The Academy’s Crude Pink-Haired Martial Artist

After the meal, there were still 40 minutes left, so I thought I would take a walk to help with digestion. But then, Yurasia’s mind got distracted by dessert, and I ended up sitting down with her.

“Ugh! Young Lady, this is so delicious!”

She was devouring strawberry pound cake, brownies, madeleines, crepes, macarons, croissants, and more.

I was sipping coffee mixed with milk, wondering why I wasn’t growing taller despite drinking over a liter of milk a day.

Slurp—

My bones should be getting stronger, right?

Gulp—

“Wow… Young Lady, check this out! The line next to this macaron. They say it’s a really difficult technique, but it turned out beautiful here, just like lace!”

“How intriguing.”

I had no idea how it looked like lace, but if I didn’t respond, I knew she would annoy me, so I just nodded.

“Plus, the filling inside is just perfectly balanced, so sweet and a little sour—it’s so tasty!”

“Yeah, eat more.”

“Are you really not going to have any, Young Lady?”

“Yeah. I don’t like things that are too sweet.”

Like candy or something; I mean, I can skip the sweets. Cakes and macarons? Not really my thing.

I’ve never tasted them, but looking back on how my tastes resemble my past life’s, I could tell without trying.

“Hmm.”

After staring at me for a while, Yurasia split a tiny macaron in half and handed it to me.

“Here, Young Lady, have half.”

“No thanks. Why should I share something so small? If you want it, just order more.”

“Aah! But sharing makes it so much better! Come on!”

Seeing Yurasia giggle with macaron crumbs flying everywhere made it impossible to refuse.

“…Fine. Let me give it a try.”

Is that the reason people say you can’t spit on a smiling face?

But I always called Arisa a chimpanzee when she was smiling, right? Ah, maybe that was just me being rude.

Looking at the crumpled macaron in my hand made me rethink; I didn’t mind being rude to Arisa.

Luna and Paulo never really smiled, so I wouldn’t have any issues with them, but Kaloso…

I ranted right in front of that guy’s smug face.

I even punched him once. Tch, I should’ve just killed him then.

I slapped my tongue inside my mouth while popping the macaron in.

…It didn’t just slide right in. There were macaron crumbs all over my mouth.

And I started mumbling— chewing.

Oh, this is…

Tastes better than I expected?

“Good, right?”

“No?”

“Liar! Your expression is completely relaxed right now!”

Yurasia’s words made me touch my lips.

Macaron crumbs were sticking out, and my lips were still mumbling— moving.

I didn’t feel relaxed at all.

“How is it? How is it? It’s okay, right?! It’s delicious!”

“…It’s just about okay to eat.”

The crispy outside… this sweet, chewy cookie is pleasant, and the inside—what was it? Some kind of jam? Anyway, it’s tangy.

It’s not overly sweet, just perfectly balanced, so just like Yurasia said, it’s… actually tasty.

Maybe because I’ve never tasted anything like this in my past life.

I didn’t expect it to suit my palate.

Well, macaron or whatever, desserts flavored with sugar were always luxury goods, so I wouldn’t have any way to know.

Still, I don’t want to enjoy eating it.

Why would I enjoy something that girls like?

Mint candies and nurungji-flavored candies are enough for me.

“Now, Young Lady, this one is strawberry-flavored.”

I gobbled down half of what she split already.

Nom nom.

I chewed on a macaron that resembled my hair color while looking around.

I saw test-takers picking at their food with gloomy faces as if holding a memorial, and others devouring their food with confident smiles, convinced they’d pass.

There were even students casually enjoying desserts like us.

And that girl in a dark blue hoodie, who kept flipping between her wallet and the kiosk, probably in my class, looked so pitiful.

“Yurasia, how much is a meal here?”

“Hmm… It varies by menu, but on average, about 5,000 Sel.”

“What’s the cheapest?”

“Er… 500 Sel?”

“So you were planning to eat that, huh?”

“…Yeah. Hehe.”

“What comes with that?”

