Chapter 37 (1/2)
Chapter 37
… The chairman of Imperial University Tower’s board of directors received interesting news from the private office.
It was an order from Bercht regarding the Red Box.
If this were a game, most people would’ve gambled 10 million or 100 million Elnes that they would be commanded to begin the Red Box oppression.
However, the result was quite the opposite, and Deculein’s fierce contribution to that outcome made it all the more surprising.
“What is this…”
“I know how you feel.”
At the chairman’s office, thirteen faculty members gathered, including Relin and Letran.
The chairman often gave an audience to the professors at least once a month, the only person who had never stopped by for it being Deculein.
“I’m curious why you’re all here today. Did you meet someone at Madoho?”
The Professors just laughed at the chairman’s question.
There were many schools in this magical world, just like how there were multiple factions all over the continent. Relin and the rest belonged to an organization called Madoho.
Deculein wasn’t tied to any school. The Yukline Family itself was no different from being a godfather of the magic world, after all.
“Louina attended Madoho this time. I’ve been talking to her for a while…” One of the professors spoke up, causing the chairman to smile bitterly.
Louina competed against Deculein for the Head Professor position, at least until she voluntarily resigned due to an “unexpected incident.”
She was now the Head Professor of the Kingdom University Tower.
“Is she coming back to the Empire?”
“Hahaha! Well, if you can guarantee her seat, she definitely will. If that happens, our tower will definitely greatly benefit from it. Weren’t her achievements in the kingdom remarkable?”
“…”
“On the other hand, Professor Deculein is a bit… strange these days. He’s even defending the Red Box. Based on his behavior at Bercht, Professor Deculein seems…”
The chairman smiled and gestured, knowing full well what the professor was trying to convey.
“Alright. If Louina says she’ll come, I’ll take it into consideration. Well, let’s end this meeting here for now. I have something to do today.”
“Yes, chairman!”
They were turned away positively, and the professors left the office with bright faces.
“Hmmmmm…” Deep in thought with his chin resting on the back of her hand, the chairman pulled out some documents.
Papers were flowing in since they were in the middle of an exam period. A lot of test questions, in particular, had reached her office.
It wasn’t his habit to rummage through them, but…
“How did he make this problem?” She was surprised by the exam Deculein prepared. She even felt proud of himself for being able to solve at least its last question.
“I don’t think I can create something like this even if I used the other exams as reference.”
She wasn’t joking around. Its problems were good enough to be used for the ‘Solda’ promotion test.
However, the chairman was not naive enough to think that Deculein made the problems himself.
“Hnngg… He’s hiding it well this time… Who would it be…” She mumbled in a small voice and grinned.
“Well, who cares? It’s rather fun.”
Wouldn’t he be flustered if she asked him about the test questions? Professor Deculein would look pretty cute then.
“I’d have to tease you later!”
*****
Wednesday.
The examination day for the 5-credit class.
Since this exam was as important as the first three combined, Epherene decided to go to the tower earlier than usual, immediately heading to the [30th Floor], the entirety of which was reserved solely for their incoming test.
She opened the door with the nameplate [Examination Waiting Room] attached to it.
“Woah.”
Epherene was startled.
It was only 8 AM, but more than a hundred people were already gathered.
“…”
“…”
Their silent chatter stopped. Maybe because of the recent events, all eyes were on Epherene.
Epherene’s nickname these days was the thoughtless commoner, although she wasn’t a commoner.
Epherene sat near Julia and the other club members. “Ifi, did you just wake up?”
“No, I didn’t sleep.”
She could no longer remember how many cups of coffee she consumed throughout the night.
But that was how exams usually affected students anyway. However, due to her nervousness and the caffeine in her body, she couldn’t fall asleep. However, she was more faultless now than before.
“Ifi, do you want to look at my notes? I wrote down my discernment yesterday.” Julia grinned.
“Okay, I’ll show you mine too.”
The two exchanged notes, studying together until the clock struck 11 and Assistant Professor Allen came in.
“Good morning. I am Allen, the Assistant Professor. The midterm exam for [Understanding Pure Elemental Magic] will start without roll-call.”
Allen read the paper he had in his hand.
“Beforehand, I’ll be providing you with some information about it. First and foremost, it will have no time limit.”
“?”
The wizards were taken aback for a moment. Allen also covered his mouth and stared at what he was reading suspiciously as if he said something wrong.
