-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 34
-----------------------------------------------------------------
34. First Academy Test
***
=====
—Among the following values, which one should the majority of students consider the true and correct value?
1. On the battlefield, the process is not what matters most. It is the outcome. Only victory or defeat is important.
2. Rather than the outcome of victory or defeat, the process is key. One must consider how the battle unfolded and follow the most rational process possible. Victory should be prioritized, even if it means accepting casualties.
3. Both process and outcome are important. However, if forced to choose, the outcome is more important than the process. Therefore, minor casualties are unavoidable and can be disregarded.
4. It is acceptable not to achieve a great victory on the battlefield. The strategy that minimizes allied casualties should be prioritized above all else.
5. On the battlefield, defeating many monsters and gaining an advantageous position is paramount. The damage incurred in that process is unavoidable and must be fully accepted.
=====
The next day dawned.
Staring at the test paper, I learned something new.
In the novel, 'Grand Royal Academy,' there weren't typically such detailed question examples or problems shown.
That's because no reader would enjoy seeing such things. So, naturally, the author didn't include them.
But now.
Experiencing it directly, the feeling was quite different.
"...Hmm."
"It feels too difficult."
"Ugh..."
Groans could be heard from the students nearby.
We were currently taking the Ethics Exam.
The Academy placed significant importance on establishing the values of its students. After all, if a student they had painstakingly educated went astray and became a criminal, or an 'outlaw' who caused major problems within the Empire, there would be no greater loss to the Empire.
It was only natural that the Academy emphasized the character of its students.
And for me, the answer was clear.
*Click.*
A soft chuckle escaped me even as I marked the answer.
In this world, entering the Grand Royal Academy was done after becoming an adult and receiving one's characteristic.
However, that didn't mean there were no academies for basic education before adulthood. Depending on individual circumstances and means, one could either complete an academy or not.
And I instinctively knew.
The various educations I had received in reality.
They were at a higher level compared to the academies in this world. Education established and refined by countless people – in that regard, modern times were definitely ahead.
*Shh, shh, shh.*
As I effortlessly solved the problems and turned the pages of the test, a smile never left my lips.
'Easy.'
From my perspective, the problems were generally easy.
I originally read many novels as a hobby, and truthfully, I mainly read satisfying novels. But even just by reading many novels like that, you start to feel why most protagonists pursue good and why they have to.
That helped quite a bit with subjects like Korean, morals, and ethics, even without separate study.
At first, I wondered why this was helping, but it turned out to have a surprisingly significant effect.
*Click.*
After solving all the problems, I had completed an entire 8-page test paper.
I subtly raised my head and looked around.
Everyone seemed to be deep in thought, a little more distanced than usual.
"Haa..."
When David, who was sitting right next to me, let out a deep sigh and clutched his head, I couldn't help but smile.
'This feels better than I expected.'
Although my characteristic was the lowest Common in this classroom, in terms of knowledge, I was ahead of most of the students here.
I could assert that with certainty.
Considering my foresight into future events, I could even say I was ahead of Kali, the instructor here.
Thinking that, I shifted my gaze.
"..."
"..."
By chance, my eyes met Kali's.
She must have been watching me, as she looked a little surprised when our eyes met. For a moment, I wondered what to do.
Students who finished the test could submit it early and leave the class.
I could submit the test paper right now and leave the classroom. But I was a little reluctant to let go of this rare feeling of mental superiority.
I wanted to savor this feeling a little longer.
As I was contemplating this.
*Screech.*
With the slow sound of a chair being pushed back, a student stood up.
*Click-clack.*
*Click-clack.*
Proud and confident footsteps echoed.
My gaze unconsciously followed, and I couldn't help but feel a little dumbfounded.
'Luna Beaumont.'
Her pink twin tails instantly identified her, even from a distance.
"Luna, have you already finished the test?"
Kali asked, sounding a little surprised, and even some other students who were taking the test raised their heads.
And as their gazes focused on her, Luna smiled confidently.
"Yes. It was too easy."
At her confident, haughty voice, I involuntarily burst out laughing.
"Pfft..."
Was my laugh too loud, perhaps?
Both Kali and Luna looked at me for a moment, and I quickly covered my mouth, erasing my smile.
*Ahem. Ahem.* I cleared my throat and composed myself, and only then did Kali turn her gaze away from me.
"Luna. I hope you get a good result."
"Yes. Thank you, Instructor."
