[Yeremi Roer]

As I unfolded the note, an unfamiliar name appeared.

Truthfully, I was planning to just pick a partner from the requests that came in after the first individual assessment, but after hearing who in our class hadn’t found a partner yet, I changed my mind.

After simply reading the name of the person who sent it and folding the paper again, Elias spoke up.

“Who are you *really* going to team up with? Just team up with me~ I’ve never worked with you before.”

“What about Leo?”

“He has plenty of friends, he’ll be fine. He has Yulia, too!”

It seemed like students could change teammates until right before the exam, since even students who had already decided on partners left me notes, but Leo would be most comfortable with Elias, anyway.

I replaced my answer with a smile and activated the proposal window.

〈 Chapter 6. Do Right and Fear No One 〉

Proposal 1: Favorability +300 within the Deadline (63/300) (158 hours 57 minutes 15 seconds)

* Route 1 — 〈 +15.0 Points 〉

* Route 2 — 〈 Proposal 2 〉

Right now, it was time to think about how to secure 15 points before a week passed.

It had only been 12 hours, and I was already at 63 points, but considering that this exam was being broadcast live in the Imperial Newspaper, that wasn’t a particularly high number.

‘So… does this only apply to people within the range where I can check their favorability?’

Since it was named Favorability and not Impression, that was certainly possible.

If so, the target would be the students at our school.

‘Then I have my answer.’

If I get as much as I’m getting now on the second exam, I can effortlessly obtain 120 points.

The problem is the remaining 180 points.

So, first.

‘I need to create more opportunities to increase it on a broad scale.’

Secondly, it’s also necessary to increase favorability individually.

I need to build connections, if not with all 43 people. I’ll have to act friendly.

At that moment, Elias narrowed his eyes and muttered.

“But Luca, you seem different today…”

“What.”

“Your impression feels softer~? But it just went back to normal.”

“Is that so.”

I hadn’t consciously done it until now, but maybe it was because I instinctively felt like I shouldn’t drop the favorability any further, so I was showing it enough for Elias to notice.

‘…That’s oddly infuriating.’

That my attitude changed so much just because of favorability that even Elias noticed. I can only laugh.

‘Well, at least it’s not throwing out two or three ridiculous choices and telling me to pick one.’

*Thwack!*

Before I could finish my thought, I slammed my head onto the desk.

“Lu, Luca! Your head…!”

“Ugh.”

That was almost a huge disaster.

I have to be careful even with my thoughts, what was I doing?

Recalling that the words ‘Capture Complete’ disappeared when I thought I didn’t want to see them yesterday, it’s clear that this system is reflecting my desires in real-time.

So, I must steel myself, always thinking that I want Insight or Foresight if it’s going to give me anything.

“…Luca, you don’t seem well, you should go back to the dorm and rest.”

“Maybe I will.”

Actually, we had only come to grab our bags; there was no need to be in the classroom since the exam was over.

In fact, the classroom was completely empty, without a single student.

I got up from my seat and warped to the dorm.

* * *

*Beep—*

The Imperial Second Academy stopped broadcasting the first-year exam on the Imperial Newspaper as soon as it began.

This was to prevent the broadcast of footage in case the prince made a mistake.

As it bore the name of a member of the Imperial Family, Adelbert Hohenzollern had always maintained his place in the top tier, but there was no knowing when problems could arise.

And…

[1 minute 33 seconds.]

[…Overall 3+. Good work.]

3+.

7th grade out of 18 total grades.

It was more than half, so it wasn’t low, but it was necessary to consider that virtually no students received failing grades.

If failing grades were excluded, the total number of grades was 11.

7th grade out of 11 grades.

‘……’

That problem arose today.

Adelbert stared blankly into space with a frozen expression. A burst of insane laughter escaped him.

Even though it was time to leave the room, no one told him to leave.

‘What went wrong?’

Was it because I was lazy with my practice, or was it because I failed to control my mind?

It wasn’t that I was lazy with my practice; the practical test score on the recent midterm exam was 1st grade.

It was probably because I had too much pressure.

Ever since I heard the order from His Imperial Majesty the Emperor that “Elias Hohenzollern will join the first team of the second grade, so you must achieve excellent results to lead the first team of the first grade,” I haven’t been in good shape.

‘Pathetic.’

Even he thought it was terrible.

Since hearing the news today that a senior who couldn’t even use magic received 1+, the tension has increased even more.

If I’m worse than someone who has never used magic, I won’t get good words from His Majesty.

But the Imperial Second Academy was unnecessarily fair.

Of course, it should be fair, but I couldn’t bear to think of the future that would come with this score.

I felt twisted inside. I felt like not only was I twisted, but even my magic power was rising in reverse.

I didn’t even know how to face my classmates when I left here.

“……”

Adelbert, who had been standing there for a long time, snapped his fingers and warped.

Now all that remained in the testing area was the broken wand of the Imperial Family.

* * *

A day passed quickly.

