Vol 2. Chapter 64: Practical Assessment

Too much is as bad as too little??

Vinny froze.

No matter how long he pondered it, he couldn’t figure out what those words meant or what they were trying to express.

He didn’t even know who had sent the note—or if it had been meant for him in the first place.

Who was so bored as to stuff a paper slip into his clothes? And more importantly, when had they even managed to do that? He had no memory of it whatsoever.

From attending the welcome ceremony for the Church of Radiance delegation, to his performance art display, to returning with Mirexia to the Student Council office—there hadn’t been a single opportunity for someone to slip something into his clothes. The only one who’d even had a chance was Mirexia.

But did Mirexia have any reason to do something like this?

What could possibly be so secret that it needed to be written in magical ink on a disappearing piece of paper??

The fact that it was a spell-etched note that would self-destruct shortly after being opened proved the sender’s caution.

The magical inscription was quite sophisticated. Whoever wrote this had no small level of skill in magical arts.

After thinking it through, Vinny judged that it probably wasn’t Mirexia. The Student Council President’s office wasn’t under surveillance—what reason would she have to go to such lengths and plant a note just to make him read it back home? Based on her earlier speech and behavior, he also felt it couldn’t be her.

And besides, whether it was Mirexia or not was something he could just ask later.

So then... who did it? And why??

Who could have stuffed this note into his clothes without him noticing a thing??

And what exactly was this ‘Too much is as bad as too little’ trying to tell him?

How much did the person who left this message know about his situation? Were they an enemy or an ally??

All of it was a bundle of unsolvable riddles.

Ah... just as expected. Ever since the Church of Radiance people showed up, there hadn’t been a moment’s peace. A bunch of damn harbingers of misfortune.

Vinny thought for a moment, then burned the note with the kitchen firestarter.

Even though it didn’t contain anything incriminating, he somehow felt it was safer this way.

—

What the Church delegation and the academy leadership discussed afterward was unknown to Vinny. His focus was entirely on the upcoming final exams. Any spare moment he had, he spent in the library.

In the library, he often saw Isatia Lanteville there reading as well.

But she wasn’t there to study. She had already hit her academic ceiling ages ago. For a genius who could master anything in a single reading, drilling through question banks was a dull and inefficient waste of time.

So she read extracurricular books unrelated to coursework.

She also enjoyed the quiet environment and didn’t mind offering Vinny some pointers now and then—explaining problems to him.

As it happened repeatedly, Vinny and Isatia became a little more familiar with one another.

At the very least, they now nodded politely when passing each other in the streets—instead of pretending not to know one another like before.

—

"Vinny, have Student Council duties kept you busy lately?"

One day at lunch, Shikondell suddenly asked.

"Hmm? Not really. Same as always. It’s just that finals are coming up, so I’ve been going to the library a lot to study."

"Alone?"

Shikondell’s eyes, soft as spring water, gazed at him with deerlike curiosity.

"Yeah, alone."

"Though once I get there, I often ask a classmate for help with some of the material," Vinny added.

"Eh? A classmate?... Is it a boy?"

Shikondell had already guessed the answer before asking.

She’d often caught a whiff of violet magnolia scent on Vinny’s body—clearly not the sort of perfume a guy would use.

"A girl," Vinny replied casually while shoveling rice into his mouth.

Upon hearing that, Shikondell quietly set down her utensils and murmured softly,

"I could tutor Vinny too... why do you have to go all the way to the library?"

"Well, it’s not like she’s there just to tutor me. She’s there reading, and I just happen to be sitting quietly nearby, so she gives me a few tips. It's a bit complicated to explain. She’s the type who’s so good at everything that reviewing is practically a waste of her time. That’s why she has time to help me out.

But Delle, you still need to study for exams. You can’t spend all your time on me, right?

What if you don’t get the results you want because you were busy tutoring me? Wouldn’t I feel super guilty?"

What Vinny said made a lot of sense, and Shikondell opened her mouth to reply but said nothing in the end.

Although... most of what he said was completely made up.

The truth was: Vinny just couldn’t follow Shikondell’s teaching style at all. He didn’t understand a single word.

Compared to Isatia, the difference was like heaven and earth—

One broke everything down step by step, while the other glossed over it all in vague strokes that left him lost.

—

Time flew, and the day of the written finals arrived.

Thanks to Isatia’s recent tutoring, Vinny felt his performance had improved a lot.

As they say—knowing how to study is more important than just knowing things.

He wasn’t expecting miracles.

If he could just land somewhere in the lower-middle of the rankings, he’d be satisfied. The rest would depend on the practical exam to earn extra points.

—

On the morning of the practical assessment, Vinny strode confidently into the exam hall.

After passing inspection, he found his assigned seat, sat down, and looked around like a proud lion surveying his territory.

And then—he spotted a familiar silver-haired figure seated right nearby.

"Yo~? Vinny, looking pretty confident. Studied well last night?"

A radiant silver-haired girl propped her chin on one hand, brushing aside her bangs with the other.

Tch. Her again??

Vinny was annoyed.

Why was it that he’d run into her during the entrance exam, during the year-end finals, and now, yet again, seated next to her?

Did their energy fields clash or something?

Why did they keep getting stuck together like magnets?

Was this that hag of a Radiant Goddess playing tricks again??

"What does it matter to you whether I studied or not??" Vinny grumbled ungraciously.

"I just saw you spending so much time in the library lately. And getting tutored by Isatia, no less. I figured your grades must’ve improved a lot," Aesphyra said, her tone tinged with amusement.

