I Became the Daughter of the Academy’s Villain

<71 - Result Announcement>

As everyone focused, the instructor spoke.

“The match isn’t over yet. We’ll announce the results after everyone either finishes or forfeits.”

“Eh~”
“That’s unfair~”

The students were disappointed but thought the outcome was already clear.

“That Mob guy is clearly finishing last with his reckless running.”
“Group A is likely to be Liv in 3rd and Carnegie in 4th.”

The competition among the lagging participants.
While waiting for the results without much expectation, Oknodie perked up her ears.
Due to the perception-altering magic, she couldn’t see anything happening on the course.
But she could still faintly hear if she focused.

“…give it to me!”
“…just a little more…”
“Don’t give up…!”

The cheering grew louder.
Descending from the rope, the 3rd place runner burst into the final stretch.
When their identity was revealed, everyone was taken aback.

*

The 3rd-year seniors attending Jiang’s tactics lecture.
They had been engrossed in placing bets on the rankings of the first-year groups but soon stopped caring about who they bet on.

Oknodie and Skola’s duel made people sweat in anticipation, but the struggle of those falling behind made their hearts race even more.

“Line 2, don’t be caught!”
“Don’t give up, Line 4!”

Mob began to ascend the cliff, bearing an impressive will despite his injuries.
He utilized all the safety gear at his disposal for this climb, and their thorough preparation allowed him to inch upward.
In contrast, Liv was quickly caught up by Oknodie after showing off and lost momentum when her spirit was crushed.

In a moment of lost focus.
A person loses strength like magic has been undone.
That was Liv’s current state.

“Hang in there!”
“Just a little more!”
“Don’t give up!”

Even with the continued cheering, Liv ultimately fell behind Mob.
Mob, who had climbed up using the safety gear, realized he could also use it on the lift.

“Ugh. My whole body is aching like crazy.”

He couldn’t even muster the will to search for the target.
Just moving towards the finish line was barely enough.
The lift stopped and his tired body plopped down.
As he pressed the button to unbuckle his belt and took off his vest, he struggled to get up; the final stretch unfolded before him.
With unsteady steps, limping on one leg, he crossed the finish line, surprising everyone who looked at him in shock.
No one expected him to come in 3rd.

“Oknodie, did you get 1st?”
“I don’t know. It was pretty close.”
“They’re about to announce it.”

The grumpy Jiang casually added a comment for an unknown reason.

“You’ve got some guts.”
“Uh, me?”
“Not great at speaking though.”
“Ugh.”
“Haha! This guy totally fits being a pirate! A pirate must have the guts to fight even rough waves!”
“I only have memories of battling the track, though.”
“A pirate’s got to have that craziness too!”

It felt a bit pitiful that he only earned points from dangerous individuals.

“Alright. Enough chatting. It’s time to announce the results.”

[Undergraduate: Skola] – Group 1st

[Running: +20 points (Elf’s speed)]

[Obstacles: +19 points (Orc’s breaking power)]

[Accuracy: +18 points (slightly lacking rapid fire)]

[Calmness: +18 points (slightly lacking altitude resistance)]

[Technique: +20 points (godly technique)]

[Total Points: +95 points (better than the instructor)]

[Undergraduate: Liv]

[Failed to Finish; Out of Ranking]

[Forfeit – Failed to scale the cliff on course 3]

[Undergraduate: Carnegie]

[Failed to Finish; Out of Ranking]

[Forfeit – Failed to escape the swamp on course 1]

[Undergraduate: Mob] – Group 3rd

[Running: +8 points (impressive endurance running)]

[Obstacles: -60 points (why not just break everything?)]

[Accuracy: -20 points (this is archery class)]

[Calmness: +12 points (strong will aimed at finishing)]

[Technique: -20 points (orc’s technique)]

[Total Points: -80 points (similar to a humanoid, breathing organism)]

[Undergraduate: Oknodie] – Group 2nd

[Running: +18 points (backward running was a flaw)]

[Obstacles: +20 points (orc’s breaking power)]

[Accuracy: +15 points (hit targets well)]

[Calmness: +20 points (guardian’s composure)]

[Technique: +16 points (bold technique)]

[Total Points: +89 points (better than the instructor2)]

1st place: Skola.
2nd place: Oknodie.
3rd place: Mob.

