Rumors spread faster than a galloping horse. This means that the speed at which words spread through people’s gossip is faster than a horse racing across vast grasslands.
And now, that was exactly the situation at hand.
The announcement made by Professor Antorelli regarding the Theology exam for the first-year A class. The rumors about this announcement began to spread among the students right after class, and at lunch, while Professor Antorelli had not made any particular effort to suppress it, most first-year students had already heard the news.
– Did you hear? Professor Antorelli is…
– Really? You’re not joking, are you?
– What is he planning this time?
All kinds of rumors interlinked and spread further, and by the time lunchtime rolled around, the rumors about Professor Antorelli’s Theology exam for the first-year A class had become a hot topic of conversation.
And rumors, after all, tend to accumulate personal opinions that heighten their sensationalism.
I hear Professor Antorelli has said that. He’s always received high praise from the A class students, but I wonder what kind of teaching he has in store this time. Isn’t this just a bit excessive?
“Did you hear that story?”
“What story… Ah, that one?”
“Yeah. I have a friend in A class who said he doesn’t have a clue.”
“Well… it is Professor Antorelli we’re talking about.”
“I wonder what kind of lesson Professor Antorelli is planning this time?”
“Who knows… But still, isn’t an open book exam a bit much? Students like me in B class have it so much tougher.”
“I heard that he said you could bring in other Theology professors too?”
“Wow… Just asking that question is amazing.”
“Anyway, isn’t Professor Antorelli going a bit overboard this time?”
“Hey, hey, shh!”
And as these rumors flew back and forth, they became even more vibrant as Professor Antorelli entered the dining hall accompanied by Professor Esther Garrett and Sub-priest Sofia.
“Haah…”
Sitting opposite Professor Antorelli and picking at her salad, Professor Esther Garrett let out a long sigh.
She knew it was impolite to sigh during a meal, but with the hushed whispers coming from behind her, it was impossible to focus on her food.
People’s gazes converged from all directions. While few were openly staring, the sideways glances that were drawn during mealtime were often harder to bear than being stared at directly.
Human psychology naturally tends to get anxious when one perceives that others are looking at them while whispering among themselves.
Thus, inviting anyone to sit with her would inevitably make the mealtime uncomfortable.
“The pasta is really good today!”
“Is it?”
“Yes! Head Priest, would you like to try a bite?”
However, Professor Esther quickly reconsidered her thoughts. If a normal person would feel uncomfortable eating in this situation, did that mean that the two people sitting before her, who were enjoying their meal as usual, were abnormal?
‘…Perhaps that is the case.’
At least, Professor Antorelli, who quietly accepted the situation like Sub-priest Sofia, who was carefree, did not seem to be normal.
“Professor Antorelli, are you okay?”
“…Yes?”
When Professor Esther asked, Professor Antorelli, calmly enjoying his meal, stared back with a stoic expression. Did he really not understand what the problem was?
“Other students have been looking at you for a while now.”
“I’m aware. There is no particular problem.”
“No…”
Regardless of her words, Professor Antorelli still seemed unconcerned. Beyond being unconcerned, he appeared as if he had foreseen this situation occurring.
“By the way, an open book exam… Isn’t that a bit too lenient for the first exam? Although the Theology class is a mandatory course for everyone, the exam standard being set too low…”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
“But you said it’s okay to bring in other Theology professors along with you for the exam? That’s too…”
In fact, when it came to conducting an open book exam, it wasn’t something that could be widely discussed to this extent.
While open book exams were quite rare at the Caldera Imperial Academy, professors from other departments didn’t seem to dislike the method too much. In fact, there had been instances in the past where open book exams had been conducted.
Conducting an open book exam actually means there are no limits on the exam’s difficulty or the scope of content, and as such, it was an exam that students often approached with trepidation. Having to search through thick books for answers was hardly delightful.
However, there was something else problematic about the Theology exam announced for the first-year A class students.
The subject for this open book exam wasn’t just any subject, but ‘Theology.’
Moreover, rather than a typical open book exam that comes with limits on the materials you can bring, this was a completely open book exam without restrictions.
And lastly, the person who adopted this exam format was none other than Professor Lucio Antorelli, who was infamous for being extraordinarily stringent during classes.
An open book Theology exam, especially one that imposes no restrictions on the materials allowed, could be interpreted to mean, “You only need to read the Bible.”
A Theology exam is essentially an act of understanding the words of the Lord as inscribed in the Bible and the context surrounding it. It isn’t an exam requiring one to perform complex calculations involving intricate magic circles or strategize on how to gain an advantage in battle amid numerous variables; it merely requires students to answer questions based on the straightforward contents of the Bible, which could be viewed as inherently simple.
Yet, this Theology exam is being conducted in the format of an open book exam? And on top of that, with no restrictions on the materials allowed?
The Bible would undoubtedly be a mandatory item to bring, and with modern reinterpretations of the Bible widely available, there would be no reason not to bring such materials. Moreover, since it was openly declared that other Theology professors could be invited, this crossed a significant line.
“Ahem.”
Suddenly, someone beside her cleared their throat. Excluding Sub-priest Sofia, who was engrossed in her pasta, both Professor Antorelli and Professor Esther redirected their attention.
“May the Lord’s grace be with you. I am Marcello, in charge of the Theology for the first-year B class.”
“…May the Lord’s grace be with you, Professor Marcello. What brings you here?”
A well-mannered middle-aged man introduced himself as Professor Marcello with a slightly awkward smile, looking somewhat troubled.
