Chapter 15: The Exam Room Is a Battlefield

Liyakade’s eyes shone with determination, while Alice and Field had already started laughing.

“Miss Liakade, why do you seem even more nervous than I am?”

Alice asked, knowing full well that she had been struggling to keep up with the school’s pace for half a semester now. Coupled with the Original Host’s previous interference, she had always felt uneasy about the course progress.

Unexpectedly, outside the exam hall, Alice saw Liyakade looking like she was facing an imminent battle. Liyakade’s expression was resolute, as if the next second she would step onto the battlefield.

“Hahaha, Liyakade, you’re really overdoing it!”

Field laughed at the sight.

“Alice-chan, Princess Field, you don’t understand,” Liyakade shook her head, her tone serious. “For me, the exam hall is the battlefield.”

With that, Liyakade took heavy steps into the classroom. Alice and Field exchanged helpless looks before following her.

Regarding the first part of the written test, Liyakade had two possible ways to interfere with Alice’s performance.

First of all, drugging was out of the question—that would be too extreme. If Field found out, it might cause serious trouble, even leading to a broken relationship and disciplinary action. So this method was immediately discarded.

The first plan was to secretly alter Alice’s answers when the papers were being collected. Since the Academy did not return the test papers after the exam, as long as the invigilators didn’t notice, no one would know that Liyakade had tampered with them.

However, this plan relied on Liyakade actually getting hold of Alice’s paper. Luckily, Liyakade’s luck was good this time—she was seated right in front of Alice, meaning Alice’s test paper would definitely pass through her hands.

Thinking this through, Liyakade couldn’t help but reveal a sly, scheming smile.

Alice-chan, I’m really sorry this time. Even though I don’t want to hurt you, for the sake of my own sanity, I have to go all out!

After the bell rang, the classroom instantly fell silent. The invigilator patrolled every corner, while the scratching of quills on parchment echoed.

Having inherited part of the Original Host’s memories, Liyakade found these questions trivial. With the knowledge in her mind, she finished answering everything in no time.

Whether the answers were right or not, she wasn’t sure—she just made sure to finish. Even if she didn’t have the Original Host’s knowledge, she would have just randomly written something down and put the pen down.

After all, Liyakade didn’t care about her own grades. What mattered was whether Alice could do well in this exam.

Liyakade glanced at Alice from the corner of her eye. Alice seemed troubled, hesitating to put her pen down as she struggled over the questions on her parchment.

Liyakade sighed quietly. She felt sorry for Alice’s earnest effort, knowing she was about to secretly alter her answers. If Alice found out she didn’t do well, she would be heartbroken.

But there was no other choice—Liyakade had made up her mind to see this through. No matter what, she could not show mercy.

But… why is there still so much time left before the exam ends?!

Liyakade glared at the pendulum clock hanging at the front of the classroom. She had already finished the questions, but only half an hour had passed.

There was still one and a half hours before the papers were collected. She hadn’t expected to finish so quickly—it seemed the Original Host had truly been knowledgeable.

After all, the Original Host had no friends growing up and was often isolated, spending most of her time reading or practicing magic alone, so it made sense she was well-read.

The pressing question now was how Liyakade would survive the next one and a half hours.

So boring… so unbelievably boring!!!

Liyakade raged inside. There was no way she was going to double-check the answers—she never intended to get a good grade. Honestly, she wouldn’t mind handing in a blank paper.

The only reason she entered the exam hall was to alter Alice’s answers.

With nothing better to do, Liyakade started thinking about her next move. So far, Field didn’t have any evidence of Liyakade bullying Alice.

But based on the original story, the Original Host’s actions would get more extreme, likely under Irina Zi-sama’s orders.

If that was the case, Irina Zi-sama’s demands on Liyakade would become increasingly strict. Then there would be no easy way to get out of it.

As she pondered, Liyakade felt her eyelids heavy, her vision blurring slightly.

Forget it, I’ll just take a nap.

***

“Miss Liakade?”

Hmm? Who’s calling me?

“Wake up, you idiot! How can you sleep during an exam?”

In the darkness, Liyakade sensed someone shouting and poking her shoulder. She opened her eyes.

“Ah, that was a good nap.”

Liyakade rubbed her eyes, drowsily looking at the two people in front of her—Alice and Field—who were standing next to her with helpless expressions.

“I don’t mind you sleeping in class, but sleeping during an exam is really impressive,” Field said, pulling back her hand and looking utterly exasperated at the lazy Liyakade.

Who’s to blame for someone always disturbing me at night…

Liyakade had no words for her predicament.

Although Irina Zi-sama didn’t abuse or punish her every day, she came nearly every night to report on things or vent complaints, making Liyakade’s life a living hell.

“By the way, where’s the test paper?”

Liyakade suddenly panicked, remembering something important.

“Are you stupid? We’re both standing here. The exam’s over a long time ago. Where do you think the paper is?”

Field gave Liyakade a look that said she was an idiot.

“Oh no!”

Liyakade quickly looked toward the podium. The invigilator had already finished organizing the papers and sealed them with magic.

“This is bad, bad, bad!”

“What’s bad? You didn’t finish in time, did you?”

Field saw Liyakade’s anxious face and thought she hadn’t completed the exam because she fell asleep.

“I did finish…”

Liyakade could only helplessly watch the invigilator carry away the sealed papers, feeling her heart drop. “But… I guess this is goodbye.”

“It’s okay.” Alice reached out and patted Liyakade’s head to comfort her.

“It’s just a small test. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t do well.”

Alice also assumed Liyakade had fallen asleep and hadn’t checked her answers, which would explain her disappointment. But in reality, Liyakade was only frustrated because her plan had failed due to her own stupidity.

“Uu, Alice-chan really is an angel…”

Even if Alice-chan is an angel, it’s no good! I still can’t let you off that easily. PLAN B, activate!