Episode 86. Preparing for the Exam

Moon Surin, after seeing Lee Hoyeon off, trudged back to her lodging.

Victoria Academy cadets are required to live in dorms by default, but they can live off-campus if requested.

Moon Surin disliked the constant run-ins with other cadets in the dorms, so she got a separate room.

“Haa….”

Without showering or removing her makeup, she just roughly took off her clothes and collapsed onto the bed.

“I should shower….”

It was always at this point that she didn’t want to move.

She wished she could stay frozen like this forever. The lethargy enveloped her body, embracing the soft bed in this situation.

But time didn’t leave Moon Surin alone.

Moon Surin sluggishly moved her weary body towards the shower room.

She washed her whole body clean and wiped off the makeup from her face.

After finishing with a light skincare routine, it was already past 11 PM.

Thinking about repeating another annoying day starting tomorrow morning, Moon Surin felt stressed.

“Did he send the text?”

Still, the mealtime with Lee Hoyeon, whom she met for work, was very fulfilling.

They chatted so much that it ran an hour later than planned, reducing her sleep time, but she was still happy.

Lee Hoyeon was definitely a source of healing and a sanctuary for her heart. He was someone she absolutely couldn’t lose.

He was more helpful than her father, whose whereabouts were unknown, or her grandfather, who was probably playing in the chairman’s office.

“He replied right away.”

The list she had given to Lee Hoyeon.

She had compiled and handed over all the spirit herbs that could be prepared immediately at the Academy.

Naturally, that list was far from enough compensation. She had planned to get him an artifact or something else in addition.

Since she had told Lee Hoyeon to mention anything else he needed, he must have seen the list and told her what was lacking.

• Hoyeon: Since I’m a mage, I think a thousand-year-old ginseng root will be enough. Noona!

“Huh…?”

What was this supposed to mean? That a thousand-year-old ginseng root would be enough?

Me: Hoyeon-ah, are you perhaps asking me to get more thousand-year-old ginseng root? I’m really sorry, but… it’s hard to get more thousand-year-old ginseng root. Should I get you a mana-related artifact instead?

The thousand-year-old ginseng root is a spirit herb that increases mana capacity.

Spirit herbs that increase mana capacity are determined by one’s innate constitution, and since the only way to increase it is through time, they are naturally very popular.

The one root she possessed was only obtainable because it was at the Academy; she wouldn’t have been able to get it if it were from another guild.

• Hoyeon: No, no! Of course, one root is fine! How could I ask for more than this? Even if there were more, don’t give it to me, give it to Noona.

‘… Is he serious?’

One root of thousand-year-old ginseng. It was a spirit herb that ordinary people or hunters could only dream of.

However, it couldn’t compare to the merit of bringing the Saintess to the Academy.

With the benefits she would gain from that, she could afford countless spirit herbs like that.

Moon Surin pondered the reason intently.

No matter how good a person might be, they wouldn’t give up such valuable spirit herbs.

In terms of money, these were spirit herbs worth billions, no, tens of billions.

Of course, if she saved it, her bargaining power with Lee Hoyeon at the Academy would increase… huh?

‘Wait a minute….’

Moon Surin replayed the conversation they had earlier in the cafeteria.

‘First off, as I said, the Saintess coming to the Academy is thanks to you… so we decided to express our gratitude.’

‘I did it all for you, Noona, so I’d be grateful if you gave me a reward.’

“C-could it be…?”

Was it really for me…?

“N-no. That’s impossible.”

Moon Surin shook her head vigorously, snapping herself back to reality.

No. It must just be a misunderstanding.

Moon Surin organized her thoughts and typed out a reply with trembling hands.

*

“One root of thousand-year-old ginseng is a jackpot, seriously.”

It’s a spirit herb worth billions per root.

Of course, the other spirit herbs were tempting, but what I needed most was mana capacity.

That’s why I chose the thousand-year-old ginseng root that increases mana capacity.

Ting-!

A reply came from Surin Noona.

• Surin Noona: Are you, are you sure one root of thousand-year-old ginseng is enough? You don’t need anything else?

I told this Noona I didn’t need anything, so why does she keep trying to give me stuff?

