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.