jdhmnovel Chapter 137 Side Story: A Certain Day in Royal Celestia
Chapter 137 Side Story: A Certain Day in Royal Celestia
"I heard the midterm results are out."
"Stop talking, wait until I finish reading this comic before telling me this terrible news—I can already imagine how my dad will beat me."
"Luckily, my parents didn't have any expectations of me to begin with, haha."
In the corridors of the Royal Celestia Magic Academy, students were bustling about, discussing the recently released midterm results. Following a major educational reform, the academy had adopted a system of intensive assessments.
The assessment questions cover a range of areas, including potion-making, magical artifact crafting, and spellcasting. In addition, there is a practical assessment—a departure from the previous format where everyone simply completed test questions, this assessment method is gradually aligning with the witch assessment approach of the Magic Integration Association.
The results will be used to some extent by the Magic Integration Association as a preliminary assessment, and those who excel may even have the privilege of being exempt from the written exam. Of course, the latter is usually a very small minority, and besides, these people are not afraid of the Magic Integration Association's exam questions at all, because the academy's questions may be even more difficult.
All of this exam reform stems from the college's current executive vice president.
She and the academy principal, Fran, seemed to have a teacher-student relationship. In fact, if the former hadn't said she would rather die than be overworked, she might have already succeeded Fran as principal.
"Did you hear about the first place winner?" a student whispered to another girl who was looking at a comic book.
"I know who it is even with my toes," the girl holding the comic book said confidently. "She's not number one, I'll eat this book."
Being number one isn't scary; being number one by a wide margin is. She gets near-perfect scores in every theory class, but in magic practice classes, those who spar with her can't last three seconds.
Noah is the daughter of Elena, the vice-principal of the college.
"It's a real shame I can't let you eat comic books," her friend remarked. "Sure enough, Mom was right; the difference between people is greater than the difference between people and pigs."
“If your mother were also a witch, you wouldn’t be any less talented, after all, it’s all about genetics, and maybe there’s some special treatment involved,” the girl retorted. “In fact, if she didn’t have such achievements, I don’t know how her mother would view her. Luckily, my parents aren’t exactly top-tier magicians.”
"That's true."
There are many similar discussions. After all, for students, the latest final grades are definitely the most talked-about topic, and they can't avoid it regardless of whether their grades are good or bad.
The two were about to continue the conversation when they saw a figure and immediately shut up.
It's not very polite to discuss these things in front of the person involved, especially since this person isn't exactly friendly and likes to use grand, magical principles to persuade others to agree.
At the magic academy, apart from the instructors, very few people could beat her, and she was only a first-year student.
The gray-haired girl walking towards them glanced at the two silent students from the same grade and then continued walking forward as if she hadn't seen them.
"How terrifying, could she have heard me?"
"Hurry up and go."
The two quickly left, and breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that the gray-haired girl hadn't followed them.
"Ugh, so why do I need to come to school?" Noah pouted unhappily. "I've already learned everything the teacher teaches. Studying here means having to listen to these guys' gossip every now and then."
I really want to beat these guys up—but I shouldn't embarrass my mother.
She returned to her seat in the library, deciding to while away her time at the academy that day. The teachers' lessons were no longer enough for her, and because of her status and the talent she had displayed, she was granted the privilege of exemption from instruction.
As long as she can maintain this level of performance, that will be fine.
……
In the evening, Noah packed his schoolbag and put the borrowed books back on their designated shelves in the library. Come to think of it, at least a third of the library's collection was donated by his mother, who said they didn't have enough space at home…
Moreover, although it was said to be a donation, they received a considerable amount of subsidies.
After doing all that, she went home alone.
Compared to the other students who happily walked home together after school, her back view looked quite different, but she was completely unaware of this.
She habitually bought a lollipop from a street vendor, put it in her mouth, and arrived at her doorstep as the sun was about to set.
The key slipped through the crack in the door for a moment, then Noah pushed open the door and placed his magic hat on the coat rack by the door.
"I'm back," Noah mumbled, a lollipop dangling from his mouth, before closing the door. At the same time, he caught a whiff of something coming from the kitchen.
This is not good...
Noah looked at the kitchen with a hint of fear in his eyes.
The kitchen was ablaze with flames; anyone who didn't know better would think the person was refining elixirs rather than cooking.
Is it really safe to eat what my father makes...?
"Little Noah is back." Elena greeted him at the dining table—although she was the vice principal, leaving early and slacking off were all too common for her.
“I’m already seven years old, I’m not a little kid anymore,” Noah said, dissatisfied.
"Even when you're seventy, you'll still be my little Noah," Elena said nonchalantly.
My mother really has a childlike heart.
"You don't look too happy. Did something happen at school?" Elena asked. "Aren't your grades pretty good?"
"It's nothing." Noah himself didn't think it was a big deal. People are jealous, and there's nothing that can be done about it.
“Let me guess, some people say I got special tutoring, others say you did well on the exam entirely because of your intelligence,” Elena said with a smile.
"Don't you know everything?" Noah said. I take back my assessment of you as childlike; you're incredibly cunning. True, no matter how much a vice-principal slacks off, it's impossible for him to have no oversight of the academy.
After all, magic is just too convenient.
“I actually want you to talk it out and express yourself more; it will help you relax,” Elena said. “Rely on me more, okay? I’m your mother.”
“If I could, would I not go to school? I already know everything I learn in class, and I can read books at home,” Noah said.
"Do you know why I insisted you go to the academy?" Elena asked with a smile.
"do not know."
“Humans are social beings. Social skills are important—you have to learn that gradually,” Elena said. “So, try to make some friends.”
“Those people are all afraid of me,” Noah said. “I only taught a few thugs a lesson on the first day of school.”
“People with different values cannot work together. There will always be someone who appreciates you, right? When others start to appreciate your strengths and you start to appreciate the strengths of others, you will make friends,” Elena said earnestly.
Noah sat at the table waiting for dinner.
I almost forgot something important after being lectured by my mother.
Looking at the pot being brought out of the kitchen, Noah instantly recalled that important matter.
Father, I have committed a crime that does not warrant this punishment—am I truly destined to die today?
"You've worked hard, darling." Elena opened the pot without any hesitation and saw the fish head gazing at the starry sky inside.
Noah raised an eyebrow and stared at the fish head for a few seconds.
"Don't worry, I secretly added some special magical seasoning. Although it doesn't look as good, it still tastes great. Your father rarely feels like cooking, so please be understanding. This is called appreciating his strengths." Elena blinked, silently transmitting her thoughts to Noah through magic.
That's why you're so calm.
Appreciating the good points... Noah scooped up a spoonful of fish soup and carefully took a sip.
Thankfully, it's just the right amount of salt and flavor, it tastes great.
Perhaps this is what it means to discover its hidden advantages, even though its appearance is a bit lacking.