Roxy’s Predicament and Roland’s Proposal

Roxy lowered her head, clenching her fists tightly. Her face was etched with both resentment and pain.

‘I didn’t want this either…’

‘I wanted to come back…’

‘But everyone around me looks at me with such…’

Her once-enthusiastic senior and junior classmates now wouldn’t even speak a word to her. Even her close female friends, both senior and junior, had begun to distance themselves.

‘To be defeated by goblins…’

‘I’ve already become the academy’s laughingstock.’

As if sensing his disciple’s anguish, Rudios tenderly embraced her shoulders. “At least until the next round of entrance exams next year, you are still my disciple,” he comforted her.

Witnessing the poignant scene between the two, Roland asked with a sigh, “What happens after the entrance exams?”

Rudios continued to console Roxy as he replied, “After that, new students will enroll, and the dormitories currently occupied by the senior students will have to be vacated for them.”

Suddenly, an idea seemed to strike him. He mused aloud, “There are also senior students who don’t wish to move out of their original dorms. They can apply to live with new students.”

“Considering it promotes knowledge exchange between seniors and newcomers, the academy tacitly approves this system, provided the new student also applies.”

“It’s very difficult,” Roxy murmured, shaking her head. “This year, there’s hardly anyone I know among those who applied to the academy.”

“I recall a young lady from the Paimon Fortress region who tried to contact me earlier,” Rudios offered. “Or perhaps some nobles from Vienna…”

“That’s impossible,” Roxy said, letting go of her teacher’s arm. “Nobles value status above all else; they would never agree to live with me.”

Rudios sighed, his hands clasped behind his back as he slowly paced the laboratory. After a long moment, he finally let out a helpless, “Alas…”

“It’s alright, Teacher,” Roxy said, forcing a faint smile. “I’m already very fortunate to have been your disciple, even for this short time.”

“I…” Rudios stammered, pointing a finger at Roxy, his expression complex. “I, I… I will find another way.”

Observing the sorrowful exchange between the two, Roland couldn’t help but interject, “You mentioned this entrance exam. Is it difficult?”

“Heh heh…” Rudios offered a wry, almost tearful smile. “It’s difficult, yes.”

“It’s extremely difficult,” Roxy stated, her gaze at Roland reflecting a sense of pity for his ignorance. “Grey Academy of Magic only admits students under 30 into its first year.”

“Last year, a staggering 102,344 applicants from across the human realm arrived for the entrance examinations. The first round, a magic power level test, eliminated 40,242 individuals.”

“The second round, a talent assessment, saw another 32,133 eliminated. The third, a mental fortitude test, disqualified 29,400.”

“Finally, the last round, a magic attack test, selected only the top 300. In essence, out of nearly 100,000 people, only 300 earned the right to become students here.”

“To become a student here means competing against the brightest talents from the entire human realm,” Rudios said meaningfully. “When I took the exam, it was during wartime, and the entrance tests were even more brutal.”

“We were even required to go to the battlefield and slay demon soldiers…” At this point, Rudios shook his head, a bitter smile on his face. “Never mind, that was a long time ago.”

“Hmm…” Roland stroked his chin, pondering for a moment. “That’s not important. What I really want to know is…” He rubbed his hands together. “Is the tuition here very expensive?”

“The top student in each department is exempt from tuition fees and receives a subsidy from the academy,” Roxy explained.

Roxy frowned. “Mr. Roland, I’m grateful that you saved me, but if you wish to enroll… your chances are still incredibly slim. While you might possess some talent, those noble prodigies are talents meticulously cultivated by their families.”

“Magical bloodlines are inherited through lineage. Those from humble backgrounds simply…”

“Heh heh…” Roland displayed a nonchalant expression. “I was just asking, you know.”

Suddenly, something else occurred to him. “What about you? From your conversation with your teacher just now, it sounds like you’re not a noble either. How did you manage to enter this academy and even become the top student in the Alchemy Department?”

“Roxy is actually considered a noble,” Rudios clarified. He took the staff from behind Roxy, pointing to the intricate patterns etched into it. “This engraving is a relic from a long-lost mage family.”

“Roxy’s parents passed away when she was young, and she was raised by the abbess of a monastery. She displayed magical talent from a very early age.”

“After her magic power awakened, the abbess brought her to our academy, hoping she could study here.”

At this point, he mused, “It’s been a long time since I last saw your ‘mother.’ I wonder how she’s doing now.”

“Hmm… after I’m expelled, I’ll return to the monastery,” Roxy said, deftly making a gesture of prayer. “To serve God, and to see her.”

Roland didn’t dwell on Roxy’s assessment. He understood she was speaking plainly; indeed, an ordinary person would have no chance of entering this academy. However, he seemed to brush her words aside, brazenly asking, “To be honest—the one at my place, she actually… possesses some magical talent, if she can recover a bit after treatment.”

Roland carefully chose his words. “I was thinking of having her try. If, and I mean *if* she’s fortunate enough to succeed, perhaps she could live with Miss Roxy…”

“That way, Miss Roxy wouldn’t have to be expelled.”

Upon hearing Roland’s words, Roxy couldn’t help but give a bitter smile. “Mr. Roland, your kindness, I…”

“Let him try,” Rudios interrupted Roxy. “There’s no harm in trying.”

“This…” Roxy found herself at a loss for words. After a moment’s thought, she swallowed her initial refusal. Indeed, if she didn’t have to face those roommates, didn’t have to confront her classmates all day, she could…

She retrieved her staff and performed a mage’s courtesy towards Roland, a glimmer of hope in her voice. “Mr. Roland, I wish you success.”

“Thank you,” Roland replied with a return bow, his expression radiating absolute confidence. “There should be a chance.”

Yes, it was truly difficult for ordinary people to enter this academy.

‘However, for the Demon Lord, there should be a chance, right?’

‘I’m quite eager to see what that fellow looks like in the academy uniform here…’

Roland recalled the beautiful legs of the female students he had seen earlier, and his conviction slowly solidified.

Bidding farewell to Rudios, Roxy led Roland out, retracing their steps.

The academy grounds were vast, encompassing not only sprawling lawns and vibrant gardens, but also serene lakes and dense forests. It had taken them half an hour just to walk in.

As they exited, it was precisely during class dismissal, and students strolled along the paths in twos and threes.

Roxy pulled her long hat firmly down, keeping her head lowered. She moved cautiously, careful not to let anyone see her face.

Seeing her like this, Roland felt a pang of sympathy.

‘You’re a victim too…’