I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City – Chapter 84

Rohan returned to Orion Academy after a busy lunch break.

Just in time, he ran into Ichinose in the hallway of Class 1.

When he asked if she got the merch she wanted from the Dining Hall, Ichinose, grinning from ear to ear, called him over to her locker to show off her haul.

“They said other items will be sold later, but this acrylic stand is limited stock per store, you know?”

“Oh! You got that? That’s awesome!”

“Right? I got super lucky. The odds were so low, I was actually planning to go back for lunch tomorrow.”

In the background, Woolwool was cooking and Bluebee was serving.

Judging by the setting and outfits, it seemed like a collaboration café concept.

Some might look at this and think, “It’s just a chunk of acrylic printed by a machine. Is it really worth all the fuss?”

But Rohan knows. He knows it’s totally worth the fuss.

‘Limited merch? Sick.’

Having enjoyed Abyss City with the same passion, Rohan completely understands Ichinose’s fangirling—she’s practically his kindred spirit.

“Looks like Noah did her thing, huh?”

“Yep. But I got it earlier than expected, so I couldn’t feed her too much. Ended up stopping by a regular Dining Hall too.”

Ichinose’s eyes were wide open as she chattered excitedly, like a canary.

Though, honestly, Ichinose could’ve gotten the items she wanted without even going to the store herself.

But she seems to understand the thrill of getting it in person and the etiquette of competition.

Rohan found it especially admirable that she doesn’t use her influence over the characters or the companies that own them.

“Above all, I’m happy I didn’t buy anything just to resell it. That’s my creed.”

“Ah…! I totally get that feeling.”

“Hehe, the joy of knowing your love has reached the ceiling is undeniable too.”

As they chatted, they made their way back to Class 1.

But Ichinose didn’t ask about Sion or Clara. When they arrived at the classroom, she quietly returned to her seat.

‘Didn’t seem like she was trying to probe or anything.’

Maybe it was a gesture to show she wouldn’t involve Rohan, who’s from the Three Kingdoms, in Tigroba’s internal affairs.

Figuring out the girl’s true intentions wasn’t easy.

“…”

When he entered the classroom, Noah was sprawled out, stuffed from eating.

Though she shot curious glances at Ichinose, as if she’d heard something, she held back from saying anything.

‘Things should be fine for now.’

And with that, Rohan set aside his worries.

He gets ready for class by lightening his load.

Today’s the day for afternoon theory class.

After pulling out the textbook and chatting with Gilbert, Juyun walks in through the door.

As always, she stands at the lectern, looking flawless.

“I assume you all know that midterms start next week.”

At Juyun’s voice, the cadets of Class 1 perk up.

After confirming that no cadet is drowsy or slacking off, Juyun continues with a satisfied expression.

“If you’ve looked into Orion Academy or scouted the Orion Circle since before enrollment, most of you probably already know this, but the first-year midterms weren’t anything flashy or grand.”

Juyun goes on to explain, starting to talk about the changes in the world that began with the academy city.

“But this year is different. It was just unanimously decided in a meeting.”

A hologram of the Monolith rises above the lectern.

Recently, it’s become a symbol of terror—not for spewing out monsters, but for swallowing humans and sending them to unknown places called dungeons.

“You probably know that the recent anomalies with this Monolith have been causing quite a stir.”

Those who return all speak of grueling experiences. Those who don’t return are countless.

This phenomenon keeps happening without end, and among those who return, there hasn’t been a case like Rohan’s, who came back fully recovered.

“There’s still too little data to neatly organize the information. With only a handful of people returning, it’s safe to say there’s no confirmed information about the Monolith’s anomalies yet.”

“““…”””

After glancing at the attentive cadets, Juyun continues explaining the reason for the change in the practical exam.

“That part is being handled by the big shots in various countries, so all we have to do is wait. For those of us who deal with combat, it’s right to receive education and training to handle situations as smoothly as possible.”

Until now, academy training has focused heavily on combat with monsters.

In the past, it might have been different, but in today’s world, it’s safe to say there’s no situation where you’d face monsters while lacking food or water.

But the world won’t allow the academy cadets to have an ordinary test.

