First of All, I’m Drinking - Chapter 67

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 67

 

[72 hours have passed, so we will now conclude the 830th Millennium Academy Transfer Exam as of this moment!]

 

Just like at the beginning, a voice echoed through the air.

 

“Hey, it’s over.”

 

I tapped the cheek of Irin, who was sleeping soundly without a care in the world, to wake her up.

 

“Haaaam.”

 

Irin stretched and yawned as she got up.

 

Tanya wasn’t there.

 

She had been moving separately since defeating Ragnor.

 

[As announced at the beginning, all 36 examinees currently remaining in the venue will receive an additional 10,000 points.]

 

Out of the initial 1,378 participants, only 36 survived to the end.

 

Some might consider this a small number, but I think quite a lot of examinees survived.

 

‘Most of them were probably hiding in corners of the labyrinth, avoiding combat.’

 

It seemed the early elimination of Ragnor von Grantuan, who could be called this exam’s greatest disaster, on the first day had a significant impact.

 

[Now, we will announce the 6 successful candidates in order!]

 

Only the top 6 in final rankings would ultimately be granted admission.

 

The announcer began calling out names.

 

[Starting with 1st place. This exam’s top scorer! Final score 21,050 points! Miss Irin Kramer!]

 

Irin was in 1st place with a total of 21,050 points, adding the 10,000 survival points to her personally earned 11,050 points.

 

The three days of running around hunting monsters and examinees alike had paid off.

 

“Bastards.”

 

Irin, who already knew her ranking, muttered quietly.

 

Despite her harsh words, the corners of her mouth were twitching, showing she was in quite a good mood.

 

This must be her way of expressing joy.

 

After spending three days together, I now knew that Irin wasn’t just rough around the edges, but simply awkward at expressing herself.

 

[Next is 2nd place. The runner-up! Final score 19,500 points! Miss Tanya de Belyaev!]

 

As expected, Tanya took 2nd place.

 

With Ragnor, the only one stronger than her besides me, eliminated early, she seemed to have torn through the exam site like a fish in water.

 

[Announcing 3rd place! Oh, this is quite unexpected. This is the first time in transfer exam history that a participant who was forcibly sent back on day one has made the final cut!]

 

Perhaps excited by this unprecedented case, the announcer was particularly chatty.

 

[Final score 18,200 points! Ragnor von Grantuan!]

 

Although Ragnor was eliminated on the first day, the point gap he had built up was so large that he could pass comfortably.

 

Even without earning the 10,000 survival points.

 

‘Tanya said that guy must have killed the Azure Abyss Imugi.’

 

Having solo-defeated a boss monster worth the same points as the survival bonus, his passing was a foregone conclusion.

 

I recalled Ragnor’s final moments.

 

‘He said we’d meet again.’

 

Just before being eliminated, he had definitely told me we’d meet again.

 

While calling my name wistfully.

 

“Meet again my ass, you bastard. I’ll do whatever it takes to avoid you.”

 

When I suddenly clenched my fist and went off on a tangent, Irin stared at me blankly.

 

In the end, even if the detailed rankings changed, the top 3 from the preliminary round had also claimed the top 3 spots in the main exam.

 

[Announcing 4th place! Final score 15,950 points! Fabian de Neustain!]

 

From 4th place onward, the scores dropped significantly.

 

This was the first time I’d heard of this guy.

 

I wasn’t interested.

 

[5th place with a final score of 15,300 points! Miss Leila Yuran!]

 

This one was also outside my interest.

 

Looking at the name, she seemed to be a commoner, so she must have worked hard.

 

[Finally, 6th place! Final score 15,250 points! Asel!]

 

With my name being called, the announcement of successful candidates was completed.

 

The 6th place ranking was naturally the result of slacking off moderately.

 

Having defeated Ragnor, being recognized as a skilled student was unavoidable, but I tried to balance it out by keeping my ranking low.

 

Though I’m not sure if it would mean anything.

 

[These 6 people! We sincerely congratulate you on your admission to Millennium Academy!]

