NOVEL NEXT Chapter 43
Chapter 43
“So how’s school life treating you lately? No one’s giving you a hard time, right?”
In Faust’s dusty-smelling office, surrounded by floating experimental tools, I glanced around awkwardly.
“Could you maybe put something on before we continue?”
“Huh? Why the sudden request?”
I gestured towards Faust, twirling my finger.
“It’s kind of embarrassing.”
“Oh, really? This is comfortable for the lab, but I see it might be a bit much for an adolescent student.”
Faust’s outfit could be described in one word: provocative. She wore a sleeveless knit top that exposed her armpits and a skirt that revealed her thigh-high stockings.
“Perhaps it’s a bit too stimulating for a teenager.”
Faust teased with a mischievous smile as she donned a lab coat. Crossing her legs, a fragrant scent wafted through the lab’s chemical odor.
“So, what brings you here today? I think I updated you on the research progress last time.”
My eyes were drawn to a plastic box on the desk. Inside, a small lab rat with bloodshot purple eyes was running frantically on a wheel.
“The majority of the subjects died shortly after administration. The longest one lasted around two hours. During that time, its metabolism became exceptionally vigorous.”
Faust narrowed her eyes as she looked down at the lab rat. That rat probably wouldn’t last much longer either…
“That’s not why I’m here today.”
I corrected Faust. I had already received the latest update on the experiments, so my current purpose was different.
“I have something new to share with you.”
I took out the new orb and dropped it into Faust’s palm. Unlike the previous one, this orb emitted a bright light and was a recent reward from a quest.
“This one looks quite different from the last one. What’s this?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t really know myself this time.”
Last time, I had given an explanation when I handed over an orb, but this one left me just as puzzled. After all, it was a sort of loot obtained after Jin So-yul helped the distorted grudges pass on.
‘Maybe this could be a clue to making the antidote.’
With that hope, I handed the orb to Faust.
“Thank you. I’ll take a closer look at it.”
Faust accepted the orb with a gentle smile.
“I’ll be going now.”
Just as I was about to leave, the door suddenly shut by itself. Was this déjà vu from last time just my imagination?
“By the way, midterms are coming up soon, aren’t they? How’s your studying going?”
Oh, right, that’s true. Come to think of it, it’s about that time. Naturally, I hadn’t had a chance to even pick up a pen lately, with everything that’s been going on.
‘I need to start studying from today.’
I never thought I’d be taking school exams again, not like some certification test.
As if waiting for me to realize the importance of the exams, a new quest window appeared right on cue.
Main Quest No.5
Midterm Exams
※ Rewards will vary depending on your overall ranking in each exam.
A. Written: (-th/300th)
B. Practical: (-th/300th)
C. Overall: (-th/300th)
I had been anticipating the fifth main quest. With a sense of determination, I replied to Faust.
“Yes, I’m working hard.”
* * *
Babel: Academy for Elite Hunters
Babel may be an elite hunter-training institution, but in name and function, it’s still a school.
The main difference is that exams are simplified, and students only take midterms in the first semester and finals in the second semester.
A. Written: (-th/300)
Regardless of Babel’s emphasis on practical experience, written exams are also mandatory. For first-year students, the written exams cover core subjects like Korean, English, Math, and common subjects related to hunters and magic.
However, subjects like Korean, English, and Math are simplified in the game, so only a few questions are asked. But to tackle the formal exam questions, studying is the only way.
B. Practical: (-th/300)
And then there’s the highly anticipated practical exam. If I remember correctly, the first midterm practical test assesses various unexpected situations that can occur in real-life scenarios
The content and scenarios of the test change every year, so old exam papers are of no use. Of course, I have a clear understanding of the test content.
C. Overall: (-th/300)
Finally, the overall score is calculated by combining the written and practical exams, along with performance evaluations and attitude scores from all the classes so far.
This overall ranking is what really gets the students’ blood pumping, as it determines their standing among all their peers.
So, even if someone has a high overall ranking, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are exceptionally strong or highly capable in practical terms. For example, after the midterms, if you look at Shin Seo-ha’s ranking—
“Hmm? I didn’t expect anyone to be here at this hour.”
Late at night, in Babel’s rarely used and slightly dilapidated Second Library, a voice broke through my focus. I looked up from my studies, and my eyes met those of Seo Geum-bi.
“Senior Seo Geum-bi?”
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Junior?”
Seo Geum-bi smiled kindly, her long dark green hair gently swaying. She was holding a few old notebooks that bore signs of age.
“What brings you here, Senior?”
“I was heading home after finishing my Disciplinary Committee duties and noticed the lights were on in the library. I thought I’d drop by to turn them off if no one was there. I apologize if I disturbed your studying.”
“No, I was about to take a break anyway.”
I pulled my workbook, which had been spread out across the desk, closer to my chest. Seo Geum-bi pulled out the chair across from me and sat down.
“You’re quite diligent to be studying at this hour. There are better facilities available, so why here?”
“I prefer being alone.”
Top-ranked students would prefer to study in their penthouse-like dormitories, and the rest would swarm to the better-equipped libraries.
