I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City-Chapter 152: The Last Drop (1)

8 a.m. on the last day of the practical exam.

Rohan replenished his energy with supplements and glucose candies, then stretched out his muscles.

While rotating his ankle to loosen it up, Rohan clenched and relaxed his fist to check his condition.

‘Hmm, this should be fine.’

The gash on his hand from the axe yesterday had been treated by Instructor Marcel. Despite the blade having dug deep, there wasn’t even a hint of discomfort, thanks to the prompt treatment. It was amazing how quickly everything had healed.

He couldn't help but admire the academy’s wealth, which allowed them to use potions generously, and Instructor Marcel’s excellent healing skills.

"Rohan."

Turning his head, he saw Ichinose.

They had seen each other occasionally from a distance during the exam, but with everyone focusing, they hadn’t had the chance to talk properly.

The relaxed atmosphere felt unfamiliar, and Rohan couldn’t help but smile lightly without even realizing it.

"How’s the exam going?"

"One left. Noah’s in the same boat."

"I thought so. We're in the same situation."

There was no reason for Rohan to be surprised. He had expected this from the beginning. After all, both of them were more than capable.

"Did you see the Orion Circle yesterday?"

"Why?"

"There was a huge stir. Your name was everywhere."

"Now that you mention it, I did feel a lot of eyes on me. Guess it wasn’t just my imagination."

He hadn’t thought about checking the community app yesterday because he hadn’t been focused on gathering information. He had been too busy training and making plans at Shion’s mansion.

"Let’s talk about the details after the exam. We’re having dinner together after today’s test, right?"

"Oh! How did you know?"

"I’ve been keeping in touch with them."

Recently, Shion and Clara had been getting along well with Ichinose. They had also become closer to Noah, who visited the mansion with them, but Ichinose seemed especially close to Rohan. The three of them never ran out of topics to talk about, constantly exchanging messages at all hours.

Rohan just enjoyed watching them. It was a human relationship that hadn’t existed before, something he never could’ve imagined. It made him happy just observing it.

"As you can see, Ichinose is quite indebted to both of them. I should buy something nice."

"Hmm."

"Ichinose, you’re coming too, right? Come with Noah."

"Well... if Rohan allows it..."

Seeing Ichinose fidgeting with her sword, Rohan’s lips curled into a wider smile.

"Doesn’t ‘allow’ sound too formal? Just come casually."

"Mm...! I’ll definitely go! Thank you..."

Ichinose’s response felt strangely sweet and playful. Maybe it was because of the distance they had kept during the exam, but today it felt more provocative to Rohan.

The feeling reminded him of what he had felt when he looked at Shion and Clara after returning from the dungeon.

Rohan’s gaze shifted from the girl’s eyes down to her lips.

"..."

Noticing where Rohan’s gaze was heading, Ichinose held her breath. The memory of the kiss they had shared in the dungeon made her face flush hotly.

A strong, uncomfortable atmosphere settled in the girl’s heart.

─ "The Orion Academy practical exam will now begin, Day 3."

The broadcast that rescued Ichinose’s heart.

Ichinose took a deep breath, using the broadcast to clear the heavy mood, and Rohan double-checked his weapon before speaking.

"Anyway, we’re going to the same place, right? Want to go together?"

"I’d like to, but... I want to focus more mentally while I have the time."

Ichinose thought that with her current melted state of mind, she couldn’t challenge Juyeon, so she needed to hone her focus as much as possible.

When she mentioned wanting to meditate somewhere quiet, Rohan agreed and turned to find Noah.

‘Still the same.’

The tiger girl was sleeping soundly on the grass. Despite the cadets moving around her, she slept deeply.

Next to her, there were food wrappers scattered about, showing that she had eaten well and was trying to recover in the best possible condition.

Both Ichinose and Noah were preparing in their own way, doing their best.

Rohan was proud of the fact that they knew well enough that impatience wouldn’t help.

"You know it’s over once I get the drop first, right?"

"We have to accept the result. But it won’t take long to prepare. Also... Noah and I challenged Instructor Juyeon yesterday."

There was no need to ask about the result. The sight of Ichinose and Noah preparing again gave Rohan a clear answer.

...

Juyeon was idle.

The cadets had been bustling only on the first day of the exam.

By the second day, it was quiet.

There were occasionally some cadets who came by, but the outcome was always the same.

