Chapter 86. Exam Preparation

Chapter 86. Exam Preparation

Moon Surin trudged back to her lodging after seeing off Lee Hoyeon.

At Victoria Academy, cadets were generally required to live in dormitories, but they could request to live outside if desired.

Moon Surin disliked constantly running into other cadets in the dorms, so she arranged her own place.

“Haa....”

Without taking a shower, removing her makeup, or changing properly, she collapsed onto her bed in exhaustion.

“I should wash up....”

Every time this moment came, she found it hard to move.

She wished she could stay like this forever—wrapped in drowsiness, embraced by the soft bed.

But time wouldn’t allow Moon Surin such luxury.

Struggling, she forced herself to her feet and headed to the shower.

She washed her entire body thoroughly and removed her makeup.

After finishing a simple skincare routine, she realized it was already past 11 PM.

The thought of another frustrating day repeating itself tomorrow filled her with stress.

“Did he send a message?”

Still, the dinner with Lee Hoyeon, which was initially just for business, had been fulfilling.

They had chatted so much that she lost an hour of sleep, but she didn’t mind.

Indeed, Lee Hoyeon was both a source of healing and a sanctuary for her. He was someone she absolutely couldn’t lose.

More helpful than her absent father or her grandfather, who idled in the chairman’s office.

“He replied right away.”

The list she had given to Lee Hoyeon.

It contained all the elixirs that could be prepared immediately at the Academy.

Of course, that list alone was far from enough compensation. She planned to get him an artifact or something extra.

Since she had asked him if he needed anything else, he would probably let her know what was missing.

- Hoyeon: Since I’m a mage, the Millennium Snow Ginseng should be enough, Noona!

“Huh...?”

What was he saying? That the Millennium Snow Ginseng alone was sufficient?

Me: Hoyeon, are you asking for more Millennium Snow Ginseng? I’m really sorry, but it’s extremely difficult to obtain. Would you prefer a magic-related artifact instead?

The Millennium Snow Ginseng was an elixir that increased one’s mana capacity.

Since mana capacity was predetermined at birth and could only increase with time, such elixirs were always in high demand.

The only reason she even had a single root was thanks to the Academy; in any other guild, it would have been impossible to get.

- Hoyeon: No, no! One root is more than enough! I wouldn’t dare ask for more. Even if you have extra, you should keep it for yourself, Noona.

‘... Is he serious?’

A single root of Millennium Snow Ginseng—something completely out of reach for ordinary people or even Hunters.

But it was nothing compared to the contribution of bringing the Saintess to the Academy.

The benefits she would reap from that far outweighed the value of any elixir.

Moon Surin pondered deeply over his response.

No matter how kind someone was, they wouldn’t simply refuse an elixir of that caliber.

In monetary terms, its value was in the billions—no, even hundreds of billions.

While keeping it might strengthen her bargaining power in future negotiations with the Academy regarding Lee Hoyeon... Wait?

‘Hold on....’

She recalled their earlier conversation at the restaurant.

‘As I said, the Saintess coming to the Academy was thanks to you... So, we’ve decided to show our gratitude to you.’

‘I did it all for you, Noona, so I’d be grateful for any reward.’

“Could it be...?”

Was he really doing this... for me?

“No, no way. That’s impossible.”

Shaking her head, Moon Surin tried to clear her thoughts.

No, it was just a misunderstanding.

Sorting out her thoughts, she typed out a reply with trembling fingers.

*

“One root of Millennium Snow Ginseng is a jackpot.”

It was an elixir worth billions per root.

Although other elixirs were tempting, increasing his mana capacity was his top priority.

That was why he chose the Millennium Snow Ginseng.

Ding-!

A reply from Surin Noona arrived.

- Surin Noona: Are you sure one root of Millennium Snow Ginseng is enough? You don’t need anything else?

Why was she so insistent on giving him more when he already said he didn’t need it?

It seemed that as their bond grew stronger, she wanted to share even her own portion with him.

That wouldn’t do.

- Me: Of course, it’s enough. Don’t worry about me—take care of yourself first, Noona. You didn’t look well. Please make sure to eat something nutritious.

He crafted a reply filled with warm words.

- Surin Noona: ...Thank you. I’ll make sure to repay you.

It seemed that even Moon Surin was moved by his sincerity.

“Man... I’m an A-rank husband material at this rate.”

Feeling pleased with his social skills, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

*

“Haa....”

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Elise was studying with her head in her hands.

Sipping coffee, she continued summarizing the remaining sections of Modern Hunter Studies. As the headache grew, she took a break to stretch.

“Ugh, my head... But why hasn’t Dad contacted me?”

He had promised to send her a commission voucher after receiving her adorable text, yet there was no response.

“He’s always awake at night... Weird.”

Given his habit of sleeping during the day and working at night, he shouldn’t be asleep. Maybe he was busy?

No way... He wouldn’t just ghost her, right?

Elise sent her father a message.

- Me: Daaad...? When are you sending the commission voucher? ㅇ.ㅇ?

Just typing it made her cringe, but if she wanted something from her dad, this was the way to go.

It doubled the effectiveness.

- Dad: Elise?! Sorry, I just finished work. I’ll call you now.

“No, don’t call....”

Riiing—

Contrary to her wishes, her phone started ringing loudly.

The thought of saying those words out loud made her shudder, but she had no choice.

Keeping promises was a matter of pride.

“Hewwo Daddy~?”

- Elise! What’s wrong?! Is there an emergency at the Academy?

His voice boomed through the phone like a fire alarm.

Elise winced but kept her cutesy tone.

“Daaad, why haven’t you sent the commission voucher yet?”

- Ah, that... I’ll send it now. The guild executives were whining about their schedules, so I had to scold them.

“Aha~ Take your time. No rush.”

