Chapter 59

<058. Troublesome Girl Returns>

After having a pleasant conversation with Eve.

While the student council members were conducting on-site inspections, I secretly slipped out of the mountain path.

My destination was the back of the collapsed mountain lodge, the ruins where Eve's blast had passed through.

Fortunately, a few items had fallen beside the collapsed area.

A badge with a black hand shaking hands. A badge with two crossed flags. A scroll. And a black ore.

"Sure enough. They're all dropped here."

These items can be obtained by investigating the lodge after the battle in the 2-1 Sleeping Mountain map, instead of immediately returning. However, if you miss this timing, someone else will pick them up, so this is the only chance.

I quickly hid the items in my arms and slipped out of the lodge. No one saw me, and it was a good timing.

Whoosh. The wind blew and slapped my cheeks.

"Hmm. She really made a mess."

I glanced at the scars Eve had made by throwing people.

The traces were far too large to have been made by a single person flying through. The shattered wooden walls and the endless debris behind them.

"If I get too cocky, will I end up flying like that too?"

I've been living off teasing Eve, but if I get hit and fly away, I won't be able to recover, right?

Moreover, if it's discovered that I have these items, it will be more troublesome than I thought.

Black Market Entry Badge. Three years' worth of black market secrets. The black stone of Yin (蔭).

And finally, the badge of a black flag officer.

Literally, this gives me access to the very darkness of this Jefrin. The symbol of a 'clan' that can be obtained when the hero Kelthers falls into corruption.

"But, having these items won't cause any harm. ...Hmm. They are key items, after all."

One of the reasons I refused to join the student council was because of these items.

These items are essential for my future success and a happy ending.

"For my sake, and for Eve's sake as the perfect student council president."

Well, that's one thing.

The key items are mine.

***

I returned to the convenience store and took four days off due to muscle pain.

Ayla came by and demanded that I make her an energy drink.

I made it for her.

When I asked why,

"Midterms start next week!"

she replied.

Of course, I also have midterms.

I'll curse the world.

***

The next day.

While walking inside the magic department, wondering what to make with the Handy Worker, I ran into Eve.

As usual, we laughed and chatted, and she gave me a good-luck wish for my graduate studies, raising her middle finger. Eve then talked about the exams tomorrow.

"If I don't get a good grade on this midterm, I'll really be audited."

"......"

"You know, your 'convenience store' is also classified as 'extracurricular entrepreneurship to cover tuition fees.' Don't forget that. Jefrin prioritizes academic performance, and you need to improve your grades first. Got it?"

"I know. It's similar to Nephthys' odd jobs, isn't it?"

"Aren't you aware that Nephthys has already passed all her exams and is focusing on her business? She's doing better than you."

"......What, is that so?"

Am I worse than Nephthys?

No way. This world is wrong.

"Remember, if your exam scores are low, your convenience store will be shut down."

"......I understand."

Ha. Eve, delivering a strong blow. I couldn't help but smile bitterly as I watched her leave.

So, what should I do?

The answer came quickly.

"I have no choice."

I need to study.

***

When I returned to the convenience store, Ayla was studying.

I joined her and opened a textbook.

The magic and battlefield courses, due to Professor Rantica Grace's personal reasons, decided to end the midterms with assignments instead.

With the passage of a law on graduate student human rights and ethics, professors had to do everything to keep students in school, so they didn't have the energy to worry about undergraduates, or perhaps they really were in poor health... Anyway, there were no midterms for those courses.

"If that's the case, the only subjects I need to focus on are Magic and Social Development and Wolfram's course."

"Does Wolfram take that course too?"

"Yes, but didn't Ayla skip it? I've never seen you in class."

"Instead, that detestable Regina Siella takes it."

"Is that so?"

It's typical of Ayla to know which courses her rival is taking.

"Then this time, Wolfram and I will kneel Regina together."

Hehe. Ayla's eyes were sparkling.

Hmm.

Regina Siella, the great magic merchant.

"A troublesome one."

"Right."

In the main storyline of the magic department, if you choose the wrong option and meet a few conditions, the Regina Siella route opens.

And the character of Regina Siella... is the epitome of trouble.

While the Eve route is an adventure story of a boy and a girl meeting and growing together, the Regina Siella route... well, it degenerates into a rather troublesome and bleak romance.

Just one line from the dialogue in her route...

【Can you kill me for me? My love, Kelthers.】

That was it.

What a pain.

Of course, hardcore Regina fans find it delicious and chew on it, but I'm not into it.

