Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Supplementary Exam (3)
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Academy City's Academic District 1.
Home to G1 academies like Slaine Academy, this area boasted the city's top hospital.
With medical technology rivaling the powerhouse nation of Bihaite and a roster of renowned continental doctors, they had built a solid medical staff.
These efforts intertwined to elevate Argo General Hospital to the pinnacle of Academy City's healthcare.
Patients flocked endlessly upon hearing its fame, and Argo, which only accepted reservations, had such a packed schedule that even the city's elite couldn't waltz in without one.
Thus.
Noah waking up there— a place where not even academy principals or university presidents could enter without a booking— was utterly unprecedented.
...
"An unfamiliar ceiling..."
Noah recited the classic line the moment he woke, carefully propping himself up to survey his surroundings.
"This is... a hospital?"
Clean white wallpaper, medical equipment in the corner of his vision.
And the faint alcohol scent lingering in his nose.
No denying it— a hospital.
"I was definitely..."
"Ugh!"
As Noah fully sat up, recalling memories, pain surged through his body, drawing a groan and a grimace.
"You shouldn't push yourself."
Moments later, the room door opened, and an unfamiliar voice called out.
Noah's gaze naturally turned toward the gentle, soothing tone— forgetting his pain in an instant, staring blankly at her.
"Y-You are...?"
No, more precisely, before he could even take in her face, his eyes were drawn irresistibly to her chest.
Huge...!
Even hidden under her uniform and cardigan, the overwhelming presence was undeniable—
She exuded the relaxed warmth of an older sister, smiling faintly.
"Pleased to meet you, Noah. I'm Tatiana, handling accounting for the Student Council."
The beauty with light beige hair cascading to her waist smiled brightly as she spoke.
"Student Council... so you're the president's...?"
"Yes, though I'm lacking, I serve by his side."
Why is that?
Coming from such a generous-hearted beauty, it somehow sounded lewd.
Noah swallowed involuntarily, asking her with anxious eyes.
"U-Um, are you by any chance related to the president... Ah, no! More importantly, the president! Is the president okay?!"
Suddenly recalling the scene just before he blacked out, Noah pivoted his question to check on him.
The wizard was handled by me, but I couldn't touch the Black Sun! If the president dealt with it instead, surely...!
Something like a massive bomb exploding— even the president couldn't emerge unscathed.
No matter how strong, he couldn't erase it instantly without some damage.
As Noah's expression shifted rapidly with worry, the accountant watched in surprise before covering her mouth to laugh.
"Accountant?"
"Ah, sorry. Hehe, no need to worry. The president is fine. Not a scratch on him, so don't fret."
"...He's safe? Without a single injury?"
Is that possible?
No matter Noah's own shortcomings, he could sense mana.
That rampaging Black Sun was blatantly abnormal.
It surpassed the combined mana of all the instructors nearby. Overwhelming power no single human could handle...
Dealt with alone.
If it had detonated, the area would've been obliterated.
Thinking of her handling such a danger unscathed, a smile bloomed on Noah's face.
"Hehe, the president always exceeds our imaginations. Nothing strange about it."
She'd pulled up a chair beside Noah, smiling leisurely as she voiced her trust in him.
Watching her, Noah felt his respect for the president surging.
The president is amazing!
Then, the softly smiling woman continued.
"Of course, the aspirants in that supplementary exam are all safe too. The wizard you faced took a fatal wound, but with Academy City's tech fully mobilized, he won't die."
Yes, he won't die.
She said it with a sinister smile.
Someone I shouldn't mess with.
Instinct screaming not to anger her, Noah tensed up. She gave a wry smile.
"Hehe, no need to be so tense. I'm here to thank you, Noah."
"Thank me?"
"Yes. The president handled the big one, but taking down the wizard is your and the other aspirants' achievement."
She lightly bowed her head.
"Thank you. On behalf of the Student Council. No— on behalf of all of Academy City."
"W-Wait! You don't have to bow like that...!"
"No, if you hadn't stopped the wizard, a huge crisis would've hit Academy City."
"......"
"The president asked me to convey his thanks too, so please don't feel burdened."
No, I'm extremely burdened.
A Student Council executive bowing to a mere aspirant like me.
It was overwhelming.
"U-Um, have you figured out why the wizard rampaged?"
Changing the subject with his burning question, she lifted her head with a serious expression.
"As you know, black mana is a hallmark of demons. No race on the continent possesses it."
