The evening of Day 2 of the Academy’s final exams.
After completing all the exams scheduled for the day, I headed to the Academy’s dining hall to reward myself for all the hard work.
Today was genuinely exhausting.
I took three exams, starting from the early morning.
During the short breaks, I struggled to cram the test material into my log feature, making things even harder.
I barely had time for lunch, and even then, I had to keep reading.
Thanks to all that effort, I think my scores will be pretty good, though.
<“If you can manage this much with cramming, why not study steadily from the start?”>
My old master, ever the wise elder, couldn't resist pointing out the obvious after hearing my complaints.
Sure, if I’d studied regularly, I wouldn’t have needed to suffer like this.
But I had no choice!
Instead of exam prep, I was stuck dealing with that trashy pervert god and his bizarre quest!
Because of that scumbag’s decree, I had to focus on designing a dungeon instead of studying!
So, the reason I used the log feature is all that sleazy god’s fault!
If I neglected my studies, it’s entirely his doing!
I’m just a victim of that lust-driven pedo god!
<“In all my years, I’ve never seen an apostle blaming their god.”>
“I’m allowed to do this! I’ve been through enough because of him!”
<“...Hmm. Well, you certainly have endured a lot.”>
“Right? Right?”
After complaining to my old master about my woes with that sleazy god, I noticed my parfait had arrived.
Oh, here it is! My strawberry parfait!
I paused my ranting to take in the parfait’s beauty, celebrating its vibrant presentation. Without hesitation, I scooped up a generous bite.
Vanilla ice cream, chocolate, and strawberries piled on top.
Such a luxurious sight.
If I could, I’d capture this image forever in my memory—but ice cream melts, after all.
Savoring the blend of flavors in a single mouthful, I couldn’t help but gasp.
Sweet!
So sweet and tangy!
And I loved it!
Overcome with excitement, I couldn’t stop scooping up more and more of the parfait.
<“Fine. If this makes you smile, let’s blame it on the god for now.”>
Even though the special parfait served during exam periods towered high enough to touch my nose as it sat on the table, finishing it was no problem.
Considering the calories I burn in those grueling training sessions, this is nothing!
After demolishing the parfait with a satisfied smile, I stretched and stood up from my seat.
Time to go see Adri. I need to tell her to take it easy...
Hmm? As I got up, I noticed all the people in the dining hall were staring at me.
Everyone, regardless of grade or gender, was giving me sharp looks that almost made me take a step back.
What’s with this?
People who usually avoid eye contact with me are glaring at me today.
Oh no. Did they release today’s hint?
If they’re all fired up and glaring because of that, this is going to be a big problem.
If this is how they react to the first hint, it’ll only get worse with the next ones.
Imagine reading something like, “Oh♡ You came back for more hints even after getting mocked last time?♡ Did you awaken to a hidden kink?♡ Do you like being ridiculed?♡ Ew~♡ Gross~♡” on a hint card. Anyone who’s already angry would just end up resenting me even more.
Picturing this grim future, I resigned myself to the harsh reality and sat back down.
And ordered another parfait.
It doesn’t matter what I do; those stares aren’t going away.
So I might as well enjoy another delicious treat to relieve some stress.
After finishing off the extra parfait under the intense gazes, I made my way toward Adri’s estate.
Recently, Adri has been clinging close to Vishi, but her roots are still bound to her family’s haunted mansion.
If I send out a pulse of holy energy within the decrepit mansion that could collapse at any moment...
—Hey! Are you trying to purify me!?
Ta-da! And here’s Adri.
“Hello, Adri.”
“Pffft. Look at you, jumping out in shock. So pitiful.”
—Are you really going to say that after almost stabbing me with holy energy, you crazy woman!?
I did adjust it enough not to cause harm, but isn’t she overreacting?
You’re too powerful a spirit for a little holy energy to purify, Adri.
As I tilted my head, wondering if I’d done something wrong, Adri clenched her shoulders and let out a frosty sigh.
—...So, what brings you here?
“Just wanted to ask you to tone it down a bit.”
“Could you take it easy, old hag? I get that you find your granddaughter adorable, but isn’t this too much?”
I understand wanting to guide Vishi while she’s struggling, but this is excessive. She’s stuck in the fourth chamber just like Arthur’s team!
Considering Vishi’s party’s capabilities, this is absurd.
—Ah. So you’re here to talk about the dungeon.
Seeming to guess the reason, Adri avoided my gaze and rubbed the back of her neck.
—It’s just...your dungeon is too hard.
“Too hard? Really?”
“Hard? That? Haha. So you’re even more clueless than I thought, old hag?”
