Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Im Sol's Research Lab
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'Easy.'
The written exam was nothing more than a hand cramp; the questions themselves weren't an issue.
The morning magic usage written exam? A breeze—full marks.
I hadn't checked the grading yet, but as long as my answers matched the textbooks and papers, it was full marks for me too.
"Hey, let's compare answers."
"Only the ones who bombed say that."
"Yeah, I did better than you~."
"This exam was seriously tough."
"Agreed. Everyone's scores are gonna tank."
Once the exam ended, the lecture hall filled with cadets chattering away.
"Agh! I'm sure this was from the professor's notes, but I got it wrong..."
"It's okay, Lucy... You'll get it next time."
The twins were talking about the exam too.
"Guys, let's grab some food. I'm starving."
I had zero interest in that.
"Lee Ho-yeon, you crushed that exam, didn't you? You're way too chill."
"Eh, just okay."
They'd all see the scores when they came out. No need to brag.
We headed to the student cafeteria for lunch.
"Mmm~ This is so good. The cafeteria steak is amazing—why doesn't anyone else eat it?"
"Right? Steak's the best for me too."
Lucy and I sliced into our steaks enthusiastically, while Lumi hunched over her omelet rice, shoveling it in.
"Y-yeah..."
"Lumi, why do you sound so down?"
"W-well... Everyone's staring..."
"...Yeah, they kinda are."
Ahh, so this is what fame feels like.
Everyone in the cafeteria kept sneaking glances at us.
Well, more precisely, at me.
I'd gotten pretty famous lately.
It had cut down on the idiots picking fights, which was nice... but the constant staring was getting annoying.
"Ignore 'em. They're just curious."
"O-okay... Got it..."
Click!
I even heard a camera shutter from somewhere.
Too crowded to pinpoint who, though.
Whoa, this is insane.
Is this what Moon Soo-rin deals with daily?
Kinda get it now... But hers must be way worse.
"Eek, it's scary."
"What's scary?"
"N-nothing."
I crammed food into my mouth to finish up and bolt from the cafeteria.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The afternoon written exam flew by just as fast.
The questions were insanely tough; the cadets looked totally lost.
Ding-
[Victoria Academy 1v1 Duel Preliminaries Group A Team 3: Lee Ho-yeon. Please report to A Arena by 4:30 PM.] As I was leaving the lecture hall after the exam, a few cadets' smartwatches chimed with notifications.
"Prelims notice."
"Mine too—B Arena."
"I didn't get one..."
"Huh, exam ended early for a reason. Gotta head to the arena—see you tomorrow."
"Bye-bye! Lumi! Come with me to B Arena!"
"O-okay."
I waved to the twins and dashed to A Arena.
A decent crowd was already waiting.
Not just A-Class—cadets from other classes too. Looked like a random draw tournament for all first-years.
"Next! Team 2, up!"
A professor was directing cadets from atop the arena.
Two guys climbed up at his command.
You only learned your opponent once you were both up there.
Talk about luck. What happens if strong ones draw each other in prelims?
"Ready... Fight!"
I ignored the two guys' duel and checked my smartwatch, waiting for my turn.
"Winner: Jeon Young-joo!"
A few exchanges later, a victor emerged.
Clap clap clap
Everyone was applauding, so I joined in lightly.
"Next! Group 3, up!"
I hopped onto the arena quick.
Let's see...
My opponent was some extra I'd seen around but didn't know.
No need to tense up.
"U-um, Ho-yeon."
"Yeah?"
The guy hemmed and hawed before speaking.
"S-sorry about last time. Wasn't my intention, it just... happened."
What's this guy's deal?
I racked my brain slowly.
Where'd I see this face? Familiar, A-Class maybe?
"Ah..."
Got it.
One of Do Jin-hyuk's lackeys from early semester.
The one snickering behind him when he picked a fight.
"It's fine. I don't care."
"R-really? Thanks."
I eyed his sigh of relief and gathered mana in my body.
"I'll end it quick. Don't worry."
"H-huh?"
He'd have been safe staying quiet, but digging his own grave? That's a talent.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I wrapped up the duel in seconds and headed to meet Professor Im Sol.
Part check-in, part introducing Baek Ah-young.
Plus helping with her paper or whatever—plenty to do.
Been a while since I visited, so I felt oddly nervous.
