NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 105
Chapter 105: Winter Vacation (1)
The final evaluations went smoothly.
Perhaps due to the ease with which Chapter 3 concluded, I was able to enjoy a rather peaceful academy life.
Thanks to that, I could take the dreaded exams with a relaxed mindset, despite the gloom hanging over me.
In the main story, Radon’s passing left Teaching Assistant Adela to oversee the tests alone, resulting in utter chaos.
However, thanks to Radon’s presence, things didn’t spiral completely out of control. Having Radon around was one of the perks of his survival.
The practical final evaluation involved defeating an artificially summoned Golem. While it was absurdly strong, the evaluation was based on the amount of damage inflicted.
The Golem in question… was indeed the artificial Golem we knew, but with Mosria gone, there was no need for worry.
Even though that artificial spirit was lost, the Golem’s magic still remained. It was just that Mosria had been controlling it, which was how that situation arose. If a proper self were to control it, the same disaster would not occur again.
The Golems still moved around in reality, of course.
They were certainly not lurking around campus as they did last time, but were instead being put to proper use.
Their main jobs were to assist with administrative tasks, maintain the academy’s cleanliness, and act as surveillance like CCTV.
────────────────
[First-Year Overall Grades & Notes]
* Final grades will be determined by the amount of damage inflicted on the combat-type Golem “Hard Sentinel.”
* Tactics involving using the terrain to trap the Golem will also count towards damage but are less significant compared to direct combat hits.
* That’s all! Thank you for your hard work this year. See you all again in the second year after the vacation! Bye~
Written by Combat Department Teaching Assistant Adela Merhenna. (I’m so exhausted doing this alone… I should sleep now.)
1. (Combat Department) Lyman Begilius – 100%
2. (Magic Department) Mary Ryudshiel – 99%
3. (Alchemy Department) Baimon Dreadnote – 84%
4. (Combat Department) Jenny Chain Silver – 80%
5. (Combat Department) Luska Mad Eye – 75%
6. (Combat Department) Radon Crawler – 71%
7. (Combat Department) Kent Egist – 68%
7. (Magic Department) Crona Delawer – 68% *Tied for 7th place
……
……
……
────────────────
Battling the Golem one-on-one made up the practical portion of the final evaluation. Even active members would find it tricky to face such a powerful Golem.
As shown in the results, I managed to place in the top ranks. The Golem I faced was the training content set to be used starting in the second year with certain patterns I roughly knew.
In fact, I even had a cheat skill to read the Golem’s movements.
– Mana Insight Lv2
Just a single level upgrade made the skill significantly different. I could see the Golem’s movements with remarkable detail.
But not long after, I got knocked out by a single punch from the Golem.
Lyman was… nothing special. Just like in the main story, I dodged his attacks and with one slash, severed the Golem’s head.
“What is this, One Punch Man or something?”
Baimon, being in his specialized field, knew all the Golem’s weaknesses and easily exploited them. His unique edge over the other Alchemy Department students also played a part.
However, due to his weak defense, he got retired by a magic shot.
Jenny and Luska, surprisingly, exhibited effective synergy.
Naturally, in physical terms, Luska held the upper hand. While still somewhat incomplete, she could deal significant damage to the Golem thanks to her “Divine Beast Transformation.”
Against Luska… the Golem just had the advantage in close combat. Now that we entered the Silver Age, ranged attacks from Jenny became easier to inflict damage on the Golem.
“This one was the real deal.”
Mary Ryudshiel.
Excluding Lyman, she had outstanding results, nearly breaking the Golem apart.
Truthfully, her getting knocked out was merely a result of her being distracted by something else; without that lapse in focus, she would have scored 100% following Lyman.
Her performance overshadowed the other students, making her stand out among the supporting characters excluding the protagonist.
So much so that the new professor, Jason Baikel, arriving next year, was already coveting her mana.
“Jason… I’ll be seeing that rotten human face soon enough.”
Finally, winter vacation arrived.
With the cold setting in, the beautiful snow began to fall. The passing scenery was painted white.
But amidst this picturesque scene was a heavy-weight vehicle puffing black smoke, barreling down the tracks.
Its length was enough to put a giant snake to shame, and it was running solely on iron tracks.
However, it sped so fast that even the falling snow melted upon passing.
“Wooaah~ So fast!”
Chuff chuff- The train raced quickly, releasing steam. Mary leaned out the window, marveling.
The metal train, dubbed Magical Locomotive, became the empire’s new transportation method.
Right after finishing the first-year season, we were now on this train heading to our family home.
“Mary, get your face back inside. You’re going to freeze like that.”
“Don’t worry! It’s actually refreshing. Achoo- and so invigorating… Ahchoo!”
“Here’s a handkerchief.”
