Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Top of the Midterms
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“Top scorer in the 1388th midterm exams, Rain Ludwig!”
In a daze as his name was called, Rain unwittingly thrust his fist into the air. He had no idea what logic drove him to do it.
His heart was simply pounding wildly.
- Only the top graduate of <Delaiten> gets the chance to behold Lin’s corpse.
Had he taken one step closer?
One more step forward?
He felt a twinge of guilt for snatching this spot from his fresh-faced juniors three hundred years his junior... but there was no helping it.
“I was skeptical when Cat first told me, but to think you’d become the top cadet.”
Madelia Page stepped forward and affixed a decorative cord—made of dragonbone stone, gleaming brilliantly—to his uniform cloak.
“It’s the mark of the top cadet. You’d better give it your all if you don’t want it taken away.”
The cadets, stunned and doubting their ears, finally began to murmur.
“Whoa, is this for real?”
“That prodigy—total disaster—young master is the top cadet?”
“He beat out every single successor from the Eight Great Academies!”
Next came second place, third, and fourth. Second was Christa Warden, as everyone had expected. Third was Nora Reden, and fourth was Kaden.
“Hmm♪”
Nora eyed Rain with a sparkle of interest beyond what she’d anticipated, while Kaden simply stared straight ahead in silence.
“…….”
Meanwhile, Christa stared blankly at Rain’s profile, then shook her head and bit her lip.
‘I’ll accept this defeat. I already admitted I lost in the labyrinth exam.’
The top spot she’d lost for the first time... the aftertaste wasn’t just bitter—it burned. The metallic tang of blood filling her mouth stung unbearably.
‘The gap isn’t that wide yet. We both got S grades, so it’s not a big difference.’
She’d have plenty of chances to turn it around. So, so... there was no need to cry. She’d only shed tears of joy after claiming first. That’s what she’d promised herself.
‘Yes. No need to cry, Christa.’
Amid the pouring cheers, Professor Carolline gazed at her disciple Christa and offered an encouraging smile.
‘Effort doesn’t betray expectations. Someday, it’ll give you the power to twist the tide.’
That’s why unwavering effort in the face of adversity is the true asset.
‘Adversity forges temperance, and temperance breeds perseverance. That perseverance will be your most precious asset in achieving your dreams.’
That’s why adversity isn’t a downhill slide in life—it’s the greatest turning point, Christa. Don’t despair. You’re exceptional.
‘Exceptionalism isn’t innate—it’s forged through trials. You have more potential to excel than any other cadet.’
So don’t cry.
Not yet.
* * *
The student council made contact that very lunchtime. A breezy girl with short golden-blonde hair and mischievous eyes showed up in the classroom.
The crest on her student ring depicted a dragon with spread wings. She was a second-year.
Like Rain, her uniform cloak was fastened with a dragonbone stone cord. Meaning she was the current second-year top cadet.
“It’s been ages since we last met like this. Wow, good job! Our little Rain, top cadet? The guy who used to just stare blankly at the sky like an idiot—wahaha!”
She slapped his back enthusiastically, as if they’d always been close. Not surprising. That was just her personality.
They were acquaintances, sort of.
They’d met once at the Houses Conference. Before he recovered Lin’s memories.
“And hi to Christa too!”
Christa, who’d missed out on the student council priority slot, gave a wry wave, while the other cadets blinked and exchanged glances.
“S-Sandra Kepel...!”
“The lady of the western magic house...”
“They say she’s never lost the top spot since her first year... a total monster...”
Sandra ignored the whispers she was clearly used to and grabbed Rain’s hand, leading him into the hallway.
She had quite the reputation on campus.
And her mana, dwelling within her, was equally impressive. Was she the one Professor Kyle mentioned?
“Come on, let’s go. Everyone’s waiting for you. We’ve got a mountain of work.”
“Are you the student council president, senpai?”
“Me? President? I’m still just a second-year. Haven’t even made vice president yet. I’m the secretary.”
Sandra waved it off lightly.
Hm, not her then?
He’d have been a little disappointed if so. Sandra was impressive, but Professor Kyle had hyped her up so much that he’d expected several times more.
“Then who’s this student council president from? Which house or academy?”
Sandra, walking ahead, turned and grinned as if it amused her. She found it intriguing that he knew nothing about the famous president.
“No house, no academy.”
“?”
“Apparently picked it up on the streets somehow. But man, you can’t catch up to that guy.”
“???”
“You don’t know? He’s famous as the ‘Street Absolute King.’”
King, huh...
Even as a nickname, how could a commoner bear a title reserved for the sons of grand dukes?
‘Surprising the nobles didn’t rebel. Must be that outstanding.’
The student council room was on the fourth floor of the Dragonwheel Hall, a prime spot overlooking most of the academic buildings.