Come on, Adri, it’s strange to hear you calling it hard.
If you’re finding a place built to challenge students difficult, then what are they supposed to do?
—I didn’t mean it’s hard for me!
“And...”
“And by the way, old hag, that’s an exam, remember?”
The dungeon is part of the final exam.
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.
If it’s not challenging, there’s no way to distinguish who’s really capable.
“Get it now?”
“You’re not only a nuisance to your invisible granddaughter but to the whole world. I trust you’re not senile enough to miss that?”
—Hah. Fine. I’ll let her handle it on her own.
That was easier than expected. I thought she’d be more stubborn.
—Is that all you came to say?
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Feeling lonely? Want me to keep you company?”
—If you have a moment, there’s something I want to ask.
“What’s that?”
“What’s on your mind? Go ahead, I’m listening.”
What could Adri be curious about? She usually avoids conversations with me.
—What is it about that accessory made by an apostle of the Church of Art that has everyone in such a frenzy?
I couldn’t help but laugh at Adri’s question, as she wondered why nobles and merchants were risking their lives over a single accessory.
“Would you like to see it?”
“Sure, if you insist.”
—...Fine. Please show me.
Though I couldn’t show her the reward items since they’d already been handed over to the Academy, I still had the accessory that pervy apostle crafted for me.
While they’re not identical, both were crafted by the same degenerate apostle.
I took out the accessory from my inventory and held it up, and Adri froze, jaw dropped.
I get it.
I was just as shocked when I first saw it, barely able to hear the apostle’s enthusiastic explanations.
—Is that...a hairpin?
“That’s right.”
“Even an old hag like you can recognize it, huh? Yes.”
The accessory that pervy apostle gave me was a hairpin meant to hold twin tails instead of a ribbon.
It’s not overly flashy, but it exudes elegance. It’s not garishly noticeable, yet it doesn’t get lost in my hair. Even I, with my limited taste, could sense its high quality.
I wondered if it was really okay to receive such a rare item just for wearing a bunny girl outfit once.
Of course, I didn’t voice that. Giving an inch might lead to that perverted apostle and crow goddess spouting insane nonsense.
—This was made just for you, wasn’t it?
“Can you tell just by looking?”
“Are you sure about that?”
—Naturally. Anyone can see the care that went into crafting it.
Adri shrugged, mentioning her past as a lady from a noble family.
I didn’t know how to respond. No matter what I said, it’d probably be twisted into an insult by my mesugaki skill.
—Could you put it on? Just once?
I hesitated for a moment. Last time I wore this accessory, it caused quite a commotion.
The pervy apostle knelt before me, tearing up with gratitude, and the fawning fox girl beside him transformed into human form, laying her head on the ground with a collar out of nowhere.
...Thinking back, the problem was probably with those two sleazes.
Comparing Adri to those two wastes of air would be rude, so I decided to put it on.
After a year of wearing twin tails, I attached the hairpin with practiced ease and leaned in front of Adri.
She stared at me with her mouth open.
What? Knowing Adri, I expected her to make a snide comment about the accessory outshining me, like calling me a mannequin. Why’s she so silent?
I raised an eyebrow, waiting, and Adri finally sighed, rubbing her face with both hands.
—Hey.
“Yes?”
“What?”
—If you can help it, don’t wear that thing.
I mean, I already knew the value of this accessory, so I’d only planned to wear it on important occasions.
But her reaction seemed different from what I was expecting.
When I took the hairpin off, Adri let out a relieved sigh.
So, what is it?
What’s so odd about me wearing this accessory?
—Since you granted my request, let me offer you a piece of advice.
“Advice?”
“Advice? From the old hag?”
—Try to lay low until the Academy’s break. More and more people want to “take you down” as they struggle with your dungeon exam.
I chuckled wryly at Adri’s warning, imagining students cursing my name as they tackled the exam, though I didn’t know what the hint said to rile them up.
It’s great they’re so dedicated to beating my dungeon, but it’s hard to feel happy knowing their motivation is to get back at me.
Curse this mesugaki skill! Why are you always making things harder for me?
Could this be part of that sleazy god’s plot?!
Gathering everyone in the dungeon to teach me a lesson?!
Hey! You perverted pedo god!
How could you push your own apostle toward a humiliating downfall?!
—Well, no matter how many of those idiots unite, it likely won’t make much difference. But you never know where all that anger might end up.
“...Thank you for the advice.”
“Heh. Worried about me, are you, lonely old hag? Acting all prickly but secretly hoping I stay safe? How cute, trying to hide your concern.”
—...Just you wait. This is the last time I give you any advice!