⭐ Heroine Status ⭐ 💖 Favorability: 50 🔥 Lust: 25 🍲 Appetite: 30 😴 Fatigue: 40 Current Status: After grading exams, if I work on my paper... will I have any time left? Whoa, gotta step it up.
Checking Im Sol's status, I resolved to try harder.
50 favorability wasn't low, of course.
But after all that skinship, I'd expected higher. 50 after that? Impressive... or not?
"Still got some grading left—wanna sit and wait? Help yourself to snacks or coffee."
"Sure."
I plopped on the lab sofa, unwrapping chocolates one by one.
Watching her grade exams intently sparked a obvious question.
"I know I came by, but is it okay to meet professors during exam week?"
Don't most schools restrict access to prof offices?
Kinda scary if it causes issues.
"No problem. We swear a Mana Oath not to leak exams."
"M-Mana Oath..."
They had those here too!
"Why so surprised? First time hearing about Mana Oaths?"
"...No, first time seeing one up close. Kinda cool."
Learned about the most binding thing in a mana world firsthand.
"Got nothing to do? Help me out."
Im Sol magicked about 20 sheets from a tall stack my way.
Cadets' exam answers.
"...Professor, you can't make a cadet grade exams."
"It's fine. Just don't blab."
"..."
Had to finish before we could chat anyway.
Thinking positive, I started grading.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Iris Guild executive, Sebastian Chan.
He was tailing Lee Ho-yeon again today.
Something was definitely up, but the kid went into Im Sol's lab—how to check inside?
Then.
Sebastian sensed someone.
Across the building, someone in stealth.
Level... about mine.
No such guy around Ho-yeon yesterday.
Found out. He noticed me and hired a bodyguard.
Procuring talent like that overnight meant Ho-yeon was a big deal.
Don't know the backer, but at least Ellis-level.
Couldn't reveal himself. Iris Guild stayed shadows.
Expose identity? Iris loses.
Sebastian swallowed and retreated.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Jeong Bi-seo, right-hand of the Korean Hunter Association Chairman.
To uncover Baek Ah-young's academy ties, he'd dug personally.
One lead: A cadet really close to Baek Ah-young.
Today, he infiltrated Victoria Academy to investigate that cadet.
Even for a cadet, he gave his all.
Moved undetected, no traces.
But...
Someone's there.
Direct opposite, stealthed.
Looked like guarding Ho-yeon.
And top-tier too.
That's upper A-Rank hunter at least... Can't engage.
Someone watching Ho-yeon's back.
If Jeong noticed them, they noticed him.
Decision made, Jeong retreated fast.
The presence vanished simultaneously.
They felt the risk of clash too.
"Lee Ho-yeon... Who the hell's backing you?"
Jeong wrote his report, sweating cold.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "What?"
"Something wrong, Professor?"
Grading done, we sat across sipping coffee when Im Sol squinted.
"Felt a commotion outside, but it vanished. Hallucination?"
"...?"
Out of nowhere.
"Oh yeah, how'd the exam go?"
"Great."
Confident. I'd be top.
"Ho, mages' written wasn't easy this time."
"Wanna bet? I'll stake I aced it."
"Pass."
"..."
Bummer. Could've won something.
"Pfft, I hate bets. Sorry."
Im Sol laughed, sipped coffee, then said,
"By the way, you talked to that Min Ye-ji girl?"
Why's Min Ye-ji's name from her? I'd messaged, so no denying.
"How'd you know? She tried recruiting me to her guild, I said no, so she pitched a business deal."
"Turned down Iron Blood Guild? That's her guild."
"Eh, not keen on joining anywhere. Still time before graduation."
Heroines here—gotta graduate academy.
Value skyrockets then; no need to commit now. Plus, girl situation's messy for guilds.
"Hm. Your call, won't push. But skip her business pitch."
"Why?"
Pyramid scheme?
"Nah, I got hyped once, saw the proposal... Ugh. Whatever. Just don't."
⭐ Heroine Status ⭐ 💖 Favorability: 50 🔥 Lust: 25 🍲 Appetite: 30 😴 Fatigue: 40 Current Status: She could make a male cadet wear a bikini. That's how money-mad she is... What situation would ever have me in a bikini?
Gulp.
I rethought Min Ye-ji.