Chapter 86

### Chapter 86: Exam Preparation

Mun Sulin, after seeing Lee Hyeon off, trudged back to her dormitory.

While living in the dormitory is standard for students at Victoria Academy, one can live outside if they request it.

Mun Sulin, disliking the constant encounters with other students in the dormitory, had found a separate room.

“Sigh….”

Without taking a shower, removing her makeup, or even fully undressing, she collapsed onto the bed.

“I should take a shower….”

She always felt reluctant to move at this time.

If only she could stay like this forever, wrapped in lethargy and the soft embrace of the bed.

But time did not leave Mun Sulin alone.

With great effort, she dragged her tired body to the shower.

She washed her entire body and removed the makeup from her face.

After a light skincare routine, it was already past 11 PM.

The thought of repeating another frustrating day starting tomorrow morning made Mun Sulin feel stressed.

“Did he send a message?”

Still, the dinner with Lee Hyeon, which was for work, was very fulfilling.

Although the conversation went on an hour longer than expected, reducing her sleep time, it was worth it.

Lee Hyeon was indeed a source of healing and a place of comfort; someone she couldn't afford to lose.

He was more helpful than her father, whose whereabouts were unknown, or her grandfather, who was playing around in the board room.

“Already replied, huh.”

The list she had given to Lee Hyeon.

She had compiled and sent a list of all the medicinal herbs that could be prepared immediately at the academy.

Of course, the list was far from sufficient for the compensation. She planned to acquire additional artifacts or other items.

She had also told Lee Hyeon to mention if he needed anything else, so he would have pointed out any deficiencies after reviewing the list.

– Hyeon: I'm a mage, so a thousand-year-old ginseng should be fine. Big sister!

“Huh…?”

What does he mean by that? A thousand-year-old ginseng should be fine?

Me: Hyeon, do you mean you need more thousand-year-old ginseng? I'm really sorry, but… it's hard to get more. How about I get you a magic-related artifact instead?

A thousand-year-old ginseng is a medicinal herb that increases magical power.

Medicinal herbs that increase magical power are very popular because the only way to increase them is through time, as they are determined by innate factors.

She could only obtain one root because it was through the academy; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to get it from other guilds.

– Hyeon: No, no! Of course, one root is enough! How could I ask for more here? If there's more, give it to you, big sister.

‘… Is he being serious?’

A thousand-year-old ginseng root is a medicinal herb that ordinary people or hunters can only dream of.

However, compared to the merit of bringing the Holy Maiden to the academy, it's nothing.

The benefits gained from it would allow her to buy countless such medicinal herbs.

Mun Sulin thought deeply about the reason.

No matter how good a person, they wouldn't give up such medicinal herbs.

They are worth tens of billions, if not hundreds of billions.

Of course, if she were to be stingy, her negotiating power with Lee Hyeon at the academy would be stronger, but…?

‘Wait a moment….’

Mun Sulin recalled the conversation they had at the restaurant.

‘First, as I said, the Holy Maiden came to the academy thanks to you…. I decided to show my gratitude to you.’

‘I did it all for you, big sister, so I'm grateful for the reward.’

“Hyeon, could it be…?”

Really, for me…?

“No, no. That's impossible.”

Mun Sulin shook her head to clear her thoughts.

No, it must be a misunderstanding.

Mun Sulin organized her thoughts and, with trembling hands, wrote a reply.

*

“A thousand-year-old ginseng root is a huge deal, really.”

A root worth tens of billions.

Of course, other medicinal herbs were tempting, but what I needed most was magical power.

That's why I chose the thousand-year-old ginseng, which increases magical power.

Ding!

A reply from Sulin.

– Sulin: Really, one root of thousand-year-old ginseng is enough? You don't need anything else?

This big sister keeps trying to take care of me even though I don't need anything.

It seems her affection for me has increased, so she wants to give me even her share.

That's not right.

– Me: Of course, that's fine. Don't worry about me, take care of yourself. You don't look well, so take care of your health.

I sent a reply with many kind words.

– Sulin: … Thank you. I'll definitely repay you.

Mun Sulin seemed satisfied with my sincerity.

“Phew… This makes me a top-tier groom, doesn't it?”

I closed my eyes on the bed, satisfied with my social skills.

*

“Sigh….”

At the same time.

Ellis was holding her head while studying.

Sipping coffee, she was summarizing the remaining parts of Modern Hunter Studies when she felt a headache and did some stretching to relax.

“Sigh, my head. But why can't I get in touch with Dad?”

He said he would give me the request card after receiving my cute text, but there's no contact at all.

“He's always awake at night, which is strange.”

Given that Dad sleeps during the day and is awake at night, he shouldn't be sleeping. Maybe he's still busy?

Surely, he's not trying to scam me, right?

Ellis sent a text to her father.

– Me: Dad…? When will you send the request card? ㅇ.ㅇ?

My hand felt like it was about to flip inside out, but I had to do this to ask Dad for something.

It makes the effect twice as strong.

– Dad: Ellis?! I'm sorry. Dad just finished work. I'll call you now.

“No, don't call….”

Ding-dong!

Despite her wishes, the phone rang insistently.

The fact that she had to say those cute words out loud made Ellis shiver, but she had no choice.

Keeping a promise was a matter of pride.

“Hello?”

– Ellis! What's wrong?! Is there an incident at the academy?

The phone blared with a loud voice as if there was a fire.

Ellis frowned with one eye while rolling her tongue.

“Dad, why didn't you send the request card you promised last time?”

– Oh, that… I'll send it soon. The guild officers were whining about not being able to free up their schedules, so it took some time.

