Chapter 60: Siege Warfare Finals and the Scorching Summer
With the final low-tier magic under my belt, plus forging ties with the assassin twins of Griner and even scoring a dagger as a token of their affection, one could say the only thing left on my plate now was the finals.
But.
Things had gone too smoothly up to this point, so I'd overlooked one crucial detail.
What arrives after the first semester wraps up? The summer break.
And the season for the finals—practically the capstone of the semester? Also summer.
That's right. Summer.
“……”
I stepped out in my usual crisp winter uniform, raised a hand to block the sunlight, and squeezed my eyes shut.
Blazing sun. Scorching earth. Cicadas droning like some BGM track. And the sweltering heat churning inside my clothes.
“……It's barely July on the calendar, but still.”
Is global warming a thing here too? This mishmash fantasy world isn't exactly pure medieval—no AC units, and most convenience magic tools run on magic stones or engraved jewels, so pollution shouldn't even be an issue.
Anyway, it's hot. Unbelievably hot for July.
I swept my hair back and muttered to myself.
“Guess I'll have to change. Pretty sure there's a summer uniform in the closet.”
“Oh, Adrian? Oh?”
As I turned, someone called out. Right—we were heading to class together.
“Reina.”
“Yes, Adrian? Dressed like that this time of year—are you okay? Not too hot?”
“You’re……”
“I'm in summer uniform already? How do I look? Does it suit me?”
With that, Reina spun gracefully once, planted her hands on her hips, and beamed up at me.
Fine fabric short-sleeved blouse with a ribbon. Skirt, black stockings, and shoes.
I took it in and nodded.
“It suits you perfectly. Sorry, but could you wait just a moment?”
“You’re changing into summer uniform too?”
“Indeed.”
Three minutes standing here was all the confirmation I needed.
Yes. It was summer.
And so, I changed into my summer uniform and emerged.
“It suits you, Adrian!”
“Does it? My arms feel so exposed—it's a touch awkward.”
Mine matched the gold-trimmed white accents of the winter version: a short-sleeved shirt. But the men's came with buttons and paired with slim long pants. Shoes stayed the same as winter.
“Best not to button it up front.”
“Any reason?”
“It's hot. If it's this bad now, heaven knows what August will bring.”
Fanning herself with one hand, Reina hurried ahead.
She really must be sweltering. No denying it—it was hot.
Yes. Summer.
True to its billing as an academy youth RPG, the Salenium Saga rolled out all sorts of summer events.
Beach trips with parties or comrades, valley getaways—it was all perfect for boosting affinity too.
The main story picked up again at the start of the second semester, turning summer break into prime time for “rack up those affinity points while chilling—or gear up for Act 3!”
Act 3 cranked the difficulty double what we'd seen: demons crawling out from underground lairs, the academy plunging into real gloom.
“Adrian, any summer plans?”
“Not sure.”
Reina asked as we headed for the magic department building.
Summer plans, huh.
Prominent nobles usually headed home for break. Portals were on the house for them, and there wasn't much point sticking around Salenium.
Commoners, though? Already scraping by after tuition left them penniless and half-starved, they'd have to shell out another tuition-sized fortune for a portal coach home. Most didn't see their hometowns again until graduation.
Me? “No home to go back to. Room 103 in Merin Dorm is my whole world right now.”
Ebnis had asked if I'd tag along to the Repelheit estate as a “guest” for break. As if. She'd lost her mind.
“I see. Hmm, then maybe I won't go back either?”
What was she on about?
“You've got a territory and family to look after. You should head home. I'll manage fine.”
“True…… All right, then let's take a trip.”
“Didn't you float that idea last time too?”
Come to think of it, yeah—she'd mentioned something trip-like before.
“More concrete this time. Our territory's got a beach, so we'll rent out the whole stretch…… Yeah, drag along Kalen, Millije, Ebnis, Relbrian—a full party bash. Make it a summer we'll never forget!”
Her eyes sparkled as she gazed up at me.
Pretty sure I caught some names I wasn't meant to hear, but ever the magnanimous one, I'd let it slide.
Sounds fun, but……
“First things first: the finals.”
“Eek.”
Reina deflated as she walked.
Playtime was great, but a student's duty was study.
“As you all know, twenty days remain until the finals.”
In the classroom, Professor Walnut's voice echoed from the podium, his face the picture of annoyance.
