Chapter 23

022. The Taste of Sweet Rebellion

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the secret letter his mother had given him.

If I overwork myself here and my health deteriorates, I'll end up being expelled. That can't happen.

"Anyway, I won't be doing any part-time jobs or odd jobs for a while."

"···Why is that?"

"It seems you didn't hear me. I have a mini test to take, so I'm busy."

Nefuti, who had come to ask for a job, looked as if her life had ended.

"But the Knight Department also has exams, right?"

"I passed."

"Isn't that a bit too quick? What kind of exam was it?"

"It was a survival test where you had to survive for three days in a designated mountain range. They said no monsters would appear, but you had to survive with your bare hands."

"And?"

"On the first day, I built a log cabin and a hammock made of tree branches, and they said I could come down."

"······."

Of course, that makes sense.

I thought and recalled.

"Alright. Then can you take over my job for a while?"

"What job are you talking about?"

"It's nothing much. Just selling donuts and drinks to the graduate students in the Magic Department in the morning."

"That doesn't sound difficult. I'll do it."

"Quick answer, huh."

Nefuti smiled.

"Yes. So, let's talk about the pay. What's the hourly rate?"

"First, it's a morning job, and it's about three hours of work."

"The job is easy. So, the average rate?"

"Sure. The hourly rate is 8,720 rin, and it's a direct commission. You don't have to pay any fees to the Knight Department."

"Alright. It's perfect."

"But, since it's a morning shift and overtime, I plan to pay a 1.5 times special allowance."

"13,080 rin···! As expected, Mr. Wolfram. A great vessel of the royal family!"

"No, I'll match it to 40,000 rin for three hours."

"I will dedicate myself to this job. My beliefs will walk the path you tread."

Nefuti knelt on one knee and swore her loyalty to me.

***

So, I entrusted the morning business to Nefuti. I was worried she might take the money and run, but she is a student with the title of a knight of conviction, and she lives with integrity.

She just has a strong desire for money, but she's not a thief. I'll check the inventory myself.

Anyway, Nefuti left, and my studies continued without interruption.

Sometimes Rudica would come and insist I serve spicy homemade noodles, so I had to send her away.

"If you're not going to do business, why did you even open the shop, Wolfram!"

She's hitting a sore spot again.

"I'm not doing business for a few days due to personal reasons."

"···Then at least sell some red bean paste! I'll make it myself!"

"That's not a problem."

Rudica bought a bunch of red bean paste.

Each one costs 20 rin in the game, but I think I sold them for about 60 rin each.

What a sucker, buying healing potions at three times the price···.

"Rudica, how are your exams going?"

"Hmm? I'm fine. There's no need to worry."

"Is that so."

"I study hard. Do you know why I entered the Magic Department, Wolfram?"

"I don't know."

It wasn't written in the setting book either.

"Everyone in the Knight Department is weaker than me. To be honest, in the nearby grades, almost no one can match me in a fight except for Izzold."

"I see."

"But the Magic Department is different. Magic can defy the predictions of assassins. That's why I entered the Magic Department. I study magic thoroughly. I am the pride of my family."

Rudica grinned.

The Knight Department is weak, and the Magic Department has mysteries that I can't handle.

Did Rudica choose the arduous path of the Magic Department over the easy credit-grabbing Knight Department to complement her weaknesses and gain knowledge?

It's a truly admirable way of life.

"Rudica, take this broth. We are the broth of Aphro."

"Wolfram is a good guy."

"And try not to come by until the exam is over."

"Got it! I'll work hard! Good luck with your exam, Wolfram!"

Rudica disappeared like the wind.

And she really didn't come by until the exam day.

She's a good kid.

Is her only shortcoming her language?

"···Wait. You can take advanced magic classes, yet your speech is so awkward? Is that possible?"

I had a chilling thought but quickly dismissed it.

Don't think too deeply.

"Delving too deeply into assassins is not a good thing."

Life is precious.

***

After that day, Aila continued to enjoy energy drinks, and we had a study session.

Our great teacher, Aila, watched over my studies diligently while doing her own, and on the last day, she nodded after grading my work.

"Yes. With this, I think you'll pass without any problems. You'll probably pass the multiple-choice questions, and for the essay questions···. I'm not sure."

"Are you that worried?"

"The professor doesn't look for standard answers. He likes to see unique perspectives. He's a born scholar."

"I see."

"You and Wolfram might match well. Wolfram has a different perspective on everything."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Although I brushed off Aila's words, thinking about it, it was a tremendous tip.

"Shall we end the study session here? The exam is tomorrow."

"Aila, thank you for watching over my studies."

"Oh, to receive a pure thank you from the great Wolfram."

Saying that, Aila covered her mouth and chuckled.

"Is your study going well?"

"Once you're in the top tier, it's more about how many mistakes you make rather than how much knowledge you can cram. Teaching others is a great way to review."

As she said that, Aila's hands were trembling slightly.

That must be a side effect of the energy drink···. No, it's probably just nervousness.

Hmm.

What should I do here?

I've learned a lot and want to repay her, but···.

"Right, Wolfram. The Madongseok freezer will arrive after the exam. I tried to get it as soon as possible, but it couldn't be helped."

"Is that so. It's fine."

So, I had decided to get the Madongseok freezer.

Then ··· Ah, I have an idea.

"Aila."

"This exam is definitely ··· Yes, yes?"

"When the Madongseok freezer arrives, I'll make you a good snack."

"Wow···."

This should ease her tension a bit.

Aila smiled brightly, then pulled back her lips and cleared her throat a couple of times, looking at me with clear eyes.

