LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 6
Chapter 6. Thank You~ Customer (1)
On the day of the practical exam.
First-year students from each department gathered in the gymnasium.
The Magic Department, Combat Department, and Alchemy Department were all set to take their exams simultaneously.
The evaluation method for the Magic and Combat Departments was a sparring competition. The Alchemy Department tested their invented magical devices or potions instead.
The exams took place in a Void Space created by the professors, where they designed the suitable fields for the tests.
However, the number of students allowed inside was limited. While one department was taking the exam, other departments had to wait on the second floor.
They could watch and see how the other departments conducted their tests.
“Then, we will now commence the first-year practical exam for this month.”
The voice of the professor standing on the podium was loud and grand.
Radian Versehon, the head of the Combat Department for first-year students. The gravity of his voice matched his massive physique, and all the students held their breath.
He wasn’t the highest-ranking, merely well-suited to control many students, which is why he stood on the podium.
As the chatting students locked eyes with him, they fell silent.
“From now on, anyone who talks will receive the lowest score and be left for hell training. The Alchemy Department is no exception. Got it?”
“Yes!”
“Your voice is smaller than mine. Do you understand?”
“Yeeees!!”
Didn’t that suddenly remind me of a school trip? I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself.
But the instructors from back then were on a different level. Aside from just receiving training, Radian was a professional fighter who had gone through numerous battles.
His veteran soldier-like frame and fierce expression brought about the kind of silence we had now.
If a scrawny-looking professor came out and said something like that, would anyone even listen?
“Stop!”—it seems that only strong people command authority.
Radian’s voice rang out again.
“This exam, held once a month, is nothing compared to midterms or finals. But don’t underestimate its significance. It can change classes at any moment.”
Changing classes based on exam results. This was why many students prepared earnestly for this day, even though it was less significant in scale.
“Of course! It’s not just an ignorant change based on the exam results. It’s only for those students who made a explosive impression. Showing unexpected growth, or…”
“….”
“Or showing an utterly weak performance.”
At Radian’s lowered voice at the end, some students swallowed dryly.
“I hope you don’t belong to the latter. I’m sure there’s not a single one of you who wishes to flunk.”
Even if they had no desire to move to the highest class, they could never move to a lower one.
Such news would be directly conveyed to their families, ensuring they couldn’t truly rest during break.
Most would go to any length to prevent that, treating any exam with utmost seriousness.
“And I took a stroll around the village over the weekend to see how you train. Especially the training intensity of Class C students was quite daunting.”
Saying that, Radian scanned the students. A silence fell among students who understood the message.
The most dangerous competitors are the ones right below you in rank. There’s no greater humiliation than to show weakness to those below you.
Those with that motive are always eager to capitalize on any openings. So it’s foolish to underestimate anyone deemed lower.
“Anyway, that was the situation. I hope you all take the exam with the same enthusiasm as usual. That’s all!”
Finally, Radian’s speech wrapped up, and the official exam commenced.
The first to take the exam was the Alchemy Department. While they finished, the other departments waited on the second floor. Semi-transparent glass designed in that area showed the exam scene.
The Alchemy exam tests what you can create through transmutation. Students are evaluated based on their ability to combine and decompose objects, or even instantaneously create potions or magical devices.
As the students exchanged glances to pass the boring time…
“Where’s that scammer bastard? Where is he?”
Two students wandered around looking for someone. Their sour expressions and rough demeanors made them seem like local delinquents. They shouted towards Class C.
“Hey, Class C! Anyone seen Radon?”
A boy who seemed muscular, Breed, said. He was from the Combat Department.
“If you saw him, spill it! If you don’t come clean, he’ll be the first target during the exam.”
A somewhat scrawny student, Rudical, outright threatened. He was from the Magic Department.
They belonged to Class B, so they could look down on Class C students. They particularly targeted the Combat Department.
They were delinquents who had stomped on Radon. Claiming it was no issue to beat a scammer, but really, it was just violence. They were merely justifying their sadistic urges.
