59 – Exchange Battle –
After all the events were over, I returned to the Academy.
Even if the Academy has its issues,
I missed it because freedom was suppressed.
Of course, even here, it’s not that easy to restrict freedom.
But the way others look at you is different.
“I’ve come back from hell.”
So, after leaving prison and returning to the Academy,
No one was there.
I thought there would be at least one or two people to welcome me.
Cold-hearted folks.
Come to think of it, the time I spent outside the Academy seems longer than the time I spent inside.
Given the circumstances of kidnapping, dispatching, and detention, it might be appropriate to drop out as an Academy student.
Of course, telling the headmaster this wouldn’t make a difference.
It didn’t matter, so I went in as it was.
The place I had to go after entering was the office of academic affairs.
Even if it’s detention for political purposes, detention is detention.
I have to report to the academic affairs office and fill out the necessary documents.
“I’m here.”
I didn’t bother knocking on the door, so I just walked right in.
Now, no one asks what I’m doing here.
When impoliteness becomes familiar, it no longer appears impolite but rather friendly.”
Or just gave up.
“Yeah. Did you come?”
“Couldn’t you at least be a little worried? I stayed in the north for two weeks.”
“They must have had good heating there, and the gardener wouldn’t have said anything to you, right? It’s not even a few months, just two weeks. Isn’t that a rest?”
“Not being able to go around when I want, not being able to do what I want, it’s the same thing. Then I’ll find a woman and accuse you of s*xual harassment, how about being imprisoned for a few weeks?”
“I’ll pass on that.”
Professor Cosmos joked with me without a care in the world.
I don’t know what kind of professor he is. We just became friends.
I was sassing him on the first day.
People say he has a good personality to the point of being called an adult gentleman.
Because there wasn’t much time to waste like this.
I got straight to the point.
“So where is Professor Maximilian? I have something to receive from him, or the president.”
“He’s busy right now. It’s almost exam season, so he has to prepare all sorts of things.”
“…? Exams?”
“Yeah. Didn’t you get the notice?”
“No. The school that takes exams after the festival… Ah, it’s two weeks later.”
“Explain now. The exams are next week. You’ve got about three weeks to do well.
Your major is one that doesn’t require a written exam, so at least you’ll pass.”
There’s no way I wouldn’t pass.
If I’m not at a level to pass, then the contract activates on its own.
If I show my awakening, it’s supposed to pass, right?
It’s just that there are a few things that might happen after that, which are really messed up, so I can’t.
“I’ll take care of this for you. Go inside and prepare for the exam.”
“Yes. I understand.”
He’s definitely a good professor.
How could he say he’ll personally take care of the paperwork?
If there were more people like him, the evil faction wouldn’t be gaining power so easily.
As for the legion and the apostles, it’s not really related to their tendencies.
They say I have to take the exam, but I’m not really worried.
The knight department only had a written test during admission, followed by practical exams thereafter.
That’s how the first day at the academy passed after the retreat.
“But… Is it right to let it slide just because they cracked a joke?”
It was an incomprehensible aspect of human nature, but I considered it possible.
—-
WFS was established in the United States. The lifestyle here resembles that of early modern Europe.
It follows a September semester system.
There are several differences between the September semester system and Korea’s March semester system.
There are a total of 4 quarters and 2 semesters.
Each semester comprises 2 quarters.
Exams take place at the end of each semester.
And the most significant difference from Korea is that there’s only one vacation.
“Of course, after the first semester, we get about three weeks off for Christmas holidays… It’s not part of the vacation period, though.”
Certainly, there are almost advantages to this.
The vacation lasts for 2 months.
Primarily because the Christmas holiday is classified as a national holiday.
“In the end, it’s all about the exams. Still, I should consider it fortunate that there are no midterms.”
Whether it’s due to Korea’s intense focus on education or America’s relatively relaxed attitude, this academy, modeled after the American education system, holds exams just twice a year.
Once at the end of each semester.
And now, the first exam period of this winter is approaching.
“Have you prepared for the exam?”
“Do you think I’ll fail?”
“No. But if you don’t want to get caught, you have to creatively outsmart. And your reason to excel in grades hasn’t disappeared, has it? You’re already famous, as the princess’s boyfriend.”
“Don’t say things I don’t want to hear.”
During my absence from the academy, my reputation had spread far and wide.
In the end, it is true that I saved the princess.
I stayed with the princess at the academy while hiding her identity.
Maximilian confirmed it midway, and the Saint of Healing also confirmed it.
Therefore, the information that was openly revealed to others is that the princess disguised herself and accompanied me.
The problem lies in the fact that I saved the princess and was imprisoned for two weeks as a result.
To avoid as much responsibility as possible for the academy’s failure to protect the princess, it seems they emphasized the fact that the princess disguised herself and accompanied me.
In reality, there were times when I found the princess late because her face was like that during the chaotic situation.
‘Although I’m not going to change my behavior just because I’m going back. Still, it’s annoying.’
The truth is not important to the guards.
Stories that are not true but are entertaining are more important.
