Midterm Exams – 1

Time flowed on once again, and April arrived. Everyone seems to be adjusting to the Academy bit by bit. I’ve been restraining myself from pursuing Cordelia lately since Hestia appears to be subtly concerned about me. Because of this, another week has passed since that day, but nothing has improved. These days, my head aches thinking about it constantly. When one thing bothers you, it becomes hard to focus on anything else.

Whether aware of my feelings or not, outside the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. The typical image of cherry blossoms blooming profusely and scattering in the wind apparently only became possible after modern times, but naturally, such details don’t exist in this fantasy world. Outside the Academy, cherry blossoms cover everything wherever you go.

What typically comes to mind when thinking of cherry blossoms? Petals dancing in the wind, couples chatting pleasantly while enjoying a picnic on blankets? That’s not the correct answer. Do you know what the flower language of cherry blossoms is? It’s midterm exams. When I think of cherry blossoms, what first comes to mind isn’t the falling petals or couples dating beneath them, but memories of staring at incomprehensible textbooks in the library while watching cherry blossom petals fall.

Most regrettably, the Academy in this world was no different in holding midterm exams during cherry blossom season. The Academy had officially entered exam period. Most students had begun studying in earnest, except for a few brave souls who had given up on their grades (Cordelia included among them).

Scratch, scratch

Hestia and I were no exception. Thanks to this, I spend all my time after classes with Hestia. After the Academy ends, I get dragged by her hand to plant my butt on a library chair. Hestia has shown noticeably more interest in me compared to before. It might just be my feeling, but she doesn’t seem to welcome being separated from me.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m having trouble concentrating. Just going to get some fresh air. I’ll be back soon.”

“Come back quickly. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Like this. Even though I was leaving all my belongings behind and clearly not going far, she would ask my destination whenever I stood up from my seat. Before, she would just let it be even if I stepped out for a moment. Seeing her attitude change like this makes me somewhat pleased, thinking her feelings for me have grown, but it also weighs on my heart feeling like I haven’t been giving her much reason to trust me. Still, her words about waiting for me and asking me to return quickly touch me. It’s exciting, like a wife seeing her husband off to work.

After sitting for so long, my butt was sore and my concentration was failing, so I went outside the library to get some fresh air. Perhaps because the sun had completely set, the wind was chilly despite it being spring. I tightened my uniform coat and did a quick stretch. When I slightly cracked my neck, it made a cracking sound. Hestia always freaks out and nags me not to do this whenever I do it. But what can I do when it’s become a habit?

I cracked my neck in the opposite direction and looked at the brightly lit library and dormitory. I felt strangely wistful thinking that exam periods are the same no matter where you go. Even if you’re born as a high nobleman in this world, you can’t escape studying for exams. Still, I suppose it’s a bit better since I’m doing it of my own will.

Without thinking, I reached into my coat pocket for cigarettes and a lighter, then froze. Of course, there was nothing in my pocket.

In the real world, Kang Bada was a smoker. Mikhail must have been a non-smoker, as I don’t have any cigarette cravings or withdrawal symptoms. However, sometimes when I’m alone outside getting some air like this, I unconsciously find myself thinking about cigarettes. Back on Earth, this was what we commonly called “cigarette hunting time.”

Of course, quitting cigarettes this way—I had intended to quit anyway—but the urge suddenly rises in the morning after waking up, after eating lunch, and especially at times like this when I’m out getting fresh air at night.

This world has cigarettes too. They even say it’s some kind of magic herb that’s rolled and smoked, so it’s not even harmful to the body. Except for the unique acrid smell of cigarettes, they say it’s not harmful at all. I thought it was a ridiculous setting, but figured the author must have wanted a male protagonist who smokes, and let it go. Thinking too deeply about strange things only gives me a headache. Just accepting everything as it is is the way to survive in this world.

Until now, since I was quitting anyway, and Hestia probably wouldn’t like it either, I planned to quit for good. But when I can’t concentrate and my mind is troubled because of Cordelia, I naturally start to waver.

