SRC 49

Chapter 49

Even as my mind was recovering from the kidnapping incident, midterm exams were approaching.
I stared at my perennial nemesis, the Introduction to Magic textbook, pressing my throbbing temples with a pen.

“You’re really studying hard.”
Siana, beside me, looked impressed at my focus.

“I’ve realized something recently. How weak I really am.”
What I learned from the kidnapping incident was that, compared to the main characters, I was weak and lacking in abilities.
Until now, I had brushed it off, thinking it was fine since I was originally just an extra. But now, as a proper member of “Dulsamo,” I seriously wanted to improve my skills.
Even if I couldn’t match others completely, I wanted at least half of what they could do.

My first goal was to survive the midterms safely.
I wanted to be someone who could produce meaningful results.

“Do you really need to worry about being weak while studying?”
Siana asked curiously, but I shook my head firmly.

“Grades can be a way to show how serious you are.”
“Who said that?”
Saint had told me that it would be better if other students didn’t know he was the principal, so I had to evade the question.

“There is… someone great who said so.”

My studying wasn’t limited to theory alone.
Even in practical magic classes, I focused and tried to keep up with the midterm content.

“I can’t tell you the midterm questions in advance, but it’s best if you can freely use the elemental magic you’re confident in.”
Just as Noah had kindly predicted, I practiced handling light magic as freely as possible.
I could now shape light as I wished, and move it too.

If I had advanced a bit further, learning actual offensive and defensive magic for dealing with people, I might have been able to control those male students more easily back then.
Thinking that way, I wanted to learn methods usable in real combat, but Noah said it was too early to teach that.
I couldn’t ask Noah to take time during midterms for advanced lessons, so all I could do was try to improve my abilities on my own.

Seeing me work tirelessly day and night, Liam looked worried.
It was the usual routine, walking home together with everyone.

“Khong-khong, aren’t you overdoing it these days?”
“Overdoing it? I’m just doing my best as a student facing midterms.”
“You’ve got a nosebleed.”
“Eh?”

Apparently, my fragile body couldn’t handle the overload of knowledge.
I instinctively tried to block it with my hand, but Liam stopped me and pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket to hold over my nose.

“Thank you.”
My voice was muffled from the blocked nose.

“If you studied regularly, you wouldn’t need to overdo it during midterms, right?”
Noah tilted his head and lightly punched my stomach while saying that.
It hurt, and I felt like I might spit blood from my mouth, but I managed to reply firmly.

“If I study regularly and then work harder during exams, that’s better, isn’t it?”
“Did you study regularly?”
I couldn’t answer that. Honestly, I had prioritized searching for my brother-in-law, and studying had been pushed aside.

“When you study doesn’t matter. As long as your grades come out well.”
Aiden patted Noah’s back and comforted me.
I silently thanked him with my eyes, glad to hear something useful for once.

“Was first-year study really that hard…?”
Lucas muttered to himself, but his cruel words reached my ears.
Since not everyone here could understand me, I chose to stay silent.

“If something’s difficult, tell me anytime, Olivia. I’m here.”
“My sister has to study too. I can handle it on my own.”
Even though my sister was a genius who often ranked first in school, she didn’t avoid studying altogether. She was a hard-working prodigy, which made me even prouder of her.

“Anyway, don’t overdo it.”
I nodded earnestly at Liam’s final words of concern.
“Your nose is bleeding. Don’t move.”
I had to keep my head steady anyway.

While everyone laughed and talked, Liam observed Olivia carefully as she held the handkerchief to her nose.
For some reason, she had been overexerting herself lately.
Whether it was her newfound concern for grades or some other reason, he couldn’t tell.
At least he knew that her efforts began after officially becoming a member of “Dulsamo.”

Liam worried that pulling her into this group might not have been entirely the right thing to do.

Glancing, he noticed Olivia constantly looking back.
No one from “Dulsamo” walking behind her, yet she kept turning her head.
It seemed like an unconscious action.
In that brief moment, Liam read unease in her eyes.
After being kidnapped once, she instinctively feared it might happen again.
No matter how composed she appeared, the trauma was still there.

“Don’t worry. I’m here.”
“Eh? Liam-senpai’s guidance is already helpful enough. You don’t need to tutor me separately.”
Olivia didn’t fully understand Liam and spoke off-topic.
He didn’t correct her and silently stood behind her.
Every time she looked back, their eyes met, and he smiled.
Luckily, Olivia only made puzzled faces, no longer anxious like before.

“That’s enough.”
He resolved never to let Olivia get hurt again.
Now that she was securely part of “Dulsamo,” his determination only grew stronger.
He decided to continue standing behind her.

Scribble, scribble.
With a quill enchanted so the ink wouldn’t dry, all the classmates quietly wrote their answers.
Each had slightly different questions, so no one could copy, and there were no cheaters.
The winged ball patrolling the classroom would immediately catch any suspicious movement.
Even slight suspicion caused it to strike the back of the head and sound an alarm.

“Stop.”
Some students couldn’t let go of their papers even after time ended.
All the answer sheets floated into the air and landed in Teacher Karen’s hands.
I watched mine with lingering eyes, wishing I could have done a little better if I had more time.

“How did you do, Siana?”
“I think I did okay. What about you, Olivia?”
“For a first test, not bad at all.”
I wasn’t sure about my rank, but I felt I had done my best. That should be enough.

Finally, Teacher Karen left after the end-of-class formalities.

“It’s over!”
Feeling relieved, I stretched my arms wide.

“Since exams are over, shall we go grab a snack?”
“Sorry, I have club activities.”
“Right after the exam?”
“Yeah, it worked out that way.”

I regretted refusing Siana’s sweet offer, but I already had plans.
I packed my bag and left the classroom first.

“Bye, Siana!”
“See you tomorrow!”
I waved energetically and rushed to the clubroom.
No one had arrived yet, so I was the first.
I naturally brewed tea I had stored in the corner.

“You’re early.”
Liam entered first. I suspected he might have skipped the end-of-class formalities too, but since it was midterm day, I let it slide.

“Senpai, do you want some tea?”
“Of course.”
He sat across from me naturally.

“How was the exam?”
“I did my best. What about you…?”
I stopped myself from finishing the question. I didn’t want to poke at Liam’s wounds—despite trying, he was destined to remain second all year because of my sister.

“I did my best too, so I don’t care about the results.”
Reading my mind, Liam took a sip of tea and calmly said that.
I decided I should refrain from discussing grades in front of him.

Fortunately, the awkward silence in the clubroom was soon broken by another visitor.

“Number one is coming through! Make way!”
“Seriously, Noah. The results aren’t out yet. We don’t know how it’ll turn out.”
My sister, blushing while trying to be modest, appeared with a livelier-than-usual Noah, probably because exams were over.

“Oh, number two is here too.”
Noah’s remark poked at Liam’s wound without a second thought.

“I don’t want to hear only the top student for practical magic grades.”
Liam shot back.

“Alright, alright. Calm down, you two.”
My sister stepped between them, holding a note in her hand.

“A new request has come in.”