[Humans are so complex. Forcing unnecessary knowledge into their heads.]
Yomi, who had been dozing on my shoulder, grumbled quietly.
[Hehe, if you want, I could give you the answers during the exam.]
No, just go back to sleep.
While it might be possible to cheat unnoticed using Yomi or Baek-ah, I wasn’t planning on doing that.
However, I didn’t want to go down that path. Cheating is cheating, after all. Even if I followed Yomi’s suggestion, there was no guarantee Yomi would copy the correct answers. So, it was better to study honestly here.
“If it’s not too much trouble, may I take a look at your workbook for a bit?”
“It’s not graded yet, but…”
I handed the workbook over to Seo Geum-bi. I had been in the middle of working on math problems, so the blank spaces were messily filled with equations.
‘Speaking of Seo Geum-bi…’
Seo Geum-bi was a senior in her final year. Since there are no midterms or finals for third-year students, rankings don’t change as often, but when Seo Geum-bi finished her second year second semester, her ranking was—
“You got them all right. It seems you study quite well?”
“I have a long way to go to catch up with Senior Seo Geum-bi, the Head of the Disciplinary Committee.”
It was worth a jest.
After all, Seo Geum-bi had been the undisputed first place since her admission, and that wasn’t just in one area; she consistently ranked first in both the practical and written exams.
Seo Geum-bi chose to remain the Head of the Disciplinary Committee instead of running for Student Council President because she believed that was the best way she could use her strength to serve the school.
Her capabilities and responsible character are why so many hunter guilds are lining up to recruit her after graduation.
‘As for me…’
Although beyond my control, my ranking at the time of admission was 299th— a ranking only possible if one failed miserably in both practical and written exams.
‘Come to think of it, Seo Geum-bi’s abilities seem very similar to what I can do now.’
There hadn’t been any significant interaction between me and Seo Geum-bi so far. As I wondered when I’d actually encounter her, the topic naturally shifted in that direction.
“By the way, the festival is coming up soon.”
“Yes, I was just on my way back from taking care of some work related to the festival.”
Seo Geum-bi sighed.
The midterm exams would soon be followed by the school festival period. While it sounds festive in name, for Seo Geum-bi of the Disciplinary Committee, it would just be a continuation of tasks.
“Being a senior and a member of the Disciplinary Committee, don’t you think it’s about time you started to ease off the duties a bit?”
Most third-year students were hard to find on campus as they ventured outside.
Some went abroad for studies, others were focused on job hunting, and many had already been scouted to become apprentice hunters.
“No, I like it this way.”
However, Seo Geum-bi remained at the school. It was almost absurd that Seo Geum-bi, the top student of the school, was still here.
“This school means a lot to me. I want to stay as long as possible to maintain its order.”
Seo Geum-bi’s gaze drifted into the distance. Perhaps she, too, had once had people like Shin Seo-ha or Jin So-yul around her.
“In that regard, I actually wanted to thank you.”
“Me? For what?”
As I tilted my head, Seo Geum-bi gently smiled.
“Lately, I’ve noticed Seo-ha’s demeanor has brightened. She seems to be less prone to aggressive behavior… It appears she’s finding ways to enjoy school life. That’s all thanks to you.”
Ah, so that was it.
Indeed, there had been talk about Shin Seo-ha making fewer trips to the Disciplinary Committee room. But I didn’t particularly want to be thanked for such a reason.
“It’s not really thanks to me. If there’s a reason, it’s because Shin Seo-ha decided to change on her own.”
No matter how good a running mate one might have, it’s meaningless if the person decides not to run.
In that sense, Shin Seo-ha’s change of heart was entirely due to her own will.
“You’re exceedingly humble.”
With those words, Seo Geum-bi stood up. Then, she handed me the notebooks she had been carrying.
“While organizing the Disciplinary Committee room earlier, I found some old notes I had compiled. Do you think you might find them useful?”
“…Can I really accept something so precious?”
“Yes, I no longer need them.”
[Seo Geum-bi’s Winning Notes]
This is a rare item, typically attainable only by joining the Disciplinary Committee or Student Council and achieving an S-rank or higher performance, and even then, only probabilistically.
With a bit of exaggeration, its hit rate for written response questions is nearly 90%. If categorized as an artifact, it would be a hidden rank item. And yet, to casually hand over such an item…
“I’ll gratefully accept.”
There was no reason to refuse.
Even though I’m well-versed in hunter-related subjects, having these notes wouldn’t hurt.
“Best of luck with your midterms. With my notes, getting into the top 10 on the written exams should be a piece of cake.”
“…I’m currently ranked 299th, though.”
Seo Geum-bi laughed playfully. Given the stressful nature of her role as the head of the Disciplinary Committee, her smile was truly valuable.
“Still…”
Given the high demand for Seo Geum-bi’s notes, they’re practically regarded as an urban legend within the school. Accepting such an item and then failing to meet expectations would be quite disappointing.
“I’ll give it my best shot.”
I decided to work just a bit harder and see how far I could go.
—-
(T/N) I changed the “distorted spirits” to “distorted grudges”