Chapter 121
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: The Midterms Were a Breeze!
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After exiting the artificial dungeon with Teacher Dias, we headed to the waiting room where the students who'd already taken their exams were resting.
"Ah, Rubelt."
"Good work, Young Master."
"Ohohoho! You did great, Rubelt!"
"Rubelt! Come on over!"
As I entered the waiting room, everyone else was already gathered.
"Rubelt, you had a pro hunter as your exam proctor too?"
"Yeah. You too, Isihoon?"
"Yeah, man. Who would've thought we'd get a surprise like this in the midterms? Those pro hunters were seriously... strong."
Isihoon let his shoulders slump as he grumbled.
Well, from the perspective of cadets who knew nothing, it made sense they'd complain when an unbeatable opponent suddenly popped up in the middle of what seemed like a smooth exam.
"So, did you get a zero?"
"No way it'd be a zero! I even got praised for doing really well! Delren, this promising B-rank hunter who's got a reputation, said it himself! Oh, right. Who was yours, Rubelt?"
"Teacher Dias."
"What?"
"Teacher Dias. Our homeroom teacher."
"F-for real? Teacher Dias? I thought his rank was..."
"A-rank. What can you do? I'm so exceptional that they had to assign Teacher Dias to me."
"Ugh... That's true, but did you have to say it in such an annoying way?!"
But teasing you is just too fun.
That said...
Why is Chisaki looking so deflated?
"Chisaki, what's up?"
"Dad..."
"Huh?"
"My opponent was Dad! He said he wanted to check my skills again, so he went super hard on me in sparring... I'm exhausted."
Chisaki's sparring partner must have been one of the invited masters.
I figured Master would qualify for an invite since his skills were A-rank level, but I didn't expect him to face Chisaki directly.
Master dotes on his daughter Chisaki like crazy, but when he's sparring as a swordsman, he's dead serious. I could only imagine how tough it must've been for her.
"Good job."
"If you're impressed, how about a reward...?"
Chisaki shot me a look full of expectation.
This felt like her way of saying, Make me feel good later to make up for how hard it was... Fine, I could indulge her that much.
"Later."
"Yay!"
The moment I gave permission, Chisaki perked right up.
Did she pretend to be worn out just to bring this up?
If so, her sexual cunning had improved a lot.
"Where's Master? I'd like to say hi."
"He said he'd stick around in the dungeon since other cadets still have exams."
"Got it."
Guess Teacher Dias only came out with me because he was just the boss for my match.
"Anyway! I heard you got our homeroom teacher as your priest! How was it? Was he strong?"
Chisaki leaned in with sparkling, curious eyes.
She looked just like she did at the entrance ceremony—no different at all.
"Of course he lived up to his nickname 'Paragon Breaker.' I took a few hits, and man, did they hurt."
Well, they didn't actually hurt.
"Lord Rubelt?!"
"Rubelt!? Y-you got hit? Are you okay!?"
"No injuries, right!?"
Eli, Yume, and Kagura all panicked and crowded around me.
"Haha, I'm fine. His punches stung, but Teacher Dias held back, so no serious damage. Thanks for worrying."
I smiled and thanked the three of them, and they all blushed a little.
Yep. That fresh, lovestruck expression on their faces.
Loved it.
Nothing feels as satisfying as seeing the people I like showing genuine affection for me firsthand.
"Everyone worked hard today, so how about a party after school?"
"Ooh? Party! Sounds good! Let's do it! Party!"
"How about inviting Yesle too, Isihoon?"
"Y-Yesle too?"
"Yeah."
I said it quietly, just loud enough for Isihoon to hear.
"A celebration could be a good chance for you two to get closer, right?"
Gulp... "I-I'll invite her! Oh, wait. How about Maria too...?"
"Of course."
I would've invited her myself if Isihoon hadn't mentioned it.
As expected from the same volunteer club, he was looking out for Maria.
"I've got her number, so I'll handle it."
"Ah, okay."
A celebration party's no fun without some singing.
"Phew, Aika's wiped..."
"Who knew a pro hunter would show up at the end..."
Right on cue, Aika and Anastasia entered the waiting room, fresh from their exams.
"Aika, Anastasia."
"Ah! Lord Rubelt!"
"Wh-what's up!?"
The moment I spoke, they shook off their exhaustion and beamed at me.
"To celebrate finishing the midterms, we're planning a party. If you're up for it, come along and maybe sing for us?"
"With Lord Rubelt...!"
