Chapter 84: Pleasant Uninhabited Island Life (Planned)

Rohan returned to Orion Academy just as the bustling lunch break was coming to an end.

He happened to run into Ichinose in the 1st-year hallway at the perfect time.

When he asked if she got the goods she wanted at the restaurant, Ichinose called him over to her locker to show off her prize with a beaming smile.

“They said other merchandise will go on sale later, but this acrylic stand is limited in quantity at each location.”

“Oh! You got it? That’s awesome!”

“Right? My luck was amazing. The chances were slim, so I was originally planning to head there for lunch tomorrow as well.”

Ululi cooking and Bluebee serving.

Judging by the background and outfits, it seemed like the concept was them working part-time at the collaboration cafe.

Seeing this, some might think: was a piece of acrylic that had just been printed really worth all the fuss?

But Rohan knew. It was worth the fuss.

Limited goods? Awesome.

Having enjoyed Abyss City with the same mindset, Rohan could perfectly understand Ichinose’s enthusiasm for her hobby.

“Noa seems to have worked hard.”

“Yes. But I got it earlier than expected, so I couldn’t feed her as much. Thanks to that, I also had to stop by a regular restaurant.”

With her eyes open, Ichinose’s excitedly chattering appearance resembled a canary.

In reality, Ichinose was in a position to obtain the items she wanted without having to go to the store herself.

But she seemed to understand the thrill of getting it herself and the etiquette of competition.

Rohan especially admired the fact that Ichinose didn’t exert her influence on the character or the company that owned it.

“Above all, it makes me even happier because my principle is to not buy goods put up for resale.”

“Ah…! I understand how you feel.”

“Fufu, the feeling that my affection has reached the ceiling is also an undeniable happiness.”

They continued their conversation as they made their way back to Class 1.

However, Ichinose didn’t ask about Shion or Clara. And upon arriving at the classroom, she quietly returned to her seat.

The atmosphere wasn’t like she was trying to probe, anyway.

Perhaps it was a gesture indicating that she wouldn’t get involved as it was an internal Tigrova matter and she belonged to the Three Kingdoms Union.

Honestly, it wasn’t easy to grasp the girl’s inner thoughts.

“…”

As he entered the classroom, he caught sight of Noa sprawled out, full from her meal.

She seemed to have heard this and that from Ichinose, and while she shot him curious glances, she maintained a reserved attitude.

There shouldn’t be any problems for a while.

Relieved of one burden, he prepared for class.

Today was an afternoon theory class.

He was taking out his textbook and chatting with Gilbert when Juyeon entered the room.

As always, she took her place at the podium with a composed air.

“Everyone knows that the midterms start next week, right?”

Juyeon’s voice sharpened the 1st-year cadets’ focus.

After confirming that there were no cadets slacking or drowsy from food coma, Juyeon continued with a satisfied look.

“If you’ve looked up information related to Orion Academy before entering or browsed through the Orion Circle, most of you would know, but the 1st-year midterms aren’t anything flashy or impressive.”

Juyeon continued her explanation, taking the changes in the world since the advent of Academy City as her topic.

“But this year is different. The final decision was just made unanimously at the meeting.”

A Monolith hologram appeared above the podium.

Instead of spewing out monsters, it had recently become a symbol of fear, swallowing humans and sending them to unknown places called Dungeons.

“You all know that the world has been in an uproar lately because of the unusual phenomenon surrounding this Monolith.”

Those who returned all spoke of harrowing experiences. Countless others never returned.

This phenomenon continued without an end in sight, and among those who returned, no cases like Rohan’s, where they returned completely recovered, have appeared.

“There are still too few cases to neatly organize the information. And since very few people have returned, it’s safe to say there’s no confirmed information about the Monolith’s anomaly yet.”

“…”

After checking the eyes of the cadets who were listening attentively, Juyeon…

Continued to explain the reason for the change in the Practical Exam.

“Those great people from each country are working on organizing that part, so we can just wait. And it’s only right for those of us who deal with force to receive education and training so that we can handle the situation a little more smoothly.”

Until now, Academy training focused on in-depth combat with monsters.

