Chapter 40: Exams, Revelations, and a Touch of Comfort

“Today’s the day! I can finally show off everything I’ve been working on.”

“If you’re going to make such a grand declaration with that serious face, you should probably stop your hands from shaking first, Soine. Then again, I suppose it’s inevitable since you’ve been doing nothing but playing around.”

“…Miner, do you dislike me?”

“Of course not. I like you very much, Soine.”

‘Were they always like this?’ The two seemed close, but lately, they’d been bickering more often. ‘I’m sure it’s because they’re comfortable with each other… probably.’

“Good luck, everyone! I know you’ll all do much better than me, even without my encouragement.”

“Don’t be so down on yourself. Well, I should go. I believe in you all.”

The two who sat together said their goodbyes and headed off first.

Soine, who had clearly been worried despite her earlier cheerful demeanor, now slumped dejectedly towards her assigned seat in the exam hall. Miner, who had deflated Soine, took her seat not far away.

“Shall we go to our seats too? It’s almost time.”

“Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Unfortunately, the three of them weren’t seated near each other, so they headed off in different directions. Not that it mattered much; even if they sat next to each other, they were spaced far apart to prevent cheating.

Sayo had studied diligently, but not because she wanted to. It was purely due to Sayoreinne’s influence. She wasn’t getting a scholarship, and while good grades supposedly meant better placement and treatment, Sayo wasn’t concerned about that right now.

The three years at the academy, where the main story would unfold, were far more important. So, she wasn’t particularly focused on her grades… but the word ‘exam’ still made her nervous.

She’d put in the time and effort to study, so it would be a waste not to use that knowledge. It was better to get good grades if she was taking the exams anyway. Plus, seeing her name at the top of the rankings would feel good.

“Ugh, I think I failed.”

“It can’t be helped. You can do better tomorrow.”

“Miner is right. It’s only the first day. Let’s do our best together.”

“You say that, but with that bright face and relaxed tone, I’m guessing you did well.”

“Sayoreinne always ranks high.”

‘True, but…’ Sayo wished Nell and Euru would focus on comforting Soine instead of her. They still seemed awkward around each other when Sayo wasn’t around, which was a shame. ‘But if they spend time together like this in their second year, they’ll become close, right?’

“Ugh, I think I failed again.”

“I figured as much. But there are still two days left, so you can catch up.”

“As Miner said, there are still many exams left, so if you do well from now on, it’ll be fine.”

“Lady Euru… your expression isn’t very bright either. Did you also fail?”

“…I didn’t fail. I made a few mistakes, that’s all. Besides, I’m confident about the remaining subjects, so there’s no problem at all.”

Sayo had assumed everyone except Soine would do well, but it seemed Euru hadn’t performed as well as expected. The conversation between Nell and Euru sounded a bit tense. ‘But this must be the same thing, right? Like Miner and Soine, they’re arguing because they’re close.’

Thinking about it that way, their little squabble was endearing. Sayo hoped their friendship, which transcended their significant social status difference, would last.

“Ugh, I think I really failed this time.”

“It’s the third day, and you’re still saying the same thing. But this is so like you, Soine.”

“It’s still okay, Soine. There’s still one day of written exams left, and then the practical. If you do well from now on, you can still recover, umm…”

“Sayoreinne? Don’t give her false hope. You know it’s not looking good.”

“Indeed. She messed up three out of five days… Isn’t the outcome already decided?”

Nell and Euru, who usually avoided joining conversations about Soine and Miner due to the awkwardness, spoke up this time. That was good, but their comments were negative. And Miner’s reaction was surprisingly subdued. ‘At this point, I thought she’d say something… Has she given up?’

“Sniff. I messed up again today.”

“Oh dear, as expected? It can’t be helped that you failed the written exams. But there’s still the magic practical, so do your best there.”

“Something’s…”

“Huh.”

“This is… strange.”

Seeing Nell and Euru’s reactions confirmed that Sayo wasn’t the only one who found this odd.

