Chapter 42: Chapter 42:Training Camp [1]

Opening the door, I saw a small room with a desk and a stack of papers on it. The walls and floors were painted dark grey to prevent students from getting distracted mid-test, and besides the chair, desk, and clock, the room was empty.

To my right and left, I could see trembling students walking by and opening the door to their rooms, which mirrored mine. Searᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Looking at the crowd walking around, I identified Lily, Liam, Zach, and even Ruby. Well, I guess Ruby has to at least show up for the exam, or people will get suspicious of her passing grade.

With a sigh, I stepped into the room, causing the door behind me to shut automatically, trapping me in the room for the next 5 hours. Is this a prison or a school?

Sitting down in the chair, I immediately tried to touch the papers on the desk, but there seemed to be some invisible barrier preventing my hands from getting anywhere near them.

Only the first page of the stack of papers was visible through the barrier.

[May good fortune be with you.]

Could they really not think of a better way to say good luck?

Glancing upwards at the clock, I noticed that the exam would start in less than 10 seconds, so I grabbed my pencil and hovered my hands over the invisible barrier.

...

...

...

The good thing about using my eyes for schoolwork is that I can solve any problem that involves a formula or concept I memorized within a mere 30 seconds; however, the bad thing is if there's a problem that requires more than just concept memorization, I'm screwed.

That's how I ended up solving every multiple-choice question on the test but none of the free-response questions.

"... this won't look suspicious to the graders, right...?"

Staring at the clock, I realized that I had about 2 hours left in my test-taking time, so I began pretending to work on free-response questions.

After seeing my test score of 100% on multiple-choice and 0% on free response, I was certain that the teachers would check the camera footage of my room.

If they saw me just sitting there doing nothing with 2 hours remaining, their suspicions would only grow.

Flipping through the free-response questions, I alternated between drawing random diagrams that were implanted in my memory to a random bullet point on a note page that I memorized a week ago.

Oh, right. How are Han and Jin doing? Though the test from last year was helpful to me for multiple choice, it didn't really help much as the free-response questions were completely different.

Still, after hearing about Han and Jin's predicament, I decided to get it. They already complained about their parents enough to me, and if their parents financially cut them off, their complains would more than double.

I didn't see them around much last week, so they might have been actually studying to pass.

As the bell rang, signifying the end of exams, the invisible barrier once again appeared, immediately pushing my hands away from the paper.

As the door automatically flung open, I could see various students walking out of the exam with expressions ranging from disgruntled to happy to even none.

Seriously, some kids were just walking away with blank expressions, acting as if they had just witnessed the worst thing in the world. Is it not just an exam?

Funnily enough, the students with the happy expressions weren't even excited about doing well on their exams, but the training camp.

As a reward for students, the academy takes all the first years to Eldoria, the second most populated city in the entire realm of humanity.

As for the name "training camp," students are assigned random groups and throughout the trip, these groups are surprised with random tasks they must complete.

Besides the requirement that groups travel together and complete all the tasks assigned, the students are allowed to roam throughout the city and do whatever they want.

However, if a group fails to complete one task out of the many assigned, they are immediately sent back to the academy, and they will lose 10% of their exam points.

While the 10% loss in midterm grades is scary for the students, more are worried about not making it to the final day of the trip and being forced to return.

On the final day of the trip, the academy personally rents one of the most expensive cruise ships in the world for the students. A ship meant over 10000 people, given to around 500 students for a single day and night.

Leaving the desolate exam room behind, I pondered what to do the following two days before we departed from the academy.

Instead of traveling by portal gates, the academy rented luxury buses and drove us to Eldora. While this may seem unnecessary and very expensive, the academy still insists on doing this, as this is when you are first introduced to your groups.

The academy believes that the day-long bus ride will allow you to bond with your groupmates and make plans for what to do in Eldoria City, making tasks easier and less awkward to complete.

The interference with djinns wouldn't be until the cruise ship at the end, so I could rest easy for the rest of the trip, besides occasionally completing the tasks.

As I stepped outside the exam building, Ruby, who seemed to be waiting for me outside, immediately rushed towards me.

"What, why so surprised?"

"Oh, that; I'm just surprised you had the audacity to show up today."

She, someone who bribed their way through both the entrance exam and this midterm exam, still had the audacity to walk in like the rest of the students who worked their asses off?

Of course, I was basically in the same boat as her, but she didn't have to know that.

"Oh, come on, why would I waste my time in those classes."

"...You know, usually, classes are the main reason people choose to come to this school."

After all, this Academy is so popular because it is known for producing important people within the magical world through its amazing classes and professors.

Ignoring my remark, Ruby ran forward before turning around to face me with a smirk and saying.