No, I guess I felt that way because I was running around like crazy, dispatching from Bavaria and drawing Divine Power.

I had only collected the newspapers and hadn’t read them yet.

And so, I moved to school right before the Monday school day. And I called Leo on the personal line stored in the artifact.

“What, what’s wrong with you? Why did you call me?”

A short while later, Leo, who had warped into my room, looked down at me lying face down on the bed and said.

There was embarrassment in his voice.

“Just get me a newspaper.”

There probably aren’t many people who would make the Bavarian Crown Prince do such errands.

But Narce is training with his partner right now, and Elias went to a gambling den. You are the only one I can ask.

Leo gave a hollow laugh, as if he was going to say that’s why I called him.

“What newspaper?”

“Munich Economic News. Get me today’s reservation copy.”

“You mean Floss?”

“Yeah.”

When I didn’t hear a response, I lifted my head slightly and saw Leo looking at the various newspapers scattered on my desk.

He must be wondering why I’m asking for an economic newspaper when I already have a pile of them.

Anyway, Leo nodded.

“Okay.”

“Thanks in advance.”

As I said that and slumped again, something sharp poked my shoulder blade.

“What.”

[Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.]

It must have been a wand.

It was the healing magic spell I had heard before.

But…

‘Oh.’

I slowly got up from my seat, admiring inwardly.

I clearly said I would learn magical medicine before.

Leo had been skipping all the time without exams to be in Bavaria since that day, but even so, only four days had passed so far.

Even so, the magic power itself was much more vibrant than the magic power I had received before.

“Didn’t you say you hadn’t learned it for a few days?”

“I did.”

Leo smiled as if he was bitter.

‘He’s bitter about being called talented.’

He might.

Since I have something to say anyway, I should change the subject.

“Leo, students will probably start objecting to my grades in earnest starting today.”

“Objection?”

“Students who are unhappy with my 1+ grade will come out. They’ll try to cut down my grade and skills in any way they can.”

“……”

Leo nodded.

There was no point in asking why he thought so. Leo would know too.

The fact that the only student who entered the Imperial Second Academy unfairly, a student who was ashamed of coming in himself and bowed his head every day, suddenly got the highest score of 1+ was enough to panic all the students.

And, the magic students were even more so.

‘Of course, I welcome it.’

Because I can use this inferiority complex as a way to get favorability on a large scale.

It’s a perfectly good opportunity for me.

“So, I’m telling you in case you waste your energy unnecessarily. Don’t get angry.”

“I’m not getting angry.”

Leo shrugged with a nonchalant tone.

And, that attitude was broken six hours later.

* * *

“…Didn’t he drink blood or something?”

“He just came back from the Imperial Palace. If that happened at this time, they wouldn’t just send him away.”

“Ah….”

A student who had arrived early in the classroom to study heard the conversation of others, which was laid out like background music, and wrote down the formula.

The focus was already scattered.

The students were debating whether Lucas had drunk blood or not, but the story about the Imperial Family was broken, and now they were slowly talking about receiving the highest score with just magic power.

It wasn’t just this classroom’s story. The same story was heard everywhere.

‘Well, if you don’t think like that, your past efforts will seem like a waste.’

After spending 15 years barely staying in the 3rd or 4th grade, most people would go crazy if someone who only looked at textbooks got the highest grade on the first exam.

Yulia Tsheringen stopped the hand that was writing the formula and turned the pen.

Golden magic power, the same color as her eyes, popped and splattered.

‘It was definitely red. I want to see it one more time.’

Not the blurry broadcast screen, but actually in front of my eyes.

The magic I saw at that time was so fresh that it seemed to be playing in front of my eyes for about a minute.

Of course, if I do well, I will see it enough to get sick of it soon. Isn’t that why I haven’t revoked all the requests and favors so far?

My judgment was right.

The successor to the Duchy of Anhalt may change.

It’s a 1% chance, but in politics, 1% is a huge possibility that cannot be ignored.

Especially if it is a time when huge benefits can be obtained with only a little effort, there are even more reasons to invest.

The student turned the pen.

After seeing Askanian’s magic, his own golden magic power, which seemed too clumsy, splashed violently around him.

“Yulia.”

At the sound of her name, Yulia took her eyes off the book and looked up.

Three or four students with nervous faces were standing in front of him.

“You said you got 1+?”

“Yeah.”

Is there any reason to ask again?

Didn’t the professor say it openly?

“Um, I saw you taking the exam, and you did well as usual.”

“Really? Thanks.”

What kind of words are you going to say after saying this?

Yulia smiled and clasped her hands together. Then, one of the people in front of her asked, acting as calm as possible.

“But, what do you think about Lucas getting the highest score?”

At that, Yulia smiled softly.

He seems to want to get the consent of the same highest scorer because he is not sure about his own judgment. He must also want to judge whether politics will work or not.

“I think he got it as well as his skills.”

“…Really? He got 1+ with just magic power, is that okay?”

