# Final Exam
Unfortunately, Ivan had to create the exam within the scope of what Enrique had taught. Having spent the entire previous semester in Tilles, there wasn't much material to work with.
'To meaningfully evaluate training outcomes, there should have been practical exercises.'
Ivan frowned as he reviewed the exam questions. It seemed Enrique had limited her teaching to just the basic recruit level.
"Well? I'm still active duty, aren't I? You have to admit I have a knack for teaching."
"I cannot agree."
Enrique chuckled as she watched Ivan grumble.
"What's not to agree with? My students even took down a seven-headed dragon."
"This is not university-level material."
Ivan sighed heavily as he put down Enrique's course materials.
Survival skills were merely superficial, barely covering camping basics. Human anatomy ended at field first aid level, and understanding demons only explained the most fundamental concepts.
Enhancing survival in extreme situations, continuing combat after limb loss, creating variables in demon combat... none of these topics had even been started.
What exactly had she taught for an entire semester? This material could have been covered in two weeks without any issues.
"Hey, that's all military classified information. If we open our entire training curriculum to foreign nobles, what are we supposed to live on?"
Enrique snickered as she reclined on the sofa. It was annoying how she claimed the professor's office sofa and dangled her legs.
Through the coat, a glimpse of soft silk dress was visible. However, Ivan was a sensible person, so he didn't let his gaze linger on someone more than two centuries his senior.
He silently reviewed the course materials and narrowed down the exam scope.
"Sheesh."
Enrique soon straightened her posture, grumbling. She glanced at Ivan and chuckled to herself.
"What is it?"
"Nothing, just enjoying the view of your face."
"Don't you have anything better to do? Like the Knight Faculty exam?"
"Mine is 100% practical. I just watch the sparring matches, give out some scores, and that's it."
"I'd like to recommend a salary cut to His Majesty."
"Hey... then would I have to retire?"
Enrique laughed as she approached Ivan's desk.
"By the way, I heard you're negotiating with Duke Volonobvin. Are the preparations going well?"
"Where did you hear that?"
"How many of my students do you think are in the counterintelligence headquarters? Of course I'd know."
"...I'll have to rearrange the training schedule."
"See how you're bullying me? Such a nasty personality."
When Ivan stared at her intently, Enrique just laughed and waved her hand.
"That look doesn't scare me anymore. To think this day would come. Makes coming to work worthwhile."
"Stop talking nonsense and go home if you have nothing to do."
"I don't want to. I'm going to watch you until you leave."
"Suit yourself."
Ivan turned his attention back to preparing the exam.
Though he wasn't sure why he was bothering with an exam for a class where students only needed minimum attendance to pass, Enrique hummed contentedly as she settled back into the sofa.
The scratching sound of his pen filled the late-night office.
Then, suddenly, Ivan spoke.
"Gil Berga is dead."
"...I know."
Enrique answered without looking at Ivan. After a moment of silence, Ivan continued writing without pausing.
"Beolgreen and Einar are also in danger. There's a plot targeting the party."
"Is it Alexandr?"
"Probably. But not just him."
"What a wonderful world. No matter how hard we protect it, everything crumbles again."
The two continued their conversation without looking at each other. Enrique focused on the teacup she was rolling in her hand, Ivan on his exam draft.
"Which one should we take first? It would be good if we each took one."
"No. You need to protect Pritzenkaya."
"You're going to both of them yourself?"
"Someone needs to protect Patricia. You're more noticeable than I am. Not suitable for infiltration."
"That's true."
There are two people in this city who must be protected at all costs: Elizabeta and Patricia. The princess and the saintess.
If either of them dies, the consequences would be severe. Either Krasilov, which they've barely managed to preserve, would collapse, or the Holy Nation would declare a holy war.
Conveniently, both are based at this university. As long as Enrique guards this position, external infiltration would be extremely difficult.
While he's away, someone from the Hero Party must protect this city.
"So you're starting with Droan?"
"Probably."
Ivan answered casually as he turned the exam paper.
Between Kalion and Droan, if one had to be supported first, Droan would naturally take priority.
Droan shares a land border with Krasilov and is also a human nation. This means they have a somewhat established foreign intelligence network.
While Kalion's internal politics remain largely unknown, Droan's situation is at least somewhat comprehensible.
Moreover, Droan would face the greatest collapse if the Hero Party were to die. The only force maintaining Droan's current state is Einar's authority.
In contrast, Kalion maintains a strict parliamentary system under the Queen's rule. Even the great Beolgreen is merely one privy councilor in Kalion.
If Beolgreen dies, though the national power would inevitably weaken, the nation itself wouldn't cease to function.
This is different from Droan, which would immediately collapse if Einar dies. So, if priorities must be set, Droan's situation is more urgent.
"Who could possibly kill Einar? Besides time itself, it seems impossible."
"The same was said of Gil Berga."
"Fair enough."
Enrique put down her teacup and rummaged through her coat. She pulled out a flask of liquor and removed the cap.
She took three shot glasses from the cabinet in the corner of the office and placed them on the table.
"Do you know the secret to living a long life?"
"No."
"At least pretend to think before answering, you brat. Well... it's trying to recall happy memories more often than sad ones."
