Chapter 28
The next day.
It was already midday by the time I came outside to grab lunch.
And just as I was passing through the academy plaza—
‘What the heck, why are there so many people here?’
A huge crowd of students had gathered, and when I focused my gaze, I saw them chattering while staring at a giant notice posted at the center of the plaza.
“Wow, insane. Look at that. Five A+’s. That’s crazy…”
“I bet that’s almost straight A+’s in every subject. They just recorded some as ‘P’ instead. I overheard another professor talking about it.”
Ah, so the grades were already out?
Curious, I moved a little closer and perked up my ears.
“Hey, it’s the top of the year. That’s what you’d expect.”
“Right. I heard they got the highest score in the dungeon studies exam, too? They said it was the first time in three years that Professor Delon gave out an A+.”
Most of the chatter was just students marveling at Chelsea Artin’s overwhelming grades.
“So in the end, the number of students who got all A’s or higher this semester isn’t even ten?”
“Chelsea, Fabian, Jennes, Closer, Kyle… oh, and Princess Francia too.”
Then, the subject of their talk shifted toward this semester’s high achievers.
“Wow, but is that real? Look at all those F’s and D’s.”
“Seriously. That bastard Delon’s nuts.”
The moment the name of the dungeon studies professor came up, students began shaking their heads as they stared at the grade list, half of which was filled with failing marks.
“So what, do we have to retake the course now?”
“Nope. With a D you’re not even allowed to retake it.”
“What the hell? It’s not even a major, it’s a required general ed course. And he’s handing out grades like that?”
“Dude, that professor’s infamous. If you didn’t know that going in, then it’s your fault for signing up.”
“Yeah, but that course is only for freshmen. Unless you had an older friend to warn you, how would you know?”
“Fair point…”
“So come on, hurry up and apologize.”
“What?”
“Apologize to me, I said.”
“The hell, are you crazy? You took that class too?”
“Damn right I did!”
The two started exchanging curses, then burst into laughter like it was all a joke.
Most of the chatter was nonsense, but still—there was truth in what they were saying.
‘Seriously, what kind of lunatic fails half a class in a freshman core course? What’s going through that guy’s head?’
I found myself nodding hard in agreement, for once in total sympathy with the crowd.
Just then—
“Hey, what’s with this C-? Didn’t that guy get the top score on the dungeon studies final?”
“Yeah, but you don’t get an A just from one final exam. I heard he skipped the midterm and was absent a lot.”
“Wow, must be nice. Some people just get lucky and end up in the same team as the top student and freeload points.”
“Jealous? If you wanted that, you should’ve ended up on Chelsea’s team too. Heh.”
“…”
Oh. They were talking about me.
The gossip, accompanied by chuckles, was about my grade.
C-.
Literally, just barely scraping by above the retake and fail threshold.
‘Well, that’s good enough.’
It wasn’t like I had any reason to aim for high marks at this academy.
All I needed was to avoid getting kicked out, to keep grades just good enough to stay enrolled.
…Really.
That wasn’t just me trying to console myself—I meant it.
“As long as I keep dodging outright fails, I’m fine.”
Just as I muttered that under my breath, one student turned and looked my way.
And then—
“Ka, Kamon?”
Startled, the student stammered out my name.
“What? Did you say Kamon?”
“D-do you think he heard us?”
The guys who had just been laughing at me froze and began sneaking glances in my direction.
I just looked back at them silently.
“…”
With stiff expressions, they quickly turned their eyes away and bolted, scattering in all directions like they’d seen a ghost.
“…What the hell. Lame.”
Growl—
“Whatever. I’m starving. Time to eat.”
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
“It’s been a while, professor. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit often.”
“Haha, no need to apologize. Freshmen always say their first year is overwhelming just trying to keep up with classes. I completely understand.”
With a genial chuckle, the one greeting Princess Francia was Pellen Zabir, the head professor of magical studies.
An old man with more than half his hair gone, a long white beard, and a plump body—yet his eyes twinkled brightly.
“So then, what brings Your Highness here…?”
“It’s nothing serious. I just heard there will be a seminar hosted by the magic society over the break.”
“Ahh, yes. Of course, you’ll be invited as an honored guest.”
Pellen nodded immediately. Francia, however, shook her head lightly with a faint smile.
