Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Peaceful Midterm Week (1)
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Pharenchia's May brought clear blue skies and a cool breeze, painting the entire city in vivid oil colors as if it were a masterpiece.
In the commercial district lined with salons and clothing stores, noblemen's white and black formal attire mixed with the red roses they carried and the yellow peonies blooming along the roadside, inspiring the street artists' creative spirits.
Just a short carriage ride beyond the city gates lay vast fields where grass swayed gently in the wind—perfect for a light picnic or closing one's eyes to feel the changing seasons.
These were leisurely, peaceful days perfect for enjoying the world's happiest moments. Yet, for Pharenchia Academy students, this time also brought darkening expressions.
"Hey, Liv. How's your exam prep going?"
Liv's friend Karen spoke to her as she sat at the desk, staring only at her book as usual. Karen's eye level matched the curve of her ample chest rising above her black shirt, tapering beautifully to her waist.
"Not really. Just doing the usual."
"I-I see...! Haha. Um, Baroness Liv, do you happen to have a copy of the report we submitted in Professor Glatos's class last time?"
Her tone was somewhat servile. Not satisfied with that, Karen even knelt on the floor. A male student next to them in the library jumped in surprise at the sight.
"I-If I bomb this midterm, my allowance gets cut off...! Can't you help me just once?"
"......"
Yes. May marked the start of midterms.
It was a crucial evaluation of everything students had learned so far. The problem was that the academy's standards for mages went far beyond a few test questions.
Freshmen only faced written exams for their first evaluation, but from second year onward, no such luck.
Massive reports, rigorous practical assessments. Some professors demanded thesis-level reports, others substituted exams with tasks requiring original derivative magic from learned spells.
Many who thought it was no big deal ended up failing every subject, collapsing, and being hospitalized at the temple. The academy's murderous curriculum left even magic tower apprentices speechless.
"The report? You turned one in too."
"Mine isn't good enough for studying! And I copied it on the sly anyway!!"
"Hmm......"
Liv pondered what to do. That alone感動 Karen. No one at the academy would so readily share their precious research or assignments.
In fact, more classmates sought her out as exams neared— even haughty great nobles who had kept their distance due to her modest title and wealth.
Because exam scores affected more than just graduation.
Off-campus training camps, field trips, festival participation—kingdom organizations selected based on grades.
The seven magic towers specialized in different fields, so interning or attending seminars at one's preferred tower required top scores.
"Got it. Return it by tomorrow."
"Thank you! Thank you, Baroness Liv!!"
"W-Wait! Don't hug me!!"
"I love you, Liv~!"
"Quiet down over there!!"
"Ah."
Eventually kicked out of the library for the disturbance, Liv parted with Karen and let out a small sigh.
Lately, her mind had been troubled. Partly midterm stress, but mostly because her job had vanished.
'I wonder if the boss is okay......'
The canteen was currently closed. Rumor had it they weren't just repairing the damage but remodeling extensively, meaning losses piled up for Louis with no business.
Liv struggled to earn without the canteen, but it wasn't life-threatening yet.
She worried more about Louis, who cherished his shop.
'Maybe I should stop by.'
Clutching her thick book to her chest, she headed toward the academy's center. A pleasant breeze tickled her hair.
Busy with exams, but perhaps they could share tea and updates on a day like this.
As part-time help. At least check on him.
As she walked to the canteen, Liv mentally sorted topics she'd missed while Louis was away from Pharenchia.
He was surprisingly knowledgeable in language and history—good to discuss exams with.
Arriving at the canteen site marked [Under Construction], as she reached to ring the bell by the door—
—Hehe, Teacher. Wanna go play somewhere with me?
—Aren't you studying for exams?
Voices came from inside.
Spending one night with Adella didn't bring major changes to my daily life.
The Roshiar count family, who tried to abduct her, seemed half-resigned with no notable moves, and the academy had stabilized.
The chairman I checked with just said, "Oh~ You brought her back? Good thing~," oblivious, more focused on the crystal ball's monster battles.
I swear, if Lehel bugs me over gambling one more time, I'll chop off her finger.
Anyway, Adella apologized for the canteen damage but, as time passed, visited more than usual, taking advantage of the lack of customers.
Her attitude toward me hadn't changed much; that night's seductive allure felt like a dream.
But it wasn't.
"Teacher?"
Her right ear sparkled with a water gem, as she gazed innocently at me.
Plus, despite plenty of seats, she dragged a folding stool behind the counter to stick right beside me, her shirt unbuttoned by two. Subtle differences from before.