I think I understand her character, but do I really? Maybe I'm just deluding myself. Anyway, I mostly skip her route dialogues after breaking through a few times.

Anyway, I don't expect to get involved with her much. If I may, if Jammin's Cool Piece has messed up the Eve route, I'd rather take the Regina route. Izelde would be fine too. If not, there are quite a few side and hidden heroines, so I'd appreciate it if you focused on the troublesome ones.

"What are you thinking about?"

"......I'm thinking about the exam content."

"Really? I can't help much since I don't take that course. Sorry."

No, it's fine.

Just do it.

***

The first-semester midterms began.

"Then, let's start the exam."

The writing itself wasn't as difficult as I thought.

In fact, while the magic and battlefield courses focus on theoretical answers, Magic and Social Development is a course that emphasizes creative thinking.

According to Ayla, "If you can come up with a plausible magic that seems to contribute to social development, you'll do well."

By the way, Ayla mentioned that this is a course where you can get good grades if your rebellious thinking is supported. Incidentally, Ayla isn't taking this course this year.

The reason is that the professors don't understand her rebellious thinking and give her low scores.

"......"

That's probably not the professor's fault but Ayla's way of thinking, isn't it?

Anyway.

The midterm question was a single one.

【The Loen格林 Empire has entered a stable period of a thousand years, but there is a significant gap between the city and the countryside, and the price differences are severe. Discuss ways to address this.】

Oh. A question that openly criticizes the royal family. It's a matter of life and death.

Worried about his safety, I shrugged.

"Putting out a question that criticizes the royal family in a monarchy... Do you have a spare life? ...However, it's a good question."

However, the professor for this course is, ironically, someone I know.

"What a professor. No, what a character."

It's an interesting question, and one that suits me well.

I hadn't wielded a pen so quickly in a long time.

***

Four days later, it was the practical exam for the same subject.

Given that it's a magic department, the focus is on how much your own magic or theory can contribute to social development.

Just before the exam, I was pondering what to submit and how to bluff my way through to get a high score, when a young woman's voice came from beside me.

"Haha. Are you Wolfram von Loen格林?"

"Yes, but do you not know me?"

"A, ahaha. I know. I've heard a lot about you. I've seen you a few times, passing by!"

"Hmm. What kind of rumors?"

The talkative, thick-haired woman with horn-rimmed glasses had eyes that shone brightly even behind her glasses.

"I saw the items you submitted to the competition. They were really, really amazing!"

"Is that so."

"......However, the only regret is that they were all created for combat. I think they should be used in other, more appropriate places."

"I agree."

"Really?!"

"First, it's for medical purposes. They can replace painkillers, and a patient with a mana bag draft can slow down the flow of mana. Most importantly... children will love them."

"A, ah... Yes. Sick children will be delighted by the fun snacks and forget their pain. Indeed, you are not wrong."

The professor, with tears streaming down her face, grabbed me tightly.

Let go, damn it.

"S, so what will you submit today? I, I'm sure it will be something amazing! Will you surprise me? If you submit snacks like last time, I can give you a good score."

"Don't worry, but do expect it."

"Y, yes, I understand!"

Saying that, the professor chuckled and stepped back.

By the way.

"Professor Isiloth."

"Y, yes?"

"Are you feeling well?"

"I'm fine! I may look weak, but I'm surprisingly sturdy!"

"No, it was a pointless question."

"Then I'll go. G, good luck on your exam!"

Well, if you're fine, that's fine.

Anyway, about her.

I was pondering how to bluff my way through the exam to get a perfect score with just Magic Level 3, when another annoying voice came from beside me.

"Your Highness Wolfram von Loen格林."

"Go away."

"Although I wish to, Your Highness, it's my turn for the exam."

"......"

"Please, at least allow me a brief conversation."

Really, she's so annoying.

Fine. If you beg this much, I'll listen once. I will.

"What is it?"

"I will not lose today. However, I boldly ask Your Highness—"

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

Why is she suddenly reciting lines from her route's branching point?

Was there such a setup?

"......Ah."

Conditions for creating the Regina Siella route flag.

【Enter the magic department and raise your friendship with Eve von Loen格林 to a friendly level.】

【Then, you must refuse the invitation to join the student council. Joining the student council immediately locks the Eve route.】

"Please, this time, defeat me."

"......"

【After that, win three consecutive direct confrontations with Regina Siella before Act 5.】

【Taking the Regina route is up to you, but the Regina flag is created like this.】

I desperately avoided Regina's eyes, which were looking at me with a bright, hopeful gaze.

Don't look.

Don't look at me.