And the love affairs of the nobles have always been a popular topic.
“I heard they could communicate using magic birds in prison… Did they contact each other?”
“Of course they did. It was a whole two weeks.”
“Princess Alice’s complexion and condition weren’t good for the two weeks. Maybe her boyfriend left her.”
“But the royal family said it wasn’t true, right?”
“Well, the nobles usually have political marriages. They wouldn’t officially date.
They’re just friends, but they kiss and hug each other and sleep under the same blanket. That’s all.”
The voices that I heard around me were very annoying.
The news of my return sparked conversations and speculations about the princess again.
‘But there shouldn’t have been any room for speculation in the official statements… How are they spreading these rumors?’
Of course, officially, the princess and I were denied any romantic involvement in any case.
‘Oh right. Now that I think about it, there were also nuns on Earth who were caught having relationships with Dante, the current Pope.’
Humans believe only what they want to see.
Just like there are people who won’t believe that turning on a fan at night won’t kill you, even if you tell them to die from it.
There are certain perceptions that never change.
In fact, there are many people who don’t believe in our relationship.
Because we have very little interaction and also because it’s quite well known that I have rejected numerous confessions from women over the past few years.
[Is there a reason you can’t date?]
-Once you become famous, it limits your activities. You’re pretty, though. But I have a lot of other things to do, so I can’t date.
“I see.”
Angels were beings that existed before humans even established civilization. Though they had some knowledge of life thanks to the activities of other creatures like dragons and elves during that time, they knew very little about the human ecosystem. Hence, they accepted anything related to humans without questioning.
If you were to ask why, you’d have to start from the very beginning.
“It’s almost the end of the semester.”
“I hardly ever show up at the academy. I’m just taking exams, including the pop quizzes.”
“Some of them are based on your reports.”
“Shut up.”
While waiting for the announcement of the end-of-semester exam schedule, we gathered around the academy information board. Eventually, information was posted on the board.
Amidst the gathering of numerous students looking to find out about the departmental exams, Professor Maximilian Wilhelm, who was practically a representative of the professors, posted the schedule on a large board.
“For this semester’s final exams, we will replace them with an exchange competition against other academies.”
After the announcement was made public, everyone had the same thought.
“What nonsense is this?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“So, our exam scores depend on us challenging other schools?”
“Can we just handle it so casually like this?”
“Professor Maximilian personally posted this, so the dean must have approved it… In that case, we have to go along with it, right?”
Sometimes, it was easy to forget that this world was still in the modern age. Actions that were considered impossible in the modern world due to various restrictions and public opinion could become possible under the will of influential figures.
Reflecting on the fact that even Benito Mussolini had challenged five critics and politicians to duels, defeating them all and gaining popularity, it became apparent that in the modern age, such things were not entirely impossible.
Contrary to my resignation, this situation was odd to other students who had lived through the modern era, and the gazes of those around me had changed. Professor Maximilian understood this, or at least, that’s what I assumed.
“I’ll tell you the detailed schedule later.”
“No, do you mean the detailed schedule hasn’t been properly set?”
“There’s pressure from the Academy. What’s certain is that the high-ranking individuals want the exchange event now. That’s why we had no choice but to replace the exam.
If even we were pressured by the real aristocrats.”
And Maximilian’s explanation was enough to raise doubts.
“Exchange event now? Something seems suspicious. Is there a reason to do it now?”
Except for fundamental benefits like skill improvement, an idol is born if there’s a star to support.
But if they intentionally open an exchange event like this, there would be a strong backlash.
Why would they do that?
“Do you think it’s because of me?”
If someone moved up the exchange event to gain honor in the exchange event, I hope it’s not because of me.
Please.
I hope it’s not.
—-
“So, what’s the plan now? Is there any other way?”
Someone starts a conversation through a communication device in a dimly lit room.
It’s the same place where they planned to attack the festival before.
“Well, for now… since the security for the Second Princess has been reinforced even more, we should target the Second Princess.”
“What’s the reason for that? It might be better to target another noble.”
“No, targeting the Princess is the right choice. If you don’t count the Second Princess, it’s difficult to deal with Eperento the First Prince, Ariel the First Princess, Bubbleton the Third Princess, and Daniel the Second Prince, all together.”
“Then maybe Dragonheart…”
“How are you going to get to him? Based on his personality, he’s not someone who will answer even if he commits suicide. So it’s better to stick to the plan.”
“It’s practically our last chance.”
“That’s right. So this is our last chance. Let’s prepare thoroughly. If the sacrifice ritual fails again this time…”
“We’ll have to resort to Plan Z.”
“We don’t really wish for that. Let’s prepare properly.”
[Understood.]
It is inevitable for the birth of an adult in the diabolical sect by the Holy Virgin.
However, the process can change at any time.
Abraxas’ actions did not have much influence on the birth of an adult.
But it was bringing significant change to the diabolical sect.
“I hope your will be fulfilled once again in this land…”
The high bishop of the diabolical sect waited for the next moment.
For the adult who would unify all the sects on earth.
Surely it’s something like murdering the members