"Didn’t expect you to turn into such a diligent little student. Honestly, it’s hard to believe. I almost thought maybe the Goddess or some saintess possessed you. Or maybe a wise master took you under their wing." She teased.

"What? Jealous I’ve got a hot tutor?" Vinny snorted.

"Too bad—she only wants to help handsome Vinny the Great. Not interested in teaching you, got it?"

His tone was like a guy bragging to his buddy about all the girls he was popular with.

At least for now, he’d scored a small victory over Aesphyra in this one area.

Vinny felt like he’d won big—won hard.

"Oh? So does that mean Vinny will finally perform that this time?"

"...That what?" Vinny narrowed his eyes.

"You know, that. The thing where you write your name on the test so the grader knows whose it is. And then you actually submit it."

Aesphyra toyed with her pen, crystal-pink polish glinting on her pale fingertips. Her crossed legs under the desk shifted gracefully in black stockings.

Tch. This snow-haired bun was still holding on to that old stereotype of him?

"Hmph. Just wait and see." Vinny huffed and turned away, ignoring her.

—

Soon, the exam began.

After the papers were handed out, the students started writing.

Though Vinny still found it tough, it was worlds better than last time.

At least this time, he didn’t have to put on a show and hand in a blank sheet.

By the time he finished writing, there were still five minutes left.

He glanced over his answers—he’d filled in every line.

For a moment, a wave of satisfaction welled up in him.

He’d done this without relying on Vanessa’s photographic memory—

This was the result of his own effort!

Feeling a little inflated, Vinny glanced to the side at Aesphyra—

Only to lock eyes with her.

Vinny paused.

Apparently, she’d been staring at him for a while, a cryptic smile playing on her lips.

Her desk was already clear—meaning she had turned in her test long ago.

When had that happened??

Vinny hadn’t noticed a thing.

And she sat right next to him—

If she had stood up to submit her paper, she would’ve had to pass right by him. He definitely would’ve noticed.

Had he been too focused on answering questions?

Then again, with Aesphyra’s insane academic abilities, waiting ten minutes before handing it in was probably her way of showing mercy to the test writers.

—

The morning exams concluded.

Vinny didn’t run into any familiar faces for the rest of the subjects—only that first round, with Aesphyra.

In the final exam of the day—

He ran into Aesphyra again. And again—they were seated side by side.

Seriously?

If the seating wasn’t completely randomized, Vinny would’ve suspected the proctor had it out for him.

—

As the orange glow of evening filled the classroom and he submitted the last test, Vinny let out a sigh and stretched his arms high.

Just as he left the classroom—he saw her again.

"Looks like you did pretty well, Vinny. Wanna compare answers~?"

That silver-haired figure stood with arms crossed, smiling brightly at him.

Compare answers?

Vinny gave Aesphyra a side-eye.

Was she trying to ruin the good mood he’d been in after finally having a test go right?

Comparing answers with anyone else was fine. They might get things wrong too.

But with Aesphyra? That was suicide.

Her answers were probably more accurate than the official ones.

One glance and he’d be crushed.

"Compare your head. Comparing answers is something weaklings do when they don’t have confidence in themselves. You think I need that??" Vinny snorted.

"True. If we had to pick one strength of yours, I guess it’d be your confidence."

Aesphyra chuckled behind her hand.

Huh?

Vinny’s brow furrowed.

Was this little snow bun insulting him again—saying he was average but annoyingly confident??

"Tch. Damn right I’m confident. Better than being a miserable self-doubter!" Vinny puffed out his cheeks.

"Whatever. I’ll let it go this time.

After all, once the practical exam’s over, we won’t see each other again till next semester," he added with a smirk.

A beautiful vacation... one that didn’t involve getting roasted by that silver-haired gremlin.

"See you next term, you annoying little Aesphyra."

Vinny waved casually and walked off.

—

After the written exams, there was a three-day break, followed by the Practical Assessment.

The practical portion had two parts:

The Field Trial, which made up the bulk of the score, and the Combat Evaluation, which accounted for the rest.

The Field Trial was one of Carillian Academy’s signature assessment features—

Unlike most schools, it sent students out into the real world to complete a designated mission.

Generally, these missions took place in human territories—

For instance, clearing out monster nests.

First-years never got anything too difficult.

Then came the internal class challenges. The overall score combined both parts.

Three days later, the academy would be swamped with students crowding the Instruction Hall to draw their assignments. Vinny didn’t feel like waiting in line forever, so he deliberately showed up late—and as expected, the crowd had thinned out.

"You’re the student ranked twenty-third, Vinny, right?

Here’s your mission file. Please locate your assigned partner, then proceed to your task location."

The clerk handed him a sealed document.

"Take it back to your dorm and read it in private. Do not disclose the contents," the staffer added.

"Partner?" Vinny blinked.

"The mission you’ve been assigned is considered moderately challenging by the instructors.

So you’ve been paired with a teammate. Your partner has the same assignment, and you’ll complete it together," the clerk explained.

"...Got it."

Vinny took the file—sealed with the Carillian crest—and headed back to his dorm to open it.

“Exterminate the rampaging demon serpents in Lake Village, located on the northwestern border of the Tyrell Empire.”

Lake Village? Demon serpents?

Vinny frowned.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t really encountered demon serpents before.

He didn’t know how tough they were in combat.

But demon serpents... weren’t those creatures originally from demonkind?

They had supposedly infiltrated human borderlands and multiplied like crazy.

Well—

Let’s hope his partner wasn’t totally useless.