Thus, it’s currently June.
With the May practical training completed, there’s now only one major event left at the Academy.
Once we pass through this single event, we’ll finally get to enjoy the “vacation.”
However, that event is the problem.
An event that every Academy student dislikes or dreads—from freshman Jackson to the Student Council President, Julius.
“Final exams are just around the corner, and you’re all hanging out in my room like this?”
Final exams.
The unavoidable and mandatory event at the Academy has once again arrived.
There were no cancellations.
The only time the Academy’s final exams would be canceled is during an “Apocalypse,” a global catastrophe that would mobilize all students to fight in a “Great War.”
And that’s an event we will only face during the second semester of our third year, right before graduation.
In other words, unless the Apocalypse occurs, the final exams won’t be delayed or canceled, and there are no additional exceptions. It’s an inevitable hurdle.
‘One of the most annoying events for players.’
During gameplay, class events would often occur to help players increase their stats.
The issue was that these events required actual knowledge equivalent to a high school freshman’s level. For players who just wanted to casually enjoy the game, these could be a source of mild frustration.
– Match the names of the Four Saints with their respective abilities.
It wasn’t something solvable with real-world knowledge or common sense. Instead, players were forced to study the game’s lore and background settings.
This divided players into two groups.
One group saw it as content and actively studied to take on the challenge.
There were plenty of discussions about why players had to study for a game, but since final exam scores determined whether you could pursue one of the main heroines, many players worked hard to achieve high marks.
– If I studied this hard in real life, I’d be getting A+ grades in college!
Such self-deprecating remarks became common.
But humans being humans, they naturally sought shortcuts when an easier path existed.
– This is the game devs’ fault!
– It’s time to show the power of collective intelligence.
– Pull up the wiki, not Hitomi!
The internet! Strategy guides!
[Esdinas Academy First-Year, First-Semester Final Exam Cheat Sheet.zip]
Players started cross-referencing their exam questions and answers, gradually building a comprehensive database over time.
Of course, the developers added plenty of questions and introduced time limits to solving them. However, they didn’t go as far as deleting wiki pages or constantly updating the questions.
Instead, they tailored the questions to match the player’s progress with heroines or achievements.
For example, if practical training occurred in the Amerkia Empire, questions about the Empire would appear. If the player followed a specific heroine’s route, the questions would involve information related to their shared episodes.
For instance, after dating a heroine and encountering a statue at a fountain, you might later face a question like: “Who are the Four Saints associated with the statue?” on the semester’s final exam.
That’s how things worked in the Academy Life game.
Naturally, the “reality” I’m living through is entirely different.
In the Old School Building’s special class, the final exam content is taught directly, most of it being covered by Instructor Esta and Instructor Kadisha.
Since the two instructors personally teach the material they deem necessary, I have no choice but to prepare for the exams as if my life depends on it.
In that sense—
“Aren’t you all studying?”
I couldn’t help but ask the three students gathered in my room.
“It’s a study group, Phoenix.”
Yunia replied, slumped over the table in the center of the room.
In front of her lay various magic books and texts, all bearing signs of having been thoroughly read.
“That’s right. It’s not like we’re not studying.”
Ludmila added, lying flat on my bed, flipping through a book.
While she appeared to be studying magic theory, it was clear she was mostly pretending.
“That’s right.”
Evangeline chimed in, the only one properly seated at a desk, diligently studying.
As someone aiming to secure the top rank in her grade, Evangeline was fully committed to acing the final exams with an overwhelming score.
However—
“So why is everyone in my room?”
The real issue was that all three were studying in my room instead of their own.
And worse, under the pretense of preparing for the Great Martial Tournament, they were wearing training gear so revealing that it would even make a gym-goer blush.
On top of that—
“It’s hot, Phoenix. You’re wearing training gear too.”
“That’s right. If anyone should feel embarrassed, it’s us.”
“Yeah, could you stop moving? It’s distracting.”
Their ridiculous arguments left me wearing workout gear as well, ostensibly to prepare for the team battles in the Martial Tournament.
If the Faculty Meeting hadn’t decided that “at least a triangle shape must be avoided,” I might have been standing here in nothing but a skimpy triangle outfit, looking like someone shooting a fitness profile photo.
The rationale? To get accustomed to ignoring distractions during a 4-on-4 team sparring match in the tournament.
Still, there was one more reason they’d gathered in my room.
“It can’t be helped. The Old School Building doesn’t have separate air conditioning for each room.”
Being in the Old School Building meant there were no modern conveniences like air conditioners, heaters, or even boilers, making it vastly different from modern hotels.
“…Couldn’t you each just get a magic stone imbued with a cooling spell and hang it on the ceiling yourselves?”
“That’s inefficient.”
“Right, a waste of budget.”
I thought it was a reasonable suggestion, but Ludmila and Evangeline immediately countered.
“Magic stones with cooling spells aren’t exactly cheap, you know.”
“Exactly. And yet, this room is cool enough that even with four people here, it’s so chilly we might need blankets.”
“That’s how efficient it is. For a room in the Old School Building, which becomes a furnace with just two people, this breeze is nothing short of a miracle.”
All three pointed to the ceiling.
There, a small chandelier-like magic stone device spun gently like a pinwheel, emanating light and cool air.
If only they knew.
The thing tirelessly spinning that magic stone device was none other than a wind spirit.
[Nyaaaah!]
Instead of wandering freely outside, this spirit was confined to the magic circuits inside the ceiling device, running endlessly to generate cool air downward.
I get it.
Who wants to work in this sweltering heat?
Cafes often fill up in summer simply because people want to enjoy air conditioning for a while.
If even the dormitory facilities couldn’t provide decent airflow, it’s no wonder students would want to leave.
The same goes for studying.
As someone who once borrowed books on baking from the library during summer, I know how unbearable studying can feel when the temperature of the study facility is out of control. Frustration builds before you can even begin to focus.
So I understand, but—
“You guys.”
I pointed to the bed where they were lounging.
“You’re here for [Dream Study], aren’t you?”
“…Hehe.”
“Oops.”
“You caught us.”
The three of them chuckled simultaneously, and Yunia and Evangeline got up from their seats and approached the bed where Ludmila was lying.
“Then, shall we get started?”
“Indeed. Isn’t studying all about recalling and solidifying what we’ve learned from the instructors?”
“Exactly. It’s no different from going over theory books.”
“Hah.”
A sigh escaped me.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have taught you.”
“And whose fault is that? You’re the one who turned us into this, Phoenix.”
“Don’t you think you’ve become a bit shameless, Miss Yunia?”
“When facing a formidable foe like the final exams, all methods are fair game. Even if it means studying in our dreams.”
Dream Study. [Sleep Learning].
It’s nothing special.
While they sleep, I simply massage their bodies, channel mana into them, and guide them into a “dream”.
In that dream, they’ll recall their memories and reinforce what they’ve learned over the past semester.
The efficiency—at least seven times higher than regular studying.
It’s not just reviewing forgotten knowledge; it’s about recalling experiences and imprinting them through mental processes.
Still—
“Ah, whatever.”
Rejecting a meal that’s already served isn’t my style.
“If I fail and get an F, it’s on you guys to take responsibility.”
“Of course.”
“Naturally.”
“Don’t worry. What kind of women would we be if we couldn’t take care of one man? Hmph.”
I reached out toward the three of them as they closed their eyes.
Ah.
If you’re wondering how I’ll manage three people with just two hands—
“…Come forth.”
There’s a way.
“O’, Wind.”
Swish.
Above the three of them, my wind-based mana clones began to materialize one by one, settling gently over them.
