60
With the last low-level magic, the friendship and gift of the assassination twins ‘Grinner,’ I now only have the final exam left.
However.
Because everything has been going too well so far, there was one thing I had overlooked.
What comes after the end of the first semester is the ‘summer’ vacation.
And just like the end of the first semester, the season of the final exams, too, is ‘summer.’
That’s right.
Summer.
“….”
Wearing the neat school uniform as usual, I stepped outside and raised my hand to shield my eyes from the sunlight before closing them for a moment.
The scorching sun.
The burning earth.
The cicada sounds layering like background music.
At the same time, the heat enveloping inside the uniform.
“….Even if you look at the time, it’s barely July.”
Is there global warming even here?
This place is a real mix of medieval and nonsensical fantasy world, so there are no air conditioners, and most convenient magical tools are turned into jewels engraved with magic spells, so there should be no environmental pollution happening.
Anyway, it’s hot.
It’s unbelievably hot for July.
I brushed my hair back and murmured.
“I should change and come back. I’m sure there was a hanbok in the closet.”
“Oh, Adrian? Oh?”
As I turned my body, someone approached me.
Oh, right, we were supposed to go to the classroom together.
“Reyna.”
“Yes, Adrian. Are you okay with this attire in this weather? Aren’t you hot?”
“You…?”
“I’m wearing a hanbok? How does it look? Does it suit me?”
Saying that, Reyna spun around once, put her hand on her waist, and looked at me.
A luxurious short-sleeved shirt made of fine fabric, and a ribbon.
A skirt, black stockings, and heels.
While I was looking at her, I said.
“It suits you. But can you wait for a moment, sorry.”
“Is Adrian coming in hanbok too?”
“Yes.”
I can tell very well because I’ve been standing here for 3 minutes.
Yes.
It was summer.
***
So.
I also changed into hanbok and came out.
“It suits you, Adrian!”
“Does it? It feels awkward with the loose sleeves.”
I wore the same short-sleeved shirt with gold thread on the edges and white accents.
But men’s hanbok has shirt buttons and thin long pants, which are different.
I kept wearing the same shoes I wore with my suit.
“It’s better to not sweat in the front.”
“Is there a reason?”
“It’s hot. But if it’s like this now, I wonder how hot it will be around August.”
Fanning herself with her hand, Reyna walked ahead.
It really looks hot.
No, it’s actually hot.
Yes.
It’s summer.
As befitting the “Academy Youth RPG” that Salenium Saga purports to be, various events happen in the summer.
Like going to the beach with friends or traveling to a valley.
And it’s great for increasing character affinity.
The main story flows again with the start of the second semester, and the summer vacation is a period for “raising favorability and preparing for Act 3.”
From Act 3 of the main story, the demons hidden in the underground start to emerge, and the academy becomes significantly gloomier. The difficulty level has doubled compared to before.
“Adrian, do you have any summer plans?”
“Hmm.”
As Reyna asked while heading towards the School of Magic building.
Summer plans.
For the nobles who casually throw around their names, they return to their hometowns during the vacation. The portal usage fee is originally sufficient, and there’s nothing much to do even if they stay in Selenium. However, for commoners, who are already penniless to the point of not being able to eat properly due to paying the expensive tuition fees, they have to pay a considerable amount of money for the portal carriage fee to return home.
So, most commoners return to their hometowns only after graduation.
As for me…
“I have nowhere to go. Right now, Merin Manor 103 is everything to me.”
Ephnis asked if I had any intention of returning as a “guest” to the Repelheight family during the vacation, but of course, I have no such intention.
Are you crazy?
Seems like I’ve completely lost my mind.
“I see. Well, then, should I also not go back?”
What is this person talking about?
“You, of all people, have a territory and a family to take responsibility for. You should go back. I don’t have to worry about it.”
“That’s true… Well, then, let’s go on a trip.”
“Weren’t we talking about that last time?”
Come to think of it, Reyna did mention something about a trip last time.
“More specifically. Well, since our territory has a sea, we can rent the entire place and take everyone, from Kalen, Milije, Ephnis, to Relbrian, and have fun. It will decorate an unforgettable summer!”
The guy looked at me with sparkling eyes.
I heard some names I couldn’t ignore in the middle, but I decided to overlook it because I’m generous.
That’s also good, but…
“First, we have to deal with the final exams.”
“Ugh.”
Reyna sighed as if all the energy had drained out of her.
Having fun is good, but a student’s duty is to study.
* * *
“As you all know, there are only 20 days left until the final exams.”
In the classroom.
From the platform, the voice of Professor Walnut, with a truly annoying face, resonated.
“Some say, ‘Oh, there are only 20 days left.’ Others say, ‘There are still 20 days left.’ But no matter how they say it, I don’t think it’s my concern.”
