Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: End of Exams
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108
7
“Phew…!”
I let out a heavy sigh, putting the final period on the page.
The long question was about explaining, based on recent academic journals, why oak tree sap over a hundred years old is added to the Walzabite stamina potion.
My answer filled up a full page accordingly.
My hand was numb from the effort.
I stood up to shake it out.
Only a few students remained in the lecture hall by now.
They all seemed to be struggling with the final question.
I needed to escape first.
Confirming the ink had dried, I submitted my answer sheet to Derhrit.
“Ah… you filled it all out. Good work. You can go.”
Derhrit waved me off after checking only that it was complete, without looking at the content.
I gave a silent nod of acknowledgment and quickly left the lecture hall.
“Finally over…”
Alchemy was the last midterm exam.
I stretched languidly, feeling the characteristic exhaustion and liberation of exam period.
“Ugh… hopefully I avoided failing…”
Runes and elemental magic, swordsmanship—all passed smoothly.
Tracking was a twisty ordeal, but I managed somehow.
I survived thanks to Leon pointing out the mistake in that one problem, which showed up on the exam.
Pelinium without notes, and the final alchemy was tough, but I solved them all somehow.
“But that last question crossed the line.”
No ordinary student could solve it.
They outright specified basing it on the latest academic sources.
To get it fully right, you had to fill the page with complex details like how adding 34.76mL of sap per 100mL of potion maintains efficacy.
They wanted you to get it wrong.
I hadn’t realized Derhrit was such a professor.
A ruthless one…
If I hadn’t done that oak sap collection subquest while playing the game, I never could have solved it.
No confidence in acing the others, so I forced the highest-point last one…
Honestly, I wasn’t without worry.
By solving the unsolvable, maybe after Edmund and Bailey, Derhrit would extend his tentacles to turn me into a grad student too.
Well… worried or not, I didn’t want to flunk, so I had to solve it…
Save the trivial thoughts for later.
Right now, back to the dorm to sleep.
Cramming alchemy and tracking left me sleep-deprived…
I staggered out of Peleo Hall.
Heading to the dorm, I spotted Noel leaning at the entrance, waving.
“Exam over?”
“Yeah. What are you doing here? You finished early and left.”
“Curious how you did…?”
“Passed, barely. You?”
“So-so…? Probably?”
Ending on a question mark meant he aced it.
The way his golden eyes flicked slyly, not bragging unnecessarily.
Esterro Academy’s transfer is harder than admission to begin with.
He smashed through that high wall, so Noel’s a genius at minimum.
Though naive in non-study areas…
Anyway, that sums up Noel’s personality.
“Exams over—what now…?”
“Sleep.”
“Besides sleeping…?”
“Nothing. Even eating’s a hassle…”
Sleep first for this body.
Eat, train, walk—think after sleeping…
“Then, can you watch my training when you’re free?”
Noel’s question left me blanking for a moment.
Never thought I’d see the day Noel asked me directly for training help.
Pinched my cheek— it stung, so not a dream.
“Not that I can’t… but Leon or Ethan are the experts over me. Better ask them.”
“Mm, it has to be you, Theo…!”
What was he up to.
Thought to refuse politely, but… Noel rarely pushed this hard.
A major step forward.
Can’t ruin his rare progress.
Haven’t paid him much attention lately anyway.
Planned from the start to boost his confidence then slip away.
Better if he bonds more with Ethan and Leon than me.
But since he’s showing this side, I’ll humor him.
“Fine after a nap, if still up for it.”
“Yeah…! Thanks…! See you around 8 then!”
Noel beamed and hopped away like a rabbit.
His white hair bounced upward with each step, oddly rabbit-ear-like in the sunlight.
Maybe hand him a carrot next time.
It’d suit him.
“But sudden training?”
Some breakthrough maybe.
Details when I see.
Sleep first…
8
“How was it…?”
Noel peeked at me cautiously, eyes barely lifted.
I stared blankly at him, then looked around.
The training ground in the forest… looked bombed.
Bullet marks everywhere, centered on Noel.
Trees snapped, ground cratered—of course—and yet, precisely around me, spotless.
“What just happened…?”
I didn’t even know what I saw.
Noel reloaded his magic bullets, tilting his head.
“Want me to do it again?”
“No, not that… I mean…”
“Oh, got it. It’s not that impressive. Everyone’s stronger than me, right? So it’s a new technique I’ve been practicing. Wanted to show you today.”
Not something to brush off as a new trick.
I slowly replayed Noel’s stunt.
Dual pistols, rifle, even spare pistol—each loaded with different magic bullets, fired in sequence.
