The blind villain of the academy

Chapter 163

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Episode 38 - Exams [3]

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"Alright, today’s exam will be the Magic Class exam."

"The exam sheets will be handed out, so anyone caught cheating or looking at the exam paper of the person next to them will have one thousand points deducted."

"Yes, Professor."

The next morning, the first written exam began first thing in the day.

Since there were several subjects, five written exams would be held each day.

With two days remaining until Friday, there would be a total of fifteen exams.

’Fortunately, I studied in the library with everyone’s help yesterday.’

Not to mention studying by myself, I can barely walk normally because of my blindness, let alone read books.

Of course, the same applies to writing. Since I can’t see, I don’t know whether I’m writing in a straight line or spelling words incorrectly.

Fortunately, Professor Ashly said she would send me an assistant to write for me.

I only had to answer, and the assistant would write everything down.

"So then, first question..."

I didn’t know who the assistant was, but sitting beside me, the assistant read me the first question.

"Ah, yes, of course, the answer is..."

Over the next ten minutes, I answered each question and the other topics related to the exam.

This scene reminded me of my first day at the Academy when I took the entrance exam.

Time passed, and eventually the exam ended.

Professor Ashly told Lumina to come and collect the exams.

A short while later, Professor Ashly said,

"By the way, the results of the written exams will be made public on Monday next week."

Shortly afterward, she left together with the assistant who had written everything for me.

I leaned back in my seat and let out a sigh.

’Well, the practical exams will be quite interesting.’

In a way, all the cadets were looking forward to the practical exams.

However, especially the final exam.

"Adel, what was the answer to the first question?"

Coming out of my thoughts, I heard Rinna ask.

"Are you seriously asking that?"

"Eh, well, it’s just that... I forgot what we studied yesterday, hehe."

"..."

’I wonder whose idea it was to make Rinna like this... ah, wait, it was me.’

But this world was reality now, and my memories were quite strange.

So, in theory, I was never the creator of the main characters.

"Even so, isn’t she a bit too stupid?"

"Mhm, who’s stupid?"

"A friend. That’s all I’ll say."

***

The remaining exams continued throughout the rest of the day.

Eventually, the day was coming to an end, and I had planned to return to the dormitories. However, Professor Ashly had called for me.

So I was currently heading toward her office, but I wasn’t the only one she had summoned.

Lumina was walking silently beside me.

I couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable, something that should already have become normal, yet I could never get used to it.

’Ugh, and on top of that, the memory of what happened in Zeron City when I went after the Ancient Spirit’s body and the hidden piece...’

I didn’t know Lumina had followed me, and when I went to the Mana Channel, I found Lumina submerged there.

So, to keep Lumina from dying, I gave her my blood, but at the same time, I had kissed her.

’Damn it, just thinking about it makes me feel even more awkward around her.’

Finally, I arrived in front of Professor Ashly’s office door.

I knocked on the door three times, and shortly afterward, Professor Ashly’s voice said,

"Come in."

I reached out to grab the doorknob and thought I had it, but I only grasped air.

"...."

I was stunned because I thought the doorknob was right there.

I moved my hand around, but for some reason I couldn’t find the doorknob.

"The door is already open."

Lumina said while I remained frozen.

’The door is already open, but I just knocked three times and...’

Right, with my senses sealed, I don’t know whether I do some things correctly or incorrectly.

"Ah, ha, ha, I already knew that. I was just... trying something."

"It’s fine."

I hurried forward and entered the office. Shortly afterward, with uncertain steps, I barely managed to find a seat.

After I sat down, Professor Ashly, who seemed to be working on something, spoke.

"Alright, now that you’re here, I have something to tell you."

I tilted my head curiously and asked,

"What exactly is it?"

"As you know, we’re currently in the examination period, and during the third week, all first-year students will take their final exam on another Continent with certain objectives."

"Yes, we know that."

I said, and Professor Ashly continued.

"So, since you’re my assistants and also cadets, I know you’ll be busy. That’s why I’ll stop calling you to help me with my work here."

"Besides, what I have to tell you is important."

I already knew where this conversation was heading.

’One of the Side Quests obtained without doing absolutely anything.’

Normally, to unlock a Side Quest, you have to go to certain places, fulfill some requirements, or ask someone something and have a chance of being given a quest.

