50. After the Retest
50. After the Retest
"I didn't expect them to go this far."
"Is that student really admitted through fraud?"
The audience watching the re-examination was all flustered.
After all, it was a match between a professor and a student.
A professor's victory was a given, and it was clear that Baran had the overwhelming advantage in the re-examination.
"I thought they'd show a disgraceful sight and collapse."
What had they thought about Allen?
Those who had read the newspaper, those who had spread rumors based on that newspaper, and those who believed those rumors wholeheartedly—they all expected Allen to surrender while putting on a disgraceful show.
Because according to the newspaper and the rumors, he was a guy with no skill who only got in through family connections.
So they thought he wouldn't even put up a proper fight, but would immediately tuck his tail, cry, and beg for mercy.
"Is that really the student who cheated his way in?"
But those expectations shattered.
He kept being attacked by Baran.
Visually, it looked extremely painful, yet Allen kept getting up from his spot without collapsing.
People questioned him.
Getting up, falling down, getting up again. Why does he keep getting up like that?
Doesn't he realize that the more he falls, the more hopeless his situation becomes?
Then, at one point, when Allen shot a glance at the audience, it was clearly felt.
"Truly, his fighting spirit was incredible."
What he was looking at, no one knew.
But those who saw Allen's gaze felt it.
A sharpened resolve, a will to absolutely pass, and a desperate earnestness for something.
And when his attack finally reached Baran, when a solid blow was dealt to Baran, some covered their mouths.
Because it was a scene that reminded the viewers of a chapter from a novel.
"Wiesent-gyeong. You truly have a remarkable son. His spirit was impressive."
Even Imperial Prince Yuri, who had no particular expectations, watched intently. He praised Allen and spoke the highest compliment he could offer.
'As expected, sending him to the Academy was the right move.'
Adrian also felt proud.
He had talked about expelling him and things like that, but in reality, he had forced Allen into the Academy hoping he would change.
Having seen the result with his own eyes, Adrian felt satisfied with his son's transformation.
"And it seems you will soon have a daughter-in-law."
"... Hmph. I'm not so sure about that."
At Yuri's following words, Adrian gave a bitter smile.
There was one person who rushed to Allen right after he collapsed.
Not only Adrian, but everyone sitting in the stands knew her.
Because she was famous as a beauty with platinum blonde hair and a cold, icy demeanor.
The one who draws the eyes of everyone in the empire.
'How did they become close?'
Aniel Windelof. She ran out calling Allen's name.
This re-examination was truly a series of unexpected moments, and for Adrian, who had planned to only check in briefly and leave, new challenges were presented.
"Still, there will be a problem. Because the Grand Duke dislikes gyeong's son."
At Yuri's words, Adrian recalled the scene he had just witnessed.
When Allen landed a solid blow, Kyle clicked his tongue as if he couldn't stand to watch anymore and left his seat.
He probably would have been shocked if he had seen Aniel running out.
"I don't care about that man's opinion."
"Gyeong?"
But Adrian didn't mind much.
"Your Imperial Highness must also know that the head of the Grand Duchy is no longer the Grand Duke."
With information networks set up everywhere, all information reached Adrian's ears in an instant.
He even knew that she had left for the Grand Duchy's domain.
And that same Aniel had appeared here from the Grand Duchy's domain. Adrian speculated.
'The power of the Grand Duchy must have officially transferred over.'
If she had firmly made up her mind, Kyle's intense opposition would be no problem at all.
But there was something else Adrian considered problematic.
'Is he planning on polygamy?'
It was because of the other people besides Aniel who were drawn to Allen.
Like Lucia, Lily, and Iris.
When I opened my eyes, I was in the Infirmary.
Around me were people with worried expressions.
"How did the re-examination go?"
Since everyone was staring at me with anxious looks, I asked with a smile.
How the re-examination turned out.
"How can you say something like that in a situation like this?"
"Ow! That hurts!"
"I hit you to knock some sense into you."
"That's right. Allen, you need to come to your senses. Do you know how much I prayed to the Goddess?"
"I wanted to use my authority as Imperial Princess to stop the match right then and there."
Then I got flicked on the forehead.
Was it my imagination that Aniel's flick hurt more than the hits from Baran?
