Noah closed his eyes as soon as the test began.

Nigel was momentarily taken aback by the inexplicable action, but quickly regained his composure and raised the wooden sword above his head.

Then, he swung it with the utmost concentration on the wooden sword.

Whoosh!

With that, the training dummy took a big step towards Noah.

“Wow.”

Exclamations burst out from those around at the same time.

It was a truly flawless and clean movement, as if it could be believed to be from the Swordsmanship Department.

After that, Nigel swung the wooden sword about five or six more times, opening up a large distance.

Even after about 30 seconds had passed, Noah’s sword remained still.

Nevertheless, Nigel could not easily let his guard down against the opponent across from him.

“…!”

It was at that very moment.

Noah abruptly took a stance, raised the wooden sword upwards, and then lightly swung it.

The wooden sword that had moved with weight in Nigel’s hand played lightly in Noah’s grip as if it were a feather. It was a movement that looked so easy that it was hard to believe it had taken about 30 seconds to prepare for this action.

And with that seemingly simple movement, the dummy suddenly approached right in front of Nigel.

“…?!”

The dummy that had been close to Noah’s side now stood tall just barely ten steps away from where Nigel was standing.

“…That’s insane.”

Someone’s mutter that they couldn’t hold back voiced Nigel’s inner thoughts.

It was literally a crazy movement.

From the trajectory of the sword drawing a smooth curve like flowing water, to that movement that was cleanly finished without a single bit of wasted strength, Nigel quickly realized the truth upon seeing it.

That there was absolutely no way for him to defeat Noah Beselion unless he landed a magic attack on Noah.

‘…The difference in skill is just too vast.’

Just as the training wooden sword of the same weight and made of the same wood naturally stirred up a fierce wind in Roneh’s hand, Nigel knew that what looked easy to others’ eyes was actually the most difficult.

It was not readily imaginable how much effort, anguish, and devotion went into his concise swing.

Winning was no longer the issue. The goal now became to endure as much as possible for the remaining time so as not to be disqualified 2 minutes earlier.

The only method left for Nigel to do this was to simply swing his sword diligently for the remaining time to keep the distance as far as possible.

Most people here, with the exception of Roneh, were no match for Noah.

Talent, truly a blessing and gift from the goddess, was a result that appeared after painstaking time and experience of effort were steadily accumulated, and there were not many who could face it.

Fweeet!

Just then, a refreshing whistle sound signaling the end of the test was heard.

Noah only revealed his blue eyes after the match ended.

In front of Noah’s open eyes was the training dummy, placed about ten steps in front of Nigel, just like the scene at the 30-second mark.

Noah looked at Nigel’s trembling arms and legs that seemed like they would collapse at any moment behind the dummy, and gave an ambiguous smile that seemed both pleased and regretful.

It was the highest praise for an opponent who had done their best.

The midterm exams, long if they were long and short if they were short, were finally over.

The trash cans that had been filled with empty mana potion bottles and dessert wrappers so sweet that they would rot your teeth just by looking at them were now nowhere to be seen.

The system unique to Sienia that sent report cards to each household by express mail as soon as the midterm exams were graded in order to guarantee the parents’ right to know had contributed to the students’ enthusiasm for studying during the exam period, but now it had taken a backseat.

Places like the library and lounges, where it had been difficult to find an empty seat anywhere you could sit and read a book, were now so deserted that they were desolate.

However, the student council room at the top of the academy’s west building with the large bell under the clock tower was an exception.

“…So in conclusion, they still haven’t reconciled even though midterms are over? No, is it that they couldn’t?”

Oliver, who was sitting in a chair almost lying down, flipped through documents leisurely and spoke.

“…”

Nigel pretended not to hear and avoided answering by pretending to read the book he had been holding for two hours.

“I’m disappointed. Don’t pretend you didn’t hear or don’t know at this point, Mr. First Year Top Student.”

Nigel, provoked by the playful voice, threw the book violently.

Thud!

“That much won’t work on me.”

Oliver nimbly caught the book. The fluid, natural movement was not a sleight of hand he had tried only once or twice.

“You’re showing off.”

“Yeah, I’m like that too, but our junior is also the pride of our department! Not only did you rank first in the entrance exam, but also in the midterms. I heard rumors. That Cromwell was very upset.”

Oliver placed the book on his hand and began to spin it deftly with his fingers.

