Chapter 82

◈ Chapter 82: First Test (1)

On the day the first test was just around the corner.

Rudger finished reviewing the final exam questions in the faculty office.

Across from him, Sedina, the teaching assistant, was diligently organizing various documents.

“Sedina.”

“Yes! P-P-Professor Rudger!”

“Has anything happened recently?”

Rudger asked Sedina without taking his eyes off the exam questions.

Sedina, who had been staring at him in a daze, snapped back to her senses and replied.

“N-no, not really.”

“Is that so? What are the other members of the organization up to?”

“They are all lying low. It seems they are being extra cautious because the National Guard visited Seorun recently.”

“The National Guard, huh. I see.”

Rudger nodded.

He was somewhat relieved to know that the Black Dawn Society was not actively engaging in any activities and was lying low.

They were unpredictable and could have caused trouble during the first test.

If they had, it would have been quite a predicament.

‘That woman is proving to be helpful at times like this.’

Terryna Ryanholt of the National Guard.

She was a troublesome opponent when they clashed, but now she was different.

Thanks to her investigating the Redvark incident and visiting Seorun, the members of the Black Dawn Society were being cautious on their own.

She was a giant in the Security Bureau, known as the guardian shield of the empire and considered the most dangerous to the Black Dawn Society.

Considering her track record, it was natural for them to lie low.

Several secret organizations had been dismantled by her, and many criminals had been brought to justice by her hands.

If she sensed anything suspicious and started an investigation, the Black Dawn Society's strength could be significantly reduced.

‘Of course, this is an unprecedented secret organization, so they probably have hidden strong members.’

If they were to fight, Rudger wouldn't be disappointed no matter which side lost.

“Because of that, most of the members inside Seorun are being cautious. Even when they meet, they do so carefully outside of Seorun...”

“Meetings, huh.”

“Yes. You could say that.”

“Sedina. You haven't attended any of these meetings, have you?”

“Huh? No, I... I just...”

Seeing Sedina's dejected look, Rudger felt he had asked an unnecessary question.

After all, she had always been on the periphery of the Black Dawn Society, and he had recruited her personally.

However, even though Sedina would have been visibly depressed in the past, this time she didn't seem particularly down.

Perhaps because Rudger was there now, and not alone.

Just as their conversation was about to end, Sedina spoke up, seemingly remembering something.

“Now that I think about it, there was one unusual incident.”

“There was?”

“Yes. Actually, it's a bit awkward to report to Professor Rudger...”

“Explain. I'll judge after hearing it directly.”

“Ah, yes. A few days ago, three members of the Black Dawn Society in Redvark were arrested by the police. They were all Third Orders.”

Arrested by the police?

It was a bit strange.

“Hmm. Even if they were Third Orders, they shouldn't have been clumsy enough to be caught by the police.”

“Yes, that's true.”

“Someone else must have interfered. Who?”

“It seems... a student from Seorun.”

“A student?”

Rudger looked up from the exam questions and stared at Sedina.

Feeling embarrassed by his gaze, Sedina hunched her shoulders but nodded.

“Yes. Three students. Two boys and one girl. Professor, you might know them; they are also students in your class.”

“Students in my class.”

Two boys and one girl.

Rudger immediately recalled that unusual combination.

“Aidan. Leo. And Taisi Friad, right?”

“Yes, that's correct. To remember them so quickly... as expected, Professor Rudger.”

“Those kids managed to... no, I see. I understand without you saying more.”

Rudger suddenly remembered the 'Bulletin Board' in Seorun.

Its official name is the <Request Application Bulletin Board>.

It's a legal way for Seorun students to earn money.

“Students were probably tracking down clues while on a mission.”

“Most likely.”

These missions are similar to what mercenaries do.

While more difficult missions are usually applied for through official mercenary agencies, there are also various odd jobs that mercenaries don't take on.

Tuition at Seorun is expensive.

Although there is a scholarship system, it only covers pure educational expenses, not social costs or the costs of materials needed for research and experiments.

Even if joining a club means a steady stream of research funds, setting up a club isn't easy.

‘Ultimately, for students who lack money, this bulletin board is the way to make up for the shortfall.’

There are other ways, such as part-time jobs within Seorun.

But for high-level individuals who can use magic, such jobs would hurt their pride.

That's why they take on missions.

‘Mostly, it's the lower-class students who lack money who use it, though.’

Noble families or wealthy merchant families don't lack money.

They always receive ample support and can obtain most of what they want.

Naturally, the main users of this bulletin board are commoners or those who lack money.

Occasionally, nobles apply for missions for entertainment.

While the <Request Application Bulletin Board> is open to everyone, there are conditions.

Missions have different levels of difficulty and risk, so the year of the student is important.

The higher the year, the more challenging missions they can take on; otherwise, they can only take on easier ones.

Of course, even if a student is in a lower year, they can receive a temporary permit if they pass an internal verification test at Seorun.

‘But they are only first-year students.’

Even if Aidan uses unique magic, he shouldn't be able to take on high-difficulty missions.

Yet, he managed to capture three Black Dawn Society Third Orders while on a mission.

‘It might just be a coincidence, but what a fortuitous one. It's as if fate is guiding him.’

