I'll Smash Everything with Passive Skills-Chapter 59: 0. Midterm Evaluation (1)

This is an official event taking place after the dormitory occupation. Students, faculty, and even those living in the academy city could not hide their excitement.

"You must show it this time."

The dean, as usual, called Veris in secret and conveyed his firm resolve.

He had already been quietly spreading rumors to make Veris the academy's flagship... or rather, a living legend. It was not surprising that he would say such things now.

The dean needed Veris.

It would be more accurate to say he needed the overwhelming power that would leave a legendary mark.

The current dean was enduring a precarious situation alone, more than he had anticipated. There were even whispers among the faculty about him voluntarily resigning and promoting the vice-dean, James, to the dean's position!

Of course, the final nail in the coffin had been... the fact that Veris had carelessly tossed the Stone of Truth into the Magic Tower.

"So what do I gain from this?"

"What?"

"If I want something, there should naturally be something given in return, right?"

The dean was taken aback by Veris's bold question.

He had already provided Veris with a mansion in the southern district for free. Was that not enough? He was even sending a large monthly stipend under the dean's name.

Wasn't all of that thanks to the promise they had made earlier?

"Are you serious?"

The dean looked sorrowful, as if he felt betrayed. However, even if he expressed such feelings, Veris would not blink an eye.

Though he appeared to be an old man, the dean was a politician connected to the central government, a bureaucrat. Thus, Veris, who knew that acting according to the dean's wishes without gaining anything in return would be a foolish path, shrugged his shoulders.

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"Do I look like someone who would dare to joke with you, Dean?"

If he were an ordinary student, he wouldn't even have the chance to meet with me! ...That thought crossed the dean's mind, but he could only lower his head in silence.

The two had come too far from the beginning.

Thanks to Veris carelessly handing over the Stone of Truth to the personnel of the Magic Tower, the dean, who was in a precarious position, had no choice but to comply.

"What do you want... exactly?"

A sly smile crept onto Veris's face as the situation unfolded as he had expected.

What did he want... Was there anything more Veris needed?

"Ah!"

Suddenly, Veris clapped his hands, struck by a brilliant idea. Upon reflection, there was indeed something he needed.

While it was important to enhance the abilities of Arwen, Cecilia, Maria, and Beatrice who were with him, the most important thing was Veris himself.

"I need a weapon."

"A weapon? If it's a weapon, you can always go to the armory in the industrial district..."

"Not that kind of thing."

"...?"

A look of disbelief appeared on the dean's face.

"Please procure at least a renowned, high-quality sword."

"Th-that's a difficult request!"

The dean genuinely gasped.

Once for Veris's blatant negotiation skills, and again for knowing the value of a widely recognized famous sword, he was astonished.

"Do you not want to?"

"Didn't you gift a great sword to Gunther von Haruen? If that's the case, you could have just kept it for yourself!"

"Then I should issue a statement supporting Professor Jameson..."

"Ahem! What did I say? It could have just been that way, couldn't it?"

"Is that so?"

Veris nodded slightly and crossed his legs. The natural scene made the dean's face turn red and pale in quick succession.

'It was my mistake!'

The dean thought. It was a mistake to ask for help from Veris when those terrible events were unfolding one after another.

However... if one were to be precise, the dean's judgment was not entirely wrong.

At that time, Veris had a meager reputation that no one within the academy knew about.

"This is a contract. For this academic achievement evaluation... that is, the midterm evaluation, I want you to use your influence, Dean."

"Damn it, I understand. I get it!"

"I'm tired of the old iron sword for payment. I trust your judgment and ask for your help."

The dean gritted his teeth at Veris's confident demeanor.

'This isn't a request; it's a threat, you brat!'

*

As the midterm evaluation approached, expectations for the transfer students were soaring.

The reason was simple. Unlike existing students aiming for class promotion, transfer students would be assigned classes based on the results of this midterm evaluation.

Moreover, this year, unlike in the past, a considerable number of transfer students had passed the document screening and written exams, so the anticipation for them was quite significant.

Particularly, the interest in Beatrice, a magician from the Magic Tower, was astonishing.

"I don't feel bad about it."

"Really?"

"This is the academy where Veris ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) saved me. I have a feeling I will achieve good results."

"That's a relief. I was worried you might have trouble adjusting since you just came from the Magic Tower."

