From Everyday Bliss to Exam Day
“Orion Academy’s final exam practical test boils down to stealing bells from the instructors.”
“““...”””
Confusion seeps thickly into the cadets’ eyes. The silence now runs far deeper than at the start.
Juyeon tacks on to her words amid the classroom’s endlessly sobering mood.
“Of course, if the instructors only evaluated their own cadets, fairness issues or complaints could arise. I won’t claim to teach better than the others, but it is a fact that I’m the strongest among them. We can’t exactly give Class 1 an unfair exam.”
Her voice stays flat. No bravado, no flaunting.
It’s simply a cold, hard fact—devoid of any arrogance. A truth everyone already knows.
No number of instructors ganging up could take down Juyeon.
“Take a look at this.”
The papers in front of Juyeon flutter through the air on threads of mana.
One lands neatly on each cadet’s desk.
“During the practical exam, the instructors will roam their assigned positions.”
Juyeon holds the last sheet in hand.
The cadets’ eyes lock onto their papers.
“As you can see, each instructor’s bell is a different color, worth different points. Even if you don’t snag a bell, there are detailed points for your actions and responses.”
The paper lists each instructor’s photo and position.
Juyeon’s bell is red—the highest score the instant you claim it.
Judging by the numbers, there’s only one to begin with. The odds of anyone getting it look slim.
“We’ve dubbed it ‘bell-stealing,’ but it’s not just about straight-up theft. The exact methods and challenges will vary by instructor’s discretion, and any who lose theirs will immediately equip a spare.”
Second up: Carrot Instructor.
Rabbit beastkin, taijutsu specialist—especially devastating kicks, or so she’s noted herself, complete with a doodled carrot for emphasis.
Her bell is silver. Total of 20 she can distribute to cadets.
Below her: Ed Instructor.
The bearded guy with the scruffy hair and perpetually sleepy eyes—the one who oversaw Rohan, Ichinose, and Noah’s placement exams.
That air of utter laziness clings to him vividly in memory.
His bell is silver too—same points as Carrot’s, same quantity.
Palkenhain Instructor.
Defense specialist using mana barriers. His bells are blue, total of 100.
Lower points than Carrot or Ed.
Finally, Marcel Instructor.
Expert in situational first aid, treatment, and antidotes.
His bells are yellow—one per first-year cadet. Lowest points of all.
“The exam runs three days, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., across Orion Academy grounds. Instructors won’t share cadet info until it’s over. And any academy property damage during the test? No penalties.”
But malicious attacks on fellow cadets under the guise of this?
Intentional, excessive destruction? Not allowed.
“Use every trick and tactic you’ve got against the instructors. If it’s a combat evaluation, charge in with killing intent—no hesitation. Even if you get hurt or killed, the instructors won’t hold it against you. They’ll coldly assess just how far you can go.”
Juyeon’s words aren’t empty.
If a cadet has that kind of skill, the instructors are prepared to humbly accept defeat.
Of course, they won’t just sit there and take it either—that much goes without saying.
The cadets stare wide-eyed, shock plain on their faces.
“Hunting monsters, facing villains—it’s the same. If you can win and survive, use any means within the bounds of humanity and righteousness.”
This isn’t a call to hold back on ruthless strikes or merciless action.
It means don’t cross the line of basic human decency.
No selling out comrades to criminals or monsters. No stabbing allies in the back like some beast.
A warning: don’t chase gains by devolving into livestock that preys on its own kind.
“Next, check the bottom. As listed, you can use standard-issue weapons or your own. That’ll change how the instructors respond, too.”
She runs through the finer point allocations and details.
With the explanation neatly wrapped, Juyeon surveys the class.
“That’s it. Any questions?”
“Instructor! Me! Pick me!”
Noah waves her hand like she’d been waiting forever.
Juyeon gives the nod, and Noah blurts out her pure, innocent curiosity.
“You said use any means necessary... so what if I call my dad?”
The cadets freeze, at a loss for how to react. Juyeon just smiles.
The sheer sincerity in the question is downright amusing.
“Orion Academy strictly bans unauthorized outsiders. If you can sort that out, go ahead.”
“Ah...”
No way a nation’s ruler would barge into the academy making a fuss just to help his daughter’s exam.
Noah nods, satisfied.
But Rohan’s already dissecting Juyeon’s every word, scheming the optimal approach.
“Other questions?”
Rohan raises his hand.
Juyeon’s gaze shifts to him in the front row.
“I’m wondering if we can grab more than one bell.”
“Of course. Remember, it’s relative evaluation, not absolute. Aim to collect them all.”
With limited numbers, only one cadet could pull that off.
But picturing anyone wresting a bell from Juyeon? Not even in imagination.
That’s exactly why he wants to try.
Rohan’s motivation ignites.
This setup where I can cut loose against real powerhouses? Rare as hell.
Perfect chance. He can even use Brilliance and Brand.
Instructors said they’d use minimal force to subdue cadets.
From Rohan’s view? Far from scared—he wants to tank their attacks, gauge the gap properly.
“Next question.”
Juyeon fields Class 1’s queries one by one.
Once the room quiets, she checks the time.
“Homeroom’s over. Prep for class.”
The moment Juyeon exits, Class 1 erupts in chatter.
*****
Orion Academy’s final exams.
Time marched relentlessly toward the written test kicking it all off.
Looking back, “already?” slips out naturally.
For Rohan, the days till now had been an overdose of pure bliss.
No exaggeration—drowning in joy.
Sion’s mansion saw plenty of visits from Ichinose and Noah for group study sessions.
There was that day Ichinose suggested studying together, so they hit a quiet café—just the two of them.
Time alone with her felt free of that awkward post-kiss stiffness, so Rohan didn’t hesitate to say yes.
I could live like this forever.
Prepping for the written exam didn’t mean skipping training—far from it. He ramped up the intensity.
Greedily chasing both daily happiness and growth, he gave it everything.
Like running a rotation, the girls took turns suggesting outings one by one.
Rohan snapped up every invite without overthinking.
Furniture shopping at Sion’s mansion with her.
Missed snapping a pic of Sion’s flustered panic at the clerk’s “newlyweds?” question.
Her composure cracking like that? A rare sight.
Offline gaming event with Clara.
The girl who’d shrink from stares, all excited and sparkling-eyed—still vivid in his mind.
Loaded up on merch to decorate their rooms.
What luxury is this?
Time with the girls was precious to Rohan.
Postponing or sidelining those invites for study or training? He’d regret it for sure.
So he savored every moment, leaving not a drop of satisfaction behind.
And just like that, written exam day arrived.
Practical starts tomorrow right after this.
Rohan heads out from the dorm at dawn.
My debts are piling up like mountains.
How to repay Ichinose if his scores climb? Last time was just Q&A—this was straight-up private tutoring like with Noah.
Thanks to her, Rohan’s gotten cozy with numbers and formulas.
“...”
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Early hour, no one else commuting. Rohan arrives at Orion Academy.
Puts away the written notes he reviewed on the way.
Let’s see.
Normally, this time means hitting the training room with Ichinose for their routine workout.
But today, his feet turn elsewhere. He wanders the academy’s vast grounds.
No supplements or spare clothes in his bag like usual. Just heavy, unknown items packed tight.
Bag in hand, Rohan begins drifting through the instructors’ practical exam positions.