“Some of you are thinking, ‘Oh no, only twenty days left?’ Others: ‘Ugh, still twenty whole days?’ Either way? Not my problem.”
A massive grin spread across his face.
“The real kicker? Unlike midterms, no written tests or theory exams. How great is that? Bet you're thrilled too, right?”
He nudged my side. The guy next to me—face and expression equally lifeless—muttered low.
“Yes, Professor. Thrilled beyond words.”
“Doesn't look it. You, back in the lab after this……”
“No sir! Utterly! Thrilled! Wow! No written theory! No more all-nighters grading. This is thrilling! …Better?”
“Perfect—full of vim and vigor.”
Walnut barked a laugh and clapped Melwood Elion on the shoulder. Melwood let out a deep sigh before glancing up at me, eyes hollow with despair.
What? He'd chosen to tough it out as an assistant. Nothing I could do about his karma.
Just hoped he'd emerge after graduation as a rock-solid asset to our faction.
‘Hang in there those two years.’
‘……Yes.’
We traded subtle glances no one else caught, and Walnut pressed on.
“So, with exactly twenty days left, time to reveal the finals format. Same announcement going out across all years right now, I'd wager.”
Finals.
The word flipped the classroom's mood to dead serious. Even Reina straightened up.
Walnut swept his gaze over us, equally solemn, then declared:
“This finals' theme is…… drumroll……”
I already knew, of course.
“Siege warfare.”
Siege warfare.
The room buzzed.
“Not getting it? Simple enough. Split the year in half: defenders versus attackers. Defenders hold the castle for three days. Attackers seize it within three—win or lose. Easy, yeah?”
Of course. This was Salenium. Balance was key.
“Defenders holding the castle have a massive edge. That's why attackers get stacked with more top students. No whining. If you hold a castle and still lose it? That's on you. Questions?”
Reina's hand shot up.
“Wolfgang, your question……”
“Three lines max, summarize. Professor, what are the evaluation criteria?”
“Sharp one. Winning team gets massive points. But that's not all—faculty observes everything: PvP spell use, tactics, strategy. Volunteers for high-risk ops like infiltration—think special forces—earn bonus points, both teams.”
Even defeat wouldn't tank you if you'd racked up merits; scores would reflect that.
Twenty days to the siege finals. Long in one sense. Short in another.
And……
“Oh, higher-ups said hold this till after finals, but whatever—I'll spill now.”
His offhand bombshell:
“Scores drop a week after finals wrap—right around then…… break ceremony.”
Enough to make every eye in the room bug out.
Weaving through clusters of hyped students chattering about beaches, valleys, and swimsuits, Reina and I slipped out of the lecture hall.
She kept fidgeting beside me, so I asked what was up.
“Adrian, um, really, really sorry, but…… could I have lunch with Kelly and Relbrian today?”
She bowed her head.
No……
“……Isn't who you eat with entirely up to you?”
“Huh? Don't we always eat together at lunch? I thought that was our thing.”
She'd been thinking that?
“Not exactly. If you want time with friends, I'd never stand in the way……”
“No, we should declare it properly. You're my fiancé, after all. Hehe, so you'll understand?”
“Naturally. Oh, right—Reina, if you've got time after lunch before afternoon classes, could you swing by that clearing I use often?”
“No trouble at all. See you later, Adrian!”
She waved cheerily and headed off.
Hm. Alone again.
Lately it'd been nonstop with her, so the solitude felt strangely fresh. Back when I first entered the academy, being solo was nothing. Now? Her absence left a bit of a void.
Cafeteria might clear out around me, so better pick a quiet restaurant and eat solo.
“Pretty sure there's a good spot in the central district.”
Muttering as I walked alone……
“……”
I had to stop.
Up ahead, someone stood squarely blocking the path.
Beige twintails. That familiar petite frame.
“Millije? What are you……”
“Sunbae-nim.”
As I approached, she tilted her head slightly—face utterly blank.
Creepy.
“Millije.”
“Yes, sunbae-nim.”
“What are you……”
“Why'd you break your promise?”
……What?
“You didn't forget, right? No, my sunbae-nim wouldn't. You're just pondering the best time? Haha…… But now there's only twenty days till finals? Sunbae-nim? Sunbae-nim? Sunbae-nim?”