In My Second Life, I Rule from the Shadows-Chapter 94 : Midterms (11)

Chapter 94: Midterms (11)
Things in life never went the way one wanted.
For instance, even if one solved an exam almost perfectly in peak condition, one might mistakenly write all the answers shifted by one space.
Or perhaps, from overexerting the day before, one might fail to recall the material during the actual exam and ruin it.
Or maybe, after guessing on a confusing question, one might change the answer at the very last moment—only to make it wrong.
Of course, none of this was about Carl.
The midterms had already reached the end of their second week.
Carl had scored perfect marks in Fundamentals of Administration, International Affairs, and Introduction to Bayern, and had even earned bonus points for creative answers and for finding and fixing errors in the questions.
All the small mistakes mentioned earlier had been from other cadets.
“……Ah. What is life?”
“Why does God give me such trials every time?”
Maximilian and Gale, who had each made mistakes in different exams and lost points, were half out of their minds, blaming the world.
The silver lining was that all the theory exams had been set at a historically high level of difficulty, so their scores weren’t far from the average.
At least they had all managed to keep their ranks in the upper tier, which was a relief.
“How about you, Carl?”
“As long as there are no errors, I think I should be able to maintain my standing without trouble.”
Exam scores were announced immediately the day after all exams ended.
After a few days for appeals, the results would be finalized and officially recorded.
Carl had nothing to dispute.
Aside from the practicals and performance tests, everything had been perfect.
Even in those, this time, he had earned excellent marks—enough to expect a leap in his overall ranking.
“Carl, Carl, it’s all because of you.”
“If only you had studied with us over the weekend……”
The object of their resentment had shifted from the world to Carl.
Over the weekend, Carl had been away from the academy on NOX business, leaving a gap in their study group.
The two cadets were convinced that, if not for that, they would have scored higher.
Of course, it was all nonsense, and Amy, listening nearby, let out a dumbfounded laugh.
“You guys did badly, so why are you blaming Carl? That’s exactly why your scores are the way they are.”
“Graaah!”
Maximilian couldn’t withstand Amy’s sharp criticism and fled.
Gale followed right behind him, running down the corridor.
Amy, Lien, and Forger watched them go with an expression that said they couldn’t be helped.
“Well, I should get going too. I need to nap until dinner. I don’t even know how many nights I’ve stayed up.”
“Me too. See you all at dinner.”
“Understood.”
With exams over, the cadets went their separate ways to take care of their own business.
Most returned to their dorms to catch up on lost sleep or to deal with post-exam matters.
That evening, they had to attend a party celebrating the end of the first exam period.
The overall top scorer was, of course, Nerian.
Like Carl, he had achieved perfect scores in theory and dominated in the practicals, securing first place overall.
The top scorer in theory was Carl, who had even earned plenty of extra bonus points.
Second place overall was hotly contested between Louis and Laysis.
No one would know until the results were announced, so everyone was paying close attention.
“……”
Left alone for the first time in a while, Carl strolled leisurely through the Bavarian Academy grounds.
After spending the weekend without rest and then returning to take exams, it was only natural that fatigue had built up.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Academy, with exams nearly over, was livelier than ever.
Cadets who had been half-dead just days ago had fully regained their energy and were chatting nonstop about where to go have fun.
From tomorrow, Wednesday, they would have a golden five-day holiday until the weekend, so everyone was excited.
Of course, cadets with messed-up schedules still had exams left, and they sat at their desks, full of envy, gazing longingly at the freedom outside their windows.
“……”
Carl found a spot with a decent view, sat down, and settled in.
Though his body was at the Academy, his mind was in NOX.
It was only natural—what had happened over the weekend kept his thoughts in constant turmoil.
‘After that, Dirsen returned. In perfect condition. He even seemed unaware that he had been missing.’
He had fed his subordinates the story that Dirsen had briefly stepped away due to certain circumstances so as not to arouse suspicion.
He had also examined Dirsen’s body, but both Godok and the Heavenly Demon Divine Art’s Soul-Seizing Technique were functioning without issue.
What in the world had they kidnapped Dirsen for?
‘Difficult.’
Lucas.
Carl repeated the name to himself.
It was a common enough name.
There were hundreds of people with that name registered in the capital alone.
Even after setting NOX in motion over the weekend and personally pounding the pavement for intel, finding out about the organization Lucas belonged to had been impossible.
The only certainty was that it was the group that had orchestrated the Entrance Exam terrorism……
“……”
His head felt like it was going to burst.
Carl leaned against a tree, frowning.
Sometimes, even when he thought he was doing well, he would hit a wall like this.
Even with the life of a Second Life, he was no omnipotent being.
As a human, there would always be shortcomings.
That was why he kept competent subordinates nearby—to fill those gaps.
But in this case, even NOX’s capabilities fell far short of reaching that far.
‘I have more than a few things to think about.’
Could the ones who orchestrated the Entrance Exam terrorism be the same as those who unleashed monsters in the Erendal Forest?
Judging by their actions, they might well be in league.
