I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City-Chapter 147: Passing Through Everyday Life to the Exam Day

"The final practical exam at Orion Academy will be to steal a bell from the instructors."

“···”

The students’ eyes filled with a deep sense of bewilderment. The silence was heavier than before.

Juyeon, sensing the growing tension in the classroom, immediately continued her explanation.

"Of course, if the instructors only evaluated their own students, there could be fairness issues and complaints. While it's not that the main instructor teaches better than the others, it is true that I am the strongest among the instructors. I can’t allow an unfair exam for Class 1."

Juyeon’s voice was calm. There was neither arrogance nor showiness.

It was nothing but a cold, hard fact. And it was something everyone already knew.

Even if all the instructors ganged up on her, they couldn’t win against Juyeon.

"Now, look at this."

The papers in front of Juyeon fluttered in the air, imbued with magic, and landed on the students' desks, one by one.

"As you can see, the bells each instructor holds are different in color, and the scoring varies as well. Even if you don't get the bell, there are detailed scores based on your actions and reactions."

The paper showed the pictures and positions of the instructors.

Juyeon’s bell was red, and obtaining it instantly awarded the highest score.

Looking at the number of bells, there was only one. The probability of anyone obtaining it seemed slim.

"Although we call it a bell-stealing test, it’s not just about stealing. The method and content of the test will vary according to the discretion of the instructors. The instructors who lose their bells will immediately equip an extra one."

The second instructor was Carrot.

A rabbit beastman and a specialist in martial arts, her kicks were extremely powerful, as she had written herself, drawing a carrot to emphasize the point.

Her bell was silver. Carrot could give out a total of 20 bells to the students.

Below her was Instructor Ed.

The male instructor who had been responsible for Rohan, Ichinose, and Noah’s placement tests.

He had a scruffy beard and sleepy eyes. He gave off a distinct aura of laziness.

His bell was also silver, with the same number and score as Carrot’s.

Next was Instructor Falkenhein.

A specialist in defensive magic, Falkenhein’s bell was blue, and he had a total of 100 bells.

His score was lower than that of Carrot and Ed.

Finally, there was Instructor Marcel.

A specialist in emergency medical treatment, healing, and antidotes.

His bell was yellow, and there were as many bells as there were first-year students. His score was the lowest.

"The exam will take place over three days, from 9 AM to 5 PM, within the premises of Orion Academy. The instructors will not share any information about the students until the exam is finished. Additionally, if the academy grounds are damaged during the exam, there will be no accountability."

However, any act of attacking another student with malice during this time...

Deliberately damaging the academy beyond what is necessary will not be allowed.

"Use every method and resource at your disposal with the instructors. If an instructor evaluates you through combat, attack without hesitation as if you are going to kill them. Even if you get injured or killed, the instructors will not blame you. The instructors will coldly evaluate how far you can go."

Juyeon’s words were not a lie.

If any of the students had the skills to match the instructors, they were ready to accept it humbly.

Of course, there was a follow-up that the instructors wouldn’t simply sit back during the exam.

The students, still shocked, couldn’t hide their wide-eyed expressions.

"Hunting monsters or facing villains is the same. If you can win and survive, don’t hesitate to use any means, as long as it’s within the bounds of human decency and ethics."

This wasn’t a call to use brutal or merciless actions.

It meant not crossing the line of humanity.

Don’t betray your comrades or sell them to criminals or monsters, and don’t stab your allies in the back like a beast.

It was a warning not to seek the rewards of corrupting oneself by devouring one’s own kin.

"Now, let’s look below. As written, you may use standard-issue weapons, or you can use any weapon you possess. The instructors' responses will also vary based on that."

The rest of the details regarding points and further explanations followed.

Once she finished her explanation clearly, Juyeon looked around at the students.

"That’s all. If you have any questions, I’ll take them."

"Instructor! Me! Me!"

Noah eagerly waved her hand, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

When Juyeon gave her permission to speak, Noah showed pure curiosity.

"You said to use any means necessary... What will you do if I call my dad?"

