Chapter 116

The classroom assignment exam was bustling with students. The first test began with a written exam.

Basic subjects like Korean, math, social studies, history, along with magic studies, alchemy, swordsmanship theory, and monster hunting were on the menu, and you could choose two subjects to take. For me, it was as easy as chewing gum—literally effortless.

Social studies? History? I’ve lived through nearly 500 years twice as a demon. Even an average historian wouldn’t know history as well as I do. As for math, all you need is some calculation skills, and Korean? I was once hailed as the top journalist in the literary world—albeit under a fake identity spreading false news.

Of the remaining four elective subjects, I chose monster hunting theory and alchemy. My 500 years of experience hunting monsters in Demon Forest and my refined alchemy skills should be enough to secure me an A-Class ranking.

But there’s one worry: Aru.

“Huh? What’s a written exam?”

“What do you mean ‘what’? It’s using a pencil.”

“Pencil? Is it edible?”

“Not exactly. The test paper will eat your pencil lead.”

“Huh?”

Aru, this dimwit, would never score well on the written portion. But leaving him in B or C Class makes me uneasy. Aru knows nothing about social life. If a teacher asks for respect, Aru—the wolf—will just bite back.

Plus, there might be people who’d exploit Aru’s innocence for sinister purposes. Not that I’m worried about Aru himself—rather, I’m concerned that Aru will shred anyone approaching him with ill intent into pieces. His wild instincts from his blood-soaked life in Demon Forest won’t vanish easily. If such a situation arises, only I can stop him.

“Teacher? Can I ask a question?”

“Oh, sure. Your name?”

“Evans. Evans Grant. There’s my dog familiar friend, Aru, who came here with Beatrice-sensei’s recommendation.”

“B-B-Beatrice-sensei’s recommendation? Really?”

“Yeah, here’s the letter.”

Upon seeing the recommendation, the Real Eye Teacher was astonished. I proudly guided Aru forward.

“But this kid isn’t too great at written exams. Practical skills are off the charts, though. He fits C-Class in writing but has A-Class potential in practice. What should we do?”

“In that case, during the practical exam, he’ll have to rank in the top four in student duels. Duels against teachers don’t count. Of course, the written exam still needs to be taken. Does that answer your question?”

In short, if Aru can dominate in the practical portion, he’ll make up for his weak written performance. Easier said than done, though.

“Yes, Aru should definitely make it into the top four.”

“Ho, quite confident, aren’t you?”

“You’ll see later, teacher. Our Aru bites.”

“Alright then, Aru and Evans students, I’ll keep an eye on both of you.”

After the Real Eye Teacher explained kindly, Aru and I started our written exam.

Students entered various classrooms, received their test papers, and began solving them. Aru and I sat about two meters apart.

As expected, the test was easy for me. Of course, “easy” is relative; around me, I heard groans of frustration as others struggled.

“Blargh… sleepy…”

“Hey! Be quiet!”

Aru scratched lines on his test paper with his claws and promptly drifted off to dreamland. Other students ground their teeth at Aru’s sleep-talking, but interfering with another student during the exam was strictly forbidden.

“Student, wake up! What are you doing during this sacred exam time?”

“Huh? Whaaaat?”

Even when woken by the supervisor, Aru kept falling back asleep. Born a wolf, she couldn’t endure the dullness of human exams. The teacher tried waking her several times before eventually giving up.

It’s oddly endearing how someone so sleepy managed to stick with me and Meta all this time.

By the time we finished six subjects in one day, hours had passed. Despite everything, we completed all the written exams smoothly.

Though the tests weren’t hard for me, I had to avoid getting perfect scores. Drawing unnecessary attention and becoming a target for the Demon King is strictly prohibited. So, I answered just enough questions to secure an A-Class spot.

Once the exams ended, students, including Aru and me, moved to the practical exam venue by late afternoon. Among the tired students trudging along, I spotted Maria.

Maria was easy to find—her black nun outfit stood out once you knew what to look for.

Walking steadily among the students, I sneaked up behind her and suddenly grabbed her shoulder.

“Ahh!”

“Kyaa! What are you doing?”

“Hahaha! Maria, you’re supposed to be the daughter of God, yet you’re such a scaredy-cat!”

“Ugh… even as a joke…”

If it were nighttime-Maria, she’d have calmly smiled and said, “You’re mischievous.”

Young Maria, however, was startled stiff. Her face turned bright red like a beet.

“Haha, sorry. Anyway, friends always do stuff like this. You wouldn’t know since you don’t have any.”

“R-really? Do people really startle each other like that?”

“Exactly! Why else would they be called friends? Friends are people you can relax with like family!”

Of course, that’s a lie. People who pull pranks often get quickly ostracized.

But I’m the joker who doesn’t listen, the mutant who defies common sense.

Why tie myself down to outdated values?

“Hmm… If that’s normal, then I have no complaints.”

“See? You’re letting it slide?”

“It’s because I’m inexperienced with the concept of friendship. However, next time, prepare yourself. I’ll surely surprise you, Evans-san.”

