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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: 5. Exam
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"Argh."
Eliya brushed the dust off her clothes.
She had just been clinging to Dawood, suggesting they get along well, only to get caught by the dorm supervisor and thrown out into the hallway.
"Come on, give me a break. What a narrow-minded guy."
She grumbled like that, but her mind was still filled with thoughts of Dawood Campbell.
It had been a long time since she'd met someone so intriguing.
Even now, rumors outside claimed the spar was a scam or rigged or whatever. But Eliya's instincts told her otherwise.
The skill of the man who had subdued her in one strike was the real deal.
She had no idea what method he'd used, though.
'There's definitely something about that guy.'
At the very least, she knew he was more suspicious than he let on.
And she was the type who couldn't stand not knowing something.
That led to a perfectly logical conclusion.
What was the best position to learn some of his skills and observe him up close to figure out what kind of person he was?
A friend, obviously. A friend.
Getting close couldn't hurt.
'...Though I have no idea how to become friends with a guy.'
Having grown up in a monastery with only women since childhood, men were an alien species to her. She'd barely even had a chance to talk to one, let alone make friends.
Of course, that didn't mean she was giving up.
'But with that attitude...'
No matter how she tried to cozy up to him, his thorough rejection was like an iron wall.
Even someone as thick-skinned as her felt hurt by it.
Maybe she should give up on building a relationship right away...
"Ow."
Lost in those thoughts, she rounded the corner at the end of the hallway and collided with someone coming from the opposite direction.
"Oh dear. Were you not watching where you were going?"
"No, my fault..."
Eliya's reflexive response halted mid-sentence as she saw who it was.
"Any injuries?"
Eliya gripped her sword in a panic as Elnor, the Student Council President, spoke expressionlessly.
But she despaired just as quickly.
'...I can't win. No way.'
She inwardly groaned after instantly gauging the gap in their levels.
She had the skills to be commissioned as a full knight right now, but her opponent was on another level entirely.
No matter where or how she struck, she only saw endings where she died.
'So this is the Tristan Ducal House...'
The pinnacle of swordsmanship families on the continent lived up to their reputation.
And she was only a few years older.
Eliya released her grip on the sword as she replied.
"...I'm fine."
Elnor gave a slight nod as Eliya bit her lip and spat out the words with clear frustration.
It was enough to make Eliya bristle again.
She'd clearly seen Eliya reach for her sword, yet she didn't even flinch.
As if it was nothing worth caring about.
As if she wasn't even worth the effort.
"..."
To Elnor, Eliya was probably just that—someone dismissible.
A person who could be ignored.
And yet, she was part of the family that had upended Eliya's entire life.
A surge of white-hot rage boiled up, but Eliya suppressed it inwardly instead of letting it out.
Showing it now would be pointless. She couldn't win even if she attacked with her sword.
"Here, take this."
Eliya forced a smile and picked up what Elnor had dropped in the collision.
A simple bag of snacks. The front had "To Dawood Campbell" written in cute handwriting.
'Why does that guy keep popping up everywhere?'
Even as that thought crossed her mind, Eliya kindly continued.
"Are you heading to his room?"
"Yes, I am."
"If you go right and keep straight from here, you'll find it."
She handed the bag to Elnor and quickly slipped away.
Being around her just soured her mood anyway.
"Wait."
But Elnor called her back.
"How do you know where Dawood Campbell's room is?"
"...?"
Why ask that? Still, she had to answer.
"I was just there with him?"
At those words, hostility flared from Elnor in an instant.
It was intense enough to mistake for killing intent.
'...Hostility? Killing intent?'
Why?
No, seriously, why?
She hadn't even blinked when Eliya had blatantly reached for her sword, so why get this angry just because she'd been with that guy?
As Eliya panicked, another question came.
"What for?"
The tone was noticeably colder than before.
It felt like claiming they were friends here might get her attacked for real.
"Uh, just some new students bonding...?"
Elnor's eyes narrowed.
She clearly didn't like what she'd just heard.
"Romantic relations between opposite-sex freshmen are prohibited."
"...What?"
What nonsense was this?
"Anyway, it's prohibited."
"Was there a rule like...?"
"I just made it."
"..."
Fine. Technically, the Student Council President had that authority.
Though probably not meant to be abused like this.
"So don't visit Dawood Campbell's room anymore."
"Um, are you two close or something?"
Elnor fell silent at the question.
It was such a long pause that Eliya, the one who asked, grew flustered.
"...We're nothing to each other."
