Chapter 40

It’s a difficult task to conjure five flames at my level. Even more so if they are to be multicolored. However, I had the technique of handling a staff that Carmelo had taught me, and I was wearing the ‘Gloves Blessed with Mana’ that the housemistress had gifted me. With the accuracy of the spell being compounded successively, it was entirely possible.

Fwoosh!

Five colorful flames ignited at the tips of my left fingers. Rockefeller’s eyes widened in surprise, and the onlookers were utterly silent. Then a stifled laugh broke out.

“Pfft!”

“Haha, what is that?”

Well, that’s understandable. The flames on my fingertips were tiny, barely the size of ants. But I didn’t care.

As I’ve said many times, one must be shameless.

“The conditions have been met, so I’ve passed. I’d appreciate it if you could supervise the other examinees now.”

“Yes, you’ve passed. Quite impressive. Here, I’ll give you this award.”

Rockefeller gave a fake smile. What he handed over was a consent form listing three provisions that only those who passed the second exam could receive. The contents were brief:

– This academy does not expel students.

– Student withdrawals are not recognized.

– We are not responsible for deaths during enrollment.

These ominous provisions were filled with foreboding. It’s just an academy, like a university, so one might think nothing serious could happen. But I knew why such clauses existed.

“I hope you can all refrain from laughing. Hersel has passed the exam. I expect you to work hard and follow his example.”

Rockefeller moved away, hiding his true feelings. Just before he exited the gate, he shot me a meaningful look over his shoulder. I had a bad feeling that he wasn’t going to give up easily.

***

Rockefeller walked down the corridor, ruffling his hair in frustration.

What on earth is going on?

He had been confident that Hersel would apply for the knighthood exam and had left it at that. But then the professor handling the magic department documents came to him, expressing concern that Hersel had come to this department.

He had repeatedly asked if he was lost or if he was a stand-in for someone else, but his answers were always the same.

-He applied to the magic department, Professor Rockefeller. His identity has also been verified. With no grounds to argue further, I had him take the written exam.

Things were getting complicated. Thus, Rockefeller went to the written exam room himself to monitor for any cheating, keeping his eyes wide open.

At that moment, he was certain Hersel would fail.

Just in case, he had even instructed the professor to choose the most difficult calculation problems for him. Normally, that would have been enough. But he didn’t get a single question wrong and even passed the second exam, which seemed impossible.

But for him to… This is impossible.

From the moment the headmaster showed interest in him, Rockefeller had gathered evaluations and minor rumors about him. Not only was he a notorious troublemaker and the son of Aol, but there were also credible rumors that he had survived the breath of a monstrous bird. There was not a single mention of magic in any of it.

Naturally, it seemed obvious that he would apply for the knighthood department.

‘Damn, I was careless. I should have sent only the recommendation for the knighthood department from the start.’

Sometimes, there were mistakes where only the magic department recommendation was sent to a knighthood student. To avoid such administrative errors, they had sent both notifications, which had led to this mess.

Rockefeller calmed his tense chest and took a deep breath in front of the headmaster’s office in the academy’s main building.

“Headmaster Arkandric, I need to speak with you.”

“Oh, Rockefeller? Come in.”

As soon as he entered the office, faint sounds of dying could be heard from beyond the window.

“Ugh.”

Rockefeller asked while looking at a student tied to a cross in the middle of the training ground.

“Is that a deserter?”

A muscular old man with a scar over one eye clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, you still can’t adapt after spending so much time in the military. He’s just a student trying to escape the school.”

“Sorry, Headmaster. That was a slip of the tongue.”

Rockefeller bowed his head, and Arkandric stroked his white beard with a satisfied smile.

“Indeed. This is an educational place where we teach with love. Unlike other wretched academies that expel students once they accumulate enough demerits, we end with simple punishment. The spirit of not giving up on students is the true example of an educator. Never forget that spirit. Now, what brings you here?”

Rockefeller cautiously spoke, gauging his reaction.

“Actually, Hersel Ben Tenest has entered the magic department. He passed the standards, so I let him through…”

Arkandric ground his teeth and spoke in a chilling voice.

“Let me ask you one thing, just in case. Was the duke the type to allow his son to learn magic?”

“The Duke is a pure-blooded swordsman to the core. He would never allow it.”

“Yes, that’s right. He’s a real pain, as the rumors say.”

Regardless of whether there was malice, Arkandric would have been infuriated by the decision to admit Hersel into the magic department. He had gone to great lengths to get him into the knighthood department.

“But, Rockefeller, you know that once the news of his survival from the griffon’s breath spread, other academies were eager to recruit him.”

“Yes, I know.”

“So what did I do?”

“…It’s hard to say with my own mouth.”

Bam!

Arkandric’s fist, as big as a pot lid, shattered the desk in two.

“I met those wretched headmasters and bowed to them. That’s not all. I even used the school’s operating funds to bribe them. And what’s the result? Huh? Answer me. You were in charge of admissions, weren’t you?”

Arkandric’s eyes bulged, and Rockefeller wiped his face with one hand, speaking calmly.