 

With this, the transfer exam was completely finished.

 

Flash-!

 

My body was enveloped in bright light.

 

The precursor to forced teleportation that I’d seen countless times.

 

This was the first time I’d experienced it directly since entering the exam site.

 

‘School life, huh…’

 

Now that my acceptance was confirmed, I felt needless worry.

 

Would I be able to do well?

 

If I couldn’t control my temper, I’d probably cause some major incident.

 

‘Well, I’ll think about future problems later.’

 

For now, I decided to fully enjoy the joy of passing.

 

* * *

 

Coming out of the exam site, I was greeted by a crowd so dense there was no room to step.

 

They were the parents and acquaintances of the examinees.

 

Among them, I spotted a familiar face with red hair.

 

“You’ve worked hard, Prince.”

 

Kise smiled brightly and waved his hand.

 

In his other hand was a bouquet of flowers.

 

“What’s with the bouquet?”

 

“It’s a congratulatory gift for passing.”

 

“How did you know I passed? I haven’t even mentioned the results yet.”

 

“Haha, of course you would have passed, Prince.”

 

Kise, who knew my true abilities, would naturally think that way.

 

Still, receiving such excessive trust made me feel somewhat embarrassed, so I scratched my cheek.

 

“Right, I passed.”

 

“Then you should accept the bouquet, shouldn’t you?”

 

“Tch.”

 

I quickly snatched the bouquet before anyone could see.

 

How embarrassing, preparing something like this.

 

“Thanks.”

 

Still, I was very grateful that he had thought of me.

 

Kise smiled brightly at my thanks.

 

It was the look one gives to a cute youngest sibling, which made me a bit uncomfortable.

 

“You’re going straight back, right?”

 

“Of course.”

 

After three days without washing or sleeping properly, I was exhausted.

 

I wanted to hurry back to Harten and rest well.

 

And eat lots of fried chicken and other delicious things.

 

Kise said he had hired a coachman.

 

While walking to the carriage, I scolded Kise.

 

“By the way, hey. What’s with calling me ‘Prince’ when there are people around? What if someone hears?”

 

“Aw, why worry about something like that? I already put up a sound-blocking spell, naturally.”

 

“Well, if that’s the case, fine.”

 

“What was the exam content?”

 

“Don’t even get me started. They just threw us into a labyrinth and told us to survive…”

 

We were walking together, having such trivial conversation.

 

“Hey.”

 

A familiar voice came from behind us.

 

“You there, commoner. I’m talking to you.”

 

I turned around.

 

A boy with light green hair and skull-patterned accessories dangling all over him was standing there.

 

Once a party member, but someone I personally eliminated because I didn’t like his behavior.

 

It was Ariel de Ortano.

 

“You’re dead. You worthless commoner bastard.”

 

Ariel glared at me with menacing eyes.

 

He wasn’t alone.

 

He was with about five knights armed with swords and armor.

 

They seemed to be guards from House of Ortano.

 

“Who is he?”

 

Since it was in front of others, Kise spoke casually.

 

“Just some fucking idiot.”

 

At my harsh assessment, Ariel’s already furious expression became even more twisted.

 

The knights also began emanating killing intent as their lord was insulted by some commoner.

 

“Where did Bael and Joseph go? Did you come alone?”

 

“…Is that really what you’re curious about right now?”

 

“Well, I’m asking because I’m curious, you vermin. Is what’s in your head not a brain but swollen, bloated noodles?”

 

The knights listening nearby had a fit.

 

“You don’t need to listen to any more of this!”

 

“Just give the order! I’ll make sure to properly correct that insolent thing’s manners!”

 

Ariel raised his arm to restrain the knights.

 

“There’s no need for you gentlemen to step forward.”

 

Ariel drew his sword from his waist.

 

Then he received another identical sword from a knight and threw it to me.

 

The sword scraped along the ground and slid to my feet.

 

“Pick it up.”

 

Ariel looked ready to charge at me at any moment.

