FMRV | Chapter 38

After leaving the restaurant, Luke wandered around looking for a place to stay overnight. He was unsure if he could find a room on such short notice, but luckily, the chef from the restaurant had recommended a decent inn.

“Room 302.”

“Thank you.”

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Luke took the key and climbed the stairs to his room. Despite the inn’s somewhat aged exterior, the inside was reasonably clean. Since he planned to leave first thing the next morning, it was fine as long as he could get some sleep.

Luke unpacked his things and glanced out the window aimlessly. He wondered if the men from the bar had woken up by now to discover the hefty bill he had left for them. He didn’t think they could find him; he had deliberately chosen the lodging farthest from where the chef had suggested.

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After a quick wash, he immediately lay down in the bed. The old bed frame creaked eerily. He needed to get up early the next morning and needed all the rest he could get. Luke slowly closed his eyes.

The only sound in the small room was the ticking of the wall clock. The lights on the street had already gone out, creating a perfect environment for sleep, yet Luke couldn’t fall asleep easily.

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“Isn’t that new commander the heir of that famous noble family? Even with all this talk of meritocracy, surely the family’s influence played a part?”

The careless chatter from the men at the bar kept swirling in his head.

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“Now that I think about it, that guy was often talked about like that even back in the academy days.”

Theo, the eldest son of the Redrick family, one of the prominent noble families in the Empire, had topped the entrance exam to the military academy with the highest scores. However, his peers did not look up to or revere him. They speculated he had used his family’s influence to get in or that he had cheated his way through admissions, always trying to diminish his efforts.

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It was all due to envy and jealousy toward someone who had both exceptional military talents and everything else going for him, typical of young people to easily feel jealousy and inferiority at that age.

Despite that, unlike Luke, Theo never bothered to respond to the petty disputes or ridiculous rumors about him.

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“What did I do back then…?”

As sleep eluded him, memories of the past began to resurface vividly.

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“Did you hear the results for yesterday’s humanities midterm are out?”

“Already? But the exams aren’t even over yet.”

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In the spacious common area on the first floor of the academy, tables were set at regular intervals, and one wall was lined with bookshelves filled with military texts. It was a relaxation and discussion space for cadets. Although not many students used the lounge while exams were ongoing, there were always a few around.

“The professors must have finished grading. The rumors are already spreading.”

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“So, who is it? This humanities exam was really tough. I thought it wasn’t for first-year students.”

One cadet even joked about wanting to write an apology letter on his exam paper to the professor.

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“It’s Theo Redrick. You know, the guy who was the top scorer on the entrance exam.”

“Redrick’s son? Wow, how can he manage both swordsmanship and academics so well? Isn’t that a bit unfair?”

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“Oh, stop with the nonsense. You think that’s really all his own talent?”

A cadet scoffed. Since everyone else was likely holed up in the library or dorms due to exam prep, only two students were in the lounge at the moment.

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“Didn’t you hear? His dad pays for exam papers.”

“Is that even possible?”

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“It’s the Redrick Duke we’re talking about. What can’t he do?”

Just as another absurd rumor was about to be born in that lounge, a shadow fell over the two gossiping cadets.

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“So… How much does it cost to buy an exam paper, then?”

“Jesus, you scared me!”

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Startled by the sudden question, the students quickly turned around. Luke stood there, his glasses thick and his appearance weary. His hair was a mess, dark circles under his eyes stark against his pale, gaunt face – the very image of a student during exam period.

“Luke…”

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“You know, guys.”

Luke placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

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“Here’s a piece of advice. Instead of flapping your gums, why not read a book once more? It might actually help. You extras.”

“Ex, what?”

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The students scowled, clearly annoyed, but at that moment, Luke squeezed their shoulders tightly.

“Spreading rumors that tarnish the academic atmosphere of the academy is grounds for disciplinary action.”

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“…”

As Luke cited the regulations, the faces of the spirited cadets paled.

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“Now, if you’ve understood, get lost.”

Luke released his grip and patted their shoulders dismissively. They shot him a resentful look and quickly left the lounge.

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“Ah, this is killing me. I shouldn’t have pulled an all-nighter.”

Luke removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. He had been up for nearly two days straight. The academy’s exams were spread over five days, with a scope and difficulty that far surpassed other prestigious institutions. No wonder some freshmen dropped out after being shocked by their first exams.

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Being a soldier wasn’t just about physical strength and combat skills; tactical planning and strategizing for maximum achievement with minimal casualties were also part of a soldier’s virtues. Essentially, to be a competent soldier, one needed to be smart.

“I might die from overwork trying to keep up with Theo.”

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Luke picked up a blanket he had laid out in a corner of the lounge. He was too exhausted to make it back to the dorms and had decided to catch some sleep here when he overheard the absurd conversation of those two extras.

If only he could really buy exam papers, he would have gladly done so. To stand as Theo’s rival, he needed to be on his level academically as well.

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“Ugh, I’m so tired.”

With thoughts of returning to the library, Luke left the lounge and headed towards the central staircase. Walking down the corridor with an almost dead expression, he spotted Theo coming out of a professor’s office. Theo paused when he saw Luke.

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“Apparently, I ranked first in the humanities exam.”

Luke’s eyebrows twitched. The rumors spread by the extras weren’t entirely false after all.

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“That’s good news, at least.”

“What’s that?”

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Luke pushed his glasses up.

“You’re second.”

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“Wow, such great news.”

Luke couldn’t help but chuckle sarcastically and even clapped mockingly. Theo was subtly mocking him in a most sophisticated way.

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“Didn’t you say at the induction that you’d beat me in the exams and take the top spot? Seems like there’s already a gap.”

“Yeah, yeah, we still have two days of exams left! The true measure of who’s better will be known at the end. Just watch, I’ll smash that high and mighty nose of yours.”

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Luke confidently hugged the books he was carrying. Theo watched him for a moment before slightly averting his gaze.

“Don’t you think like the other students?”

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“Think what?”

“That I used my father’s influence to get my hands on the exam papers.”

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Ah, that topic had already reached the subject himself. By this point, it must have spread to most of the students. It’s curious how quickly such disparaging rumors spread.

“With your uptight and rigid personality, I’m sure.”

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“…”

“Do you really think I would do that?”

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The protagonist himself. The idea of stealing exam papers and using his family’s influence to secure an unfair advantage was not something a protagonist would do. Trusting Theo wasn’t just about that, but it was reason enough.

“But imagine if you really did that? Then I’d find proof and make sure you’re expelled. Then I could easily take the top spot.”

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This was half provocation, half stimulation. While Luke didn’t truly believe Theo would engage in such corruption, if there was even a small chance he harbored such thoughts, this provocation might sever those ideas right at the bud.

“Don’t worry. I won’t be expelled or lose the top spot to you.”

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“Good.”

Luke glared fiercely and stormed up the stairs. Thanks to Theo, he felt wide awake now. He was determined to score perfectly on tomorrow’s physics exam. With that resolve, Luke inadvertently turned his head to look back at Theo, who was still standing in the hallway.

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Theo seemed to be covering his mouth with his hand. Through the slight gap, Luke could just make out the corners of Theo’s mouth turned up in a faint smile.