Next Tuesday at 4 p.m., the midterm exams for the Hero Department came to an end.
"Ugh, that was really tough. I spent 30 minutes on a single calculation question... Do you think you did well?"
"No, I think I totally blew it. I left more than half of it blank..."
"Yes! The exam is finally over! Let's go have fun! I haven't rested at all since the dungeon exploration. Let's go! I need to get out of this dump as fast as possible!"
"Let's go~ where should we go... how about a café?"
"Sounds good, I heard from a student in the Knight Department about a place. They say the cheesecake there is delicious."
“Yeah, sounds good.”
"Heh, loser. I can tell just by looking at your face, you messed up, didn't you?"
"Isn't that obvious? A real man doesn't study for such theoretical tests. Anyway, let's go play some ball. I'm feeling restless."
"Hmm, sure. I wanted to have a match with the knight department guys, but their midterms are until Thursday, right? They said they could help us with the tournament because we played some ball together. What do they think of us? Did they ask you too?"
"Yeah. I said I would."
"Idiot, why would you do that? This time, a lot of people from our department are participating. Aisha, Andrew, Eshild, and even Neike. It'll be a total waste."
"They promised to set me up on five blind dates. All with nice people. Want to see the pictures? This one's the girl I'm meeting on Friday, and this one is for Saturday..."
"...Can I still register for the tournament?"
"You idiot. The deadline was yesterday."
"Damn."
As expected, the classroom was filled with the noisy chatter of the students.
I packed up my belongings and glanced at Noctar and the other orc classmates.
They seemed relaxed.
They must have done better than expected.
It's as I thought.
All the long answer questions came from the areas I had pointed out.
Anyway, now that the exam is over, I feel relieved.
It's been a while since I felt this way.
If I didn't make any mistakes, I probably answered all the questions correctly.
I might even snatch the first place in theory from Aisha.
I knew all about the original game's setting, concepts, and even minor incidents. There was nothing difficult for me.
Only the freshmen might find it challenging.
As I was packing, Aisha, who was standing next to me, spoke up.
"Theo, did you do well on the exam? Let's go for a post-exam celebration with the orcs!"
"Alright."
"...Uh, why are you reacting like that? I heard they recently developed an emotionless magical lifeform called a robot in the Magic City. Are you some kind of robot? We've been in this together since last week, can't you show a little excitement?"
Aisha puffed out one cheek.
Hmm... What's an appropriate reaction?
"Yay."
"······Where did you learn that phrase. It sounds awful, please don't say it."
Aisha narrowed her eyes and furrowed her brows.
······But the other kids were using it too.
Inside the large but quiet café, where the Tactical Strategies Club usually gathered, I was celebrating with Aisha and my orc classmates, including Noctar.
Tarkan, grinning toothily, said,
"Really, thank you Theo and Aisha. How did all the questions fall into what you taught us? I was able to answer everything since it was what we studied over the weekend. Next time, I want to solve the calculation questions too.”
"That's right. This was the first time I was able to write something on the test. It feels good. Is this the joy of studying?"
The other orc classmates also grinned, their teeth clattering with laughter.
Every time they laughed, their tooth piercings made a ringing sound.
"Hehe, everyone's in debt to the Waldeurk family, huh? I'll remember this,"
Aisha said, her eyes curving into half-moons as she smiled sweetly, a genuine smile that made everyone feel good.
Unlike the artificial smiles we often see in the original game.
Initially, she used to be startled every time she met the orcs' gaze, but now she was accustomed to it, even maintaining eye contact comfortably.
Indeed, adversity brings people closer together.
With that thought in mind, I sipped my hot jasmine tea.
I used to only drink cold beverages before I took over this body, but now I only drink hot ones.
All because of the [Twisted Noble's Dignity] trait.
Well, I can also drink the cold stuff in here.
This trait really has a mind of its own.
Anyway, while we were having a lengthy discussion about the mid-term exams, Aisha turned to me and said,
"Ah, Theo. Just so you know, the Foodie Exploration Club meeting scheduled for this Thursday has been canceled."
"Why?"
"You know that the Knight Department is hosting a 2v2 tournament this Thursday, right? You and several other club members signed up to participate, including me. I told you before!"
"I see."
