The Woman Found the Will I Wrote

7 – Test 3

Looking at the last problem, which is to increase magic efficiency by 10%, Lumi stiffened her hand.

She never thought such a problem would appear in the test.

‘This is more like a thesis subject, not a test.’

…A 10% efficiency increase.

It’s easy to say, but when modifying magic, a simple change can lead to a cascade of necessary corrections.

It’s outrageous to expect one to solve it in just an hour.

When Lumi was reasonably suspecting that the creator of this test was venting some malice onto the students, the image of the man named ‘Deron’ who solved the problem in 10 minutes and walked out flashed through her mind.

‘How did that guy solve it?’

No matter how she thought about it, it wasn’t a problem that could be solved in 10 minutes.

His quick solution and departure felt suspicious, almost like he knew the answer in advance.

Although suspicion of insider information sprang up…

‘Let’s not speculate, let’ focus on the final problem.’

Whether that was true or not, it had nothing to do with her. She decided to deal with the task at hand first.

‘10%…’

Just as she was immersed in solving the problem with all her concentration.

[You have 5 minutes left until the fifth question is deleted.]

A notice is posted in the center of the auditorium.

Only 5 minutes. Can I solve this problem within such a short time?

She thought it was impossible and was about to give up, when…

“Do not forgive.”

Suddenly, Derne’s voice, who had previously left, reverberates in my ears.

…Stunned for a moment by that utterance, whose reason I could not comprehend even now.

Soon, I gathered my will and glared at the problem fiercely.

‘I want to ask him why he said that then.’

Things like what he meant by it, and why he was nice to me in the last moment.

‘He will just laugh and won’t answer if I ask now.’

Around the time when I go up and everyone needs me.

I decided to ask why he had said that then, quickly shaking off my hand.

[You have 3 minutes left.]

Expecting to have to wait somewhat for the day I ask on the same level.

I wrote down the conclusion of the formula, seeing time rapidly decreasing.

“……”

[You have 1 minute left.]

Time is reducing quickly.

Despite there being only 1 minute left, the fact that the ‘correct’ sign is not appearing suggests something is flawed.

I would have given up straight away due to low self-esteem normally, however strangely I did not want to give up.

I clenched my teeth and started making revisions.

‘Mana leak? Continuity? Ah, perhaps an inefficient formula at the junction?’

Around the time I finished modifying the formula.

The sentence ‘You have passed.’ rose above the magic book, and the magic book turned a blue color.

“Ah…?”

Even though I have succeeded myself, I fail to believe it, wearing a stunned expression.

Therefore, I just looked blankly at it.

From the side, someone spoke in a somewhat soft voice.

“You… did you really solve the last one? Congratulations! I couldn’t solve the fifth problem… You’re really incredible.”

Having never properly heard praise in my life.

As soon as I heard the praise, I felt like I would quickly open the door to my heart, yet strangely I felt upset despite being praised.

‘Why…?’

No matter how much I thought, I couldn’t understand why, so I just wore a blank expression.

Next to me, a girl who had spoken earlier introduced herself with a grin.

“By the way, I’m Ariel. I’m in the same class as you. Remember?”

“Uh, yes.”

“That’s a relief. Then… shall we get going? It seems the other kids haven’t solved the problem yet.”

Nodding to her words.

Ariel made a gesture for me to follow her and went out of the auditorium.

* * * * *

On the roof, looking blankly up at the sky.

Frankly speaking, I thought I would meet with the guys from the Cheonshin Cult, who were preparing terror, as soon as I went onto the rooftop.

Despite coming up, I couldn’t even see a single ant, let alone the guys from the Cheonshin Cult.

At first, I thought Ariel had given me false info to trick me.

However, the description of the rooftop had come up in the novel, therefore I was convinced Ariel wasn’t lying.

‘Then why isn’t he showing up?’

Just when I was about to go out, thinking I might be missing something…

I heard someone coming up from inside.

I quickly hid my body nearby, holding my breath.

“By the way, how did you solve the fifth problem? Is it even possible? I couldn’t even touch it.”

“Uh… yeah… I worked hard.”

“Really? Even if I work hard, some people can’t do it.”

“Sorry…”

“hahahahaha, don’t apologize. I didn’t mean to make you apologize.”

Listening carefully, I could recognize Ariel and Lumi’s voices.

I was certain about the rooftop and prepared again for any ‘emergency situations’, watching it happen.

“Anyway, back to the point, Lumi. There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you.”

