An Angel Lives in the Academy
Chapter 13: The Angel Caught in a Test (10)

Tap, tap-

Her fingers tapped rhythmically.

As expected of Lusa, who was consumed by laziness, her threat to go find the candidate herself was just empty words.

Leffrey watched and thought,

'I need to avoid becoming the top scorer of the entrance exam at all costs. If I get on TV as the top scorer... the demon king’s army is very likely to take notice. The demon king's army doesn't know much about the internal affairs of the Central Academy… So if I just avoid being the top scorer...'

Being the top scorer of the Central Academy entrance exam was a truly honourable position. Famous broadcasting stations from all over the world would strive to get an interview with the top scorer, and the guild or family that produced the top scorer could gain even more power and influence in the aftermath.

It was a truly great title, as long as you didn't get targeted by the demon king's army.

Sparks flew in the candidates' eyes. Even Yumari was flustered, quickly trying to figure out who had passed the third test alone.

'Yumari was aiming for the top spot too, huh.'

The Seocheon Yu had ordered Yumari to 'absolutely' take the top spot. With a warning that there would be severe punishment if she failed.

That's why other young men and ladies from the Seocheon Yu had used various schemes to prevent Yumari from becoming the top scorer, or even to make her fail the exam altogether.

The talismans were one of them. Of course, Leffrey had no way of knowing about these circumstances.

"Aren't you coming out soon? Do you want me to make you move?"

Leffrey walked towards the podium, thinking,

'If I give up the top spot like this, Yumari will take it. Damn, it's a bit of a shame to let that woman become the top scorer. She's the woman who said she'd make me fail...'

But it couldn't be helped. Leffrey didn't want to be targeted by the demon king's army already. The first goal in his life was to live a quiet and comfortable life. If he was targeted by the demon king's army, he might be able to eat well, but living well would be impossible.

But the top scorer would make a lot of money…

To think he had to give all that to Yumari…

While Leffrey was making a regretful expression, the boy and Yumari made eye contact. Yumari, the girl Leffrey had once admired.

The boy stood on the podium with mixed emotions.

"Alright. The top scorer of this exam is..."

"Professor."

"...Why?"

Leffrey declared confidently.

"I will give up the top spot."

"...What are you talking about?"

"I only passed by chance. I didn't even take the third test properly."

Lusa expressed her frustration as if she couldn't understand.

"This kid... do you have any idea how many benefits the top scorer of the entrance exam gets? Look at those kids over there. They're all desperate to become the top scorer."

She was right.

Most of the candidates who had made it this far were only interested in becoming the top scorer and reaping the sweet rewards.

"...Please. I'm not qualified."

"Ha, this troublesome kid."

Lusa waved her hand dismissively.

"You're saying you can't be the top scorer because you didn't take the third test properly? Fine. You go and take the test too. I'll evaluate you 'properly' and make sure you're placed at the top."

"...But I already passed, didn't I?"

"What?"

"I already passed the test."

Pinch- Lusa pulled on Leffrey's soft cheeks.

"What kind of wordplay is that?"

"Ow ow- It hurts!"

"So, what do you want to do!"

"It's true that I passed your test! But I passed by chance, so I’m actually in last place! Please evaluate me as... it hurts!"

Release- Lusa finally let go of the boy's cheeks.

'Look at how soft his cheeks are...'

And Lusa couldn't help but laugh. To be precise... it was closer to her being unable to hide her laughter.

"You must know how much honor comes with being the top scorer of the entrance exam... to give up so much for your principles? Really... really... not bad."

She muttered while looking at Leffrey, who was crouched down. It was a random evaluation born from a misunderstanding.

Lusa looked at the other professors.

Professor Klein quietly expressed regret, and Park Jin-ho nodded repeatedly.

"Alright. I'll handle it that way, so go rest over there."

Phew- Leffrey could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

'...Somehow, things worked out. I hope someone strong becomes the top scorer and receives the attention of the demon king's army instead of me.'

*

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*

*

However, Leffrey wasn't the only one breathing a sigh of relief.

Most of the candidates aiming for the top spot sighed as soon as Leffrey finished speaking. Inwardly, of course. As their tension eased, they naturally ridiculed Leffrey's choice.

They said that he could easily give up the top spot because he wasn't from a guild or a family.

They scoffed, saying that he could give up like that because he had no idea how many privileges were given to the top scorer.

"What's the point of passing by luck if he's such an idiot..."

"Shut up."

A voice came from behind.

It was the voice of the enraged Jack.

He shouted with a determined expression.

"How could someone who doesn't know how important the top spot is even submit an application? How could someone who doesn't know how valuable the top spot is pass the first and second tests so smoothly?"

Only then did the candidates start to see Leffrey in a new light. Come to think of it, someone who didn't know how important and valuable the top spot was could have never made it this far.

"That's why peasants like him gave up the top spot for us. Because he knows how much the guilds and families we belong to want it. Because he knows how much pressure it puts on us...!"

The candidates momentarily resonated with Jack's words.

And so, silence fell.

The candidates who had been mocking Leffrey until now, now looked at him with different expressions.

'Come to think of it, that kid even healed Jack who had bullied him. He must have used a lot of divine power.'

'That's right. That kid, for us...'

'Looking closely, he really does look like an angel? Damn... thank you.'

Leffrey had no way of knowing these misunderstandings that were spreading.

And there was one person who had an even deeper misunderstanding.

'...He gave it up for me.'

