I have every reason to be freaking out.
The second exam is an action movie in real life and even more dangerous than fighting Khione. I have always thought of a plan about the 2nd exam, which is to hide somewhere and appear when the problem’s done. But this mission jeopardizes that because it’s just like avoiding a tiger but slipping into a gator’s den instead.
‘… Am I going to die?’
[No, you won’t. But you can get severely hurt.]
‘Well, I’m not a masochist, so no thank you.’ Obviously, that’s not an option, so I have to plan it out very carefully.
I take out my notebook and immediately run my pen across the paper. Whatever surprises that revolve around punishment is never good. Again, I don’t know what happens if I die, but I’m not risking my life. The game has just started.
“Well. That’s it for today. Prepare everything for your second exam. Good luck.” The teacher finishes writing on the board and leaves the class.
If I wasn’t worried about surviving the 2nd exam before, I am now. I simply don’t want to risk getting that punishment. If I have to get the highest score on this exam, I have to make a very detailed strategy. And that starts with…
I feel shadow looming over me and then suddenly, my notebook is snatched out of my hands.
“Hey!” I yell at the thief. But I immediately shut up the second I see who it is.
Rufus reads my paper with a look of confusion and agitation. His head tilts to the side, making his dark blue hair sway slightly. “What’s this…? I thought you’re writing your essay. But it’s just grocery list.”
He throws the notebook on my desk and walks away, looking irritated.
His act doesn’t surprise me at all. He is the game’s bully after all. And he will become very irritating as the game goes on. I shrug and put my things back in the bag silently. He just doesn’t know what these items are for. If he knew, oh…
I sling my bag over myself and stand up. Two classmates immediately approach me.
“Hey, we’re terribly sorry for yesterday, Terrence.” The girl with bun apologizes.
“Yeah, man. It’s just so freezing inside and dangerous. We got the flag, so we’re just… You know. We’re out of there.” The guy adds.
These two people were my team for the first exam. The girl is Alee and the guy is Greg.
I wave lightly at them. “Oh don’t worry. I’m just glad you got out safely. You two aren’t hurt, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine. But Alee sprained her ankle. I took her to infirmary afterwards.” Greg said.
“But I’ve recovered today. So it’s all good.” Alee said.
I nod. “Good then. Well, I have to go now. See you soon.”
“Oh um, Terrence? Can you please not tell the instructor the truth?” Alee asks.
“Relax. I know everyone hates test.” I smile lazily.
Alee smiles joyfully. “Thanks, Terrence!”
Greg clicks his fingers. “You’re the best, bud.”
I wave at them and walk to the door. As soon as I leave the class, I drop my smile and annoyance fills my face.
“Thank me, my ass. You’re lucky we’re scored individually. If not, your dorm will have holes in it last night.” I mutter under my breath.
Those two are just the worst. The three of us should’ve been together throughout the first exam, but they chickened out after they found one of the checkpoint flags. That’s why I got to Khione’s cave room alone and almost got turned into a popsicle. I just wish I won’t be teamed up with them again for the 2nd exam.
They’re not the kind of people I can ditch safely when the condition asks for it.
I turn left to the elevator platform and crash into someone.
“Aah!” The girl falls on her behind.
“S-Sorry! Are you okay?!” I crouch down beside her and offer her my hand.
She looks up at me and I gaze back at a pair of beautiful amethyst eyes. She smiles at me and I suddenly realize who she is.
“Umu! I’m okay! Are you?” She asked with a cute, child-like voice.
“I-I’m okay.” I said as I struggle to keep my composure. “Let’s get you up.”
As I help her get up, I realize that she’s very short. She doesn’t even reach my shoulder. I’m trying hard not to glomp her right then and there because we just met.
“Yaah… Sorry for running into you! I was trying to get to my class.” She said with an apologetic smile.
“It’s alright. You should be careful next time.” I told her.
“I will! Thank you, umm… What is your name?”
“Terrence Blair from 3-A. Nice to meet you.” I offer my hand.
I can feel her soft hands grabbing mine and shaking it back. “I’m Lynette Silvermist from 3-C. Nice to meet you too!” She smiles widely.
Her smile is so contagious, I can’t help but smile back. “Well. You should sprint. I don’t think the teacher from 3-C leaves yet.”
She gasps. “Really? Okay! Thank you! Bye!” She runs past me and disappears into the left hallway.
I immediately walk to the railing and grab it fiercely. “She’s so cute! Aaa!!” I swing myself back and forth.
That was one of the main characters and one of my favorites! She’s a kind-hearted girl who always wants to be helpful and nice to everyone. I can’t believe I met her today of all days. I was irritated just a second ago, but meeting her washed it all away!
Aah… I can’t wait to team up with her for the rest of the journey!
“I didn’t realize that she’s THAT adorable in real life! Now I can die happily!” I hug myself and dance a bit as her cuteness fills me. The next time I see her, I’ll give her a pat on the head.
