Chapter 15: Exams and Death?

(*Streya’s POV.*)

The hot-springs trip with Ciri was amazing! By the time we left, I was literally a new woman. Well, at least my body felt new. My personality didn’t change much.

In the morning, Beatrice woke up shortly after I did. She responded by getting super embarrassed and running away. For the rest of the trip, I never saw her again at all. I hope that I didn’t ruin my relationship with a Goddess…

Anyway, currently, I am in the process of doing my exams. It’s been a few months, and I have studied pretty much every subject. I haven’t mastered any of them, mind you.

With my healed body, I was able to be taught how to fight and protect myself. Which will probably come in handy. Giving how tasty and alluring my blood is to vampires.

The exams took the entire day, and when I was done, I was beyond tired. Jean said that I couldn’t leave yet, as they had to tally up everyone’s exams. Until then, I just chatted with Jean.

Jean: “Still, I am surprised at how well that hot-spring worked for you. I hardly recognized you after your first day back.” She said with a giggle.

Streya: “I barely recognized myself when I first looked in the mirror. The change was pretty drastic. I didn’t realize how sickly I actually was.” I reply with a sigh.

Jean: “Well, I am glad that I recommended you to visit it.” She said with a smile.

Streya: “As am I. Why do I have to wait, anyway?” I ask with a curious tone.

Jean: “You’re already supported by the government, but if you get a high grade on your exams, you will gain even more support.” She replied.

Streya: “Can I even be more supported than I already am right now?” I ask with a head tilt.

Jean: “Streya, if you get into the top ten of high scorers, then you will be given a very high-paying job once you graduate. If you get first place, then you can pick any place that you want to work in.” She explained.

Streya: “How is the first place prize any different?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

Jean: “I mean ANY job. You could oust a CEO of a very profitable company. Or you could even be the president.” She answered.

Streya: “Isn’t that a little too intense of support? I can think of at least a thousand ways that someone could abuse that…” I say with a thinking pose.

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Jean: “Since you already know many government secrets, I tell you one that I know of. The first place for every exam always goes to an AI fake student.” She said in a whisper.

Streya: “Ah… so it’s rigged. I get it.” I reply with a nod.

She was about to speak more, but a loud sound rang out around the academy. A holographic screen appeared in the room, and it had the rankings on it. For a brief second, it showed me in first place, before it switch to a different student. Clearly, it was the AI fake one.

Streya: “Um… does it still count if I was first place for only a few seconds?” I ask with a nervous tone.

Jean: “…I need to make a call. Please wait here for a bit, Streya.” She said with a sigh before walking out of the classroom.

Oh, shit… I hope that I am not in trouble. Wait… could I really get in trouble for getting good grades? It’s not like I cheated, or anything like that. If I did get in trouble, I’d be pretty upset. Once this girl is upsetti, I might just go and decide to do a human uprising…

Jean soon came back into the room. Following along with her was Ciri. Girl, how are you always around to help me when I do crazy shit?

Ciri: “Your face is showing your exact question, Streya. I no longer supervise that facility. Instead, I am your official adviser.” She explained with a giggle.

Streya: “Ah, I see. What about the grading thing?” I ask.

Ciri: “As no one can actually receive such benefits, you won’t be getting them either. As a consolation prize, you will be given a get out of death sentence or prison free card.” She answered.

Streya: “Oh? So I can commit any crime, but get away with it once?” I ask with a head tilt.

Jean: “As crazy as it sounds, yes. That is actually what we mean.” She answered in Ciri’s stead.

Ciri: “But enough of that complicated stuff. Congratulations on getting such a high grade, Streya.” She said with a clap.

Jean: “Since you officially made second place, you will also be given a very high-paying job out of a few choices. Of course, only after you’ve graduated.” She said with a clap as well.

After that we talked about random things for a while. Jean mentioned that Ciri had some other work to do. Since she had to help fix that whole, me getting first place thing. Others saw, and some took pictures of it. Ciri needs to get rid of the evidence.

Ciri: “Streya, I know that it might seem fast, but Miki and I will be getting married within a year. If you would be ever so kind, could you please walk me down the aisle on my wedding day?” She asked with a nervous tone.

Streya: “Of course, I would love to!” I reply with an excited tone.

With that, I soon left the academy and went on my way back home. All in all, this life so far has been pretty amazing. When I ended up at the facility, and learned what kind of world this was, I was extremely scared.

Scared that I would either have to fight, or always be on the run from the vampires. It’s not a perfect world, but it is still somewhat good. At least, it is for me. Nothing could go wrong!

As I was crossing the road to my apartment, something went wrong… You see, my house is near a fenced in corner. As no one even drives any land vehicles these days, there is a huge blind spot when you turn the corner.

Like my words were heard by an angry Goddess, probably Beatrice, I got hit by a car… No, really. It was an actual car! The car was modern to me, but to people in this era, it was probably considered an antique.

I coughed up a lot of blood. You know? Since I was fucking hit by a speeding car! I couldn’t stay awake for more than a few minutes. As I fall into a deep sleep, I curse my mouth for jinxing me…