He hadn’t promised a deadline, so she could wait.

Of course, she wouldn’t let him off the hook entirely.

- Of course, I’ll send it... But why do you need it?

“Mmm... Elise really needs this. Just once...”

- O-Okay! If Elise needs it, of course, I’ll give it to you! ...But who are you giving it to?

“Thanks, Daddy! Love you!”

- A-Ah, Daddy loves you too, Elise! I’ll send the request voucher through Sebastian! Love you, Elise!

“Yeesss~ Hanging up now, Daddy. Bye-bye.”

- Of course! Daddy always thinks of you and always...

Beep—

“That should be enough... Ugh.”

Elise rubbed her arms to get rid of the goosebumps and took another sip of her coffee.

Her father had persistently asked who she was giving the voucher to, but she had managed to dodge the question with her usual charm.

“Lee Hoyeon... I absolutely have to win this exam.”

Fueled by the embarrassment of her earlier act, Elise reignited her motivation and continued studying.

*

“Not getting up? Your exam is today.”

I woke up to Liliana nudging me with her foot from the bed.

“...What time is it?”

I hadn’t even stayed up that late, but my body felt unusually heavy.

“7:50 AM.”

“Holy shit.”

The moment I heard the time, my hazy mind instantly cleared.

I threw off my blanket and grabbed my cadet uniform.

“Yawn, you’re heading out right away?”

Liliana, still half-asleep, yawned and watched me with lazy eyes.

“It’s at 8. Of course, I have to run!”

“At least wash your face. You have eye gunk.”

“...Thanks.”

I quickly washed my face and ran out with unkempt hair.

The time: 7:52 AM.

I focused my mana throughout my body.

I never thought I’d have to use Acceleration just to get to class on time.

It just proves that everything you learn eventually becomes useful.

Feeling the wind rush past my face, I sprinted toward the academy. The lack of other students on the way only confirmed how late I was.

The first-year lecture hall came into view.

Time: 7:58 AM.

Tap tap tap. Click—

I rushed in and swung open the door to Class A.

The gazes of the cadets landed on me, and Professor Kim Jinhyuk’s cold eyes bore into me.

“You’re here.”

“Huff, huff, s-sorry...”

“I won’t mark you late, but take your seat quickly. I was explaining the exam.”

“Thank you.”

I quickly sat next to Lucy and Lumi.

Maybe the eight consecutive duels yesterday had taken a bigger toll on my body than I realized.

I had barely any mana left after that.

I really needed to consume that Millennium Snow Ginseng to increase my mana reserves.

“Hey, did you oversleep? Your hair looks crazy.”

“Yeah, I woke up at 7:50.”

“T-That’s impressive. Did you stay up studying last night?”

Lumi, sitting beside me, looked at me with admiration, her eyes sparkling like she was witnessing something amazing.

“No, that’s not it...”

“So you did! You stayed up all night studying, didn’t you?”

“I said no...”

Why do these two never believe me?

Even the cadets sitting behind us were looking at me with wary eyes.

Whatever. They can believe what they want.

“Stop chatting and focus.”

Professor Kim Jinhyuk directed his words straight at me.

‘Why is it always me?’

Even when I don’t do anything, all attention is on me. The life of a protagonist is tough.

“As you all read on Everday, midterms will continue throughout the entire next week.”

Ahh—

Groans of dismay filled the lecture hall.

Unbothered, Kim Jinhyuk continued explaining.

“Today will be the written exams, followed by team exams and practical monster tests tomorrow. Friday will be a one-on-one tournament duel. Preliminary matches will also be held throughout today and tomorrow. Take note.”

So today is the written exam.

Written tests cover a variety of subjects, including modern hunter studies, encryption, reverse analysis, and other problem-solving fields.

Since the entire day was allocated for written tests, we’d be taking exams both in the morning and afternoon.

“Many cadets get so focused on practical exams that they neglect written tests and end up regretting it. I know practicals are more fun, but don’t neglect your studies. Though, at this point, it’s already too late to study.”

“Yes, sir~.”

Not that I was worried about the written test.

Sorry, Elise, but I think I’ll have to take first place and make you jealous.

“Next week’s schedule will be announced later. Now, head to your assigned test rooms.”

After finishing his announcement, Kim Jinhyuk exited the classroom.

Since we were told to move, the morning must be for subject-specific tests, while the afternoon would be for general exams.

“Lucy, where’s our test room?”

“You didn’t even check? Just how rushed were you?”

“Sorry, sorry. We’re in the same room, right? Lumi, you too?”

“Yes, I’m taking the mage theory exam as well.”

“Let’s go, then.”

I followed Lucy and Lumi as we moved to the designated exam hall.

We entered the magic department’s lecture hall for first-years.

Elise was already sitting inside.

So she was taking the mage exam too.

While Lucy and Lumi left for the restroom, I approached Elise to say hello.

“Elise, did you study a lot?”

“...You pulled an all-nighter, didn’t you?”

Elise looked at me with wary, sleep-deprived eyes, as if I were an enemy.

She was the one who stayed up all night, so why was she acting like this?

“No, I didn’t...”

Is this some kind of rivalry thing? People were giving me intense looks just because I showed up looking unkempt for once.

I just overslept, that’s all.

“Anyway, do your best. Good luck.”

“...I’ll definitely take first place. Just watch.”

Elise narrowed her eyes and turned back to her book.

I had only meant to wish her luck, but she took it as a challenge.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Elise]

- [ Affection: 36 ]

- [ Lust: 25 ]

- [ Appetite: 30 ]

- [ Fatigue: 40 ]

Current Status: Is Sebastian Chan still not done? He’s never this slow with work…

Sebastian Chan? Who’s that?

Must be a personal matter. Oh well.

I shrugged and returned to my seat.

*************************************************

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