“Rather, the test’s deadline is next Sunday at midnight, which is a week after the tower’s exam period.”
The wizards became even more dumbfounded.
It was currently Wednesday. If the deadline was at midnight next Sunday, that meant that they had ten days to take the test.
While Epherene was trying to make sense of such puzzling information, Allen continued talking.
“Of course, you can take other exams during that time. You can eat outside, sleep at home, wash up, go play to relieve your stress. However, the test paper itself can’t be taken outside.”
She found it strange. No, it was an interesting method.
“Additionally, each person will be given a private room as their test site. You can even sleep inside it. However, you must bring your own pillow and blanket. Bringing and eating food inside it is allowed. The same goes for bringing and reading books and theses. Moreover, this test allows open notes.”
Epherene’s eyebrows began to furrow in doubt. If the test was expected to last ten days despite allowing them to look at their notes, how difficult could it be?
No, could such a level of difficulty even be possible?
“Lastly, Head Professor Deculein left a few words of motivation.”
Allen cleared his throat and imitated Deculein.
“‘If ever someone gets a perfect score, I’ll write a Letter of Recommendation as the Head Professor—'”
Letter of Recommendation.
All the wizards’ eyes widened at those words. He was a wizard above Monarch.
Among the 11 wizard ranks, he was at the 4th. No, maybe even at the 1st. Regardless, the Head Professor’s Letter of Recommendation was extremely valuable.
This would be a bit of an exaggeration, but it essentially meant that they automatically passed the Solda promotion test apart from its interview.
“…”
The wizards’ enthusiasm burned up even though the test was very strange.
Of course, they had already expected Sylvia to claim 1st place with an overwhelming lead, but the Letter of Recommendation wasn’t just for one person, but for everyone who got a perfect score.
It was a good chance for late-bloomers to rise and make a name for themselves.
“I will now assign each of you an exam room. Please stand up and follow me, starting from the front row.”
Fifteen people in the front row of the waiting room got up first. He repeated that same procedure ten times.
Sylvia was assigned to room number 23, and Epherene and the other club members were assigned to room number 73~78.
“… Good luck, Ifi. Fight!”
“Yes, you too.” Knowing that she had a lot of time made her anxiety die down.
While they were exchanging encouragement, Allen shouted. “Okay. Everybody, go in!”
Epherene took a deep breath and went inside.
The room was a little wider than the one-person room in the dormitory. It had a desk, a chair, and a clock. On top of the desk was the test paper.
Epherene immediately sat on the chair and looked at number one.
[1. Calculate the circuit of the following technique.]
She was certain it was a theoretical question.
Epherene took out her pencil. At the same time, she released mana through her fingers.
Epherene calculated the theory by using intuition, recreating the circuit with her mana as she computed.
“… Whoo.”
She solved it in an hour. Epherene instilled the proper amount of mana on the answer column before turning the page.
[2. Inferring from the key circuit of the following technique, describe its flow of mana.]
Question number 2 was a little difficult, but it was still theoretical, as expected. She spent 3 to 4 hours solving it.
But the real problem came after that.
[ 3. The following circuit is part of a specific magic. Deduce the above formula through the following conditions, express the magic, and implant it to the test paper.]
Epherene thought about how to handle it best, assuming it would be easy at first.
However, she couldn’t develop a solution for it no matter how long she spent pondering about it.
“I’m sleepy.”
Epherene eventually put her pen down and laid on the floor.
“… Haaaaaa.”
She closed her eyes in this rigid place to take a little break, and before she knew it, a day had passed.
*****
The fourth day of the ‘Understanding Pure Elemental Magic’ exam.
The knight cadets who left for their exams on Saturday had returned, and most of the tests of the regular undergraduates were coming to an end.
However, the tower itself was still hot and bustling.
Right now, not only the university tower wizards but also the outer kingdom tower, cadets, and undergraduates were paying attention to it.
The reason was, of course, Deculein’s marathon exam, which apparently was hard enough to warrant having an entire week or two dedicated to challenging it.
However, the test this time was promoted by the chairman herself.
“Yes! The exam is still ongoing on the 30th floor!”
Thanks to that, many came to gather news materials, and the chairman came forward to respond to their queries.
“What is its level of difficulty?”
“Nigh-impossible, but I felt really happy after I solved it! The students will feel enlightened once they’ve finished it! It’s worth trying!”
“Do you intend to publicize the test questions afterward?”