Three Days Before the Finals
Three days before the finals. With the exam now right around the corner, the air at Salenium Academy was thicker with tension than ever before. The finals were practically the end of the semester. Sure, vacation would start once they were over—but no one was losing sleep in excitement over a break that hadn't even arrived yet.
And it wasn't just any written test, either. This year's finals were a whole different beast: a siege battle. One fortress, three days of combat—the team that seized it won. Succeed in defending, and the defense team claimed victory. I'd been through it plenty of times before, so it was familiar territory for me. But for everyone else, a 100% real-combat format had all the grades on edge.
Still, in a crowd of a hundred, there's always that one outlier.
"Reina, aren't you... nervous at all?"
"Huh? Why would I be? Even you weren't tense about it, Adrian."
Reina propped her chin on her hand beside me, swinging her legs idly from her chair.
"A written exam might've had me a little worried, but this kind of battle? I'm actually looking forward to it."
Is that so. I didn't remember her being such a battle fiend in the original story.
"...It's not like I enjoy fighting or anything."
"Hm?"
"But this staff? When I cast magic, petals just burst out everywhere. I get to use the one you picked for me, so yeah—I'm happy."
"Glad you think of it that way."
Even so, that staff was only 2-star gear. More precisely, early-game equipment you'd outgrow quick. From Act 3 on, the difficulty spiked hard, and Act 4 was even tougher. I'd have to check my fated comrades' gear at some point and get them all refitted from scratch.
Man, so much to do. Just sitting here felt like a waste of time. Lectures might get skipped entirely down the line.
As those thoughts crossed my mind, it hit me anew: I'd fully immersed myself in this world. From here on, I'd live my life as Adrian. Someday I'd become the Repelheit Marquis, Lijelilias would ascend as emperor and steer the Empire—and these guys would be right by my side.
And then.
"Ah, everyone's here. You got the heads-up already, but no lecture today."
The classroom atmosphere shifted in an instant. Professor Walnut stepped up to the podium, carrying something, with Melwood Elion trailing behind him. Walnut's face was grim as he plunked a box down on the podium.
"Eyes up—it's here."
—Gulp.
Dry swallows echoed around the room, and he spoke.
"Alright, time to announce. Oh, but the assistant will handle the actual readout."
Thud thud thud thud....
Walnut drummed his knuckles on the desk dramatically. All eyes locked on Melwood Elion standing beside him... and in the end.
"Attack Team, Reina von Wolfgang... Attack Team, Adrian, Attack Team...."
"Adrian, looks like we're on the same team."
My name was called, and Reina whispered from beside me.
"You remember what you said last time? That we absolutely couldn't lose? With you and me together, there's no way we will."
Well...
...The "me" known to the public was a weakling, trash, the academy's worst scoundrel. My rep had improved after the events of Acts 1 and 2, but attitudes like "Still can't trust that guy" were everywhere. Had they stuck me on the Attack Team on purpose, figuring that? Some special surveillance watchlist or whatever?
Hmm.
"What idiots."
Handing me this kind of advantage. Thanks a bunch.
With the whole grade in finals mode, the second-year Attack Team gathered under their supervising professor. This was straight out of the original story. The Defense Team was probably assembling separately at their assigned spot right now.
"Adrian, Reina! You two are on Attack too?!"
"Oh? Relbrian, you're Attack Team as well?"
The half-elf swordmage with light green hair and pointed ears was in the Attack Team lounge too.
"Thrilled to be teamed up with you both."
"Same here. With you around, Relbrian, we feel solid."
"...Hmph, h-hum. Save that kind of talk for Reina next to you."
"Relbrian?!"
The three of us exchanged light greetings and claimed an empty table together.
"Is this all the people we know?"
"Yeah, looks like Kelly got sent to Defense."
The Attack Team lobby buzzed. Mages dotted the crowd, alongside knight department students with swords, spears, and all sorts of weapons. They glanced our way but didn't approach.
"No sign of Snowwhite, so..."
"Guess he's on Defense."
Beyond him, a bunch of familiar faces were missing. Like that "Levin with 999 Friends" who'd dueled Kalen Snowwhite at midterms.