‘Should I just go smell the smoke?’

Obviously, I had neither cigarettes nor a light right now. Asking a stranger for a cigarette rather than a light would be crazy. I remembered a friend who, claiming to be quitting, would tag along to smoking areas and end up bumming a cigarette, saying he’d quit tomorrow. I laughed realizing I was just like that friend now. Nothing’s more pathetic than going to a smoking area without cigarettes. But my feet had already started walking toward the smoking area.

Perhaps because it was exam period, the smoking area was crowded with students despite the late hour. There are too many people! I didn’t have the confidence to stand awkwardly alone among them without a cigarette. That friend of mine had come to the smoking area empty-handed without thinking, but he was with other friends while I was alone. What cigarette am I even talking about? I lamented having made a wasted trip and was about to turn back toward the library.

“Have you seen that bitch Cordelia?”

A high-pitched voice struck my ears. I stopped walking. Did I hear wrong? I focused all my attention on my ears. The voice came from a corner near the entrance of the smoking area. Two female students were smoking and chatting.

“Isn’t it so annoying how she’s bragging about having a friend these days?”

“I know, right? I still get heated whenever I see that empty-headed girl.”

“I was really shocked back then. I never thought she’d be that crazy.”

Anyone could tell they were talking about Cordelia. I casually examined the ground as naturally as possible. It seems even nobles sometimes throw cigarette butts on the ground. I picked up one of the discarded cigarettes that looked relatively intact from the ground. Although it was a bit disgusting, I brushed off as much dust as possible.

“Excuse me, could I borrow a light?”

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

I caught a passerby and borrowed a light. With the lit cigarette in hand, I stealthily approached the women who were conversing. I was getting tired of this endless game of tag with Cordelia, and if there was any hint that could help fix it, I wanted to grab it, no matter how small. They were busy gossiping without any worry of being caught. What careless friends. I approached just close enough not to be noticed and put the cigarette in my mouth. Maybe because it was a used butt, only a bitter taste and stale smell rose up.

I kept the cigarette in my mouth and perked up my ears to their conversation. It wasn’t a taste that made me want to smoke more. Perhaps because of their high-pitched voices, their words clearly reached my ears. First with Wilhelm and now this—I feel like I’m only improving my skills at sneaking around.

“It’s so unbelievable every time I see her. Shouldn’t she have been expelled from here in the first place?”

“Exactly. She caused trouble at the Eve Party too. I’m telling you, there must be some reason she got her engagement broken off.”

Their conversation was a continuous stream of colorful and one-sided criticism directed at Cordelia. I realized that one of them was the “patch girl” Hestia had mentioned before. The one who had picked a fight with Cordelia and got her hair pulled, resulting in a large patch. Just looking at her, she appeared extremely fierce, as if announcing, “I have a strong temperament,” making me not want to get close to her.

I don’t understand what they find so objectionable about that kind, silly Cordelia. Of course, sometimes I feel like giving her a good smack when she plays absurd pranks or stubbornly insists on something unreasonable, but I don’t truly hate her. She’s the type of person who’s inherently difficult to hate.

Their conversation jumped around but eventually returned to gossiping about Cordelia. The level of hostility escalated with each exchange.

“Still, she’s good at catching men. Look how quickly she switched to the Duke’s heir after losing the Crown Prince.”

“What about the Duke’s heir?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know? It’s obvious. They’re definitely sleeping together. She’s decent looking enough. Otherwise, why would the Duke’s heir stick so close to her? It was the Duke’s heir who protected her at the Eve Party too.”

And with that, they finally crossed the line. I felt my head go cold.

“Can you repeat what you just said, in front of me?”

Honestly, I really didn’t want to get involved, but my body moved before my mind. I approached them and spoke. If it had just been “I don’t like her” kind of talk, I could have warned Cordelia later and let it go. But I can’t call myself a friend if I stand by and listen to such absurd slander.

I ground out the cigarette butt that had already burned down to the filter. The patch girl turned around with irritation at my sudden interruption.

