Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy-Chapter 316: 2nd Semester Final Exam (13)

Dragged into the professor's office before I could even have my pasta, I glanced over at the Dungeon Studies professor, who was holding his head in frustration.

At the time, I'd been barely thinking straight and just acted on impulse, but, looking back, I had beaten up a few people right in front of a crowd. Not that I regret swinging my fists; it’s just, well, if you ask if it was a good or bad thing... let's say it leans heavily toward "bad."

Everyone in the cafeteria witnessed it, so there’s no chance of sweeping it under the rug. We’ll need to sort out who’s at fault and decide on the appropriate punishment.

So, my current goal is to present a case that their actions were unjust and threatening, giving a reason for what I did. It’d also help if I showed some genuine remorse.

But knowing what I should do doesn’t mean my actions matched up with those intentions.

Standing here with squared shoulders, an arrogant gaze that seemed to say, Why are you wasting my time like this? My lips slightly pouted, legs crossed with zero regard for propriety. I know I’m coming off as if I’d provoke him to invent a punishment just because I look so insolent.

But what can I do? Thanks to my "mesugaki" skill, I couldn’t appear repentant—or even remotely intimidated—if I tried!

"Lady Allen."

I was internally lamenting when the professor’s voice drew my attention. I turned to him, expecting a lecture on what had just happened.

"Forgive me."

The last thing I expected was an apology from the Dungeon Studies professor, and I blinked in surprise.

Forgive me? For what?

"I should have anticipated those idiots would come after you."

My questions cleared up as the professor explained. Apparently, those annoying idiots had come to him before they confronted me, whining about the dungeon.

“They questioned whether it was even possible to clear, claiming it was a challenge no ordinary student could handle. They demanded proof that you, Lady Allen, could actually conquer it,” the professor added, frustration thick in his voice.

It makes sense—after all, he was heavily involved in designing the final dungeon, and he’d surely be insulted by anyone doubting its legitimacy. If he hadn’t been in a position of authority, he might have dealt with them himself before they even reached me.

Ugh. Thinking of their faces just makes me angry all over again.

I stood by the dungeon, expecting pushback, ready to face ridicule from those lacking any right to challenge me.

I should have hit them harder. I should’ve taught them a lesson so harsh they'd go pale just seeing my face... But no, there’s still time. I could always track them down later and give them a slow, thorough schooling, right?

Genius, Lucy. Absolute genius.

What should I start with...

"Lady Allen?"

Huh? What?

“I can guess what you’re thinking, but please restrain yourself for now.”

Did my face betray me that much? I hadn’t even said anything, but the professor was warning me as if he’d read my mind.

“If you visit them today, it will draw too much attention. Wait until things calm down, and then you can... teach them a lesson quietly,” he added, smirking slightly.

I nearly laughed. Oh, so this isn’t a warning—it's advice?

Professor, you must be as furious as I am.

It’s only natural, right? Anyone would be livid if they’d had to listen to those fools.

“Let’s end this discussion about those unworthy students. There’s something more important.”

“Something more important?”

“Important?”

“Regarding the challenge you issued in front of everyone about clearing the dungeon.”

Earlier, I’d announced to everyone that I’d demonstrate how to clear the final exam dungeon, saying that it wasn’t that the dungeon was impossible but that they were simply too incompetent to manage it.

A brutal truth, really, one that anyone who worked on the dungeon would nod at, but anyone who overheard me in the cafeteria probably didn’t take it well.

After all, it’s like being mocked by someone while you’re struggling to solve a difficult problem. No one would be thrilled to hear it’s just because they’re lacking.

“The scrutiny on your performance will be harsh,” the professor continued.

After provoking them like this, there’s no way people will watch my performance with neutral eyes. They’ll be dying to find even the tiniest flaw to criticize.

I was beginning to understand what the Dungeon Studies professor was driving at.

“Are you sure about this?”

Right now, she was genuinely concerned, asking if I was ready to stand in the public eye and be judged.

Ha! This Dungeon Studies professor used to look at me with barely hidden disdain before we started designing this final dungeon.

Now she’s worrying about me? I must be doing something right with my dungeon designs.

A chuckle slipped out, and the professor's expression softened slightly.

She didn’t even need to ask to know what my answer would be.

“It’s fine.”

“Ha! For a mediocre professor to worry about me—how bold. Don’t you think it’s time you understood your place?”

I’ve spent countless hours explaining dungeon tactics to others. I’ve written guides on every dungeon in Soul Academy and even more that have been uploaded in various mods.

