episode_0060

After Iris and special education, I intensified my training in pure emission of magic within my body and in the application of aura-related training.

As time passed, students in the infirmary were treated, and those who went home anxious all returned, and academy classes resumed normally.

After receiving additional special education several times, the notice for the 1st grade integrated exam was posted on each department’s bulletin board.

[1st Grade Integrated Exam Guide]

-The integrated exam consists of individual exams for each subject and a group exam for the entire 1st grade.

-For subject-specific exams, please follow the instructions of the respective course instructors.

-For the group exam of the entire 1st grade, it will be conducted based on teams composed of 3 students per team in advance.

-The team composition chart must be submitted to the exam management headquarters by the day before the integrated exam.

-Students who engage in misconduct that disrupts the fair conduct of the exam may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the regulations.

“It’s really coming.”

The integrated exam, which marks the end of the 1st year at Ardent Academy.

The problem is that by the end of my 1st year, I haven’t learned any magic… not even one.

I didn’t expect my talent for magic to be so dismal.

Even though Iris provided me with education and made me experience extracting magic forcibly from my body multiple times, I still failed to replicate it.

The group exam won’t be a major obstacle.

Since I already know the exam format, I just need to recruit a team of 3 as planned and submit it.

The exam format is advantageous for me.

Scores are calculated based on the final ranking and performance shown as teams progress through a tournament-style system.

Even if I have to resort to swordsmanship, there won’t be any issues.

“But the individual exams for each subject are the current hurdle.”

If I definitively secure 1st place in the group exam, I can come close to but might not reach half the required points for the integrated exam, avoiding failing grades, but the likelihood of not meeting the rest is high.

As a magic department student, only magic-based methods are allowed in subject-specific exams, and nothing else will be accepted.

“If I can manage to get a decent score in just one subject, I might barely avoid failing.”

I feel like I’ll fail even in that one subject, which is troubling right now.

If I do receive a failing grade, I could face significant difficulties as I won’t be able to follow the academy’s original schedule.

In Sungyong’s original work, if you don’t even get the minimum score in the integrated exam, the game ends with the message “Game Over.”

“Should I go beg a professor or something?”

If I bring this up with Iris, I’ll just get scolded without gaining anything.

Instead, she will watch me more closely to see what I’m willing to do to pass the exam.

While worrying after reading the notice, I noticed Claire approaching from over there.

She was about to greet me happily but quietly came to my side and asked in a low voice upon seeing many students around me.

“Yukal, what are you doing here? What are the others looking at up front?”

Claire, being a bit short, tried to tiptoe to see better but struggled.

“Claire, hold on, don’t move for a moment.”

I was about to explain, but I thought it would be better for her to see it herself, so I grabbed her and sat her on my shoulder.

“Huh? What, what are you doing! Put me down quickly!!”

Although I immediately put Claire down in response to her strong refusal, the attention of the students around us focused on the commotion, so I left a brief apology and moved away.

“If you suddenly do something like that, what am I supposed to do? I was really surprised. It was embarrassing with all the other students staring at me…”

“I’m sorry. I thought it would be easier to understand if you saw it directly, but I acted too rashly. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

‘I briefly lost my composure at the thought that I might get a failing grade.’

Considering Claire’s personality, I should have briefly explained or at least suggested meeting when there were no other students around.

I felt like the considerable time and effort I had invested in Claire and the gradually diminishing fondness might have been in vain, but Claire, who had been hesitating, blushed slightly and spoke to me.

“I… It’s not that I dislike it, but next time, if you’re going to hold my hand or do something to me, I’d appreciate it if you could give me some time to prepare mentally.”

Fortunately, it seemed like Claire was forgiving of my mistake this time.

“Okay. Thank you for forgiving me, Claire.”

If Claire hadn’t been so kind, wouldn’t it have been quite difficult?

If I had made a mistake like this with Helena, she probably wouldn’t have let me go so easily.

“So what was it that you and the other students were looking at?”

Claire, who was worried about me, subtly added a bit more to the content of the guide so that I wouldn’t notice what I already knew.

“Yukal, are you okay?”

“Well, I’ll manage somehow.”

“But… you haven’t learned any magic spells so far.”

Since we had spent a lot of time together and I still didn’t have a clue about magical discharge, besides Iris’ special education, I had asked Claire for help a few times, so she knew.

“If I cast an enchantment in advance…? It probably won’t be allowed. The professors will definitely notice if the spell isn’t based on my magic. It could actually make things difficult for you, Claire.”

Still, after taking the test, I was honestly a little touched by Claire’s concern for me first.

Knowing that diligent Claire could be implicated in misconduct, and yet she was the one suggesting it first.

But I shouldn’t let Claire get involved in my problems and suffer as a result.

“Don’t worry too much about this part. I’ll figure something out. Do you trust me?”

In response to my joking remark, Claire burst into laughter.

“Even if they say each subject is taken individually, the group test is the problem. We have to form a team of three…”

Maybe it’s the opposite case with me.

I’m confident I’ll secure first place in the group test, but I’m facing the risk of failing all subjects and getting a failing grade, while Claire may face difficulties in the group test.

Carefully looking towards my side, Claire seemed to want me to be on her team.

Except for me, there are only a handful of students with whom there is significant overlap.

‘If I had to choose, Victor would be the most comfortable to deal with, followed by some students I volunteered with in the infirmary.’

And unfortunately, Helena, due to our shared history.

From Claire’s perspective, she would like to form a team with one student other than me, but unfortunately, it seems that I cannot do that this time.

“Sorry, Claire, but it seems like we won’t be able to team up this time.”

She seemed shocked by my words, hesitantly opening her mouth.

“I want to team up with you, Yukal, but are there people already promised to team up with?”

“Similar.”

Although not agreed upon with those two, they wouldn’t refuse if I proposed.

Ending the conversation with Claire and recruiting immediately shouldn’t cause major issues.

Grabbing her hand as she looked at me gloomily for not being able to team up.

“Claire, don’t misunderstand. I’m doing this because I hope you can coordinate with other students without me this time. Don’t get hurt. I’ve already thought of two students to team up with, similar to you.”

Feeling somewhat relieved by my words, Claire asked about the remaining team members.

“Then who are the two students you would like to team up with if not me?”

“One is Rachel Gongnyeo.”

Claire visibly relaxed upon hearing Rachel’s name.

‘She must have heard about her reputation, so she feels reassured.’

Her composed behavior during the mock dungeon test when I was injured, calmly treating me and trying to solve the problem by apologizing, must have left a good impression.

Considering they are not complete strangers, it should be fine.

With no lack of skill whatsoever.

Excluding me, she could easily take the lead among the first-year Swordsmanship Department students.

“Who’s the other one?”

“Um… that would be Helena Yeongae.”

There were conflicts before the entrance ceremony and during the mock dungeon test. Claire expected resistance to teaming up with someone she considered a troublemaker but didn’t need to persuade her.

“Got it. If you think it’s best, Yukal, I’ll do my best too.”

I thought she would initially refuse, but she accepted readily, which left me slightly surprised but perhaps it’s a good thing.

‘It seems our occasional encounters in the infirmary were helpful.’

“When this exam is over, let’s go somewhere together during the break, anywhere you like!”

“I’ll do that.”

With this, Claire’s team formation was finalized, and now it’s my turn.