Orbit

Three days have passed since I challenged the Trial Room. I’ve challenged it several times during that time, but not a single member has overcome the first trial yet.

I even tried to attack Rakoon-ta by using Dimensional Leap through gambling, but I couldn’t control the speed. I crashed straight into the wall and died.

Basically, I was several steps behind Rakoon-ta in terms of swordsmanship, stamina, and speed.

While I was wondering how to beat Rakoon-ta, I heard Lykan’s voice.

,Alright, the full-fledged grade test starts in two weeks. Is everyone preparing hard? I don’t doubt that there will be a repeater in our class.”

Lykan said that, and I avoided his gaze as he subtly sent me a look of pressure.

Grade test. It was the most voluminous episode in the novel.

For two days, we take tests on theory. Fortunately, the combat department doesn’t place as much importance on theoretical scores compared to other departments.

After the theory test, the remaining three days are spent on grade tests divided by department. If this year goes according to the novel, it will be a battle royale on an island.

After the five-day grade test is over. The top four students from each department are selected, and a total of 16 students fight for the top spot in the grade over the weekend.

At this time, the academy is fully open so that anyone in the Empire can watch the duel. The grade top student determination match was such a big event that it was considered a festival in the academy and the capital.

The academy is a place where the talents of the continent gather, and the grade top students make their names known to the continent after graduation.

It was a place where various guilds, the imperial family, and noble forces could see young talents with their own eyes.

However, the biggest reason why the grade top student determination match is called an event is that it is an official ‘gambling’ event organized by the imperial family.

In particular, the 1st grade top student determination match, which has many new faces, is the most popular because it is mixed with the information guild’s fight behind the scenes and the anticipation of the emergence of a new hero.

Last year, ‘Roel’s’ appearance shocked people. Even Roel’s grade top student odds were 38 to 1, so only Modiste, who knew about Roel in advance, had a good time.

If it’s Roel, he’ll get the top grade spot again as planned.

First of all, the chances of me repeating a grade like Lykan suspects are low. I also got bonus points for the grade test as a reward for the last practical training, and I had solved the magic problem.

Honestly, it’s because Rakoon-ta is strong, but there are only a handful of 1st grade combat department students who can avoid a spear that suddenly stabs them in the back.

Rather than worrying about the test. I could only think about getting praised by Luna if I got a good score this time.

By then, I was thinking of revealing my relationship to the people around me.

After all the classes were over, I met Rosalyn, who was waiting outside the classroom.

,Ross, I have something to talk about regarding the research.”

We didn’t make an appointment separately, so we found an empty classroom and went inside.

,I’ve checked all of Rotten Scholar-nim’s research data. Now I’m checking the theory about the cure.”

Rosalyn said that, resting her chest on the desk, and I desperately met her gaze.

,That’s fast. As expected of Rosalyn-senpai…!”

It was definitely a good choice to entrust this to Rosalyn.

Rosalyn, who was smiling kindly at my compliment, took something out of her bag as if she had remembered something.

,And I found a magic book left by Rotten Scholar-nim in the research data.”

I was puzzled by Rosalyn’s words. Did Rotten leave a magic book?

Without thinking much, I took the green magic book that Rosalyn handed me and checked the title.

[Growth Through Magic Amplification] – Author Esselmund Rotten.

As soon as I checked the title, I realized what kind of magic book it was. It was a magic book that contained the vine magic that Rotten mainly used. It was also what Rotten was researching when he was called a genius of the Green Magic Tower.

Come to think of it, I had been thinking about choosing magic amplification with the power of Geass for a long time. Rotten was researching growth through magic amplification, what a coincidence. Something pierced under my skin and I felt a strange feeling as if it was stuck in my heart. A feeling of squeezing my heart, a feeling of being sucked somewhere as if the floor under my feet was a swamp.

My magic amplification and Rotten’s growth through magic amplification. Is this really a coincidence? No, it’s like someone made an orbit….

,…Ro, Ross?”

I came to my senses at Rosalyn’s call. I felt like I was momentarily buried in one thought, but now my head was blank and I was fine.

,Are you, are you okay…?”

I was embarrassed by Rosalyn’s expression, which seemed somewhat fearful and watching my mood.

,Yes…?”

,Ah, no…. You looked bad… You must be very tired.”

I scratched the back of my head at Rosalyn’s words. I was mentally tired from being pierced through the heart by Rakoon-ta three times a day these days.

I swept my face and made a nonchalant expression. I could feel Rosalyn sighing in relief.

,Anyway, thank you for your hard work. I’ll buy you something delicious next time. Of course, not just the two of us, but with hyung-nim.”

,Huh? Really?! Then I’d love to!!! Hehe, Ross seems so nice.”

I couldn’t help but avoid looking at Rosalyn’s chest heaving up and down as she shook her body, as if she was happy with my words.

*

After parting with Rosalyn, I sat on the sofa in the club room and checked the magic book left by Rotten.

When I actually checked it, it was only similar in name, but it was completely different from Geass’s magic amplification.