Swish swish— Yurasia, who kept glancing between my face and the cake, spoke cautiously.

“Whole wheat bread… and milk.”

“Hey, no, ugh… From now on, I’ll treat you to meals, so don’t even look at stuff like that.”

“But that whole wheat bread is somewhat—”

“I’m not saying it twice. If you don’t want to eat whole wheat bread with your nose, listen to me.”

“Yes, ma’am…”

By the way.

When I looked around the market to check the state of things, I had to spend about 9,000 Sel for an ordinary meal.

At the academy, it was a cheaper 5,000 Sel.

And the whole wheat bread I used to munch on like crazy 400 years ago? It was 500 Sel.

Looking at her wallet, she didn’t seem to be out of money. More like she chose not to spend because she was being stingy.

With the material of her hoodie and her sharp, piercing gaze, she must be from a noble family.

How could she not have even 5,000 Sel?

What’s she doing about tuition?

Scholarship?

While I pondered, glancing at the girl who shuffled out the restaurant looking pitiful, Yurasia, who had put down her fork, spoke cautiously.

“Uh… Did I choose something too expensive… ? I’ll, I’ll choose differently next time—”

“Don’t worry about it and just eat.”

“Hmm…”

Yurasia didn’t say anything, but the drool that oozed out from the gaps in her lips spoke volumes.

She was too shy to eat.

With no choice, I picked up my fork.

“Hehe…”

Only then did Yurasia start to eat her frappe with the same expression as before.

As I thought about what to eat next, I popped a brownie into my mouth.

At the same time, my eyes met those of the dark blue hoodie girl.

She kept darting her gaze between my eyes and the numerous desserts on the table, gulping her spit gulp— and then, she hurriedly disappeared.

She acted so rude when looking at me, but when it came to desserts, she was all soft and tender.

Seeing her do that made me feel the urge to tease her.

*

“…What kind of trouble did you get into, Young Lady?”

While I was having dessert with Yurasia, Professor Arkand came to find me.

Then he asked me to head to the Dean’s office as the Dean wanted to see me.

So now, Yurasia and I are heading to the Dean’s office with untouched desserts in hand.

“What do you mean? Why would I get into trouble?”

“But… why did the Dean want to see you…?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

Could it be that my answers on the written exam were so perfect that they suspect I copied someone’s work?

That’s… problematic.

It could be a valid suspicion.

An answer like mine wouldn’t come from anyone applying to the academy.

Still, is it really appropriate to be embarrassed by that suspicion?

“Hmm.”

While I smirked, chewing on the macaron in my hand, I wondered how they would test my proof.

I imagined them asking me right on the spot.

Like how to defeat monsters or the weaknesses of demon races.

But I wouldn’t worry too much.

After all, I’m knowledgeable enough about weapons, magic, and even how to take them down with my bare hands.

Lost in these thoughts, I munched on the macaron.

Arkand was looking at me with a worried expression.

So was Yurasia.

When we finally arrived in front of the Dean’s office, Professor Arkand and Yurasia said they would wait out here, so I shoved the macaron into my mouth and entered alone.

Inside was an old man with gracefully aged white hair.

Just looking into his eyes and face made it seem like he had “I’m a nice guy” written on his forehead.

He didn’t seem like someone chasing money or power.

A decent person, I guess.

“Oh, you’ve arrived. Nice to meet you. I am Sedil Mershdoff, the Headmaster of Karela Academy.”

That said.

I need to figure out how to deal with this macaron first.

I couldn’t even speak.

Um, um, um—

I tried to swallow it quickly, and with the remaining bits stuck in one cheek, I nodded.

“Janokul!”

Um, um. Gulp.

“I’m Eliaernes Eustetia.”

“Ah, hahaha… Yes. It’s a great honor to meet the Spring of the Empire, Lady Eliaernes, the Cherry Blossom of Eustetia.”

“Ah, yes. I too… um, excuse me, but may I ask what your name is again?”

“Haha… My name is a bit difficult to remember. It’s Sedil Mershdoff.”