It seems like her affection level has risen, making her want to give me her share too.

That shouldn’t happen.

• Me: Of course, that’s fine. Don’t worry about me, take care of yourself first, Noona. You looked unwell, so make sure to eat things that are good for your health.

I sent a reply filled with kind words.

• Surin Noona: … Thank you. I’ll definitely repay you.

Moon Surin seemed satisfied with my sincerity.

“Kuh… At this rate, I’m an A-list husband material.”

Satisfied with my social skills, I closed my eyes on the bed.

*

“Haa….”

And at the same time.

Alice was clutching her head while studying.

While sipping her coffee and organizing the remaining parts of Modern Hunter Studies, she felt a headache coming on and stretched briefly to loosen up.

“Haa, my head. But why isn’t Dad contacting me?”

He definitely said he’d give me commission tickets after receiving my cute text, but there’s been no contact at all.

“He’s someone who’s always awake at night, so this is strange.”

Given Dad’s habit of sleeping during the day and being active at night, he couldn’t possibly be asleep. Maybe he had leftover work?

Surely, he wouldn’t ghost me after I put on a cute act, right?

Alice sent a text to her father.

• Me: Daaad…? When are you sending the commission tickets? ㅇ.ㅇ?

My hands felt so awkward they might turn inside out, but this was the only way to ask my father for something.

That’s how you double the effectiveness.

• Dad: Alice?! Sorry. Dad just finished his work. I’ll call you now.

“No, I wish he wouldn’t do it over the phone….”

Ring ring-

Contrary to Alice’s wish, the phone rang insistently.

The thought of having to say these cute words out loud made Alice tremble all over, but she had no choice.

Keeping promises was a matter of pride.

“Hellowwww?”

• Alice! What’s wrong?! Is there some incident at the Academy?

A loud voice, as if the building was on fire, boomed from the phone.

Alice squinted one eye while rolling her tongue, saying,

“Daddyyy, why haven’t you sent the commission tickets you promised me last time?”

• Ah, that… I’ll send them right away. It took a while because I had to scold the guild executives who kept whining about not being able to clear their schedules.

“Aha… You don’t have to give them too urgently, so you can take your time.”

He didn’t specify a deadline, so she could afford to wait.

Of course, Alice’s pride wouldn’t allow him to use such excuses to avoid giving them altogether.

• Of course, I can give them to you. …But why do you need the commission tickets?

“Cuz… Alice really needs them. Just this once….”

• O-okay! If Alice needs them, I have to give them! ……Who are you going to give them to?

“Thanks, Dad! I love you!”

• Ah, Dad loves you too! Alice! I’ll send the commission request through Sebastian! Love you, Alice!

“Yeees. I’ll hang up now. Daddyy. Bye-bye.”

• Okay! Dad always thinks of you, and always for you….

Beep-

“This much should be enough. Ugh….”

Alice rubbed the goosebumps on her arms with her palms and brought the coffee cup to her lips again.

Her dad had persistently asked who she was giving them to, but luckily, she managed to brush it off with her cuteness.

“Lee Hoyeon… I absolutely have to win this exam.”

Alice used the cuteness she had just displayed as fuel, burning with determination as she continued her studies.

*

“Not getting up? You have an exam today, don’t you?”

I woke up to Liliana kicking me lightly on the bed.

“… What time is it?”

Even though I didn’t go to bed that late yesterday, I felt strangely tired.

“7:50 AM.”

“Holy crap.”

As soon as I heard the time, my groggy mind snapped awake.

I kicked off the covers and put on my cadet uniform.

“Haaahm, heading out right away?”

Liliana, seemingly having just woken up herself, yawned as she saw me off.

“The exam starts at 8, so of course, I have to run!”

“Wash your face before you go. You have sleep in your eyes.”

“… Thanks.”

I quickly washed my face and left the dorm with my hair still greasy.

The time was 7:52 AM.

I focused my mana into my body.

I never thought I’d actually use acceleration on my way to school.

See, anything you learn comes in handy.

Feeling the wind rush past my face, I sprinted towards the Academy.

The fact that there was no one else commuting to school confirmed that I was really late.

The first-year classroom building came into view.

The time was 7:58 AM.

