Ch.2222. The Potential of the Hidden Star

The end-of-semester evaluation was over, and the two professors who had given the exam instructions and watched over the students were meticulously grading the students’ scores for the second day.

“Grading is tough. I wonder what kind of test we should give for the beginning-of-semester evaluation that coincides with the entrance ceremony…”

“Still, Jake, at least you had some students you taught. The noble children from the Principality seem much worse than those from the Empire. The future looks quite bleak, I must say.”

“Well… I can’t deny that’s true.”

Even without any hints, the students in Classes D and E did their best, just as Professor Jake said.

They resisted the heavy rain and landslides for the goal of class promotion and ultimately completed the exam.

“How was this group the upper class and that group the lower class? I truly cannot comprehend it.”

Sixty percent of the exam papers received failing grades. Muniher wanted to burn them on sight, finding them unbearable to look at, but he reluctantly held back at Professor Jake’s insistence.

The remaining forty percent were from first and second-year students who either had to give up despite their best efforts or somehow completed the exam through sheer determination despite injuries.

Fundamentally, these students took the end-of-semester evaluation seriously and tried to understand the intent of the exam.

In Muniher’s opinion, they were examinees who fell within the normal range—students who could at least be placed in the lower-middle classes.

They were divided into three categories.

First, those who accurately assessed their condition and declared they would not push themselves any further.

Although there were some who collapsed from exhaustion, requiring instructors to intervene directly or terminate the exam, these were few in number.

The Class D and E students had sufficient desire for promotion and exceptional perseverance.

“Just having students who know their limits would significantly reduce casualties on the battlefield. Even these ones are sufficient for an average score.”

“They tried their best in their own way. Are you planning to put them in Class C?”

“No, those rejects will all go to Class F, so the average will become Class D from now on. We need to narrow the gap.”

“Hmm, Muniher… you’re thinking something frightening.”

“Students who band together and try to accomplish something are above average.”

Second, those who cooperated to overcome their shortcomings and navigate difficulties in challenging situations.

As Professor Jake emphasized repeatedly, when lives are at stake, groups have an advantage—not just limited to battles against magical beasts.

It’s nearly impossible for a single student to face nature alone. Especially for a student who cannot properly use magic.

But when two join forces, they can lighten each other’s burdens, and with three, they can create some breathing room.

“These are definitely the upper ranks. The gap seems to have narrowed somewhat.”

“…What are you planning for the beginning-of-semester evaluation?”

“I have some ideas, so don’t worry.”

Third, those who not only tried to grasp the essence of the exam but also handled unexpected situations admirably.

Michelle, Erika, Senia, Goden, Ronelion, Ophelia, Talon, Monia, and others.

Most matched the list of students that Professor Muniher had noted to keep an eye on.

“They made a map, did they? These two are the top among the second-years.”

“Oh! Yes. You noticed? I think they’re the only second-year pair that can keep up with the current first-years.”

“As you say, there’s nothing to fault them on. I can only say they’re excellent. There are others showing exemplary performance too. Though they’re not entirely without demerits.”

Even so, to the discerning Professor Muniher, these students were lacking not by 2% but by 20%.

As a result, he seemed considerably bored. The outcome was too predictable.

Professor Jake, not for nothing a friend of twenty years, quickly caught on to this and teasingly asked:

“Did anyone figure out your intention? That’s why you’re bored, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes. Though I don’t think anyone would.”

“See, even at Hardia, there was no one except that person. Your exam standards are just too strict.”

“Tsk, as a professor, shouldn’t one be stricter, Jake? In this state, they’re not students but simply children who’ve learned some magic.”

“Sigh. You heartless bastard.”

The end-of-semester evaluation grading seemed to be concluding uneventfully, with students receiving additional points based on their tendencies and actions.

However, there was one person who exceeded the professors’ expectations.

“Huh? This student…”

“…I feel like I’m seeing things. Jake, didn’t I clearly warn you not to judge favorably just because you taught this student?”

“No, man! It’s true that I graded the first stage, but after that, different people took turns grading!”

That face didn’t look like it was joking at all.

Muniher himself knew that Jake, whom he’d known for twenty years, wasn’t the type to deceive about such matters.

Even if he had a reason or justification, he was a person with upright values who clearly distinguished right from wrong.

But no matter how he looked at it, this didn’t make sense.

The evaluation sheet of one student, filled with special notes and additional entries in every section, was scrambling the minds of the two professors.

The student had not only scored top marks in every category but had also received numerous additional points.

Such abnormal scores couldn’t emerge unless someone had grasped the true theme and intent of the exam.

Since Professor Muniher had designed the test, no one could have divulged or even sensed the exam criteria.

Therefore, it was reasonable to suspect that someone might have made a biased judgment during the exam. People can be bribed with money, after all.