Because in the current world, it was practically impossible to encounter monsters in a state of lacking food or water, unlike in the past.

However, the world had changed dramatically, refusing to allow the Academy Cadets a normal exam.

It had changed as if to show them, urging them to master survival skills in other areas as well.

“The Practical Exam will use an uninhabited island infested with monsters, similar to last year’s 2nd-year final exam. If the Instructor has told you this much, you should have a rough idea of what the exam will be like.”

For the times, they are a-changin’.¹

Being dragged into a Monolith no longer just meant facing monsters and death, but also the stark reality of starvation.

And it wasn’t just about filling your belly and wetting your throat, either.

There were conflicts arising from frayed nerves, the necessary mediation, the issues between ordinary people and those with powers, the distribution of food…

When a large number of strangers were trapped in a Dungeon, problems overflowed.

“This change in the Monolith is extremely serious. Many are thrown into Dungeons with the worst possible conditions and climates. Conflicts will become frequent, pushing people’s minds to the brink.”

It seemed Juyeon had reached the limit of what she could tell the Cadets.

But it was enough. The meaning was conveyed to the cadets of Class 1.

They understood what the Academy was trying to impress upon them.

“Remember what the Instructor keeps repeating. Orion Academy’s goal is to train cadets into specialists.”

Turning around, she wrote the estimated timeframe on the chalkboard.

Transfer on the same day the written exam ended, from Monday to Friday.

“There’s a clear limit to how much you can improve in a greenhouse, no matter what method you use.”

Juyeon punctuated her sentence with a sharp thwack!

And lightened the mood.

“Of course, the written theory exams remain the same. This part hasn’t changed, so don’t worry.”

Rohan, who had been listening intently, unknowingly let out a breath he had been holding at the pressure of the theory exam, which felt more daunting than the practical.

“Whew…”

Juyeon’s gaze, which had caught his tense breath, turned to Rohan.

Seeing his reaction, Juyeon’s lips curled slightly upwards, her eyes showing a subtle expectation.

“While exam scores aren’t everything, they are a good way to prove your efforts and set your direction after graduating from the Academy. An Instructor simply hopes to help their cadets follow the path they desire.”

Juyeon’s words implied she hoped her teaching methods weren’t wrong.

Rohan and Noa, who had performed the ‘single-line stunt’ on the Placement Exam, gulped.

I have to do well.

Having tasted the bitter consequences of his radical approach on the Placement Exam right after his possession, it was time to reap the rewards of his efforts.

His written scores were already rock bottom, with no room to fall further. This was a chance to shed his ambiguous image—neither a problem child nor a model student—that he had in Juyeon’s eyes.

“That concludes the announcements. Let’s begin class.”

The theory lesson followed without a pause.

Class 1, now accustomed to it, followed along.

··

··

Break time after the first afternoon class.

Rohan contacted The Flower Bookstore, informed them of the exam schedule, and received permission to take time off.

At the same time, he pondered.

I should reduce the frequency of my part-time job at the Bookstore… or quit altogether.

Although it was sooner than expected, it was time to make a decision.

The merit payment would give him some financial leeway. The Flower Bookstore had been the sweetest honey pot, especially at the point when he had met and built a relationship with Clara.

While he anticipated events that could occur during his part-time job, Rohan now desperately needed more time to swing his sword and hone his physical abilities.

Should I talk to the manager today?

Having made his decision, he was about to return to the classroom when—

──Bzzzt!!! A message alert sounded.

The photo Clara sent showed a train soaring through the sky.

Shion must be on that train. A train running through the sky – it was incredibly fascinating.

I should give her a call during the next break.

Rohan left a message in the group chat, telling Shion to travel safely and Clara to return safely.

Just as he was about to move, thinking he really needed to go back now, Rohan was stopped once again.

This time, it was a notification window.

“Oh.”

This was another piece of news he had been eagerly awaiting.

The Skill, which had made him wait impatiently without even giving an estimated time, had finally revealed itself.

What could they be adding that they wouldn’t even tell me the time…?

With a subtle sense of anticipation, Rohan used his Shop Skill and—

“!”

He gasped when he saw the added item.