# "The Orion Academy final exam practical test is about taking bells from the instructors."
"..."
Confusion deeply permeates the students' eyes. The depth of silence is different from before.
Juyeon quickly continued speaking as the classroom atmosphere grew increasingly serious.
"Of course, if instructors only evaluated their own students, issues of fairness or complaints might arise. While I can't say I teach better than other instructors, it's a fact that I'm the strongest among them. It wouldn't be fair to make only Class 1 take an unfair test."
Juyeon's voice was matter-of-fact. There was no pride or showing off.
It was simply a cold fact without any trace of arrogance. And a fact everyone knew.
Even if all the instructors attacked together, they couldn't handle Juyeon.
"Look at this."
The papers in front of Juyeon flew through the air, carried by magical energy.
Each landed on a student's desk.
"During the practical exam, instructors will wander from their positions."
Juyeon held up the remaining sheet.
The students focused their attention on the papers.
"As you can see, each instructor's bell is a different color and has different point values. Even if you don't get a bell, there are detailed scoring criteria based on your actions and responses."
The paper showed photos of the instructors and their positions.
Juyeon's bell was red and worth the highest points the moment it was acquired.
Looking at the quantity, there was only one bell. It seemed highly unlikely anyone would get it.
"Though it's called 'taking bells,' it's not just about forcibly stealing them. The test methods and content will vary according to each instructor's discretion, and instructors who lose or give up their bells will immediately equip spare ones."
The second was Instructor Carrot.
She's a rabbit beastkin who specializes in physical combat with particularly powerful kicks, as she herself noted and emphasized by drawing a carrot next to it.
Her bells are silver. Instructor Carrot can distribute a total of 20 bells to students.
Below her was Instructor Ed.
He was the male instructor who had overseen Rohan, Ichinose, and Noah's placement test.
He has an unkempt beard and sleepy eyes. His aura of finding everything bothersome was clearly remembered.
His bells are silver like Instructor Carrot's, with the same point value and quantity.
Instructor Falkenhayn.
An instructor specializing in defensive techniques using magical energy, with blue bells totaling 100.
The point value is lower than Instructors Carrot and Ed.
Finally, Instructor Marcel.
An instructor who specializes in teaching emergency treatment, healing, and detoxification depending on the situation.
His bells are yellow, with as many as there are first-year students. The point value is the lowest.
"The exam will be conducted over three days, from 9 AM to 5 PM within Orion Academy. Instructors will not share information about students until the exam ends. And damage to academy grounds during the exam will not be held against you."
However, using this opportunity to maliciously attack other students...
Intentionally causing unnecessary damage to the academy is not permitted.
"Use every method and means available against the instructors. If an instructor evaluates through combat, charge at them with the intent to kill without hesitation. Even if you get hurt or die, the instructors won't blame the students. The instructors will observe how far students can go and evaluate them coldly."
Juyeon's words were no lie.
If there were students with such abilities, the instructors were prepared to accept it humbly.
Of course, she added that the instructors wouldn't just passively take it during the exam.
The students couldn't hide their surprise, their eyes wide open.
"Whether hunting monsters or confronting villains, if you can win and survive, don't be picky about your methods within the bounds of benevolence and principle."
This wasn't telling them to refrain from cruel actions or merciless behavior.
It meant not to cross the line of human decency.
Don't sell out your comrades to criminals or monsters, don't betray and stab allies in the back like beasts.
It was a warning not to covet benefits gained by degrading oneself to a beast that preys on its own kind.
"Next, look below. As written, you may use standard-issue weapons or your own weapons. The instructors' responses will vary accordingly."
The rest of the detailed point distribution and explanation continued.
After finishing her clear explanation, Juyeon looked around at the students.
"That's all. I'll take questions now."
"Instructor! Me! Me!"
Noah eagerly waved her hand as if she'd been waiting.
When Juyeon gave permission to speak, Noah showed pure curiosity.
"You said not to be picky about methods... what if I call my dad?"
At Noah's words, the students froze, unable to find a way to respond, while Juyeon smiled.
Wasn't it amusing how pure the emotion behind the question was?
"Orion Academy strictly prohibits unauthorized outsiders from entering. If you can resolve that issue, feel free."
"Ah..."
It wouldn't be possible for a nation's ruler to force his way into the academy to help his daughter with her exam.
Noah nodded in understanding.
But Rohan was dissecting and analyzing Juyeon's words, formulating the best possible strategy.
"Any other questions?"
Rohan raised his hand.
Juyeon's gaze turned to Rohan sitting in the front row.
"I'm wondering if it's okay to acquire more than one bell."
"Of course. Remember this isn't absolute evaluation but relative evaluation. Aim to collect all the bells."
Given the limited number, only one student could achieve that.
But the idea of taking a bell from Juyeon seemed unimaginable.
That's exactly why he wanted to try.
Rohan was fired up.
'It's rare to have an environment where I can use my full strength against skilled people.'
It was a good opportunity. He could even use Radiance and Stigma.
Though the instructors said they would respond minimally to subdue students...
From Rohan's perspective, far from being scared, he wanted to take the instructors' attacks and properly gauge the difference in skill.
"I'll take the next question."
Juyeon answered each of Class 1's questions one by one.
After the questions ended and it became quiet, she checked the time.
"That concludes the assembly. Prepare for class."
As soon as Juyeon left the classroom, Class 1 became noisy.
*****
Orion Academy final exams.
Time advanced relentlessly until the day of the written exam that marked the beginning.
Looking back, it already felt like it had been a remarkably happy daily life.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was drowning in joy.
There were many days when Ichinose and Noah visited Sion's mansion to study together.
There were also days when Ichinose suggested studying together and they went to a quiet cafe, just the two of them.
The time spent together without others seemed to have shed the awkwardness of their kiss, so Rohan didn't refuse Ichinose's invitations.
'I want to keep living like this.'
While preparing for the written exam, he never skipped training.
Far from reducing the intensity, he increased it.
And greedily, he did his best not to let go of the happiness in his daily life.
As if taking turns, the girls one by one suggested going somewhere.
Rohan accepted their proposals without much thought.
With Sion, he went furniture shopping for the mansion.
He regretted not capturing a photo of Sion's greatly flustered expression when an employee asked if they were newlyweds.
It was rare to see Sion's expression so disheveled.
With Clara, he attended an offline gaming event.
Rohan still remembered how Clara, who used to be timid and passive around others, got excited with sparkling eyes.
They bought lots of merchandise to decorate each other's rooms.
'What luxury this is.'
Time with the girls was incredibly precious to Rohan.
He was certain he would regret it if he postponed or buried their suggestions to go somewhere under study or training.
So Rohan did his best to enjoy every moment, and each day was immensely satisfying.
And so, the day of the written exam arrived.
After today's written exam, the practical exam would begin the very next day.
Rohan left the dormitory from early dawn.
'My debt keeps piling up like a mountain.'
If his written exam score improved, how should he repay Ichinose?
It wasn't just answering questions like before; he received what amounted to private tutoring with Noah.
Thanks to that, Rohan also became much closer to numbers and formulas.
"..."
Step. Step. Step.
At this early hour when no one else was coming to school, Rohan arrived at Orion Academy.
He put away the notes he'd been reviewing on the way.
'Let's do this.'
His usual routine at this time was to go to the training room to exercise with Ichinose.
But today his footsteps headed in a different direction. He walked across Orion Academy's vast grounds.
Rohan's bag didn't contain the usual supplements and spare clothes. It was full of unidentified heavy objects.
With his bag in hand,
Rohan began wandering around the positions where the instructors would be stationed during the practical exam.