Midterm Exam (3)
I'd expected some interference, but I never imagined those words would come out of her mouth. Keeping my voice steady, I asked her, “May I ask the reason?”
“Haa...”
Naella, the professor in charge of Monster Ecology, let out a deep sigh. She looked utterly exasperated, somehow frustrated and stifled all at once.
“Remember your exam scores? That's what's got everyone talking among the students.”
Exam results come out in a day or two at most, so you don't have to wait long to check them. I'd gotten a B+ in Monster Ecology. Professor Naella's grading is notoriously strict, so that score was equivalent to an A+ in other classes. And that grade was the result of my hard work. Trying to mess with it was absurd.
I responded immediately. “Professor, I didn't cheat on the exam. That score is the fruit of my efforts.”
“I know, I know better than anyone. I know how hard you worked. But the students don't see it that way. They're insisting you 'cheated' and keep filing complaints.”
“......”
“And by the rules, if complaints come in, we professors have to investigate.”
“I understand.”
Professor Naella sighed deeply again before continuing. Her frustration and discomfort came through loud and clear, unfiltered.
“But you know better than anyone that there's no room for 'cheating' at Tianis. Especially since you tried it yourself.”
She looked right at me.
Tianis Academy makes cheating during exams a 0.000001% possibility—practically impossible. That's thanks to the array of magic detection tools and the professors' vigilance. No student had ever succeeded in cheating under the watch of Master-level experts and top-tier artifacts.
Of course, this idiot ignored all that.
“Yes, I'm well aware. But I never...”
“That's what I said—I know. Do you think professors are fools who get swayed by that? Sure, some might hold a grudge and use this chance to screw you over.”
Hmm, can't argue with that.
“I wanted to just pretend to investigate and move on to save time. But after yesterday, that's not an option anymore.”
“What happened?”
“Well, these idiots are claiming you did it on that exam. All seven classes.”
“...Haa.”
I pressed my forehead against the oncoming headache. These bastards had gone way too far.
One or two classes, I could've let slide. It might've just been genuine suspicion. Even I would've chalked it up to karma and moved on.
But all seven? This was insulting the professors more than me. It was basically saying the seven professors hadn't supervised properly, letting a scumbag like me score that high.
“Yeah, it's insane. These idiots who can't even study pulling this crap, and now we're stuck dealing with it...”
Professor Naella seemed seriously pissed. One wrong word, and she'd blow.
“Especially Professor Mailon—he was furious. Talking about killing the complainers outright. We had to hold him back...”
“That must've been tough.”
“Tough doesn't cover it.”
I asked her, who sighed again, “So the conclusion is a re-exam?”
“Right. But don't worry. The written part is 10 questions at the same difficulty as the original, and the practical will be under the supervision of all seven professors plus others. We'll even release footage of the entire process, from start to finish, to those arrogant complainers.”
At this point, I had to ask. With conditions like that, I needed something in return.
“Then what do I get out of it?”
“Three things, basically. Assuming you pass without issue.”
She held up her fingers, then folded one down.
“First: extra credit for every class you're taking this semester.”
Not a bad start. She folded the next.
“Second: We'll handle any future rumors or scandals about your exams.”
“And the last?”
“Third: punishment for the students who acted maliciously.”
“Hmm, that's not really necessary...”
“No, we need it too. Those arrogant punks crossed the line—way over it. They have to be punished.”
She ground her teeth. Even professors who liked students couldn't overlook this one.
“Anything else?”
“They're talking about opening the warehouse and giving you something. Professor Mailon pushed hard for it. It's under discussion, but likely to pass.”
Nice. I needed materials for the Orange Forge anyway. Was gonna ask Professor Ratral, but this works.
“Got it. I'll take the re-exam.”
“This really didn't need to go this far... Anyway, sorry.”
“No, it's fine. It's not like I have zero fault.”
“Hmm...”
Suddenly, she stared at me intently and muttered, “You really have changed, huh? Nothing like last year.”
“Yeah, well.”
I brushed it off vaguely.
“More importantly, when's the exam?”
“Nothing's set, but tomorrow's most likely. Exams end today, so you'll be tired, but hang in there till then. As compensation, eat a meal here and rest up.”
Professor Naella handed me a business card for a capital city restaurant. A famous spot.
“Mention my name. Go with whoever—knights outside, or that Rana girl. Up to you. But are you two really dating?”
“...Personal matter. Thanks, though—I'll use it.”