Mary snagged the handkerchief from Jenny and blew her nose loudly.
Always reckless, Mary’s nose-blowing sounded like an explosion went off.
The nearby passengers jumped in surprise, prompting Jenny to apologize in her place.
‘To think I’d be able to ride a train in this world.’
Battling the Golem one-on-one was part of the practical evaluations. They were indeed formidable opponents even for active members.
Sitting beside Mary, I closed the window and looked outside. Snow fell outside the closed window, painting the landscape.
Thinking about how much colder it would be with the wind from the speeding train merging with the current chill was terrifying. But Mary… well, she never thinks that far.
“Not bad. I didn’t think the day for the practical implementation of the Magical Train would come so soon.”
Luska, sitting next to me, commented while surveying the interior. This was the first instance of the Magical Train being practically implemented in the Divine Empire, while other countries were still preparing.
If this were Korea, I imagined the entire nation would be filled with immense pride, leading to awkwardness.
“It’s a pity there’s no on-board meal service.”
“On-board meal service?”
When Jenny questioned my murmurs, I explained simply.
“I just wish they sold some food on the train.”
“That would be quite impossible. There’s no way a merchant could pass through such a narrow space carrying food. Moreover, they couldn’t set up a kitchen here.”
As Jenny said, compared to the trains I knew, this one was remarkably outdated. On such a long journey, you’d feel the need for some food.
“A kitchen on a train… that’s actually quite an enticing idea. Radon Crawler, I might consider it.”
Crona, sitting next to Jenny, clapped her hands in admiration, seemingly thinking of ways to turn this into a business.
Having noticed, I realized many major characters were sitting in the same seats.
The current destination of the running train was the Silver Town territory. Though Mary and Jenny made sense, Luska’s presence here struck me as odd.
“Speaking of timing, it’s quite fascinating. A party right as the vacation starts.”
“It’s not just any party. It’s a grand event, which is why many of the empire’s notable nobles will be attending.”
A party where numerous nobles and royal family members would attend.
The party in question was a baptism ceremony where the saint herself would come to grant baptism to the nobles.
Speaking of saints… there’s no need to mention who that is. That was the reason Luska was on the same train as us.
“You’re quite lucky. Luska Mad Eye, you wouldn’t have been able to participate due to your ambiguous status.”
“I should thank Angela for that.”
Luska took out a letter and a golden badge from her pocket.
The letter contained words of encouragement from her sister, urging her to enjoy life occasionally, while the badge was a sort of invitation to the party.
It resembled the silver badge Jenny received during summer vacation.
“But Luska, you’re not planning on turning into a beast at the party, are you? I heard rumors of you causing havoc in the woods before the final evaluations.”
“Don’t worry about that. As long as the full moon isn’t out, I’m completely fine.”
With the sky blanketed in clouds, the moon wasn’t visible at all. She had also maintained her sanity during the final evaluations, so I felt assured.
“But don’t you think there’s someone living in your room with Radon Crawler who feels uncomfortable?”
Crona glanced at Jenny, suggesting she seemed uneasy about our cohabitation.
“Of course that’s the case. Most of the kids who share rooms with boys and girls end up as targets for teasing. Of course, the moment she gets caught, I’ll smash their heads and ruin their social lives.”
That’s why no one says anything about me sharing a room with Luska.
First, I’d get my head bitten off by Luska, turned into a beast… then with my newspaper club authority, I’d leak the rumors to create a scandal that ruins my academic life, but… well, whatever works.
“So you two living together must’ve ended up doing something, huh? I’m sure of it!”
“Didn’t do anything.”
“What even would we do?”
As Crona suddenly got excited, Luska and I gave her cold responses.
“Don’t lie! Radon Crawler. You’re bragging as if you’re not a scammer!”
“Well, I’m telling the truth.”
“In that case, show me the proof!”
Proof means… the erosion rate isn’t declining, which is hard to express.
“Hey Crona. Do you want me to show you what a real lie is?”
“What is it?”
A lie. It’s simply distorting the truth while speaking.
“You look like a pig.”
“…!!”
[Erosion Rate Decline: -40%]
[+4000 Credits]
Crona’s eyes twitched. But knowing beforehand it was a lie, she could endure it.
She knew exactly what the opposite of being called a pig meant.
However…
“And your temper is more like a monster. If you were to show your face in the Taurus den in the western empire, you’d be welcomed as a relative instead of attacked.”
“Gah…!”
[Erosion Rate Decline: -30%]
[+3000 Credits]
“Also, your face is like a slime.”
“A slime? If it’s that, I guess I could let it slide since it’s cute.”
“No, not that low-level slime, but a dirty slime that’s grown large and gooey.”
“Gahhh! Sun Red! Kill him!”
