Chapter 73

Time passed, and finally, the morning of the second semester comprehensive exam day dawned.

However, as we gathered after seeing the urgent notice that flew in last night, Baek Jieun opened her mouth with a troubled expression.

“Some of you may have already heard the news this morning, but the exam has been abruptly postponed.”

“Huh? Postponed?”

“I don’t know the full details either, but it seems Cheonghwa Academy has been invited to an event hosted by the Spanish Royal Academy.”

Baek Jieun’s words were something I hadn’t anticipated at all.

‘…Was there originally an event like this?’

Since the second semester comprehensive exams were conducted separately for each grade, the original work only focused on the first-year exam involving the main characters, with no mention of the second year at all.

Therefore, it was difficult to guess whether this was something that originally happened or a consequence of the altered future.

‘If it’s the Spanish Royal Academy, it’s quite a prestigious institution in the setting.’

A faction that first appeared in Series 3, where many stories unfold in foreign settings.

I recall their status being highly regarded not only in their own country but also considered above Cheonghwa Academy on a global scale.

At Baek Jieun’s words, the gazes of the nearby cadets converged in one direction.

Specifically, toward Adrian, who had come as an exchange student from that very Spanish Royal Academy.

“…Why are you all looking at me? I’m hearing about this for the first time too.”

“No, just curious.”

“That place is incredibly famous in Europe, you know.”

Reactions were largely of surprise, but the general opinion was that there was nothing bad about the exam being postponed.

“It’s also a bit awkward to refuse, you see. Anyway, so they’re selecting volunteers. They’ll cover all expenses. Most top performers or those who can use Interpretation Spells will likely be able to go.”

“What’s the schedule like?”

“First, participate in the event, and then there’s a separate schedule afterward. Although it was decided hastily, they’ve planned it quite well, including free time, so please check the notice and apply in large numbers.”

After conveying only the relevant details, Baek Jieun quickly left, saying she had urgent matters.

Since it was quite special news, the cadets in the class began to get excited, each discussing related topics.

“But why us specifically? It’s not like there aren’t other famous academies nearby.”

“That’s true. There’s no particular connection either.”

The one who answered the cadets’ questions was, unsurprisingly, Adrian.

“From the atmosphere when I was there, quite a few people were interested in Eastern Cursed Techniques. That probably had some influence.”

If so, it certainly makes sense. Given that there had been no noticeable connection with them until now, it’s highly likely the academy’s upper echelons also wanted to use this opportunity to increase exchanges.

‘…It’s interesting, but do I really need to go?’

As I pondered briefly, Jeong Hansol, who also seemed deep in thought, approached.

“Hmm. A sudden trip abroad. Kangyoon, are you going?”

“Not sure.”

“Your reaction is pretty lukewarm. But you never know? You might get to meet that famous princess. According to Adrian, she’s in the same grade as us.”

Even if she’s a princess, to me, it’s a story from a distant land.

After finishing my thoughts, I concluded it would probably be better to stay at the academy.

Training was much easier to do here, and even if I went along, it didn’t seem like anything would particularly help with growth.

Rather than going to an unfamiliar place and wasting energy, it would be better to just quietly continue what I was doing.

“Spain? Ah, that event we were invited to?”

“Yeah. Haven’t you heard anything on your end?”

Still, I needed to roughly grasp the situation, so I decided to visit Cheong Joohwa, a first-year, to get information.

“I heard they’re only selecting a few from among the applicants to take along. Apparently, first-years weren’t originally the target? So the exam was postponed along with it.”

The first-year exam was also postponed. That clearly meant this was an event that didn’t exist in the original work.

‘The butterfly effect? Or is it simply an event that only exists in Hell Difficulty?’

Since there are event changes based on difficulty from the start, it’s possible this was newly added and is also part of the main story.

If so, there’s only one thing to check.

I looked at Cheong Joohwa, who was throwing talismans at a practice target, and asked a question.

“Is no one from the first-year A-Rank going?”

“Haon and Eunseo have already applied. They said it’s an opportunity to broaden their horizons. Their grades are good too, so they’ll probably get in, right?”

“Thanks for letting me know. What about you?”

“Well… maybe if it were nearby like Japan, but honestly, going all the way there is a bit bothersome…”

That’s certainly true. I nodded slightly in agreement.

Anyway, the protagonist Yoo Haon is accompanying them. That means the probability is high that this is a new story added exclusively for Hell Difficulty.

‘If that’s the case, I’ll have no choice but to go along.’

It’s Hell Difficulty to begin with. I can’t even begin to guess what kind of incident we might face there.

If something were to happen to Yoo Haon and his group there, it would be an irreversible loss.

“But why? Are you going?”

“I’m considering it a bit.”

“Can you use Interpretation Spells?”

“Yeah.”

Honestly, my mind was already leaning toward it. To respond to variables, I also needed to be at the center of the event.

“Eh, don’t go to such a place, just train with me here instead.”

