Dekan's Wonderful Confidence

"The academy is almost here. Want me to show you around?"

Theresia asked.

"Of course!"

Dekan was full of anticipation for his future academy life.

That morning, the carriage arrived at the academy.

Heavenlyte Magic Academy stood on the outskirts of the Royal Capital. It was as vast as a small town; calling it an academy almost seemed to undersell it.

"Subarashii~"

"What does that mean?"

Theresia had noticed that Dekan sometimes blurted out strange words.

"Fusang Language, an ancient language."

Dekan bullshitted smoothly.

Dekan and Theresia were now at the main gate on the north side of the school. After Theresia presented her student ID, Dekan followed her into the campus. Looking around once more, he found the grounds truly enormous.

Huge ponds, fountains, and flower beds stretched from the entrance all the way to the school buildings.

Dekan nodded repeatedly, feeling very satisfied.

Before arriving at the academy, Dekan had already taken all his luggage from the carriage and stored it at an inn near the academy.

He had not brought many clothes or daily necessities. Most of his luggage space was occupied by his card-crafting tools.

From here on, they had to travel through the campus on foot, passing countless ancient-looking yet grand buildings along the way.

"This entire area belongs to the Alchemy Academy. Your entrance exam will be held in that main building ahead."

Theresia pointed at a gigantic building with a somewhat peculiar style.

Heavenlyte Magic Academy was divided into four academies.

They were the Summoning Academy, Mage Academy, Knight Academy, and Alchemy Academy.

The first three corresponded to the three common combat systems.

Of course, some exceptionally gifted people could also forge their own unique paths.

The Alchemy Academy covered specialties such as potion-making and Magic Card crafting.

"With your skills, passing the Alchemy Academy exam should be a piece of cake!"

Theresia put her hands on her hips, her nose practically tilted into the air.

Though she was not the one taking the exam, little Dekan was someone she had brought back from the border.

She was very proud of her friend.

"Yeah, but I'm applying to the Knight Academy!"

Dekan said smugly as well.

"Mm-hmm, you'll definitely pass... Huh?"

Halfway through her response, Theresia suddenly realized something was wrong.

Knight Academy?

Hadn't he insisted that he was a Magic Card Crafter who did not like fighting?

"Dekan, did you seriously read the admissions brochure?"

Theresia grabbed Dekan by the shoulders and looked at him gravely.

She knew Dekan possessed exceptional ability, but talent was not something to squander like this!

If he failed the exam, then even if Dekan came to his senses later, he would have to wait until next year to apply to the Alchemy Academy!

Theresia did not want to see Dekan waste a precious year!

Dekan nodded. "The Knight Academy has the fewest required courses and the most flexible curriculum. I can still access the resources I need there."

"Besides, the Alchemy Academy's courses... don't really match my path. There's not much point in taking them. Also, I don't want a dedicated mentor."

"Though the Mage Academy and Summoning Academy would do, I'm completely hopeless at magic exams, and I haven't prepared for the Summoning Academy's questions either..."

Dekan had seriously studied Havenlit Academy's curriculum structure.

Aside from the Mage Academy and Summoning Academy, which he would most likely fail to enter, he was certain he could pass the exams for both the Knight Academy and Alchemy Academy.

The Knight Academy's philosophy was to teach according to aptitude and prioritize practical skill, so its courses offered a great deal of freedom.

Besides, there were many idiot fighters at the Knight Academy who were unwilling to study even foundational magic and Shadow World intelligence.

The Knight Academy could not exactly force them. As long as students earned enough practical-combat credits in the Shadow World, they could advance without issue.

It was also a kind of compromise for idiots.

In comparison, the Alchemy Academy placed great importance on fundamentals and academics.

After all, Alchemy Academy students generally did not need to personally conquer Shadow Worlds.

Thus, the Alchemy Academy arranged an extremely heavy academic workload.

Theresia fell into thought.

She roughly understood Dekan's reasoning.

Indeed, a genius like Dekan might not want cumbersome courses wasting his time.

He wanted to be a free Truant Peter Pan.

But the biggest question was—

Could Dekan pass the Knight Academy's exam?

The Knight Academy entrance exam was usually extremely difficult. It all came down to whether the examinee could fight.

"Could it be that you're actually some kind of incredible fighter?"

Theresia squeezed Dekan's arms, seemingly checking whether he possessed a warrior's physique.

"No, no, no. I'm completely terrible at head-on combat."

Dekan shook his head as he answered.

Still, Theresia controlled her pressure very well.

If possible, he hoped Theresia could give him a full-body massage.

"Then how are you going to pass the Knight Academy exam?"

Theresia looked at Dekan with some concern.

"Taking down the examiner shouldn't be a problem."

Dekan said calmly.

In most Knight Academy combat trials, candidates fought an examiner under restrictions. As long as they could defeat the examiner, admission was basically guaranteed.

"Take them down?! Under some exam conditions, even upper-year students can't beat the examiner! And do you know about the restrictions the Knight Academy added in recent years?"

"Of course. In the Knight Academy entrance exam, candidates can use at most one Summon Card or Spell Card. There are no restrictions on Equipment Cards."

Naturally, Dekan had read those rules.

They were meant to stop candidates without the qualifications of a warrior from stubbornly applying to the Knight Academy.

Usually, though, it was summoners or mages who got such ideas.

They had all sorts of bizarre motivations, like, "I want to challenge Hell difficulty," "Let me show you how powerful a melee mage can be," or "I'm the king of turtling. I'll wear full plate and let you slowly fight me and my summon," and so on.

Without outstanding ability, it was difficult for those from mage or summoner systems to pass.

But anyone who could force their way through was talented!

A mage who could clear the Knight Academy combat test while carrying a full set of Equipment Cards would be more than welcome at the Knight Academy!

However.

Theresia had never heard of a Card Crafter applying to the Knight Academy because he looked down on the Alchemy Academy!

Unless he was also an extremely powerful combat profession who did not rely on Summon Cards or Magic Cards...

"Don't worry, Theresia. My teacher said that although I'm terrible at fighting, there aren't many decent people who can beat me one-on-one."

"...Decent people?"

"It means normal people who aren't morally bankrupt."

"Where do you even get these words...?"

Theresia looked at him with utter disdain.

Though they had not known each other for long, she did not think Dekan was someone who liked to boast.

Could he have some strategy card specifically designed to counter warrior-type opponents?

From Goblin Bandit to Goblin Sheriff, Dekan, as a creator, had always given her an uncanny impression.

It seemed he could not be judged by ordinary common sense.

Perhaps in the Knight Academy exam...

He really might deliver a performance that would make everyone's vision go dark?