“Who are you to—!”

Then, upon seeing my face, she faltered in surprise and only moved her lips wordlessly. The woman who had been agreeing with patch girl also stiffened her expression after confirming my face.

“Is there a problem?”

“W-why are you… here…?”

The woman who had been actively criticizing Cordelia—patch girl—stammered. She must be quite shocked. The woman who had been agreeing with patch girl also seemed caught off guard by the situation and didn’t know what to do.

“Am I not allowed to be here?”

“No, that’s not it, but… I heard you don’t smoke….”

“Is there any connection between my smoking habits and this matter?”

Patch girl seemed at a loss for words and her face contorted even more. I thought she was careless for speaking so loudly, but it seems she had a reason to feel secure. Right, she probably never expected to meet an acquaintance of Cordelia’s at the smoking area. Cordelia’s social circle is small enough to count on one’s fingers anyway.

I wondered how to deal with these nasty women. They stood with their hands clasped politely and heads bowed, as if they were criminals. I sighed and decided to just let them go.

“If it’s not something you can say to someone’s face, don’t say it at all.”

“Yes!”

“What are you looking at? Go.”

They left without looking back. I’m not their parent, and they’re not elementary school students. We’re well past the age where people get along just because someone tells them to be nice to each other. I don’t have the power to get them expelled from the Academy. I can’t beat them up to ensure they never open their mouths again. It’s frustrating, but there’s nothing I can do.

In the end, I had no choice but to let them go. When I see Cordelia later, I’ll give her a heads-up, whether she listens or not. I’ll tell Hestia too.

I watched the fleeing women with empty eyes, then picked up the cigarette butt I had tossed on the ground earlier, disposed of it in an ashtray, and turned back toward the library. Those women had run away leaving their cigarette butts on the ground. One’s character really shows in these small things.

“You’re very… late?”

“…I’m sorry.”

As expected, Hestia was very, very angry. She seemed worried about me and had even come out of the library, looking around. I felt bad—I never thought she would actually come out to search for me.

Her expression momentarily softened when she saw me, then quickly darkened again. It’s understandable that she would worry when someone who said they were just stepping out for fresh air stayed outside for nearly 30 minutes. I didn’t make any excuses and apologized first.

“What were you doing to be this late…? Sniff, sniff. What’s this smell?”

She ran toward me with small steps, about to scold me when she stopped. I reflexively buried my nose in my forearm and sniffed. Sniff, sniff. The acrid smell of cigarettes hit my nose. If you can smell the cigarette odor on yourself, it must be really strong.

“Mikhail, don’t tell me you were smoking?!”

Hestia seemed to have identified the smell and began sniffing more intensely. Sniff, sniff. Her face moved from my forearm to my chest. Her expression hardened. It was the face of someone convinced I had been smoking.

“No, I mean, yes, I did smoke, but that’s not it, there are circumstances…”

Without saying anything, she grabbed my hand and brought it to her nose, starting to examine the smell of my index and middle fingers.

Wow, she’s really an expert. I was reminded of the school disciplinarian from my high school days. That teacher would also catch troublemakers by checking the smell of their index and middle fingers. They caught everything from hand cream to hand sanitizer, even latex gloves or wooden chopsticks. I never thought I’d experience the feelings of those troublemakers from back then in another world.

“Mikhail, I won’t scold you for smoking. But hiding it from me and lying about it is disappointing. Did you think I would interfere and tell you not to smoke?”

“No, wait, just listen to me.”

“More importantly, do you know how worried I was when someone who said they were just going to get some fresh air didn’t return for so long? I told you I’d be waiting. If you had said you were going to smoke and it would take some time…”

I had to listen to Hestia’s nagging for quite a while after that. Finally, just before we parted, I was able to clear up the misunderstanding and explain what had really happened.

–

“God, this is so fucking annoying.”

“I really fucking hate her.”

“I want to make her suffer somehow.”

“Hey, I have a good idea.”

The moon in the sky maliciously illuminated her empty head space as she grinned wickedly.