"I'm sorry for worrying you all."
But I forced a smile.
"Still, I really wanted to pass. You all helped me, and I wanted to repay that."
I really wanted to pass.
Because that was the best repayment I could offer right now.
"But it was too reckless, wasn't it?"
Next to me, Iris voiced her dissatisfaction.
I had no excuse for that part.
As I kept getting hit, I felt it—I worried if something might actually break properly.
Of course, back then, I was only clinging to the exam results and didn't care about my body.
"Still, all's well that ends well, right? I'm safe for now."
The pain that ached before I collapsed had completely subsided now that I was awake.
"Stay still."
But the others still looked at me with suspicious eyes.
Especially Aniel, who seemed quite angry, spoke to me.
"Don't overdo it until the nurse comes. Got it?"
I didn't understand why she was so angry, but I figured I should nod here.
I said I understood, but Aniel still didn't look satisfied.
"But I'm really fine. Nothing hurts."
Even as I was forced to lie down, I said it clearly—that nothing hurt at all.
Then their expressions darkened even more.
"They said your bones were broken. How can nothing hurt?"
"Could it be that your nerves were severed?"
"If the nerves were damaged..."
Aniel, Lucia, and Iris, in that order.
The three were quickly coming to the conclusion that they had to call the infirmary nurse.
"The examination results are out."
Just then, the nurse arrived on time.
The three of them looked at the nurse with questioning eyes.
Huh? Three? I turned my head and looked at Lily.
But she was the only one smiling, seemingly not worried.
What? I didn't understand why she was like that, when suddenly a loud voice rang out.
"You say he has no injuries? What does that mean?"
"That doesn't make sense. Was the exam wrong?"
No injuries? I turned my head and saw the nurse making a troubled face.
"The probability of a misdiagnosis is..."
"Um, it's none. Grand Duchess-nim. Please calm down."
The infirmary nurse tried to calm the three, then said to me.
"Well, as you can see, Student Allen is perfectly fine without any injured areas."
"But his bones were broken, weren't they?"
I asked, also flustered.
My bones were broken from Baran's attack.
Plus, I had bruises all over.
And at the end, I even used my forearm as a shield, so it should have been shattered.
But they said everything was fine.
"Allen, did you drink the potion I gave you?"
Lily, who had been quiet until now, opened her mouth.
If that potion was the one brewed from Edus Flower...
"Yes, I did."
"Hehe, then that's settled."
Everyone's gaze naturally turned to Lily.
"The Goddess told me. She said the nature of the potion had changed."
"Then..."
"Yes. The reason you're recovering so quickly is probably all thanks to that potion."
So that was it. I thought Edus Flower wasn't having much effect.
It had changed in nature.
"You, what did you feed Allen?"
"Saintess. What exactly was that potion you gave Allen?"
"S-Saintess-nim?"
Maybe it was because the tension had eased. I just lay back on the bed and relaxed.
"Student Allen. Please settle this somehow..."
I heard the nurse's pleading voice, but I pretended to be asleep and ignored everything.
'Let me rest too.'
Considering how much I'd been tossed around, it was time to rest.
"How long are you going to stay cooped up?"
"Indeed."
The atmosphere in the Demon King's Castle was bleak.
The Demon King had suddenly chosen to shut herself in her room.
If we even knew the cause, we could try to solve it, but unfortunately, we couldn't even figure that out.
Because, as I just said, it really was sudden.
"The Demon King must reappear."
Even now, the demon army was gradually conquering the human world, but the pace was very slow.
The difference made by the Demon King, who had been commanding at the front, was too great.
So they truly wished. That the Demon King would end her seclusion and reappear to conquer the human world as before.
Of course, even while entering seclusion, the Demon King had given orders to a few individuals.
"She told us to find a human."
"But that's all the explanation we got. How are we supposed to find them!"
But the explanation was far too insufficient.
Not only did demons perceive humans as all looking alike, but the number of humans was countless.
It was a task akin to finding a needle in a desert, so it was grim.
Just when it seemed like it might be forever impossible.
"I finally, finally found you..."
The words "found it" came out.
"I missed you so much. Allen, Allen Wiesent."
And from the Demon King, Hestia's room.