Chapter 68
As they continued with the bead tower stacking training and research club activities, time passed swiftly.
With the assignment season over and some time left until the final exams, it was a precious period where current students could take a moment to catch their breath.
During this time, students could be broadly divided into two categories: those without aspirations as heroes wasted even more meaningless time, while those with a bit of ambition delved into self-improvement or explored areas they hadn’t encountered before.
While spending time separately, the moment of presenting the assignment results approached everyone alike.
“Alicia, did you do well on the test?”
“Thankfully, they evaluated it positively.”
Suddenly, Emily approached. She seemed a bit upset, perhaps because Alicia’s grades were quite good.
Alicia showed her grade sheet. Perfect scores in all 7 subjects. The Katia, converted to an average, was noted as the highest score of 10.
Emily clicked her tongue, but nodded, saying it wouldn’t be strange for Alicia to receive such high marks.
“What about Serena?”
“……”
Serena used displaying her grade sheet as a form of communication. Except for one subject, she scored the highest in all.
“Oh… Oh. Everyone’s doing well…?”
Emily, with a slightly deflated demeanor, slyly glanced at Pin. It seemed like Pin might have received grades similar to hers.
However, Pin casually shattered her expectations.
“Well, well… Pin…! I trusted only you…!”
“Huh? I don’t even have a single A+?”
“Still, most are between A and B+. You’ll get 8 Katia…!”
“So, what score would satisfy you…?”
Pin seemed puzzled, smiling, and returned her question.
After learning the scores of her classmates, Emily felt reluctant to reveal her own grade, but as the one who asked about everyone’s grades, she showed hers.
She received an A in one subject and B+ in the rest.
She was given 7 Katia.
One could consider it above average.
It wasn’t just individual ability but also the investment of time that could lead to a certain level of achievement in this assignment, so it wouldn’t be strange for both her and Pin to have high grades.
“…And you?”
Finally, Emily asked me.
The answer was expected, but perhaps due to recent constraints imposed by artifacts… she looked at me with eyes that seemed to wonder.
Ha.
A bitter laugh escaped.
“Those who are always mediocre tend to act the most ostentatiously.”
“…I thought my grades were quite good. But maybe not.”
My grades were naturally all A+ with the highest score, and the Katia I received was also the maximum.
Originally, I had no intention of revealing it to others. It was too obvious. It wasn’t even something to boast about.
Well, regardless, with this, my accumulated Katia had now reached 70. Still ranking first in the year.
Since grade advancement is not allowed in June.
The means to receive Katia in the first semester are only the May grade advancement and final exams. Unless there’s a sudden slip, maintaining the top spot is expected with only minor fluctuations.
While the score of Katia is important in its own right, what I aim for is not the score itself.
To finish the first year as the top student and receive a reward later.
It will be one of the precious, highly valuable items that can only be obtained at Academia, and will be one of the materials for creating the ‘weapon’ I want to make.
It must not be missed.
…However, since my skills are well known in Academia, even if the ranks are similar, participating in the grade advancement is becoming increasingly difficult.
As it is a duel agreed upon by both parties, if one shows refusal, they will not pass. And since there aren’t many who want to fight against a tough opponent, it’s getting harder as time goes by.
If there seems to be too little, it is necessary to skillfully manipulate the family or find a way to benefit from each other.
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“Well then, Bargan. I’ll go first.”
Pin bowed his head and then rushed to the training ground as if in a hurry, almost running. I heard he’s been living there lately.
Emily kept an eye on where Pin disappeared.
Though he is already gone, she began talking about Pin.
“Lately, Pin has been really training hard. It seems like he spends most of his time swinging his sword, excluding class time and waking hours.”
Emily had trained in the training ground several times, so she had witnessed the scene. Pin was pouring all his time into the sword without any waste.
“Recently, he’s been training at the training ground with the ‘Ga-ji’ members and Leon’s group. The training intensity is tremendous, I wonder if his body can handle it…”
“Is it something to worry about?”
“Yes, it is. It’s so obvious that he’s pushing himself too hard.”
Emily is worried that Pin’s body will break down.
A killer schedule.
Although viewed from the perspective of an ordinary person, considering that he has magic and has been trained to become a hero, Pin’s body is clearly under pressure.
“Even so, we can’t reduce the intensity of his training.”
“I know… because it’s what Pin wants.”
The original Pin is not different in character from now.
He didn’t have traumas like Alicia that hindered his growth, nor did he have even a small clue of the potential to develop in a unique field like Emily.
Always showing a bright side to others, he has been steadily working hard behind the scenes.
A man who tried to keep up, taking five steps for every one step others took.
Yet, he couldn’t catch up until the end, becoming a corpse without seeing even a glimmer of hope.
I don’t like the phrase ‘pushing too hard,’ but it is a necessary word for Pin. This is his last chance and his final resort.
Knowing this himself, he is pouring all his strength into it.
“I have to work even harder than I am now…”
Emily muttered to herself.
She looked at the door where Pin had left with trembling eyes. I spoke to Emily and the other members, who seemed to be immersed in their thoughts.
“Although Pin is Pin, there are more important matters.”
