Chapter 41

The group exam at Jerion Academy is a test where students must eliminate magic-created apostles.

The score is divided into three categories:

– Efficiency.

– Time.

– Cooperation.

How efficiently can they take down the apostles in a short amount of time? And how well did the team members cooperate in the process?

These are the criteria for scoring.

And there’s one more thing. There exists a ranking system evaluated separately.

The group exam involves consecutive appearances of apostles. Therefore, the number of apostles one can defeat is included as a separate score.

‘And the cooperation score is being assessed in real-time.’

If the team wasn’t properly formed from the get-go, the cooperation score will plummet instantly. Thus, forming a proper team is also part of the evaluation.

This is the Academy’s intention for students to communicate well with each other.

‘It seems like those without friends won’t survive in this harsh Academy.’

For someone like me, with few connections, it’s a pretty brutal scoring system. You think gathering people for a team is easy?

Bringing people in through trade has its limits.

“Those cruel professors.”

“Just because the princess sweet potato has no friends.”

This is…

“What’s that from someone who knows less people than I do?”

“What? At least I knew them all before!”

“Sure, you knew them and got dumped, so now you’re alone.”

“They didn’t dump me! I dumped them!”

Seron huffed, her forehead turning red.

White steam seemed to rise from her exposed forehead, and I thought it might cook an egg.

At that moment, Seron’s gaze fell on my hand.

“That’s an unfamiliar ring. What is that?”

“I got it as a gift.”

Seron’s brows furrowed slightly, like, “You? Really?”

It was a joke, but that face looked angry.

“Who on earth would give you something like that?”

“You might not know, but I’m more popular than you think.”

“Aww, poor princess sweet potato. You’ve probably never even looked in a mirror…”

Seron shot me a pitiful look.

This girl…

“Speaking of you…”

I stared at Seron with sharp eyes.

“Have you ever been popular with anyone?”

Seron blinked in surprise.

Then she flicked her tied red hair.

“Can’t you tell just by looking?”

“I have no idea.”

“Hmph, look, I’m pretty, aren’t I?”

I chose not to say anything more.

“Hey, why are you quiet? Answer me!”

Out the window, I saw a carriage crossing the bridge towards Jerion Academy.

“Even if you command me! My dad says I’m the prettiest in the world!”

Today is the day of the group exam.

As such, imperial dignitaries visited the Academy to observe the test.

The ones coming here could be considered some of the most important figures in the Empire.

In the meantime, I spotted an unusually white carriage.

A carriage drawn by white horses.

Inside is an important figure who will resolve the events to come.

To meet the person inside that carriage, I must actively shine in this group test.

“Seron.”

By now, Seron had let her hair down and was using her hands as a flower vase.

I grimaced at the sight.

“What’s with that? Isn’t it embarrassing?”

Seron’s face turned bright red.

“Hey, I’m doing this for someone!”

“I’m off to the group exam. If you’re late, you’ll be removed from the team.”

“Ah, I’ll join you!”

Seron chased after me, tying her hair back again.

As we moved, I caught sight of a familiar face in the distance.

Every step made her flowing silver hair shimmer with its beautiful hue.

But the face framed by that silver hair had lost its former vitality and looked incredibly dark.

“Nikita-senpai.”

When I called out her name, Nikita slowly lifted her head.

She smiled gently as our gazes met.

“Oh, junior.”

Unlike before, her smile lacked energy.

Since Nia’s death, she had been in that state.

“Looks like you’re headed to the group exam.”

Nikita seemed to have realized where we were off to.

Her face had become thinner than before.

She certainly wasn’t eating well.

“Senpai.”

I rummaged through my bag.

Then I handed her the sandwich I intended to have for lunch today.

“It’s a tuna sandwich.”

Seeing the sandwich in her hands, Nikita shook her head.

“Junior, it’s fine. I don’t have much of an appetite.”

“But today is the group exam for you too, Senpai.”

I firmly pressed the sandwich into her hesitant hand.

“Eat it. If you don’t, I won’t be at ease.”

Nikita was growing thinner with each passing day.

I asked her to at least eat a meal and she looked at me silently.

Nikita’s eyes smiled weakly.

In the end, she carefully accepted the sandwich.

“Okay, I’ll eat it. I have to think about the junior caring for me.”

With that, Nikita moved on, leaving me feeling a sharp pain in my heart.

Even though I knew everything…

It was the guilt of keeping my mouth shut to progress the scenario.

After today’s group exam, Nikita will learn one critical piece of information.

That Nia Cynthia was not an accident but was assassinated.

With this information, Nikita will inevitably turn to the ancient magical powers seeking revenge.

And I will be forced to watch.

My fist clenched tightly.

‘…It’s okay.’

I’ve already decided to save Nikita.

I shouldn’t prevent her from becoming a disaster’s salvation.

But how her treatment turns out is in my hands.

To achieve an ending where everyone is happy and not a bad ending.

I vowed to do whatever it takes.