That was how it worked in the game, but during these six months at the Academy.

I tried to unlock a Side Quest, but the Quest Window never appeared.

Which I didn’t understand. If Main Quests exist, then Side Quests should exist as well, but they don’t.

’I don’t know why the Quest Window doesn’t react.’

Naturally, I know how to unlock countless Side Quests. However, for some reason, I never unlocked a single one, or perhaps they simply no longer exist.

But this time is different.

When you’re Professor Ashly’s assistant, there’s a Side Quest that takes place during summer vacation.

Basically, after the exams.

’But why hasn’t the Quest Window appeared yet?’

While I was lost in thought, Professor Ashly said,

"After the exams, I need you to accompany me to the Atlas Seminar, which will be held during the last week of the vacation."

"I’ll be presenting a thesis there, and I need your help as my assistants. Of course, there will be other things as well, but the presentation of my thesis is the most important, and..."

She fell silent for a few seconds before saying,

"And there will be a competition between assistants, and I want the two of you to win. The rewards are something you’ll definitely want."

I asked while pretending not to know.

"What reward will it be?"

Professor Ashly replied,

"I know both of you are preparing to advance to Five Stars, and the reward is a Mythical-Grade Elixir that increases your mana by 40%, along with several other benefits. Of course, I also gain something from it, so to speak."

I nodded while pretending to consider it.

Although, aside from the competition between assistants and Professor Ashly’s thesis presentation.

The Side Quest itself doesn’t affect the Main Story very much.

However, failing this quest will result in one of two possible outcomes.

First, Professor Ashly may leave the Academy due to the results of everything that happens at the Atlas Seminar, and the difficulty of Chapter Four increases slightly.

And second, Professor Ashly’s death, which will also cause a slight increase in the difficulty of Chapter Four.

’The objective is Professor Ashly’s survival.’

Although she is a Seven-Star mage, her true field is theory.

She isn’t very skilled when it comes to combat, and the people targeting her, along with other important figures at the Atlas Seminar.

Are experts in assassination, and killing a mage inexperienced in combat would be far too easy.

"Alright, I won’t miss it."

I finally said with a smile.

"Me neither."

Lumina replied immediately afterward.

"Thank you, my dear assistants."

And in any case, saving Professor Ashly would be a way of thanking her for being kind to me compared to the other professors.

’And since Lumina is participating as well, the Side Quest isn’t as difficult as it appears.’

***

Clack!

The door behind me closed after I left Professor Ashly’s office.

Lumina was right beside me, so without saying a word, I started walking, and Lumina followed me.

"...."

While I walked in silence, her voice suddenly reached my ears.

"You’ve been acting differently than usual. Are you really alright?"

Without stopping, I said,

"Yes, I’m fine, but why do you ask?"

Her sudden appearance yesterday after class and her question about whether I was alright.

Left me somewhat confused.

Although right now I can’t see her emotions, and I’m not sure whether it’s genuine concern or simply her probing me.

Considering that she’s a regressor and that I appeared out of nowhere, she could be thinking about many things.

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to know what she’s thinking.

"Just out of curiosity, do you remember when I told you I’d take the number one rank in the class from you?"

"Yes, I still remember."

She said she would take first place from me on the very first day of class.

But so far, it doesn’t seem like she’s made any attempt to take my top rank.

"I only wanted to compete while you’re at your best. If you’re not at your best, then there’s no point in competing with you."

’Could that be an excuse?’

Well, in my memories, Lumina is actually terrible at coming up with excuses.

It wasn’t hard to tell that she never intended to take Rank 1 from me, because in the end, the rankings mean nothing to her.

Her real goal is probably to learn something about me. As a regressor, and with me being an anomaly in her eyes.

It would make sense for her to investigate me while making cheap excuses.

’Mhm, how should I react?’

After thinking for a second, I suddenly stopped and then turned around.

I finally walked toward her.

"What is it...? W-what are you doing...?"

When I stopped right in front of her, I said,

"Try to take first place from me if you can, but if you can’t, then accept a punishment worthy of your words."

I made sure to whisper it into her ear, and since I couldn’t know her reaction to my sudden action.

I let it go, turned around, and walked away, leaving her behind.

’If only my Traits weren’t sealed, it would’ve been interesting to see her emotions and her reaction.’