“Well… Professor Antorelli, I’ve heard widely from first-year students that your class is renowned for spreading the Lord’s wise teachings.”
“Thank you. But that’s not entirely true.”
“Ah… To have the virtue of humility as well, it certainly is the Lord’s grace. Anyway, I have long been interested in your class…”
With an awkward smile, Professor Marcello naturally sat next to Professor Antorelli, who continued to dine calmly without showing any reaction.
“Beneath the Lord’s radiance, the sons of lies are cast beyond hell, so why hide it? May I speak directly to the point?”
“Go ahead.”
“Hmm… The thing is, I’m here representing the other Theology professors to speak with you, Professor Antorelli.”
Professor Esther and Professor Antorelli noticed several Theology professors glancing over from behind Marcello.
“I would be cautious in bringing this up… But I believe that even in an institution like Caldera Imperial Academy, which separates students by their academic levels and abilities, the difference in level shouldn’t be too vast. Moreover, since this is a mandatory course that all students learn together, that should be even more so, right?”
“Please continue.”
“Hmm… What I want to say is that I’ve heard the rumors regarding the exam you plan to conduct.”
Professor Esther barely held back a gasp.
So this had even reached the ears of the other Theology professors.
That wasn’t exactly a good sign. The open book exam announced for the first-year A class students by Priest Antorelli. For students in other classes, who were already at a disadvantage academically, it meant they could be further overshadowed in this mandatory subject as well.
That would mean it would become even harder to be promoted to the next grade in the second year.
Being in class A was a prestigious achievement that many students sought after. It would be quite troubling to impose unjust disadvantages on them, not just for the students but also for the professors who taught those students.
The exam set by Professor Antorelli would obviously be much easier, and he was teaching the A class students. It would be akin to giving wings to a tiger.
In such a circumstance, Theology professors teaching other classes might find themselves compelled to lower the difficulty of their own exams.
Given the generally mild and devout nature of Theology professors, it was unlikely that they would openly voice their grievances and complaints directly to Professor Antorelli. In fact, even Professor Marcello seemed to be attempting a calm conversation for the time being.
However, that didn’t mean there were no complaints. Professor Esther could sense the unmistakable signs of discomfort that even Professor Marcello’s good nature couldn’t hide.
Professor Marcello said,
“In fact, I’ve heard praise for your class, Professor Antorelli… I don’t believe you would create an overly easy exam that would hinder students from approaching Theology. However…”
“Professor Marcello, I am well aware of your concerns.”
Professor Antorelli set down his utensils calmly and began to speak. He didn’t resort to eating while speaking, yet his plate was already clean.
“However, I want to correct one point based on your statement. My exam will not be that easy.”
“Then…”
A bright expression appeared on Professor Marcello’s face. It was the relief of avoiding the worst-case scenario of having to recreate their exam papers after putting in so much effort.
“But… Yes. I currently do not agree with the Theology exam method.”
And soon, that expression crumbled. With a clearly flustered demeanor, Professor Antorelli continued with sharp criticism directed at Professor Marcello.
“The current Theology exam is nothing more than presenting multiple-choice questions based merely on the content of the Bible or requiring essay-type answers under the pretext of evaluating each student’s personal faith. Am I wrong?”
“Oh, no… An exam is meant to be like that…”
“Yes. Perhaps the Theology exam has traditionally been that way. However… If the phrase ‘that’s how it has always been and will always be’ leads to the conclusion that ‘this is the right way,’ then that would be the start of what the Lord once warned against as a ‘fixed mindset.’”
“…Isn’t that too far of a leap?”
“You may feel that way, but can we truly expect that conducting the exam in such a manner would allow students to engage with Theology in a pure and meaningful way?”
“…”
“My answer is no. Simply memorizing the Bible in a forced manner just to get through the brief ordeal of exams doesn’t align with the Lord’s teachings of ‘be wise with all men.’”
Professor Marcello was left speechless and gaped at Professor Antorelli. The students sitting nearby, including Professor Esther and those who had been eavesdropping, felt similarly stunned.
As silence fell momentarily, Professor Antorelli calmly wiped his mouth and took a sip of water. The sound of Sub-priest Sofia also drinking water beside him quietly rang out.
“Hmm… That was delicious. Today’s meal…”
“Did you eat a lot, Sub-priest Sofia?”
“Yes… I’m full…”
Watching the two conversing casually was almost more than the onlookers could bear.
Professor Marcello, who had been struggling to find a voice, finally managed to speak.
“So, then… just what kind of exam questions are you planning to create, Professor Antorelli?”
“Professor Marcello, I think it’s a bit too much to discuss that here, don’t you?”
At that moment, Professor Marcello snapped back to reality, becoming aware of the many first-year students looking their way.
“Oh… I’m sorry. That was an embarrassing question.”
“It’s fine. However… yes. I’d like to say this.”
As the first-year students in the dining hall all turned their attention to him, Professor Antorelli declared,
“The Theology exam that I will administer will be conducted fairly for all students. Even those who have never read the Bible will be able to take the exam successfully, and furthermore, it will not stray outside the boundaries of Theology.”
“…That… that sounds reasonable.”
“Therefore… If you, Professor Marcello, and the other first-year Theology professors do not agree with my exam method, I would like to make a proposal.”
And just like that, he casually dropped another bombshell.
“I would like to oversee the Theology exam for all first-year students.”
A massive bomb that would create a significant uproar at the Caldera Imperial Academy.
