I Will Carry as an Academy Veteran

33

The scenery three days before the midterm exams is quite simple.

Everyone walking down the street is buried in summary notes or theory books, without a care for anything else.

It’s like they’re diving into books.

Anyway, in the Salenium Saga, a school fantasy RPG game, the “midterm exam” is an unavoidable gimmick, along with the “final exam,” which they’ll face several times in the future…

As the exam period approaches, it was quite fun in the game to notice the change in atmosphere within the School of Magic and the characters’ dialogues.

Especially, the atmosphere in the School of Magic, closely related to studying, varies drastically by grade.

First… the fourth year is no different from usual.

Since practical training takes precedence during this period, they have less time in Salenium.

Grades are replaced by research achievements in practical training, so exams and all are just secondary.

I wonder how Melwood is doing.

Rumor has it that Melwood is working hard in graduate school.

I look forward to seeing how much progress he will make.

The third year, already completed, exudes a perfectly restrained aura as they prepare for the exams.

The second year, looking gloomy, manages to control themselves endlessly even amidst the storm-like tension, thanks to surviving a year already.

And then.

The first-year students, who know nothing.

“Uggghh… uggghhh…”

“B-b-b-b…”

Something like that.

You can think of these students scattered around as if stones will be thrown from all directions if you ask, “Have you studied for the exam in three days?”

Well, that’s inevitable.

First-year students, being freshmen and knowing nothing, feel immense pressure for their first midterm exam.

All grades and records here will become part of their resume upon graduation.

And this “midterm exam” serves not only as a test but also as a lesson for those who will stay in Salenium and those who will leave.

After the midterm exams. Those who feel the wall or judge that they cannot survive in the academy may abandon the dreams and hopes they had when entering and leave this place.

Now, as for where those who leave will go, I also don’t know well.

One thing I can say is that those “extras” who leave in that manner do not reappear in the story.

Or they vanish into the “darkness” unable to accept reality.

Furthermore.

Although he should have left before them, I know one guy who has decided to challenge again.

I know someone who overcame difficulties with my help but ultimately set a firm goal for himself.

The large poster on the wall next to the lecture hall.

The small beige-haired girl looked up at it.

Perched on her shoulder, a black slime cat.

“Milije.”

My first companion and the future Grand Shaman who would be the firm pillar of my future tribe.

“Oh, Sen… Senpai!”

Milije, turning around, came towards me with a bright smile.

“We couldn’t even meet in the dormitory. Have you been well?”

“Yes, yes!”

As I spoke, I looked up at Milije’s shoulder, and the black kitten looked at me and growled.

“Nero! If you keep doing that to Senpai, you won’t get any treats!”

[…….]

The cat shed tears in silence, and Milije gently stroked the little one.

Heh.

Seems to get along well with the spirits.

“By the way, why did you come to the 1st-year lecture building, Senpai?”

“Oh, just to check on you. What’s this?”

“Oh… this is the ranking.”

“Is it the ranking of the 1st-year Magical Department?”

As I tried to see, Milije stretched out her arms to cover my view.

Despite her small stature, even with her arms fully extended, I could see everything.

“Milije, I can still see.”

“Oh, you… can see.”

And then.

I saw it.

Crowded names, even under Milije’s arm.

Further down, even lower.

Somewhere in the lower ranks.

I found a familiar name there.

611th place.

Milije Halo.

“611th place.”

“Ahahahaha….”

Milije laughed with a gloomy expression.

“I-It’s… quite… low, right? hahahaha… with these entrance exam grades….”

“Yeah, it’s low.”

“Oh…”

This guy, seems like he had no real skills except for his spiritual sensitivity during admission.

“But being low means there’s plenty of room to climb, doesn’t it?”

“What?”

Milije’s eyes widened at my words.

“Milizhe, are you satisfied with where you are?”

“…No, I am definitely not satisfied. I want to move up.”

I see.

Regardless of the motive. It’s a good thing to have that desire.

“Then, can you make it up to this point in the midterm exam this time?”

The spot I pointed to was within the top 100.

“In the top 100?”

“Perhaps right now, in basic theory, students are dueling one-on-one with lower-level magic.”

“…I see, you know well.”

Do I.

How many times do you think I’ve taken the first-year magic department midterm exam?

“So, as long as you can defeat whoever your opponent is perfectly?”

No.

Being in the top 100 is not the end.

It’s just for this time.

I will promote this lad to the top 100, no, the top 50 in the final, and within the top 10 in the first semester of next year.

So, appropriate carrots and whips are needed.

The whip was just now, should I try the carrot this time?

Which one is better?

“Milizhe.”

“How far have you learned low-level magic?”

“I can now use all of them proficiently!”

No, what an amazing talent.

“Power-sharing with spirits?”

