Rohan had just returned to Orion Academy after a busy lunch break.
At that moment, he coincidentally ran into Ichinose in the hallway of Class 1.
When he asked if she had managed to get the goods she wanted at the restaurant, Ichinose, with a beaming smile, called him over to her locker to proudly show off the item.
“They said the other products will be sold later, but this acrylic stand is a limited edition item available at each branch.”
“Oh! So you got that? That’s awesome!”
“Right? I was really lucky. The odds were so low that I was planning to go back for lunch tomorrow.”
The stand featured Woolwool cooking and Bluebee serving.
Judging by the background and outfits, it seemed to be a concept of them working part-time at a collaboration café.
Some might wonder if an acrylic block that got printed by a machine was really something to get so excited about.
But Rohan knew. He knew it was something worth getting excited over.
Limited edition merch? That’s so cool.
Having enjoyed Abyss City with the same passion, Rohan could perfectly understand Ichinose’s enthusiasm, as she was someone he could consider a kindred spirit.
“Looks like Noah played a big role.”
“That’s right. But we got it earlier than expected, so I couldn’t treat her to a big meal. We ended up stopping by a regular restaurant on the way back.”
With her eyes wide open.
Ichinose’s excited chattering made her seem like a canary.
In reality, Ichinose was in a position where she could have obtained the desired item without going to the store herself.
But she seemed to understand well the thrill of getting it in person and the etiquette of competition.
Rohan found it particularly admirable that Ichinose refrained from using her influence over the characters or the companies that owned them.
“Above all, I’m even happier because it’s my principle not to buy items that are resold at higher prices.”
“Ah…! I totally get that feeling.”
“Fufu, the happiness of feeling like my love has reached the ceiling is also something I can’t ignore.”
As they chatted like this, they returned to Class 1.
However, Ichinose didn’t ask about Sion or Clara. When they arrived at the classroom, she quietly went back to her seat.
It didn’t seem like she was trying to probe for information either.
Perhaps it was a gesture to indicate that, since it was an internal matter of Tigrova, she, as a member of the Three Nations Alliance, wouldn’t get involved.
It wasn’t easy to figure out the girl’s true intentions.
“….…”
When Rohan entered the classroom, he also noticed Noah who was sprawled out seemingly drunk on fullness.
Though she shot curious glances at him, as if she had heard something from Ichinose, she showed restraint in her demeanor.
For the time being, there shouldn’t be any issues.
With one burden off his mind, he prepared for class.
That afternoon was scheduled for a theory lesson.
As he took out his textbook and chatted with Gilbert, Joo-yeon entered the room.
As always, she stood at the podium with a flawless presence.
“You all know that midterms start next week, don’t you?”
At the sound of Joo-yeon’s voice, the students of Class 1 sharpened their focus.
After confirming that none of them were sluggish or drowsy from post-lunch fatigue, Joo-yeon looked satisfied and continued speaking.
“Most of you are probably aware, whether from researching Orion Academy before enrolling or from observing the Orion Circle, that the first-year midterms have never been particularly grand or remarkable.”
With that explanation, Joo-yeon transitioned into a discussion about the changes in the world, centered around the academy city.
“But this year is different. A final decision was just made in a unanimous vote during a meeting.”
A hologram of a Monolith appeared above the podium.
Unlike before when it simply spawned monsters, this terrifying phenomenon now swallowed humans and sent them to an unknown place called a dungeon.
“You’re all aware of the recent uproar surrounding the strange occurrences involving these Monoliths.”
Those who returned from them all spoke of terrible experiences. Countless others never made it back.
This phenomenon showed no signs of stopping, and among those who had returned, not a single case had been like Rohan’s where the party recovered completely.
“The number of recorded cases is still too low to organize clear information. With so few survivors, it’s safe to say that no definitive conclusions have been reached regarding the Monolith anomalies.”
“””…….”””
After scanning the faces of the students who were listening intently, Joo-yeon proceeded to explain the reason for the change in the practical exam.
“That matter is being handled by esteemed figures from various countries, so all we can do is wait. As for us, who specialize in combat, our priority should be training and education to make sure we can respond to the situation as effectively as possible.”
Until now, the academy’s training had focused mainly on deepening their understanding of combat against monsters.
In the past, it might have been different, but in the current world, facing monsters while suffering from a lack of food or water was almost unheard of.
However, it seemed the world had no intention of allowing academy students to take an ordinary exam.
