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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Simon and Meilyn’s group was formed.
Word spread quickly, and the surrounding students began to whisper.
“Wow, those two are in the same group?”
“Special Admission Number One and the top student in Class A? That’s practically an imbalance of power.”
“You never know. I saw earlier that Simon’s grades weren’t that high.”
While the students who had been watching Simon’s recruitment dispersed to resume their own scramble for group members, a few cautiously approached Simon and Meilyn.
“Is there still a spot open in your group? I’m a Jet Black Mechanics student, would you consider me?”
“Do you need a Martial Combat student by any chance?”
“Simon! Simon! Remember me? We talked in the last class…!”
Simon recoiled in surprise as students suddenly flocked to them.
“Excuse me! Just a moment! Let me through! Thanks!”
Just then, Rick skillfully weaved through the crowd, smiling warmly and waving his hand.
“Sorry, but we don’t have any spots left! The last spot is under negotiation, so honestly, it would be faster to find another group!”
“And who are you?”
Meilyn asked, frowning. Rick confidently puffed out his chest.
“I’m also Simon’s group member! Rick Hayward.”
“What?”
Meilyn turned to Simon.
“Hey, Simon. This is the first time I’m hearing about this klutz.”
Simon chuckled, scratching his head.
“I told you I wanted you to join ‘our group.'”
“…….”
So there was another one.
Meilyn sighed softly and raised an eyebrow.
“What’s your major?”
“Jet Black Mechanics, 74 points, with an overall average of 70.”
“…Not bad.”
From Meilyn’s perspective, as long as her weakness in Summoning was covered, the other subjects didn’t matter.
With scores in the 90s in all subjects except Summoning, no one could surpass her anyway.
And a 74 in his major with a 70 average meant he was well-rounded in all subjects.
It wasn’t ideal, but she could accept an all-around player to support her.
“Fine, I understand.”
Meilyn’s easy acceptance made Rick pump his fist. Then he turned to Simon.
“Wow, you’re amazing!”
He looked at Simon as if he were a returning hero.
The two lightly bumped fists.
“You’re a real problem solver! You actually recruited Meilyn!”
“It was just good timing.”
“But that promise you made earlier, are you sure about that?”
Simon nodded.
He figured if he focused solely on Summoning from now on, he could somehow manage by the midterm exams.
“Save your touching bromance for later.”
Meilyn said grumpily, resting her chin on her hand.
“Who are we taking for the last member?”
“We can get anyone we want! Just name them!”
Rick was genuinely confident he could recruit anyone.
Who would refuse a group with Meilyn, the ultimate ace, as a member?
With enough smooth talking, he might even be able to poach students who had already formed groups.
Of course, that would make enemies for the rest of their school life.
“Hmm.”
Meilyn closed her eyes in thought.
“Our priority is to cover ‘Curse, Jet, Summon.’ I’ll take Curseology.”
“Thanks! So, any weak subjects among Necromancy, Hemomancy, Toxicology, and Martial Combat?”
“None. I’m good at everything.”
She replied, tucking her light blue hair behind her ear.
It was a bit smug, but Rick let it slide, blinded by the aura of the top student in Class A.
“But if you had to choose?”
“If I had to choose, it would be good to have a dedicated Hemomancy student since it involves a lot of calculations and takes a long time to solve.”
“Hemomancy? Okay, I’ll get one! You guys just relax here!”
Rick marched back into the chaotic battlefield of student negotiations.
Simon and Meilyn sat quietly, waiting.
“…….”
“…….”
About ten minutes passed in silence.
Meilyn, pretending to file her nails to alleviate the awkwardness, glanced at Simon and spoke.
“Hey.”
“…?”
“Simon Polentia, was it? I haven’t heard of you. Which family are you from?”
“A baron family from the Baldwin Kingdom. We manage Leshill.”
She nodded.
So he was from Baldwin. She had never heard of Leshill.
“What about you?”
Simon’s question made her eyes widen.
“Wait, you don’t know me?”
“No.”
It stung her pride a little, but she couldn’t get angry since she hadn’t recognized his family either.
She forced a smile.
“I’m from an Ivory Tower family.”
Simon recalled what he knew about the Ivory Tower.
The only thing he knew was that the platinum blonde girl who took the oath with him at the entrance ceremony was the Ivory Tower heir.
“Ah, Ivory Tower… Serene, the Number Two Special Admission student, is…”
“Sorry, but,”
Meilyn’s smile turned chillingly sharp.
“Could you not say anything more than that? Please.”
“…S-Sure.”
She turned her head away coldly.
‘What’s with her?’
Simon was bewildered.
Meilyn seemed to realize that he hadn’t brought it up intentionally, so she didn’t get angrier, but her expression was clearly uncomfortable.
He must have said something wrong.
‘Noble families are complicated.’
He would just have to learn and be careful.
As Simon mentally noted his new group member’s sensitive topic, Rick returned, striding confidently.
“Been waiting?”
A girl stood beside him.
‘…Huh?’
Simon recognized her.
Short, with a gentle, puppy-like face. She seemed shy, her gaze fixed on her toes.
He remembered now.
She was the girl he had helped onto the hippogriff during Martial Combat class because she couldn’t mount it on her own.
“I was wrong.”
Rick said, glancing at Simon and shaking his notebook.
Then he introduced the girl to the two of them.
“This is Camibarez Ursula. A Hemomancy student with 87 points.”
87 points!
Meilyn whistled appreciatively, and Simon smiled.
Camibarez bowed deeply.