“Cough. No, not at all. I am also honored to meet you, Headmaster Sedil Mershdoff.”

Mershdoff.

I know him.

He comes from a knightly family 400 years ago, but this gentleman is a mage?

Well, I suppose that makes sense.

The world has changed so much.

“Please, have a seat.”

Sedil smiled awkwardly at my words and gestured to the sofa.

Without hesitation, I plopped myself down on the sofa.

The luxurious leather enveloped my rear, and air whooshed out with my weight.

“I’d love to chat, but since there isn’t much time until the practical exam, I’ll get right to the point.”

“Yes.”

Gulp— Sedil swallowed dryly and handed me several sheets of paper.

My written exam answer sheets.

“The reason I called you here is…”

Just as I thought, it was about how perfect my answers were.

“Because we cannot assign a score to your written exam answers.”

“Cannot assign a score?”

Could it be above 100…?

“Yes. There were two opinions: a failing mark and a perfect score.”

“…Failing mark?”

What the heck is this old man saying?

“What do you mean by failing mark?”

“Hah, haha… To simplify with history as the subject… No wait, before that.”

Sedil’s sharp gaze pierced me.

“Where did you learn this history answer from?”

“…Why do you ask?”

“I cannot speak freely as I don’t know how much information Lady Eliaernes has. However, the content written here is something only available in the academy’s and the empire’s forbidden library.”

…Damn it.

Those are the kinds of contents that shouldn’t be in the forbidden section?

“Of course, I do not think that Lady Eliaernes snuck into the forbidden library. Similar content might be stored within the House of Eustetia, the descendant of the Hero, so I will ask. Is it something you learned from the House of Eustetia?”

“…Yes.”

I’m sorry, Father.

“What my father, no, my lord used to say. And my uncle… Lord Kerian also often shared such knowledge.”

“Is that so? I see. Then I’ll get to the point. The contents written in your answer are the types that should not be known in the current era. In fact, many young faculty members are unaware of this information.”

“And so… that’s why it’s a failing mark?”

“Currently, yes.”

“Ha, haha…”

My head started to throb.

I get it. I can see why they think that.

Considering the empire’s standing, they should show only the clean parts and shake off the dirty ones.

It was the same 400 years ago.

But…

“What is the problem with the combat section?”

I cannot understand how there are doubts about the combat section as well.

“The professors believe that the methods you’ve written don’t make sense. Of course, there are some faculty members, including myself, who think your answer is excellent. However, on the other hand… I can’t help but wonder if it’s truly feasible.”

“Are you saying that the method I wrote is merely… a fantasy?”

The headmaster didn’t answer.

I ground my teeth in frustration.

But what angers me even more is that I can’t deny it.

Damn it, if it were 400 years ago, my written answer would’ve been the correct one. No, it doesn’t even matter if it’s right or wrong; if it could kill monsters, any method should have been correct.

Back then, sacrificing your body to kill monsters was considered normal and part of daily life.

Yet now, in this damn peaceful era, they are pursuing safety over such methods.

“…Can the professors use my methods to subdue monsters?”

“…The professors from the combat department can.”

“What about adventurers?”

“It’d be difficult unless they’re at least a Gold Plate level 1 adventurer.”

“…Is that the average level?”

“Yes.”

That means only a Gold Plate adventurer could take on mid-level monsters on their own.

A Gold Plate level 1, which means, rank 5.

The minimal standard for an average person would take about 20 to 30 years to reach rank 5.

That’s also the edge a regular person might reach.

Of course, that’s on average 400 years ago.

But now? This damn peaceful era’s average level is pitiful.

Back then, even the town’s fool at rank 2 could easily take down an ogre that invaded a farm.

Sure, he ended up with a broken arm and smashed legs, but…

Still, it’s worth mentioning.

Have monsters gotten stronger?

Have humans weakened?

Even if monsters have gotten stronger, shouldn’t humans’ average skills have risen to match?

No matter how smoothly supplies are distributed and how much human life is valued, there’s no way the level has fallen since 400 years ago.

“Huh.”