"Aren't you even the least bit excited about the vacation we have?"

"You're planning on going?"

Was she involved in the djinn interference? No... as far as I know, the gemstone order wouldn't participate in this.

"Of course, how could I miss out on vacation with everyone!?"

"Well, you missed out on class with everyone."

Waiting for me to catch up to her, Ruby softly hit my leg before saying.

"You know, that's different. Don't act stupid."

...How is it different?

Recalling my experience with Zach and my new reputation as a "woman harasser," I replied.

"Anyway, you know you've caused some trouble for me by skipping class."

Breaking into laughter, Ruby responded.

"Oh, those rumors? *PFFT* I've been asked by like 10 ten girls if you're blackmailing me."

Pausing for a moment, Ruby grinned before getting on her tippy-toes and quietly whispering in my ear.

"Don't worry, I'll make it up to you."

As my mind exploded into confusion and various thoughts flooded through my head, I didn't let it show in my face; I responded with an indifferent expression.

"And, how exactly did you reply to those girls asking?"

She had definitely been approached by Zach before, as that guy would much rather talk to the victim before the criminal; however, Zach still approached me after talking to her.

That led me to the conclusion that Ruby wasn't actively denying the rumors!

"Oh, how do you think I responded? Anyway, just what did you do to all of those students to make them hate you so much? At this point, the entire class has warned me to stay away from you."

With a smile on my face, I responded.

"What do you think I did?"

If she wasn't going to answer my questions, why would I answer hers?

Seeming to predict my answer, Ruby wore a sinister smirk as she said.

"Am I to assume those rumors are all true then? Do you really go around harassing girls in the capital city after school? Is it true that you sneak around in the dark and prey on o-"

I know I've heard all the rumors before, but seriously, hearing them aloud just...

Interrupting her and feeling my excitement about the exams being over disapear, I said.

"You can believe what you want. I'm going to go pack."

...

...

...

"Hey Liam, how was your exam?"

"Oh, Lily, I think I did alright."

" *tsk* just Alright? I'm sure I got at least a 95%"

Startled by Kevin's sudden interjection, Liam responded.

"Well, good for you, Kevin; you went an applause or something?"

At the start, Liam was very cautious when talking to Kevin, as he was scared of Kevin doing something bad to him through his father's connections; however, now, Liam had the backing of the academy's headmaster!

Now that Kevin couldn't touch him, Liam didn't hold back when speaking to him.

Seeing that yet another dispute was going to break out between Liam and Kevin, Zach interrupted from behind them.

"Anyway, Alya and Lily, how do you think you guys did?"

In unison, the two calmly and confidently responded.

"Perfect"

Lily, combining her knowledge from the book and good study ethic, knew that she would probably get at least a 95, and Alya was also sure of the same.

Letting out a chuckle at the two girls, Liam asked Lily and Alya.

"Anyway, ready for the training camp?"

"There are no cruise ships in the elven realm, so I'm not sure."

"Yeah, might be fun..."

With the djinn interference and possible student deaths, Lily didn't have time to enjoy the vacation. After that fiasco with Alya's kidnapping, she had to make sure that everything was done right this time.

What should she do?

Inform the academy that djinns may interfere. No... they won't take me seriously unless I have evidence.

Interrupting Lily's train of thought, Kevin suddenly asked her in his most nonchalant voice.

"Lily, you wanna group up?"

Before Lily could even respond, Liam replied from the side.

"You know they're random, right idiot?"

"Oh, you think they're really random? Nothing in this world is random; everything has a mastermind."

Letting out another scoff, Liam responded.

"Oh, are you saying that you're going to rig the selection?"

"And, what if I am? Do we have a problem?"

"Oh, I'm just curious what the headm-"

Seeing yet another potential fight, Zach changed the topic.

"Anyway... have you guys seen Irene around recently?"

Ignoring Kevin fuming right in front of him, Liam though for a moment before replying.

"Speaking of that, it has been a while since she hung out."

Alya and Lily, who knew about the student council situation, glanced at each other for a moment before Alya spoke up.

"I think she just needs some space for now."

Zach was genuinely concerned, but he trusted the girls.

"If you say so..."

Kevin, who didn't really care, turned his attention back to Lily.

"Before Liam so rudely interrupted us, what did you think of grouping of?"

"ah... I have some things to do in Eldoria, so I'll be too busy to hang out a lot."

While Lily didn't want to hurt Kevin by outright denying him, she also needed to ensure that she had enough time to make preparations for the cruise ship incident.

However, Kevin was persistent.

"Oh, you can show me around the local areas."

"uh... ah..-"

Before Lily could say something else, Liam's voice once again spoke out.

"Oh, is that Irene?"