Yumari, the dragon lady created by the Seocheon Yu's evil deeds. If she didn't achieve results, there was a very high risk that she would be purged by other factions within the family.

Naturally, Leffrey had given up the top spot without considering this fact, but Yumari couldn't help but have a significant misunderstanding.

'Because he knows that my life could be in danger if I don't become the top scorer. That's why when he looked at me...'

Leffrey never hid his anger whenever he looked at her. However, the expression he had when he went up to the podium earlier... was pity.

He pitied her.

'This confirms it.'

That's why he had given up the top spot for her. After all, if the boy wasn't there, the top spot would naturally be Yumari's.

'Why... even though he hates me...?'

Yumari's misunderstanding deepened.

[Doing a favor for a future hero is an angelic act!]

[Receiving gratitude from a future hero in their heart is an angelic act!]

[Doing a favor for a future hero is an angelic act!]

[Receiving gratitude from a future hero in their heart is an angelic act!]

.

.

'What, what is this?'

Leffrey couldn't help but be flustered as messages suddenly flooded his vision.

.

.

[You have gained Angelic Power.]

[You have gained a large amount of Angelic Power.]

[You have gained Angelic Power.]

[You have gained Angelic Power.]

[You have gained Angelic Power.]

.

.

'What is this?'

Because of the overflowing Angelic Power, Leffrey had no choice but to strengthen his Angelic Abilities immediately.

'Raising the level of Angelic Abilities consumes Angelic Power the fastest. Quickly, before the Angelic Power overflows...!'

[You can raise the level of your Angelic Ability by consuming Angelic Power!]

[Confirming Angelic Power.]

'One isn't enough. I need to raise two to use up all this Angelic Power!'

Martial Arts of the Archangel who Tramples Dragons Lv.2

Healing of the Seraphim that Heals All Creation Lv.2

And so, Leffrey was able to raise the levels of his martial arts and healing Angelic Abilities to Lv.2.

'...Why on earth did my Angelic Power increase?'

Leffrey still didn't understand the reason.

*

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*

*

The Fallen Elf, filled with laziness, had a simple test.

"Ah... so bothersome."

Lusa had now removed her disguise and revealed her true form.

Elves were inherently beautiful, and Lusa was a particularly stunning beauty among them. If not for the dark circles under her eyes, her beauty would have been flawless.

"Let's keep things simple."

Lusa descended among the candidates. Shedding her exhaustion, she was gradually regaining her composure.

"Fight me. Those who surpass the standard pass. Let's go with that."

She grinned mischievously.

At that moment, Leffrey headed towards another place.

"Soya."

Leffrey muttered.

He noticed the girl who was tense and muttering things like, "Having a barbaric combat test like this. That professor must be a black magic hater..."

Leffrey cautiously approached her.

"Soya...!"

"Kugh, h-huh?"

The gray-haired girl jumped up.

She muttered with tears in her eyes,

"I... I wasn’t startled."

Leffrey thought to himself, 'No, you looked startled...' but decided to keep it to himself. That wasn't important right now.

"Sorry. Can I touch your hair for a moment?"

"W-What?"

While the candidates were panicking, Lusa was already warming up.

'There's no time.'

Leffrey abruptly removed Soya's wizard hat and poured the heavenly fragrant oil onto her head.

"What are you doing!"

"...I'm giving you a buff."

"You...!"

[Blessing successful!]

Soya muttered awkwardly,

"Touching someone's head without permission..."

"How's your body? You feel better, right?"

"...Huh?"

Soya found her body feeling incredibly strange. Her magic circulation was much smoother than usual, and her vision seemed wider. And…

"Did I get a bit stronger?"

It was truly an unbelievable buff. To have so many different effects with just one buff. Soya looked at Leffrey with surprised eyes.

'A powerful buff like this must be a skill that consumes a huge amount of divine power.'

Honestly, Soya was a little touched.

In her short life, no one had ever been so kind to her.

"Soya, let's do our best for the last test, so cheer up and... Keep on fighting!"

The words of encouragement, "fighting," or “Cheer up” were also a first for her.

Soya couldn't help but stare at Leffrey.

...He was truly a beautiful boy.

No further explanation was needed.

So Soya could only hide her blushing face with her hat. And she muttered.

"...Okay."

"You're not going to say 'fighting' with me?"

Leffrey made a disappointed expression.

Of course, it was a joke.

Seeing Soya's embarrassed appearance, Leffrey naturally teased her.

"F-Fi... ugh, I'm not a child, why would I do that."

Grumble grumble- Soya grumbled a little and then stood in her place, holding her spellbook.

"Anyway, you won't regret investing in me."

A complex magic circle began to form beneath her feet. Even for Leffrey, who knew almost nothing about magic, knew it was a magic formula of considerable level. Judging by the size of the magic circle, it was probably a 4th tier spell or higher…

'A 4th tier spell without chanting...? Before even entering the academy?'

Using any magic without chanting was only possible if you had completely mastered that tier. Did that mean Soya had already mastered the 4th tier?

Leffrey couldn't believe it.

As far as he knew, mages of that level could only be found among the main forces of large guilds.

"I'm someone who will become the greatest mage."

Soya declared as if it were obvious.

At that moment, from the far end of the hall…

A candidate flew through the air, defying gravity. The unfortunate thing about this candidate was that they weren't flying by their own will.

"Then let's begin."

The culprit who had sent the candidate flying.

The Fallen Elf... no, The Martial God Lusa smiled.