“Ah… You don't have to rush. Take your time.”

Since he didn't specify when he would send it, taking his time was fine.

Of course, Ellis's pride wouldn't allow him to not send it at all, even with such an excuse.

– Of course, I can send it. … But why do you need the request card?

“Umm… Ellis really needs it. Just once….”

– Oh, oh! If Ellis needs it, I'll send it! … Who are you going to give it to?

“Thank you, Dad! I love you!”

– I love you too, Ellis! Send the request through Sebastian Chan! I love you, Ellis!

“Yeah. I'll hang up. Dad. Bye-bye.”

– Sure! Dad always thinks of you and always works for you….

Ding!

“Since I got what I wanted, that's enough. Ugh….”

Ellis rubbed the goosebumps on her arms and brought the coffee to her mouth.

Dad persistently asked who she was going to give it to, but fortunately, she could get away with being cute.

“I have to beat Lee Hyeon in the exam.”

Ellis used the cuteness she just displayed as fuel to burn with determination and continued studying.

*

“Not waking up? You have an exam today.”

I woke up to Lilianna kicking me on the bed.

“… What time is it now?”

I felt strangely tired, even though I didn't go to bed late last night.

“7:50.”

“What the hell.”

As soon as I heard the time, my drowsy mind snapped awake.

I kicked off the blanket and quickly put on my student uniform.

“Yawn, are you going right now?”

Lilianna, who had just woken up, yawned and saw me off.

“It's 8:00, of course, I have to run!”

“Wash your face first. You have eye boogers.”

“… Thanks.”

I washed my face and left the dormitory with my messy hair.

The time was 7:52.

I focused mana in my body.

I never thought I would use acceleration on my way to school.

Indeed, learning anything has its uses.

I ran through the academy, feeling the wind on my face. The fact that no one was around to go to school made me realize I was really late.

The first-year classroom building came into view.

The time was 7:58.

Tap, tap, tap. Creak—

I ran and opened the door to the A-classroom.

The students in the lecture hall looked at me, and Professor Kim Jinhyuk's cold gaze fell on me.

“You're here.”

“Huff, huff, I'm, I'm sorry….”

“I won't mark you as late, so sit down quickly. I was explaining the exam.”

“Thank you.”

I quickly took my seat next to Lucy and Lumi.

It seems the continuous 8 sparring sessions yesterday took a toll on my physical strength.

My mana was barely enough.

I need to eat the thousand-year-old ginseng and increase my mana quickly.

“Hey, did you oversleep? Why is your hair like that?”

“Yeah, I woke up at 7:50.”

“Wow, that's impressive. Did you study all night?”

Lumi's admiring voice came from beside me. Her eyes sparkled as if she was seeing something incredible.

“No, it's not like that….”

“Right. Right. You stayed up all night studying, didn't you?”

“No, I didn't….”

Why don't they believe me when I say it?

The students behind me also gave me a wary look.

I don't know. Figure it out yourself.

“Stop chatting and focus.”

Professor Kim Jinhyuk said, looking at me.

‘Why only to me?’

Even without doing much, the attention is on me. The life of the protagonist is really tough.

“Everyone should have received the schedule for next week. It's midterm exams until next week.”

Aah—…

The students' sighs filled the lecture hall.

Professor Kim Jinhyuk, as if used to it, ignored them and continued with the next items.

“There will be a written exam today, and tomorrow there will be a group exam and a practical monster exam. On Friday, there will be a one-on-one tournament. We will also hold preliminary matches during the remaining time today and tomorrow, so be aware.”

Today is a written exam.

There are various types of written exams, such as memorization subjects like Modern Hunter Studies and problem-solving subjects like code decryption and reverse calculation.

Since today is a full day of written exams, I'll be taking exams all morning and afternoon.

“Many students who only prepare for practical exams end up failing the written exams and shedding tears of blood. I know practical exams are fun, but don't neglect the written exams. Of course, it's already too late to say this since the exam is today.”

“Yes~.”

I don't have to worry about the written exam.

Although I feel sorry for Ellis, I have to get first place to provoke her jealousy.

“The schedule for next week will be announced again next week. Now, move to your exam rooms.”

Professor Kim Jinhyuk finished his announcements and left the lecture hall.

Judging by the instruction to move to the exam rooms, it seems we will take subject-specific exams in the morning and general exams in the afternoon.

“Lucy, where is the exam room?”

“You didn't check the exam room? How quickly did you come?”

“Sorry, sorry. Since it's the same place, let's go together. Lumi, it's the same place, right?”

“Yes. I also have the mage written exam.”

“Let's go, let's go~.”

I followed Lucy and Lumi out of the lecture hall.

We entered the mage lecture hall in the first-year classroom building.

Ellis was also sitting there.

She's here for the mage exam too.

While Lucy and Lumi went to the bathroom, I approached Ellis to greet her.

“Ellis, did you study a lot?”

“… Did you stay up all night?”

Ellis looked at me with tired eyes, as if she was on guard.

She stayed up all night, so why is she like this?

“No, I didn't stay up….”

Are the kids so competitive that they think I didn't wash for a day?

I just overslept.

“Anyway, do your best. Good luck.”

“… I'll definitely get first place, just wait and see.”

Ellis frowned and turned her head back to her book.

I was just trying to cheer her on today….

★ Heroine Status

– [Affection: 36]

– [Lust: 25]

– [Hunger: 30]

– [Fatigue: 40]

Current Status: Is Sebastian Chan still not done? He's not usually this slow….

Sebastian Chan? Who's that?

Personal matters, I guess. Anyway.

I shrugged and returned to my seat.