"······ Aren't you curious who my partner is and who else from the club has signed up?"
"Not really."
"Geez, fine then."
Aisha stuck out her lightly colored, pouting lips.
Well, there's no need for it.
The deadline for registration was yesterday.
I've heard all about it from Irene this morning.
Even the top students from the Hero Department, including Neike, Aisha, Andrew, and Eshild, are participating, and it's already a hot topic.
It's going to draw a lot of attention with numerous reporters and guild representatives planning to attend.
It's practically season two of the first-year Hero Department's practical combat evaluation.
I have one goal.
Neike is bound to reach the finals.
Somehow, I have to beat him and win.
Noctar, who had been quietly listening, said,
"Kuhuhu, I feel my blood boiling for the first time in a while. Tarkan and I are also participating. We were asked by our brothers in the Knight Department. Theo, I'm looking forward to facing your team."
"Huhu, I've improved a lot. Be prepared, Noctar."
"Of course. I won't go easy on you.”
While Noctar and I were having a manly conversation, Tarkan chimed in.
"But Theo, who's on your team? I didn't catch that."
"I'm with Irene."
"Irene?"
The other orc friends had question marks over their heads.
"Who's Irene? I can't remember."
"Ah, you dimwits. She's Theo's fiancee. Remember this, please. The human girl with the purple hair we saw at the training ground, don't you recall?"
"Ah, I remember. Kya~ It's youth, youth. Anyway, Theo."
One orc friend leaned in closer to me.
"······How far have you gone? Still, Theo, you must have slept with her at least once, unless you're impotent.”
He probably thought he was speaking softly, but orcs naturally have loud voices, and this café is unusually quiet.
Everyone at the table obviously heard him.
All the orcs, including Noctar, giggled like high school girls seeing a handsome student teacher.
"Hey, what do you think of Theo? Theo is a true warrior. What's once? He must have slept with her at least ten times."
"Want to bet? One hundred thousand Zena on him having slept with her five times."
"Aye, five times is too little. I bet one hundred thousand Zena on more than ten times!"
Now they're betting amongst themselves.
Aisha's face turned bright red, and she was glancing at me, speechless.
...I can feel my face heating up.
What do you mean slept with her?
I feel like punching this loudmouth.
I hurriedly used the [Amplification Orb] to enhance [Twisted Noble's Dignity].
"...Shut up, you orcs."
"Heh heh, so, Theo. How many times?"
Noctar laid his hand on my shoulder and asked.
This is so embarrassing.
...Noctar, even him, damn it.
"...I won't tell."
The simple after-party with Aisha, Noctar, and our orc friends ended.
I took the opportunity to go to the training field for the first time in a while, shedding some sweat alongside the orcs.
The orcs continuously questioned me 'how many times' with their mischievous expressions, but I kept my mouth firmly shut.
"...Huuuh."
I exhaled deeply, my eyes closed.
I felt refreshed after working up a sweat.
Somehow, training has become something I miss when I don't do it.
'I have truly become a part of this world, haven't I?'
Using a mysterious and elegant cloth, I wiped off the sweat running down my face and neck.
This artifact was previously used to wrap a box containing the divine beast, maintaining its cleanliness with an applied purification spell.
Before I knew it, it was past six o'clock.
In preparation for the Knight Department's 2v2 tournament, Irene and I decided to meet at the Hero Department's training field.
We agreed to meet at six-thirty.
There was still a bit of time left.
Aisha, who was glancing at me from the side, asked,
"Theo, are you waiting for someone?"
"How did you know?"
"You looked like you were waiting for someone. Is it Irene?"
"That's right. We decided to meet up before the tournament. Speaking of which, I haven't been able to give you any swordsmanship lessons lately. Even if it's just for a while, I will instruct you."
"No, I also have to meet with my partner for this tournament. We have an appointment soon. Ah, here they are."
Aisha looked towards the training field entrance.
Standing there was a familiar figure.
A woman who was as tall and imposing as any man, contrary to her pretty face.
The one I barely subdued using Overload.
The person whom the players called the female barbarian, one of the top first-year students in the Knight Department.
It was Julia.
"Hey~ Aisha. I've heard a lot about you. I look forward to······ Theo."
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From the author: title is taken from the song of the same name by Gray.
Author like's his music I guess!
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