Chapter 4: Standing Out in a Bad Way
Despite various mishaps, I successfully completed the ruins investigation and earned my credits. Today, as usual, I was heading to the academy for lectures.
“Hey, Rourke!”
“‘Sup.”
While walking down the hallway leading to the classroom, I encountered Gareth, who seemed to have just finished his lecture.
“Lecture next?”
“Yeah, I’m taking Malevolent Evil Spirit Studies.”
“Ah, that one. I wanted to take it too, but it overlapped with my other classes.”
“I took it out of interest, but I heard the tests are pretty tough. Apparently, about half the students fail each time.”
“If you can get your hands on the test questions for next semester, I’d appreciate it.”
“Depends on what you’re offering.”
Such trading of test questions and answers among students is quite common at the academy. Obviously, our grades here directly impact our future prospects. Better grades mean better career options and more choices, while poor grades narrow both the quality and range of opportunities.
Therefore, except for the high nobles whose paths are already set, everyone generally cooperates to get better grades. Additionally, since students from various backgrounds attend the academy, these trades also help in building connections.
In other words, these under-the-table deals are an essential form of communication for students.
“How about that Arthur biography you wanted? I found one at a used bookstore recently. I’ve already read it, so I can give it to you.”
“I’ll hand over those test questions with all my heart and soul, Lord Gareth!”
This is exactly why I can’t give up on these deals.
The Arthur biography is a popular novel depicting the exploits of Arthur, a spirit master hailed as a hero. It was released a while ago but became so popular that it’s now out of stock everywhere. Trying to buy it now would cost an arm and a leg, so this is truly a godsend.
“Then it’s a deal. By the way, this semester’s lectures are heavy on tests, which is really tough.”
“Isn’t that better than a flood of reports?”
“You think so? With reports, you just need to summarize the content somehow and submit it.”
“That ‘somehow’ is what I can’t do well. Plus, I never know how to summarize things to get high marks.”
Sometimes I spend a lot of time on what I think is good work, only to get mediocre grades. Other times, I hastily put together something when I’m short on time, and somehow get top marks. I really wish they’d explain their grading criteria.
“You only have two modes: going all out or not trying at all. You should learn how to exert moderate effort.”
“Easy for you to say, Mr. Natural Talent.”
My starting point is below average. To maintain my current position, I can’t afford to slack off. In fact, the moment I do, my facade will crumble, and I’ll lose everything.
“I’m not saying anything difficult. What I mean is—”
“What do you mean? What are you looking at?”
I followed Gareth’s gaze, which had suddenly stopped mid-sentence, to see a crowd of students gathered around a bulletin board in the hallway.
Wondering what the commotion was about, I squinted to read the board’s contents. It seemed to be an announcement about the rank battles.
“Is it that time already……”
Another unpleasant season has arrived. Although it’s for the sake of our grades, having to fight other students is a real pain.
“Wonder if I’ll face you this time?”
“Please, spare me. I don’t want to fight you.”
A battle against someone who knows my circumstances would be nothing short of despair for me. If I remember correctly, Gareth’s current rank is tenth, so there’s a real possibility we might fight.
Actually, I don’t want to fight anyone in the top ten. For some reason, our year is full of exceptional students, starting with the princess. They’re all formidable opponents who could rival professional spirit masters.
When it comes to the top four, I might as well prepare a white flag in advance.
Matches against them are hopeless. If I’m unlucky, I lose without being able to do anything. If I’m lucky, I still lose normally. Even if I prepare, I lose. Basically, defeat is the only outcome.
Now, for those of you thinking, “But aren’t you in the top four too?” Well, there’s a shallow reason for that.
First of all, I haven’t fought anyone in the top four except for the princess in first place. Strictly speaking, I did have one recorded match against the current third-place holder, but that was an unexpected forfeit victory due to the opponent not showing up.
In other words, I’ve lucked into a position beyond my actual abilities. I really don’t know what to do about this.
“Can’t see from here.”
“Yeah, shall we get closer?”
Whatever the case, what matters now is who my opponent will be in the rank battle. Depending on the opponent, I might need to start strategizing right away. Hoping for an easy match, we approached the bulletin board. As we did, the gathered students parted to the left and right.
