Chapter 147: Through Daily Life to Exam Day

“The Orion Academy Practical Final Exam is Bell Snatching from the Instructors.”

“““···.”””

Disconcernment deeply permeated the Cadets’ eyes. The depth of the silence was different from the beginning.

Juyeon immediately added to her words, seeing the classroom atmosphere endlessly growing serious.

“Of course, if the Instructors only evaluate the Cadets they’re in charge of, there could be issues of fairness or complaints. I can’t say that I teach better than other Instructors, but it is true that I am the strongest among them. I can’t have Class 1 take an unfair exam.”

Juyeon’s voice was calm. There was no arrogance or showing off.

It was simply a cold, hard fact, devoid of any conceit. A fact that everyone knew, too.

Even if all the Instructors attacked her together, they wouldn’t be able to defeat Juyeon.

“Look at this.”

The papers placed in front of Juyeon fluttered and flew, carried by Mana.

They settled one by one on the Cadets’ desks.

“During the Practical Exam, the Instructors will move around their designated locations.”

Juyeon held the remaining sheet in her hand.

The Cadets focused their attention on the papers.

“As you can see, each Instructor holds a Bell of a different color, and the points awarded are also different. Even if you don’t obtain a Bell, there are detailed points awarded based on your actions and responses.”

The paper contained the Instructors’ pictures and locations.

Juyeon’s Bell was red, granting the highest score upon acquisition.

Judging by the quantity, there was only one Bell to begin with. The probability of no one obtaining it seemed high.

“Although it’s called ‘Bell Snatching,’ it doesn’t mean that there’s only forced robbery. The exam method and content will vary depending on the Instructors’ discretion, and Instructors who have their Bells snatched or give them away will immediately equip a spare Bell.”

Second was Carrot Instructor.

A Rabbit Beastkin, specializing in Martial Arts, with a particularly powerful Kick, as she wrote herself, even drawing a carrot next to it, emphasizing its importance.

She possessed silver Bells. The total number of Bells Carrot Instructor could distribute to the Cadets was 20.

Below her was Ed Instructor.

The male Instructor who was in charge of Rohan, Ichinose Yui, and Noa’s Placement Exam.

He had a messy beard and sleepy eyes. The air of indifference he exuded was vivid.

The Bells he possessed were silver, the same points as Carrot Instructor, and the same quantity.

Falkenhain Instructor.

An Instructor specializing in Mana-based Defensive Arts, his Bells were blue, totaling 100.

The points awarded were lower than Carrot Instructor and Ed Instructor.

Lastly, Marcel Instructor.

An Instructor specializing in situation-specific First Aid, Healing, and Detoxification.

His Bells were yellow, the same number as the First-Year Cadets. The points awarded were the lowest.

“The exam will be conducted for 3 days, from 9:00 to 17:00, within the Orion Academy grounds. The Instructors will not share information about the Cadets until the end of the exam. And during the exam, you will not be held responsible for damaging the Academy grounds.”

However, taking advantage of this opportunity to maliciously attack other Cadets,

or intentionally damaging the Academy beyond necessity, was not permitted.

“Use the maximum number of methods and strategies against the Instructors. If there is an Instructor who evaluates through combat, attack them with the intent to kill without hesitation. The Instructors will not blame the Cadets for injuries or death. They will coldly evaluate how far the Cadets can go.”

Juyeon’s words were not false.

The Instructors were prepared to humbly accept it if there was a Cadet among them with such skill.

Of course, a follow-up statement was made that the Instructors wouldn’t just stand still and take it during the exam.

The Cadets, unable to shake off their surprise, kept their eyes wide open.

“The same goes for hunting Monsters and confronting villains. If you can win and survive, do not hesitate to use any means within the bounds of righteousness and morality.”

It wasn’t a call to refrain from cruel methods or merciless actions.

It was a warning not to cross the line of humanity.

It was a warning not to betray comrades, selling them to criminals or Monsters, or stabbing allies in the back like beasts.

It was a warning not to covet the gains obtained by degenerating into beasts that prey on their own kind.

“Next, look below. As written, you can use Supply-type weapons or your own weapons. The Instructors’ responses will change accordingly.”

The remaining detailed point distribution and explanations followed.

Having neatly finished the explanation, Juyeon looked around at the Cadets.

“That’s all. I’ll take questions if you have any.”

“Instructor! Me! Me!”