"A party...! Of course!"
"Aika's always ready to sing~."
"Great. Stick around after class then. We'll all head out together."
"Yes!"
With Aika and Anastasia on board, the whole class was assembled in the waiting room, so we all moved back to our classroom.
No matter how massive and high-tech Hunter Academy is, they can't test the entire year at once, so they stagger the exams.
Once done, students get free time at the academy.
During free time, I chatted enjoyably with my girls until it was about the time Maria's class would finish.
I stepped out briefly and called the number Maria had given me.
[H-hello?! Lord Rubelt...!]
"Hey, Maria. How'd the exam go?"
[G-great! It's over. I'm in the waiting room waiting for the others.]
"Cool. Got time after school?"
[After school? Volunteer club's off today, so yeah, plenty of time.]
"Perfect. Want to come to a party we're throwing?"
[A p-party?!]
"Yeah, inviting friends to celebrate the midterms being done."
[Thank you for the invite! But would it be okay for me to join something like that...?]
"It's super casual, so don't worry. Not some fancy Eldra family gala or anything. And..."
Maria's personality meant she'd feel bad and decline out of politeness, but I had a way around that.
"Don't you help out at the church orphanage where you were raised?"
[Yes, that's right.]
"How about coming to the party and taking some food back? Parties always leave extras, and it'd be a shame to waste it. Take it to the church?"
[I-is that okay?]
No way she'd turn down a chance to give the orphanage kids tasty party food.
Even with my support making their lives easier, it wasn't luxurious.
"Absolutely. I'd even like to donate more to the orphanage I support, so it'd be great if you came."
[Got it! I'll join the party!]
"Good. Stay in your class after school? Isihoon and I'll come get you."
[Yes!]
Back in the classroom, Rize was waiting by the door.
"Did you finish your call, Young Master?"
"Yeah."
"...Not heading to the rooftop for lunch today?"
"Everyone's probably beat from exams. I'll pass today."
"...I see."
Rize seemed a little disappointed.
"That bummed you out?"
"Yes."
She answered honestly, without hesitation.
"Thanks to you, Young Master, my tastes have changed a lot since before I became an adult."
"Sorry, Rize. We'll make up for it big time starting tomorrow."
"Understood. Considering your libido, Young Master, skipping today is probably your limit anyway."
Hey, I'm not that sex-crazed.
How else would I have held out for 20 years?
Though holding back is still tough.
Just before after-school time, Teacher Dias entered the classroom and addressed the class.
"Good work on the midterms, everyone. Results come out tomorrow. Dismissed!"
Short and to the point, as always.
Hmm, since we're partying anyway, should I invite Teacher Dias?
"Isihoon, hold up a sec."
"Huh? Okay."
I told Isihoon to wait and caught up to Teacher Dias as he left the classroom.
"Teacher Dias."
"Eldra? What is it?"
"Throwing a party to celebrate the midterms. Join us?"
"Hm, a party... Sorry, I'll pass this time."
"Prior engagement?"
"Yeah."
He nodded as he said it.
"Faculty's got a get-together tonight."
"Ah, gotcha. Can't argue with that."
"Appreciate the invite."
Teacher Dias turned and walked down the hall.
I'd hoped to bond more with him, but staff events come first.
Plenty of time left—next chance it is.
Back in the classroom, Isihoon and I headed to Maria's class.
"You tried to invite Teacher Dias too?"
"Yeah. But he's got a faculty dinner tonight."
"You're something else, Rubelt. You sparred with him today, and I'm still kinda scared of him."
His blunt demeanor must've left a strong impression on Isihoon.
"Scary? Nah, he's more cool, right?"
"If you put it that way, maybe... Ah, we're here. This is Maria's class."
Year 1, Class D. Maria's class, and also home to Gang Seol-hwa, one of the heroines from Blaze Blood.
Inside, the other students had apparently gone home—only Maria remained.
"Maria."
"Ah! Lord Rubelt! Isihoon! I've been waiting!"
She spotted us and hurried over with a bright smile.
But.
"Maria?"
"Yes! What is it, Isihoon?"
"What's with the bundle?"
Maria clutched a large bundle in her hands.
"Oh, this? It's for the way home! To carry as much of Lord Rubelt's generosity as possible!"
Looked like she'd prepared containers to pack food in.
"Maria."
"Yes! Lord Rubelt!"
"Just use Hepai to store it."
"...Ah!"
She'd been too excited and overlooked it.