“Hey, isn’t that Senpai Areas and Senpai Orrot?”
“So those are the rumored high-ranking second-years.”
“And Senpai Areas is still second in the year without even summoning a contract spirit. Who on earth is he……”
I’m just a weakling without even a contract spirit. Please, juniors, ignore someone like me. I’m not someone important enough for you to make way for, really.
“Looks like I’m in the first match. What a pain, with all the assignments coming up too.”
While Gareth muttered bitterly beside me, I frantically searched for my own name. Since the rank battles take place over an extended period, the bulletin board listed fifteen matches over the next five days, with three matches per day.
“I’m… ugh, in the fifth match… and against Ophelia, no less…”
I read through the names listed from the top and found mine in the fifth match. I let out a deep sigh. To make matters worse, my opponent is Ophelia Ringlad, ranked twelfth in our year. I feel like I might throw up from stress.
“Hey, Senpai Areas is sighing after seeing his opponent.”
“I heard he’s always looking for worthy opponents to go all out against. Is Senpai Ophelia not good enough?”
“He didn’t even summon his contract spirit against Lady Misha, right? Who would he go all out against?”
Seriously, who’s spreading these nonsensical rumors? The hurdles in my academy life are rising by the second. What am I supposed to do?
“Rourke, you look pale.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s always like this.”
“That in itself is concerning… but it’s getting late. I should go. See you later.”
“Yeah, later.”
Glancing at my watch, I realized there were only a few minutes left before the lecture started. I hurried down the hallway towards the classroom.
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“Cutting it close…”
As I entered the classroom at a brisk pace, most of the seats were already taken due to the time, with only the front row remaining empty.
Thinking that the front row was really not my preference, I was about to reluctantly take a seat when I heard a familiar voice calling my name amidst the commotion. “Rourke, over here!” Looking towards the voice, I saw Lily waving at me.
“I saved you a seat.”
“Oh, Lily, you’re a lifesaver! Thanks!”
“Hehe.”
That’s right, I had completely forgotten that Lily was also taking this lecture.
Grateful for Lily’s smug expression, I thanked her as I sat down in the seat next to her, relatively far back in the classroom.
Shortly after, Professor Albert, the Malevolent Evil Spirit Studies lecturer with black-rimmed glasses, entered the classroom. As he took his place at the podium, the chime signaling the start of the lecture rang through the room.
“Well, we’re starting today’s lecture, but since I had to cancel last time due to personal reasons, let’s begin with a review. Students, do you all clearly understand what Malevolent Evil spirits are?”
As Professor Albert asked this while adjusting his glasses, the students’ reactions varied. Some nodded confidently, while others shook their heads, signaling their lack of knowledge.
Incidentally, Lily and I remained unresponsive. We know the answer, but we’d rather not draw attention to ourselves, so we maintained our poker faces with folded arms.
“Hmm, it seems some of you aren’t very confident… Well then, let’s go over the correct answer. Malevolent Evil spirits, as they’re commonly known, are actually a type of spirit officially called dark spirits.”
As he spoke, Professor Albert picked up a piece of chalk and began writing on the blackboard, continuing his explanation about Malevolent Evil spirits.
“Naturally, this might lead some of you to wonder: Why are dark spirits called Malevolent Evil spirits instead of just dark spirits?”
“Do you know?”
“More or less. Though there are several theories.”
When I asked Lily, sitting next to me, she nodded confidently. As expected of a genius.
While I was admiring the genius next to me, the professor continued his explanation, the sound of chalk on the blackboard punctuating his words.
“They’ve been called Malevolent Evil spirits for at least a hundred years, and there are several reasons… but the most prevalent theory is that the nature of Malevolent Evil spirits themselves is the main cause.”
The professor wrote down explanations for several theories on the board, then circled the last one with a large oval before putting down the chalk.
“They actively attack humans and other spirits. But most importantly, they destroy the mind of those who try to form a contract with them.”
“Destroy… the mind?”
As the student muttered, tilting their head as if not understanding the meaning, Professor Albert nodded and said, “That’s right.”
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