Chapter 32

laine and I were, of course, the ones who came forward to write the answer.

This was the first time I had seen her so close since we met in the alley of the lower district.

At that time, I was a bit shocked by the words ‘Will you go away?’, but now I know.

What kind of bad relationship she has with Max.

Of course, resolving the thread of that bad relationship was an important issue. There was no second year student who could be as helpful as her. Both in terms of ability and personality.

The thought of being betrayed by her, who falls into the category of ‘good person’ so openly, is something that those who have played the game would not even imagine.

It means she is a person you can trust.

However.

Even such a person becomes the very embodiment of a cold city woman only in front of that Max guy.

Cold eyes. It was worth exchanging a word of formal greeting, but she did not open her mouth.

As expected, I casually threw the first word.

“Let’s have the best match that suits the end.”

A troublemaker who throws a word to the top student about having a great competition.

Usually, even a passing dog would not look at such a scene.

But not now. Because everyone has seen what kind of miracle has brought us here so far.

Elaine, having heard those words, just stared at me without an answer.

I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but her gaze seemed to pierce through me. I calmly received that gaze. Because there is no one who can read minds anyway.

“Okay.”

Eventually, she answered briefly. To think she would even answer that Max like that, she’s indeed a good person.

“Here you go.”

The teaching assistant handed each of us a pen.

It was a magic pen that could write in the air.

It seemed to mean that we should write the answer with it. We stood apart at a distance as guided by the teaching assistants.

Even so, cheating was entirely possible, but no one would be crazy enough to cheat while everyone was watching with their eyes wide open.

“You have one minute.”

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

As soon as the teaching assistant finished speaking, Elaine began writing the solution in the air at a fast pace.

She was the most frightening in the examination room. Because if there is such a kid around, the others get intimidated and become anxious, increasing the likelihood that they won’t be able to perform to their full potential.

But I am different. Because I have something to rely on. Listen properly. Properly, properly.

Riviera, emphasizing over and over again in case I heard wrong and she couldn’t drink the tears of Frost.

Ah, my ears hurt. The teaching assistants and the other team members looked dumbfounded as if they saw a performance.

But regardless, Riviera finally began to explain the solution. I concentrated and wrote down the solution without missing a single number.

Swoosh, swoosh.

A feast of numbers and formulas I didn’t know at all. I didn’t care and neatly finished writing until the end. To anyone looking, it seemed like I perfectly knew the answer.

“I’m done.”

Without hesitation, I returned the pen to the teaching assistant.

“It’s done.”

Almost simultaneously, Elaine also finished writing.

‘Huh?’

A small doubt crept into my eyes.

She started first, but we finished around the same time. Did I write the letters too quickly? I tilted my head and sneakily looked at her answer.

And,

‘Huh?’

I blinked in surprise. Because at first glance, the answer I wrote was different. It was different right from the start.

‘…How could this be?’

In the original flow, the only team that always got a perfect score on the last question was Elaine’s team. So there was no possibility that her answer was wrong.

That means…

‘This side is wrong? How could that be?

This is Riviera’s answer. Who is Riviera?

She is the only successor to blood magic. There was no doubt about her level of magic.

Although she couldn’t get certified by the magic tower because she was a user of forbidden magic, she was definitely master class.

There’s no way her answer could be wrong… right?

Even though I thought it was impossible, I became anxious at the end. What I trust more than anything are the facts that happened or occurred in the game.

Judging by that,

Elaine’s perfect score is a verified fact. On the other hand, Riviera’s answer is still an unknown.

‘Damn, something weird is going on?’

Seeing the expression of my anxiety, the other guys seemed to be sure of their victory.

“It’s done, it’s done!”

“Uhm, Bingseol! Finally, you’re coming to this sister! I’ve always wanted to see you, Bingseol!”

Why do you personify alcohol?

“You’ve been through a lot, team leader, don’t worry too much. It’s okay.”

Allen, with an enlightened face, comforted me as if to say I had worked hard. Huh? Look at this guy, not stuttering?

Has his mental already run away?

As I glared at him, his true intentions soon emerged.

“It’s not something to brag about, but my family has a history as a martial house, and we have our own techniques for removing bad energy. Of course, it’s a time consuming and labor intensive task, so only the direct bloodline can benefit from it. So I’m fine… Ack!”