As if to make it clear that they needed to master survival in other ways as well, the world had changed drastically.
“The practical exam will take place on an deserted island overrun by monsters, just like last year’s second-year final exam. Now that I’ve said this much, you should have a rough idea of what to expect.”
Such was the era they lived in.
Being dragged into a Monolith no longer just meant facing monsters and dying in battle. It now meant also fearing starvation.
And merely filling one’s stomach or quenching one’s thirst wouldn’t be enough.
Conflicts arising from individuals pushed to the edge, the need for mediation in between, issues between ordinary people and those with power, food distribution struggles—
If a large number of people unfamiliar with dungeons were to be taken, the problems would be endless.
“This recent shift in the Monoliths is extremely severe. Many have been thrown into dungeons where the climate and conditions are at their worst. Fights will become frequent, and people’s minds will be pushed closer and closer to the edge of a cliff.”
Even for Joo-yeon, this seemed to be the limit of what she could share with the students for now.
But it was enough. The meaning behind her words had been fully conveyed to the students of Class 1.
They now understood what the academy was trying to make them realize.
“Remember what the instructors always say. The goal of Orion Academy is to train students into specialists.”
Turning around, she wrote the expected exam period on the board.
They would depart on the same day the written test ended and remain there from Monday to Friday.
“In a greenhouse environment, no matter what methods you use, there’s a clear limit to how much you can improve.”
With a sharp tap! Joo-yeon punctuated her words with finality.
Then she lightened the mood.
“Of course, the written exam on theory will remain the same as before. That part isn’t changing, so don’t worry.”
Rohan listened intently and instinctively let out a sigh. He felt the weight of the written test was even more daunting than the practical one.
“Haa…”
Joo-yeon’s gaze shifted to Rohan as she caught the sound of his tense breath.
Sensing her eyes on him, Rohan watched as Joo-yeon’s lips curled into a faint smile. There was a subtle hint of expectation in her expression.
“Test scores aren’t everything, but they are certainly a great way to prove your efforts and establish your direction after graduating from the academy. As your instructor, I only hope that the students under my guidance can follow the paths they desire.”
It was a statement that revealed Joo-yeon’s hope. That her teaching methods had not been wrong.
Rohan and Noah who had pulled a ridiculous stunt by randomly guessing their answers on the placement test swallowed hard.
I really need to do well this time.
After all, Rohan’s past experience of possessing this body had come with a harsh lesson during that very same test.
Now, it was time to achieve tangible results through all the effort he had put in.
His written test scores had already hit rock bottom; there was nowhere lower to go. This was his chance to reshape his ambiguous image as neither a troublemaker nor an exemplary student, in Joo-yeon’s eyes.
“With that, all announcements are done. Let’s begin the lesson.”
The theory class transitioned seamlessly.
By now, Class 1 was used to following along without hesitation.
⋯
⋯
After the first afternoon class ended, the break period began.
Rohan contacted the Spider Lily Bookstore, informed the owner of the exam schedule, and got permission to take time off during that period.
At the same time, he found himself deep in thought.
I should probably cut back on my bookstore shifts… or maybe quit altogether.
It was a decision he had to make sooner than expected, but the time had come.
Once the reward money came in, life would become a bit more comfortable. As for the Spider Lily Bookstore, Rohan had already reaped the sweetest benefits from it. It was the moment he met Clara and established a connection with her.
Although he had looked forward to any unexpected events that might arise during his part-time job, right now, wielding a sword and pushing his body to its limits was far more urgent.
Should I stop by today and have a talk with the manager?
Just as he made that decision and was about to head back to the classroom—
Bzzzt! His phone vibrated with a message.
[Clara: Unnie just left… ㅜㅜ]
[Clara: (Photo)]
The picture Clara sent showed a train soaring through the sky.
So Sion is on that train.
The sight of a train racing through the air was unbelievably fascinating.
I should call her during the next break.
He left a message in the group chat, telling Sion to travel safely and Clara to return safely as well.
Just as he finally decided to head inside—
Rohan was interrupted once again.
This time, it was a notification window.
[The shop list has been updated.]
“Oh.”
This was another long-awaited piece of news.
A skill that had kept him waiting without any indication of when it would be ready had finally made its appearance.
What exactly did they add that took so long…?
Holding onto that subtle sense of anticipation, Rohan activated the shop skill.
“…….!”
When he saw the newly added items, he froze and held his breath.
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