After all, theory was his strong point.
As all practical tests were replaced with written ones, the midterm exam progressed more quickly.
"Those who have completed the exam may submit their test papers and leave."
Each ti, Gerhard left the exam room before others. Then, using the remaining ti, he knocked on the door of a professor's office.
"A temporary instructor application?"
Professor Rosalia Wienderk frowned as she carefully checked the docunts she had flipped through.
"Is there a problem?"
"There are so many problems that I don't know where to start pointing them out."
Professor Rosalia closed the docunts.
"This is a system for upper-year students who are short on credits."
Being a temporary instructor ant that upper-year students would go out as safety personnel for lower-year students' practical training.
It was common for upper-year students who lacked credits to go out to fill them, but occasionally, students aiming for higher rankings would also apply since extra points were sotis added.
"I'm also a bit short on credits. I took it easy in my first year, enjoying academy life."
"After forming a pair with Luina Berchef, did you suddenly develop an aspiration for the top rank that wasn't there before?"
"I thought I should at least match my partner."
Still not possible, she shook her head.
"The reason upper-year students can be temporary instructors is because the higher the year, the fewer required courses there are. If you miss classes to work as an instructor, it's putting the cart before the horse."
"That's why I thought I'd try just this once."
"The first joint survival class for first-years lasts a week. Even for upper-year students, it's impossible."
The implication was that missing an entire week would definitely impact several lectures.
"I understand that the sa subject can be substituted with instructor activities."
It wasn't just "Magic Survival Skills." In the case of such large-scale practical training, it was common to bundle three 5-credit courses, including "Combat, War, and Magic" and "Exploration of Magical Creatures and Monsters," into one.
Just like the first joint practical training for second-years.
In other words, by stepping up as a temporary instructor, one could cover all three at once.
"'Introduction to Runic Linguistics,' 'Understanding of Incantations, Spells, and Formulas,' 'Structure and Principles of Magic Circles,' 'Elent Magic (Earth),' 'Interdiate Alchemy,' 'Magic Stone Processing and Crafting,' 'Golem Magic Engineering,' 'Research on Magical Equipnt' are left."
Professor Rosalia recited the required and elective courses Gerhard was taking.
"If you want a higher rank, you shouldn't miss these courses, right?"
"One absence won't be a big problem. And 'Golem Magic Engineering' is being substituted with assignnts, so I don't necessarily need to attend."
"Why go to such lengths?"
"If I want to raise my rank belatedly, don't I need to exert myself a bit more?"
She stared at Gerhard intently. Gerhard didn't avoid her gaze.
"According to the academy rules, there are two conditions for working as a temporary instructor."
"One is to be in the top 10, and the other is that one cannot participate in the practical training of sa-year or upper-year students."
This was because, since it involved managing other students in relatively dangerous situations, a clear difference in level was necessary.
"But I et both conditions."
Gerhard was 10th in the magic departnt, and the exam he was targeting was for first-years.
"...Alright. Since there's no problem according to the rules, I'll process it as you wish. But dealing with the aftermath is entirely your responsibility."
"Thank you."
Gerhard bowed.
Indeed, it was right to go through Professor Rosalia, who wouldn't raise issues as long as it didn't violate the principles.
'But I hope I can just do the instructor job smoothly.'
He was preparing for a contingency, but obtaining mithril while acting as an instructor was truly a last resort.
Gerhard hoped that this 'contingency' would not occur.
***
"...Now I can finally breathe a bit. My head was throbbing."
After eating a sweet chocolate, Luina finally heaved a deep sigh.
"Was the exam difficult?"
"Duels or practical tests would have been much better. It's just that everything was replaced with written exams..."
Being a knight didn't an being physically fit but intellectually dull.
The basic cultivation and education of knights were quite high, and soone entering the academy wouldn't be stupid.
Nevertheless, as knights, preferring practical over written tests was a matter of habit and instinct. This would be especially true for her, who had achieved second place through her skills.
"By the way, is there no more problem with that now?"
"Probably."
"Your answer is quite vague."
"I don't know everything."
Since he didn't rember the entire prophecy book, he had no way of knowing whether the monsters in the northern region would go berserk again or not.
"Then what about the demon? The one who demonized Veriana must be inside the academy, right?"
"Certainly. I think the sa. I plan to investigate soon."
He was thinking of assigning it to Hyde when he returned in a few days. Finding a demon was never easy, so he was the perfect person for the job.
"But I can't help feeling uneasy. Are you sure we don't need to report to the professors...?"
"If we tell them, they'll ask how we knew. Then naturally, we'd have to reveal Veriana's incident. It's just this once. Next ti, we'll report imdiately."
"So you think the demons will act again?"
Gerhard nodded.
There was no need to bring up the prophecy book. After all, it's always the first ti that's difficult, the second ti is easier.
"But why specifically the academy? What are they aiming for?"
"This is just my guess, but the academy is a place where the best talents from the Empire and surrounding countries gather. If sothing happens here..."
"It's no different from ruining the future of the Empire. I understand."
I can't let that happen. Luina beca unnecessarily resolute.
"Feel free to call whenever you need help. If it's related to demons, that is."
"I will."
Gerhard smiled with satisfaction at her making promises without him needing to say more.
Then I can use her for free all the way through.
"By the way, there was no spirit dicine from the beginning, right?"
"That's right."
"I understand. Honestly, if you had bluntly said 'demon,' I probably wouldn't have believed you."
"Thanks for understanding."
Perhaps she would only realize much later just how foolish a promise she had made.
***
Whether demons descended, monsters went berserk, or Luina sold her future for free, ti flowed on.
And the controversial midterm exam finally ended.
Since most of the exams were replaced with written tests due to the anomaly of monsters going berserk, the results ca out quite quickly.
Gerhard pushed through the buzzing students to check the ranking list posted on the bulletin board.
[Academy Second Year First Sester Midterm Exam Magic Departnt Ranking]
[1st. Gerhard Goldenheim
2nd. Carlo Deneb
3rd. Rudger Schwaben
4th. Daisy....]
"They say Gerhard is first?"
"Did ranking first in this practical training have a big impact?"
"What are you talking about? This practical training is separate. It's not added to the midterm exam."
"What? Then how?"
"...Of course, the final rank will include the final exam, but how did he manage it all at once...?"
The academy's rankings were determined solely by combining the required courses. Elective courses were given separate credits, but they had little impact on the ranking list.
All students were confused.
Although Gerhard had suddenly started showing excellent grades this sester, no one had imagined that he would achieve first place in the midterm exam in one go.
While everyone was pondering the exact cause.
"...This is a bit unexpected."
Gerhard knew the exact cause.
'The butterfly effect of the demon resulted in this?'
Due to the monsters' berserk outbreak, all midterm exams were replaced with written tests.
From the beginning, he had been filling the gap in his practical skills with written tests to maintain his rank.
Perhaps it was a natural progression.
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