“Yeah? … What is it?”

“Why do you seem happy?”

“…… Huh?”

With that one phrase, the warm atmosphere quickly cooled, and chilly air wrapped around them.

Looking at Lumi, whose face was turning pale, I wanted to jump in immediately, but…

‘If I go in now, it will seem like I assaulted Ariel without a reason.’

I decided to wait until I could grasp hard evidence created by the Heavenly God Cult.

Because of that, by the time I was holding my breath and pushing my body further inward until Ariel began to act…

“You’re supposed to be unhappy. That’s what the Heavenly God wants, so why are you happy?”

“……”

Ariel started to show hostility towards Lumi, pushing her towards the railing.

“I just… um.”

Perhaps due to gaslighting and violence she had suffered from childhood to the present, Lumi couldn’t resist at all, she just hung her head and trembled.

Whether it was out of simple sympathy, or the result of watching Lumi’s psychological state for a long time in the novel, I felt an unusual level of annoyance.

That’s why I’m holding back the urge to jump in and I’m watching this.

Suddenly I heard a voice from one side.

“Isn’t that right, Darren?”

Did she already know that I was here?

… Well, Ariel, a third-level wizard treated as a combat force, wouldn’t have missed it.

Since there were descriptions of using detection magic in the novel, she likely knew of my presence before she came up to the rooftop.

‘It doesn’t matter. I came up anticipating getting caught anyway.’

For that reason, I had been tolerating the discomfort and answering every remark of Ariel’s.

Then, I slowly stepped out of the shadows, keeping a stoic face as I alternately looked at Ariel and Lumi.

Doing so, Lumi spoke my name with a somewhat shocked expression.

“Darren…?”

Lumi seemed to think I was devoted to the Cheonshin sect.

As much as I wanted to deny it immediately.

‘I have to bear it for decisive evidence.’

If I disputed, my entire plan could go awry, so I kept my mouth shut.

Lumi seemed as if she might cry out at any moment and turned her gaze away from me.

“……”

Ariel watched the situation with satisfaction.

Then she approached me, showing her goodwill, smiling, she spoke to me.

“Dern, just watch. Of course, you can participate … but we can’t ask such a lowly task of our noble Lord Lerche.”

It didn’t feel like she was teasing, rather, it felt like she meant it.

I responded to Ariel’s words with a slight nod and crossed my arms.

‘I still lack evidence.’

Just harsh words were not enough proof, so I waited.

There was a slight commotion near the rooftop entrance.

Looking at the sound, students who were usually on good terms with Ariel began to pour out.

‘About thirteen people?’

There might be others who haven’t arrived yet. Maybe more than fifteen would be right.

I was surprised by the number and wondering what to do.

Ariel waved at the last person and called out.

“Father! Over here!”

Along with that, Siris, a new teacher appointed this year, appeared.

She greeted with a slightly devout expression, quite different from her usual immature demeanor.

“Father Ariel. Have you been well?”

“Yes, thanks to you, today went by without a hitch.”

“I’m really glad to hear that.”

After their cordial conversation, as if on cue, they turned to Lumi.

“Except for one thing, of course.”

“Yes, one thing?”

We all knew what that ‘one thing’ meant.

I was looking at Lumi, shivering with fear, and recalled the psychological descriptions from the novel when.

“Shall we begin now? I’ve made it so that this place can’t be detected for the next 20 minutes. It would be best to finish quickly.”

The new teacher and priestess of the Cheonshin sect, Siris, announced the start.

*

Violence was blatant and spontaneous.

Regardless of the situation, its effects spread rapidly.

I watched as everyone surrounding Lumi unleashed their violence, my eyes narrowed.

‘It felt serious even when I read this in the novel. But seeing it in person is horrifying.’

Beating a helpless person panicking like this.

I kept my rising anger in check while watching.

Decisive evidence must be left. Only then can I swing the situation as I want.

“Save me… please save me.”

A horrifically resonating sound of violence.

I stood listening to it for a while, then realizing I have all the evidence lined up, I slowly walked up.

As soon as I stepped forward, Ariel looked puzzled.

Remembering my fateful encounter with Lumi, he seemed convinced and handed me the mace he was holding.

Probably suggesting me to hit Lumi with this iron mace.

I grabbed the mace presented to me, looked at Ariel.

Then, as if understanding, I nodded and lifted the mace to strike Ariel’s head.

– Bang!

A cheerful sound.

Hearing the sound, I smiled satisfyingly and lifted the mace again.