Chapter 190: Attack Land (3)

Chapter 190: Attack Land (3)

"...."

Vikir stood there, his face still expressionless.

And behind him, a female student with white hair walked out.

Sinclair, a head of the Hot Class.

She walked toward the stage, as if sensing it was her turn.

"Class A, Hot Mages. Number 69. Are you Sinclair?"

By this time, she heard Professor Sady's voice calling out Sinclair's name.

It was a line of genuine interest.

Despite being from a commoner's background, Sinclair's performance in practical and written exams is better than anyone else's.

Not only that, but she has a reputation as an alpha girl who takes multiple general education classes, clubs, volunteer work, and a part-time job in her spare time.

In fact, Sinclair's name is known to students, professors, and even some of the most polarizing parents who are interested in the inner goings-on at the academy.

...Is that why? Professor Sady had her eye on Sinclair.

Dolores stepped up to Sinclair's side, looking concerned.

"Sinclair, you might as well drop out of the exam. In addition to being a professor at the Academy, Professor Sady is an advisor to the Imperial Guard's Arrest and Torture Unit, which means she's very capable, and she's just as likely to do you harm as she is to be a cranky professor who'll try to bully you if she sees a talented student."

But. Sinclair shook his head, looking more determined than ever.

"I was expecting that."

"...what?"

"I've been expecting it, more or less, since my proctor became Professor Sady."

Sinclair lifted her head. Her sparkling gaze was fixed on Dolores.

"I appreciate your concern, Ms. President. But I need to do well on these exams so I can get a scholarship to pay for my tuition."

"...I see what you're saying, but Professor Sady's case isn't typical. Even if you fail this exam, I'm sure your professors in other subjects will make up for it somehow, whether it's by giving you extra credit or extra points or whatever."

"... but."

Sinclair turned her head.

She could see a number of students lying there, groaning.

The damage was especially severe among the hot class, who had relatively little stamina compared to the cold class.

Seeing this, Sinclair bit her lip tightly.

"I can't hide from the person who made my friends look like that."

"...."

"I want to take the test on the same terms as my friends, Ms. President."

Sinclair's desperation was enough to get through to Dolores.

Why don't I know, Dolores had been a freshman herself, when her friendships with her classmates were strong.

"...Yes. There is such a thing as comradeship and country love."

"Thank you, Ms. President!"

"No problem. But if you're in any real danger, you should give up the test and run right to me. I'll heal you."

"Yes!"

Sinclair replied with a flourish, and leaped up onto the stage.

Now, Professor Sady's curious gaze is on Sinclair.

The innocent look of a child looking down at an insect to tear apart.

"Oh, so you're 'the' Sinclair, the one with the good grades, the great combat skills, the sweet personality, the good nature, and all the classes, volunteer work, and clubs?"

"Thank you. You're flattering me."

"Wow, you have a nice voice. You have a pretty face, too...."

Professor Sady began to ramble on.

"It must be worth ruining."

The atmosphere would have been quite warm if it weren't for that last comment.

Tsutsutsutsuts...

At this point, Professor Sady's aura began to radiate.

Professor Sady's avatar, a mud golem that closely resembled her figure, stood up on its slender legs.

In its hand it held a long vine whip.

The golem's mouth moved to convey Professor Sady's voice.

[There's been a ridiculous rumor going around the school lately... that I'm bullying a talented student?]

Sinclair cringes at the words.

Rumors? Surely Professor Sady's true intentions were not jealousy or inferiority complex?

Sinclair was confused for a moment, wondering if she had misunderstood.

But Professor Sady's next words were certainly more insane.

[That must be a real misunderstanding, because... I bully everyone, talented or not, hohohoho!]

At the same time, the golem's whip flew out.

Crack-

With a loud crack, the stone floor cracked.

And then she hears the voice of the Grim Reaper in her ear.

[Oh, no, my dear, there's something else you've forgotten. Have you forgotten my whip?]

The golem's fists and kicks are so fearsome that she forgets for a moment.

Professor Sady's primary weapon is a whip.

"...!?"

Sinclair snapped out of her reverie, and she could see the whip stalks sprawling around her body like some kind of bird.

... snap!

The noose tightened in an instant, binding Sinclair's entire body in a single bound.

"...! ...! ...! ...!"

Unable to move, Sinclair turned her head.

Killheel's pointed heel came so close that it almost touched the surface of Sinclair's eyeball.

seupas!

Sinclair quickly jerked his head back to avoid Professor Sady's kick, but not the second one that followed.

... Pow!

A heavy middle kick.

Sinclair didn't need to see it to know that all of her ribs were broken, piercing her internal organ.

Sinclair was sent flying through the air.

Like a kite with a broken string, she tumbled out of the arena.

At the same time, a status window popped up.

.

-Effective hits: 3 (1 point each)

-Effective dodges: 16 (1 point each)

-Effective Defense: 0 (1 point each)

-Critical hits: 0 (10 points each)

=Total score: 19 points

Top of the class. Never missing out on first place in any test, her total score was only 19 points.

Barely above average.

"Sinclair!?"

A startled Dolores picked up the falling Sinclair.

Heal Magic was cast on Sinclair, who coughed up blood.

The professors rushed over and began to heal her.

Meanwhile, Sinclair looked up at Dolores and smiled faintly.

"I'm sorry, Ms. President...."

"Don't talk, Sinclair, it takes time for your internals to heal!"

"Cough! Cough! I guess I won't get the scholarship...."

At that, Dolores cried and held Sinclair's hand tightly.

For all we know, Dolores could pay Sinclair's tuition.

She was quite wealthy, coming from the prestigious Quovadis family.

But that wasn't what mattered now.

It was about doing things on her own, whether it was exams or tuition, without anyone else's help.

That's what mattered to Sinclair.

Then.

"Hohohoho-"

Laughter pierced the silence.

Professor Sady. She was smiling broadly at Sinclair's tears.

"Are you crying because you didn't get the scholarship, honey, I'll pay for it, don't cry about it, you're not a beggar."

Not an unknowing remark, but a knowing one. It made Sinclair's stomach flip twice.

Students and professors alike stiffen at Prof. Sady's words, like thorns on a tongue.

... but.

There was one person whose face didn't change at all.

"...."

Vikir. He just stares at Professor Sady with his usual expressionless face.

But.

Professor Sady opened her mouth to speak, and Vikir's expression finally broke through.

"Okay, let's get right to it. Next on the agenda is class B of the Cold Warriors...."

Her flesh-colored eyes snapped open and rolled in Vikir's direction.

Then her lips curved in a soft arc, crimson against her pale skin.

"Piggy. Come up?"