Final Exam (1)
***
Academy professors are busy for many reasons.
The students who get into the academy are talents gathered from all over the world.
Naturally, most of them are prideful and often immature.
Though commoners are sowhat better, it still varies case by case. It’s more about individual character.
Managing such students is a tough job, but thankfully, professors aren’t disrespected for their skills.
If they are disrespected, they drag the student to the dueling grounds imdiately. That’s where they subtly relieve their stress.
Occasionally, a talent surpassing the professors appears, but in such cases, the nation takes care of them. If they’re commoners, the country tries to recruit them; if they’re nationals, they are often managed as a front-face.
Thus, professors don’t usually stress much over student managent. Usually, that is.
“Is this really the only way?”
“Got a better idea?”
“The problem is, there’s no better idea. This is the best, but it still feels stupid.”
Yeonhwa, a professor from the East, sharply criticized, and Marlboro responded with a bitter smile.
Doing their best yet still feeling stupid aptly described the professors’ current situation.
“You told to watch my language, but you’re the one using the harshest words.”
“Shut up, Serah. Don’t you find this absurd too?”
“…”
Serah clamd up at Yeonhwa’s pointed retort. She had the sa thought.
But finding an alternative was the issue. Marlboro sighed and spoke.
“There’s no other alternative. Let’s be honest. How many here can take down Sivar one-on-one?”
“…”
“…”
No one answered Marlboro’s question. They all knew well.
There’s hardly anyone who can subdue Sivar one-on-one. Even if there were, it’d be only Rod and Rize.
They realized this when they first t Sivar. Godin had nearly caused a disaster by approaching him from behind as a joke.
Godin seed to rember this too, looking embarrassed. Marlboro continued.
“It took three of us to barely slow Sivar’s attacks. His strength is ridiculously powerful.”
“Since then, he’s learned techniques and various tactics… he’s only gotten stronger.”
“I saw him catch Usk’s blade with his bare hands. My sword would only scratch him at best.”
“Magic hardly works either. He took a direct hit from a bomb during the midterm, and only his clothes were singed.”
As the professors evaluated, Sivar was beyond a noteworthy individual; he was a major subject of interest.
Disruptor, mutant, or even ecosystem destroyer—any label fit him.
“It’s fortunate he attends classes and has good relationships. If not, I’d have resigned and gone ho.”
“I can’t help but agree.”
Professors are most stressed by political struggles.
As seen with Delphoi, professors often serve as national representatives and get entangled politically.
Moreover, recent inter-country conflicts have made things even more uncomfortable. They nearly experienced it themselves.
But Sivar’s re presence made all that irrelevant. Managing Sivar had to co first.
“Excluding Sivar from assessnts is right. It’d be okay if he weren’t smart, but he might cause more trouble.”
“Isn’t it usual for strong people to be not so smart?”
“It’s not that he’s not smart; he just doesn’t use his brain. If his learning ability or intelligence were low, he wouldn’t have survived in the wild.”
Serah was precise. Humans rank lowest in physical abilities in the wild.
Except for stamina and throwing ability, they’re weak animals. What compensates for this is tool use and intelligence.
“When I bathed Sivar before, his body was full of scars. He wasn’t strong from the start; he beca strong.”
“So, he stopped using his brain as his body got stronger.”
“It makes sense. Otherwise, he wouldn’t do such crazy things.”
Sivar’s antics during the midterms were shocking and terrifying to the professors.
Delphoi’s sches backfired and highlighted Sivar’s intelligence.
Even his dexterity was impressive. He crafted a vest from bombs and charged.
his incredible adaptability.
“Is this really the only way? Even though I ca up with it, it feels so stupid…”
“Suggest a better thod if you have one. I don’t mind.”
“Honestly, there doesn’t seem to be a better way.”
“It’s not that we lack brains, so don’t beat yourself up.”
Godin was right. The professors weren’t lacking in intelligence.
