Chapter 16
“So, you’re saying Angela stole money from Camon Bade?”
“Yes, that’s right. And thanks to that, we ended up paying the price for it.”
“Wow, what an amazing little sister. She even pissed herself in front of the shop.”
“……I’ll kill him. I’ll kill that bastard! Sob!”
Angela kept crying, cursing over and over again that she’d kill him, and the branch leader of the dark guild Velium, Senbran, could only shake his head.
“So, the cleanup?”
“I took care of it so there wouldn’t be any problems. Instead of filing a report, we just gave them what they wanted for free. The evidence was too solid anyway, so it’s not like we had much choice.”
The female attendant shrugged as she replied. Senbran frowned and muttered.
“Of all people, she had to mess with Camon Bade. So, Angela ended up like that—was it his doing?”
“That, I can’t say for sure. But judging from the atmosphere, he didn’t seem to know what was going on either. If that was just acting, then it was some damn good acting. Anyway, we made sure there won’t be problems later—everyone around her’s been silenced.”
“Good. You did well.”
“Thank you, Branch Head. Angela, are you going to stay here for a while?”
“I-I’ll kill him. Sob! I’ll kill them all… hic.”
“Leave her alone for now. It’s her own fault anyway.”
Shaking his head again, Senbran dismissed her. The attendant smirked inwardly as she slipped out of the room.
“So, Bren. Are these all the top-quality goods?”
“Y-yeah. Honestly, this is the best I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe they’re selling stuff like this in a shop.”
Paralysis mushrooms, mandrake roots, Graydon tree bark, white nightshade powder, and even a salamander feather.
We’d managed to get everything on our prepared list in one go.
Or rather—received them, for free.
“Tsk, but don’t you think that place was kinda suspicious? At first they said they didn’t have any of this stuff, but the moment that crybaby got involved, they suddenly brought it all out?”
“W-well, in exchange we agreed not to report them for pickpocketing, right? Like that attendant said, her sister was in trouble, so maybe she was just trying to help.”
“Hmm.”
If you looked at it charitably, it made sense. But still…
“Wow, look at this feather. I’ve never seen one shine this brightly before.”
Bren admired the shimmering feather, and I couldn’t help tilting my head in doubt.
‘They managed to track down goods of this quality in such a short time, and then just handed them over for free?’
All of it.
For nothing.
It was suspicious, but…
“Well, who cares.”
Right now, what mattered wasn’t some shady general store.
“Alright then, shall we start preparing for the exam in earnest?”
A large gymnasium filled with all the students taking Dungeon Studies.
Creak.
At that moment, the doors opened, and in walked the familiar figure of Professor Delon. Looking over the tense students, he raised his booming voice.
“Well? Are you all ready for the exam?”
“……”
Naturally, no one answered.
“Ready or not, today’s the exam. So deal with it. Now…!”
Vwoooom!
At his signal, a rainbow-colored portal appeared in the center of the gym.
“Let the Dungeon Studies final exam begin.”
Professor Delon grinned as he announced it.
“First up is Shamus’s group. Step forward, please.”
At the assistant’s beckoning, several students moved toward the portal.
And then—
“…He’s still not here?”
“Yeah. Royce even checked his dorm earlier, but he wasn’t there at all…”
“Don’t tell me, again?”
In the far corner, Chelsea’s group exchanged uneasy glances.
“W-well, he’ll come soon, right? If he fails this exam, he’ll be expelled, isn’t that what they said?”
“Haah, Elaine. Do you still trust that lunatic? Camon Bade’s the type who wouldn’t care even about something like that.”
“M-maybe it’s because of that?”
“What, you think he’s skipping because of this? No way.”
“No, I mean… what if he’s stuck in the bathroom?”
“Oh, come on… It’s been days already.”
Elaine’s timid suggestion made Melin grimace, but his expression stiffened slightly.
Just then, Royce spoke nervously.
“W-wait a second. Then what about the money we gave him?”
“Royce, is that really what you care about right now?”
“N-no, I just… damn, if my sister finds out, I’m screwed.”
Royce fidgeted in panic, while Elaine glanced at Chelsea and whispered.
“S-so, if Camon really doesn’t show up…”
At last, Chelsea opened her mouth.
“Wouldn’t that actually be better?”
“Huh?”
The unexpected words drew everyone’s eyes to her.
“Our original plan was for just the five of us anyway. We’ll be fine without him.”
“Y-yeah. It’d actually be easier without that guy. Less trouble.”
“But if we’re short on numbers, won’t we get disqualified?”
Melin recalled what happened in the Magic Studies exam, and Elaine asked nervously.
“No, that won’t happen. I already checked the school rules.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But I can double-check if you want…”
Chelsea smiled reassuringly, then turned her gaze toward the glowing portal.
