Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Rune Exam and Practical Preparations
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4
“The origins of runes have several theories, one of which says they were created by dwarves….”
Ethan, sitting in the front row, muttered with his head buried in his textbook.
Students in similar straits were scattered throughout the lecture hall.
They were probably desperate to cram anything extra into their heads before the final written exam.
Truth be told, cramming like that at the last minute wouldn’t actually improve their scores.
Scraaape.
Right on cue, Edmund entered the lecture hall.
Clara followed behind him, and they exchanged a light nod.
“Clear everything off your desks except your quill pens.”
At Edmund’s solemn voice, everyone folded up their textbooks and stowed them in their bags.
I hadn’t brought any textbook or anything in the first place, so I just fiddled with my quill.
Meanwhile, Ethan clung to his textbook until the very end.
Gotta give him credit for his tenacity, at least.
“The exam is one hour long, with five essay questions. Once you finish, submit your answer sheet and you may leave.”
As Edmund explained, Clara distributed the exam papers.
“Then, begin.”
Click.
Edmund pulled out his pocket watch.
The moment the crown was pressed, every student flipped open their exam papers.
I casually checked mine over.
The exam itself was one page, but the answer sheet was a whopping five pages long.
Meaning the answers would be complex enough to fill a whole page each.
In fact, things like quadruple magic circles, seven-syllable decoding, or interpreting specific poetic verses would probably eat up a full page just listing the processes.
Well, that’s only if you had to write out the interpretation and decoding steps.
For me, both interpretation and decoding were a piece of cake.
Not wanting to stand out, I deliberately skipped all the workings and just wrote the answers.
As the saying goes, the more you write, the higher the score—so nailing just the answers without steps would probably net me partial credit at best.
Scribble, scribble. I copied down all the answers as they came to me.
Figuring out the context of the verses took a little time, but….
Even so, it took less than ten minutes before I submitted my answer sheet to Edmund.
“As expected, this is simple for you. Go ahead and leave.”
Edmund nodded without even checking my paper.
Just the other day, I was a failing student— isn’t this trust a bit thick?
I hadn’t properly attended the Rune Comprehension lectures, so there might be something I got wrong.
Well, not like I could argue here.
He told me to leave, so I politely bowed to Edmund and stepped out into the hallway.
“Anyway, the ancient history and cultural heritage exam is right after this in the same room.”
That one was Edmund’s subject too.
Since it was in the same lecture hall, wandering around would just be a hassle.
I half-reclined on the hallway sofa and sorted through my tangled thoughts.
Theo’s letter I’d found under the bed yesterday.
Its contents nagged at me, but… I couldn’t dig any deeper.
I didn’t have the time, nor any leads, so finding a way to investigate was impossible.
In the end, I’d sealed the letter away in a drawer.
Once finals were over, I’d look into it calmly.
I didn’t want to get tangled in anything troublesome, but… if Theo had already stuck his foot in it, ignoring it would just make things more annoying down the line.
“Why can’t I just have some peace….”
One mountain after another.
All I wanted was a quiet, cozy, peaceful life.
As I sighed, Leon emerged from the lecture hall.
“How’d the exam go?”
“So-so.”
“As expected of a promising talent the professor has his eye on.”
“Don’t jinx it by saying the professor has his eye on me.”
If word spread around the academy that I was Edmund’s grad student without me knowing, I’d have nowhere to run.
As the saying goes, three people gathered together can conjure a tiger.
With dozens, they could make a nonexistent grad student real….
“The next one’s the last written exam. Let’s prep for that.”
“The one after is the practical.”
“I’ve gotta prep for the practical too.”
The practical came before Theo’s letter.
I really couldn’t afford to get expelled.
5
“There’s a lot to look forward to today, Choco.”
Choco, perched on my shoulder, nodded.
The written exams had all wrapped up yesterday.
From this weekend until Monday, when the practicals began, was a short break.
Some students might be catching their breath, but most were probably steeling themselves for the practical.
I’d headed into Eseth city to stock up on essentials for the practical.
“The general store favored by mercenaries is around here.”
I stepped into a large shop at the edge of the fifth district.
Ding-a-ling. The bell on the door rang, and the shopkeeper looked up from the counter.
“Welcome. Let me know if you’re looking for anything specific.”
“Where are the camping supplies?”
“Camping?”
The middle-aged shopkeeper eyed me up and down.
Then, stroking his goatee, he asked,
“You seem like quite the refined young lady. Off on a trip?”
“Yes, planning a three-day camping stint.”
Truth be told, it was because some lunatic professor was planning to gather the students and grind us to death in the wilds for three days straight.
I fudged it a bit, and the shopkeeper nodded.
“You should travel while you’re young. Right this way.”
I followed him to the display shelves in the back.
Tents, cookware, lanterns—everything for camping was neatly arranged.
Let’s see.
Since I’d have to carry it all myself, a lightweight bag was essential.