The problem was an unexpectedly, absurdly high-level student suddenly transferring in.
Marlboro sighed as he looked at the paper detailing the final exam process, pressing his temples.
“Now we have to report this to the Principal… I wonder what he’ll say.”
What would he say?
“It’s really… an amusing idea. Very interesting.”
“…”
“If sothing strange happens despite all this, a single apology letter won’t be enough.”
They had to expose everything. At least Rod understood.
Given Sivar’s imnse strength, balancing required such asures.
“Still, it’s not so bad if you look closely. It borrowed the high-risk, high-return format.”
“Haha. True, right?”
“Students will understand… do your best.”
Rod didn’t press the professors further. They had their grievances.
After all, Rod himself admitted Sivar. Last ti was unfair, but they tried hard, so he couldn’t complain.
“Final exams last a week?”
“Yes.”
“Good luck. Take care.”
The professors greeted Rod and left. Naturally, Rod was alone in the Principal’s office.
He sighed at the piling work and looked at the paper the professors handed him.
“It’s not bad… treating a person like a weapon isn’t uncommon.”
He skimd the plan and checked other reports. There was much to review.
[Unusual signs discovered as, suggesting a new predator’s ergence.]
[Estimating two predators. Territories are forming.]
[Requesting Principal’s direct intervention. Predators may be very strong, so form a subjugation team for student safety.]
“…”
Good job. Rod nodded at the report.
‘There are certainly capable people.’
He folded the report lightly, deep in thought.
*****
Ti flies when daily routine is the sa. That’s my current situation.
After selling Jane to Godin(?) and earning favor, there was nothing special.
I learned martial arts from Kara on Wednesdays and sparred with Rize on weekends to hone my skills.
Other tis, I attended academy classes. Occasionally, I invested in stocks.
“Sivar hyung! Please grant so tips! I lost again!”
“Go away.”
“Please! I’ll get scolded by my brother again!”
On Friday morning, I pushed away Antonio, who was whining about losing money again, and took my seat.
He should’ve invested in what I did. Why put money in strange places?
Even recently, despite being told, he still lost. He said he pulled out too early because he was anxious.
“Sivar telling soone to go away is a first. How annoying was he?”
“Indeed. Except for one person, never seen it.”
This was Kara and Luna’s conversation. They seed displeased seeing push Antonio away.
“Who was that one person?”
“The Holy Warrior.”
“Oh.”
That was out of a sense of crisis. But it was true, so I couldn’t even make excuses.
Despite the noisy morning, there was no real issue. Antonio’s despair wasn’t my concern.
“Next week is finals, right? And right after, it’s vacation.”
“It’s not vacation. There’s a freshman ball.”
“Oh, right. The ball. Do we have to attend?”
Usually, vacation follows finals, but the first sester is different.
As ntioned before, there’s a freshman ball with dignitaries from various countries. It’s a unique event.
‘And I get to see new skins.’
Kara’s dancer outfit appears at the ball. It’s less revealing than her ritual outfit.
Also, the protagonist, Luna, will wear her ball gown. I rember it being a simple dress.
“Kara, you’re a princess of Tatars. You should attend, right?”
“Sigh. Only a princess at tis like this? You’ll attend, right?”
“Just to watch. I’ll leave if it’s uncomfortable.”
Luna turned her gaze to . My turn now.
“Sivar, will you attend? It’ll be crowded. If you’re uncomfortable, don’t co.”
“Sweets.”
“Sorry?”
“Lots of sweets?”
The event is important, but I’m focused on the variety of desserts from different countries.
It provides a reason to attend, and I can intervene if sothing happens. Just in case.
‘Should I call it a buildup?’
Honestly, I’ve eaten a lot of sweets so far. They’re just too good.
“There should be… plenty? Maybe a huge cake too? Do you know, Sis?”
“It’s my first ti, so no. Ask Grace.”
“Why am I being called?”
Perfect timing, Grace approached us.
