Chapter: 109
The students at the academy don’t really share a sense of camaraderie.
Though they feel like they’re all classmates from the same year, that’s about it.
Instead of sitting in the same classroom with the same people for each lesson, they move between various classrooms to attend whichever class they desire, making it difficult to build any real connections.
They might care about their close friends, but it’s only natural to be indifferent to those they aren’t close to.
Because of this, if someone misses class, the professor might notice, but the other students wouldn’t bat an eye.
However, just before the midterm exam for History at 9 AM, the students in that class felt a noticeable absence.
Among the first-year students at the Soul Academy, there was one standout figure: Lady Lucy Allen.
Lucy Allen had yet to show up.
It was strange.
She had never once missed class before.
Admittedly, she spent more time looking at her desk than the board, but she consistently participated.
So, why hadn’t she suddenly appeared for the exam?
While there were many rumors surrounding her, she had always been the center of attention.
It was only natural for many students to be curious about her absence.
“Why didn’t she come?”
“Is she not confident about the exam?”
“Maybe she tried to use some shady means and got scared and ran away.”
“She might be pretending to be sick and can’t take the exam?”
Now that I think about it, the dormitory head was looking for Lucy Allen yesterday.
Was she not in the dormitory yesterday?
What strange thing is she planning now?
In the midst of the students’ whispers, the door opened, and the history professor walked into the classroom.
With his white hair and wrinkled face, he leaned heavily on his cane as he slowly surveyed the room.
“There’s someone missing?”
The professor mentioned the name that everyone was gossiping about.
He didn’t know why Lucy Allen was absent just because he was an enthusiastic teacher who remembered every student’s face.
It was simply because the bold Countess had left a vivid impression on him by calling him “old man professor.”
How often does a high-ranking history scholar get called a “dentured old man” by someone else?
“I don’t know what the circumstances are, but an exam is an exam. Even if you’re late, that can’t be helped…”
BAM!
As the history professor continued his statement on sticking to principles, the back door burst open, and a figure appeared.
Armored with visible battle scars,
carrying a shield larger than an average man’s torso.
Her hair was a mess, as if she had rushed over without care.
It was Lucy Allen.
The center of attention just moments ago walked in, gasping for breath and sweeping her hair back.
“Lady Allen? What on earth…?”
The professor was taken aback by her battle-worn appearance, but Lucy Allen was unfazed.
“What’s up? Old man professor.”
“Why did you come to take the exam in armor?”
“There’s no rule against wearing armor, right? Or have you lost your mind and started to forget things? If that’s not the case, then I don’t see why it should be a problem.”
The history professor bit his lip.
He had a lot to say.
Even if there wasn’t a rule, decorum and common sense still mattered, right?
Can anyone just waltz in, fully clad for battle, and scare their fellow students during an exam?
There were countless points to argue about.
However, the history professor decided to say nothing.
From past experience, he knew that if he said one more thing, he would only be met with a barrage of poisonous words.
Growing older had made the history professor more sensitive, and he didn’t want to risk adding wounds to his heart by arguing with a brash student.
“Please have a seat. We’ll start the exam shortly.”
*
“Uh, excuse me…”
“Hey, do you have a spare pen? I’ll use your shoddy pen for now, so hand it over.”
“Yes… Sure!”
Thanks to the kind cooperation of the student sitting in front of me, I got a pen, pulled off my gauntlet, and stretched.
Huff. I really thought I’d be late for the exam.
Our Shoddy God gave me a quest to come in first for the academy exam, and I almost messed it up!
If it were something ordinary, that would be one thing, but getting an inventory quest is precious — I couldn’t just let that slip away.
The potential uses of inventory are endless.
If I had had the inventory, I could’ve taken off the armor and worn my uniform!
That way, I wouldn’t have to hear whispers like, “What’s with her?” “Is she out there smashing things?” “That’s scary.” “Maybe she shouldn’t have come.”
Sigh. It’s not like people whispering about me is new, so whatever.
Besides, I need to turn on the log function and check the exam material.
Knowing I could cheat legally made me smile, but when I opened the log window, I was met with a completely different kind of text than I was expecting.
Sloppy♡
Trash♡
Garbage♡
Moron♡
Old hag♡
The log window was filled with content about the battle and dialogue that had occurred at Adri’s mansion yesterday.
“Huh?”
“Wait, WHAT?!”
With a puzzled mind, I quickly scrolled up the log only to see the top entry read, “Moron Knight’s subject♡” and I slammed my head onto the desk.
This is absurd.
No way, this is weird.
The log being filled because I fought all day and night yesterday?
Where did the notes from my history textbooks go?!
You lousy log!
Return the study notes I desperately recorded!
Was it worthless in-game only to be useless in reality too?!
Am I destined to remain a loser in life?