Lazy idiots entrenched in peace.

The Demon King is sealed beyond just one mountain in the north, yet they’ve been living so slackly.

Even if we’re talking about Legion Commanders, they could invade anytime!

They might even be active as of now.

What the heck are they thinking living like this?

I thought the Eustetia Knight Order was doing rather well, but the others…

I can’t comprehend it.

And I don’t want to.

Rubbing my throbbing temples, I stared at Sedil.

He didn’t call me here just for this kind of conversation. After all, the headmaster personally requested this meeting.

I straightened my crumpled brow and posture.

I suppressed the rising anger and waited for Sedil’s next words.

But should I really wait for it?

Is there any reason to remain at an academy that only informs me of this?

There is.

It’s better to be stuck here for three years than to be a loser.

And.

I’m looking forward to Yurasia being a student here.

Lastly.

Here, I can pick promising students, molding them into my liking. Rather than talent suited for this miserable peaceful era, I can shape them into the kind I desire.

Those three reasons are enough to endure it.

Letting out a deep sigh, I tightened my expression.

“I got a bit worked up there. So, how should I prove those answers? Should I just go out and chop off an ogre’s neck and bring back its head?”

Sedil showed a brief look of surprise, but he opened his mouth as if to say he had been wanting to discuss something.

“There is still a way for you to enroll.”

“If you’re going to say ‘money under the table’ or ‘using family connections,’ I’ll politely decline.”

He doesn’t look like it, but if he uttered such words, I’d throw a punch at that face.

On the contrary, Sedil, who faced my ferocious rejection, widened his eyes in surprise and laughed.

“Ahaha! That’s not it at all! Our Karela Academy has a special admissions system.”

Special admissions?

What is that again?

There was nothing about that in the brochures.

“This information is provided before the practical exam, so you couldn’t have known.”

Oh, I see.

“So what does one need to do to qualify for this special admission?”

“In past practical exams, only six monsters have been hunted in the 348 years since the academy’s establishment.”

I understood what he meant.

“And the monster for this practical exam resides in the labyrinth where the exam takes place. Originally, the goal of the practical exam is to seize the labyrinth’s core, but the condition for special admission is to hunt that monster.”

“Killing that will be proof?”

“Exactly.”

“And would that mean I could join the special class as well?”

“There’s no way a student who has hunted that monster wouldn’t be able to enter Signia.”

“So I can tackle it alone even if the other test-takers in my group decide to bail out, right?”

“Yes. That’s possible.”

“And if a student from my group who started earlier takes down that monster, a new one will be created for my turn, right?”

“Haha! You don’t have to worry about that. It will most certainly be remade, and the chances of someone capable of defeating that monster are… pretty low. Even two students who’ve just reached rank 2 or 3 wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

The expression on Sedil, who said it would be unlikely, almost seemed to imply there would be no one among this cohort.

Except for one more, of course.

“I understand.”

At any rate, there’s still a way to enroll.

“I’ll catch it.”

“By the way, this special admission condition from the practical exam—”

“No need. You don’t have to tell me.”

“Huh… If you listen and think of a way to take it down, it would be a bit more comfortable for you, though.”

“That’s true, but I want to take the exam on equal footing with everyone. So, it’s fine.”

I’d rather have fair conditions than be the subject of rumors about a noble using connections or the headmaster giving me special treatment.

And.

Even if I heard that information or didn’t, nothing would change.

Whichever it may be, I’ll catch it.

“Hahaha! If that’s how you feel, I understand. I look forward to the results.”

“Yes. You may anticipate it.”

I nodded and stepped out of the headmaster’s office.

“Ah! Young Lady, are you okay? Did something happen…?”

“Ah, I was told I failed the exam.”

“…Whaaaat?”

Yurasia’s face turned as pale as a ghost.

At the same time, a chilling silence descended, and the gaze of the examinees gathered on us.

“Ah, ahahaha!! Oh, Young Lady, your jokes are something else!! Kya hahaha!!”

Yurasia’s complexion turned completely white.

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