Get lost, you tactless guy. I body checked his shoulder. That’s why you get your position taken away by your younger sibling.

No. Is this guy doing this on purpose?

“No, no, it’s absolutely not.”

As if reading my eyes, he desperately shook his head, saying it was absolutely not.

“Hmm.”

I decided to let it go. If this guy had been normal, he wouldn’t have lost the head of the family position to his younger sibling, right?

So this guy is not normal. He’s a pitiful guy, so let’s just let it go.

“Huhuhu.”

Ah, you startled me.

Riviera was standing right behind me, letting out an unpleasant laugh with only her mouth smiling. Of course, she seems to think that’s a natural smile, but

“What?”

“Well done.”

It was the first compliment I heard from her. It feels strange to receive such praise from a named boss. And with that, What does this praise mean?

There’s no need to think about it. She is 100% confident in her answer. That means

‘Could there be two answers?

If that’s the case, then the current situation is explained. As I thought that, I saw Elaine.

‘Hmm?’

Her expression was peculiar. She seemed calm as usual, but there was a feeling that she was forcibly hiding confusion. She blinked faster than usual and slightly bit the tip of her mouth.

I didn’t miss that small change.

Because I know her too well, separate from the current messed up relationship, I could tell.

She is currently flustered. But why?

As I thought that, I noticed her gaze was directed at our answer. The fact that she was flustered after seeing Riviera’s answer.

‘Is this it?

I don’t know what’s going on, but judging by Elaine’s reaction, the correct answer was on this side. Could it be that the flow has changed, and the last question has changed? It wasn’t supposed to be a change that could have such an effect. Anyway, there was only one way to find out.

“Everyone worked hard. Now, let’s start the evaluation.”

Professor Karen said. She glanced at the students one by one. Then she opened her mouth again with a smile on her face.

“Actually, I’ve already finished grading. So I just need to announce the results, right?”

Professor Karen’s gaze first turned to Elaine’s team.

“It’s perfect. It’s exactly the answer I thought of. Do I need to explain more? Of course, it’s a perfect score.”

“Yay! Yay! Yay!”

“Kyaaa! It’s done. It’s done!”

Elaine’s team jumped up and down with joy. But there was no joy on Elaine’s face. Her eyes were deep in thought.

So I waited. For Professor Karen’s next evaluation

Her gaze turned towards us. Specifically, towards me

“Let me ask you one thing first.”

It was an unusual event. For her to ask a question in such a scene. The others felt it too, as they focused on us with questioning looks.

“Please speak, professor.”

I answered that way for now. There was nothing else to say when the professor asked. Her red eyes emitted a strange light.

“Why did you think this way?”

I was naturally flustered. It wasn’t that I was at a loss for words, I had nothing to say. How could I have anything to say when I know nothing?

However, desperately managing my expression, I did not show such a sign. Inside, I was just screaming, ‘I’m screwed. What do I do?’ At that moment of crisis. The decisive lifeline came down.

‘ Just because I like that arrangement.’

“…………That’s the arrangement I like.”

I quickly translated Riviera’s words verbatim. Is this really okay? I was worried, but fortunately, Professor Karen nodded as if convinced.

“I see. So you liked that arrangement.”

…………I don’t know what I liked, but yes.

Professor Karen’s words continued.

“This answer is not what I thought of. But it’s quite impressive. It makes me think, ‘Ah, you can think this way.'”

Is this a good thing? I tried to keep a straight face. But then.

“If this formula is used, the power of magic will be maximized. But the stability will inevitably decrease.”

Maximized power.

Decreasing stability.

This totally fits someone. A certain named boss who used to unleash terrifyingly powerful magic And that named boss is right next to me now.

‘They say old habits die hard…………..’

I clicked my tongue inwardly. This is going to be a minus on the evaluation, isn’t it……? This is an academy after all, not a military training center.

I just emptied my mind and waited for the next words.

And then…………

“Of course, it’s not a matter of right or wrong. It’s a matter of choice. So I’ll give you full marks.”

Full marks?

I didn’t expect to hear that.

I looked up in surprise.

“Huhuhuhuhu.”

There was Riviera, letting out a satisfied laugh.

Our eyes met. My hand moved.

Her hand moved too.

Slap!

A crisp high five.

The touching teamwork of an extra and a named boss You couldn’t make up such a scene even in a game. It’s nonsensical.