Thump thump thump. Creak-

I ran straight to the Class A door and flung it open.

The gazes of the cadets in the classroom fixed on me, and Professor Kim Jin-hyuk’s cold stare landed on me.

“You made it.”

“Huff, huff, S-sorry….”

“I won’t mark you as late, so sit down quickly. I was just explaining about the exam.”

“Thank you.”

I quickly took a seat next to Lucy and Lumi.

It seems like the eight consecutive sparring matches yesterday took a hidden toll on my stamina.

My mana reserves were borderline.

I need to eat that thousand-year-old ginseng root quickly and boost my mana capacity.

“Hey, did you oversleep? What’s with your hair?”

“Yeah, it was 7:50 AM when I woke up.”

“Th-that’s amazing. Were you studying until late last night?”

Lumi’s voice, filled with admiration, came from beside me. Her eyes sparkled like she was witnessing something incredible.

“No, it wasn’t….”

“That’s right. That’s right. You stayed up all night studying, didn’t you?”

“I’m telling you, no….”

Why don’t these guys ever believe me when I talk?

The students behind me were also giving me looks of caution.

I don’t know. Think whatever you want.

“Stop the chatter and focus.”

Professor Kim Jin-hyuk said this while looking in my direction.

‘Hey, he’s only saying that to me.’

Even when I’m not doing anything special, all eyes are on me; the life of a protagonist is truly tough.

“Everyone should have received the notice on Everyday, but the midterms will last until next week.”

Aaaah–…

The groans of the cadets filled the classroom.

Professor Kim Jin-hyuk, seemingly used to it, ignored the sounds and delivered the following information.

“Today, there will be a written exam. Tomorrow, there will be a group exam and a practical monster combat exam. On Friday, a 1v1 duel tournament will take place. Preliminary rounds will also be held during any remaining time today and tomorrow, so be aware.”

So today is the written exam.

Written exams cover various subjects. There are memorization-based subjects like Modern Hunter Studies, and problem-solving subjects like code-breaking or reverse calculations.

Since he said the entire day is for the written exam, we’ll be taking tests all morning and afternoon.

“There are more than a few cadets who end up shedding tears of regret because they focused only on practical exams and got tripped up by the written ones. I know practicals are fun, but don’t neglect your studies for the written tests. Of course, it’s too late for that advice now that the exam is today.”

“Yeah~.”

As for me, I’m not worried about the written part.

I feel bad for Alice, but I’m going to aim for first place and induce some jealousy.

“I’ll announce next week’s schedule next week. Now, proceed to your respective exam venues.”

Professor Kim Jin-hyuk finished giving instructions and walked out of the classroom.

Hearing him say to move to the exam venues, it seems like we’ll take exams related to our majors in the morning and a general exam in the afternoon.

“Lucy, where’s the exam venue?”

“You didn’t even check the exam venue before coming? You must have been in a real hurry.”

“Sorry, sorry. It’s the same place anyway, so let’s go together. You’re in the same place too, Lumi, right?”

“Yes. I have the mage written exam too.”

“Let’s go, let’s go~.”

I followed Lucy and Lumi out of the classroom.

We entered the mage classroom in the first-year building.

Alice was sitting there too.

So she’s here for the mage exam too.

While Lucy and Lumi went to the restroom together, I approached Alice to say hello.

“Alice, did you study a lot?”

“… Looks like you pulled an all-nighter?”

Alice, with her tired eyes, looked at me warily.

She’s the one who stayed up all night, why is she acting like this?

“I’m telling you, I didn’t….”

Maybe it’s the competitive spirit, but they’re giving me the side-eye just because I didn’t shower today.

I just overslept.

“Anyway, good luck. Fight on.”

“… Just you wait, I’m definitely getting first place.”

Alice frowned and turned her head back to her book.

I was planning to genuinely cheer her on today, but….

★ Heroine Status Window

[Alice]

• [ Affection: 36 ]

• [ Lust: 25 ]

• [ Appetite: 30 ]

• [ Fatigue: 40 ]

Current Status: Is Sebastian still not done? He’s not usually this slow with tasks….

Sebastian? Who’s that?

Is it a personal matter? Whatever.

I shrugged and returned to my seat.