It’s changed drastically, as if to challenge them to learn survival skills in other ways.

“The practical exam will use an uninhabited island overrun with monsters, just like last year’s second-year final exam. If the instructor has said this much, you can probably guess what the exam will be like.”

That’s just how the times are.

If you get dragged into the Monolith, you’ll face monsters and die.

It’s not just that; a situation has arisen where we have to worry about starvation.

And it’s not enough to just fill our stomachs and wet our throats.

Conflicts arising from individuals with sharpened nerves, the mediation that needs to happen between them, issues between ordinary people and those with power, and food distribution, among other things.

If you think about the fact that a large number of people with no connection to the dungeon have been captured, the problems are overflowing.

“This change in the Monolith is extremely serious. Many have fallen into the dungeon, and the climate and conditions are the worst. Conflicts will become frequent, and people’s minds will be pushed closer to the edge.”

It seemed that Juyun had reached her limit in what she could tell the cadets now.

But it was enough. The meaning had been conveyed to all the cadets of Class 1.

It became clear why the Academy wanted the cadets to feel the necessity.

“Remember what the Instructor always says. The goal of Orion Academy is to train cadets to become part of the Special List.”

She turned around and wrote the expected period on the board.

Moving on the day the written exam ends, from Monday to Friday.

“In the greenhouse, no matter what method you use, the limit of skill is clear.”

Juyun punctuated her sentence with a firm tap.

She lightened the mood.

“Of course, the written exam on theory remains the same as before. This part hasn’t changed, so rest assured.”

Rohan, who had been listening, unconsciously let out a sigh, feeling more pressure from the theory than the practical.

“Huu…”

Juyun’s gaze, catching the tension-filled breath, turned toward Rohan.

Noticing her glance, Rohan’s expression made Juyun slightly raise the corner of her mouth, showing a subtle sense of expectation.

“Exam scores aren’t everything, but they are certainly a great way to prove your efforts and set a direction after graduating from the Academy. The Instructor just hopes that the cadets she’s directly in charge of can walk the path they desire.”

Juyun’s words, hoping her teaching methods weren’t wrong.

Rohan and Noah, who had pulled off the stunt of writing just one line in the placement exam, gulped nervously.

‘I need to do well.’

Having tasted the extreme consequences of their actions during the placement exam.

This time, it’s time to achieve the desired results with the efforts made so far.

The written exam scores can’t go any lower; it’s an opportunity to break away from the ambiguous image of neither being a troublemaker nor a model student recognized by Juyun.

“That’s all for the announcements. Let’s start the class.”

The theory class followed like clockwork.

Class 1 was now accustomed to following along.

After the first class in the afternoon, it’s break time.

Rohan contacted Flowering Chrysanthemum Bookstore to inform them about his exam schedule and got permission to take a break from work during that period.

At the same time, he pondered.

‘About the bookstore part-time job… I think I need to reduce the frequency or quit now.’

It’s time to make a decision, even if it’s faster than expected.

Once the reward money comes in, life will become a bit more comfortable. Flowering Chrysanthemum Bookstore was like stealing the sweetest honey at the moment he met Clara.

Although he had been looking forward to events that might happen during the part-time job, right now, Rohan desperately needed more time to swing his sword and push his body to the limit.

‘Should I go talk to the manager today?’

Just as he decided and was about to head back to the classroom.

**──Bzzz!!!** A message came through.

[Clara: Sis has left…ㅜㅜ]

[Clara: Photo]

Looking at the photo Clara sent, the train was flying through the sky.

So Sion is on that. A train running through the sky—how insanely fascinating.

‘I should call during the next break.’

Rohan left a message in the group telling Sion to be careful on her trip and Clara to come back safely.

Just as he was about to really head back.

Rohan got caught again.

This time, it was a notification.

[Shop list has been updated]

“Oh.”

This was also news he had been eagerly waiting for.

The skill that had kept him waiting without even telling him the time had finally revealed itself.

‘What on earth are they adding without even telling the time…?’

With a subtle sense of anticipation, Rohan used the Shop skill.

“!”

He held his breath at the sight of the newly added item.