 

“I heard you passed the exam. Seeing that you passed together with Irin Kramer, it seems you somehow sweet-talked your way through that situation and pathetically tagged along to pick up scraps.”

 

Irin was 1st place, while I was 6th place.

 

Looking at just the revealed results, it was reasonable enough to assume that.

 

“Even if you passed by following behind others, that can’t be considered your real ability. I can’t acknowledge it.”

 

“What are you going to do if you can’t acknowledge it?”

 

“A duel. Fight me with swords. Prove to me that you’re qualified to pass.”

 

“And if I refuse?”

 

“I will formally report the insult I received from you, a commoner, to the government office. There are plenty of witnesses. You may have passed pathetically, but you’ll be dragged to prison before you even enroll.”

 

There was no possibility of things actually going as Ariel said.

 

During our first meeting, we were both Millennium Academy applicants.

 

Millennium Academy advocates equality between classes.

 

Since taking unfair advantage using class differences in exams is prohibited, applicants are subject to the same standards as enrolled students under Imperial law.

 

If there was anything problematic, it would be the remarks I just made.

 

But this also didn’t matter.

 

“How ridiculous.”

 

Without even picking up the sword, I quickly charged forward.

 

I struck Ariel’s solar plexus with my knee.

 

“Kuhek!”

 

Ariel took a direct hit without being able to react.

 

He clutched his chest painfully, spitting saliva.

 

“You should consider your opponent before challenging them to a duel.”

 

Thwack!

 

This time I struck Ariel’s temple with my heel.

 

Ariel collapsed with a single groan.

 

“You little brat.”

 

Crack! Crack!

 

I repeatedly stomped on the head of Ariel, who was lying face down and trembling.

 

Since interfering in someone else’s duel would be a great discourtesy, the knights couldn’t do anything and fidgeted anxiously.

 

“Kuhek! Keuhek!”

 

Ariel groaned in pain and twisted his body this way and that.

 

Thinking there might be trouble if I stomped more, I lifted my foot.

 

“Cough!”

 

Ariel spat up a handful of blood and glared at me with bloodshot eyes.

 

“Ugh… You damn commoner bastard… Do you think you’ll be safe after this!”

 

“What are you saying? You’re the one who suggested a duel first, aren’t you?”

 

“Shut up! You fucking bastard… I’ll make sure you face the judgment of law! Prepare yourself! You’ll rot away in prison for life…”

 

Thwack!

 

I delivered a soccer kick to Ariel’s belly.

 

“Uugh…”

 

“I thought it was strange all along. How could a bastard like you get 4th place in the first round? But seeing this, I understand perfectly.”

 

I crouched down and looked into Ariel’s bloodshot eyes, speaking ominously.

 

“You secretly pulled some tricks using your family’s power during the first round, didn’t you?”

 

“…!”

 

A look of panic briefly crossed Ariel’s face.

 

He quickly composed his expression, but hiding the truth from someone who had been through everything was impossible.

 

“That’s right, you bastard. Absolutely.”

 

I hadn’t directly witnessed Ariel’s exam, so I didn’t know specifically what he had done.

 

But it was certain he had used some dishonest tricks.

 

Structurally, the first round, which had looser control compared to the main exam, did seem relatively easier to manipulate.

 

“Legal judgment? Fine. If you want, let’s go to the government office right now.”

 

“Kugh! Don’t talk nonsense! Framing me won’t make your crimes disappear! You’ll rot in prison for life!”

 

“Maybe so. But I don’t care.”

 

I brought my face right up to Ariel’s and continued speaking.

 

“As you know, I’m a commoner and an orphan, so I have nothing to lose. If they feed me and house me in prison for life, that would be totally great. But what about you? What will happen to your family if it’s revealed that you used dishonest tricks in the entrance exam?”

 

“…”

 

“Won’t you incur the Imperial House’s wrath? Is your family that great? Great enough to handle the backlash even after making the Imperial House your enemy?”

 

Ariel’s complexion turned pale.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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