Unfortunately, Oknodie failed to achieve 1st.

“I’m sorry, Mob.”
“What are you apologizing for? Just looking at the scorecard says it all. I can imagine how hard you worked against that monster.”

Mob felt satisfied.
Not 1st place, but everyone acknowledged her.
Everyone recognized Oknodie’s true strength.
The descendant of the archers.
Against an unrivaled 1st place with 95 points to 89, it was a commendable match, a spectacle worth watching.

“Skola, truly impressive skills befitting an archer descendant.”
“Thank you.”
“Oknodie, you exceeded my expectations as well. But that backward running during the match was a bit much.”
“Hehe. It’s a bit embarrassing when you praise me like that.”
“That’s not praise, you fool.”
Jiang, who had been glancing disapprovingly at Oknodie, turned to Mob.

“Mob, are you being rebellious?”
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to encourage Oknodie to get ahead without falling behind.”
“Mob’s attitude during the test was the worst. Leaving the course and severe deductions, struggling to run straight due to a group up ahead. Having a subordinate like you in the field is a nuisance.”

It was a scolding he couldn’t lift his head to.
But the instructor did not just scold him.

“Still, you were much better than the other two. Your running boosted Oknodie’s determination, and you succeeded in finishing despite being injured.”
“T-thank you!”
“Carnegie, you were trapped in the swamp for too long.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Liv, only test your abilities after you’ve completed enough training.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”

The match that had heated everyone’s hearts came to a conclusion.

“The next lecture will be personalized training based on today’s scores and attributes.”
“Note that those who failed to finish and those with negative scores are all required for make-ups, so make sure to attend this weekend.”
“Then, dismissed!”

The students dispersed.
Behind them, the screams of the 3rd years echoed.

“Ugh! I got 3rd place wrong!”
“That guy… his running was impressive but blew the points.”
“How could we have guessed this…?”
“Still, didn’t your heart feel warm?”
“We lost points, but somehow I feel revived with passion.”
“So what about our lost points?”
“…So that’s why the passion disappeared.”
“I’ve realized something I didn’t want to know…”

*

[[Long Range Weapon Mastery] achieved Group 2nd record.]

[Received 10 points as consolation prize.]

[Had a thrilling match with Skola.]

[Earned 100 points as a premium supporting role reward.]

[During the match where point evaluation was active, A Group students were deeply moved by your spirit of caring for your comrade.]

[A Group students’ basic favorability sharply increased after hearing the rumors.]

After the lecture, students flocked around Oknodie and Mob.

“How did you do that?”
“You climbed the cliff so well!”
“How did you pass the fourth course?”
“I hung on with my feet and shot the bow.”
“Wow… You held yourself up with your leg strength while raising your upper body to shoot the bow? Your core strength is no joke.”

Students who had taken the same test asked about the sections they found difficult.
“It wasn’t that hard at all! I had done it before.”
“Before? Where have you done this?”
“Ah. Well, it was… kinda similar!”

The students’ gazes became meaningful.
The assassin training rumor about Oknodie was gaining more credibility.

“But you really thought about running together. Backward running, huh?”
“I’ve done going solo a lot. This time I thought, what if we entered together!”
“What happened to the friends you competed with before? Are they as strong as Oknodie?”
That was a tricky question to answer.
They are Academy friends, but those were from past rounds.
To be precise, it would be impossible to meet again those they interacted with in the last round.

“There are both strong and weak ones, but I can’t meet anyone right now.”
The students poked the side of the student who asked an awkward question and lightly kicked him.

“Oh… Sorry, I didn’t know. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“It’s okay. You’re all here with me now, right?”

It’s a different round now.
Such light banter only deepened the students’ feelings of gratitude.

“Di has always been such a nice kid!”
Out of the students, Arcadia came out and gave Oknodie a big hug.

“There’s no way such a good kid would go around hitting people or threatening anyone.”
“Anyone who spreads rumors about Di threatening or attacking students will not be forgiven by me, Arcadia!”

‘…I think I now know the reason rumors are spreading.’
Oknodie awkwardly smiled and turned away from Arcadia’s gaze filled with unwavering trust.

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