I Possessed the Villain’s Childhood Friend – Chapter 51

A vast conference room was filled with numerous people.

It was the faculty of Arcana.

“I truly wonder if this is the right thing to do.”

Professor Catlett, who was in charge of the history of knights in the swordsmanship major, spoke up.

“Replacing the exam with practical combat is indeed a good intention. But can we really ensure that all the students will accept the results achieved in such a manner?”

At his words, other professors began to voice their opinions.

“Certainly, it will be a great opportunity for those students dreaming of becoming knights, or mages who fight alongside them. It will allow them to assess their abilities and offer a chance for advancement. However, Arcana is not an institution solely for training knights and mages.”

“There are many students who simply want to carry on their noble families and develop their territories. Is it not unreasonable for them?”

“Especially, we are seeing a significant amount of dissent from those students. They are demanding explanations as to why they have to spar with those aspiring to be knights.”

The professors’ concerns and the students’ grievances were indeed valid.

Arcana was divided into two majors: swordsmanship and magic.

But not every student dreamt of becoming a knight or a mage.

The problem was that Arcana was akin to a public educational institution.

While knights and mages diverged from typical careers, students aspiring to be them certainly existed.

Completely ignoring those students and only guiding those who dreamt of being ordinary nobles was against Arcana’s principles.

Therefore, swordsmanship and magic were created as ‘majors’ one could choose between.

Why not make every subject a major?

Wouldn’t it be better to conduct swordsmanship and magic as additional classes?

Such counterarguments existed, but after numerous trial and error, the current format was decided upon.

Anyway, even though swordsmanship and magic were classified as majors, not every student desired to take those classes.

Thus, despite being a major, its contribution to the overall grades was only the same 20% as liberal arts.

This was done out of consideration for the students hoping for a path as ordinary nobles.

“Especially this part is hard for us to understand. The sparring opponents are chosen completely at random, disregarding grades, career paths, and so forth.”

Due to that rule, some were already saying they wished to give up on the exam right from the start.

Could this situation truly be the right answer? The professors who had seen countless students were inevitably wrapped in confusion.

“Dean Ender.”

All the professors turned to Ender.

He was the one who initially suggested replacing the practical curriculum with sparring and was now pushing that agenda, so it was only natural they would look to him.

“Hmm.”

Naturally, Ender had no intentions of canceling the sparring format.

“…It’s true that it will be difficult for students who dream of being ordinary lords to prevail against those aspiring to be knights.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“However, canceling an already decided exam isn’t a good solution either.”

It was a catch-22 situation, and most professors thought similarly.

In such a circumstance, Dean Ender presented his thought-out countermeasure.

“For now, we will proceed with the sparring exam as planned. Then, once the exam is over, only for students who are not aspiring knights or mages will we conduct a retake if they wish.”

“For the retake, how will the grades be calculated?”

“The subject of the exam will primarily remain the sparring match. For those students who take the retake, we will deduct 10% from the grade they received in the practical exam.”

“Understood.”

Not all the professors were convinced by that solution.

However, since no better alternative arose, the meeting concluded with that.

“We cannot just sit back knowing the students are in danger.”

Upon returning to his office, Ender started preparing paperwork for the upcoming exam next week.

He predicted there would be a lot of backlash, yet he insisted on the sparring format for one simple reason.

He believed Leon’s words that a certain unidentified assailant, whom they had pursued but could not even learn the name of, would eventually appear again.

“Thankfully, this time it ended without casualties.”

But there was no guarantee it would be the same when he appeared next.

There was also no assurance that other students would remain uninvolved.

That’s why this exam was a necessary step to lay the bare minimum groundwork.

‘At this point, we’re all definitely going to die.’

‘It was impossible for just me. Perhaps Aike’s ability to withstand the assailant contributed to it.’

Dean Ender was determined not to underestimate the evaluations from Dande and Leon, who had faced the assailant directly.

Leon was, needless to say, the greatest genius in the history of the Empire.

Dande was also someone who had performed at the forefront as a mage and held a reasonably high position in the Magic Tower.

“At the very least, having the strength to protect oneself is necessary.”

That was the conclusion Ender came to.

Thus, he decided on a sparring exam and intended to increase practical-style classes going forward.

No matter how beneficial the education, if a student were to die, it would lose all meaning.

★

“Is it just bad luck?”

Helen Oberon.

Reina Rozelia.

Leon Aigis Astria.

They were my exam opponents, and I wanted to ask why it had come to this.

Of course, I had no intention of losing, but how did it end up being precisely these three?

Upon checking, it turned out the other three were all classmates, while I was the odd one out.

“Sigh.”

Especially finding out it was Reina as my opponent didn’t sit well with me.

