CH 55

"Is this a lab or a tea house? Why is everyone lounging around?"

Professor Cromwell scowled, his glasses perched on his nose.

His desk was a mountain of paperwork, and the dark circles under Cromwell's eyes extended down to his chin.

"I didn't expect there to still be so much paperwork with the semester starting tomorrow."

McGuire and Robert sat at a guest table, sipping tea and chatting.

Robert, a dark magic professor without much administrative responsibility, had less paperwork, while McGuire, with more assistants, had already delegated his work.

"Did you prepare for the individual skills assessment next week?"

"I have, but organizing the joint practical for first and second-year students is a nightmare."

In response to McGuire's question, Cromwell took off his glasses and spoke.

McGuire nodded at Cromwell's words and responded.

"It's a bit rushed this time."

"But we've laid the groundwork, so there shouldn't be any major problems."

Robert, listening to their conversation, scowled and shook his head.

"Just do it as usual, why complicate things?"

"We have an unusually talented batch of first-year students, and given the recent incident, we need to be cautious."

Professor McGuire shifted the topic after hearing Robert and Cromwell's conversation.

"Speaking of which, isn't the individual assessment interesting?"

"What's there to expect? It's just some kids scribbling magic circles."

At Professor Robert's remark, McGuire laughed.

"Just wait and see. Let's see who takes the first place."

"Remember, scrolls aren't allowed in individual assessments. And for magic tools, students can only use those they've crafted themselves."

"Cromwell recommended a student this time, Luna Railer. She's impressive, isn't she? Even without a scroll, she's bound to rank high. Second-year top spot is probably Astina's, but the first year's a mystery."

Then Robert smirked.

"Astina is the second-year top spot?"

"So, you're saying there's another contender?"

At that, Cromwell reacted.

"Astina may be an all-rounder in academics and combat, but the individual assessment is a little different, isn't it?"

Robert spoke with a confident smirk.

However, his point was valid.

Individual assessments weren't about judging combat skills or academic performance, but about measuring a person's power when they exert their utmost strength.

Even if someone excels in academics, combat skills, or intuition, without that one decisive move, they would not score high.

"The ones under me might be novices, but this assessment might be different?"

"You mean that Borval guy you've been mentoring lately?"

"Well, there's Borval and Rudy Astria."

Cromwell chuckled at Robert's comment.

Robert, who'd never taken on a disciple before, seemed to have changed his tune.

He didn't directly say 'disciples,' but he was virtually nurturing them, which was no different.

Considering 'that incident' Robert had gone through, this was substantial progress.

"Well, let's say the second year is like that, but the first years are the most eye-catching."

At Cromwell's words, both McGuire and Robert nodded in agreement.

"This time, we've got Luna Railer, nurtured by McGuire, top student Evan, Princess Rie von Ristonia, and Rudy Astria. Each one a contender."

-Bang!

Just as Cromwell finished his sentence, the lab door flew open.

A muscular man stood in the doorway.

It was Jackson Pumpkin, a swordsmanship professor.

"Heh heh...You lot seem to be having quite the chat!"

As he sauntered in, the three Magic Department professors scowled.

They'd been finding Jackson increasingly irksome lately.

Ever since the final exam, he'd been continually bringing up Yeniel, which was getting annoying.

"You might not know! We can't forget our Yeniel and Locke!"

"We're talking about the Magic Department. Why are their names coming up?"

"Well, we all do the assessment together, don't we!"

"So you're saying your students might take the top spot?"

"Of course! Maybe not the second years, but the first years are exceptional!"

Robert smirked, as if he'd caught Jackson in a trap.

"How about a wager then? Among the professors here."

"A bet?"

McGuire looked puzzled at Robert's proposal.

"We'll predict the first-year top spot."

"Alright! What's the wager?"

At Jackson's question, Cromwell grinned and produced a piece of paper.

Written on the paper was a new system.

"What's this?"

"It's a weekend duty system starting next week."

"I heard about this. Due to recent complaints about public order, it's a system where a professor is on standby in the academy until 10 PM on weekends."

McGuire added more detail to Cromwell's explanation.

"What a strange and annoying thing that has come up."

"So that's what we're going to do."

As Robert scowled and spoke, Cromwell elaborated.

"How about the rest of us cover the duty of the person who predicts right?"

"Oh."

"That sounds good!"

When Professor Cromwell spoke, the other three professors also reacted positively.