While I was checking the magic book, Luna, who had just come out of the Trial Room, checked that there were no other members and approached me.

I nodded without realizing it at the feeling of lumpiness in my forearm again, and Luna tilted her head and looked at the book, wondering.

,What are you looking at?”

,A magic book that my teacher-nim researched. It’s called [Growth Through Magic Amplification].”

Rosalyn is too big, but I was secretly admitting that Luna also has something. Luna said in a surprised voice.

,I, I heard about this in class.”

,Huh?”

I was embarrassed by Luna’s words and asked again. They covered Rotten’s magic book in class…?

,I heard that the Green Magic Tower solved the continent’s food problem by forcibly growing plants through research. I also learned that it was thanks to that that enough plants could grow in the northern region….”

I felt a little bitter at Luna’s words. Rotten was so outstanding. If Tarantra hadn’t been there, he might have really become a great wizard.

,There will be related data in the library. I only heard about it… Are you okay, Ross?”

Luna looked at me with a worried expression, as if I couldn’t manage my expression.

I smiled faintly and hugged Luna tightly.

,It’s okay. Because Luna is by my side.”

Just hugging her made me feel comfortable. Luna was really like a tranquilizer.

Luna’s lips pursed as if she was happy with my words, and I kissed her lips slightly because she was so cute. I was very satisfied with Luna’s face turning completely red to her ears in an instant.

This is the reaction to just a kiss. How much does she like me? I couldn’t help but shrug my shoulders.

,Are you working out hard?”

,Yes, I’m working hard every day.”

I stroked her head as she said that and stretched out her left hand, which was clenched in a fist.

,You worked hard. You’ve improved a lot since before.”

It was only a little, but I could see that she had definitely improved a lot since before. It was so hard that she trembled even when she tried to spread her left hand completely.

,It’s thanks to Ross and Rotten Scholar-nim. Ah, I want to give a gift to Rotten Scholar-nim. How about this weekend?”

I scratched my eyebrows at Luna’s sudden question and lied.

,He went far away because of research….”

Luna made a disappointed expression at my words and hugged me again.

I didn’t want to lie to Luna, but I don’t know how to explain that Rotten is dead.

With a sigh, I hugged Luna even tighter.

***

,Go north with Illia when this grade test is over.”

Roel, who was scooping up soup, raised his head at Bella’s sudden words.

,Just the two of us?”

,Yes, Illia said she found a spirit animal in the north. Spirit animals will be very helpful to both of you. I think it’s a good opportunity.”

Bella said that with a soft smile. Flavia, who was sitting next to Roel, said in an annoyed voice.

,The grade test will be over soon, and it will be vacation. We can go then. I already promised to go on a date with me.”

Roel raised his arm and stroked Flavia’s shoulder as she pressed down on the salad with a fork as if expressing that she was upset.

,It’s for Roel. Postpone the date until vacation.”

Bella said that as if she was notifying her, and Flavia’s eyebrows narrowed. Bella was always like this.

She blocked her words in the name of Roel.

Even the results were always good, so Flavia was even more annoyed that she couldn’t get any angrier here.

,I’m sorry. Flavia.”

Illia opened her mouth. Since even Illia apologized, Flavia could only pout her lips.

,I’ve already investigated the location of the spirit animal. I’ve taken measures to go straight through the portal, so it will be enough for the weekend.”

Roel smiled handsomely at Bella’s words.

,Thank you always, Bella.”

Flavia, who was upset, didn’t want to talk about this anymore, so she brought up any topic to change the subject.

,But you don’t meet Ross much these days?”

Roel and Bella flinched at the same time, even though it was just a casual remark.

,Well, I’m busy preparing for the grade test these days, so I don’t even have time to see my face…. Ahem.”

Rosalyn, who was sitting across from Roel, chuckled and laughed as he stirred the soup.

,Hey, isn’t he busy dating these days?”

Bella’s hand, which was cutting the steak, stopped at those words. Bella smiled softly and asked Rosalyn.

,Ross is dating?”

,Hehe, I helped a lot with the dating.”

Flavia answered instead of Rosalyn. Roel also looked at Flavia with interesting eyes as she crossed her arms and raised her chin as if she was proud.

,What, really? Why didn’t you tell me!!!”

Flavia smiled prettily as Roel made a disappointed expression.

,I kept my mouth shut for my younger sister Luna~ She didn’t know how to date, so I gave her advice with our story.”

,I should have helped Ross too!!!”

As Roel made a disappointed expression and ruffled his hair. Bella looked at Rosalyn and asked in a passing voice.

,Is Luna the person Ross is dating?”

,Yes. I heard they’re in the same club.”

,I thought he liked Ellie.”

Bella raised one corner of her mouth and said that. Rosalyn felt goosebumps for some reason.

In fact, Rosalyn also thought that Ross liked Ellie from the way Ross was looking for Ellie when he fainted in front of her last time.

,This is going to be fun.”

Rosalyn felt a chill down her spine at Bella’s cold smile.