Nigel looked at the spinning book and Oliver pathetically.

Not missing that gaze, Oliver smiled and suddenly threw the book at Nigel.

“…!”

Nigel reached out and barely caught the book.

“What are you doing all of a sudden, it’s dangerous?”

“You could have caught it easily, but you’re pretending for no reason.”

“That’s true, but still.”

Nigel honestly admitted.

Whether he packaged his image in front of Oliver or spoke honestly, he would equally fall prey to him, so it was less damaging to admit it.

“…Right. You catch this well, so why can’t you catch opportunities to reconcile well, Nigel? Midterms are over now, but you’re still taking refuge in the student council room.”

“…”

This was exactly what he meant.

Nigel stared blankly at the book cover.

『Methods for Restoring Human Relationships』

It was a book on a subject that he would never touch under normal circumstances, no, he wouldn’t even pass by the bookshelf where this book was placed.

“…You could just pretend not to know.”

“Eh, how could I, as a senior, just leave my junior alone when they’re struggling? I’m worried about you.”

‘…He’s being serious.’

Having spent the entire midterm period with Oliver, Nigel had now gained the ability to distinguish between jokes and sincerity.

With his heart softened, Nigel had no desire to refute.

“So I’ll specially give you an assignment.”

“Yes…?”

Is that something you should say to a student who just finished midterms yesterday?

Oliver snickered at Nigel’s completely sour face.

“It’s not the academic kind of assignment you’re thinking of, so don’t worry.”

Only then did Nigel’s face relax.

“Let’s go on a picnic next Monday? It’s nice for the 1st and 2nd years. They get to play after exams are over.”

At Sienia, after the first semester midterms, 1st years would go on a nearby picnic while 2nd years would go on a week-long field trip.

“Seniors don’t need events like that. You play every single day.”

“Nigel, you…!”

At that moment, Oliver narrowed his eyes.

“You’ve become quite talkative while being here.”

“It’s thanks to someone who was born with a talent for annoying people.”

Oliver laughed absurdly at Nigel’s answer. Nigel, who had been influenced by Oliver over the past few weeks, also chuckled without realizing it.

After stopping his laughter, Oliver spoke again.

“Anyway, try reconciling once by the picnic. That’s the assignment this senior is giving you. Isn’t it nice? I’m even creating an excuse for you that your senior told you to do it.”

“…Yes.”

Nigel meekly bowed his head. He hated to admit it, but the assignment Oliver gave him was exactly what Nigel wanted the most.

He had just thought of a way to reconcile, too.

Elypherum Forest.

If you ride a carriage for an hour north from the capital, you will arrive at this place, which is the training ground of the hero Valein who saved the empire in his childhood and the battlefield where he took his first steps as a hero.

There is a legend that Valein, after a long and bloody battle against high-ranking magical beasts that threatened the villagers, gained the upper hand and sealed them in a tree somewhere in this forest.

Elypherum Forest not only has beautiful scenery with trees stretching along the mountain range, but it is also rich in high-purity mana befitting a hero’s training ground. It is a popular tourist spot for students as it is full of things to see and do, while also being an educationally satisfactory place for parents and the academy, as visitors never cease to come to find traces of the hero Valein, who is second only to the emperor in popularity.

“Well, you ate a delicious lunch, right? Now I’m going to say something important, so listen carefully. From now until 5 o’clock is free time. What time is free time until?”

Roneh spoke loudly to the students.

The pleasant and weighty voice did not reach the ears of the children lost in the joy of going on a picnic after midterms.

“…You must want to inherit Valein’s will and train in Elypherum Forest, I see?”

“No, we don’t!”

“Professor, we just need to come to the square clock tower by 5 o’clock, right?”

The chattering students belatedly came to their senses and looked ahead.

“Yes, it seems your ears have finally opened. Remember, you must come here by 5 o’clock. Otherwise, I will consider it as you wanting to receive special training over the weekend.”

“Yes!!”

The students answered vigorously in unison.

“Even if it’s a famous tourist spot, don’t go deep into the forest. You could get hurt.”

Cledian, standing to Roneh’s right, spoke softly as he pushed up his glasses.

“Eh, who says anyone will get hurt here?”

At one male student’s words, the students laughed so hard that their robe hats fluttered. Then, Heres’s face, which had been gentle all along, darkened.