Perhaps realizing they couldn’t do it, they would give up and turn to another test.

And then, on the last day, Juyeon had a feeling that today wouldn’t be boring.

That feeling turned out to be correct as one cadet approached.

‘The troublemaker from Class 1 has come.’

Sitting in her chair, Juyeon closed her book with a satisfied smile.

She had been sure Rohan would come.

"Instructor."

"Yeah. Have you made any progress?"

"I’ve got everything except one."

"Hooh..."

Knowing how strict the instructors overseeing the test were, Juyeon couldn’t help but admire Rohan’s success.

"It’s all thanks to your teachings, Instructor."

"You did all the work yourself. You should be proud."

In truth, Juyeon didn’t think of it as her own accomplishment.

The ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ training had only been for a semester, and all she had done was push him hard.

‘Still...’

Hearing the cadet say that made Juyeon feel good as an instructor.

Seeing him come all the way here without showing any signs of exhaustion was impressive.

"Rohan, enough small talk. You came here to take the exam, right?" ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Juyeon tapped the red bell hanging at her waist with her finger.

Rohan nodded and placed his bag down.

What he had on him—Radiance and the Mark—were more than enough.

When Juyeon saw Rohan take a step forward, she began her explanation.

"I don’t have the abilities of Instructor Marcel or Instructor Falkenhein. I’m good at nothing other than killing monsters."

"..."

"That’s why I think the methods of Instructor Carrot and Instructor Ed are ideal for me. I’ve never thought of any other way."

Rohan, hearing this, found it hard to breathe.

He had thought of many ways, prepared many things, but none seemed like they’d work with Juyeon’s approach.

‘Some of these I’ll have to discard.’

Time was limited, and his magical power and stamina were finite.

It was all about choosing and focusing. He’d erase the methods that seemed like a waste of time.

"Don’t worry, though. Even if I limit my magical power, it’s been said that it’s too much to just let a cadet freely face off with me. I agree with that."

"..."

Juyeon placed her left hand behind her back and raised her right hand, showing her index finger.

"This is my only offensive tool, my sword. I won’t use my legs for anything other than movement."

With that, she was done explaining.

Juyeon’s words, inviting Rohan to take the bell, signaled the start of the exam.

Rohan’s gaze shifted to the bell.

The bell hanging from the thin string looked sturdier than it should have been.

"Huuh..."

Rohan let out a long sigh and, as always, pressed the hidden trigger.

It was quiet. No matter how many times he pressed it, it wouldn’t activate.

There was only one answer.

‘It’s broken.’

Hiding his discomfort, Rohan drew out his Radiance.

Juyeon raised the corner of her mouth, almost as if urging him to try again.

***

─ "This is my only offensive tool, my sword. I won’t use my legs for anything other than movement."

Inside Rohan’s bag was a communication device.

Shion and Clara checked the exam details.

"Shion unni... I’m going to move positions."

Clara was also skilled in handling a sniper rifle. She had the sharp sense to seize opportunities. While she wasn’t as good as Shion, she was a trained sniper, having completed professional training.

"Be careful. If anything goes wrong, even the smallest thing, use the radio."

"Yes!"

Clara grabbed the case with her equipment and headed for another building.

Her movements between the buildings were light and completely silent.

Once Shion confirmed Clara had safely taken her position, she picked up her sniper rifle.

After briefly confirming Rohan’s excited face through the scope, she turned her gaze away and used the binoculars hanging around her neck to check the surroundings again.

She assessed the positions of usable objects and buildings.

‘Rohan. This will cost a lot.’

Didn’t Rohan himself say he would fulfill as many of her wishes as possible?

A man who understands the weight of his words saying that—this wouldn’t end with just one date.

"Heh heh heh..."

Shion swallowed as a strange thought crossed her mind.

Her enthusiasm for the task was burning. Wiping away the drool that almost slipped from her lips, she grabbed the rifle again.

After shaking off her excitement and regaining a calm breath, she aimed her rifle at Juyeon through the scope.

"!?"

The moment she aimed, Juyeon glanced toward her.

Shion had a gut feeling.

‘...I’ve been caught.’

A cold sweat ran down her spine.

Even before she could fire, she had been spotted. Despite the distance outside the academy, just the act of watching her had given her away.

She had thought the male instructor from yesterday was quick to notice, but Juyeon was on an entirely different level.

Her finger, already on the trigger, stiffened, unwilling to pull it.