Her choice of swordsmanship as a major was originally because of the Crown Prince, so would it really be okay to fight in a practical format?

Yet, if I were to hold back, it would be obvious that Reina’s personality wouldn’t tolerate it.

In various meanings, she was the worst opponent for me.

But the very Reina herself seemed…

“How about this time?”

“Oh, it’s delicious.”

“I think I prefer the previous one a bit more. I really like the flavor of the butter.”

“I like this one better.”

“I prefer this one too.”

She was sharing the pastries she made, but there was no hint of worry in her demeanor.

“Aike, what do you think?”

“…I like this one better.”

Even though the grading ratio for major and liberal arts was the same, a top student like Reina would have reasons to be dissatisfied with this exam.

“That aside, have you taken an interest in patisserie as well, Reina?”

“Yes, Helen. Ever since I learned from Miss Sophia last time, I found it quite enjoyable.”

She didn’t look like it at all.

Rumors spread that a retake would be offered to students who were not aspiring knights or mages, was that why she seemed so carefree?

“Sigh. Originally, I should have enjoyed these delicious pastries without a single worry.”

“Since it’s a method of examination never attempted before, it must take a lot of time to adjust.”

When Helen sighed and expressed her dissatisfaction, Atal responded with a wry smile.

Originally, Arcana’s practical exams started on the fifth day of finals and ended that Friday.

But this time, it was exceptionally starting from this coming Monday for five days.

In my case, it was noted that I would be tested on Monday, Thursday, and Friday.

“By the way, did you hear about the rumor?”

“The rumor?”

“Yes, the rumor related to this exam.”

Upon Sophia’s sudden remark, the Crown Prince turned his gaze, intrigued.

“Students who have free periods during the exam can watch the sparring and magic battles of others, right? Apparently, there are wagers placed on those results.”

“Such pointless nonsense.”

Reina frowned in genuine distaste upon hearing this.

…I had to keep the fact that I was betting on those wagers a secret.

“Interesting. Should I place a bet as well?”

“Your Highness, gambling is a direct path to ruin. You mustn’t concern yourself with such matters.”

“It’s not gambling, it’s just a small wager among students, right? I think that kind of playful bet should be fine.”

Though Reina vehemently opposed the Crown Prince’s words, his expression remained curious.

He likely planned to participate in that wager even if it meant avoiding Reina’s gaze.

Knowing that, Reina didn’t let the suspicion fade from her eyes.

As the sun began to set, it was soon time for us to return to the dormitory in preparation for tomorrow.

“Aike, good luck tomorrow.”

Helen approached me before leaving to offer her greeting.

“I’ve almost always lost in our usual practice matches, but tomorrow will be different.”

That was certainly true.

For some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Helen was holding back whenever we sparred.

“I will do my best as well.”

…If there was one thing I learned about myself, it was that I had a stronger fighting spirit than I thought.

With friends like Helen and fighting against a clear stronger opponent like Arvain, I absolutely didn’t want to lose.

Thus, naturally, I had no intention of losing tomorrow either.

Time passed, and the last week of finals began.

★

“Salute each other.”

“Good luck to you.”

“Good luck to you.”

As we finished our greetings and lifted our heads, there stood Helen before me, with other students watching us.

This kind of atmosphere felt nostalgic, reminding me of the old Heros.

Feeling that way, I slowly took my stance.

“The exam will proceed according to the rules explained earlier. Please be sure to keep that in mind.”

The sparring matches in Arcana’s practical exams were somewhat different from what we were familiar with.

Among the aspects that stood out the most, there was no restriction on the magic one could use in the swordsmanship major’s sparring.

Previously, implicit rules limited the usage of magic in sparring for those aspiring to be knights.

But those were merely implicit rules.

This exam openly mentioned that part, creating an atmosphere where using any conceivable magic was encouraged.

Of course, it was closer to them being unable to use magic rather than simply choosing not to during physical augmentation.

“Blessing of the God Eos!”

And with the professor’s declaration, the sparring began.

In a typical match, Helen would have moved first.

However, today, she stood still, quietly watching me.

If you’re not going to make a move, then perhaps I should take the initiative this time.

Lowering my stance, I took a step forward with my right foot.

As I concentrated magical power into my legs, I dashed forward in an instant.

“Ugh!”

Swinging Neia horizontally from a distance where Helen’s reach couldn’t touch, I knew giving her enough room was crucial in our matches.

She usually made the first move to close that distance.

Not knowing her motivation this time, I chose to let it slide for now.

I thought lightly of this until—

“Gah!”

A tremendous impact hit my abdomen, sending me flying backward.

“I told you, it’s going to be different.”

As I managed to catch my breath and rise, there was Helen, rushing toward me with a smile.

…Damn it.