Luna answered Kali politely, but then shot a fierce glare at me before leaving the classroom. I had to suppress another laugh that threatened to escape.
No, really...
How could I *not* laugh, looking at Luna right now?
'Luna solved this ethics test paper correctly?'
I couldn't imagine it in the slightest.
If Luna, that arrogant and condescending noble heroine, had provided the correct answers on an 'ethics' test of all things... I'd sooner believe the sun would rise in the west.
And after Millia also submitted her test paper, I started to think it was time for me to get up too.
I wanted to enjoy this atmosphere in the classroom a little longer, but I felt like I had already enjoyed almost everything from Luna's earlier display.
*Screech.*
I stood up and calmly organized my belongings.
Light tools. I arranged the test paper neatly for submission and started walking.
Passing David, I offered a word.
"David. Good luck."
"What...? Han Cheon-seong. You're already done?"
I lightly nodded at David's surprised voice and headed towards the front.
*Step.*
*Step.*
As I walked, I felt the lightness of having done well on the test. And the superiority of knowing I was definitely ahead of other students. My smile deepened with various positive emotions.
...Unconsciously, my gaze drifted to one side.
"..."
Then I saw a student looking at me with intense hostility.
It was a student I was familiar with.
Beneath light blonde hair, he wore a confident expression... the one who had asked Kali a question...
The student who had absolutely no tact.
'His name was probably Gerard Leadry?'
I remembered him by that name. But I didn't know why that student was looking at me with such animosity.
We clearly had no particular interaction, no memory of ever speaking.
I briefly met the gaze of the student, who was showing an unusual amount of hostility, then turned my head away.
'He's not a major or minor character, so he's probably not worth my attention.'
He was openly expressing malice towards me, but if he wasn't someone I needed to pay attention to, I didn't feel the need to engage with him.
Besides, in this world, there were more people than I expected who openly disdained those with Common characteristics, so perhaps he had heard about me and intensely disliked me.
*Step.*
Reaching Kali, I confidently presented my test paper.
"Han Cheon-seong. You're already done?"
For a moment, Kali spoke so softly that I was surprised.
'Is she okay?'
I had worried that she might have been put off by how stubbornly I had insisted on sparring with her yesterday. But surprisingly, Kali's gaze towards me was quite favorable.
Even from this close, I could feel that she clearly thought well of me.
"Yes. I've finished. It was a bit easy for me."
...The latter part was unnecessary, but I couldn't help but say it.
This was the first time I felt so confident in an area. How could I not be excited?
Kali smiled sweetly at my words.
"Is that so? Then, Han Cheon-seong, I hope you get a good score."
"Yes. Thank you."
Just as I was about to turn away, having received her words.
"Ah, wait. Han Cheon-seong."
Suddenly, Kali called out to me in a small voice.
Even though it was a soft voice, I heard it clearly and immediately stopped.
"Yes, Instructor Kali."
As I calmly replied and met her gaze.
"...Ah, it's nothing. You worked hard on the test."
Kali gave an awkward laugh and mumbled, leaving me wondering what it was about, but I nodded anyway.
"Yes. Then I'll be going now. Thank you for today's lecture too."
And when I spoke with even more gratitude, Kali smiled gently.
*Screech.*
Carefully closing the classroom door behind me, I felt incredibly refreshed.
'My scores on written exams should be quite good.'
Of course, I would have to put in the effort, but I hardly thought I would get low scores on written exams.
As I turned my head, I saw the quiet academy hallway.
And two women walking there.
It was Luna and Millia.
"...Huh? Isn't the answer to question 13 number 3?"
"No, Luna, I think the answer is 5."
"Millia. But to me, 3 definitely looked like the answer. It's really not 3?"
"Luna... if it's 3, it's completely wrong. Other options, maybe, but 3 is absolutely not it."
Luna and Millia were talking idly, and watching their backs, I felt a slight temptation.
'It definitely won't work with Luna, but...'
With Millia, I could become friends. I thought there was a good chance.
People often say that birds of a feather flock together, but sometimes, despite completely different personalities, people became friends.
Much like the unique relationship between 'Luna and Millia.'
While Luna's personality was arrogant and condescending, Millia was quite kind-hearted and understanding, almost like a benevolent person.
With someone like Millia, I could definitely become friends. And we could develop a pretty good relationship.
*Step.*
...As I thought, I was already approaching them.