I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City - Chapter 84



83 – Joyful Life on a Deserted Island (Planned)

The moment Rohan returned to Orion Academy after a busy lunchtime.

He happened to meet Ichinose in the hallway of Class 1.

When asked if he got the goods he wanted from the restaurant, Ichinose, with a beaming smile, proudly showed off the items all the way to the locker.

They said other items would be sold later, but this acrylic stand comes in limited quantities at each branch.

Oh! You got that? That’s amazing!

Right? I was literally lucky. The odds were so slim that I was planning to go again tomorrow at lunch.

Uluuli cooking and Bluebee serving.

Judging by the background and outfits, it seems like a concept where they are working part-time at a collaboration store.

Some might think when they see this.

Is an acrylic chunk, just printed by a machine, worth all this fuss?

But Rohan knows. It is worth the fuss.

Limited goods? That’s awesome.

Rohan, who enjoys Abyss City with the same passion, can perfectly understand Ichinose’s enthusiasm, even considering him a kindred spirit.

Noah must have played a big role.

That’s right. But I got it earlier than expected, so I couldn’t feed him well. Thanks to that, I also stopped by an ordinary restaurant.

With his eyes wide open.

Ichinose, excitedly chattering, looked like a canary.

In fact, Ichinose could have gotten the items he wanted without going to the store himself.

But he seems to understand the thrill of getting them in person and the manners of competition.

Rohan found it particularly admirable that Ichinose himself does not exert influence on the character or the company that owns the character.

Above all, I’m happier because I don’t buy items that are put up for resale.

Ah…! I get what you mean.

“Heh, the feeling of affection reaching the ceiling is an undeniable happiness, too.

We talked like that as we returned to Class 1.

Ichinose didnt ask about Shion or Clara. Upon reaching the classroom, she quietly returned to her seat.

It didnt feel like she was probing, exactly.

Maybe she decided it was Tigrova’s internal matter and, as a member of the Samhwa Nation, was gesturing she wouldnt get involved?

It wasn’t easy to grasp the girl’s true thoughts.

Entering the class, there was Noah, sprawled out and basking in a post-meal stupor.

She seemed to have heard a few things from Ichinose, and while her gaze was filled with curiosity, she also showed restraint.

‘Things should be fine for now.’

With that weight off my shoulders, I start preparing for class.

Today’s afternoon is for theory lessons.

As I take out my textbook and chat with Gilbert, Jooyeon opens the door and enters.

Standing at the podium with her usual impeccable demeanor.

“You all know that the midterm exams start next week, right?”

Jooyeon’s voice focused the students of Class 1.

Seeing that no one was drowsy or lax from post-meal sluggishness, Jooyeon continued with a satisfied look.

“Most of you probably know, if you researched Orion Academy or browsed the Orion Circle before enrolling, but the first-year midterm exams haven’t been anything flashy or impressive.”

Jooyeon continued her explanation, beginning to discuss the changes in the world brought about by the Academy City.

But thats going to change this year. Just now, a final decision was made unanimously in the meeting.

A monolith hologram hovered above the teacher’s desk.

Lately, instead of spewing monsters, its become a symbol of dread, swallowing humans and sending them to unknown places dubbed dungeons.

“You’re all aware the recent anomalies with this monolith have caused quite a stir.”

Those who returned all speak of harrowing experiences. Countless others haven’t returned at all.

This phenomenon continues unabated, and no one has recovered like Rohan did upon returning.

“Theres not enough data to neatly compile information yet. And since only a handful have returned, we can say that no concrete information exists regarding these monolith shifts.

.

Juyeon scanned the eyes of the listening students.

He went on to explain the reason for the practical exam change.

“That matter is being sorted by the great minds of each nation, so we just have to wait. For those of us who deal in combat, its right to receive education and training that enables us to adapt more fluidly to the situation.

Up until now, academy training focused intensely on combat with monsters.

It’s safe to say that in the current world, there are no scenarios where one would encounter monsters while lacking food or water.

However, it seems the world wont allow academy students to have a normal exam.