Sad memories come to mind without effort anyway. And when you live a long time, such things happen very, very frequently.
Therefore, the secret to longevity is trying to recall happy moments first, no matter when or where.
So Enrique doesn't mourn those who have departed. Rather than lamenting their separation, she chooses to preserve their memories forever.
-Glug.
The liquor filled the glasses. With a flick of her hand, flames whooshed up from the glasses.
"Let's have a drink."
Following her gesture, a floating glass approached Ivan's eyes. Ivan silently picked it up.
"To those we'll never meet again."
"Mm."
Ivan raised his glass and downed the liquor in one go.
Those they'll never meet again.
Unlike the vampire Enrique or himself who had shed too much blood, Gil Berga would have gone to heaven.
So, to a comrade they cannot reunite with even in the afterlife.
To the good people who always depart first. And, finally, to the envy of their eternal peace. Cheers.
Enrique drank her liquor and wiped her mouth.
"I'll leave first. See you tomorrow, my student."
"Mm."
Enrique left without showing her face until the end. Ivan didn't look at her. Everyone has expressions they don't want others to see.
Long after Enrique had left, the sound of the pen continued in the office.
On the table, one burning glass still glowed alone.
Only when the night deepened and the fire that had consumed all the alcohol finally went out did Ivan finish preparing the exam.
In the darkened office, he looked at the empty glass on the table.
"Cheers."
After a brief nod to the empty glass, he left the office. The rich peaty aroma of whiskey seeped through the open door and dissipated into the sky.
White snowflakes were falling under the dark night sky.
Abundantly, under the light of the magic lamps illuminating the streets.
Ivan walked toward headquarters, feeling the sensation of snowflakes brightening his footsteps.
"The exam will now begin."
At Ivan's words, the students looked at the test papers with tired eyes, quietly setting aside their questions about why a pass/fail elective had a final exam.
Standing at the podium before them, Ivan continued calmly.
"You may attempt to copy from others' answer sheets. If you don't get caught, I'll acknowledge it as skill."
If they could act outside his line of sight in this place, he would pass them even if they got all the exam questions wrong.
Ivan nodded quietly and clicked his pocket watch.
"Begin."
The students sighed and grabbed their test papers. The sound of turning pages filled the quiet auditorium.
Ivan slowly scanned them, gauging the time.
-Knock knock.
About thirty minutes in, someone knocked on the classroom door. All the students' eyes turned toward the door.
"What is it?"
"Senior, urgent news. A moment, please."
Dmitri, who peeked his face through the slightly opened door, was pale. As Ivan frowned and stepped outside, Dmitri spoke urgently.
"Troops are approaching."
"Who?"
"Duke Volonobvin. The entire headquarters staff is gathering near the capital, but it will be difficult to make it in time. Their marching speed is too fast."
"The Duke is attempting rebellion at this point?"
"All agents sent to make contact with the Duke's side have lost communication. Senior, you need to prepare for deployment."
Ivan glanced at the exam hall and sighed deeply.
The 1st Corps Military Governor attempting rebellion after the 2nd Corps has been subjugated? And without any warning signs?
That's impossible. The Counterintelligence Headquarters' internal intelligence was perfect. Planning a coup requires numerous preparations, and completing all of them outside the intelligence network of the Counterintelligence Headquarters is certainly impossible.
But if there really is an army corps marching toward the capital...
"Numbers?"
"Three thousand, all cavalry."
"Establish war footing but tell them not to attack first."
"...What? What do you mean? If we don't buy time, the enemy will reach Pritzenkaya before the capital defense forces can gather."
"Because it's not a coup."
Ivan sighed and pressed his eyes.
"It's merely an attempt to gain the upper hand at the negotiation table. Why else would he rush in with just three thousand cavalry to a place where Enrique is stationed, without supply lines? And without the 1st Corps artillery."
Duke Volonobvin is no fool. He must know that even with a surprise attack, three thousand cavalry cannot occupy Pritzenkaya.
So this is just a somewhat aggressive negotiation strategy. It's closer to a show of force.
'You were in a hurry, Duke.'
It means the Duke's political position is precarious. He's not the type to be unaware that drastic measures always come with drastic consequences.
So this is a strategy to show the princess that he's still powerful and to increase his value. Of course, it's meaningless now that they've detected it in advance.
He's an old man once called the strongest in this country. And also the high nobleman to whom Ivan first owed a debt.
"Let's go."
"Yes, senior."
His military record began as a conscript thrown to the front lines. And since then, the 1st Corps has always been responsible for the front lines.
1st Corps Commander, "Gallows Duke" Mikhail Arturovich Volonobvin. The iron fist of "Ivan the Great." The conqueror's sword. The death god of the north. Krasilov's artillery commander.
A man who, had he been 20 years younger, would have been recommended for the Hero Party instead of Enrique.
Ivan walked silently.
It's been ten years, he thought.
"What happens to our exam?"
"I don't know... Should we just submit it? Does this class even have a teaching assistant...?"
"Can someone call Professor Enrique...?"
Disappearing for the entire semester after the second week of classes.
Showing up a week before the end of term to give a final exam, then disappearing again during the test?
The students were bewildered by this unbelievable situation.