I’m still basking in the aftermath of her cuteness when I hear someone calling my name. “Terrence?”
I instantly turn to the person. It’s Rean. We both look into each other’s eyes for a few seconds before I said. “You don’t see anything.”
Rean looks away and pretends to fix his hair.
This is something I like from Rean. He understands situations better than the others and can act accordingly without giving away suspicions. And because of that, he is among the people I can trust for now.
There’s actually one more main character that is enrolled here that I can trust. I don’t see him today, but it’s fine. Our paths will cross soon anyway. I know their in-game personality and I know I can trust them to function according to their given persona. But the same can’t be said for them.
I’ve known them from the game, but they don’t know me. The game never mentions Terrence Blair. So as far as I’m concerned, none of them have any knowledge of me at all. That’s why I have to let them know I exist and that I can be trusted. Because the tables have turned now. I’m not the one who takes everyone along for the ride now, I’m the one who needs to hitch the ride.
I return to my dorm and change into a casual outfit. Then I go to the library.
Terrace students aren’t permitted to leave the academy grounds in the exam week. But our instructors can.
“You just finished exam yesterday.” Natalie said, opening a page from the book she’s reading.
“I know. But I need to stock up on groceries.” I lied.
Natalie is among the people I can trust. She’s pretty, famous, and a genius. She’s an outstanding mage in and out of the academy. However, she has weaker physique because she’s made for back line. She’s a powerful range attacker and that’s what I like from her in the game. Right now, however, I don’t really like her.
See, she has built good impressions among the students and staffs. People idolize her. Not only that, she’s also rich. Those are the things that I don’t like from her. Not that I’m jealous of the attention, but because I don’t want to be in the spotlight too. Being approached by Rean in public on a few occasions had made people come to me, thinking I’m his friend and that they can ask me anything about him.
That’s enough for me. I don’t want my time wasted on dealing with flat characters. It’d be best if I focus on building relationship with the main characters, because I need their help getting to the end game. Like what I’m doing right now.
She sighs and turns to face me. “I need to make reports on each of my trainees.”
“Yeah… We both know you finished it this morning. You’re ‘that’ diligent. Now you’re free. That’s why you’re here, reading Basic Magicology which, I’m pretty sure, is only taught in first grade.” I point to the book she’s reading.
She closes the book and looks at me albeit awkwardly, looking like she has just been caught.
“Why are you reading that anyway? Your magic is top-tier among the fourth years and your Teaching License only comes in another year.” I said.
“I… am only relieving some theories, that’s all. There are still others that are better than me in magic, I feel outdated.”
“You? Outdated? A quarter of this academy would disagree.”
She looks at me hesitantly. “I’m sorry. Are you one of my—”
I cut her again. “Nope. Not your fans. But I know they won’t shut up about you in the cafeteria.”
She shrugs her shoulders. “Oh… Well, I tried. At least they’re more tamed now.”
“Yeah. Though they still can’t shut up about a girl who sings like a nightingale—"
“We’re leaving.” She stands up and walk past me.
I smile and follow her out of the library.
We go to the parking lot and drive off with her car. The academy is located in the Southwest part of the city while the Plaza, the place we’re heading to right now, is in the center part of the city. Denebola City is almost as big as New York. So it’s going to take a while and to spend the time, I decide to continue my list. Rufus wasn’t wrong when he said that this is a grocery list. But I know what will happen in the 2nd exam and these items are something that can help me get more score. After all, the system’s main mission is that I have to score the highest which means I have to beat everyone including the main characters. Now I don’t know how the game’s point system works when the player is inside the game. But I’d like to assume that Rean would get the highest score by default. I don’t know if the game system will give him full score, which I hope not, but I must really list the things I can do to get points. I want to get that reward! “I should remind you that the academy do
Natalie didn’t check my groceries. But she did ask if I bought everything I’ve listed. The answer is obviously not because I’m on a tight budget, especially after preparing for the fight with Khione. I’m not rich like her. My pocket money comes from Terrence’s parents and my own savings from helping in the academy and part-time jobs near the academy. They're not much, and I still have to save up. *** Reward claimed! You got additional 30 TP by helping (3) people! *** I just remembered that Ozzie’s system has additional points that I can claim through helping people. In the plaza, I helped an auntie get a yogurt from the rack in the supermarket and a guy taking a picture by the fountain. That’s two. The last one must be the boy. Well, if that boy was being honest and he did find this, then I just helped him get out of trouble. That boy did say he found it in a field. If someone ever confront me for it, I’ll just feed the person my bullet. Flat characters are not important. I put my