It should at least be useful in moments like this! You useless feature!
Young lady. What’s wrong?
‘… Grandpa. Please save me!’
Grandpa, please save me!
At this rate, I’ll end up betting on the history exam instead of taking it!
Of course, I’d still get some score, but I can’t be sure if I’d end up coming in first for the midterms!
So please help me, Grandpa!
If you had been studying from the start, none of this would’ve happened.
‘But…’
But nothing! I told you I wouldn’t help you; that’s your punishment. Accept it.
Nooo! Grandpa!
Don’t be mean to me!
I messed up!
I won’t do this again, I swear! Please!
I begged earnestly, but the petty grandpa was resolute.
Are you still holding a grudge about being shoved into the toilet?
It’s been days since then, and you, the legendary holy knight, are still whining about it?!
Damn it. No choice now.
If it’s come to this, let’s leave the history exam up to dice god.
With Agra’s Curse cast upon me, my luck should be higher than the last exam, leading to a higher average score.
I’ll be satisfied with that, and I can focus on getting high scores in the other subjects.
With that resolution, as I mentally numbered the sides of my writing tools, Grandpa’s voice came to me again.
If you promise me one thing, I’ll help you.
‘… What is it?’
Once this exam is over, you need to start studying properly from the basics.
Eeeek! Grandpa!
You’re throwing the most annoying condition tethered to my exam score!
How wicked!
Is there no compassionate being in this world?!
Well, there aren’t!
Our Shoddy God is acting like a deity, so how can I expect mercy from heaven?!
What do you think?
‘I understand.’
I paused a moment to think, but my answer came fast.
I had been thinking it would be wise to cover at least the basics anyway.
Besides, I needed to find something to do during my nightly training to boost my magic!
It will surely be boring and tedious, but I’ll have to try it out.
Is that a promise?
‘Don’t worry! I’ll keep it!’
I normally wouldn’t refuse a promise like that once made.
With an unwavering will, I would find a way to keep studying.
Probably.
Good! Now, let’s start with question one. The Soladin Kingdom…
*
Jack watched a girl in one corner dozing off.
Eyes weary from fatigue,
face slack in a sloppy manner.
A tiny girl showing no sign of tension at all.
With her eyes closed and saying nothing, she looked just like a doll in a showcase due to her exterior charm.
Lucy Allen.
As long as she keeps her mouth shut, it’s bearable.
But once she starts talking, it’s a disaster waiting to happen!
Jack couldn’t shake off his dislike for Lucy Allen, even after some time had passed since the previous incident.
He couldn’t like her because somewhere deep down, she acted recklessly, trusting her genius.
But now she wouldn’t be able to act so high and mighty.
Rumor has it she hasn’t really paid attention to any classes this semester.
Moreover, no one had seen her study personally.
No matter how brilliant Lucy Allen is, you can’t get good grades without at least opening a book.
She’s going to pay the price for her negligence this time.
I’m curious about what face she’ll make when she gets left behind by those she ignored.
Heh. When that day comes, I’ll need to find a way to laugh at her.
“Next! Lady Lucy Allen from the Allen family! And Lady Frey Kent from the Kent family!”
After the duel of the two students ended, the combat studies teacher, Anton, called out the next person to take the exam.
Despite Anton’s loud voice, Lucy Allen still did not wake up.
Had she been slacking all this time, or did she pull an all-nighter studying?
Just as Jack thought how pathetic her laziness was, Frey Kent approached Lucy Allen and pinched her cheek.
Students around gasped at Frey Kent’s rudeness towards the famously hot-tempered Lucy Allen, but Frey Kent didn’t care one bit.
“Wake up.”
When Frey Kent pinched her cheek again, Lucy Allen finally opened her eyes.
As soon as she awoke, Lucy Allen lunged at Frey Kent, tackling her down, lifting her fist in the air.
A perfect ambush with no chance for the opponent to react.
Though she must’ve been startled from the impact, Frey Kent didn’t even flinch, responding smoothly as usual.
“Uh, the duel hasn’t started yet.”
Finally snap back to reality, Lucy Allen blinked and rolled off her.
There was no apology.
“Your temper’s really terrible.”
“Even if waking up is unpleasant, that was over the line, don’t you think?”
The students around them whispered, but Jack didn’t pay any attention.
That wasn’t mere venting of frustration.
It was more like an unconscious reaction.
What kind of training do the knights of the Allen family undergo to have such reactions?
It’s shocking.
There’s a reason they’re the best knight family on the continent.
As Lucy Allen rolled away, Frey Kent stood up, brushing off dirt from her clothes as she spoke.
“Lucy.”
“What do you want, Shoddy Swordsman?”
“Mind if I take the first move?”
“Do as you like.”
She seemed more pleased to have the first move rather than focused on the fact that she was just attacked.
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