"...How is it even possible to get 850 points on an 800-point test...?"
The trembling voices of the students reached my ears.
That was exactly what I wanted to know!
How did I manage to exceed a perfect score?!
Honestly, I had been quite conflicted about how to approach this exam.
If I took it seriously, there was no doubt I would end up with top grades.
The Albert from the original game hadn't been a particularly gifted student, so I didn't think holding back would necessarily help me avoid any Death Flags.
Aiming for the top would certainly deviate from the original route, but it would also make me stand out far too much.
Now then, what was the best move—?
After weighing my options, I decided it was six of one and half a dozen of the other, so I just took the test normally. Part of me simply wanted to know where my current academic ability stood.
Therefore, a high grade—even Overall First Place—had been within the scope of my expectations.
But!
But!
I never expected a score that exceeded the maximum possible marks!
This was ridiculous!
Look at them—the students around me were staring as if I were some kind of monster. And who could blame them? I had achieved a score that shouldn't even be possible. That guy is dangerous, they were probably thinking. Oh, wait—that guy was me!
What am I going to do about thisssss!
I never imagined there would be a way to stand out even more than just taking first place!
"You're amazing, Albert. To think you actually managed a Perfect Score Breakthrough..."
Leon, standing beside me, had eyes that were practically sparkling.
"I knew it! I really do want to be your friend!"
He was practically vibrating with excitement.
Needing him to give me a break, I decided to hurl a standard insult his way.
"Friends? With you? The guy who ranked 122nd?"
Unfortunately, Hero Leon's grades hadn't even made it into the double digits.
Actually, he was right where he should be according to the original game. It was balanced so that the player would raise his Academic Status from this point and aim for 1st place by graduation.
"It’s embarrassing when you put it like that, but yeah, I’m going to work hard. I’ll make sure you acknowledge me someday!"
Sparkle, sparkle. This guy was incredibly positive.
Anyway, I needed to get out of here. As long as I stayed, the gossip would keep swirling. They say rumors only last seventy-five days; if I just kept my head down, they were bound to forget eventually.
Just as I turned to leave, a familiar, angry roar echoed across the hall.
"This is a total sham!"
There stood Victor von Eldridge.
He was the guy I’d run into at the exchange party where I made my Social Debut—the same event where I first met Princess Eliana.
And he was the one currently listed as "2nd Place" on the bulletin board.
By the way, in the original game, this guy took 1st Place every single time. He was essentially a boss character for the academic exams.
That might make him sound like a Villainous Noble like me, but he was actually one of Leon's Ally Candidates. Defeating him in an exam was the trigger to open his recruitment route.
In that case, would he become an ally to me, a Villainous Noble? That made no sense at all.
Victor was a man obsessed with being number one, possessed by a mountain of pride. If I snatched that away from him—?
And on top of that, if I flaunted an unprecedented Perfect Score Breakthrough right in his face?
"A score exceeding the maximum is impossible! This is clearly a case of foul play!"
"How should I know? Go ask the teacher who graded it."
"It is inconceivable that a man of such ill repute as you could ever surpass me!"
After grinding his teeth in fury, Victor spat his next words at me.
"You might have managed to rig the Written Exam, but I will definitely turn the tables during the Practical Exam! I will not surrender the Overall First Place to the likes of you!"
With a final shout and a huff of indignation, Victor stormed off.
...Well, I suppose it’s no wonder he’s angry.
There are many ways to lose, but this was so nonsensical that it would be hard for anyone to accept.
Actually, since I played no part in the grading, this was just as unreasonable for me!
Seriously, why did I end up with a Perfect Score Breakthrough anyway?!
The surrounding students were buzzing after witnessing my exchange with Victor.
"Whoa, did you see that? Victor just picked a fight with Albert!"
"That's crazy. This is gonna be good!"
...Good grief. In the original story, Albert and Victor never had a falling out. To begin with, the original Victor didn't even acknowledge the existence of the mediocre Albert.
Things were definitely deviating from the source material.
What was I going to do about this?
Well, for the time being, I supposed I should keep a close eye on Victor's movements.
It was actually somewhat convenient.
For some reason, the Death Flag crowd, starting with Leon, had grown inexplicably fond of me. I needed a way to demonstrate my power and push them back.
I needed a sacrifice for that.
—Since you’ve gone and picked a fight with me, you’d better be prepared for an early retirement from the story, Victor.
Once I finally pushed through the crowd, someone else approached me.
It was Silvia.
"Yahoo, Mr. 1st Place and Mr. 122nd Place."
Leon looked a bit taken aback by the bluntness.
It was likely just light teasing, but that was a slip of the tongue, Silvia. Normally, a princess wouldn't remember a commoner who ranked 122nd. That meant Leon was already special to her.
You know that Leon is the Hero, don't you?
By the way, Silvia's own rank was 13th—quite impressive. As expected of a princess.
"One after another... What do you want with me?"
"I just wanted to say congratulations."
"I’m exercising my cooling-off rights."
"Cooling-off?"
I guess that concept didn't exist in this world.
"It means I'm returning the sentiment."
"Hmm, you're quite the scholar, aren't you?"
"That's enough from both of you. Don't get in my way. See ya."
I walked past them, leaving the two behind. But Silvia's voice chased after me.
"Even though you're banned from the libraries?"
After that bit of teasing, Silvia continued.
"Oh, by the way. The one who gave you those 150 points was Professor Merlin, from the Ancient History Test. Now, where have we heard that name before?"
I shot a sharp glance back at Silvia for just a second.
She merely stood there with a playful smile.
I looked away and kept walking.
—Merlin?
If I recalled correctly, he was the professor who had restricted my access to every library except the central one. I already felt like he was probing me for something, and now his name had cropped up again.
The Ancient History test was a free-response format where you had to provide your own analysis of a topic.
Had I said something that touched a nerve?
It was a nonsensically generous score, but he had certainly caused a headache for me. Was this some kind of message?
Gah, I don't get it!
I just want everyone to hate me so I can lead a quiet life as a student. Why does everything keep turning out like this?!