“H-Hello! I’m Camibarez Ursula! If my name is too long, you can just call me Cami. I’m still lacking, but I’ll do my best not to be a burden!”
“We’re in the same year, so you can speak casually.”
Simon’s words made her blush.
“…Um. I’m 16, and I just entered Kizen, so…”
Rick chimed in.
“Age doesn’t matter. I heard there’s even a twenty-year-old in our year.”
“…Oh, okay. I’ll speak casually if you’d like…”
It seemed like speaking casually was actually more formal for her.
Simon and the other group members decided not to force her.
The four of them, having successfully formed their group, sat around a desk.
15 minutes had passed since Jane’s 30-minute time limit.
Exactly half the time.
“Haah, I can finally relax! I thought I was going to get stressed out.”
Rick murmured, stretching. Simon’s head was also throbbing from the intense concentration.
Camibarez, relieved from the stress of group selection, was chatting with Meilyn.
“Wow, it really is you! The Ursula I know, right?”
“Yes!”
“She’s amazing!”
Meilyn exclaimed.
“Ursula… That’s the great vampire family!”
Simon looked at Camibarez in surprise.
This girl was a vampire?
Looking closer, he could see her slightly protruding fangs beneath her gentle features.
“I have wings, too. They’re hidden under my uniform.”
She shifted slightly, and something moved behind her back.
“Are they uncomfortable?”
“They bother me a little, so I asked the administration office to alter my uniform. I should be able to wear my wings outside my uniform next week.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Rick, who had been listening quietly, crossed his arms.
“But it’s a bit strange. Why wasn’t there any buzz about the Ursula family’s daughter coming to Kizen?”
“Well, that’s…”
She blushed and shrugged. Meilyn glared at Rick and scolded him.
“Hey, you can’t just ask people about that!”
“Huh? What’s wrong with that?”
“Oh, honestly… Are you even a noble?”
“I’m a commoner.”
“That’s why we can’t communicate.”
She crossed her arms and shook her head. Now it was Rick’s turn to look annoyed.
“There she goes again with the noble pride. What’s it to you that I’m a commoner?”
“Don’t talk to me; you’re annoying.”
“P-Please don’t fight!”
Camibarez cried out.
As everyone’s attention turned to her, she covered her mouth and lowered her head, realizing she had spoken too loudly.
“I-I’ll tell you… Actually, my…mother is a commoner…”
That one sentence made everything click for Simon.
An illegitimate daughter of the vampire family.
Her father must have been a great vampire from the Ursula family, but her mother was a human concubine.
Simon, born between a necromancer and a priest, understood her situation all too well.
“…S-Sorry.”
Rick scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
“I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No, no, it’s really okay! Hehe.”
“It’s not much of a trade, but since you shared your family background, I’ll share mine, too. I’m the son of the head of the White Ox Merchant Guild.”
Rick said, glancing around expectantly.
Camibarez gasped and covered her mouth in surprise, but the other two had lukewarm reactions.
Simon genuinely didn’t know due to his lack of knowledge, and Meilyn was slightly surprised but turned her head away, unwilling to show it.
“To be precise, I’m the third son out of eight.”
A hint of bitterness crept into Rick’s voice.
“My father intends to hand over the guild to my eldest brother. All the family’s educational resources are focused on him. And the rest of us…we’re nothing more than backup plans, used however they see fit.”
“Used however they see fit?”
“Yeah. In my case, I have a talent for dark magic, so they sent me to Kizen. My mission is to understand the needs of dark mages and conduct market research.”
That was why Rick had said going to Rochester on weekends was more important than weekday classes.
“Of course, I haven’t given up yet! I’ll graduate from Kizen properly, and I’ll build my own large merchant guild in Rochester, one with my name, not the White Ox. Then maybe my father will see me in a new light.”
Simon grinned.
“That’s awesome.”
Camibarez clapped her hands.
“I’ll be rooting for you, Rick!”
Meilyn grumbled, “Do whatever you want,” but her words lacked their usual bite.
Simon and Camibarez laughed.
“Oh my, you’re all getting along so well already~”
A teaching assistant approached them with a smile.
As the four of them started to get up, the assistant told them to stay seated and placed a piece of paper on the table.
“You’re Group 7. Please write your names here and your majors next to them.”
“Okay!”
“And you need to decide on a group name and a leader.”
Simon blinked.
“A group name?”
“Yes, it’s not really important, though. Professor Jane will just call you Group 7. You still have some time, so take your time and think about it.”
The assistant left, and the four of them exchanged glances. Meilyn spoke.
“I’ll be the leader. Any objections?”
There were none.
It was no exaggeration to say that Meilyn constituted half of Group 7’s strength.
As the three nodded, Meilyn wrote her name in the leader section with elegant handwriting.
“So, what should our group name be?”
“It doesn’t really matter, so let’s just pick anything.”
Rick chuckled, putting his arm behind his head.
“How about this? Meilyn Hard Carry.”
Meilyn’s face lit up, and she was about to write it down when Rick yelled that he was joking.
“S-Simon! Any ideas?”
Rick asked desperately. Simon replied without hesitation.
“Team Seven.”
“That’s too uninspired!”
“How about this? Pink Rabbit Girls…”
“We’re a mixed group! Think about the guys’ feelings!”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Meilyn again.
Blushing slightly, she cleared her throat and said reluctantly,
“W-Well, isn’t what Rick said earlier okay? Meilyn Hard Car…”
“Let’s just go with Team Seven.”
“Hey!!”
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