“Ooh, a surprising Maria? Now that’s something to look forward to.”

I casually walked beside Maria. Different sounds, different attitudes, but our pace matched perfectly.

Jealous glares pierced through me. How dare this guy stick to the side of the Saintess? Questions and disdain filled their eyes. I shrugged them off.

I’ve borne the hatred and resentment of the entire continent. Petty grudges are lighter than a sneeze.

“So, Maria, how did the written exam go? You probably aced it, right?”

“Eh… I just did fine. My heart raced a bit, but after solving a few problems, I calmed down.”

“Hoo.”

Maria’s “fine” means excellent by most standards. She wasn’t called the Wise Saintess for nothing.

Even though her study time has decreased due to her swapped personalities between day and night, knowledge-wise, she’s leagues ahead. Even halving her knowledge would still leave her at the top.

Unless Princess Albrecht, the number one genius, takes the exams seriously, results won’t change much. But she’s still pretending to live carefree…

“Evans-san, what will you choose for the practical exam?”

“I’m going for a duel with the teacher. Fighting reckless kids and getting injured is bad for me. And I don’t want to cause unnecessary grudges by injuring someone.”

“Ah… You think of everything, truly impressive.”

“Please, it’s nothing.”

Especially since you’ll soon be manipulating Lilith Clanaein, the Marquis of the Demon Realm. Who’s praising whom here?

“What about you, Maria? Dueling students or teachers?”

“I’ll choose a duel with the teacher. It seems more advantageous.”

“Huh? Advantageous? Why?”

“Even in a duel, attacking for personal reasons feels wrong. But in a teacher-student duel, I can focus solely on defense.”

“Ah, right.”

I forgot—Maria freely wields the strongest barrier in the continent, “Barrier of the Sun.”

Indeed, unless Maria harbors murderous intent, she doesn’t fit in tournament-style matches. Blocking attacks without winning would prolong the fight endlessly.

But in a teacher duel, no one expects to win. Students aim to display their full potential and receive good evaluations.

Maria’s holy shield shines best in teacher duels. Good choice.

“Let’s go together then. We’re heading the same way.”

“Yes, but what about Aru-sama…?”

“Aru? Hey! Aru! Go over there! The student duel area’s that way!”

“Huh? What do I do?”

“Fight! Just beat everyone roughly and mind your manners! Listen to the teacher guiding you! Aim for at least fourth place!”

“Woof!”

After sending Aru off, Maria and I headed to the teacher-duel arena. Aru confidently went his own way despite my absence.

“Mr. Evans and Aru seem to have a great relationship.”

“Me? That poop-dog?”

“Is… that not true?”

“Being close and being friendly are different. You need to distinguish that.”

“But Aru follows your orders so obediently. Even considering he’s a dog familiar who listens well, the bond seems very intimate.”

Just being intimate would be lucky. With his wolf nature, he might challenge authority anytime.

Maria shouldn’t pay too much attention to Aru. Knowing a bit about Night-Maria, Aru might say something inappropriate. I draped my arm over Maria’s shoulder and led her.

“Enough chit-chat, let’s go inside. Fewer students here.”

“They’re likely more interested in each other’s powers than the teacher’s.”

“True.”

Eden Academy had several large gymnasiums, and this was one of them. Soon, the teacher duels would begin.

Teacher… Beatrice, who handles practical lessons, will appear. That’s why I’m here. I want to be evaluated without standing out too much.

As students gawked at the gym’s interior for the first time, Beatrice’s firm voice echoed.

“Everyone here?”

She stood in the center of the gym, holding her Greatsword vertically, its tip touching the floor, while clutching some papers in her other hand.

“Wow… the Iron-Blooded Teacher herself is testing us!”

“Calm down… we can do it… it’s just a class placement exam…”

“You have five minutes each. Show everything you can within that time.”

“What about those focusing on defense? Some students specialize in shield techniques.”

Maria asked instead. Maybe sensing my hint, Beatrice coolly replied.

“In that case, I’ll handle the attacks. Just endure as much as possible. But don’t think it’ll be easy since offensive abilities won’t be fully excluded.”

“Heard that, Maria?”

“Yes, thank you for asking on my behalf. Saved me the trouble.”

“Just a small thing. We’re friends, right?”

“Friends… hoho.”

While stroking her sword’s hilt, Beatrice spoke.

“Now, come at me one by one.”

***

Meanwhile, in another gym.

Instead of the fresh, innocent duels expected from rookies, a song of blood and despair unfolded, unimaginable to all.

“Aaah! My arm! She cut my arm! She actually sliced it off!”

“How can anyone beat that? She’s a monster!”

“I didn’t even see the dagger… Not even the Heavenly Hero was this strong during enrollment!”

“Aruru! Stop now! The match is over!”

“What… who’s this new guy? Didn’t see him last cycle… Could this be Joker’s arrangement? Or maybe Maria’s…?”

Due to an unexpected dog familiar—one better described as a wolf familiar—

“Keeeng?”

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