If I couldn’t demonstrate how to clear a dungeon I designed myself, then who could?

“If that’s the case, I won’t press further,” the professor concluded, smiling as she said she’d arrange a schedule for the demonstration after the finals.

And then, just as she finished, the old man, who had been silent this entire time, spoke up.

“It’s finally happening, child.”

“What do you mean?”

“Haven’t you dreamed of this moment? I know you even planned how to impress others with your demonstration.”

“...How did you know that?”

“Because I watched you.”

You saw me grinning to myself!?

I’d thought it was fine to let my true colors show since he never answered when I called for him!

Turns out he was silently setting me up for this!

“I remember you mumbling, ‘They’ll all think I’m amazing,’ and smiling—”

“Gyaaah! Stop it! Stop!!”

Does this old man actually think of me as his granddaughter?!

Is it really okay for a legendary paladin to dig up his granddaughter’s embarrassing past like this?! Shouldn’t he have a bit more respect?!

“Ha. You should never have handed me over to Rina.”

So he’d been holding onto that grudge all this time?!

How petty!

He’s the one who started provoking me, taunting me to no end, and now he’s using it as revenge!

Just wait! I’ll record this in my own Book of Grudges.

I stuffed the old man back into my inventory, hoping that would silence him. To fend off the shame welling up inside, I quickly sought a new topic.

Something else.

Anything would do.

Oh, right! The leading group in the academy dungeon!

What’s taking them so long to clear the fifth floor?! They’ve been trying since yesterday; they should have managed it by now!

I was ready to face punishment ages ago! Why are they still stuck on the fifth floor?

As soon as I brought it up, the professor’s enthusiasm from planning the demonstration dropped visibly.

What? Why the sudden shift?

Did the Marquis Kurten do something strange again?

No?

Then what?

Did Cecile lose his temper and make a scene while attempting the dungeon?

That’s not it either?

Oh. Did our airheaded noble lady try something ridiculous?

“It’d be too long to explain in words. Allow me to show you the video instead,” the Dungeon Studies professor said, waving her hand as a large magic circle appeared on the desk. As it filled with power, an image flickered to life between us.

It showed Arthur and his party.

“Perfect timing. It seems they’re preparing to tackle the fifth-floor boss.”

They were standing in front of the door where the boss waited, the one I’d meticulously crafted to cap off the dungeon’s challenges.

Arthur and Joy were setting up a magic circle in advance, preparing spells for their upcoming fight.

Faivy was casting buffs and imbuing her accessories with divine magic.

Frey, meanwhile, stood with her eyes closed, aura swirling around her sword, likely visualizing the battle to come.

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“Joy, are you ready?”

“Yes, Your Highness. And you?”

“All set. Now we just need to test if what we’ve prepared is enough.”

...Huh? Wait a second.

Why are they talking like this is all about personal preparation, rather than figuring out the mechanics?

Shouldn’t they know by now?

I didn’t design the fifth-floor boss to be beaten by brute force!

No way... they aren’t actually going to...

“Haah. That Lucy Allen... Even after I’ve told her countless times not to use herself as a baseline, she’s crafted such a twisted monster.”

“You never know; Lady Allen might have carefully planned it this way.”

“Honestly, with her, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“Everyone, I’m sure Lady Allen believes we can overcome this challenge. So let’s trust her and...”

“No need to worry, Saintess. We know what we’re dealing with here.”

“That’s right. Although Lady Allen has high standards, she wouldn’t give us something impossible.”

What on earth are they talking about?!

This boss wasn’t designed to be defeated through raw power alone!

I set it up that way specifically to make you search for alternative strategies!

“Well, let’s try again. I don’t even want to imagine what Lady Allen will say if we fail to clear this by the last day.”

Watching Arthur’s determined expression as he opened the boss room door, I couldn’t hold back the urge to groan in frustration.

How are they not realizing this?!

Even by the continent’s standards, these first-years are supposed to be extraordinary, and yet they can’t sense that this boss isn’t designed for brute force?

After repeated failures, shouldn’t it cross their minds to try a different approach?!

And you’re supposed to be the academy’s second and third-ranked first-years?!

...Ughhh.

Alright. Decision made.

This winter break, none of you are getting any rest.

I’ll drill you on dungeon clearing tactics in true Allen family style until you understand every last detail from start to finish.

No excuses. This disaster is one you’ve brought upon yourselves.