“I haven’t decided yet. And besides, there are A-Rank kids now.”

“…I’ll be bored if you’re not here.”

She mumbled, so I couldn’t hear well. When I turned my head to express such an intention, Cheong Joohwa pouted slightly and took out another talisman, throwing it at the target.

“Fine. Go if you want to. Whatever.”

“……”

“Bring me a souvenir when you come back.”

In the end, I checked the notice and submitted an application to the academy administration.

Perhaps my performance in the Promotion Exam was viewed favorably; fortunately, my application was accepted without issue.

And so now, I’ve gathered with those heading to the Spanish Royal Academy and, following the professors’ guidance, arrived at the airport.

‘Fewer people than I thought.’

There are about twenty people in total. Second-years seem to be the majority, with fewer first and third-years accompanying.

“It’s Kangyoon. Hi~”

I roughly expected it, but there are quite a few familiar faces.

Including Sophia, who just greeted me, Jeong Hansol and Adrian, Hwang Jihak and Lee Jicheol. And even a few among the first-years.

Those I recognized each greeted me, and among them was Arietta, from the graduating class.

“…Senior, why?”

Given Arietta’s personality as I’ve observed so far, I didn’t think she’d accompany such a bothersome event, so it’s quite surprising.

“Last time, Grandma said good things come if I stick close to my junior.”

I think I roughly understand the context. Clearly, they’re attaching Arietta to me, who has a massive Thread of Fate, to maximize her exposure to its influence.

‘To make the Inviolable Prophecy go astray, I suppose.’

It’s a bit bothersome since she’ll likely cling to me throughout the trip, but if that’s the reason, there’s no helping it.

Since I promised, I intend to cooperate as much as possible within reasonable limits.

Then, suddenly curious, I asked Arietta.

“Senior, don’t you have friends you often hang out with or anything?”

“I have you here, junior.”

“Excluding me, I mean.”

At that question, Arietta made a slightly awkward expression.

“My classmates… find me a bit difficult. And the friend I used to stick with has already gotten her qualification and gone into active duty.”

“……”

Well, among the graduating class, those who have decided their career paths mostly leave the academy before finishing the grade.

Also, to those she doesn’t usually interact with, Arietta, the top of the grade, is probably quite a difficult person to approach, so it’s not strange that she’s always alone.

“Then, let’s stick together unless something special comes up.”

“Yeah. I was planning to anyway.”

“…But if you bother me too much, I’ll just leave you behind and go alone.”

And so, we boarded a plane and traveled for a long time to Madrid, the capital of Spain.

At the airport, a welcoming crowd from the Royal Academy was already waiting; they took us to our destination via a pre-arranged bus.

As I was resting my eyes for a moment, I overheard a conversation between one of the escorting professors and a guide and listened closely.

“Hoho, I heard this decision was influenced, knowingly or unknowingly, by the royal family’s touch.”

“Yes. The upper echelons are very much looking forward to meeting you all. Especially the Crown Prince, who has a great interest in Eastern Cursed Techniques.”

“That’s an honor. I hope we can both get what we want.”

It seems Adrian’s words were true.

‘The Crown Prince.’

Unlike reality, in the worldview of this Exorcism Academy Series, royal authority is special.

Since long ago, fighting Specters for humanity’s survival, those with great power and ability were often enthroned as kings. Even in modern times, those bloodlines mostly inherit the power of their ancestors.

‘If compared to Korea, it feels like the direct bloodline of a prestigious family.’

I’m not sure since the series is different, but I recall the Spanish royal family inherits a fairly special ability.

As I was thinking about the royal family, Jeong Hansol, sitting in the back seat, gave a meaningful smile and spoke to me.

“Last time you said you weren’t interested. So you’re going because of the princess after all?”

“Not particularly. To begin with, even if she’s called a student, actually exchanging a word would probably be difficult.”

“Well, that’s true, but what’s the fun without such expectations? At the very least, we’ll get to see her face up close, right?”

Jeong Hansol, with a beaming smile, leaned back in her seat and fiddled with her smartphone. I similarly chuckled and sank into thought again.

‘A Hell Difficulty exclusive story unfolding in Spain… there aren’t many things that come to mind.’

At most, incidents involving students of the Royal Academy, or a powerful Specter appearing, or someone attacking the event venue.

It started as a joke, but perhaps there really is a possibility of royalty being involved in this story.

As long as there’s a probability, of course, that also had to be kept in mind.

‘If we’re not careful, a crisis beyond imagination might come.’

This isn’t Korea, where Cheonghwa Academy is. If an unexpected situation occurs, there aren’t many who will care about our safety.

If things go wrong, in the end, we’ll have to protect ourselves.

‘I personally won’t have a problem, but…’

Additionally, safely returning the protagonist Yoo Haon and his group to the academy is the immediate task.

Reaffirming my purpose in my heart, we finally arrived at the Spanish Royal Academy where the event would take place.