Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Training (3)
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"Today, I'll make one announcement before we start class."
Sierra wrote something on the blackboard.
"……"
"…Ah."
"…Midterms already?"
"……Isn't this way too soon?"
The students buzzed at the sight of those four letters.
And they had every reason to. It hadn't even been that long since they'd enrolled.
Yet midterms were already upon them?
For the students, it felt like a bolt from the blue.
This was their first exam since entering the Academy, and exams were nerve-wracking enough on their own…
The only ones keeping their cool were Aren, who had been through similar experiences multiple times before; Veronica, who seemed utterly unfazed; and Ferris, who had been crushed by Aren but still clung to his pride.
For the record, Ferris had returned to the classroom right after his burned-out mana circuits were treated.
'Come to think of it, I still haven't told him what to do.'
The terms of their duel: if Ferris won, Aren would drop out; if Aren won, Ferris would grant Aren one request.
'What should I make him do…'
…Honestly, nothing came to mind yet.
'Maybe I should just bank it and use it when something comes up?'
He was the Magic Tower Lord's disciple, after all. That meant he could offer plenty of value.
Better not to waste the opportunity on something trivial… save it for when it really mattered.
But what if Ferris pretended not to remember and reneged?
'Then I'll change his name to Chunsik starting that day.'
…
Suddenly, Ferris shuddered at the chill creeping up his spine.
Once the students had calmed down, Professor Sierra continued her explanation.
"I get that no one likes it, but there's no helping it. Right after midterms, we'll have the inter-year competition and inter-department competition, so the schedule's tight."
She added the words "inter-year competition" and "inter-department competition" to the board.
At this new information, Aren finally straightened up and started paying attention.
"The midterms will be 50% written, 50% practical. The written part won't be too tough since it's early in the semester—just prep decently for the practical. Got it?"
At that moment, one student raised their hand.
"Um… Professor? What will the practical exam be like…?"
"Oh, the practical? It's the same for all years, so I can't give details yet… Just know it'll involve teamwork."
"Teamwork?"
"Yeah."
Professor Sierra brushed off further questions and moved on.
"Now, the inter-year competition… Each year will select representatives from every department to form a united team per year. So we'll have a first-year rep team, second-year, third-year, fourth-year. Those teams will compete against each other."
She skipped details on the events, saying they were still under wraps.
'Hmm.'
Aren, listening intently, raised his hand with a sudden spark of curiosity.
"Oh? Top student? Something on your mind?"
"Professor. Won't there be imbalances between years due to differences in knowledge and experience? Doesn't that make it unfair?"
The other students nodded in agreement. They'd all been wondering the same thing. Professor Sierra nodded understandingly.
"Don't worry. The inter-year competition isn't just about individual skill—teamwork is key."
'Hmm… Got it.'
In other words, even top talent wouldn't score without good coordination.
He didn't know the exact format, but he had a rough idea now.
'Separate from that, I should look into it more later.'
It seemed like an annual event, so there had to be past records or tips somewhere.
Knowing last year's events would help.
"Finally, the inter-department competition: reps from each department within the same year compete. Easy, right?"
Professor Sierra made it clear she couldn't elaborate.
The students nodded reluctantly.
Internally thinking, 'If you're not gonna give details, why bother announcing?'
Noticing their skepticism, she chuckled softly.
"Still, knowing beats not knowing. Just don't slack on your training. Got it?"
"““““““““Yes.””””””””"
With announcements done, Professor Sierra launched into the dull lecture.
"…Oh? Junior? You're early."
"Sarah senior."
Aren returned Sarah's warm greeting and sat beside her.
Perhaps because he sat so casually, right next to her without hesitation, Sarah flinched briefly but quickly resumed as if nothing happened.
"What about Lydia junior and Veronica? Aren't you three in the same department?"
"Lydia went to another class. And Veronica…"
Veronica had bolted from the classroom first thing after class, her face flushed red.
'Did I tease her too much?'
He'd only poked at her occasionally out of boredom during lecture, with some eye contact, but it might've been too much for her.
Aren shrugged.
"No idea. She was the first out the door."
"Hmm…?"
Sarah tilted her head curiously but seemed to accept it without pressing.
"Oh, right, senior."
"Yes?"
"Did you hear the announcement too?"
"Oh, that? Hehe. Of course."
She'd just come from hearing about the midterms, inter-year, and inter-department competitions.
"What were they like last year?"
"The midterms?"
"Midterms, inter-year, inter-department—all of it."
"Hmm…"
She paused thoughtfully.
"For midterms… it was basically teams of people who got along hunting monsters."
"Monsters?"
…Was that okay?
The Academy sent students on expeditions and internships, but this place was seriously Spartan.
Putting monsters among students, really?
"They weren't too strong, and professors and instructors monitor constantly, so safety's fine."
"I see."
"As for inter-year and inter-department…"
She frowned.
"They happen once per semester, but the format changes every time, so nothing specific to share."
"Got it."
With his curiosity sated, a brief silence settled between them.
With nothing more to say, Aren glanced at the book in front of Sarah.
The title… Don't Do This, Fiancé!…?
'…What's that book?'
He had no clue.
But one thing was clear: she had a lot on her mind about her fiancé.
Otherwise, she wouldn't give vague answers like last time or read something like that.
Noticing his gaze, Sarah slyly slid the book away.
But.
"Senior."
Aren caught her hand as she moved the book.
Caught off guard, Sarah blinked and turned to him.
"Why do you call me, junior?"
"Could I hear about your fiancé?"
"…Oh my."
She let out a soft gasp.
"What, you want this senior for yourself? Hehe."
"And if I do?"
"…Pardon?"
"If I said I want you, senior? Would you tell me then?"
Aren's eyes were utterly serious.
They burned with fervent desire, proving his words were true.
A man's pursuit of one woman.
Flustered by his unexpected intensity, she felt a ticklish thrill in her heart and hummed playfully.
"Hmm~ Hm~"
"Senior?"
"Fine."
"Pardon?"
Sarah looked at Aren.
"I'll tell you. But it's a secret—don't go blabbing."
"Of course."
She stood and walked to the window.
Warm sunlight poured in outside. It made her deep purple hair shimmer.
"First, you're curious who my fiancé is, right?"
"Yes."
"Hehe."
She covered her mouth laughing. It was… incredibly alluring.
She paused, as if steeling herself inwardly.
After a few deep breaths, she—
"My fiancé… is His Highness the Crown Prince."
dropped the bombshell casually.
"…The Crown Prince?"
"Oh dear. Calling the Crown Prince by name could be lese-majeste. But… since it's just us, I'll let it slide."
Aren chuckled.
"My thanks."
"Hehe. Anyway… I told you my fiancé, and you're totally unfazed?"
"Yes."
He nodded without hesitation.
"Oh? Why?"
The Crown Prince.
The empire's next ruler.
Touching his fiancée meant making an enemy of the entire empire.
But.
"Isn't that Crown Prince head over heels for another woman right now?"
The Crown Prince himself was smitten with someone else—some fresh-faced beauty who seemed like a romance novel heroine, from the looks of things.
Sure enough, Sarah smiled quietly without a word.
"Spot on. Unlike me, his fiancée since childhood, His Highness fell hard for some noble lady he just met."
"So things aren't good between you?"
"Hehe. Not good? My Clement Marquis family is already pushing for a breakup."
…
Oh?
Aren let out a dazed sound of admiration, and Sarah beamed.
"Meaning my seat next to you will be empty soon. Will you leave poor empty-seated me alone, junior?"