Chapter 68: Tears of the Ice Snow [4]
I don't know what's going on, but judging by Elaine's reaction, the correct answer was on this side. Could it be that the flow has changed, and the last question has changed? It wasn't supposed to be a change that could have such an effect.
Anyway, there was only one way to find out.
"Everyone worked hard. Now, let's start the evaluation."
Professor Karen said. She glanced at the students one by one. Then she opened her mouth again with a smile on her face.
"Actually, I've already finished grading. So I just need to announce the results, right?"
Professor Karen's gaze first turned to Elaine's team.
"It's perfect. It's exactly the answer I thought of. Do I need to explain more? Of course, it's a perfect score."
"Yay! Yay! Yay!"
"Kyaaa! It's done. It's done!"
Elaine's team jumped up and down with joy. But there was no joy on Elaine's face. Her eyes were deep in thought.
So I waited for Professor Karen's next evaluation.
Her gaze turned towards us. Specifically, towards me.
"Let me ask you one thing first."
It was an unusual event for her to ask a question in such a scene. The others felt it too, as they focused on us with questioning looks.
"Please speak, professor."
I answered that way for now. There was nothing else to say when the professor asked. Her red eyes emitted a strange light.
"Why did you think this way?"
I was naturally flustered. It wasn't that I was at a loss for words, I had nothing to say.
How could I have anything to say when I knew nothing?
However, desperately managing my expression, I did not show such a sign. Inside, I was just screaming, 'I'm screwed. What do I do?'
At that moment of crisis, the decisive lifeline came down.
'Just because I like that arrangement.'
"...That's the arrangement I like."
I quickly translated Riviera's words verbatim. Is this really okay? I was worried, but fortunately, Professor Karen nodded as if convinced.
"I see. So you liked that arrangement."
...I don't know what I liked, but yes.
Professor Karen's words continued.
"This answer is not what I thought of. But it's quite impressive. It makes me think, 'Ah, you can think this way.'"
Is this a good thing? I tried to keep a straight face. But then.
"If this formula is used, the power of magic will be maximized. But the stability will inevitably decrease."
Maximized power.
Decreasing stability.
This totally fits someone. A certain named boss who used to unleash terrifyingly powerful magic, and that named boss is right next to me now.
'They say old habits die hard.....'
I clicked my tongue inwardly. This is going to be a minus on the evaluation, isn't it...? This is an academy, after all, not a military training center.
I just emptied my mind and waited for the next words.
And then.....
"Of course, it's not a matter of right or wrong. It's a matter of choice. So I'll give you full marks."
Full marks?
I didn't expect to hear that. I looked up in surprise.
"Huhuhuhuhu."
There was Riviera, letting out a satisfied laugh.
Our eyes met. My hand moved.
Her hand moved too.
Slap!
A crisp high five.
The touching teamwork of an extra and a named boss. You couldn't make up such a scene even in a game. It's nonsensical.
In the meantime, Sunny tried to butt in without us noticing, but Riviera and I pushed him away at the same time.
"Ah, no... I'm in the same
boat..."
Get lost, kid. Who are you to join the feast so easily?
"Just a moment."
"There are two full marks?"
I saw the bewildered looks of those guys. One prize, two full marks. It was enough to cause confusion.
Honestly, I'm curious too. How the prize will be distributed.
"Yes. Both teams get full marks. It's the best outcome. I'm very pleased with your performance."
Professor Karen looked satisfied.
"And don't worry about the prize. Since there are two full marks, we'll naturally have to prepare one more, right?"
Only then did the worried guys relax. So the last question ended with a desirable outcome for everyone.
Interesting.
Both sides.
Karen couldn't hide her amused expression.
'Max Celtrine'
The troublemaker of the Celtrine family,
The problem child of the academy.
She was well aware of that fact. A student whose evaluation had already plummeted in her eyes.
But at least he had led the way in solving the first and second questions.
That alone required a significant revision of his evaluation. Because it was a level of problem that more than half of the royal class had despaired over.
But common?
'A student with a story isn't bad.'
It's interesting.
Karen smiled.
And another one.
"Riera."
She uttered Riviera's pseudonym. A student who usually had no presence to an extreme degree. Grades below average.
But.
'There was another genius in the second year.'
Karen's fingertips trembled.
It was excitement.
Discovering true talent was always an exciting thing.
'To solve the fourth question like that…'
She had noticed it long ago. That Riviera had solved the third and fourth questions.
She was a magician who could feel the subtle vibrations, even if she couldn't hear the telepathy. Honestly, it was chilling.
To create a formula that added such a radical power in her own way. It would have been impossible without tremendous creativity.
'Elaine must have been surprised too…'
She looked quite shocked when she saw the formula. She must have felt a genius not inferior to herself in that formula. But she seemed to think that it was Max's answer.
It wasn't because her judgment was poor. A more emotional part, an inexplicable strong consciousness about Max, narrowed her vision.
'I guess there's no need to tell her.'
Because it's fun.
Karen thought to herself and chuckled.
"Miss, what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing. Did you bring it?"
"Playing dumb huh."
The maid pouted her lips as if hurt.
But still, she politely offered the newly brought Tears of Frost.
"Thank you. This will do."
Karen left the rest as a pleasure and stood up.
"Now, now, everyone, share and drink comfortably."
It was decided that the Tears of Frost would be opened on the spot. There was a decisive reason for that. The Tears of Frost would lose a significant part of their efficacy above a certain temperature.
That's why there was a rule that Mayfield couldn't carelessly take it outside.
And in addition,
"As I said earlier, let's keep this a secret among us. Okay?"
Professor Karen winked and made a gesture of putting her finger to her lips.
No matter how much they were called Tears of Frost, they were clearly alcohol. Although everyone was of age to drink, it was definitely a bit inappropriate to give alcohol to us students during class time.
Even the free-spirited Professor Karen seemed to be wary of those above her.
That's why she made that request.
'That's why the prize talk wasn't known at all.'
There's nothing less reliable than human mouths, but at least the people here seemed to have tight lips.
"I want to drink."
My gaze moved forward.
Riviera had reached out at some point and was about to drink the opened Tears of Frost with her mouth wide open.
But at that moment, I quickly snatched the Tears of Frost.