“I can unilaterally draw Nero’s power. But it’s still about a handful. The connection is unstable…”

I see.

In that state.

Understood.

“So, there should be books on intermediate magic in the central district library. There are barely three days left, but conversely, there are still three days. Practice handling at least one intermediate magic skill proficiently, communicate with Nero, and strive to bring in at least three handfuls more of power.”

“Yes, yes!”

“If I succeed in all the things I mentioned, and get within the top 100….”

“I-if you get within….?”

I paused for a moment in thought before speaking.

“I’ll grant you one wish within the limits I can accept….”

“Really? Senpai? Really?”

Hey.

I haven’t finished speaking yet.

Wait, why are your eyes like that?

Did I make a mistake?

Should I have used something else as bait?

No, it’s unlikely. I trust my junior.

“Hey, promise me, senior!”

“…Alright, I promise.”

After receiving my declaration, Milije turned her head abruptly and started mumbling something.

“…So, should I start by completely defeating the opponent first and then, how should I proceed? It might be cleaner to just cut them with a single strike of the sword. The opponent is a magician, so I should also use magic to deal with them…”

Hmm.

…Unlikely.

…Maybe.

* * *

After seeing Milije off, I headed towards the Knight Department.

There was someone I needed to meet before the exam in the Knight Department.

Unlike the Magic Department, the Knight Department is not so obsessed with ‘midterms’ or ‘final exams’.

“Oh! Adrian!”

“Kalen.”

Carrying a sword on one side and holding the shield I gave him on the other arm, Kalen approached me with a smile.

“Is shield training difficult?”

“It’s fine. I actually enjoy it. I want to master it quickly so that I can be of help to you, Adrian.”

Don’t say that, it’s embarrassing.

Anyway, Kalen said he came out to practice for the midterm and have lunch, and that’s when he ran into me.

“I heard that the midterm in the Knight Department is conducted through duels.”

“That’s right. We have five duels over three days. Two on the first day, two on the second day, and one on the last day to determine the rankings.”

Listening to him, it brings back memories.

We did quite a bit of that in Erhan.

Throwing the gauntlet was a form of ‘duel challenge’, where you duel with a student ranked higher than you or accept a duel and gain points by winning.

Then they calculate the points to determine the rankings.

That was the midterm in the Knight Department.

“What rank were you last time?”

“In my freshman year, I was 96th. Barely made it into the top 100.”

“Then this time, aiming for at least the top 50 would be good.”

“Oh, I was thinking the same. By the way, Adrian, are there any other dungeons? In the dungeons… I feel like my skills have improved. In fact, I still feel that way now.”

Ah.

That’s probably the synergy effect of fate.

“Focus on the midterm. I’ll call you when the time comes.”

“Got it!”

Kalen said that and saluted.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“Oh, um… I heard that the Magic Department also takes about three days. The, the final duel also ends similarly, so, if you have time, could you come and watch? Oh, you don’t have to force yourself to come!”

What.

That’s about it.

“If I have time, I will make sure to go.”

“Yes…… Absolutely! Absolutely!”

Calen said that with a smile, waved his hand, and disappeared.

Now that I’ve met Calen, there’s no one else I need to meet.

Let’s head back now.

I need to take the exam.

* * *

And so.

The midterm exam, which determined my survival and everyone’s desires, had begun.

Getting good grades here not only boosts your reputation but also increases your likability even if you just stay quiet.

Winning against the Student Council in a bet is not the only chance to raise my tarnished school reputation.

The first exam was Herbology, held in the First Star Room of the Department of Magic.

I looked at the things laid out on the table in front of me.

A small cauldron.

And some herbs and water.

On the blackboard, the word ‘1 hour’ was written prominently.

The exam content was simple.

Using the herbs given within the time limit to create a potion called ‘Magradi’s Tears’ and submit it.

‘Magradi’s Tears’ not only restores stamina, but also removes toxins from the body and enhances magical recovery.

It’s a potion that a wizard should be able to make, but the key ingredient, ‘Magradi’s Grass,’ is rare and in short supply compared to demand.

Since the score is determined by the effects the professor experiences when drinking it, not a single mistake is acceptable.

“Hmm…..”

As I looked around at the herbs, I realized.

Piled up on the table were lower-grade herbs, a few potions, and a cauldron…

But only on my table, the crucial ingredient ‘Magradi’s Grass’ was missing.

This is something.

Meeting Calen and then arriving late to the exam hall by 5 minutes seems to be a hindrance.

Whether someone took it or it was just a cheap trick to make things difficult for ‘me.’

“But it doesn’t matter.”

Just one herb missing, it’s fine.

Enduring countless challenges and creating something out of nothing is what being resourceful is all about.

And I, I am someone who has rotted away in this world.