon."
"Yes!!!"
Every student cheered, but the proctor's face looked anything but pleased. The students were simply happy, yet the intel coming out of the Lucian Kingdom suggested the dungeons were all extremely dangerous.
"Cadet Kahan. Come with me for a moment."
"Sure."
"Sure...? You mean 'understood,' right? Follow me."
I followed the proctor into a shady alleyway. Normally this would be the perfect spot for some romance-fantasy cliché bullying of the protagonist, but Eileen had already taken care of the delinquent noble girls because she couldn't stand the thought of Elesia getting hurt. The sheer satisfaction she'd felt when she dragged Radien over to watch those vicious young ladies cry was something else. The sight of evil noble girls in tears... heh.
While I was busy reminiscing about that (it had only been two days ago), the proctor spoke up.
"The situation in the Lucian Kingdom isn't good right now. It's bad worldwide, but the Lucian Kingdom in particular has far too many dungeons—and they're all powerful."
As I'd heard before, if the Lucian Kingdom fell into crisis, every other nation would be shaken. Conversely, if someone wanted to destabilize other countries or throw the world into chaos, the Lucian Kingdom was the number-one target. That was why demon cultists and black mages were making moves there.
"Kahan. Your party will include Young Lord Radien and Lady Estelia as well. So we'd like to assign you a dungeon that might be a bit challenging... Do you think you can handle it?"
He asked with a tense expression.
"The higher-ups already decided the assignment anyway, right? Just tell us what to do. I'm still just a cadet."
"...I see. Thank you. In that case, even though you're a cadet, I'll have to dock you one demerit point for speaking informally to an examiner."
"That's petty!... sir."
He smirked. "Thank you. Truly. Let's head back."
When we returned with the surprisingly human examiner, the cadets were still buzzing with excitement. The proctor told them that after the written exam they'd head straight to the dungeon, so they should prepare thoroughly for the written portion and study hard. The moment he added that today's classes were canceled, the cadets started chanting his name in gratitude.
"Elesia, that's a relief, right? You said you weren't confident in the practical."
"Really... There's just so much to learn, what am I supposed to do..."
"Pfft... Me too. The special forces department is brutal."
Eileen had grown so close to everyone that she was even drawing Radien's jealousy now. Of course, her real intentions were far from pure—she was just trying to get even closer to Elesia.
"Then everyone, fighting for the written exam...!"
At Elesia's words, the group fell silent.
"Ah... um... I-I mean..."
"A hundred points. I'm definitely getting a hundred."
"Elesia... You can say things like that too! I'll do my best!"
Radien and Eileen fawned over her while Estelia watched Elesia's courage with proud eyes. Ever since our last dungeon run, Estelia had basically become Elesia's mom. Almost literally. She looked like a mother watching her daughter grow from afar... She used to hate her so much, but now this? Was this the romance-fantasy heroine's insane affinity at work? It was ridiculous.
***
Ding-dong-dang-dong.
"Luca! How'd you do?"
"Haha! It was me, obviously!"
Luca proudly held out her test paper. The number of problems she'd attempted... eight. Even if she got them all right, that was only forty points.
"No... My talisman!"
Radien despaired, but he quickly started grading anyway, insisting there was still hope.
"Please... Please...!"
We all stared at Luca's test with bated breath. Radien and Estelia had each missed only one question for ninety-six points. I, of course, got a perfect score. Eileen scored eighty.
"Ugh... Uwaaaaaah!"
Luca's written score was sixty-eight. She hadn't even cleared the seventy-point bet I'd made with her. Still, out of the eight questions she'd attempted, she'd gotten six right—proof that the lucky talisman I'd given her had worked wonders.
"Lord Kahan...! The talisman I bought this time really paid off!"
"Thank you so much!"
"Thanks... Thank you... I can finally graduate!"
Estelia had quietly spread the rumor, and the magic department had vouched for its effectiveness. Thanks to their support and the efforts of our talisman spirit, we'd made a fortune. That money would be put to good use for society—specifically, in the very important place known as my own pocket.
"Radien. The vice-captain is disappointed in you."
Thud.
"Hah... Just one more chance...!"
"Can't be helped. This is reality..."
"Aaaah... Aaaaaah!"
