Such a Headache

Their seats were both in the back corner of the classroom, with an aisle between them.

Kiana's troubled expression was fully visible to Han Jiang.

Following her example, Han Jiang turned toward Kiana and rested his head on his arm.

"My history grades are fine now. I'll definitely pass." As he spoke, Han Jiang deliberately raised his eyebrows, looking immensely pleased with himself.

Kiana said calmly, "How is that possible? You only got five points too. That's not even higher than Aunt Himeko's footprint score."

Since the start of the school term, the two had always studied together during self-study periods. On top of that, Han Jiang had to work part-time at the library, and he liked running off to the training grounds whenever he had the chance.

Judging Han Jiang by herself, Kiana did not even dare claim she could pass with Mei and Bronya helping tutor her. Han Jiang spent even less time studying than she did.

"Don't believe me?" Han Jiang winked at Kiana, stretched, and said, "Then I'll go see Teacher Himeko. Since history is the only subject I'm failing, I'll sort it out soon enough."

Only then did Kiana finally realize the difference between herself and Han Jiang.

She was failing every subject, while Han Jiang was only failing history. Naturally, he would improve much faster than her. Yet she had always considered Han Jiang her companion.

At that moment, Kiana felt as though the whole world had grown much darker.

"Don't go see Aunt Himeko!" Kiana sat up straight and cried out.

"Hmm?"

Han Jiang made a questioning sound and deliberately said, "Are you afraid I'll remind Teacher Himeko that there are still people here failing their academic classes, and that they might not even pass the exam?"

"N-No, what are you talking about?" Kiana began to stammer. "I just... I'm just worried. What if you fail?"

"Think about it. If you go to Aunt Himeko for the exam and then fail, she'll get angry and be even less likely to let us do practical combat training." Kiana patiently coaxed him. "The other students in class are so outstanding that Aunt Himeko might have already forgotten that the two of us are failing."

"That way, if you don't say anything and I don't say anything, no one will remind her. Then we can both go to practical combat training together." The more Kiana spoke, the wider her smile became. As she talked, she clenched her fists, seemingly convinced that this was a brilliant and feasible plan.

"Ow!"

Before Kiana could celebrate for long, Mei's hand chop had already landed on the top of her head.

"Stop trying to be clever. Teacher Himeko is so serious and responsible. How could she possibly forget that the two of you haven't passed?"

Even Bronya looked at Han Jiang and Kiana, saying with her usual expressionless face, "Idiot Kiana, Bronya calculates that the probability of Teacher Himeko forgetting that you two failed is less than one in ten thousand."

Mei wore her usual gentle smile as she continued, "Han Jiang studies with you, and he may also be studying while working at the library. You're just worried that he'll leave you behind, aren't you?"

Kiana held her head. Even after Mei exposed her little scheme, she still stubbornly said, "He spends so little time on extracurricular tutoring. What if he still fails? This young lady is so smart, but I'm just not good at this stuff..."

"Kiana, Han Jiang, Teacher Himeko wants you both in her office." Fu Hua, who had just returned from the office, walked over to them.

Her hopes shattered by reality, Kiana's face fell. Like she had lost all her bones, she followed behind Han Jiang to the office.

The truth was completely different from what Kiana had hoped. Not only had Himeko not forgotten that they were failing, she had already prepared the test papers.

After a month of studying, Han Jiang did not dare say he could get full marks in history, but passing should not have been a problem.

But reality was often cruel. Han Jiang's score stopped firmly at fifty-eight, just two points short of passing.

There was even less need to mention Kiana. Her grades in all five subjects were still dreadful, though they had improved by a tiny bit compared to the first quiz.

"Tell me, with grades like these, how am I supposed to take you to practical combat training?"

At eight in the evening, it was pitch-black outside the window. Himeko sat in her chair with one leg crossed over the other, while Han Jiang and Kiana stood across from her.

"I've already studied really hard, but I'm not like Mei and the others, who are good at studying. Haven't my grades gotten a little better this time?" Kiana lowered her head, fiddling with her braid and pouting.

"Besides, practical combat training is related to combat ability. Failing academic classes won't affect one's combat ability, so I think only failing the combat power assessment should keep someone from practical combat training."

"The academy should revise its exam rules. Those who are good at academic classes should study academic classes, while those who are good at fighting should fight. That would be much more reasonable." The more Kiana spoke, the more excited she became. Letting go of her braid, she began gesturing animatedly as if directing the course of the world.

"Stop, stop, stop. Enough. What about you?"

Not wanting to discuss this with Kiana, Himeko propped her right elbow on the desk, resting her chin on her palm as she looked at Han Jiang.

Han Jiang's eyes immediately widened. He looked at Kiana in disbelief, then at Himeko. Should I make up some nonsense too?

"Ah, I've improved a lot too," Han Jiang blurted out. "And besides..."

"Sigh, you two really are a headache. Mei and Bronya train and attend classes with you every day, yet they're at the top of their class. You're all friends, so how did you two turn out like this?" Himeko interrupted Han Jiang, guessing that he was about to imitate Kiana and start talking nonsense.

Han Jiang did not know what Himeko was thinking and continued, "Doesn't St. Freya promote everyone having their own individuality? The two of us may not have good grades, but we're good with our hands. That's part of our individual strengths too."

"Exactly, exactly. There are so many Valkyries in Schicksal, and many powerful Valkyries have their own styles. This young lady... I will definitely become an outstanding Valkyrie in the future. That's my special trait too. The academy should properly nurture me." As Han Jiang's ally, Kiana did not forget to add, "Nurture both of us."

Himeko intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Han Jiang several more times, then stared at Kiana for a while. In the end, she nodded faintly, as if acknowledging their argument.

Han Jiang and Kiana exchanged a look, believing that Himeko had been persuaded by their crooked logic. Delight showed in their eyes.

Based on Han Jiang's usual performance and academic level, he shouldn't be just two points short of passing. Did he do it on purpose?

They're both adolescents too. I've read plenty of novels where a smart, handsome boy likes a silly girl. Could Han Jiang have deliberately scored so low?

Himeko was also guessing at their thoughts.

Watching their every move, Himeko felt that Han Jiang was like the kind of character often seen in Shenzhou novels and television dramas—the kind who deliberately left the final major question unanswered on the college entrance exam just so he could attend the same school as the heroine.

If Han Jiang had known what Himeko was thinking, he would have been deeply impressed. His failure to pass had truly been nothing more than an accident.

As Himeko thought about the hazy feelings between the young man and young woman, she also thought of her own age, making her mood even worse.

What nurturing students' individuality? Those two can even use that as an excuse. When I get back, I need to have a proper talk with Theresa about this. Looking at the two teenagers exchanging glances before her, Himeko felt even more stifled, to the point that she even began blaming Theresa.

"You two train properly over the next few days. Read through the materials I printed several times and memorize the practical combat precautions."

Himeko seemed to collapse all at once, saying weakly, "I'll let you two off this time. You'll retake the exams after practical combat training. If you still don't pass then, I'll personally tutor both of you."

Afterward, Himeko muttered softly, though it was unclear whether she was talking about Han Jiang and Kiana or lamenting her own age, "Sigh, I should go have a drink. You two really are such a headache."