Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 85: The Vice Principal Speaks
The arena—this was no ordinary ground of stone and sand. It had been purposefully built for the students of the Academy, a sacred place where duels were fought and tests of ability carried out. Nestled in the very heart of the campus, its circular expanse was enclosed by towering magical barriers. These shimmering walls of arcane light absorbed and dispersed every violent surge of energy unleashed within, ensuring that the wild chaos of spells and blades would never spill into the stands, nor threaten the rest of the Academy.
Within the barrier lay a vast, circular battleground. The floor was paved with slabs of enchanted stone, their surface etched with faint runes. Each slab was forged to withstand the most furious assaults—whether torrents of magic or the crushing strikes of battle-qi, nothing could easily break them.
At the very center of the arena rested a massive magic array. Its purpose was as ingenious as it was awe-inspiring: to reshape the battlefield at will. With a shimmer of light, the ground could shift from solid rock into treacherous marsh, or spread into a broad plain, or even twist into a labyrinth bristling with obstacles. The arena was alive, a mutable stage built to test not just strength, but adaptability.
Surrounding this battleground rose tier after tier of spectator seats, carefully designed so that even those in the furthest row would see every clash with clarity. Above the arena, tall towers stood like sentinels. Each tower was fitted with intricate magical devices—observers and recorders of every bout, guardians of fairness, keepers of the score.
Suspended between the towers, a colossal crystal sphere hung in the air, glimmering with light. It was the Academy’s eye, casting every strike and every movement onto its surface, magnifying the duels in flawless detail so no spectator would miss a single heartbeat of the fight.
Yet the grand arena bore the scars of countless battles. Dust and grit lay scattered across the stone floor, fragments of shattered staffs, broken swords, and smoldering embers littering the edges of the central array. They rested there quietly, like the remains of forgotten dreams—or like the remnants of battles still waiting for their stories to be told.
Merlin stood in the waiting area of the arena. Despite the grandeur of the place, today was no grand tournament—merely the final exams. Many of the arena’s mighty mechanisms slumbered in silence, unneeded for such a modest event.
Still, this moment carried weight. Merlin was not alone. At his side were his old friends—Fitt and Kris. The three of them had once been inseparable, their bond forged through laughter, hardship, and shared ambitions. But in recent days, their paths had diverged. Merlin, ever the schemer, had been occupied with laying the foundation of his own commercial empire, and their reunions had grown fewer and farther between.
Even so, he had not neglected them. Each day, without fail, an owl would swoop down with delicacies of absurdly high value, gifts from Merlin that made Fitt and Kris grumble at first—yet eat happily, their mild complaints dissolving with every bite.
“Merlin,” Fitt broke the silence, worry tightening his voice. “You only showed up to combat class once. Today we’re facing second-years. Do you really think you can pass?”
Merlin turned his eyes on Fitt, the faintest hint of amusement in his gaze. Poor Fitt had no idea of the arsenal he carried. Every inch of Merlin’s body was clad in alchemical gear—each piece worth more than most nobles could dream of. To say he was strong was an understatement. He was terrifying. That was the confidence born of godlike equipment. In the language of games, their opponents were little more than common mobs, clad in rags, while Merlin wielded a dragon-slaying blade and the ring of paralysis. There was no contest.
“You’d do better worrying about yourself,” Merlin replied, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Word is, you were at some ‘refreshing-water party’ with the noble club yesterday.”
Kris’s nose wrinkled instantly in disgust, her expression sharp as a dagger. Fitt, on the other hand, just shrugged. “What? What? It’s all the rage among nobles right now. Don’t look at me like that.”
“In a single room,” Kris said dryly, “a group of idiots all relieving themselves together. That’s what it is.”
Fitt’s face flushed scarlet. “It’s not that! The refreshing water purifies the body and soul. Haven’t you heard? The Academy even came up with a new phrase for it—something about tempering the muscles and cleansing the marrow. That’s what we were doing!”
Kris took a slow sip of her steaming bubble tea, the pearls rolling lazily against the cup. “Cleansing the marrow, is it? Hmph. Look at this—my bubble tea. Now this is true cleansing of the marrow. Though…” Her brows furrowed slightly, “…strangely enough, I don’t feel any urge to run to the restroom.”
She sounded almost disappointed. Rumor had it that such cleansing could brighten the skin, sharpen magical perception, and grant subtle benefits. She had wanted to experience it herself.
Merlin eyed her cup with unease. If not for the fact that the poisonous cassava pearls used in the brown sugar mix had no effect on Kris, he would never have let her drink it before an exam. The last thing he needed was her bolting mid-duel, desperate for a bathroom. Still, her resilience was nothing short of extraordinary.
“Relax,” Merlin finally said, his voice calm but firm. “The second-years chosen this time may be the elite of the combat class, but they’re all only third-tier. At that level, this exam will be simple.”
He wasn’t wrong. Of the trio, only Fitt lagged behind; both Merlin and Kris had already stepped into the rank of third-tier novice magicians.
Merlin let his gaze wander to the other first-years assembled nearby. To his surprise, most wore expressions of utter ease, as though they had come not for a test but for a picnic. The noble students in particular lounged about with roasted chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and cups of bubble tea in hand. If not for the arena surrounding them, one might mistake this for a leisurely holiday.
A hum of energy filled the air. Bzzzz… bzzzz… Light-blue streams of visible magic pulsed across the arena. The giant crystal sphere at the center flared to life, its surface glowing as though a second sun had risen in their midst.
All eyes turned upward.
On the sphere’s luminous screen appeared Vice Principal Jenny, seated serenely at her desk. Her expression was warm, her voice carrying with effortless grace as it filled every corner of the arena:
“Respected teachers, dear students. Today we gather not only to celebrate a semester of hard work and perseverance, but also to welcome the challenge of the final examinations. As Vice Principal of the Arcane Academy, it is my deepest honor to share this moment of growth and trial with all of you.”
She paused, her gentle smile softening her words.
“First, I must extend my sincerest gratitude to the teachers. It is your patience, your wisdom, and your tireless dedication that have made this Academy a sanctuary of knowledge and a cradle of magic. You are not merely instructors, but mentors, companions, and guides upon the path of discovery.”
Her voice deepened, rich with warmth.
“To the students, I offer my heartiest congratulations. Your diligence, creativity, and spirit of teamwork over the past months are treasures more valuable than any spell or artifact. The progress you have made in mastering magic is remarkable, and it fills me with boundless hope for your futures.”
“The final exam is not merely a test of knowledge and skill—it is a trial of will and character. I urge you to meet it with calm hearts. Do not falter. Show us your best selves. Remember: an exam is not the end, but a milestone on your journey. It is a beginning, not a conclusion.”
Her expression grew firm now, her voice carrying weight.
“During the exams, I demand you uphold the Academy’s rules. Potions that unnaturally enhance you while burdening you with dangerous side effects are forbidden. Equipment that exceeds your magical tier is forbidden. And above all—cheating is forbidden. To cheat is not only to dishonor yourself, but to mock the efforts of your peers. I believe in each of you. You have the ability and the wisdom to succeed through your own strength.”
Jenny drew in a slow breath. Her smile returned, soft and kind.
“And finally, I remind you: the outcome of these exams does not define your worth. In the world of magic, true power comes not from the grades you earn, but from the strength of your spirit and the persistence of your efforts. May you learn from every challenge, rise from every stumble, and become better with each step. I wish you all success in these examinations, and I hope your journey into the unknown will be bold, unyielding, and crowned with legends of your own making.”