Radien tore at his hair in a fit. Elesia glared at him coldly. Since he couldn't afford to lose the favor he'd built up, he eventually stopped and just despaired alone.
Just then, someone approached us.
"Hey, Radien. What's wrong? Did you bomb the exam that badly?"
"...That voice. Diervan... What the hell are you doing here?"
"Ah, you mean the midterm practical. I'm joining your party."
"What? Of course not—"
Whoosh! Radien tried to refuse, but Estelia instantly covered his mouth and flung him backward. He went flying in an instant. While he struggled to speak from the shock, Estelia whispered to him.
"Think about it. Diervan Silber is a Master-class swordsman. The more people we have who can stand against Belferno, the better."
"...I can protect her myself."
"Radien."
Estelia's voice was icy. Even Radien had to look away.
"Are you going to put Elesia in danger because of your emotions? Is that really for her sake? Or is it for yours? Think rationally. The one targeting her is Belferno, who even eats Sword Masters."
At Estelia's cold, realistic words, Radien finally hung his head. Why did these romance-fantasy guys keep lowering their heads? When Estelia did it, it was cute. When he did it, it was just disgusting.
"...Fine. I'll accept him. But I'm the party leader."
"What? It's obviously me! What are you talking about?"
Radien stood up and struck a pose, but Luca spoke seriously from beside him. Estelia, who had been listening quietly, cut in.
"Neither of you is fit. I'm the leader. We need to settle this properly, don't we?"
"Wait, wait. Our leader is Elesia. She's the center of this party!"
Even Estelia joined in. Eileen started loudly declaring that Elesia was the true core, while Elesia tried to stop her with a blushing face. Diervan Silber, who had been watching, finally spoke up.
"What the hell are you idiots doing?"
"How dare you use such vulgar language! Do you even deserve to stand beside her after saying that?"
"Look at what you're doing right now. What does that make you?"
At Diervan's words, Radien finally put Luca down. Realizing how embarrassing the situation was, he quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, I'll let you join the party. Happy?"
"Yeah. Hey, everyone. I'm Diervan Silber, heir to a count's title—not just some successor. And I'm a Master, not some measly Expert."
Radien immediately grabbed Diervan by the collar.
"...Who exactly were you aiming that comment at?"
"Look at this... A ducal heir grabbing a count by the collar? You're not a duke yet, you know. Your delusions are getting out of hand."
"I will become the duke. But that's not the point. Answer me."
"Ah... that? Obviously you. You're the only Expert here, after all."
Diervan grinned smugly. He looked like an innocent shiba inu-type guy, but that cocky attitude was his legendary charm point. Eileen, watching from the side, muttered in awe.
"Whoa... I can't believe I'm seeing this scene in person... I'm moved...!"
As expected, she was useless. Just a walking plot summary.
"S-Stop it...! You two said you'd get along!"
"Ahem..."
"Fine, I'll stop."
At least they didn't talk back this time since it was in front of someone comfortable. Good job, Elesia! Eileen and Estelia seemed to think the same thing—they both gave me a thumbs-up.
"So who's the leader?"
...Luca's sudden question hung in the air.
"Obviously me. My leadership is the best."
"Hah... An Expert like you? Obviously it's me. I'm a Master."
"The newcomer has no right to say that. Obviously someone who can handle both close and long range—like me—should lead."
"But wouldn't Kahan be the obvious choice?"
...No one could say anything. Leadership? Look at how I embraced all these women. Combat power? I could fight a Sword Master while eating. Close range? Long range? None of that mattered to a grand warrior and grand sorcerer like me.
After a moment of thought, Estelia spoke.
"Let's not fight among ourselves. Let's just make Kahan the leader."
"...Understood."
"I'll accept it. Honestly, a newcomer like me leading wouldn't make sense anyway."
"Alright. Then Kahan will be the party leader."
Clap clap clap clap. Just like that, the leader was decided. It was... me! My charm really was overflowing!
While I was thinking that, Luca spoke again.
"Then I'm the vice-leader, right?"
"...That's not happening. That would be me, wouldn't it?"
"The one who can best support Kahan with combat strength is me."
"No, when it comes to support, isn't it obviously me, who's competent in every field?"
"Obviously Elesia! She's our center!"
This was a mess. No, this was a romance fantasy. A romance fantasy.