Hold on... If the knight department's second-in-command went to Defense...
Murmurs rippled soon after. The lounge door swung open to heavy footsteps.
The moment she appeared, every knight student cleared a path. Ruby-red hair cascading past her waist. Blood-red eyes.
"...Lady of the Vladir Grand Duke's house."
"Gives me the creeps."
"Relbrian, your elven half seeks harmony with life. Of course it'd unsettle you."
"Mm..."
Relbrian eyed the "lady of the Vladir Grand Duke's house," then turned and asked,
"So, who's she?"
"Prana of the Blood Armament Technique. She forges weapons from her own blood. Similar to magic, but different vibe. Full name: Prana Dirpensiv Bladir. Second-year knight department... top rank."
Eldest daughter of the Empire's northern ruler, the Vladir Grand Duke. True to her Blood Armament Technique, she fought by crafting weapons from her blood. And...
"She periodically ingests blood—fresh blood."
"Th-that's..."
Yeah. Back in the mythic era, a race that started as demonkin but turned after understanding humans, siding with them. Branded "untrustworthy" by demons and "traitor" by humans—a pitiful tribe rejected by both.
"Just like your half is elf, Relbrian, hers is vampire."
More people filed into the lounge after that. Some were the guys who'd fought alongside Reina during the "dorm monster incident," so Reina and I exchanged greetings with them too. Having seen my performance firsthand, they were even friendlier.
If anything...
"H-heard you lopped off one of its arms in that duel with the monster. Took more than ten of us piling on just to kill it..."
"Too kind. Kalen was with me—that made it possible. And if reinforcements hadn't arrived on time, I'd have been in real trouble. My thanks."
They blinked blankly at my gratitude. What, that surprising?
Anyway. Scanning the group, it looked like they'd cherry-picked top students across the board for Attack. Efficient assignment, as expected. Everyone settled in, and the Attack Team's supervising professor... Walnut... entered.
"Alright, rough rundown first."
He stepped to the lobby center, peering at his script.
"Everyone here is Attack Team. If your friend—or girlfriend—isn't here, they're on Defense. Crush 'em."
Laughter broke out here and there; he clapped twice to refocus the room.
"Now, the details. For the duration of these finals, Attack Team bunkers down in the camp we've set up. About three kilometers from the fortress. It's got basic defenses, but bolstering with barriers or palisades? All on you."
I knew this. Attack camped out. Everything's prepped—just show up.
"Both teams get exactly two days' rations. Why two? Because on day two, a supply wagon loaded with food rolls out from somewhere on the field toward the fortress."
Two days' worth issued to each side. The last day's comes via resupply the next day.
"Raid it for the grub, or let it through to fill enemy bellies—your call. But if one side grabs it, the other starves a day, morale tanks. Simple logic."
Resources are finite. Fight to claim them. The fortress has guardians like statue soldiers, so they loaded Attack with aces for balance. Perfectly fair setup.
"You've heard the eval criteria already, but quick recap. More one-on-ones won, higher score. Multi-target kills add bonus. Tactics get deep scrutiny. Scout or infiltration teams into enemy turf? Extra points."
Obviously. Precautions against mishaps too. Walnut reached into his pocket and held up a pendant.
"Everyone wears one of these safety necklaces. It breaks—you're 'dead.' Finals end for you, score tallied, instant evac to Salenium. That's the brief. Questions?"
Silence.
"Dismissed. Test starts in three days; all lectures canceled. Team up, strategize. Oh, and by end of today, pick your Attack Team 'leader' and report it to me. Note: Leader's necklace or armband breaks? Team loss."
Leader.
The word dropped, and I glanced at Reina. She nodded, getting it instantly. Put her in charge, and I could speak through her.
"Any volunteers for leader right now?"
That instant.
"I'll do it!"
"Reina von Wolfgang. And..."
Plenty raised hands, but spotting the last one, they all lowered. Eyes turned to her—sitting quietly, hand up, stoic.
"...Prana Bladir."
Second-year magic department runner-up.
Knight department top rank.
Their gazes clashed in midair.