The answer came out with great difficulty.
It even sounded laced with massive dissatisfaction, as if she hated that fact intensely.
"Then I'll be going. Remember what I said."
With those prim words, Elnor left, leaving Eliya with a blank expression.
"What the heck?"
If they were nothing, why act like this?
For someone from a ducal house to write a guy's name boldly on a snack bag and deliver it personally didn't make sense for "nothing."
She'd heard Dawood Campbell was just from some no-name barony, so why would she bother with him—
—I kinda like him, you know.
—It's all for show. I get that. I know roughly what you've been up to.
Those lines suddenly flashed through Eliya's mind.
Words she'd heard directly from Dawood just yesterday.
As if he already knew all about the Student Council President.
"Hmm."
Her instincts prickled.
It felt like puzzle pieces clicking into place.
A highly suspicious guy and the Student Council President, who denied any connection but clearly had one...
'There's something...!'
Nothing, my ass.
These two were definitely hiding something.
Digging in would uncover some complicated backstory.
Maybe even a huge secret tied to the Tristan Ducal House.
Eliya's instincts screamed as much.
"Alright. For intel gathering if nothing else, I'll push to get close to him."
Dawood would've screamed aloud if he'd heard that resolution.
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Admission and class assignments at Imperial Academy Elpante happen in two stages.
First is grouping based on 1:1 spars to weed out the weak.
Then comes the "class assignment" exam, which finely evaluates overall student abilities.
Groups are formed based on 1:1 spar performances, then they take the exam.
And thanks to smacking around the famed next-gen hero candidate, I got placed in the top group.
Everyone around me has faces full of confidence and pride, thrilled to be in this group.
"..."
I'm the only one looking like I'm heading to my execution.
For various reasons, but the biggest is right there.
I glanced at Eliya, who'd been grouped with me, and she waved when our eyes met.
With a flawless smile. Creepy as hell.
"..."
I really gave this girl hell yesterday. Swear to god.
Getting tangled with me or the protagonist never ends well.
The more connections to key figures, the more your life's at risk, and I'm already overwhelmed with just Elnor.
So I swear I did my absolute best to push her away.
[Gift-Related Character Alert]
▼ Eliya Chrisanax
[ Curiosity Stage 4 ] >>> [ Curiosity Stage 5 ]
[ Rewards unavailable yet! ]
[ Approaching Favorability Status Change! ]
[ Important Character. Special events on successful status change! ]
So why's the favorability going up?
Seriously, what?
Why so many inexplicable things?
Oh, and yesterday, out of nowhere, a bag with my name arrived at my door.
A note saying "Good luck on tomorrow's exam" and full of food.
No one should be sending me stuff like that. Made me think I had a stalker. Shivers.
'...No clue.'
I sighed, thinking that.
Since it says "yet" for rewards, she'll give something eventually, so I should think positive.
But seriously, why no reward? Because I'm not the villain?
"Group 1! You're up!"
I stood as the assistant shouted.
Anyway, priorities.
Focus on what's in front of me.
The entrance exam is the event kicking off the main scenario in Cera.
Various tests in the stadium evaluate student stats.
Protagonist shows off, gets recognition, good rewards. Standard early-game stuff.
Smooth sailing in the original. No way it turns ugly.
Right.
That's how it goes normally.
[Gift-Related Character Alert]
▼ Elnor Erinarije la Tristan
[ Trust Stage 2 ]
[ Related Event Incoming! ]
Except for this.
I scanned the popup and looked ahead.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Elnor, handling exam supervision and guidance."
Yeah. This one's no saint either.
Top group 1, huh? Student Council President personally guiding us.
"..."
Too coincidental to be chance.
Her event triggers today. She's guiding my exam group today.
Weirder if nothing happens during this exam.
"Let's head inside first. Questions inside."
I followed Elnor into the stadium, scanning surroundings warily.
No telling what might happen.
Actually, it was all pointless in the end.
The incident started in the most obvious way.
As soon as we entered, a clang sealed the entrance.
Lights inside went out completely, like a blackout.
"..."
"..."
Silence hung in the dim interior, then some guy spoke in a dazed voice.
"Uh, you said questions? Is this part of the exam?"
Guess I can answer that.
[ 'Elnor' Related Event Triggered! ]
[Event: Follow-up Assassination Attempt]
- Surviving assassins are targeting this individual!
- Protect them from harm!
This isn't an exam.
It's a trap.
"..."
Dawood Campbell. Academy Day 3.
Already facing mortal danger.
Shit.
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