I gazed at Alicia, who was standing still. Her head tilted slightly.
“Alicia, for the time being, continue the activities of Arboll Prutal centered around you and Serena. The tasks and schedules have been set, so make them public so that everyone knows and confirms.”
“Yes, I understand. Master. I will do as you command. But… do you have other busy matters?”
Yes. Very busy matters.
It’s been 10 days since wearing the relic of Hailion. The remaining validity period is 20 days.
For the next 20 days, one must focus intensely during the remaining period of this relic, which lasts exactly one month.
“I will enter the Closed Gate training for the next 20 days.”
“Closed Gate training…? Master…?!”
It’s not that surprising. It’s just a 3-week practice in the dormitory even if it’s called Closed Gate training.
“Well, what about classes?”
“I’ll manage.”
“Oh…”
Alicia, trying to somehow make herself understood and not show any signs of confusion.
However, I didn’t speak without any plan. I am not a rebellious teenager who hates going to school and lacks a purpose or plan.
“When I calculated the remaining days, I realized that I can skip classes for the next three weeks without any academic repercussions. The pace of the classes and such trivial matters are of no concern.”
“Wait, hold on! What about the members of the Monarchs? Even if the branches and stems are manageable, the Monarchs are not people we can lead!”
Emily seemed to have developed a more disciplined mindset as a member of the research club. Initially filled with hesitation, she had now changed to be different.
…Still, worrying about unnecessary things.
“They are not within your scope of consideration. Just give simple instructions, and they will act accordingly. What’s there to worry about?”
An elite group is not simply an elite group.
In this activity as well, I am not teaching them something, but rather we are honing our skills and researching together. Therefore, I am not an indispensable presence.
“And there is another matter to announce.”
“What now?”
This is quite an important matter as well.
It concerns all members of Arboll Prutal.
“On the first day of next month, we will hold a promotion ceremony.”
So, on June 1st.
Arboll Prutal members will have their skills assessed, and those whose level is deemed to surpass that of the group will be promoted and transferred.
“Furthermore, those who succeed in the promotion will receive 10 gold coins, so be aware.”
“Money too?! Things seem to be getting serious.”
If human nature is placed above someone and symbolized, proving it can bring satisfaction and a sense of superiority.
Even just that will attract those with high noses, nobles, and commoners who aspire to stand above them.
Yet, offering prize money is to raise supplementary motivation. Some may run for the money, and even if not, it’s more satisfying when something material is at stake.
I am investing in their future.
Of course, I have no intention of easily letting go of the talents I have acquired.
“Understood?”
“We will follow your orders, sir.”
The engine of Arboll Prutal has just started to rev up.
***
“…So, for the time being, the Monarchs’ activities will proceed as planned. Also, please note that the Monarchs will not be involved in this first promotion ceremony.”
A separate gathering for the Monarchs.
When informed that they would be immersed in Baragan’s training for three weeks and might not be able to participate in the club activities, each person showed various reactions.
“Yes, then after three weeks, we can show our improved abilities.”
Ventelo left a message saying he looked forward to meeting again with a warm smile.
“That’s not true at all! Without you, won’t the research club activities be boring, Bar?”
Alexeria expressed her dissatisfaction with a hint of childishness in her voice.
Is this ‘Bar’ really referring to me? How should I handle this for real? Once everything is over, should I bury it in the ground along with Paula.
Baragan thought as he listened to her grumble.
“Got it. I’ll keep an eye on the research club to ensure no issues arise.”
Brockium, showing a senior-like demeanor, accepted his words. He, along with Alicia’s group, is filling in for Baragan’s absence.
“….”
The only one who remained silent was Francesca.
‘This is getting complicated….’
Outwardly, there was no hint of it, but she felt slightly perplexed.
The research society approached to obtain information about Vargan.
She had planned to quickly leave the society if she deemed it unsuitable after observing him, but she faced obstacles.
Once inside the society, it was possible to freely withdraw without any restrictions if one month had not passed.
Dealing with the resentment of the society members or evaluations from unrelated individuals was far less important to her than what she was trying to accomplish.
Of course, even after one month, it was not impossible to withdraw based on one’s own will, but the process became more complex and time-consuming.
Especially in cases where a long-term commitment was made from the beginning, like this time.
Moreover, if he were to disappear, the progress of what she was trying to achieve would be delayed accordingly. This led to wasting time in one way or another.
“Maybe it would be wiser to leave now. But… to let go of the abilities he has shown…”
In Academia, where all sorts of geniuses gather, there is no one, including professors, in the fields of curses and necromancy with talents on par with Vargan. It was precisely the field of magic she needed, so she couldn’t give up like this.
Francesca quietly spoke up.
“After three weeks, are you planning to return to the research society?”
“There’s no reason not to.”
“I see…”
“Look at this! Other people are also feeling upset. Shouldn’t we do some closed-door training like them?”
The commotion stirred up by Alexeria. Amidst the chaos, Francesca thought to herself.
If he wasn’t here, she would have conducted the research alone. Let’s continue as we have done so far.
She calmed her mind.
However, her fingers under the desk tapped as if chased by something, showing a slightly anxious look.