Then, Professor McGuire was the first to chime in, tapping the desk for emphasis.

"I'm going with Luna Railer."

"I'll go with Rudy Astria."

Robert, ever so casual, crossed his legs and stated his choice. All eyes then turned to Jackson.

Jackson had a daily routine of singing Yeniel's praises, but in a individual evaluation that hinged on a single powerful move, Yeniel was at a disadvantage.

After all, Yeniel was a female swordswoman who favored the rapier.

"Hmm..."

"Make up your mind, Jackson."

Jackson's eyes then lit up as if he'd reached a decision.

"I'll pick Locke Lucarion."

"Really? You spend all day boasting about Yeniel, yet you pick a different kid?"

"Given the circumstances and the wager, I've made the most logical choice."

"Alright, Cromwell, who's your pick? You can't choose Rudy Astria; that's a duplicate."

Robert turned his gaze to Cromwell, the last to decide, and laid down the rule.

"Don't fret."

Without a moment's hesitation, Cromwell voiced his choice.

"Evan. My pick is Evan from the Department of Magic."

***

Raei  Translations

***

As I stepped out into the morning, I was greeted by a refreshing breeze.

The scorching summer had passed, and the cool embrace of autumn was settling in.

The sky was a clear blue, typical of autumn, and dotted with fluffy clouds.

While I admired the sky, a vibrant voice greeted me.

"Rudy! Good morning!"

"Oh, Luna."

I returned Luna's greeting with a wave.

Despite it being the first day of school, with students around us looking worn out, Luna was radiant.

I didn't feel particularly drained either.

Luna and I had maintained our routines even during the holidays, so the start of the semester didn't feel like an abrupt change, more like a continuation of our usual routines.

"Rudy, what's your first class today?"

"It's Professor Cromwell's magic practice."

"Really? I have a general subject class on the first floor, so let's meet up in front of the dining hall afterward!"

"Sure, see you later."

Having made lunch plans with Luna, I made my way to class.

All things considered, the transition from the first to the second semester was seamless.

Life at the academy seemed to be progressing peacefully.

However, that illusion was quickly dispelled.

Upon entering the classroom, I found two students already present: Rie and Evan.

Momentarily startled by Evan's unexpected appearance, I almost retreated, thinking I'd entered the wrong room.

But seeing Rie's familiar, scowling face, I sighed and stepped inside.

As soon as I entered, Evan turned to me.

"Hello, Rudy Astria."

His sudden greeting caught me off guard.

While Evan and I had shared the same training ground on multiple occasions, we hadn't even exchanged glances, let alone a greeting.

Why this sudden change?

Without warning, Evan rose from his seat and extended his hand towards me.

"I look forward to working with you this semester."

This was... unexpected.

I frowned at Evan's sudden move.

It was a behavior I would normally pass by in the game, but it was confusing when it actually happened in front of me.

Casting a confused glance at Rie, I found her equally baffled, shrugging in response to my unspoken question.

Not wanting to leave Evan hanging, I offered a forced smile and shook his hand.

"Well, let's get along."

Still shaking Evan's hand, I took my seat.

I had a rough conversation with Rie through eye contact, but honestly, I didn't know what Rie wanted to say, so I just brushed it off.

If it's an important matter, we'll talk later.

Moments later, Professor Cromwell entered the classroom.

Upon noticing Evan, the professor spoke up.

"Did everyone greet each other? Meet Evan, who will be in class with us starting this semester. I won't say get along well, just don't fight."

Professor Cromwell then brandished a piece of paper.

"There's an individual assessment next week. I presume you're all aware of it?"

As he spoke, his gaze drifted across the classroom, finally resting on me.

"Rudy Astria."

"......Yes?"

"An assessment is just an assessment. The result of the assessment is not that important."

Did this man eat something wrong in the morning?

What had happened to the professor who had chastised us for poor results?

Noticing my furrowed brow, Professor Cromwell seemed to understand my confusion and nodded in acknowledgment.

"I mentioned before that your grades were not great. But what I want to say is that you don't necessarily need to pour all your energy into such a trivial assessment. Just use enough force so it won't greatly affect your grades."

I was a bit convinced upon hearing his words.

After all, I hadn't planned on pouring all of my energy into this assessment in the first place.

As long as I maintained a reasonable ranking, my grades would not suffer.

"I see your point... I understand."

"Good, take it easy."

"Understood."

Although I felt that there was an ulterior motive, I couldn't really understand it so I just let it slide.