Chapter 18: Midterm Exam (1)

Buildings constructed for professors to work or conduct research, the Tower of Wisdom—

The name might sound grand, but it’s essentially just a faculty office.

“…They’ve already retired?”

“Yeah. About a year ago, they abruptly retired.”

The professor who handed me a recommendation letter.

I planned to find and talk to him, but—

what’s this?

He’s already retired.

“Did he mention where he was going?”

“Well… he said he’d go back to his hometown and live leisurely. What was it, the Isbal region?”

“Do you know the exact city? Or perhaps the village?”

“Haha, that much I don’t know either.”

To make matters worse, his hometown is far from Arcane.

‘The Isbal region? That’s practically the end of the continent…’

As expected in a fantasy world, there are teleportation circles.

The problem is money.

Since teleportation circles require highly skilled mages, it’s expensive enough that only high-ranking nobles can afford it easily.

For a commoner struggling with finances, it’s a luxury they might experience once in a lifetime.

‘Ugh, nothing ever works out.’

If I don’t use a teleportation circle and instead rely on a carriage or horse, it would take two months— a long journey.

From my position as someone who needs to continue attending the academy, it’s a difficult place to reach.

‘Sigh, should I save up for at least one ride?’

Though the round trip would take two months, if I use the academy’s vacation, it’s not entirely impossible.

However, I’d need to use the teleportation circle at least once, either on the way there or back.

‘Guess I have no choice.’

Since it’s not urgent, I decided to postpone it for now.

I was just asking in case.

It’s not something worth abandoning my midterms or academy for.

“Phew, well, at least I achieved my goal. I was worried it wouldn’t work out.”

I achieved the 4th rank I aimed for before midterms just yesterday.

Though I’m still not used to handling it, so there’s no dramatic change yet.

It’ll gradually improve.

‘And there’s an unexpected gain too.’

For some reason, I managed to absorb a few combat techniques Isabel commonly uses.

With this much, I could aim for a higher rank than I initially planned.

‘Besides, I need to start earning next year’s tuition. It’s good to secure things now.’

As a commoner, there’s some scholarship support, but it’s limited.

The scholarship I was guaranteed only covers two years of tuition.

In other words, starting next year, I have to earn it myself.

There are many scholarships here, but the one I’m targeting is performance-based.

‘Oh, not the top or second-best ones, of course.’

With monsters like Sylvia dominating the ranks, I have no intention of squeezing in there.

‘It’s just like a real university with so many options.’

This detail wasn’t in the novel, so I ran around gathering information.

Since the academy is mostly filled with nobles, scholarships aren’t of much interest to them, leaving information scarce.

‘Thankfully, I managed to find one.’

While some scholarships are guaranteed upon admission, others depend on effort.

For instance, there are merit-based scholarships like those for the top ranks.

But that’s not what I’m after.

What I want is purely based on significant improvement, regardless of current grades.

The Leap Scholarship.

‘The more you improve compared to the previous year, the more scholarship money you receive.

In theory, I wouldn’t qualify since I’ve already excelled academically.

But practice is a different story.’

Even though I ranked first in theory, my overall rank was a dismal 975.

If I finish this year’s practicals well, covering next year’s tuition shouldn’t be an issue.

‘I wish I could earn it through simple business or investments.’

But that’s only possible with starting capital.

For someone like me, who struggles to afford even a meal, it’s irrelevant.

‘It’s about to begin.’

With this event, the main storyline will start unfolding chaotically.

Since the protagonist, Ian, is in Arcane, most of the story takes place here.

Sometimes events happen elsewhere, but that’s beyond my control.

I’ll do only what I can.

Even if I do my best, I can’t save everyone.

This time too, someone will surely die.

I can’t help but look away.

Justice or responsibility— those require the ability to bear them.

I know my limits.

So I won’t meddle unnecessarily.

‘That said, Ian better do well this time.’

The highlight of the midterm story is probably Ian’s awakening.