At Noah’s words, the students froze, unsure how to respond. Juyeon smiled.

The emotion behind the question was so innocent that it was almost amusing.

"Orion Academy strictly forbids the entry of unauthorized outsiders. If you can solve that, then it’s fine to try."

"Aha..."

It was impossible for the ruler of a nation to force his way into the academy just to help his daughter during an exam.

Noah nodded in understanding.

But Rohan, as always, was carefully analyzing Juyeon’s words and building his own strategies in his mind.

"Any other questions?"

Rohan raised his hand.

Juyeon’s gaze shifted to Rohan, who was seated at the front.

"I’m curious if it’s okay to get more than one bell?"

"Of course. Keep in mind that this is a relative evaluation, not an absolute one. Your goal should be to collect as many bells as possible."

Since there’s a limit to the number of bells, only one student will be allowed to get them.

But imagining taking Juyeon’s bell... that seemed almost impossible.

That’s why Rohan was eager to try.

‘The opportunity to freely use my strength against strong opponents is rare.’

This was a good opportunity. He could even use his Light and Mark abilities.

Though the instructors would likely hold back to some extent, Rohan wasn’t scared. In fact, he was eager to face their attacks head-on, testing his own skills and the difference in their abilities.

"Next question."

Juyeon answered each of Class 1’s questions one by one.

When all the questions were finished, the room quieted down, and Juyeon checked the time.

"This briefing is over. Prepare for class."

As soon as Juyeon left the classroom, Class 1 became lively.

The final exam at Orion Academy.

The time passed relentlessly, heading toward the day of the written exam that would mark the beginning.

Looking back, Rohan couldn’t help but feel that the time had passed incredibly fast.

In his perception, today had been an excessively happy day.

He had been drowning in joy, and it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that.

There were many days when Shion’s mansion was filled with Ichinose and Noah studying together.

There were also days when Ichinose invited him to a quiet café to study. Rohan hadn’t rejected her invitation because, in the absence of anyone else, the time spent together made him feel like they had shed the awkwardness of a kiss.

‘I want to keep living like this.’

While preparing for the written exam, he never skipped any training.

He didn’t lower the intensity; he increased it.

At the same time, he was determined to enjoy the happiness of his everyday life as much as he could.

Like a rotation, each of the girls would bring up ideas for places to go, and Rohan eagerly agreed without thinking ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) too much about it.

With Shion, they went shopping for furniture to put in the mansion.

Rohan couldn’t help but regret not having a picture of Shion when she was flustered by a staff member asking if they were newlyweds. It wasn’t often that Shion looked so flustered.

With Clara, they attended an offline gaming event.

It still stuck in Rohan’s mind how Clara, who had once been shy and withdrawn, had become so excited, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

They bought a bunch of merchandise and decorated their rooms with it.

‘What a luxury this is.’

The time spent with the girls was incredibly precious to Rohan.

If he had postponed these moments for studying or training, he would have regretted it without a doubt.

So, he did his best to enjoy every moment, and each day was satisfying beyond measure.

***

And so, the day of the written exam arrived.

Once the written exam ended today, the practical exams would begin the very next day.

Rohan left the dorm early in the morning.

‘My burdens are piling up like a mountain.’

If his written exam score improved, how should he repay Ichinose?

Unlike last time, when he had asked her a simple question, this time he had received tutoring from Noah, almost like private lessons.

Thanks to that, Rohan had become much more familiar with numbers and formulas.

"···."

Step. Step. Step.

At this early hour when no one else was at school, Rohan arrived at Orion Academy.

He put away the notes he had been reviewing on the way.

‘Should I try it?’

Normally, his routine would take him to the training room to exercise with Ichinose.

But today, his steps were heading in a different direction. He walked across the vast grounds of Orion Academy.

Rohan’s bag no longer contained the usual supplements or spare clothes. It was filled with an unknown, heavy objects.

With the bag in hand, Rohan began to wander the grounds where the instructors would take their positions during the practical exam.