“What’s the matter? You all look like you have questions.”

“Why aren’t you saying anything to Soine?”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought you would have scolded Soine by now, but you just let it slide. And you didn’t say anything today either. The usual Miner would have already said something.”

“Ah, I see.”

Miner smiled faintly, but her expression seemed empty, like she’d given up. She continued, “Do you know how many exams we’ve had this year?”

“This is the third semester, so… this is the third and final exam of the year.”

Nell answered before Sayo could. Even she, who was usually aloof, seemed curious. Euru, beside Nell, remained silent but focused on the conversation.

“I think that explains enough.”

‘The fact that this is the third exam is the answer?’ Sayo paused, then it clicked.

“In short, the same thing happened during the previous two exams, and nothing’s changed this time, so you’ve given up?”

“Yes. Giving up is surprisingly liberating.”

Miner’s expression was truly relieved as she confirmed Euru’s words.

Sayo felt a pang of sympathy for Miner, who had been burned by Soine repeatedly and finally given up. She could picture the scene: Soine asking for help before the exams, Miner patiently tutoring her, Soine slacking off despite asking for help, Miner trying to get her back on track. This cycle, repeating not once or twice, but three times, had finally broken Miner.

Yet, Miner continued to look after Soine. ‘She’s too kind. If it were me… well, come to think of it, what could I do? I would’ve just swallowed my frustration.’

“Miner…”

Wanting to offer some comfort, Sayo reached out and took Miner’s hand.

“What is going on…?”

Soine stood apart, pouting and sulking, but no one in Sayo’s group paid her any attention.

“Good work today, My Lady.”

“Thank you, Ahrin. I try not to let it get to me, but the word ‘exam’ is tiring.”

Back in the dormitory after the last exam, which included the combat practical, Sayo felt exhausted.

As she sat on the sofa, spacing out, Ahrin came up behind her and started massaging her shoulders.

“Ahrin?”

“How is it? Does it feel better?”

The unexpected massage, without asking for permission, was surprising, but Sayo wasn’t going to complain. It felt quite good.

‘Mmm… Ah…’

Inwardly, Sayo had already relaxed, letting out soft moans of pleasure. But her body stubbornly maintained a dignified composure, suppressing any undignified expressions or sounds. She didn’t intend to speak formally, but she’d grown used to it, and acting like a noblewoman came naturally now. However, she still found the involuntary adherence to etiquette and decorum uncomfortable.

The sudden, jarring feeling of restraint whenever she was about to yawn or unconsciously cross her legs was irritating and unsettling. Thankfully, those impulses rarely surfaced anymore.

“You were complaining so much, but you did much better than I expected.”

“W-Well, I-I was saying I would fail, but I was actually confident!”

“Soine…”

Soine’s grades were surprisingly high. Sayo had expected her to be at the bottom, but she’d scored above average. Judging by Soine’s surprised reaction, it seemed like she hadn’t expected it either. ‘Did she get lucky with her guesses? Or maybe she was just lacking confidence.’

“Miner and Soine, you’re both going back home again this time, right?”

“I want to see my family and relax!”

“Yes. Sayoreinne, are you staying at the academy again?”

Sayo nodded to them, then turned to Nell and Euru.

“Nell will be staying at the academy with me, and Euru is going back to the royal palace, right?”

“For now.”

“For now?”

“I’ll only stay for a week and then come back to the academy.”

“Is there a reason?”

Euru looked at Nell, then at Sayo, before answering.

“Not really. Let’s just say… just because.”

She was being evasive, but Sayo understood. Judging by Euru’s glances, she was clearly trying to alleviate their loneliness, knowing they couldn’t be with their families during the break. ‘Euru is so kind and thoughtful.’ Nell, gazing warmly at Euru, seemed to share Sayo’s thoughts.

The holidays were almost over, and then it would be their second year, where the main story would truly begin. Sayo was worried, but also strangely excited about the relationships she would further develop.

‘As for the impending crisis… I’m sure it’ll work out somehow, right?’