Commotion During the Exam

“I-I thought I was gonna die…”

“Even though you didn’t do anything?”

Orca looked at me like I was ridiculous.

…Well, it’s true I didn’t do anything… I replied while slumped on the park bench.

“That’s exactly why I thought I’d die! It was so exhausting!”

“Can’t relate.”

“Time wouldn’t pass even though I was bored to death! I couldn’t even move because I had to mind the students!”

To be honest, I really hate idle time.

What’s so great about doing nothing?

If you’re just going to sit still, you might as well sleep or play games when bored.

I whined while clinging to Orca’s waist like a child.

“It was so hard…”

“G-get off me!”

“No! My body feels all stiff!”

“What’s that got to do with me?!”

Because it’s fun when you struggle!…

Orca couldn’t use her full strength to shake me off, worried she might hurt me.

But her strength was enough to keep me dangling in midair while clinging to her waist, letting me briefly experience the feeling of flying.

…So much fun!

The stiff feeling from wasting time seemed to disappear in the cool breeze.

“O-Orca! Again! Do it again!”

“Hell no! Are you crazy?!”

“Aw, come on!”

We spent our break time wrestling like this.

Though Orca vehemently refused to do it again…

Well, can’t be helped. Once was enough.

“…You’re stubborn as fuck.”

“Language!”

“Sigh… Whatever. The practical exam starts soon, so I’ll…”

“Ah, wait.”

“What now? I said no to doing that again.”

“It’s not that…”

Hmm, honestly I’m still debating.

Will Orca tolerate this? Might she suddenly get furious?

Ah, whatever. It’ll work out.

I approached Orca who was glaring at me, stood on tiptoe, and patted her head.

Why’s she so damn tall?

She’s way taller than everyone else.

I have to stand on tiptoes just to pat her head.

I don’t think I’m particularly short, but Orca makes me feel tiny.

“…?”

“Ooh, so soft…”

Never seen her do hair care. Protagonist privilege?

Maintaining top-tier beauty status without any effort.

Softer than I expected.

…Wait, that’s not the point.

“Ahem. Orca? Did the exam go well?”

“…Dunno. Never done one before.”

“Ah.”

Oh… Right!

This was Orca’s first school experience.

Cold sweat dripped down my back at my careless question.

How to recover?

“W-well! It’ll be fine! Your efforts will pay off!”

“What’s good about doing well? Just did it ’cause you told me to.”

“…”

She wouldn’t understand “for your future.”

Having lived in back alleys her whole life.

She only came to the academy because of the Principal-nim’s decision.

…Need to change tactics.

Good grades might not motivate her.

Then…

“I’ll give you a prize.”

“What?”

“Hmm, what would you like… Shark Plushie?”

Flinch.

I felt Orca’s body tremble.

So brief I’d have missed it if not paying attention.

Just as I thought – she likes shark plushies. Saw her holding one in the happy ending.

To name her Orca, make her like seafood and shark plushies? No matter how I think about it, I can’t help but feel the developer made her way too carelessly…

(T/N: 오르카 = Orca (Killer Whale))

But cute, so whatever.

“If your scores exceed my expectations, I’ll give you a Shark Plushie.”

“…W-what? That’s too vague.”

“That’s the fun part. You’ll try harder not knowing the standard.”

I smiled brightly at Orca.

…Truthfully, I planned to give it even if she ranked last.

But saying that would remove her motivation.

“Well, time’s up. Do your best! I’ll be watching!”

“W-wait, Teach!…”

Now, what’ll happen?

I decided to enjoy the show.

Nothing more I can do here.

…Hope no one gets hurt.

I prayed the five exam-takers would stay safe.

***

“Hyyup!”

“…Impressive. Is that Sword Aura?”

“Hmm, not sure. Feels slightly different…”

“Haaat!”

“As expected of the Princess. Magnificent.”

“…Though I wish she’d ease up on the kicks.”

“Yeah… Could be charged with insulting royalty…”

“Watcher. Can you even fight? You’re just the Church’s symbol. Not even hiding your eyepatch…”

“Seems I underestimated her. Whew. Amazing.”

“Where’s all that absurd holy power coming from?”

“…Her chest?”

“You fucking idiot.”

“…What? Why’s no one coming out?”

“Forfeited. Doesn’t want to do it.”

“Whoever it is must be batshit crazy.”

“Tell me about it.”

Spectators’ voices buzzed around.

Familiar faces and strangers alike showed off their skills on the scarecrow dummies.

Leo, the Princess, even that creepy woman – all strong.

Obvious even without seeing the damage numbers.

“Next. Orca. Step up.”

“…”

“Orca? …The demon-possessed one?”

“Should watch carefully. Might face her someday.”

“Ugh, gives me chills…”

The chatter from examinees irritated me.

Wanted to glare at them right then.

But Teach said they’d be watching.

I’ll let it slide this once.

That woman probably wouldn’t like me picking fights.

“Aren’t you preparing?”

“…This is enough.”

“Good. You know the drill. Starts when the signal sounds.”

But why did she offer a shark plushie?

I nodded without thinking, but I’d never touched toys.

The last toy I touched was in that mansion… Damn it.

Mood ruined.

Summoned my demon arm to vent frustration.

Could swing it midair, but this feels better.

Thinking about unwanted memories pissed me off.

It’s just a dummy anyway.

Might as well smash it.

Good, I’ll beat it till it breaks.

Fuck the time limit.

Beeeeep.

Like previous examinees, Orca started pounding the scarecrow with destructive intent.

But the dummy, unharmed by countless students, remained unfazed.

…So annoying.

“Fuck, your face pisses me off! Die! Just die!”

“…Why’s she mad?”

“Dunno.”

Hate that stupid dummy face.

As I steadied my breath for another strike, the signal sounded again.

“Stop. That’s enough.”

“I’m not done yet?!”

“Orca. Don’t cause trouble. The exam’s over. Disruptions will affect your score.”

“Ha, scores? Like I give a fuck about…”

…Teach said they’d be watching.

Tch.

“Fuck it. Do whatever.”

“…Is that how you speak to teachers? Show some respect.”

“Why should I? Don’t care.”

Wasn’t in a bad mood earlier.

Must be because I remembered shit I didn’t want to.

Wanted to relieve stress by hitting the dummy, but couldn’t even do that.

Nothing goes right. Should just sleep in the counseling room.

As I turned to leave, someone slammed Orca’s back, smashing her into the wall.

“Guh?!”

“T-the scarecrow?! What… Stop! System malfunction! It shouldn’t attack…”

“Kyaaah! What’s happening?!”

“St-stay calm! Follow instructions to stay safe!”

“H-help! The scarecrow suddenly…!”

“Help! Someone’s pinned! Cleric! Get a cleric!”

The supervising teacher looked around in confusion.

Couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

The scarecrow shouldn’t have attack functions.

“Fuck… That hurt…”

“O-Orca! Are you okay?!”

“Shut up, my head’s ringing… Fuck, my back hurts… Why today?”

Ha.

Orca couldn’t suppress a bitter laugh.

I tried to endure it.

Tried to swallow my anger and just sleep it off.

But that fucking tin can had to provoke me.

“Hey Teach… Don’t stop me now. Not until I smash it!”

Orca charged at the scarecrow with a ferocious grin.