With the bag’s capacity, I just needed the bare minimum.
I grabbed a lightweight bag, a stove, mess kit, one-person tent, and so on, then checked out.
Shoved into the lightweight bag, it all fit neatly.
I tried it on—didn’t feel too heavy.
Magic for the win.
Otherwise, I’d have been doing the practical in full marching gear.
Spending wasn’t light, but….
I’d gotten most of the supplies I needed.
On the way back, maybe grab a bite with Choco.
Chicken skewers from last time would hit the spot.
Imagining golden-brown skewers dripping with juices, I walked on… and bumped into someone I knew.
“Fancy meeting you here, Meryl.”
“Oh? Theo.”
Meryl nodded, clutching a paper bag.
“What’s that?”
“Herbal tea. Was running low, so I picked some up along with extras. I’ll stock the club room too—if you’re interested, I’ll treat you next time.”
“A true tea club member.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? And you?”
“Walk and prep for the practical.”
I lightly pointed to the lightweight bag with Choco on it.
“Seriously prepping, huh? That bag’s not just lightweight—it’s sturdy too.”
“Stopped by a shop popular with mercenaries and adventurers.”
“You know what the practical’s about?”
Of course I did.
I hesitated on whether to affirm or deny.
Hmm, anyone else, maybe not—but Meryl should be fine.
“Word is Professor Ken Schwelz is handling the practical.”
“The swordsmanship prof?”
“Yeah, he’s been griping that kids these days lack grit. Worst case, we might march nonstop for days without proper rest.”
“Hmm… where’d you hear that?”
“A senior tipped me off.”
I bullshitted smoothly.
Meryl pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“Better safe than sorry—I’ll prep too. Thanks.”
“No problem, gotta help each other out.”
“Anyway, once the practical’s done, it’s vacation, right?”
“Already?”
She nodded repeatedly.
Days had felt endlessly long since possessing this body….
But time marched on, and summer break was right around the corner.
More students were switching to summer uniforms, but blink and winter break would be here.
If time just flew by like this and all the incidents resolved themselves far away from me, that’d be ideal.
Then I could enjoy a peaceful, relaxed life—working moderately, playing moderately, living moderately….
“Heading home for break?”
“Probably. You, Meryl?”
“Staying at the academy for now. Nice to leisurely enjoy tea.”
Staying in the dorms over break for tea.
She really was a tea fanatic.
Well… truth be told, I had zero desire to go to Theo’s unknown family home.
But as long as I wasn’t cutting ties with the Agrit Count Family, I’d have to go eventually.
Better to get the first meeting over with quick instead of dragging it out.
Figuring out how to play Theo was daunting, though….
Here’s hoping that’d pass smoothly too.
Wishing for the impossible, I parted ways with Meryl.
6
The long-awaited Monday dawned.
All first-years gathered in the auditorium ahead of the practical.
Most students seemed to have come with just their bodies or maybe a weapon.
Even those who’d prepared a bit only had minor medical supplies or rations.
Only Meryl and I had full backpacks.
It’d draw eyes, but better than suffering.
Still, everyone showing up so unprepared for the practical.
Hell was guaranteed.
Though that was exactly Ken Schwelz’s intent.
That devil… all professors were devils, no doubt.
“Hey, buddy. What’s with all the gear? Lightweight bag, right?”
“Looks like you figured it out.”
Leon lowered his voice next to Ethan, who was poking my lightweight bag and throwing an arm around me.
I could just answer honestly, but… Leon grew stronger the more he rolled, so no need to spare him the grind.
Ethan, well….
He wasn’t the type to starve anywhere, so no need to tell him either.
“You think I’d know the practical details? I’m a student, not a spy. Just grabbed extras in case. I’m more cowardly than I look.”
“Who’s cowardly?”
“Me.”
“You, Theo?”
Ethan pointed at me repeatedly, then shrugged.
“Can’t quite endorse that as the year’s best gag….”
“You think I said it to make you laugh?”
“Wait, you were serious…?!”
This guy’s reactions rivaled Hollywood stars.
Ignoring him, Ethan stroked his chin.
“If you’re lying that hard, you must have some scheme….”
“What scheme? Believe it or don’t.”
“Only sure thing is the practical’ll be tough.”
Leon added indifferently.
He didn’t seem interested in uncovering what I was hiding.
Makes sense—with his personality, he’d be pondering how to conquer the practical, not what I knew.
“Everyone here?!”
The auditorium doors burst open.
Ken Schwelz strode in, proudly displaying his robust muscles as always.
Looking more like walking muscle than human, he scanned the hall and grinned wickedly.
That bastard.
He was thrilled everyone came so unprepared.
Thinking of three days separated from beds and modern comforts because of that vicious prof already gave me a headache.
“Then we’ll now begin the final exam practical!!”
Ken Schwelz bellowed, shaking the auditorium.
Everyone reflexively clapped hands over their ears.
And so, the irreversible practical exam curtain rose.