Dueling with a strong opponent, confronting the rats hiding in Arcane, and rapidly growing stronger.

It’s a scene that defined him as a heroic figure.

The dazzling fight scenes and the emotional catharsis were breathtaking.

This part made me fall deeper into the novel.

‘But it ended abruptly with a hiatus ending.’

Even after years, the crazy author didn’t resume writing.

Every time I missed it, I’d revisit and reread it.

Until the day I ended up reincarnating here.

The latter part was never serialized.

‘The ending was when the protagonist reunited with the heroines.’

They didn’t even show the battle with the demon god, which they had painstakingly built up.

Neither did they resolve the mysteries of the god’s blood or the “world Ian longed for,” which he constantly mentioned.

‘Well, he’s the protagonist, so he probably won, right?’

Unless they suddenly switched protagonists and launched a Season 2.

Ian had to defeat the demon god.

Otherwise, it would’ve been an extinction-ending for the continent.

That wouldn’t make any sense, would it?

“Ah, what’s the use of muttering about it now? Let’s focus on my own issues.”

It was silly to keep dwelling on the past.

He had to focus on the present.

The exams at Arcane Academy typically lasted a long time.

They were thorough to ensure they accurately assessed the students’ levels, covering many subjects.

Even the theoretical exams required nearly four hours of writing per subject.

“Ah, as expected, you’re first, Theonar. Submit your paper and sign here.”

Most of the questions were short-answer to prevent cheating.

Additionally, they invited royal magicians to prevent the use of magic or artifacts.

‘Seriously, these people are relentless.’

The professors were adamant about not allowing a single error, their eyes burning with determination.

‘If only they cared as much about their own lectures.’

They didn’t care if students napped during regular classes, but when the royal magician arrived, they put on their best efforts.

‘It’s part of social survival, I suppose, but it’s still annoying.’

In a way, it was like a client coming to inspect a factory producing talent.

No room for laziness there.

“Ah, I’m so tired.”

By the time he finished all the theoretical exams, a week had passed since midterms began.

Arcane didn’t spare weekends for exams.

Which meant he’d been writing nonstop for an entire week.

“My arm’s going to fall off before the practical exams even start.”

Trying to maintain the top rank made his answers lengthy, and repeating that multiple times had left his wrist sore.

“Theo!”

As he exited the exam room, Sylvia, leaning against the wall with her arms folded behind her, greeted him cheerfully.

“Oh, Sylvia, how did your exam go?”

“…Maybe okay?”

“Maybe? What’s with that uncertainty?”

Even though I explained everything thoroughly as if possessed by a walking question mark, wasn’t she supposed to ace it?

“Well, the questions I expected came up, so it was easy, right?”

“Yeah, and there weren’t too many questions, so it felt easier.”

“…Hmm?”

Wait, did I hear that wrong?

Not many questions?

There were so many that I had to request additional answer sheets…

“…Don’t tell me.”

.

.

.

.

.

People often say ominous premonitions always come true.

And sure enough, Sylvia managed to fulfill my worst expectations.

“…I didn’t know.”

“No, Sylvia, how long were you waiting here?”

“About two hours?”

“You didn’t think it was strange that I didn’t come out sooner?”

“A little bit.”

“Then shouldn’t you have thought something was off… ha…”

Despite studying diligently, Sylvia had somehow missed the fact that the test had a backside.

And this catastrophe actually happened.

“Sorry… You explained everything so well…”

When I raised my voice in frustration at the wasted effort, Sylvia’s spirit visibly deflated, her lips pouting as she lowered her head like a scolded cat.

“…It’s fine. It’s not something you need to apologize for.”

“You’re not mad…?”

“Why would I be mad? We’ll have more chances. I’ll help you study again next time, so don’t feel down.”

Sylvia’s small smile returned, her playful demeanor peeking through.

‘Honestly, her face is a weapon.’

She was the first heroine to approach me, and with all the time we’d spent studying together, it was only natural to grow closer.

Though I hadn’t realized it, Sylvia was also far from ordinary.