Not content with variance in embedded spell activation, he detonated them simultaneously for impossible power.
Magic bullets are magic at core.
Magic based on scientific principles—nothing impossible to replicate with bullets.
Theoretically, timing an oxygen-generating bullet with an explosion one doubles blast power.
But practically, needs at least two gunners, plus precise observation and calc—useless up close.
Yet Noel deployed it casually around himself.
Slight miscalc, and he’d be caught in it.
Still, unscathed—adjusted to spare me even.
No way a human pulls that off.
Original Noel never had this.
“Now… am I useful?”
Noel grinned sheepishly.
Worrying if helpful after that stunt—such luxury.
Simple magic release from my magic sword would bedrest me days.
Leon’s protagonist-born, Ethan already strong… but Noel’s explosive growth.
Scary.
This the gap in talent?
-Ridiculous. You, preaching talent gaps? Dimensional magic aptitude, dragon raiser, and this great one’s…
Fair, not my place.
-Don’t interrupt! Insolent fool! I was praising you for once…!
Praise?
Sounded like self-boasting incoming.
Ignored the magic sword rampaging in my head.
“…Did I mess up?”
No answer for a bit, so Noel asked timidly.
Pulls that off, still gauges my reaction.
Honestly, without magic sword, I’d lose to him now…
Better that way.
Noel stronger than me means I step back.
“No, great job. Too amazing—lost words for a sec.”
“Really? Whew. Actually, made this to protect you.”
Noel grinned boyishly, stroking his guns.
Why me though.
“Fighting at Simon Tower, I… wasn’t much help, right? Long-range fine, but up close, nothing I could do. Hate always needing protection. And you getting hurt.”
Comparison to Onitsusen off somehow.
But if that fight sparked it, good.
Noel flashed a refreshingly bright smile, declaring:
“From now on, no one approaches you…!”
Smile and guns—oddly fitting.
If Noel blocks those coming for me, perfect.
“Yeah, looking forward to it.”
Best, Noel!
Grow huge and fend off all my incidents!
9
Clack-clack, the car rocked along the rails.
In first class, immune to the sway, Dray Hoyman dipped his favorite quill in premium ink.
Light nib danced over fine stationery.
Upright, Dray tracked his words.
[To the esteemed young master Theo Agrit]
Clear skies reign this season. A week since my last letter. Hope you’re well. As I couldn’t mention before, I’m now headed to the capital. Writing from the train, so by the time you receive this, I’ll be there. Would be grand to meet in person. Just promoted to intermediate mage in the 3rd Magic Tower, new research progress…
Most was recent updates.
Dray emphasized the promotion.
Age: 18 this year.
Youngest intermediate mage.
Silenced most who scorned him.
Dray cared little for that.
Annoying face-to-face barbs, but unheard? Whatever.
More: increased funding, junior mages under him.
Money and manpower bottleneck research.
Solved—now push ahead.
“…Owe that guy a lot.”
Muttered truth.
Biggest reason for youngest intermediate title: Theo Agrit.
Regular letters exchanged ideas.
Couldn’t try energy gen since Theo’s dimensional magic unrefined yet—but enough achievments for promotion.
“Never imagined heavier proto-elements from seawater. Hate to admit… sharp mind.”
Thought over-talented hack at first, but Theo’s knowledge nobler than mid-tier mages.
Benefiting most, Dray penned happily.
“Paper done, second author spot… wonder what else he wants. Credit’s given, but boasting feels off.”
Pondered, no easy answer.
Decided to ask directly, kept writing.
Knock-knock—someone at first-class door.
Ticket checked, snacks refused.
No visitors expected—Dray puzzled, pocketed letter.
“Who is it.”
“Urgent message for intermediate mage Dray Hoyman of the 3rd Magic Tower.”
“I asked who.”
“Apologies for delay. I’m Federer. My master takes interest in your research. Sent me first to discuss sponsorship…”
Sponsorship—Dray swallowed.
Promotion boosted funds, but not lavish.
More the better… yet no sponsors yet.
Theo helps, but collaborator, not sponsor.
First chance ever.
Some feign sponsorship to hijack—but contracts prevent, and few mimic his theory.
“My research finally recognized…!”
Excitement surged—cleared throat, calmed.
Not confirmed, needs caution.
“Come in.”
Dray opened.
Waiting: burly man in white robe.
Inviting him, Dray feigned calm.
“You mentioned sponsorship. Who’s the patron?”
White-robe man smiled devoutly, as if waiting.
“His name is Mathias Claudio.”