Beside her was her friend, Lee Yeonju.
Kara explained about the freshman ball, and Grace, listening quietly, confidently replied.
“Of course. You’ll find desserts beyond Sivar’s imagination. I recomnd attending.”
“Okay.”
I answered, glancing at Lee Yeonju. She looked almost expressionless, lost in thought.
She’ll likely attend the ball, where she might clash with an Eastern dignitary.
It’s not just a clash; it’s the dignitary being rude. A setup.
‘Yeonju doesn’t know that…’
While I pondered, Grace spoke.
“We should get Sivar a suit. You need formal attire for the ball.”
“Huh? Suit?”
“Yes. I’ll prepare a wonderful suit. Shall we go this weekend?”
I don’t mind. I have plenty of money and ti.
I nodded, and Grace’s smile deepened. She seed very pleased.
“Then I’ll go too.”
“Pardon?”
“I want to see Sivar in a suit.”
Grace’s smile faded as Kara interjected, ruining their alone ti.
“Since we’re at it, let’s buy other clothes. He always wears plain T-shirts and pants. His looks and physique are wasted. Don’t you agree?”
“Hmm… I could go alone.”
“I’m just curious. I also want to see if there’s anything I need.”
You just need your dancer outfit. That’s enough.
While I thought that, Kara and Grace argued intensely.
Grace wanted to go alone with , while Kara wanted to join in.
Unable to justify being alone, Grace finally conceded. She was content eting on the weekend.
“Your intentions are so clear.”
“…”
Ignore Kara’s last words. Grace wouldn’t understand the Tatars language.
“Everyone, attention. Finals start next week as announced. I’ll briefly explain today, so focus.”
During horoom, Marlboro began explaining the exam content.
Despite the midterm fiasco, the content hadn’t changed much.
Though not significantly different, there were slight changes.
“ ti or capture all enemy points.”
The final exam was similar to many gas.
Teams were divided into two, and each team had squads assigned by the team leaders.
Unlike the midterms, there’s no elimination concept. When knocked out, a protective barrier activates.
However, once the barrier activates, you’re imdiately evacuated. After simple treatnt, you can respawn.
“There are three points to capture. Each respawn point has one nearby capture point, with the ‘castle’ in the middle. You can resupply or craft weapons at capture points. That’s up to you.”
“Resupply? Does that an we have to handle als too?”
“Exactly. During the exam, you must manage als yourself.”
In short, if your supply line is cut, you starve. Strategy seems simple just hearing this.
The issue is the castle. The longer you hold it, the exponentially higher the score.
So you can decide to dominate the other two points and starve out the castle or conduct a normal siege.
“Lastly, there are siege weapons. Cannons and various weapons are scattered throughout the exam area. The further from the capture points, the stronger the weapons. But they’ll be heavier too.”
He stressed the importance of reconnaissance. Stop enemies from bringing weapons or intercept them en route.
It seed simple but allowed for various strategies. That’s the charm of conquest.
‘But what about ?’
Overwhelming strength makes everything moot. Once I step in, survival becos the priority.
Others must be thinking similarly. I wondered when they’d address this.
“Now, I’ll announce the teams. Team A: Luna Estelle, Grace Del Berche…”
Marlboro started announcing the roster. I listened quietly.
Not in Team A, so I’m probably in Team B. Team A mbers started murmuring.
“Team B: Kara yer Hectorsdottir, Antonio… (omitted)… that’s all.”
“?”
What? Where’s my na?
My na wasn’t in Team A or Team B. Did I mishear?
But Kara raised her hand, voicing her confusion.
“Professor? You didn’t ntion Sivar.”
“I was getting to that.”
Marlboro looked at with a complicated expression.
He sighed deeply and spoke quietly.
“Sivar won’t participate as a student. Instead…”
From those words, I had one thought.
“He’ll participate as a siege weapon or rcenary.”
Balancing must’ve been extrely difficult.
End of Chapter
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