It has changed abruptly, as if to say: learn survival methods in other ways too.

For the practical exam, like last years 2nd-year final, well use the uninhabited island where monsters have bred. If I’ve told you this much, you can probably guess the exams format.

That’s how the times have turned.

Being dragged into the monolith no longer means just facing monsters and dying. Now, you have to worry about starving to death.

Moreover, it’s not enough to simply fill your belly and quench your thirst.

There are the conflicts that arise when individuals on edge gather, the need for arbitration, the issues that arise between regular folks and those with power, food distribution and so on.

Just imagine a bunch of strangers being thrown into a dungeon, and the issues just pile up.

“This change to the Monolith is incredibly severe. Many have fallen into the dungeon, and the climate and conditions are the worst they could be. Conflict will be frequent, pushing people’s minds further toward the abyss.”

Juyeon seemed to think this was the most she could tell the students right now.

But it was enough. The meaning was clear to everyone in Class 1.

They understood what the Academy was trying to make them feel the need for.

“Remember what the instructor always used to say. The goal of the Orion Academy is to train its students as specialists.”

Turning to face the board, she wrote down the expected period.

Moving out on the day of the written exam and from Monday to Friday.

“In the greenhouse, no matter what method you use, there is a clear limit to your proficiency.”

Juyeon punctuated her sentence with a sharp tap!

Then, she lightened the mood.

“Of course, the written exam regarding theory will be the same as before. Nothing is changing in that area, so rest easy.

Rohan, who had been listening intently, let out a breath he hadnt realized he was holding, feeling the pressure of the theory, which seemed more daunting than the practical.

Hah…

Juyeons gaze turned to Rohan, catching the tense exhalation.

Seeing Rohan’s face, Juyeons lips curved into a faint smile, revealing a subtle expectation.

“Exam scores aren’t everything, but they are definitely a great way to prove your effort and establish your path after graduating from the Academy. Your instructor only hopes that the students she is directly in charge of are able to go down the paths they desire.”

Juyeons single sentence, expressing that she hoped her teaching methods were right.

Rohan and Noah, who had pulled off the stunt of just writing a single line on the placement exam, swallowed hard.

‘I have to do well.’

Having tasted a bitter experience after aggressively going for it in the placement test right after possession.

This time, it was time to reap the rewards of all the effort so far.

My written grades couldn’t possibly sink any lower; they were already scraping the bottom. It was a chance to shake off the vague image I had not quite a troublemaker in Juyeon’s eyes, not exactly a model student either.

That’s all the announcements. Lets start the lesson.”

The theory class followed, sharp and precise.

Class 1 was used to this by now.

The first afternoon class ended, and it was break time.

Rohan contacted the Lycoris Bookstore, told them about the exam schedule, and got permission to take time off work during that period.

At the same time, he thought it over.

‘The bookstore job… I should probably cut back or quit soon.’

It was time to make a decision, faster than expected.

Once the merit money came in, hed have some breathing room. The Lycoris Bookstore was like sucking out the sweetest honey right when he started his relationship with Clara.

The events that could happen during the job were something to look forward to, but right now, Rohan needed more time to swing his sword and push his body to the limit.

‘Maybe I’ll talk to the manager about it today.’

He made the decision and was about to head back to the classroom.

*Zhiiiing!!!* A message buzzed.

[Clara: Sis, Ive left…]

[Clara: Photo]

Looking at the photo Clara sent, a train was flying into the sky.

There’s Sion riding that. A train running through the sky that’s fucking mind-blowing.

Gotta call her next break.

Sion told them to be careful going, Clara told them to be careful coming back, in the group chat.

Time to actually head in, I thought, and took a step.

But Rohan’s ankle got snagged again.

This time it was a notification.

[Shop List Updated]

Oh.

This too, something I’d been waiting and waiting for.

The skill that made me wait with bated breath, without even hinting at how long it’d take, had finally shown its face.

What the hell were they adding that took so long without even a timeframe?

With a faint sense of anticipation, Rohan used the shop skill, and then.

!

He stopped breathing at the sight of the added item.