“No, that’s not why I came…”
“Then, may I ask what?”
“Has the student for the magic demonstration at the seminar been chosen yet?”
“The demonstration?”
“Yes.”
Francia’s calm nod made the professor tilt his head.
Even for a princess, meddling in the affairs of the magic society seminar—something that was under his sole authority as society president—could be seen as presumptuous.
But Pellen didn’t show any displeasure. He simply kept smiling and answered kindly.
“It hasn’t been finalized yet. We do have a shortlist of candidates, but may I ask why Your Highness is curious?”
At his question, Francia’s eyes dimmed slightly.
‘Why? Because of course…’
She recalled Sol Crensh, who had come to her just a few days ago.
He had introduced himself as Kamon’s former aide, claiming to know all his habits and methods.
— It seems Kamon Bade can’t use magic anymore. Or rather, something’s gone wrong with him.
He had blurted out those absurd words out of nowhere. Francia had been dumbfounded.
But then—
— I also heard from someone on his dungeon studies team. They said he never used magic the entire exam, only items.
‘…’
Not using magic in the dungeon exam? Why?
Sol explained that Kamon used to burn through magic like breathing. But since being demoted and punished, no one had seen him use it.
‘Could something really have happened to him?’
Francia didn’t trust Sol Crensh entirely, but it was worth checking whether Kamon had truly changed.
And so—
“I just wanted to know if Kamon Bade was included in that list of candidates.”
“What? Kamon?”
Pellen blinked in surprise, then quickly nodded.
“Yes, Kamon is actually a strong candidate to give the demonstration. So that’s what Your Highness was wondering.”
He chuckled heartily. Francia smiled in return.
“I see. Thank you for answering.”
“Haha, not at all, Your Highness. If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to come to me. I will always be on your side.”
He tried to look kindly, but on the old man’s face, the smile looked more sly than warm.
‘Always on my side, huh? More like greedy for the crown’s power.’
Francia knew exactly what Pellen Zabir was at heart—ambitious, hungry for influence.
But that made him easy to use. Just as she expected, he was already playing into her hands.
“Then I’ll be counting on you, Professor Pellen.”
“Of course, of course! Hahahaha!”
“As expected of you, Chelsea. All A+’s except one course this semester… are you still top of the class?”
“Thank you, professor.”
Her counselor, Professor Deyan, praised her, but Chelsea’s eyes lingered only on the single “A” mark under Introductory Magic Studies.
“In any case, with such excellent results, you’ll continue to receive both the full scholarship and the top student scholarship next semester.”
“Yes, sir.”
The reason she refused to relinquish the top spot was spoken aloud:
“Your dormitory fees and tuition are covered by the full scholarship. As for the top student scholarship, the administration office will contact you at the start of the term so you can collect it.”
“Yes, professor.”
“You worked very hard this semester. Next time, let’s aim for straight A+’s!”
Professor Deyan beamed. Chelsea, however, bowed her head with a blank expression.
Once the meeting ended and she stepped outside, the cold winter wind slapped against her cheeks.
“…It’s over.”
The semester was finally finished. She had secured the top spot again.
But—
Clutch.
Her grip crumpled the grade sheet slightly as her eyes burned at the sight of that single blemish: the “A” in magic studies.
‘Kamon Bade.’
It wasn’t like that single A cost her anything tangible. She was still number one, her GPA barely dented.
But to someone like Chelsea, who demanded perfection of herself, it was a bitter blow.
“…”
She forced herself to calm down, shaking her head.
‘If not for him, I wouldn’t have gotten the A+ in dungeon studies.’
Reviewing the test afterwards, she had admitted it to herself. Without Kamon’s efforts, her team would never have outperformed Kyle’s.
“One thing lost, one thing gained, huh?”
She had lost a perfect score in magic studies thanks to Kamon’s antics, but she had gained the highest score in dungeon studies because of him.
“Completely unpredictable.”
She couldn’t tell whether he was a help or a hindrance.
“Doesn’t matter. As long as I don’t get tangled up with him anymore.”
If she just avoided him, she wouldn’t have to feel so conflicted and unsettled.
Resolving herself, Chelsea muttered firmly:
“I just need to work harder. That’s all I should focus on.”
With her mind settled, she renewed her determination to keep her top spot in the third semester—and this time, to earn nothing less than straight A+’s.