“Hmph, guess it's real.”
“......”
I decided to ignore that. Wrapping up, I left the office.
“What happened, Young Master?”
“Nothing big—a re-exam. Seems folks are mad about my good scores.”
“But you studied so hard...”
Elraim looked angry. She'd seen how much I'd prepared.
“Don't worry about it. As an apology, they gave me this.”
I waved the business card.
“Let's grab food with Rana. Professor's treat.”
Elraim smiled brightly. “Rana will love that. Let's go, Young Master.”
She led the way. We ate, then returned to the dorm to rest. For tomorrow's re-exam.
Re-exam day. I waited in a separate room. A professor would fetch me soon for the test.
I sat quietly till then. The orb-shaped magic tools on either side were annoying, but I endured. They monitored for suspicious behavior before the exam. My image was being broadcast to professors and students.
Meditating, two professors soon entered—unfamiliar faces. Not even in my mental database; probably extras who never appeared.
They escorted me tightly to the exam room, ensuring no funny business. Upon arrival, I was frisked first. The Knight Department professor scanned for magic tools with mana flow; the Magic Department one detected spells and even cast dispel.
“Put this on.”
A bracelet-shaped magic tool. It froze internal mana, controlling all mana use. Eliminating even the tiniest possibility.
I didn't mind and accepted. Worst case, I'd just feel weak.
“Understood.”
They treated me like a criminal, but I sensed the professors' goodwill. This thoroughness proved my innocence.
Only then did I enter the exam room. Just a desk and chair inside.
Sitting, a voice echoed from thin air soon after.
Aa, are you ready? If so, raise your right hand.
I raised my hand. A pencil and exam paper appeared on the desk.
Exam time: 20 minutes. When finished, place pencil and paper on desk and lower hand. 10 questions total—2 minutes per question. Tight, but enough for me. Skimming confirmed the difficulty matched the original.
I picked up the pencil and dove in.
Fifteen professors sat watching the exam room. One, propping his chin with an irritated scowl, grumbled.
“Ugh, what a mess. Pulling busy people for some event months away. Just fail him and be done.”
He was randomly selected for this re-exam. Already exhausted post-exams, and now this—plus prepping for the upcoming academy event.
“Watch your words. This is about the professors' reputation!”
“Reputation? It's all that scumbag's karma. If he'd had any decency, this wouldn't have happened!”
He sneered. The re-exam stemmed from the scumbag's sins. Without him, no need for this.
“Professor Drben, I get why you dislike him—after last year's crap. But he's changed. If not, we wouldn't bother this much.”
Professor Mailon interjected. Having sparred him directly, he knew the change best. His evaluation had upgraded post-exams long ago.
“Hmph, temporary at best. Rumors say he's faking it to avoid family exile. And Mailon, don't defend him weakly. People don't change that easily.”
“Some do.”
Mailon himself was proof—from a wild youth to reformed post-graduation.
“Besides, investing in a promising student is natural.”
“Promising? A year of rampage, two months of good behavior? Mailon, you don't mean...”
Drben's eyes gleamed, dangerous words brewing. Professor Naella cut in.
“Professor Drben, mind your words. I know you two are close, but some things you don't say.”
Drben shut up. Not entirely wrong, but her family head status made him rethink.
“Ahem, sorry, Mailon.”
“No need. Results will tell.”
Kyle set down his pencil. The paper teleported to professors; the questioner graded it.
Quick work.
“Perfect score. Some creative answers too.”
The Mana Studies professor showed the all-circle-marked paper.
They peered at the answers.
“Mana comprehension is impressively high.”
“Matches top students.”
“Hmm...”
Knight, Magic—all professors praised. All mana experts by trade. Even Drben, who'd trashed him throughout.
“Grr, have to admit this...”
He conceded Mana Studies. The answers were that stellar.
But exams weren't over. One hour later, all written tests done. Perfect or one/two wrong. No cheating.
Even skeptical professors admitted Kyle Arden's innocence.
Students watching the live feed were stunned. They'd seen problem creation pre-re-exam, every step. Zero cheating chance.
Yet the scumbag aced it like the originals, mockingly.
They realized something was seriously wrong.
“What do we do now...?”
“I dunno...”
“...Professors said they'd punish those involved.”
“Ah...”
Whatever the punishment, it'd be the worst. But their nightmare continued. Practical exam awaited.
If he aced that too...
Terror gripped them; faces darkened. They thought: We're totally fucked no matter what.