"But that rampage..."
"Yes, black mana surged."
Like ink spreading.
The glowing blue mana had corrupted to black in an instant.
"Our investigation of residual mana traces found something similar to demonic mana, though not identical."
"So that means..."
Yes.
She gazed at him gravely.
"Too early for certainty, but we're assuming demonic involvement."
As expected.
He'd suspected from the black mana, but hadn't thought it real.
"Thanks to you, the Student Council— and even the board— have raised alerts."
She added the entrance ceremony next month would have stricter checks, then clapped.
"Oh right! There's good news too."
"Good news?"
"Yes, the rampage botched the supplementary exam results, right?"
"...Ah."
Right.
Of course.
With the incident right before deciding a winner, how could it proceed normally?
Even if resolved well, all surviving aspirants collapsed unconscious— canceling was inevitable.
"D-Don't tell me we're doing it over?!"
Trouble!
I made it that far!
"Hehe, no. The supplementary exam was just to scout overlooked gems."
Though its selectivity is still debated.
Pausing, she continued.
"So even without a winner, impressing scouts means recruitment offers."
"S-So that means...!"
To Noah's expectant words, she smiled brightly.
"Taking down the rampaging wizard? Perfect achievement."
Now that you're awake, expect a flood of offers.
As if just remembering, she added.
"Also, as thanks for the incident, we've recommended you all for suppressing the wizard."
"...Pardon?"
What?
"It's just for the entrance ceremony, but it'll help with higher-tier recruitments."
"Uh, th-that..."
Student Council stamp on my application?
Like a quality seal?
Realizing that, Noah's face lit up.
"Th-Thank you!"
From failure to Student Council recommended!
His excited, joyful expression shone.
"Then I'll be off."
"Thank you so much, Accountant!"
"Hehe, looking forward to your future exploits, Noah."
Rising, she murmured softly before leaving.
"Don't disappoint the president."
Shortly after.
A scout arrived faster than any other, meeting Noah.
"Nice to meet you, Noah. Sorry to jump straight in— want to join Slaine Academy?"
As Rachel, a G1 scout, spoke, Noah floundered.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 【Multiple unread messages!】 Meanwhile, in Academy City's Central District.
A rare sight unfolded in the Acropolis, the Student Council's base.
"Heh, hehehe, hehehehe..."
In the Student Council President's office— accessible only to him and executives— a woman let out an eerie laugh.
Her golden hair swaying, she deeply chuckled before yanking the man's tie.
"I clearly said we'd meet after the transfer ceremony."
"C-Calm down. You know there was an incident."
Princess Hwang Se-hee, the Imperial Empire's First Princess and Yeon Je-seong's fiancée, gripped harder.
Their lips nearly touching.
Glare fierce, she forced a smile.
"Of course I know. I knew. But still, you..."
Who were you peeping at from the transfer ceremony rooftop?
"......!!"
"With a telescope, no less. Quite thorough."
Yeon Je-seong, ever composed and restrained, betrayed nothing— but the princess instinctively knew.
His pupils trembled unprecedentedly.
Soon, viscous mana rose from her.
Deep-sea-like blue mana slowly bound him; he abandoned resistance, meeting her eyes.
"I, your father, even His Majesty— we don't mind concubines. But excluding me for other women...!"
Just as the princess's jealous fury erupted—
Yeon Je-seong suddenly pulled her into an embrace, whispering in her ear.
"Calm down."
"Eek!"
"Just checking early signs of rampage."
No other reason.
Now holding her, he gently stroked her hair.
Her body trembled, unable to move, as he calmly replied.
"W-Who'd believe that...! You always say that..."
"I'm yours anyway, Se-hee."
"Hngh!"
"And you're mine."
"......!"
"What are you so worried about."
Gently stroking to soothe her, as she quieted in his arms, Yeon Je-seong let out a soft sigh.
Barely calmed her.
Engaged for 15 years now.
He was used to her occasional jealousy bursts.
They should've married when she came of age, but his insistence delayed it— leaving him forever apologetic.
I know her feelings, but...
15 years together; he knew her heart well.
But with demons invading anytime, he couldn't start a family rashly.
All he could do was delay marriage, hasten the original story's start.
And if he slays the Demon King and returns home—
Could I choose?
Gazing at her peaceful face, he closed his eyes again today.
Wait, how'd she know I was on the rooftop?
No one was there.