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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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“So, whose food was more delicious?”
Melina asked, leaning forward, a slight frown on her forehead, her eyes burning with competitive spirit. She seemed to be taking this quite seriously.
“Yes, this is a matter of grave importance.”
Elisha added, her expression a mixture of anxiety and anticipation as she looked at him intently, a hint of seriousness in her demeanor.
“Hmm…”
He traced a small circle on the table with his fingertip, lost in thought, recalling the dishes they had prepared.
One was a smooth, flavorful pasta, the other a perfectly cooked steak, juicy and tender. It was honestly difficult to choose.
“……”
The reason was simple. They were both excellent dishes. The problem was that choosing one would only reignite their endless bickering and rivalry.
Seeing them glaring at each other…
“My pasta was more delicious, right?”
Melina asked confidently, her arms crossed, her voice full of conviction.
“Huh? What are you talking about? My steak was obviously better.”
Elisha retorted sharply, glaring at Melina. They were locked in a tense standoff, like two wild animals sizing each other up.
“They were both delicious.”
He finally spoke, and they both stopped talking and looked at him simultaneously, their gazes a mixture of tension and anticipation.
“So, let’s call it a draw.”
As soon as he declared the result, disappointment flickered across their faces. He could almost hear their sighs of frustration.
“Eh~ That’s no fun…”
Melina puffed out her cheeks and turned away, clearly dissatisfied.
“I thought I could win…”
Elisha muttered, her shoulders slumping, a gloomy atmosphere settling over them like a cold breeze. They looked dejected, like defeated warriors.
“Ahem, that wasn’t the reason we gathered here in the first place.”
Eilly cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence. She addressed Melina and Elisha in a calm, polite, yet firm tone, effectively deflating their competitive spirit. They both bit their lips, momentarily speechless.
“So, please stop bothering Master and let’s get down to business.”
“Yeah, fighting isn’t good~”
Varis chimed in with a lighthearted remark, trying to lighten the mood.
Melina and Elisha, though reluctant, finally seemed to let go of their rivalry, sighing deeply.
“Fine… I understand. We shouldn’t forget the real reason we’re here.”
Elisha rested her chin on her hand, her foot tapping lightly under the table. Melina nodded silently in agreement.
“So, what should we discuss first? I want to be prepared this time.”
The conversation finally returned to the original topic.
“Yes, as we were informed, the final exam is even more important now that the previous one has been invalidated.”
The reason they had gathered was to discuss the upcoming final exam, the equivalent of a final exam in his previous world. The midterm exam had been canceled due to the Lamia attack, making the final exam even more crucial. The exam date had also been moved up, and this single test would now determine their entire grade. It was both a challenge and an opportunity for the students.
“We need to form teams first.”
Elisha said, raising her head.
“Our team is pretty much set, isn’t it?”
Melina replied, her voice laced with confidence.
It wasn’t a big deal for him. He already knew what was going to happen.
“We have the right number of people.”
Unlike the midterm, the final exam was a team-based assessment.
Teams of five students would be formed, each assigned a high-achieving senior student as a mentor.
This was because the exam wouldn’t be held in a simple forest or plain, but in a much more dangerous “dungeon.” A subterranean labyrinth, a common trope in RPGs, would be the stage for the final exam.
The rules were simple: the team that brought back the rarest loot from the dungeon would receive the highest score.
Since the value of the loot increased the deeper and more dangerous the area, it was considered the fairest method. The key to success in the final exam was teamwork and strategy.
“So… what’s our goal?”
Varis asked playfully, trying to lighten the mood. Eilly, her hands moving methodically, as if sorting through documents, spoke,
“Our goal is clear. To bring back the best loot.”
“Provided we all return safely, of course.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. There was no time for laughter and games now.
“Does everyone know which dungeon we’re going to?”
“What was it again… The Shrine of the Depths?”
“I’ve heard of it. The dungeon where an ancient god slumbers in its depths?”
Their expressions turned serious as Elisha and Varis answered Eilly’s question.
“I heard it’s filled with undead and evil spirits.”
“Then we should get some useful items from the church.”
Everyone nodded in agreement with Eilly’s suggestion. Melina rubbed her chin thoughtfully, as if trying to recall what she knew about the dungeon.
Just then, he stood up and said quietly,
“I’m going out for a bit.”
They were all discussing the exam with unusual cooperation, so Eilly looked at him and asked,
“Where are you going? I’ll come with you.”
“No, I’ll be back soon. I’ll go alone.”
“Is that so…? We don’t have much time before the next class, so please hurry back.”
He nodded at Eilly’s concerned words, waved his hand dismissively, and turned to leave. As he opened the door and glanced back, he saw them still engrossed in their discussion.
The reason he was leaving was simple. He already knew what was going to happen, regardless of what they discussed.
He decided it would be more productive to prepare for the exam himself, rather than participating in a meaningless discussion.
“The final exam is next week. I’m nervous.”
“I heard it’s a creepy dungeon filled with ghosts.”
“R-Really?! What should I do… I’m not good with those things…”
The voices of other students he passed in the hallway were filled with a mixture of anxiety and excitement about the exam.
With the change in schedule, the exam had become even more important, and everyone seemed to be preparing diligently. But he was calm.
He headed towards the equipment shop within the academy. He was there to acquire some useful items for the dungeon.
“Welcome. What can I get for you?”
The shop assistant greeted him with a friendly smile.
He got straight to the point.
“I’m looking for accessories made with holy magic stones.”
The Shrine of the Depths was a dungeon infested with undead and evil spirits. Its ominous aura drained the very life force of those who entered.
In the game, this was implemented as a debuff that constantly drained mana unless you were properly equipped.
This was especially detrimental to Elisha, who relied heavily on magic, although it wouldn’t affect Varis and Melina as much.
He still vividly remembered struggling with mana depletion during his first playthrough.
“Hmm~ I understand. What kind of accessory are you looking for? A pendant, a necklace, a ring or something else?”
“One of each would be fine. I need five in total.”
The shop assistant nodded with a smile. While she was fetching the items, he looked around the shop, its interior filled with gleaming jewels and various pieces of equipment.
“Hmm? Are you a first-year?”
Just as he was feeling a sense of familiarity and comfort, a voice spoke from behind him.
He turned around.
“Hello.”
A woman stood there, her presence striking. Her blue hair flowed like soft waves over her shoulders, and her elegant features were as perfect as an ancient sculpture.
“Holy magic stones… you’re a first-year preparing for the final exam next week, right?”
Her deep blue eyes, as cold and sharp as ice, held an intelligent glint, and a faint smile played on her lips, a hint of playfulness in her expression.
But what caught his attention most was the badge pinned to her chest.
‘That’s…’
It was a prestigious symbol of academic achievement and skill, awarded only to the top students at the academy.
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Hi Lord Fourth here!
I’m new to translating so if you find some mistakes or inconsistencies let me know about it on the dedicated channel on discord.
