episode_0141

The midterm exams at Fiend Academy begin the very week after the Fiend Festival ends. Just as the students are enjoying the festive excitement over the weekend—before it even fully fades—they’re suddenly handed exam papers.

The Fiend Festival is a joyous event combining a grand ball, a bustling market, and all sorts of spectacles in one place.

It’s such a tightly packed schedule that it’s almost a shame it only lasts two days. Admission tickets, limited in quantity, are so highly sought after that trades—even between nations—are not uncommon.

And swept up in the excitement, those who don’t prepare at all end up ruining their condition for the exams the very next day.

There are no restrictions on those who choose to enjoy themselves. But the responsibility for that choice falls entirely on the individual. The academy leaves the students to their own devices while simultaneously testing their self-restraint—a truly diabolical schedule.

Of course, none of that applies to the people here.

“By the way, President, have you finished all your studying?”

“No issues here. Why do you ask?”

“Ah, no reason. It’s just that I still have a lot of gaps in my knowledge. If possible, I’d like to study a bit more, and I thought you’d be the most helpful person for that.”

I never imagined I’d have to wrestle with textbooks even in another world. When I first arrived here and learned that, just like in my original world, there were exams—and that I had to prepare thoroughly—I nearly fainted.

It’s not like I had any knowledge to begin with, and suddenly being thrown into an academy filled with nothing but the best of the best was already overwhelming.

Even the so-called “inferior” students here are talents that outside organizations would scramble to recruit.

When I first heard there were exams, I was actually a little hopeful. After all, aren’t academy exams supposed to test practical skills, crisis response, and quick-witted judgment in the heat of the moment?

I thought that if I could help everyone else through this process, my trustworthiness would naturally rise.

But the moment the exams started, my expectations were spectacularly betrayed.

The exams here were no different from those in my original world. No matter how well I performed in practical tests, if I bombed the written portion, my overall rank would end up lower than students who scored average in both.

Of course, the written exams weren’t just about rote memorization—most questions assessed personal opinions and ideas.

Given that these students would go on to play crucial roles across the empire and other nations, such questions were only natural.

But still, to answer them, I needed basic knowledge about this world.

Because of that, in previous loops, I had already given up on exams. I barely knew anything to begin with, and I was too busy trailing after Luciella and the others, pretending to offer advice.

Even in this loop, I woke up in a second-year’s body with no memories of my first year, so my academic level was no different from before.

Fortunately, the president wasn’t so cold-hearted as to turn away someone asking for help.

“Students seeking help are always welcome! Anytime, if there’s something you don’t understand, just ask.”

“Thank you, President.”

“But Eric, have you covered all the material from the previous year with Chris? If you haven’t properly gone through that, asking me for help now won’t do much. Even I’d struggle if asked to recall first-year lessons.”

“Don’t worry. That part’s already taken care of.”

Despite everything, I’d been steadily attending student council meetings and managed to catch up completely on the previous year’s curriculum with Chris’s help.

Though the subjects Chris and I took slightly differed, that was easily resolved—all it took was a word from Chris.

The moment I mentioned needing materials for certain subjects, students rushed to offer their notes. And Chris, eager to help even with subjects they didn’t take, earned even more respect in the process.

“If you say so, then it’s fine. We’ll start right away today!”

“That’s exactly what I hoped for. I’d prefer to begin immediately, if possible.”

Student council members are always the first to be mobilized for festival preparations. I should get as much help as I can while it’s available.

Besides, it weighs on my conscience to ask for their help when they have their own exams to worry about. Not that anyone would refuse, but it’s undeniably a nuisance.

“If it’s studying, I could teach you instead of the president…”

Elia abruptly inserted herself between the president and me.

“You?”

“Yeah. As far as I know, our course lists are almost identical. I’d probably be way more helpful than the president.”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, it’s just… You barely show your face at the student council because you’re busy playing princess, right?”

“Ghk—!”

Elia winced as if struck in a sore spot.

“Not to mention, you’ll have plenty of public appearances coming up too… Honestly, you’re the busiest one here.”

Not that Chris or Cecilia are idle, but there’s an insurmountable gap between them—mere imperial nobles—and Elia, a leading candidate for the imperial throne.

Even the president, while still active as the current head of the Saisy Merchant Group, has her hands full.

“No. This time, I plan to refuse all those trivial meetings. My only focus is helping with festival preparations as part of the student council.”

“Why?”

“Those who come to see me have obvious ulterior motives. Why should I entertain people who’ve been watching from the sidelines and now want a piece of the action?”

“I can’t argue with that, but are you sure? They might turn their blades on you later.”

“If I can’t handle that much, I don’t deserve the throne. And…”

Elia gestured for me to come closer. I leaned in as she whispered:

“Having all of us in one place makes it easier for you to discuss future plans.”

“Wait, even if you’re all here, if the president’s around, it’s pointless.”

“That’s why I called you over. Just tell her. About you being a Prophet.”

“…What?”

I doubted my ears. What did she just say?

“You heard right.”

“Are you insane? After all the effort I’ve put into hiding the truth—”

“Exactly. You acted like a madman, and even after ‘recovering,’ you never bothered correcting the misunderstanding for most students—except a select few.”

“Of course not.”

Despite my bold declarations of reform, my life at the academy hadn’t changed much.

My first-year antics were seared into everyone’s memories, and the moment I announced my intent to improve, I kept getting dragged into trouble.

Skipping classes was regrettable, but unavoidable.

Helping Luciella’s party didn’t always require their presence.

My room was slowly filling up with artifacts and potions—including the impenetrable artifact I’d personally secured.

“Your reputation is already no different from first year. I’ve already discussed this with the other three. The only thing left is convincing the president.”

“Why is this already at that stage?!”

“Eric. Aren’t you stretching yourself too thin? The only daughter of the Saisy Merchant Group is a powerful card to play—more than enough, I’d say.”

“That’s not the issue. It’s about whether I can control it or not.”

Though I resolved to act like a proper honor student whenever I could attend classes, I soon realized pretending to be insane made it easier to scheme in secret.

The fewer who know a secret, the better.

Only the hero’s party, Eric Grave, and a handful of others—like Jim, Sheryl, and Dave—knew part of the truth. These were the people I could control.

And now she wants to add another?

But Elia quickly countered:

“Then what? Keep avoiding the president while scrambling to find a place where all of us can meet? Do you think that’s easy?”

“Th-that’s…”

“If even one of us is seen talking privately outside, it’ll be gossip fodder. We’ve been lucky so far, but if even a fraction of our discussions reaches the wrong ears, it won’t end with just a scandal.”

“What does that have to do with telling the president?!”

Elia pointed at the president.

“You of all people should know what kind of person she is. Do you really think she’d treat you differently just because she knows your secret?”

“……”

Absolutely not.

I can say that with certainty.

Who is Lyn Saisy?

The only daughter of the Saisy Merchant Group, student council president of Fiend Academy, and future First Captain of the Demon King Subjugation Army—a true heroine.

Her refreshing, considerate personality was evident even during her academy days, and I’d experienced it ad nauseam in previous loops.

Even in this world, it was President Lyn who helped and advised me. As Elia said, if I told her the truth and asked for help, she’d undoubtedly extend her hand.

But that’s exactly why I couldn’t.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I can’t just use her like that.”

She’s undeniably good—the type who confidently steps forward to help those in need.

Some may envy or resent her for it, but far more trust and follow her.

Dragging her into my mess would only mean adding another pitiful sacrifice to this doomed party.

Seeing my hesitation, Elia smirked.

“How amusing. You’ve already entangled us with your prophecies, yet you draw the line at the president?”