Chapter 87

* * *

Translated by Sylph

Read only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net.

* * *

Arcel had spoken calmly, but honestly, Irene’s heart was thumping.

‘Ruska, that guy is surprisingly good at many things.’

Ruska was someone who habitually said he couldn’t do as well as Arcel.

However, since before the exam, he hadn’t said such things at all and studied with a very serious attitude.

At that sight, Irene somehow felt uneasy and clung to her exam studies even more.

‘Come to think of it, this idiot is also a student of the Gifted Center, isn’t he?’

So there was no way he was really stupid, but for some reason, she had naturally thought he was truly pathetic.

It couldn’t be helped, considering the things he did.

‘It would be a blow to my pride to be lower than Ruska, but I must get into the top 35.’

Looking at the rulebook, from the second semester, many subjects and activities were divided into classes of 35 people each according to grades.

So, if she was outside the top 35 in the whole school, she would definitely have to move separately from Evi.

‘I don’t want that! I’ll protect my roommate!’

Strangely, lately, Ruska had been sticking close to Evi.

Evi also seemed to be closer to Ruska than before.

‘It’s already bitter enough with Arcel alone.’

Arcel gave books to Evi at every opportunity.

Irene also had no problem ordering such books from her family and receiving them.

But Arcel chose and gifted new books that Evi would like to a truly amazing degree.

If she were the only one left out in this situation…!

Irene glared at the report card envelope on the table.

Never.

She would never exceed the 35th rank.

As the three of them placed their report card envelopes on the table in a strangely solemn atmosphere, Evi also took out hers and placed it carefully.

Evi and Irene had also just arrived at the cafeteria after receiving their report cards at the girls’ dormitory.

They thought about checking them right there, but their hearts were fluttering too much, so they had decided to open them after finishing breakfast.

‘What rank will I be?’

Honestly, Evi was not confident about this exam.

Just before the exam, there was the incident with Ezriella, and there were many confusing things because the attitudes of people toward her suddenly changed.

Evi, who had put down her grade envelope, looked around.

Lately, since gazes followed her everywhere, she had purposefully taken a seat in a corner of the cafeteria.

Despite leaving the good, sunlit seats far away, people were sitting full only at the surrounding tables.

Looking at the report cards of the four, they were glancing from afar, trying their best to see somehow.

Then, if their eyes met Evi’s, some laughed awkwardly, and some now shamelessly waved their hands in greeting.

All of this change, naturally, happened after the fact that her guardian was the Emperor became known.

‘I thought it would be fun if everyone welcomed and liked me…’

When it actually happened, it was just tiring.

‘I think I can understand why Irene always felt bad when she was with other students before.’

Having people approach everywhere was more tiring than she had expected.

Furthermore, everyone was approaching with goodwill, so she couldn’t even push them away.

Then, if she was caught by someone persistent, it was also a task to cut the conversation and leave the seat.

‘Still, it’s a relief that they don’t rush in when I’m with everyone.’

Whether they were afraid of Irene or Arcel, everyone seemed to be cautious when the four of them were together like this.

As Evi hesitated while looking around, Arcel turned his head.

Then, those who had been looking at the four’s table until a moment ago turned their heads as if they had seen a ghost.

It was as if Arcel was saying with his eyes, ‘Mind your own business and do your own work.’

Today, Ruska even joined that Arcel.

“No, but don’t you think the surroundings are too noisy? Were the tables originally this close?”

Ruska also spoke as if to be heard while looking around.

Then, those who had forcibly pushed the tables and chairs close together shuffled back to their original places.

Because it was a corner seat, it became so far that others could not even see the table side.

The two of them withdrew their gazes and looked at the table, as if they were finally satisfied.

Ruska placed his report card down last and said.

“On the count of three, let’s take them out and put them up at the same time. If there’s anyone who doesn’t want to show theirs, speak now.”

At those words, the remaining three looked at each other.

‘Are you kidding! Why would I?’

‘Ruska. Why is that guy so excited?’

Irene and Arcel didn’t intend to back down, wondering what Ruska believed in to be so confident, and somehow not liking it.

“I’m fine with it.”

Evi was just enjoying it since it was her first time comparing report cards with other friends.

The other three nodded in agreement.

Everyone picked up their envelopes and looked at each other.

“One, two, three!”

As soon as the words ended, the four of them simultaneously took out their report cards and placed them on the table.

“Oh my.”

“Wow!”

“Hmm.”

“Score!”

Everyone let out exclamations reflecting their own feelings.

Evi looked at her final rank.

[2nd in the whole school]

‘It’s high! It’s the same as when I entered!’

How nervous she had been because other students said her true skills would be revealed once she took the Gifted Center’s exam.

It wasn’t just that she didn’t want to be separated from the three, but Evi had a reason why she had to get a good grade if possible.

‘Because I have to think about working after graduating from here.’

She had thought about it again because of the orphanage gift matter this time, but there was a reason why she had entered this place.

To reduce even one mouth to feed, and to help the orphanage by getting a good job after graduating from here.

To get a good job that earns a lot of money, good grades were a matter of course.

‘What a relief.’

Since she had come this far and met many helpful people and even kind professors, if her grades were low, she would have been worried about the future.

‘I can do it!’

Evi clenched her fists with confidence.

After that, she began to wonder about the grades of others.

Before Evi could even turn her head, Irene, who was sitting next to her, grabbed her in a hug.

“It’s a success! We can continue to take classes together in the second semester!”

Irene said that and pointed to her report card on the table.

Irene’s total rank was 16th in the school.

Among a large number of students, it was naturally a very high rank.

Whether she had obtained a higher score than expected, Irene hugged Evi and rubbed her face for quite a while longer.

Only after a long time could Evi escape from Irene’s embrace with her hair in a mess.

Of course, Irene immediately took a small comb out of her bag and tidied it up.

“I guess no one is curious about mine.”

Then Arcel said with a smile. Only then did Evi stand up from her seat and lean forward to see his report card.

‘1st in the whole school.’

It was a result that was all too natural, if it were natural.

If so, now there was only one person left.

The person who was most excited among these four. It was Ruska.

“Hehehe…”

Ruska sat with his arms crossed and legs crossed in an arrogant attitude, then raised his chin.

“Behold, the grades of this body.”

Then he shrugged in a self-absorbed feeling and made a boastful voice.

“No, what. Someone would think you’re first place.”

Even while saying that, Irene was anxious. Did this brat get higher grades than me?

The gazes of the three turned toward Ruska’s report card.

It was written in bold letters at the end of the report card.

[35th in the whole school]

It was a close grade where, if he had been pushed back by just one rank, he would have had many occasions to move separately from the three from the second semester.

After seeing his grades, Irene brushed her hair back in an arrogant and haughty posture no less than Ruska’s.

“Anyway, I won.”

That was enough.

Setting aside Arcel and Evi, if she had lost to this idiot who only went around kicking balls every day, that would have been a disgrace to the Terence family!

“Whatever. Anyway, there won’t be any occasions where you guys go around without me. I have to send this report card home immediately. My brothers will look up to me, saying a genius has appeared in our house.”

Ruska could not hide his joy and chuckled as he put the report card back in the envelope.

Then he said to Evi.

“It’s thanks to Evi helping me a lot. So, since the exams are over, it’s vacation soon, isn’t it? Would you like to come to my house then?”