Either way, both incidents were acts of terrorism targeting the Bavarian Academy.
“……Complicated.”
“What’s so complicated?”
At the voice beside him, Carl turned his head slightly.
Perhaps he had been too absorbed in his thoughts—he hadn’t noticed someone approaching.
“……Ah, Louis.”
“Exams are over, so why are you brooding alone, Mr. Perfect Score in Theory?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Carl gave a wry smile.
Even if he explained, would Louis understand?
Louis, apparently with time to spare, plopped down next to Carl and looked around at the scenery.
Perhaps because they had teamed up for the midterms, the distance between them felt smaller than before.
‘……No, ever since then, it’s like his whole demeanor has changed.’
Had he perhaps gained some sort of realization after losing to Nerian?
To the man who had always carried a hint of impatience in his eyes, there was now even a sense of composure.
Should it be said that the subtle compulsion once visible in him had vanished?
“You look to be in good spirits.”
“Midterms are over.”
“Not that.”
“Kidding. I’ve just figured out exactly what I need to do. The direction for my efforts is set, so how could I not be happy?”
“……That’s enviable. I have countless things to do, but without a clear direction, I can’t seem to move forward.”
“Hm, for someone who doesn’t look it, you’re quite greedy.”
“Greedy?”
“You have a lot to do but no set direction? That means you’re itching to go in every direction at once.”
“……”
He had hit the mark.
Carl hadn’t asked expecting an answer, but Louis had grasped the core of what had been troubling him.
“It’s a bit of a cliché, but try setting priorities and working through them in order. If you’re lucky, it could trigger a chain reaction and bring explosive results.”
“Wise advice.”
“Not bad for something I made up on the spot, right?”
Louis flashed a grin.
Indeed, there was a composure in him that hadn’t been there before.
Saaah—
At that moment, a breeze brushed past them.
And Carl saw it clearly.
The wind that passed by him seemed to playfully tug at Louis’s hair and collar before drifting away.
Carl’s eyes widened as he asked,
“Louis, have you perhaps awakened a power?”
“In our family, we call it a blessing. The Blessing of the Wind, to be precise. I guess the heavens were moved when I fought with all my might against Nerian. I still can’t control it directly, but at least I’ve become aware of it.”
“That’s something worth congratulating.”
“You guys helping me made all the difference.”
Louis gave a slightly bashful smile and rubbed his nose.
“By the way, you’re coming to the party tonight, right?”
“Yes. All my friends said they’d be attending.”
“It’s also to celebrate your top score in theory. Nerian’s the overall top, but the runner-up is still up in the air.”
“It’ll be either you or Lady Laysis.”
“From your perspective, I suppose you’re rooting for Laysis more?”
“……”
Carl gave a wry smile at his teasing tone.
During the Understanding of Combat survival exam, his consideration had somehow been strangely twisted in the telling.
It seemed that the upperclassmen who had assisted during the test, as well as the first-year cadets, were quietly spreading rumors.
‘Is that why Laysis has been avoiding me?’
Well, for someone in the position of a princess, getting caught up in a scandal would be quite the headache.
“See you later then.”
With a smile, Louis patted Carl’s shoulder and walked away.
Left alone, Carl continued gazing at the sky.
Tap.
While the banquet was in full swing.
Yuria stepped out alone onto the terrace, gazing at the garden lit by lamps.
“……”
A light glass of whiskey to celebrate the end of exams had left her feeling slightly warm.
Perhaps it was the alcohol, but fleeting images of her hometown—once barely remembered—now drifted through her mind.
How many years had it been since she’d come to this faraway land and entered the Magic Tower?
In truth, she didn’t particularly miss her hometown.
If there had been fond memories, perhaps she would have felt a pang of nostalgia or a yearning ache.
But back when she had lived there, life had only been hard, so she had never once thought of returning.
Now, she only……
‘I just want to enjoy this moment.’
Her new friends, her studies, the Magic Tower, her master, Tema, ……and Carl.
Why was it Carl’s face that came to mind?
Leaning against the railing, Yuria hummed a tune and swayed her head lightly.
“Yuria, so you were here.”
“Laysis.”
At the familiar voice, Yuria tilted her head to look at her closest friend.
“Congratulations on second place. You really put that smug guy in his place.”
“Ahaha, isn’t that a bit harsh?”
“But it’s true. He was a little annoying too.”
Just before the banquet, the exam results had been announced a day earlier than scheduled.
Nerian was first overall, Laysis was second, and Louis followed close behind in third place.
Laysis had worried Louis might be disappointed and spoil the party mood, but in reality, he had been all smiles, looking strangely refreshed as he enjoyed himself.
“I guess it means everyone’s changing in their own ways. Louis, you, and me.”
“What’s changed for you, Yuria?”
“Me?”
At Laysis’s question, Yuria furrowed her brow slightly, thinking.
What had changed in her?
A few things came to mind, but even with a close friend, they weren’t things she could easily say aloud.
Just as she hesitated to answer, she spotted Carl down below the terrace and said something else.
“Hey, there goes your boyfriend!”