In the meantime, Allen tried to butt in without us noticing, but Riviera and I pushed him away at the same time.

“Ah, no…………… I’m in the same boat…………”

Get lost, kid. Who are you to join the feast so easily,

“Just a moment.”

“There are two full marks?”

I saw the bewildered looks of those guys. One prize, two full marks. It was enough to cause confusion.

Honestly, I’m curious too. How the prize will be distributed.

“Yes. Both teams get full marks. It’s the best outcome. I’m very pleased with your performance.”

Professor Karen looked satisfied.

“And don’t worry about the prize. Since there are two full marks, we’ll naturally have to prepare one more, right?”

Only then did the worried guys relax. So the last question ended with a desirable outcome for everyone.

Interesting.

Both sides.

Karen couldn’t hide her amused expression.

‘Max Celtrine’

The troublemaker of the Celtrine family,

The problem child of the academy.

She was well aware of that fact. A student whose evaluation had already plummeted in her eyes.

But at least he had led the way in solving the first and second questions. That alone required a significant revision of his evaluation. Because it was a level of problem that more than half of the royal class had despaired over.

But common?

‘A student with a story isn’t bad.’

It’s interesting.

Karen smiled.

And another one.

“Riera.”

She uttered Riviera’s pseudonym. A student who usually had no presence to an extreme degree. Grades below average.

But.

‘There was another genius in the second year.’

Karen’s fingertips trembled.

It was excitement.

Discovering true talent was always an exciting thing.

‘To solve the fourth question like that…’

She had noticed it long ago. That Riviera had solved the third and fourth questions. She was a magician who could feel the subtle vibrations, even if she couldn’t hear the telepathy, Honestly, it was chilling.

To create a formula that added such a radical power in her own way. It would have been impossible without tremendous creativity.

‘Elaine must have been surprised too…’

She looked quite shocked when she saw the formula. She must have felt a genius not inferior to herself in that formula. But she seemed to think that it was Max’s answer.

It wasn’t because her judgment was poor. A more emotional part. An inexplicable strong consciousness about Max narrowed her vision.

‘I guess there’s no need to tell her.’

Because it’s fun.

Karen thought to herself and chuckled.

“Miss, what are you thinking about?”

“Nothing. Did you bring it?”

“Playing dumb huh.”

The maid pouted her lips as if hurt.

But still, she politely offered the newly brought Tears of Frost.

“Thank you. This will do.”

Karen left the rest as a pleasure and stood up.

“Now, now, everyone, share and drink comfortably.”

It was decided that the Tears of Frost would be opened on the spot. There was a decisive reason for that. The Tears of Frost would lose a significant part of their efficacy above a certain temperature.

That’s why there was a rule that Mayfield couldn’t carelessly take it outside.

And in addition,

“As I said earlier, let’s keep this a secret among us. Okay?”

Professor Karen winked and made a gesture of putting her finger to her lips. No matter how much they were called Tears of Frost, they were clearly alcohol. Although everyone was of age to drink, it was definitely a bit inappropriate to give alcohol to us students during class time.

Even the free spirited Professor Karen seemed to be wary of those above her. That’s why she made that request.

‘That’s why the prize talk wasn’t known at all.’

There’s nothing less reliable than human mouths, but at least the people here seemed to have tight lips.

“I want to drink.”

My gaze moved forward.

Riviera had reached out at some point and was about to drink the opened Tears of Frost with her mouth wide open.

But at that moment.

I quickly snatched the Tears of Frost.

“Don’t touch it, we need to split it!”

An angry Riviera.

She looked like she was about to bite me any moment. But I don’t like to lose out, no matter who the opponent is. I couldn’t just let her drink it all with that eager look.

“Look, you have to set standards for anything. It’s right to share according to contribution.”

Riviera grumbled, but she quieted down, thinking there was no room for argument. I placed the fancy glass that Professor Karen had given me in front of me.

“I naturally take half.”

I filled my glass with the Tears of Frost.

“Out of generosity, you get half too.”

I filled Riviera’s glass as well.

Only then did her expression soften.

On the other hand.

“What about me?”

A bewildered Allen.

“You get just this much.”

I shook the remaining Tears of Frost into his glass.

It was only a few drops.

“No complaints, right?”

I glared.

“Well,…no…”

He seemed to have a bit of conscience, as he didn’t make any more fuss and diligently licked his glass with his tongue.