However… neither Professor Jake nor the instructors and supervisors from Hardia could be bribed by anyone.

They were individuals directly selected by the Imperial Family and sent only after complex verification.

Some of them even owed debts to Professor Muniher, so such suspicions were unnecessary.

“We should call all the stage supervisors and monitors to ask. This never happened even in the Empire.”

“Sigh, this is unfair. Since we don’t have any video recordings… Hey, Muniher, I really didn’t do anything! I’m fair when it comes to exams, despite appearances!”

“…Alright, that’s enough.”

An unprecedented event might occur: a student being promoted from Class E to Class A—from the lowest to the highest class.

Although the beginning-of-semester evaluation remained, if the student showed the same performance then… the story would completely change.

‘There’s no need to rush to judgment.’

Of course, Levrant Academy had its own students who could be called prodigies.

However… the thought that a hidden supernova might be revealing itself stirred in Muniher’s mind.

He wasn’t certain. But after the beginning-of-semester evaluation, he would be able to judge definitively.

The possibility that one person who had been hidden until now might be an incomparably massive supernova.

The professor who had recognized and directly taught a supernova in the past was now, in the present without those memories, gazing at the same star.

[ 2nd Year Class E. Junon (18 years old, male) ]

[ Stage 1 – Proficient in using hooks and ropes. ]

[ Special note: Encouraged and guided a teammate to overcome acrophobia. Possesses talent for a center position. ]

[ Stage 2 – Created and moved on a raft with partner. Did not use magic at all. ]

[ Special note: (Presumed) Checked the function of a pocket watch, accurately distinguished day and night for rest, and took the Stage 3 exam. ]

[ Stage 3 – Rappelling posture is impeccably clean. Comparable to trained frontline soldiers. ]

[ Special note: Same as Stage 1 special note. ]

[ Stage 4 – Upon noticing approaching cumulonimbus clouds, packed up tent and preserved body in a suitable location in preparation for landslides and heavy rain. ]

[ Special note: Protected a fallen examinee. Afterward, did not forget being in an exam, periodically checked watch, and took turns with partner. ]

[ Overall assessment: Impressive movement, not relying on magic at all, constantly prepared for contingencies as if in an actual battlefield. ]

[ However, the non-reliance on magic is presumed to be due to difficulty in using it or limited effectiveness even when used. Verification needed. ]

[ Apart from that, no deductions in any area. ]

[ Patience – A~A+ (verification needed) ]

[ Direction – A~A+ (verification needed) ]

[ Judgment – A+ ]

[ Improvisation ability – A+ ]

[ Vigilance – A+ ]

[ Cooperation – A+ ]

[ Practical application (special category) – A+ ]

[ Total score – A+ ]

***

There was a male student who always visited only the magic training room.

He couldn’t help but stand out with his distinctive black hair—a boy who faced the waves of unfairness head-on.

It was Junon, who always suffered humiliation from someone with an expressionless face who used magic to flutter their ash-gray hair.

Information was received that this Junon now frequently visited the physical training room.

Senia had given up on asking Junon directly. She had tried to get his attention by persistently questioning, but that was clearly wrong.

Since he had openly expressed his displeasure, Senia apologized and said she wouldn’t do it again.

But there was no rule against investigating behind the scenes.

“Why is he visiting the physical training room more often?”

Senia was a vanguard. Moreover, she was a close-combat vanguard who directly used her body, so she had more business in the physical training room than the magic training room.

However, Junon was a defense-type vanguard. In theory, unlike Senia, he should have more business in the magic training room.

“Does physical training actually help him more?”

Is physical strength most important when facing long-range mages like Silvia? It was a plausible idea.

As a close-combat vanguard who used a sword, a well-trained body was a sufficiently understandable condition for Senia.

The end-of-semester evaluation was like that too.

In the midst of cold rain and landslides, what use was a weapon? It could only serve as a makeshift staff.

Senia concluded that building physical strength itself had pushed Junon’s growth.

“Right. The beginning-of-semester evaluation is still ahead.”

She didn’t expect her end-of-semester evaluation results to be particularly good. Rather, she had only received help in a situation where she couldn’t exert her strength.

But the beginning-of-semester evaluation was still to come.

If that evaluation was also shrouded in mystery like the end-of-semester one, it would be better to build up even a little physical strength in this short period.

Having just rented a room in the physical training facility, she was about to follow the guide and get started.

Knock knock.

Someone knocked from outside.

However, who would be looking for her in the physical training room?

“Are you Senia from Class D, second year? I have something I’d like to ask. Could you spare a moment?”

From the voice, it was a female student, but not one whose voice she immediately recognized.

The person knocking on Senia’s training room door was the top honor student that no second-year could fail to recognize.

“Michelle…?”