“That’s also a skill.”

“……”

The students in front exchanged glances with each other.

Then, they nodded, awkwardly smiling.

“…Ah, that’s right. Thanks for the answer.”

“Yeah.”

Yulia smiled and closed the book.

The students didn’t find an answer that they liked very much, so they looked at Leo, but sat down as the professor came in, licking their lips.

* * *

“Leo. Are you okay?”

“What?”

“Lucas got 1+ today.”

Today, Lucas came all the way to school, but went back to Bavaria because his mother urgently summoned a countermeasures meeting.

‘It’s just as Lucas said…’

Today, the school was still buzzing with the results of Adelbert and Lucas’ exams.

One was too low than expected, and the other was too high than expected.

I honestly don’t care about the lower one, and the higher one…

As Lucas expected, students began to appear who were trying to cut down his skills.

Leo barely stifled a hollow laugh and closed the book.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“No, you’re the same grade. Everything was okay, but… 1+ is a bit too much.”

“Well.”

Leo shrugged as if he didn’t want to care and roughly answered.

“He doesn’t mean he’s bad, and I think he did well, but isn’t it a bit much that he’s the same grade as you and Yulia? I think the professors are biased. He’s Adrian Askanian’s younger brother.”

At those words, Leo paused.

When he was called Pleroma, now he is called Adrian Askanian’s younger brother.

I know one thing for sure.

‘They must be anxious.’

More than anything else, they must not be able to accept the fact that someone who was at the bottom of the school until just now is now in their superiority.

I must have been shocked to see that they have been looking down on Lucas since the first grade.

Now that I see it, all the guys in front of me are students in the 2nd grade.

Maybe that ‘I think he did well, but he’s not the same grade as you’ is jealousy, but they really don’t understand and think so.

As Leo just tilted his head without expression, someone tried to tempt Leo, thinking that it was a complaint about Lucas.

“Anyway, you have to practice to do 1-2, Leo. Don’t you want to duel with him?”

“Why would I?”

“You hate him.”

“……”

Leo shut his mouth tightly.

Then, he sneered with a sullen face.

“So, are you trying to make me fight to see who will win?”

“No, it’s not like that, but if you want to raise an objection to the school, isn’t it better to leave evidence by dueling?”

“I won’t.”

“…Don’t you honestly suspect the fairness of him and you getting the same grade? It’s a bit unfair. It’s natural that the time is short if you push with magic power, but giving 1+ for that…”

Are you saying that all of this is due to magic power?

Honestly, I’ve heard this all day, but I’m speechless every time I hear it.

‘Yeah, I can’t believe that the skills came out only with theory.’

That’s because I’ve been madly honing it for four months.

Of course, it is entirely thanks to Lucas’ ability that I achieved 1+ with four months.

There are a lot of guys who can’t even eat what they teach, so guys who say this will have a hard time getting 6+, let alone 1+, even if they learn for four months.

Anyway, what I felt after watching Lucas’ exam scene this time is…

All of Lucas’ movements have already become similar to mine.

In this situation, I can only laugh when I hear words such as ‘The fairness of the scoring is questionable’. If so, you should say that to me too.

“How about you guys try it.”

“…Us?”

Leo smiled gently and encouraged.

“Ask him. Lucas doesn’t seem to have any friends to train with right now, so he might accept it more easily than you think. If he doesn’t have the skills to get 1+, wouldn’t you lose to you?”

“……”

The students’ eyes shook.

It was clear that their hearts were shaking too.

* * *

It wasn’t until evening that I was able to return to the dorm.

I flipped through the newspaper, listening to the conversation that Leo connected with the artifact.

[Ask him. Lucas doesn’t seem to have any friends to train with right now, so he might accept it more easily than you think. If he doesn’t have the skills to get 1+, wouldn’t you lose to you?]

[Euhahahack!]

Elias’ laughter was heard beyond the artifact.

Since the three of us were connected, it must have been delivered to Leo as well.

[I think he just wants you to step on him once? Leo isn’t the type to say that. I’ve lived a long time, and I’ve heard Leo say something that encourages fighting!]

“Haha….”

Didn’t he live for 18 years?

Anyway, I told you in advance, but it didn’t protect Leo’s pride.

Certainly, the students’ mental state is young.

The characteristic of not being able to distinguish between what they can change and what they cannot change—or perhaps trying to throw it once even if they know it—is revealed in all their words and actions. If this is sublimated healthily, it will become reform and growth, but in this case, it is no different from pouting and whining. They couldn’t hide their jealousy, embarrassment, or inferiority at all.

‘It’s just funny.’

Leo seems to be really angry, but I don’t have any thoughts.

Those who can’t control their inferiority complex will self-destruct if they continue to show reality.

Anyway, I will continue to take the exam with the same skill, and they will realize what they cannot change every time.

And….

Apart from that, it’s good to catch bad habits early.

I needed a place to get favorability on a large scale.

The timing couldn’t be better.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep