The second round of exams had ended.

Just like other students, Baek Yu-Seol also struggled.

He worked hard on physical training, but it didn't actually contribute to his grades, so his motivation took a hit.

After the second round of exams, the rankings would change. Of course, if one thinks the rankings were simply arranged in order of combat power, that was a big mistake.

Along with the practical results and grades, numerous factors such as assignments, attendance, attitude, and so on were applied and combined to determine the ultimate combat power.

Even the formidable fighter, Mayuseong, who boasted the strongest combat power, could see their ranking drop at any time.

They would probably face strong competition from Edna or Esiel for the top spot.

[419th place - Class S, Baek Yu-Seol]

It was quite impressive in many ways.

Despite getting a perfect score on the written exam and ranking highest in the practical exam, he was at 419th place.

He often skipped class, didn't do a single assignment, and missed attendance so frequently that he accumulated a lot of penalty points.

He barely managed to submit a few assignments and fulfill the minimum number of class days right before receiving an academic warning.

He was on the verge of being expelled.

But honestly, it was a bit ridiculous.

How could he not doze off when someone kept babbling in an incomprehensible alien language and with a soothing voice that made him sleepy?

He even saved his sleeping time during regular hours because he considered class time as his sleep time...

Well, anyway...

No matter how hard he tried, it was unlikely that his ranking would go up any further.

Maybe if he worked a little harder on assignments, who knew, but honestly, raising his ranking only meant receiving a slightly higher scholarship, so it was not that meaningful.

In fact, considering that his goal ranking was 600th, this was already more than enough, if not excessive.

"Hey, what's your rank?"

"I barely managed to stay in the top 800 this time."

"Well, I envy you. I got pushed back. Damn, I should have worked harder."

"Ugh, I really want to die!"

The class bulletin board.

Students who checked their ranks were shouting out their numbers.

It was a familiar scene.

The class bulletin boards for the second and third years wouldn't be much different.

Baek Yu-Seol looked at the topmost section.

[1st place - Class S, Mayuseong]

[2nd place - Class S, Edna]

[3rd place - Class S, Eisel]

[4th place - Class S, Haewonryang]

[5th place - Class S, Hong Bi-Yeon]

The top ranks flooded with Class S students. There was nothing particularly surprising about that ranking, but he found something that bothered him.

Haewonryang, who was in 2nd place in the previous semester, had dropped to 4th place.

"Hmm..."

Was it because Eisel, who was originally expected to drop in rank, ended up walking a steady path in a stable environment unlike the original work?

He couldn't figure out the reason. But it wouldn't be a big problem.

Since he took the Jecky dark Mage route, both Haewonryang and Arshaung's dark Mage routes would have completely disappeared.

While he was thinking about that, someone approached from the side.

It was Hong Bi-Yeon.

Shuffle!

The students quickly moved aside, creating a path on both sides.

‘Is this what they mean by the miracle of Moses?’

There wasn't a student with enough audacity to block the path in front of Adolveit Princess, known for her dirty personality.

She searched through the ranking list for a while, even though her own rank would surely be among the top five anyway.

Then, after rolling her eyes for a while, she glanced at Baek Yu-Seol as if she had discovered something.

"... Are you trying to adjust the rankings? I think it's already quite noticeable," she said.

‘What is she talking about?’

"Indeed... But considering that some of them are within the top 600, it seems like they have intentions to participate in the 'Academy Tournament.'"

The Academy Tournament, an event where selected students competed against students from other prestigious magic academies.

Baek Yu-Seol didn't particularly deny her statement.

After that, she stood by his side in silence for a while. It was quite cute how she seemed hesitant and fidgety as if she wanted to say something, but since it was getting a bit frustrating, he spoke first.

"What is it? Do you have something to say?"

Startled, Hong Bi-Yeon raised her eyebrows when he brought up the topic.

Then she tightly closed her eyes, let out a deep sigh, and began to speak.

"... I heard you've been going through a lot lately."

"Well, I've had a bit of a hard time."

Baek Yu-Seol strained his shoulder muscles yesterday, and now it was properly sore. He wondered if he should get a massage.

"Why did you... ask Edmon Senpai about that?"

"Huh?"

"Why did you ask Edmon Senpai... like that?"

Ah, what was that conversation about? No wonder Hong Bi-Yeon's expression was dark.

That was not like her.

Was it during a time when she was feeling particularly complicated?

"Edmon Senpai has a strong influence even among the third-year students. He can shake up the second-year students to the point where... you will probably continue to be bothered by seniors until you graduate. Do you have the confidence to handle that?"

Hmm, there was no need to think about it.

"Well, I don't think I can handle it."

‘Rather than being harassed by those blue-eyed brats who are ten years younger than me, I'd rather crush them all and get expelled.’

"Then, why...?"

She looked at him with eyes resembling rubies and asked.

‘What should I say? Being honest is a bit tricky, so I evaded the answer subtly.’

"You know it too."

In response to his answer, she widened her eyes and bit her lip.

That was right.

"... There's nothing you can gain from me. Peasant, you don't pursue money or power."

That was not true.

In this world, money and power were the best things...

“Well... I don't necessarily have anything to gain from you except money and power. Before you are the princess of Adolveit, you are Hong Bi-Yeon.”

"What...?"

"You're right. I'm not helping you for free. I have something I want from you, so that's why I'm doing this. After this is over, you just have to sign a contract with me for the item."

Silence fell.

She seemed to be frantically rolling her head, appearing confused, but she couldn't come to a conclusion.

She only had money and power, and yet he wanted something else.

It would be difficult to figure out what that was.

"... What's the price?"

"The conditions are stated separately in the contract."

"Not that! You said there's something you want from me. What is it?"

He stared intently at her face.

The truth was, there were so many reasons.

It would be advantageous for the Alterisha faction for political reasons, and if even one death flag for Hong Bi-Yeon was erased through this, that would also be a gain.

Additionally, it could serve as an opportunity to make his influence known to esteemed individuals, including influential figures.

However, it felt awkward to lay out all those numerous reasons. He couldn't say that he was trying to save her and achieve a happy ending.

"Well, I'll tell you later."

Being vague about it, Hong Bi-Yeon nodded as if understanding.

"Well... what about underclassmen training?"

‘Come to think of it, that was another problem. How did I end up receiving underclassmen special training? It was really unplanned, so I'm slightly taken aback as well.’

"... I guess you don't have to hold back."

"What?"

‘What does she mean by not holding back? Is she telling me to scream if I get slapped?’

"Just fight the seniors with your original skills to an extent."