Saying that, Professor Walnut smiled broadly.
“The most important thing is that the final exams are not like the written and theoretical exams from the midterm. How great is that? I’m excited. Aren’t you?”
He nudged the person next to him.
With a dead expression, he quietly replied.
“Yes, Professor. I’m very excited.”
“Doesn’t seem exciting. When you go back to the lab later…”
“No! Too! Exciting! Wow! It’s not a theory of note-taking! Then, I don’t have to stay up all night grading papers. How exciting! …Is this how it’s done?”
“Good, very lively.”
Professor Walnut laughed heartily and patted Melwood Elian’s shoulder, then took a deep breath and looked at me.
A bewildered look.
Well.
He decided to endure as a ‘freshman’, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
It’s not my business.
I hope to graduate and become a strong supporter of our faction with pride.
‘Endure for 2 years.’
“…Yes.”
So, exchanging glances with others, Professor Walnut spoke again.
“So, with just 20 days left, I’ve decided to reveal the contents of the final exam. Probably the same content is being delivered to all grades right now.”
Final exam.
The students in the classroom became serious at those words.
Reyna was no exception.
Professor Walnut also looked around the classroom seriously and said,
“The theme of this final exam is… Ta-da-da-da…”
From Noble mtl dot com
I already know.
“Siege warfare.”
Siege warfare.
My heart fluttered.
“Do you not understand what I’m saying? Of course not. It’s simple. Divide half of the grade into defense and the other half into offense. Defense will protect the castle for 3 days, and the offense will capture the castle within 3 days to determine the outcome. Very simple, right?”
Of course.
This is Selenium.
That’s how balanced it is.
“The defense team with the castle is actually very advantageous. So, a few more outstanding students will be on the attacking team. Don’t feel unfairly treated. The problem is the side that lost the castle. Any questions?”
At that, Reyna raised her hand.
“Wolfgang, the question is…”
“Summarize in 3 lines or less. Professor, how will the evaluation criteria be in this exam?”
“That was a good question. First of all, the winning team will receive a very advantageous score. Of course, not only that, all of your actions will be observed by the faculty. Additional points will be given to those who volunteer for dangerous missions like using personal combat magic and tactical strategies, as well as ‘special operations’ for both teams.”
So, even if you lose in the siege warfare, if you have made a considerable effort, you will receive corresponding points.
There are 20 days left until the final exam siege warfare.
It’s long, but in a way, it’s also a short period of time.
And…
“Oh, this was supposed to be discussed after the final exam, but it doesn’t matter to me, so I’ll say it now.”
His casually thrown remark.
“After all the final exam scores are out, so about a week after the exams end… the vacation ceremony is scheduled to take place.”
It was enough to make all the students in the classroom turn their heads.
* * *
Summer vacation, the sea, valleys, swimsuits – amidst the excitement of the students, Reina and I escaped from the lecture hall.
As we walked side by side, she kept fidgeting, prompting me to ask what was wrong.
“Adrian, um, I’m really, truly sorry, but can I have lunch with Kelly and Relbrian today?”
She asked, bowing her head slightly.
No…
“Isn’t it your freedom to choose who to have lunch with in the first place?”
“Huh? Weren’t you always eating with me during lunchtime? I always thought you ate with Adrian.”
Was she really thinking that way?
“It’s not exactly like that. If you want to have lunch with your friends, I won’t stop you…”
“No, I should ask. Adrian is my fiancé after all. hahahaha, you understand, right?”
“Of course. Oh, right. Reina, if you have time after eating, could you stop by the playground I used to visit before afternoon classes?”
“That’s not a problem. Well then, I’ll go ahead. See you later, Adrian.”
Reina said as she waved and walked away.
Alone now.
It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way, roaming around with that Reina guy all the time.
When I first entered the academy, I didn’t mind being alone, but now that the guy who was always by my side is gone, it feels empty.
Maybe if I go to a public dining hall, everyone at the tables around me might leave, so I’ll just choose a suitable restaurant and eat alone.
“I vaguely remember a good restaurant in the central district.”
As I muttered to myself while walking alone.
…
I had to stop.
There.
Someone was standing in my way.
Beige split hair.
Familiar figure.
“Miligein. What are you doing there…?”
“Senior.”
As I approached, he turned his expressionless face slightly to the side.
What, scary.
“Miligein.”
“Yes, Senior.”
“Why are you…?”
“Why aren’t you keeping your promise?”
…What?
“Did you happen to forget? No, I’m sure a senior like you wouldn’t forget. Were you just thinking about when would be a good time? hahahaha… But now, there are only 20 days left until the final exams. Senior? Senior? Senior?”