“Where is Radon?!”
“I’m right here!”
“Whaat!”
The one they sought all along… I whispered from behind.
Breed and Rudical were startled by my sudden appearance and began to fuss.
“Did you really want to see me that badly?”
I chuckled at their bewildered expressions.
“I almost dropped dead scared. What kind of safety is this…!”
“Why are you suddenly angry? I came out because you called me. It took some time, but here I am.”
“Hah… Is this guy off his rocker?”
Breed and Rudical had dumbfounded expressions.
The urge to land a punch at my insolent attitude was monumental, but that was secondary.
The items I asked them to shuttle were far more important.
“Anyway, what happened with the practice weapons? If you didn’t bring them, you know what that means, right?”
“Tch, worry is a blessing, huh?”
I clicked my tongue and tossed the wooden sword and staff I had on my back to them.
“Here.”
Clatter—
Two items they failed to catch clattered to the ground.
“Who do you think this is…!”
“Why the long face? Don’t want to receive it?”
It wasn’t like they’d appreciate my dog-like demeanor. But no matter the state, I delivered the weapons needed for the exam, that much.
Of course, I anticipated scratches to their pride.
“What happened over the weekend? Did your pride grow wings while I wasn’t looking?”
“Oh come on. If you’d just accepted what was given, you could’ve vanished quietly. Why are you so restless?”
“Damn it!!”
With reason abandoned, Breed raised his fist. What did this scammer think he could say back with such arrogance? It seemed necessary to instill some fear as a warning before the exam began.
“Stop.”
Suddenly, a delicate hand grabbed Breed’s fist.
“Jenny… Chain Silver?”
The presence akin to an Ice Age shocked everyone present.
“Stop it.”
The sudden appearance of a Class A student left Breed and Rudical pale.
Jenny’s hand was unbearably cold. It felt as if everything from his hand to his shoulder was frozen.
“Who do you think you are, interfering? Are you protecting this guy now?”
“And what if I don’t stop?”
Just making eye contact with her drained the strength from Breed’s hand. To avoid further humbling himself, he hurriedly dropped his fist.
Observing the scene, I thought.
“Yeah, that’s the proper use of ‘stop’.”
As expected, when a strong person gives a command, it carries weight. Seizing control of the situation, Jenny looked directly at the thugs.
“Don’t get it twisted. You’re not the only ones with a grudge against him. If you make a move, things are going to get very interesting.”
“…”
“If you’re itching to beat him up, feel free to wait until the exam. Of course…”
Now turning her gaze to me, she added,
“You won’t even get a chance to step in.”
Her eyes told me she had also targeted me.
*
Finally, the Alchemy Department’s exam wrapped up, and the exam for the Magic Department began. The long-awaited spectacle sparked excitement among the students.
The exam was a sort of team battle. Rankings were assigned based on who could survive the longest in a randomly selected field.
If the badge you wore before entering falls off, you’re out. Quite a simple setup.
‘They’re still watching me closely.’
Due to the earlier incident, many eyes passed over me.
Having been marked by the upper students like Jenny, who would not pay attention? She was discreetly casting glances my way.
‘She must still be holding a grudge against me.’
She surely would be. After all, I was the culprit behind Jenny losing her precious keepsake.
There were no guarantees that my rescuing her after she fell in the water would smooth things over.
Not to mention breaking her ribs in the process.
“… Lyman…?”
The game’s protagonist, Lyman Begilius, also glared at me in surprise. I must be careful never to get entangled with such a monster. Especially at this point.
While he is infinitely kind to those he knows, he’s cold to everyone else. Since I disturbed his friend Jenny, he would hardly like me.
‘Just ignore it.’
Forcing myself to look away, I focused on the glass that displayed the status of the exam. Even though it was a Magic Department test, I had to keep an eye on the combat-related aspects.
And one other thing…
<‘Curse of the Liar’ erosion rate: 44/100%>
‘Heh. Something fun is about to happen soon.’
I slowly smiled at the imminent developments.