During talk, she'd fidget, wiggling her hips, losing balance so I'd steady her waist—then she'd blush, primly closing her knees. It nagged at me.
Aside from these minor shifts, she showed no remarkable growth. If anything, she seemed dumber.
"Don't you have a lecture next?"
"Dunno~."
"Not studying for exams?"
"Dunno~."
"Doing the unique magic circuit awakening practice I told you about?"
"Dunno~."
What does she know?
I worried she'd get expelled. Kicked from dorms, she'd have nowhere to go.
Deciding I had to shoo her, the door opened suddenly.
"Baroness?"
"Hello, Boss."
Her furrowed brow made me tense—did I forget her pay?
Liv met Adella's eyes briefly, then spoke in an even more expressionless, emotionless tone.
"You're with the Roshiar lady who wrecked the boss's 'precious' canteen?"
"Uh? Well... yeah."
Even students unaware of the abduction knew Roshiars caused the academy uproar.
But the vibe between them felt off.
Liv worked the canteen, Adella the cafe—same space, yet they acted like strangers.
"It wasn't intentional on her part. No one knew till those guys came to Pharenchia."
"Still, better be careful. Who knows their schemes."
Talking about Roshiars, but her gaze fixed on Adella.
"She might be wearing an innocent mask."
"Nah, no way."
I didn't know Adella's true thoughts as she blankly listened, but her being secretly smart or hiding depths was absurd.
Look, chasing a fly in the air with dazed eyes.
"Adella. Hiding anything from me?"
"......Huh?"
Her head turned my way.
She seemed to mull it over, glancing between Liv across the counter and my hand on her waist.
Then—
"Dunno~."
She dove into my arms, rubbing her cheek. See? Nothing to hide. If she had that brain, she wouldn't steal bread.
The stool wobbled; my arm tightened around her waist. Liv's face stiffened further.
"You're worrying too much, Baroness. It's fine."
"Still......"
"They won't barge in again."
I've already tidied them up.
One more try, and Pharenchia Academy canteen sells Grand Duke-flavored ice bars.
"Reopening will take time, but tell me if you need anything. Stock's in the warehouse."
"Yes......"
"Getting late. Heading to dorms? Take her with you."
I peeled off Adella, pointing at Liv.
"You go up with your senior."
"Huh?"
"What 'huh'? No more visits till exams end. Look—Baroness Liv studies with thick books; what are you doing?"
"Ehhh!?"
What surprise? I'm busy too. Construction, security, new sword needed.
Last test with Everat showed ordinary steel won't cut it. Not holy sword level, but proper weapon required...
"Nooo~! Nooo!!"
Mulling over, I waved off the two walking apart. Ignored Adella's wails, locked the door.
Liv aside, a studious senior teaching Adella magic could help college life.
Won't thank me for intro... Anyway, hope they get along.
On the way to the dorms, Liv and Adella exchanged not a word, avoided glances, even adjusted strides to dodge shared sunset shadows, marching one way.
"......"
"......"
Students gawked at the beautiful pair, but between them flowed icy chill.
Clack.
At the dorm entrance, they finally faced each other before parting.
"Go study. Don't bug the boss."
Whatever Adella's intentions, Liv found her repulsive.
Her family wrecked the canteen, yet she flashed sly smiles only at Louis.
Exploiting his kindness, pretending innocence for personal gain.
Too dumb for his vast knowledge or past experience.
Dressed provocatively on purpose. Just two buttons undone, but that's how Liv saw it.
"Teacher never said I was a bother."
Adella disliked Liv too.
Smart, model student, great relations—academy star.
Louis's ideal type, sharp and capable; even as part-timer, he gave her extra care.
Prim attire, looks stimulating dominance. Beyond Adella's imitation.
"Wouldn't fussing over penniless students annoy him more?"
"A disowned idiot takes more effort."
"Who's the idiot?"
"Forgot blowing up magic last time?"
"Oh, that~?"
Adella drew a 2nd-circle water spell array. That was karma overload mistake.
She'd fooled everyone pretending dumb lifelong. No way she'd botch 2nd circle!
"Wanna see?"
Adella would drench that blank face. She chanted immediately.
But—
Whoosh!!!
"Pfft!?"
Opposite her confidence, magic unfinished, a bucketful poured over her head.
"......Pathetic."
Liv calmly canceled her prepared 3rd-circle spells: Flood, Water Ball Summon, Minor Shield.
Pretending dumb or truly? Results would tell.
"Instead of clinging to boss, mind your business."
"Half your subjects fail per semester? Expulsion."
Final advice to junior, she headed inside.