Noa waved her hand as if she had been waiting.

When Juyeon gave her permission to speak, Noa showed pure curiosity.

“You said to use any means necessary… What if I call my dad?”

At Noa’s words, the Cadets froze, unable to find a way to react, and Juyeon smiled.

Wasn’t it amusing how pure the emotion contained in the question was?

“Orion Academy strictly prohibits the entry of unauthorized outsiders. If you can resolve that as well, you may do so.”

“Aha…”

It was impossible for the ruler of a nation to force their way into the Academy to help their daughter with an exam.

Noa nodded in understanding.

However, Rohan was dissecting and analyzing Juyeon’s words, continuing to formulate the best possible plan.

“Any other questions?”

Rohan raised his hand.

Juyeon’s gaze shifted towards Rohan, sitting in the front row.

“I’m curious if it’s okay to acquire more than one bell.”

“Of course. Keep in mind that this is a relative evaluation, not an absolute one. Aim to collect all the bells.”

Since there’s a limit on the number of bells, only one Cadet can achieve that.

However, the thought of snatching a bell from Juyeon was unimaginable.

That’s why he wanted to try.

Rohan’s motivation ignited.

‘The environment itself, where I can freely use my power against skilled individuals, is rare.’

It’s a good opportunity. He could even use Radiance and Brand.

The Instructors also said they would respond minimally to subdue the Cadets.

From Rohan’s perspective, far from being intimidated, he even thought about taking the Instructors’ attacks head-on to properly gauge the difference in their skills.

“Next question.”

Juyeon answered the Class 1 Cadets’ questions one by one.

After the questions ended and silence fell, she checked the time.

“Assembly is over. Prepare for class.”

As soon as Juyeon left the classroom, Class 1 became boisterous.

Orion Academy Final Exams.

Time marched relentlessly towards the day of the written exam, marking the beginning of the exams.

Looking back, the words ‘already?’ came out naturally.

From Rohan’s perspective, it had been an excessively happy daily life until today.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was about to drown in joy.

There were many days when Ichinose and Noa visited Shion’s mansion to study together.

There was also a day when Ichinose suggested studying together, and the two went to a quiet cafe.

The time spent together, without anyone else, felt like they had moved past the awkwardness of their kiss, so Rohan didn’t refuse Ichinose’s suggestion.

‘I want to keep living like this.’

While preparing for the written exam, he never neglected his training.

Instead of lessening the intensity, he increased it.

While doing so, he became greedy, trying his best not to let go of the happiness of his daily life.

As if taking turns, the girls, one by one, brought up places they wanted to go.

Rohan didn’t think twice before accepting their proposals.

He went furniture shopping with Shion for her Mansion.

He regretted not taking a picture of Shion’s flustered expression when the staff asked if they were a newlywed couple.

It was rare for Shion to lose her composure like that.

He went to an offline game event with Clara.

Clara, who was usually timid and withdrawn due to the gazes of others, was so excited her eyes sparkled. That memory still lingered in Rohan’s mind.

They bought a lot of merchandise and decorated each other’s rooms with them.

‘What kind of luxury is this?’

The time spent with the girls was precious to Rohan.

He was certain he would have regretted it if he had postponed or ignored their suggestions to go somewhere because of studying or training.

Therefore, Rohan did his best to enjoy every moment, and every day was incredibly satisfying.

And so, the day of the written exam arrived.

Once today’s written exam is over, the Practical Exam will start immediately the next day.

Rohan left the Dormitory at dawn.

‘I’m racking up debts like a mountain.’

If his score on this written exam improves, he wonders how he should repay Ichinose.

It wasn’t just asking her about things he didn’t understand like last time; he received tutoring from her and Noa that was no different from private lessons.

Thanks to that, Rohan had become much closer to those things called numbers and formulas.

“···.”

Step. Step. Step.

At this early hour, when no one else had arrived for school, Rohan arrived at Orion Academy.

He put away the notes he had been reviewing on his way here.

‘Shall we begin?’

Usually, his routine at this time would be heading to the Training Room to exercise with Ichinose.

But today, his steps led him in a different direction. He walked around the vast grounds of Orion Academy.

Rohan’s bag wasn’t filled with his usual supplements and extra clothes. It was packed with unidentified, heavy objects.

With his bag in hand, Rohan began to wander around the locations where the Instructors would be positioned during the Practical Exam.