Although he said it was a coincidence, the reason he had been keeping an eye on Aidan was indeed because of this.

During the werewolf incident, he had sensed that Aidan had something that drew events to him.

Rudger visualized a board in his mind.

A large chessboard made of alternating black and white tiles.

Rudger reviewed his pieces on the board.

‘The pieces I can use.’

The members of the organization were elite, each with extraordinary abilities.

Rooks, Knights, Bishops.

These were their roles.

‘On the other hand, Aidan and his friends are, in fact, just naive kids.’

But in chess, the existence of pawns can sometimes be more threatening than anyone else.

A pawn that survives to the end can become a Bishop, a Knight, or even a Queen.

‘Or a King.’

Promotion.

A pawn is just a minor piece, but it has the potential to become anything.

Rudger highly evaluated Aidan. Not only for his talent, but especially for his mental strength and perseverance, which far surpassed those of other students.

Reality is different from chess, so even if someone survives for a long time, it doesn't guarantee promotion.

But for Aidan.

For that kid, perhaps.

He might even become a King, Rudger suddenly thought.

“Professor Rudger?”

“What is it?”

Sedina's voice brought Rudger back to reality.

“She asked about the treatment of those students.”

“Treatment, you say.”

“Yes. Even if it was just a coincidence, they played a crucial role in capturing our members. Moreover, that Aidan student used a peculiar magic that nullifies other magic.”

So Sedina was suggesting they cut off Aidan's potential early.

He was dangerous.

Rudger shook his head.

“No. Leave them alone.”

“Just leave them alone?”

“Yes. They are not a threat to us right now. Besides, if we touch Seorun students during a noisy time, we risk exposing ourselves.”

Moreover, Rudger continued.

“Those who were captured by mere students are useless to our organization. It might even be a good thing.”

“T-that's true!”

Sedina was impressed by Rudger's words.

As a First Order, his perspective on events was indeed different.

While others might see him as a cold-blooded person, Sedina, who was already deeply influenced by Rudger, saw this as a virtue of a leader.

“Sedina. Is there anything else?”

“Yes. The members are all lying low until the test is over. Even when they meet, they do so cautiously outside of Seorun.”

“I see. Understood.”

Rudger said this and stood up.

Sedina, as if waiting for this, also stood up and picked up the stack of exam papers.

“Let's go.”

“Yes!”

It was time for the first test.

* * *

The lecture hall, filled with 80 students, was tense.

It was natural to be nervous with the first test just around the corner, but this time the situation was a bit different.

The first test, the very first one of the three-day relay, was none other than Rudger Chelisi's test.

Moreover, it was an open-book test, which made it feel like the final boss had appeared right from the start.

“Ugh! I studied, but I don't know anything!”

“Books. Maybe the answers are in the books?”

“How hard is he going to make this test to allow an open book...”

The students, seated in their places, could only tremble as they watched the clock's hands.

Some were shaking their legs, others biting their nails.

The moment the clock's hands pointed to the exact time.

The promised moment finally arrived.

Creak.

The sound of the door opening echoed like thunder in the quiet lecture hall.

The students, who had been waiting for the test, could only feel this way.

The one who entered was Rudger.

Dressed differently from his usual coat, he wore a pristine white shirt with a gray vest and formal trousers, a simple yet elegant style.

However, his sharp gaze remained, and the atmosphere did not ease.

“As you all know, today is the first test.”

A small, petite teaching assistant struggled to place the stack of exam papers on the podium.

“The test will last a total of 3 hours and will be conducted as an open-book test, as announced. It will start in 5 minutes, so if you haven't used the restroom, do so now. Once the test starts, no one can leave until the answer sheets are submitted.”

This was to prevent any possible cheating.

Indeed, such cases were often detected every year.

“If you've studied hard, you should do well. There are partial credits, so don't submit a blank paper just because it's difficult.”

And the important warning was this.

“I will give one warning. If cheating is discovered in my test...”

Rudger's usually cold voice became even heavier.

Goosebumps rose on the students' skin.

“I promise I will make you pay the appropriate price.”

“...”

The entire lecture hall froze at Rudger's warning.

Even though they knew Rudger was fearsome and wouldn't dare to cheat, hearing the warning directly made it clear.

Absolutely no cheating.

“I will, of course, be the proctor for this test.”

Of course!

If he was the proctor, even those confident in their magical abilities wouldn't dare to cheat.

Some students, whose last hope was crushed, could only close their eyes tightly.

“Then, let's begin the test.”

As soon as Rudger finished speaking, a wind blew across the podium.

Rustle.

Each exam paper on the podium.

Blown by Rudger's magic, they scattered in all directions.

The papers, which blurred their vision, slowly descended in front of each student.

‘Wow.’

Distributing exam papers to 80 students using wind magic.

He had seen something similar before, but at the time, he only thought it was impressive.

But now, having studied magic at Seorun and gained new insights, he realized how absurdly impressive Rudger's display was.

He saw it in the depth of his knowledge.

“It seems no one needs to use the restroom. Everyone seems to be fully prepared.”

Rudger took out a gold pocket watch from his pocket.

“The test begins now.”

The first wall that Seorun's freshmen must face.

The first test began with Rudger's words.