So, I will make it happen.

“Princess sweet potato, are you alright?”

Sensing my tense expression, Seron cautiously asked.

“I’m fine. Let’s go.”

Hoping she can hold on well, I moved towards the group exam.

* * *

The location for the group test resembled a massive arena.

A vast space was necessary as high-level magic, like illusion magic, was employed to summon the apostles.

The arena was already filled with numerous dignitaries who had settled in.

They were watching this group exam with great interest.

“Word is, this second-year batch is the famous Golden Flame generation.”

“Only heard rumors, never seen them until now. I’m excited for this round.”

“They say the first years aren’t to be underestimated either. Apparently, there’s a kid from the illustrious Beigwen family.”

“Also, someone linked to the Spirit Sovereign is among them. The Empire has a bright future ahead!”

They were all eagerly conversing, showing great interest in this generation.

But none of them showed any interest in the third years.

Third year— the weakest generation.

So naturally, no one paid attention to them.

Perhaps because of that, the third years, who would be the first to take the exam, looked completely deflated.

It would’ve been preferable to take the exam without an audience, but facing the most prominent figures in the Empire and being ignored could only dampen their spirits.

Under normal circumstances, Nikita would have cheered them on in her way.

But even she remained silently quiet.

“The atmosphere among the third years is a mess.”

Kard, who was next to me, remarked.

“Tch, if they’re scared right from the start, they won’t perform properly.”

“Hey, Potato, is it time to pay attention to others? Let’s focus on ourselves.”

While Kard was relaxed, Seron looked tense and on edge.

I could see why.

“Seron, your dad is here today.”

“Ugh.”

Seron gulped, feeling poked.

The reason for her nervousness was not just because of her strict father.

“If I can’t perform here, my allowance will be cut!”

It’s simply her worrying about messing up and getting her pocket money reduced.

What a carefree girl.

“Don’t worry.”

Since we were on the same team, I decided to support Seron.

“Even if your allowance gets cut, there’s no way we’ll lose in the group exam.”

“It’s the most important thing that my allowance gets cut!”

That’s up to Seron. Not my concern.

“Ugh, I’m sleepy.”

Just then, a voice came from behind me.

The reason I had been sitting still until now.

It was because Sharine was sleeping against my back.

Consistently carefree, she stretched and shifted her head.

“When do we start?”

“Right now, it’s the third year’s turn.”

“Then I can sleep a little longer.”

Sharine lazily leaned back against me, falling asleep again.

If she was going to sleep, why not do it somewhere else?

At that moment, I lifted my gaze, sensing someone staring at me.

I locked eyes with Isabel, who was looking this way from afar.

She seemed startled and quickly averted her gaze upon meeting mine.

Apparently, losing Sharine to me was bothering her quite a bit.

I still remember how Isabel’s face looked blank when Sharine declared she would join our team.

‘Is Isabel’s team still the same as it was back at Magung?’

Since they had a balanced team, it was likely that Isabel’s side would do just fine in terms of results.

‘As for the rest…’

I shifted my gaze to look at another team.

There stood a woman with long, dark hair quietly.

They might very well be the strongest team across all grades.

Team Iris.

The front row consisted of Iris, the top student in Martial Arts, and her deputy.

The back row comprised the deputy from Magic Arts, the head of Special Studies, and the deputy of Holy Studies.

‘Even looking again.’

The balance of this team is insane.

No wonder she’s the 3rd princess.

She filled her team solidly with connections.

Essentially, they could be considered the favorite to win the group exam.

And we must beat them.

Otherwise, we won’t catch the attention of the dignitaries visiting for the group exam.

The issue is that there are also many impressive teams other than Iris.

‘It’s going to be tough.’

While I was pondering this, Seron tugged at my clothes.

“Princess sweet potato, speaking of which, who’s our healer this time?”

There was a subtle glimmer of hope in Seron’s eyes.

Given the usual situation, she probably assumed it would be the Saint again.

“I looked for a healer from Holy Studies, but couldn’t find one.”

“What?”

Seron’s eyes went wide.

That would mean we were already losing points in terms of team balance.

There was nothing we could do.

It was from having teamed up with the Saint once before.

All the Holy Studies students flatly refused, saying, “I cannot take the spot occupied by the Saint in your team.”

Cunning disciples eager to avoid being compared.

“What made you do that?!”

“I found someone from Special Studies instead.”

When Seron let out a moan, I looked back.

At that moment, someone was walking toward us.

As Seron saw who was coming, her face gradually stiffened.

Meanwhile, Kard lightly whistled at the sight.

Clearly, this was an unexpected individual.

The skull with a pure white sheen glinted under the sunlight.

“Let me introduce you. This is Grantoni from Special Studies.”

“Huheh, hello, hello?”

He’s known as the small graveyard and the Academy’s notorious troublemaker.

Grantoni.

The soul magician in charge of healing for our team.

“My funds are enormous!”

And then Seron let out a scream of despair.