.｡.:✧ Chapter 55 ✧:.｡.

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Two weeks after the festival ended, the exam period began.

At Aios Academy, there are a total of four exams per year.

Each exam includes both practical and written tests. While it’s common to have additional exams for the practical part, this time there were none as the holidays would start immediately after exams.

Groaning during the written exam.

The involuntary moans that escaped me as I wrestled with the theories of magic and mathematical calculations made me groan in frustration.

I, too, could handle mana, albeit to a minor extent. However, my ability stemmed more from instinct and experience than from any mathematical calculations.

“Why is this so hard?”

Looking at the other students of Aios Academy, I wondered if they truly represented the best the kingdom had to offer.

Scratch, scratch.

Watching the students diligently taking their exams made me feel rather foolish.

Was it because I usually focused on physical training?

‘But I have a mission to save the world!’

I told myself this utterly unconvincing excuse as I tried to navigate through the exam in my own way.

“Ah, I thought my head was going to explode.”

I sighed in relief and slumped down after the exam was over.

Eve chuckled at the sight of me, completely burned out.

“You seemed to have no trouble with history or the foreign language, but mana seemed to be a bit of a struggle.”

“Yeah, I’m just not cut out for this stuff.”

I only knew how to kill those who used mana, not how mana worked to perform magic.

“Hmm, should I teach you how to study later?”

Eve asked with a slight smile, but after a moment’s consideration, I shook my head.

“No need, it’s useless to me anyway, and I’m going to score big in the practicals.”

“Come on! Learn! Every time Daniel talks about exercise, I’ll counter with mana talk!”

So that was her plan?

Crossing my arms, I firmly replied, “Absolutely not,” causing Eve to puff her cheeks in a sulk, but I remained unmoved.

The morning’s four written exams were over, and the afternoon was reserved for practicals.

It was my time to soar.

“Oof, I’m feeling stiff.”

Arriving at the dueling arena for the practical exam, a 1:1 duel, I found many students had quickly grabbed a bite and were warming up.

“He’s here.”

“Is that the guy from last time?”

“Didn’t he beat Ares and Hayun 2:1 in the last exam?”

“But wasn’t that just because of the king’s game?”

“Still, he’s a dark horse.”

And then, the numerous gazes directed at me.

I wasn’t flustered.

Most hadn’t seen me defeat Apviel at the festival as they had fled, and I hadn’t bothered to advertise it.

I had never hidden my strength, so I was already a target of many students’ rivalry.

“Look at them all watching you.”

“Like a villain’s entrance!”

“Why bother with such small fry?”

Jokingly, we began warming up, and soon, Hayun approached us.

“Which number are you drawing for the duel? Just so I can avoid you.”

“Isn’t it decided by a draw by the professors?”

“Just asking.”

Hayun’s expression had gone from cold to icy.

Though still awkward with a smile, the slight grin on her face was quite charming.

Although the latter half of the festival was a disaster, the first two days had been quite profitable. Hayun, now with a bulging wallet, exuded an air of ease.

Especially since the festival had brought in regular orders and many loyal customers, Hayun was living quite comfortably.

“Thanks to you, my time to teach swordsmanship has been further reduced.”

“We will find some time for it. I decided to learn swordsmanship, but i still haven’t learned it yet.”

At that, Hayun, also concerned, nodded in agreement and responded.

“Right, I’ll have some free time after exams and during the vacation, so I’ll teach you then. Oh, are you planning to go back to your hometown?”

“No, I don’t particularly plan to.”

After all, there’s no one there even if I go.

‘And I need to visit Yggdrasil.’

The vacation lasts two months.

It was enough time to visit Yggdrasil, so I planned to travel around during this vacation as if going on a trip.

As we were exchanging such conversations, the faculty members entered.

They divided us by class and proceeded to the center of the training field for the draw.

The exam was conducted in a tournament format.

Thus, the first and second places were decided as the president and vice-president, and thereafter, the faculty would grade based on the rankings.

It was a simple yet brutal method, but it’s said to be the tradition of Aios Academy and a way to nurture students strong in real combat.

Since the draw for the exam last time started with Class A, this time it began with Class E, the last.

The duel was coed, naturally.

Eve and Tana were set to duel a male student from Class D, and Professor Amanda called my name for the draw.

The sparring ground became unexpectedly quiet.

Everyone was focused on Professor Amanda’s fingertips and lips.

She announced the drawn name calmly.

“Class A, Arni Duratan.”

Arni Duratan, from the prestigious swordsmanship family, who had played my secretary during the play, was my first opponent.

We briefly made eye contact, but Arni, instead, smiled confidently and nodded in satisfaction.

This was a complete change from her despondent look at the last festival, begging for acting help, but this demeanor suited her better.

Then, after about 30 minutes, numerous duels were simultaneously underway in the vast training ground.

The time limit was 5 minutes.

All exams were to be held today, scheduled until the evening, and the vacation would start right after the exams.

This allowed the students to look forward to the exams, despite their dread and boredom.

“Arni Duratan, Daniel McLean. Begin the exam.”

The match drew everyone’s attention.

Until Ares arrived, Arni Duratan had never lost the position of practical skills leader in the third year, and my duel with her, known as a dark horse, commenced.

Arni approached me without a word, shouldering a wooden sword shaped like a greatsword.

The splendid swordsmanship family, known for killing dragons and bathing in their blood.

But, unfortunately.

She, like Apviel, was a girl specialized only in close combat, so our duel ended more tamely than expected.

“Ugh!”

Arni looked at me incredulously as she dropped her sword. I just shrugged my shoulders and turned around, naturally hearing the professor declare my victory.

No words were needed.

Though we were somewhat close in the play, it wasn’t as if we were friends; it was purely a business-like relationship.

“Wow, that was clean.”

“I feel a bit sorry for her.”

Tana and Eve greeted me with a tongue click.

Since we were sitting with our class, May and Rin were with theirs.

Rin naturally won her duel, and May, originally specialized in magic but toughened by back alley life, also emerged victorious.

Then came the turns of Eve and Tana.

I cheered them on, telling them not to forget what they had practiced, like a coach motivating athletes.

“Head! Head! Head!”

Tana brilliantly executed the ‘Daniel-style vital strike male version,’ winning the duel.

“Ha! Ha!”

Eve’s opponent was tough compared to her level, but.

“Alright!”

A lucky punch landed perfectly, knocking out the male student and winning her the duel.

“Wow! Eve! You won!”

“I, I did it! I crushed the enemy!”

“It wasn’t quite like that…”

Though I corrected them, seeing Eve’s excited hopping around brought a proud smile to my face.

Eve had done it!

Thus, the practical exam proceeded smoothly.

Eve lost the next duel, but Tana won once more, achieving quite a respectable score.

Both, compared to the last exam, truly deserved applause.

The saying that effort may betray but training doesn’t betray proved true today as they both smiled happily, nodding vigorously at my words.

Rin encountered Ares midway and lost, and Hayun and Sen had a close match. However, it was a straightforward duel where surprise attacks didn’t work, resulting in Hayun’s victory.

So, I thought the finals would naturally be between me and Ares, but.

Upon reaching the final stage, an unexpected female student stood before me.

A girl like a high-quality doll that shouldn’t be carelessly meddled with.

Elise, who was considered versatile but was weaker in swordsmanship compared to Arni and Hayun, and in magic, was a bit lacking compared to Adriana and Rin.

Though good at everything, she was predominantly judged for not excelling noticeably in anything.

She had defeated Ares in the semifinals and now stood before me.

“Please take care of me.”

She smiled like a sinister cat with a scheme.

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