At that moment—
“Shamus’s group is eliminated. Next group, prepare.”
Professor Delon’s shout rang out, and Shamus’s members staggered out of the portal.
“They’re already out?”
“Is it really that hard?”
The assistant called again.
“Pailin’s group, step forward.”
The next team moved in, looking tense.
“….”
Chelsea quietly watched, then began walking forward.
Step, step.
“Professor.”
“Hm? Chelsea? What is it?”
“There’s a problem.”
“Problem? What problem?”
“….”
Chelsea glanced behind her team before answering.
“We’re missing someone.”
“What? Missing? …Wait, Camon? Don’t tell me, again?”
“Yes, Professor.”
She nodded. Delon shut his eyes tight in frustration.
“Damn it. That bastard… Assistant!”
“Y-yes, sir?”
“When is Chelsea’s group scheduled?”
“They’re last.”
“Good.”
Chelsea silently awaited his words, as if everything was going as planned.
Delon looked at her and tried to speak gently.
“Since your turn is last, you still have time. Just wait a bit…”
“And if he doesn’t show?”
“…What?”
“If he’s absent when our turn comes, what happens?”
“Then you’ll be disqualified, of course.”
Chelsea nodded, but pressed further.
“And us?”
“What?”
“Would we all be disqualified? Since it’s a group exam.”
She looked regretful as she asked.
“Hmm, well…”
“As far as I know, academy rules say that in group exams, if one member is absent without cause, the rest are still graded as normal. They’re treated as an exception.”
“…Fine. Then we’ll follow the rules. Even if Camon doesn’t show, the rest of you won’t be disqualified.”
“Understood.”
Chelsea bowed.
“Alright, continue with the exam. Did Pailin’s group go in?”
“Yes, just now—ah, they’re already out.”
Vwooom.
As the defeated group stumbled out, Delon barked again.
“Next group, ready!”
“Yes, sir!”
Chelsea watched, then smiled faintly.
‘It’s easier without Camon. If he just never shows up…’
BANG!
Suddenly, the gym doors slammed open with a deafening crash.
“……”
“……?!”
Everyone turned toward the sound. There stood a figure carrying a heavy-looking bag.
“Ughh!”
“…C-Camon?”
“The exam’s not over yet, right?”
Camon Bade asked confidently.
“So you’ve come.”
“Professor, how do we deal with him—”
“He showed up before the exam. No problem.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“Then your group, head into the portal next!”
Gnash.
Chelsea bit her lip so hard it nearly bled.
“Next, Kyle’s group, get ready.”
Not long after my arrival, the protagonist Kyle, the princess, and his companions entered the portal.
From behind me, I heard an annoyed voice.
“Showing up late and still acting cocky.”
It was Melin, glaring at me. I shrugged.
“Should I apologize or something?”
“What?”
“Don’t start pointless fights. I was late because I was in the bathroom.”
“B-bathroom?”
He faltered at my reply.
‘What’s his problem?’
Just then—
“C-Camon. You okay? You’re not sick or anything, right?”
Elaine asked with concern. I tilted my head.
“Huh? I’m fine.”
“O-oh, that’s good. Ha… ha.”
Elaine laughed awkwardly. I shrugged again and set down my bag.
Thud.
Then I began laying out and checking the items I’d brought.
Clink, clatter.
‘Good. Nothing missing.’
Nearby, other students whispered.
“…This exam’s insane.”
“I ran into some kids who already went. They said it was brutal.”
“Still, that group’s lasting longer than the others.”
I chuckled inwardly.
Of course it’d be tough. In the original story, only one team ever passed…
“Kyle’s group, pass!”
“Yeah, Kyle’s team is the only—wait, what? Already?”
Clatter!
I leapt up, dropping my things in shock.
“P-pass?”
“No way! Someone actually passed?”
The room buzzed, but I barely heard it.
‘What…? They passed this soon?’
“Kyle’s group, 50 minutes and 58 seconds. Exam cleared!”
The assistant announced.
Thump.
I dropped the item in my hand.
“Why… why is it different?”
In the original story, Kyle’s group cleared the exam in 1 hour and 23 minutes.
But now—50 minutes?
Vwoooom.
The portal shimmered, revealing the triumphant Kyle’s team.
“Passers, head this way.”
The assistant directed them. Kyle’s group walked past me.
And then, Princess Francia’s eyes locked on mine.
At the same time—
“Tch!”
“…Your Highness?”
“Oh, nothing. I just saw a funny face.”
“A funny face?”
“Yes. Like a worm writhing on the ground.”
“What…?”
“Kyle, let’s go. We’ll be late.”
Click, clack.
Her heels echoed as she walked away. I clenched my fists tight.
‘That… that crazy bitch…!’