“Wow. Killer taste.”

Riviera, genuinely enjoying herself, gulped it down. No wonder she was so eager to solve the problem first. I chuckled and started drinking the Tears of Frost myself.

Gulp gulp.

“Wow.”

The moment the Tears of Frost entered, my body cooled as if the air conditioning had been turned on.

But it wasn’t an uncomfortable coolness. A refreshing feeling as if being washed from the throat down to the inside. In addition, a refreshing sensation like carbonation burst up to my head.

‘This taste is killer, isn’t it?’

I received a message while sharing Riviera’s sentiment.

[You have drunk the special liquor ‘Tears of Frost’ from the Mayfield family.]

[The impurities accumulated in your body begin to be rapidly purified.]

Exactly the effect I was expecting.

Max’s trashy body was being cleansed in real time.

‘Good, at this rate, I’ll reach the target faster than expected.’

As I thought this, the sight of Elaine’s team caught my eye.

“Elaine, we have some shame too.”

“Friend, don’t make me feel guilty. just have one drink.”

Elaine, who can’t drink at all. Had her team members begging her to have at least one drink. They thought it was absurd to monopolize the prize among themselves, leaving out Elaine, who had practically earned a perfect score on her own.

But even so.

‘she can’t drink….. Huh?

I doubted my eyes.

It was Elaine who had held out her glass.

“Okay. Just one drink.”

What’s going on?

It was something I couldn’t understand. An event I had never experienced even in a game. Because feeding her alcohol in the first place was an impossibility. She wasn’t a character that could do that.

‘…Something feels off?’

When someone does something they never do, it means there’s been a big change in their heart.

Maybe she was more shocked by the results than I thought.

‘It’s all because of me, isn’t it.’

She, who always took first place, had allowed a tie for first place for the first time. And it was with my team. Thinking about it, it made sense that she was greatly shocked.

‘Well, whatever. She’ll handle it.’

I sorted out my thoughts.

After all, the distance between her and me was not something I could bridge right now.

“Let’s end the group evaluation here. Regardless of the grades, you all worked hard. See you next time.”

The group evaluation by Professor Karen, full of words and troubles, was finally over.

There were few survivors. A little in Royal, even less in Noble, and only our team in Common. The rest had failed the evaluation.

“Damn this rotten world.”

“I worked hard. I really did………….”

Given the mood, even the survivors couldn’t rejoice freely. They solemnly and seriously left the place.

I was among them. I wasn’t bad enough to deliver a coup de grâce to those whose spirits were already broken.

“Me, I’ll go too.”

Allen followed behind with a tense expression. And for good reason, the current environment was not a peaceful one where he could survive.

It was like a time bomb with all sorts of negative emotions floating around. But it seemed Allen had forgotten one thing. There was no place more dangerous than around me right now.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter since I would have forced him to come if he didn’t follow anyway…’

I smirked and deliberately walked towards a less crowded area. It was the direction of the path leading from the back of the main building to the back mountain of the academy.

It leads to the back gate, but it’s a detour, not a shortcut, That’s why there were few students who usually used this path. It was occasionally used as a walking path to clear one’s head.

“Hoo.”

As we moved away from the others, Allen let out a sigh of relief. He had no suspicion. It seemed he thought I had chosen this path to avoid those with bad feelings.

“You really worked hard today, leader.”

Allen, who had been walking quietly, cautiously started talking.

“I misunderstood you, leader. You’re someone with responsibility and skill.”

It seems he learned something from this event. But just feeling it is not enough. It’s meaningless if you can’t change.

“Stop with the lip service.”

“Huh?”

“From now on, you’re going to suffer a bit.”

I laughed and threw the words out. As if waiting for those words, someone burst out.

“Hey, you bastard! You of all people got a perfect score? Does that make sense? Did you boil the professor with your stinking money? Or was it the teaching assistants? Ah, disgusting bastard.”

Dennis the Double Faced

It was him who had burst out. His eyes were bloodshot as he spewed curses. He seemed to have flipped out from the humiliation of being beaten unexpectedly and falling behind in grades.

But I didn’t blink an eye, instead, I scoffed. There was no need to react to someone so undignified and out of my league. Instead, I shouted.

“Allen Benesse.”

“Huh, huh?”

“Bite.”