"Wolfram. I'll take that snack when the rebellion succeeds."

"Alright."

That's Aila for you.

***

The exam proceeded as scheduled.

"Let's begin the exam."

【Question 1. When the enemy is centered around 200 cavalry and is conducting a speed and encirclement battle, and your army of 1,000, with 50% infantry, has one Tier 4 Great Mage, how should the mage be utilized? (Note: Tier 4 magic is limited to one use.)】

How to utilize mages on the battlefield. It was a multiple-choice test about the knowledge of this world.

There were 9 multiple-choice questions and 1 essay question. I'm not sure how the points are distributed, but at least 6 of the multiple-choice questions were ones I knew for sure.

If I solve these, I'll get a good score, and even if I only get 6 out of 9, it won't be a disaster.

I solved the multiple-choice questions confidently and then moved on to the essay question. When I saw the unexpected question, my eyes widened in surprise.

"This is···."

【Describe another way to utilize a Great Mage on the battlefield, logically.】

Oh, how did such a question come up?

"Let's see···."

Write whatever you want? As long as it's logical? I'm a child who read three volumes of the Logic Master out of respect for him.

Would a setting-obsessed gamer be able to handle this?

***

The exam went smoothly, and the grading was quick.

No matter what, announcing the results the next day seems a bit too fast. Maybe they graded it easily because there were only about fifty students?

No, that's unlikely.

Look at the assistants next to the professor; their eyes are sunken. The professor probably kept the graduate students up all night grading.

Anyway, there was no reason to sympathize with the unfortunate graduate students, and the professor calmly announced the results.

"The following students have failed. Mubl. Ripheri. Endor. Quark···."

Isn't this a bit too harsh? This is the Middle Ages, isn't it?

The exam should be quietly notified or only the top few names announced. Look at the earth mage Filus; he's about to cry.

Look, even Wolfram is about to cry!

And as the names of the failed students were called one by one, my heart pounded wildly.

"That's all for the failed students."

Huh?

My name ··· isn't there?

"Next, I'll announce the results from the middle to the upper-middle range. Descent. Aio. Stratis. Polka. Reiven. Pilgrim. Wolfram. Latua."

I clenched my fist tightly.

Alright.

I passed!

From middle to upper-middle, I'm not sure exactly where, but I survived.

"Next, I'll announce the top-tier results."

Aila and I are in different departments, but hearing 'top-tier' made me think of her.

"······."

I survived. Let's assume I survived.

What about Aila?

And ···.

"Alright, I'll finish announcing all the exam results. Everyone did well. Especially for this week's essay exam, there were a few truly interesting answers. I always support the development of my students. I want to evaluate them based on their approach to academia, not the biases imposed on them. If you have the will, come and find me. The graduate program is waiting for you."

Why is the professor looking at me so intently while saying this?

***

When I returned to the convenience store, the sun was already setting, and a new item had arrived.

"Already installed and gone?"

Upon returning, I saw the installed Madongseok freezer.

Its enormous size and presence made me nod in awe. Look at that thing, wow.

"I don't know Aila's results yet···. But I'll make a snack quickly to experiment."

First, I mixed orange beans and aqua beans to make orange juice, added sugar, and put it in the freezer. Then, I made cream beans and put them in the small refrigerator.

After about an hour,

I sensed someone approaching the convenience store.

"···Wolfram."

"You're here."

Aila arrived, and I first checked her face.

It wasn't bright.

Did she fail? Or did she come in second again?

But there's nothing I can do about it.

Regina Siella, the top student in the third year of the Magic Department, is an outstanding elf.

The current master of Yggdrasil and a true genius.

"You lost. Don't be too upset."

"I didn't lose!"

"Hmm?"

"But I didn't win either."

That means ···.

"You tied with Regina Siella?"

"Yes···. They said no one could score higher than a perfect score."

"I see."

"Ugh. Since the opponent is already first, and I tied with her, shouldn't I get an extra point for the will to rebel and score 101?"

"That's the grading system."

Aila grumbled endlessly, and I stared at the biggest change in front of me.

Aila, who was supposed to drop out in Act 3 and become twisted after being hit by Kelters, has quietly grown.

She's now a character who can stand shoulder to shoulder with someone who can shine even in Act 6 or 7, or even the final act.

I've knocked this character down hundreds of times.

But I can confidently say, this is the first time I've seen such an Aila.

"Caught up with someone you couldn't catch before. It's a sufficiently impressive rebellion."

"R, really? If Wolfram says so, maybe it is. Yes, that's right. I succeeded in my rebellion!"

Look at her quick shift in attitude.

"Wait a moment. I'll make you a great snack as promised."

"Oh, right. How did Wolfram do on the exam?"

"From middle to upper-middle, they said."

"Wow!"

Although the professor's final gaze was concerning, I decided not to mention it.

I started preparing a fruit sherbet with whipped cream for Aila.

For her tired brain. Soft, crunchy sherbet topped with plenty of whipped cream.

I can't say it's good for her health, but her brain needs it, and her tongue enjoys it.

Aila left a comment on this snack.

"The taste of sweet rebellion!"

"What kind of taste is that?"

"The taste of rebellion!"

···Anyway, this rebellion enthusiast.

But today, I decided to play along. She worked hard, and she really did achieve rebellion in many ways.

"Alright. It's the taste of your rebellion."

"No! Not that!"

"Hmm?"

"Wolfram and I. That is, we achieved it together!"

Aila extended her spoon, and I tapped it with mine, and she smiled.

The clinking sound echoed pleasantly.