For reference, the clubs allowed to use the main hall as their lounge were few—less than five—and all had deep histories.
The student council’s lounge was larger than any club room Rain had seen, with elegantly curved desks, chairs, and lamps. And every member’s mana was exceptional.
“Here’s Rain Ludwig, top first-year cadet. He’ll be the student council’s new pretty face. Professor Kyle says he’s a candidate for next president.”
The current council had four members. Normally only top and second-place cadets could join, so it made sense.
“That’s Felix Drake. Vice president.”
A boy of small build with a gentle face gave a light nod. His ring bore a roaring dragon crest—a third-year Rain was meeting for the first time.
Third-year...
That alone marked him as a genius who’d flawlessly completed two years of <Delaiten>’s structure, where half dropped out annually.
“And this is Triwis. She’s been handling general affairs until now, but she’s accounting from here on.”
A second-year girl in the corner, buried in a mountain of paperwork, gave a doll-like nod without expression.
“Is all that the workload?”
“It piles up like that at the start of the semester. Now that Rain’s on general affairs, you’ll handle it, right? Until the next officer comes.”
What?
Panic flashed in Rain’s eyes.
“What’s the student council schedule like?”
“Meet after classes every day. If there’s nothing, it’s a quick meeting and done. If there is, you stay till it’s finished.”
“Hm, seems like I’m not cut out for such an elite group after all.”
Time for a swift retreat.
Manual labor groups like this didn’t suit him at all. At that moment, someone by the sunlit window spun their chair around.
“Rain Ludwig?”
The instant Rain saw him... his eyes widened in two shocks.
First, the appearance.
His snow-white skin and perfectly balanced features weren’t just handsome—they surpassed most beauties.
Rain was quite the pretty boy himself, but this guy was in a league of his own.
“And that’s the Valensidis, the student council president you asked about!”
The second shock... faint traces of black magic lingered in the guy’s eyes.
Not traces, exactly.
Just instinct.
The eerie sensation he’d felt facing countless black mages in Lin’s era writhed in those cold, mechanical eyes.
‘And this guy...’
Even by Lin’s standards, he was one of the top experts. No hostility shown, yet his back prickled like needles from the sharply honed mana.
“Just take him back. He’s below expectations, unlike the rumors. Better go with that Christa Warden Felix brought last time.”
“What are you saying, President?! The whole school’s buzzing—he beat five successors from the Eight Great Academies for top spot.”
Sandra smiled placatingly. No honorifics, likely due to their status difference.
“It’s not his talent I dislike—it’s his attitude.”
Valensidis pointed at him with a long, pale finger thick with calluses unworthy of its elegance.
Sword user?
No, the calluses weren’t from a sword. What weapon?
“Did you think you’d just join and get pampered? Like back in your mansion?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then why’d your attitude change the moment I mentioned general affairs? Answer honestly.”
Now, how to handle this guy.
If he yelled, ‘He’s a black mage!’ who’d believe him? They’d had the school’s trust for two years; he’d just earned his. Scratch that idea.
He shrugged lightly for now.
“Honestly? It’s a hassle. And I don’t get why I have to take that on.”
“Volunteering for your peers is something you’d die before doing? Your mindset’s rotten from the start.”
“I’ve heard that plenty.”
Since way back.
Lin’s era, even.
His boldness drew a strange glint to Valensidis’s eyes.
“No, it’s not entirely your fault. In this country blindly chasing noble privilege, being born noble naturally breeds that thinking.”
“Noble privilege, what?”
“Those at the top can’t just seek to be served. True leaders protect and serve the powerless.”
For that split second, why did it happen?
Amid the warm spring breeze rustling the curtains, smiles from Rista and Fride flashed by.
“Don’t you think? Those are the ones worthy of being served as kings or nobles. Not just because of good blood.”
“……!”
“The student council will teach you that mindset. You’ll see it’s not just grades that earn respect. Whether you take the role or run is up to you—I won’t say more.”
Beyond deep wariness rose distant intrigue.
What the hell was this guy?
Every black mage he’d met lusted after power insanely or thought like madmen.
‘Hiding his nature with sophistry? Or normal but dabbled in black magic for some reason?’
In the past, he’d have attacked on the spot... but rumors of even innocent little Tureina touching black magic made him hold back.
After staring into Valensidis’s eyes for a while, Rain sighed and scratched his head.
“Seeing you rant like this, you seem desperate for me despite your words. Fine. General affairs? I’ll give it a shot.”
Not interest in the council. Not eagerness to fight a black mage. Interest in this Valensidis guy.
The council was a legal spot to observe and monitor him.
If ambushed inevitably, better strike first after watching than get caught off guard.
“But as you said, I’m lacking, so I might screw up the work. That okay?”
Valensidis smirked mockingly.
“No worries there. I’ll correct you step by step.”