Beatrice felt her heart flutter at Veris's kind voice.

'He was worried about me...'

After the Circle disappeared, and after returning alive from the ancient despair of the Lich with Veris, Beatrice had resolved to be honest with herself.

Every word from Veris now felt quite heavy to her.

"Isn't Veris also a candidate for the midterm evaluation?"

It was Arwen, who had been supporting Veris since childhood, who said this. For a moment, Beatrice's gaze turned cold, but she quickly adjusted her expression and looked at Veris.

She knew as well. Most of the people who were with Veris were in S-Class. Except for a girl named Mari, who had brown hair and freckles all over her face, it would not be an exaggeration to say that everyone else was in S-Class.

Students in S-Class were exempt from the midterm evaluation. It was a privilege that felt like a privilege, as the internal evaluation of the class was essentially the midterm evaluation.

"Isn't that right?"

"...Then what do you plan to do?"

Arwen's vague question was understood by everyone sitting in the mansion's living room.

Veris... is strong.

If he set his mind to it, it wouldn't be impossible for him to become the top student in S-Class.

That's why everyone, including Arwen, couldn't help but focus their thoughts on Veris. Even though he was currently in B-Class, he had not shown any signs of discomfort.

"I'm going to go all the way this time."

"All the way?"

Gulp!

Veris calmly took a sip of tea. It was a masterpiece made by Arwen, who was believed to be mostly from wealthy families, and it was hard to believe that she could make tea so well.

Nodding in satisfaction, Veris continued.

"I will win this midterm evaluation."

Everyone nodded at Veris's firm resolve, which surely had a reason behind it.

No matter how talented a student might be, or how strong someone might be when they come to the academy as a transfer student, they cannot defeat Veris.

For those sitting here, it was a common understanding that was no longer surprising.

"May I ask why...?"

The question came from Maria. Her inquiry, while quietly savoring tea next to Cecilia, was filled with deep curiosity.

"Why, I just suddenly thought of it."

"Thought?"

"Yeah. I thought this world is a bit strange."

Maria tilted her head at Veris's vague opinion.

What could he possibly mean by saying the world is strange?

"Just look at the cults of demons operating all over the world; it's strange, isn't it?"

Everyone nodded silently at Veris's serious tone, which was different from usual.

Everyone living on the continent thought of the Demon Cult as merely a fanatical group that had committed terrible acts in the past.

However, the movements of those cults felt entirely different within the academy. Just how many times had Veris faced them already?

"So I'm going to make my power known to the world. I plan to become a focal point for dealing with the Demon Cult. A focal point so powerful that no one can oppose me." "To lead everyone..."

"It's a noble intention."

The girls expressed their admiration in various ways. They too seemed to finally understand what Veris was trying to do.

For instance, Veris... might be trying to become a legend.

To prepare for the end of the Age of Magic when the fanatics of the Demon Cult, hidden deep underground and throughout the continent, summoned the 'Demon King.'

"What about you in the midterm evaluation, Veris?"

"Yeah. I plan to incapacitate all the students who try to stop me. I need to engrave the power I possess into the minds of the people. And this is just the beginning."

It was a calm and ordinary opinion from Veris. However, the weight behind that quiet voice was anything but light.

"I see..."

Maria muttered in a daze, finally understanding Veris's profound thoughts.

She too... had entered B-Class, which was far below her potential.

It was a result of her foolish decision to hide her power without any relation to authority or corruption, just like Veris.

That's why Maria couldn't help but have many thoughts.

She didn't particularly like her status as a princess.

Since she had seen far too many sycophants because of her status since she was young, it had become tiresome.

Thus, Maria entered the academy, hiding her status and power. However, unlike Maria, who lived a thoroughly concealed ordinary life, Veris was now trying to shine on his own. He was trying to rise on his own.

He aimed to become a legend, a myth, to the extent that no one could resist gathering under his name.

'I... was too naive.'

Maria recalled her self-assessment that she had been trying to avoid.

And then she steadied her heart.

Even if it was a status she obtained by mere luck, standing next to him with the name of a princess would surely be of help.

'Alright, I've made up my mind.'

Maria clenched her fist tightly, unnoticed by anyone.

She planned to participate in this midterm evaluation not as the false identity of Mari, but as Maria Theresa.