In this world, there is a certain ore called Terra Gemma. It is a magical crystal that can emit sound and image because of a unique magnetic wave. Each crystal has its own signature wave and none of them are the same. If two crystals are within close distance, their waves can instantly connect, but if they’re far from each other, it has to connect to a Connector crystal that could forward the connection. It’s similar to how signal and satellite work and it is used as a mean of communication between settlements. These Connector crystals are put in towers called Crystal Towers with people managing them. It is filled with connector crystals and it needs to be above the ground to ensure no interception from other kinds of ore that has magnetic waves. Denebola City has four of these towers in each wind direction, and one is going to be very troubled today. Several grey vans are spotted in the North District. All of them line up one by one like a caravan and then disperse one by one into d
Now I shouldn’t be excited over something like this. Because this is a life and death situation, just like when I was fighting Khione. But I can’t help it. I need to make my very best in here although my strategy is just so-so. I mean, I only plan it out based on what the things that would get me a point in the game. So it’s not, by any means, foolproof especially since this is real now. Those things might change (though I hope not). As commanded, the students of the third- and fourth-years gather in the square. There are 4 classes of third- and fourth-year each, and there are 20 people each, so it’s around 160 worth of cadets. There is a stage just in front of the Shell fountain, in the courtyard in the ground floor, and the headmaster, Clifford Huang, walks up to it with a mic in hand. “Test, test, is this on? Okay. We have received a distress call from the police. The North Crystal Tower have been taken over by terrorist and they need our help to take it back. We have not yet rece
There are only a few points that I can earn here since it wasn’t feasible to access all the houses in the game. Even if it’s real time now, I don’t necessarily have to go to each of them that are open. The other cadets already took care of that. Tracing back my memories and making sure the correct houses are there, I go to the nearest one. Jake is following me closely, seems like he’s taking his senior role seriously. I ‘must’ get rid of him. “Open lightly,” Jake told me as we reach the porch. I may be in tight schedule, and I know where the enemy is. But I also have to make sure I give this senior a good impression before I leave him. I’m not risking giving birth to point deduction. So I did as he says. I open the front door lightly with my gun ready. I feel like a police officer who is about to ambush a drug dealer. I feel so cool already. “Clear,” I said after pretending to secure the room. “Alright. You check upstairs, I’ll check down here.” Jake said. I see him walk to the
I hit the pedal and sprint down the road on a bike. I stole—no, I’m borrowing it from old Polly’s house. I must move between different locations fast if I want to earn all the points. But I also just realized that there is one thing I’ve missed when I left the neighborhood. It’s not really important, but I can’t just get it out now that it exists. Or more like, I can’t get out of it. “Can’t you go faster?” Natalie asked from behind. She asked me that question and yet she’s gripping my sides tightly. “Well, I’m bringing a beautiful princess over here. I ‘have’ to be delicate.” I don’t actually go slow, I’m riding just a little bit faster than average and that’s only because I have cargo. If only she’s not here, I would’ve already been the Flash. I can hear her tongue clicks in annoyance. “Don’t mind me and just hit it! We have to check the surroundings!” “I’m trying. Why do you insist on coming anyway? You can just check via everybody’s Arrow.” I said. I was unfortunately caught b
The gunner guy becomes alert of my presence and raises his handgun at me. Goosebumps rise quickly from my back and I know if I don’t move now, I’ll be dead. I jump forward just a second before gunshot echo in the area. I roll on the ground again and land in front of the field’s broken fence door. Now I’ve landed in a more dangerous spot. Because I’m closer the gunner’s line of fire. But so does him in mine. I can have a clear shot from here. A pity I can’t kill him, but I can still stun him a little. I point my gun to the gunner’s hand and pull the trigger. The bullet hits his hand and it made him drop the gun. I immediately run close and take it from him, then I dodge to the side as he tries to grab me. I know it was a very risky move. But I’d rather have bruises from close encounters rather than being shot while I was running. It won’t be very convenient for the mission. I stand up and point the guns at them and grin. “Let’s go for a run, eh, mofos?!” I pull the trigger and sh
“TERRENCE!” She screams at the same time as Ozzie’s ding. I don’t get to check the points because she grabs and shakes me back and forth. “WHAT DID YOU DO?!” “N-NOTHING!” I raise my voice to make it seem like I’m also panicking. “WHAT DID YOU DO?!!” She screams at me again with more intensive shakes. “I-It slipped from my hands! I SWEAR! Ugh—” I’m starting to get dizzy from her shaking, not going to lie. That ‘ugh’ in the end is honest from the bottom of my throat. “I think I’m gonna puke…” Her face twitches from anger to worry, and then to annoyance. She doesn’t look like she’s done with me, but maybe she can see the paleness in my face, because eventually she lets me go. I immediately move to the side and let rainbow flows from my mouth. I think adrenaline from the chase finally gets me with all that shaking. But it’s worth it because my points are now 5/27. I take out my water bottle and gargle some water to wash the foul taste from my mouth. Then I return to her folding a clo