“I won’t make excuses. I’ll keep trying to get him into the knighthood department.”

“Hmm, yes. People can make mistakes. The important thing is the will to correct them. But it must be done cleanly.”

“I understand. I’ll apply pressure within the allowed regulations.”

“Good, good. You know I trust you, right?”

“…Yes.”

Under Arkandric’s pressure, Rockefeller felt like dying. He understood the frustration. With all the talented students going to better academies, this place was left with poor quality students. The headmaster was often mocked by other headmasters, so it was understandable that he was furious.

Desperate to recruit talent, he had placed his hopes on promising candidates, only to have them go astray.

Watching the headmaster’s extreme patience, Rockefeller sighed in relief.

***

After the second exam, I approached Selly, who was waiting in the lounge.

“How did it go?”

“Well, I passed, of course.”

“Oh…”

I squinted at Selly’s small sigh.

“You wished I’d fail and go home, didn’t you?”

“No, not at all. I’m glad you passed.”

I wondered whom she took after to be so shameless.

“Don’t worry too much. Depending on the final third exam, we could have a decent life here.”

“Really?”

Even here, privileges exist, more clearly than in other academies. To receive good benefits, I needed to score high in the third exam.

“Grab our luggage. We need to move.”

“Already? Everyone else is resting.”

It’s crucial to get there first.

“Stop talking and move. Don’t you want to live in a nice dorm?”

“Of course I do.”

As we moved, the noble-looking young master from the exam room blocked our path.

“Hersel! I was so surprised. When did you learn magic?”

“…Did you pass too?”

“Of course. I’ve been learning for a long time. But what you did earlier was amazing. When those fools laughed, and you lit the flames on your fingers, I got chills.”

Although a bit awkward, he was showing goodwill. I should respond politely.

“Calm down. We’ll be learning together in the magic department, so let’s get along.”

He seemed genuinely moved.

“Really? You mean that?”

“Yes. I look forward to it.”

“I’m honored… I’ll do my best too.”

I had other places to be, so I ended the conversation there. I was about to tell Selly to move when I noticed she seemed different. Stiff, unlike usual.

“Selly, long time no see. Are you still taking good care of the young master?”

“…Yes, Sir Rendel.”

“You know, our maid owed you a lot back then.”

“Sorry about that.”

“No, no. As Hersel’s maid, that was expected.”

Their conversation felt odd. One side seemed friendly, but Selly seemed scared.

“Wait, Rendel? Step aside. I need to talk to her alone.”

“Sure. Take your time.”

As Rendel stepped back, I asked Selly.

“Who is he?”

“…Why ask when you know?”

“I told you. I’m not Hersel. I’m someone else in his body. Explain it to me like you would to a madman.”

“…”

After a moment of hesitation, Selly answered.

“He’s a member of the club you created.”

“Club?”

“You know, the one you formed with your friends.”

“What’s it called?”

“The Lethe of Oblivion.”

Time seemed to freeze for a moment. I knew what the Lethe club was. And realizing that Hersel was the founder was shocking. Rendel, oblivious to my thoughts, approached us with a grin.

“Did Selly take a while to answer? So, Hersel, how about it? How about playing that game you invented?”

“…Game?”

“Yes, you know. Betting on fights between maids. There’s nothing more exciting than a catfight. I’ve even brought a maid who’s good at fighting this time.”

I gestured for him to come closer with my finger.

“Yes? What is it?”

“Rendel, right?”

“Yes, it’s an honor to be called by name.”

“You’re cut off.”

After saying that, I expanded my muscles and slammed my fist into his face.

Bam!

Without exaggeration, Rendel’s body spun in the air. With my muscles developed as a mage, my punch was too much for him.

“Ugh… My teeth!”

As Rendel picked up his teeth from the ground, I lowered my voice.

“Tell the others clearly. We’re done with those childish games.”

“Do you mean it?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself. Unless you want another hit.”

Rendel, confused and furious, showed a hint of murderous intent. Ignoring him, I spoke to Selly.

“What are you doing? We need to move.”

“…Yes.”

Selly blinked, still looking at me, even as we walked.

“What?”

“Just wondering if this is okay. Friends are important at the academy, right?”

“Forget it. It’s better to cut ties with those kinds of people.”

“Hehe.”

Selly chuckled and walked ahead. I don’t know what she was thinking, but I meant every word I said.

The Lethe club was named after the river of oblivion, symbolizing drinking until you forget everything. It was a group of ruffians, serving as comic relief, getting beaten by playable characters throughout the game.

If I didn’t want to be a joke, I needed to cut ties early.

We arrived at a snow-covered field, where a long marble table and a single professor stood out. The professor pointed to a building on the side as he saw Selly.

“Servants go over there.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Selly took the luggage and left, the professor pointed to the marble table without further explanation. On it were wooden plaques numbered from 1 to 70.

“Pick one.”

I chose the plaque with the number 7. This would give me the best position for the upcoming third exam.

The next task was a joint exam with the knighthood department. The goal was to escape from the dungeon.