The dirty slime, not only filthy but every aspect of it was disgusting.
[Erosion Rate Decline: -60%]
[+6000 Credits]
So much so that Crona was screeching madly, summoning her Phoenix Spirit.
“How dare you mock Crona! I’ll torch you until your shape is unrecognizable!!”
It seemed her family member, Sun Red, was equally furious.
In response, the black snake that lurking in my shadow sprang out.
“Bahaha! What’s this? I haven’t had a snack in ages!”
Muto, that guy, only ever shows up to add fuel to the fire during these moments.
Nearby passengers whispered among themselves, wondering what was happening.
“You despicable spirit!”
“Haha! If I’m despicable, does that mean you’re cute?”
A fierce battle between the spirit and the body was about to unfold…
Tap tap tap—
“Gahhhh! You piece of filth!”
“Stay still.”
I dropped a shimmering raindrop onto Muto’s head, incapacitating him.
“Now, behave. I’ll hug you.”
“Uhhaha! That man… He’s… Nooo…!”
“I know. So let’s calm down. And the immortality phoenix over there too.”
“Cough! How dare this woman…!”
Jenny hugged both Crona and Sun Red at the same time. Crona’s face brightened, feeling comfortable enough to nuzzle against Jenny’s chest.
She seemed like she’d been waiting for this moment, and similarly, Sun Red started to lose strength as well, becoming equally subdued.
“Wow~ Good job! Good job!”
Mary was in spectator mode, completely entertained by the situation.
“You guys play nice. Wake me when we arrive.”
Luska sighed, pulling down the cover of her seat. Fully out, she closed her eyes.
Though there was no meal service, there was a chair recline function.
Jenny and Crona fell asleep, still in each other’s arms. The crying Crona’s sleeping face flushed with a wicked expression.
It would take several hours to arrive, so… I should sleep too.
Mary seemed to be closing her eyes, but suddenly, a fly flew by.
I could just ignore it and fall asleep, but Mary, seeing the fly, waved her hand.
I thought she might be about to catch it like a frog again, but…
“Hello, little fly. Where did you come from?”
“…”
“Oh? You came from a really hot place? But you lost your winter sleeping spot and got stuck here? That’s too bad…”
She placed the fly in her hand and was talking to it. The fly showed no intention of flying away and remained still.
It was somewhat shocking, but Mary was certainly not an ordinary kid.
“What? You want to serve me?”
“…”
“Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty!”
Like embracing a pet, Mary rubbed the fly against her face.
However, the fly vanished without a trace, and Mary remained oblivious, confused by the black spots spreading across her face.
“Where did the fly go?”
*
A pure white carriage was traveling down a snow-covered street.
Aside from the refined color, it had no distinct features from an ordinary carriage. However, the townspeople paid their respects or pretended to recognize it as it passed by.
“A party, huh? That Gerard guy must be hitting the jackpot.”
Inside the carriage sat a man with his elbow resting on the window frame. He referred to the empire’s highest duke as ‘that guy’ with a jovial expression.
Adorned in a white magical robe with pink hair resembling a peach blossom, he appeared to be in his late twenties. In reality, he was in his late forties with a wealth of experience.
Having built trust over those many years, he was always held in high esteem.
Master White Tower, Taili Ryudshiel.
“What’s so good about it? It’s an event where the two saints visit personally, so the preparations are beyond measure.”
“Still, it’s a chance to approach both of them as the first noble. It’s like the gems rolling right to me.”
Seated beside him was a woman speaking freely. With hair as white as the falling snow, one might think she was the master, but that was half-true.
Semiya Ryudshiel. She was his wife and was skilled enough to act as the master in his absence.
“I wonder if Mary has arrived in Silver Town by now? I did reach out to her beforehand.”
“That child probably sees it as just visiting a friend’s house.”
“I hope she doesn’t do anything disrespectful to the saints.”
They, more than anyone, understood their daughter had a few screws loose.
Just then, a fly buzzed and landed on Tayli’s arm.
Whoosh—
In an instant, Tayli’s previously jovial expression turned grave as the fly burned to ashes without a trace. It was hard to tell when he cast the spell.
“It finally got silent for a moment…”
Tayli’s eyes shone with contempt. It was difficult to label his distaste as mere insect aversion—it was a deeply sensitive emotion emanating from him.
“Isn’t it just a fly that flew in?”
Semiyah spoke in a comforting tone, trying to calm him down. Yet, there was no credibility in that reassurance.
“Given the current weather… do you think a bug would be flying around, not hibernating?”
“…”
In the carriage, a silence fell, reflecting on that strange contradiction.
With a bitter expression, they recalled the time 30 years ago… when they faced a Demon King disguised as a fly.
Surviving as an Academy Scammer.