Midterms (1)
“Yawn...”
I'm so sleepy I could die...
It's early dawn right now.
The sun hasn't even risen yet.
There was only one reason I'd woken up this early.
Today was the first day of midterms.
The midterms span about five days.
The first day through the fourth are duels.
The final day is the academic exam.
The Academy's midterms—especially the duels—are the main event today.
And those duels are one-on-one.
They're established when one cadet challenges another.
Obviously, the more victories, the better.
Someone might think, Why not just challenge weaker opponents and farm easy wins?
But you can only challenge someone in a higher class than you.
“Saintess, tell me—who am I?”
“Don't be ridiculous.”
...Come on, play along a little.
I came out here at this ungodly hour because she called me.
“Well, if I had to say... you're the academy's ultimate parachute kid.”
That tone's dripping with sarcasm...
But hey, it's the answer I wanted.
“Right? I'm the Academy's top parachute.”
“...What the hell does 'top parachute' even mean?”
Beats me.
But that's not the point right now.
I'm in Class A.
That's the Academy's elite tier.
But in reality, I'm a total parachute—a connection admission.
And every cadet in the Academy knows it.
So?
“Doesn't that mean I'll be the center of attention today?”
“...Did you hit your head or something?”
What are you talking about.
I'm more clear-headed than ever.
“You know the challenged side has no right to refuse, right?”
“Of course.”
You can only duel three times a day.
And the one challenged can't refuse.
“By the way, what about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You're not gonna duel, right?”
The Saintess is one of the world's rarest treasures.
If she got hurt at the Academy? They'd never handle the diplomatic fallout.
“Huh? I'm dueling too.”
“...Why?”
“Why? We have to be evaluated, obviously?”
No, that's not the issue.
“If you get hurt—even a little—it'd blow up big time.”
It'd be front-page news.
“Yeah, sure... but I'm not about to get beaten up by cadets.”
Hmm...
“Is that just you being special? Or are all Saintesses like that?”
“Well... I'm special, but yeah, all Saintesses have been.”
...What?
“So every Saintess in history did the same?”
“Yep.”
This church is missing a few screws.
“Anyway, whatever—why'd you call me out here?”
“No real reason.”
...What?
“...Then why call me?”
“I said no reason.”
Unbelievable...
“You drag me out at dawn and then say there's no business?”
“Yeah, I was just bored.”
“If you're bored, go back to sleep.”
I want to sleep.
“Ah, but I had to wake up early today anyway.”
“...So you called me to kill time till then?”
“Pretty much?”
...Hmm.
Okay.
“I'm heading back.”
“Wait, wait, wait! I'm kidding.”
Yeah, it better be a joke.
“Truth is, I called you about your taboos.”
Taboo, huh...
“The ones on my neck and right ring finger?”
“Yeah, those.”
Why bring them up out of nowhere?
They haven't caused issues so far.
“...You know big events like midterms draw crowds from all sorts of groups, right?”
I do.
The Academy is where the world's top talents gather.
Unawakened potentials, polished gems—every kind.
So during major events, groups from around the world always visit.
Talent scouting.
And in the brief window after midterms, they might even make early offers to promising cadets.
That's why famous mercenaries, knight orders, imperial guards, merchant escorts, royal armies, and even the Church's Holy Knights show up.
...Ah.
“Get it now?”
“...Yeah.”
Who designates taboos?
The Church.
Who executes taboo violators?
Taboo hunters.
And who are they?
The Church's Holy Knights.
“Oh...”
Am I dead?
Nothing's gone right since the aptitude test.
Just leave me alone for once.
“Don't make that face—take these.”
The Saintess handed me a black ring and a matching choker.
“Wear both till midterms end.”
“What are they?”
“Think of them as concealment charms.”
Concealment?
“Holy Knights need another taboo to detect one.”
“Taboos have no distinct aura, so they use the property where taboos attract each other.”
“These are what the Church uses to store recovered taboos.”
Ah, got it.
Taboos draw each other.
If someone's newly broken one, it'd sense the Church's hidden ones.
So this choker and ring—made from materials that suppress taboo attraction.
“The Church really has everything.”
“Not really. It's just Church business.”
Whatever—thanks to this, I'm safe.
I thought I'd be sidelined like during aptitude tests, unable to do what I want.
I've got big plans to flip my image this midterm.
“Saintess.”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks. Always.”
Fixing my body, looking out for me like this.
Truly the symbol of mercy.
“...If you're grateful, don't get hurt.”
“Worried about me?”
“Yeah, so don't get hurt.”
...What's this.
I'm a little touched.
Feels like a speck of humanity's back in me.
“I hate handling big incidents when you're recovering after events.”
Give me back my sentimental moment.
“Eh, I won't get hurt bad this time.”
Midterms are an official Academy event.
Cadet duels rarely cause serious injuries.
Referees intervene if it looks bad.
“I know... but you always find a way to come back banged up.”
Heh.
What kinda image does she have of me?
“I don't go down easy.”
I'm a strong man.
“...Sure, whatever. Just don't make more work for me.”
Yeah, yeah, I get it—no need to harp.
“You eat breakfast yet?”
“Nah, not yet.”
Figured.
“Let's grab some together.”
“You buying?”
Broke as I am.
Saintesses should splash out.
Still.
“Yeah, my treat today.”
“Whoa, what's the occasion?”
“Returning the favor.”
Give and take.
Something like that.
I've barely repaid what I owe, though...
I'll settle it bit by bit.
“That tucked-away spot in the cafeteria again?”
“Perfect.”
Current time: 9:00 AM sharp.
I'm in the building next to the Academy lecture halls.
The second Great Hall, massive enough for all Academy personnel.
It's packed with my classmates.
The Saintess split off after breakfast for her schedule, leaving me solo.
And alone, I'm fresh meat for them.
They're just tearing into me among themselves.
Probably eighty percent of the murmurs in this hall are about me.
Paranoia...?
Nah, doesn't feel like it.
Whatever, it doesn't matter.
Soon, all these midterm gossips will challenge me.
A few beatdowns, and the trash talk should die down, right?
Best way? Crush them overwhelmingly.
But in this body? Tough.
Still, losing to cadets would look bad.
Not overwhelming.
Hard-fought.
Yeah, hard-fought victories.
That's the midterm goal.
Keep yapping while you can.