Stone Mage: Revenge of the Villain System

When he went to lunch, he found that Kai was studying with a pile of books.

The 4th year has the Scholastic exams, while the 5th year has the Pathway exams. This one would determine which type of Scholar they would suit best.

Whether they suit being a doctor, a law official or court member, etc.....

But Ronin did not really expect this system to study for it. What's the use?

Kai wasn't from this world anyway, and finding which career path he'll take in this medieval fantasy world would just be as useful as taking a personality exam.

And he was actually right.

Whilst scanning various books and engulfing the words inside them, Kai was thinking:

(If I could figure out which of these paths suits me best..... I might have a clue on who I truly am in the real world. What I was good at, or wanted to be.....)

Ronin also took this into consideration. Finding out who they once were before they were systems.....

For him, what was really important was revenge. He was focused on the future, what he could do to that murderer to repay the wrongs done to him.

He never really considered much of his own past, who he was as a person back then.

Revenge was the only thing in his mind.

He did notice certain clues about his own likes and dislikes, his preferences, what he finds enjoyable.....

But who was he back then? How old was he? Who was his family, and where have he studied, what were his dreams....

Those questions rarely mattered to him now. He'll have time to figure out anyway once he goes back to the real world and find that killer.

As he approached, Cermin waved at him.

"Hey, Ronin! I heard that you would be having your exams too now that you reached your Upper Years, is that true?"

He eyed Kai and knew immediately that it was the one who told Cermin, though why it did so, he could never guess.

It was as incomprehensible and roundabout as studying for an exam in a medieval setting to find out more about yourself.

"That's true, Your Highness." Ronin set his small sandwich and fruit juice down. "Two months from now, we'll have our Scholarship exams for a whole week."

The new Ascension Exams for the Warriors will happen too in the same month, as well as the Artisan's Performance exams and the Divinity Trials for the Monks. It would be a busy time for all 4th year students.

"I see! Have you studied yet? I can't imagine taking exams for 7 days straight..." Cermin shivered. "Just the thought of it scares the hell out of me."

"I will be alright." Ronin gave him a half-baked reassurance.

"I can help you study if you want!" Cermin offered, eyes bright.

"I am not sure if you'll be able to help at all, Your Highness. You are a Warrior, I am a Scholar..... We're simply not the same when it comes to studies." Ronin said with much passive-aggression.

"How can you tutor me when you barely have any knowledge in any of these Scholar subjects yourself?"

Cermin scratched his head. "Er... I was thinking more like I ask the questions then have you answer. It can't be that hard." .

Ronin sighed. "Ah, I thought so. I don't really want to disturb your lunch and have you review me for the exams."

"Oh, we can study after dismissal then! I can go over to your dorm room and we can have a study session there!" Cermin said excitedly. "Though of course, there's the matter with Don being around, but you helped train me so I want to return the favor!"

"I'm your senior after all, and older than one year. I should be more like a dependable older brother to you and look after your studies!"

Ronin just mentally scoffed. 'Yeah, right. If you were taking the same exams, it would have been the other way around even when I'm younger.'

'I bet you'll be the one who ends up relying on me---'

Suddenly, a memory flashed on his head very quickly, like a speedy dragonfly passing by:

"What was the answer to this problem again, O---"

It cut off again as Cermin clicked his fingers in front of him. "Hey, Ronin? You spaced out for a while back there, you alright?"

"Yes. Just thinking of something." Ronin shook his daze away.

"You've been getting spacy lately..... I'm a little worried." Cermin frowned. "You can tell me anything if something bothers you."

"Nothing really. About that sleepover....." Ronin changed the topic.

Cermin's eyes lit up again at this. "Yeah? Sounds cool, right!? I've never been to a sleepover before, we could try those fun stuff like getting into pillow fights or just telling ghost stories under a pillow fort----"

"No, thank you."

The answer was so fast and deliberate that it struck Cermin like an arrow.

"Ooof... Okay. That's..... cool..... I suppose you're not really into that stuff....."

"No. And it sounds a bit childish, Your Highness. You're a noble, fraternizing with a Commoner is already unbecoming."

Ronin stepped on his dreams of a friendly sleepover mercilessly. "Doing things like that..... It will only make your dignity as a prince much less."

"But I....."

Cermin shook his head. "You know what, nevermind. How about I help you study during the Week's End then? We'll meet up in the library and study there."

Ronin sighed. "Alright then. Since you're so persistent."

Cermin's thoughts bugged him throughout the whole lunch, and he wished that he can somehow shut it off.

Especially the one he had when he faltered there.

(But I don't care about my dignity as a prince. I am already broken down and seen as cursed in this Academy..... I just want to have fun with my only friend.)

He's been pouting like a sad puppy the whole time. It irks Ronin so much, that he could only focus on Kai's thoughts and everyone else in this cafeteria's mumblings and chatter.

There was a group of Artisans sitting near them.

Three were girls and three were boys, all good friends and 5th year students except for one.

And that one was Klio, a 4th year student.

"It's good that you finally joined us, Klio!" One exclaimed. "We know you're usually having lunch the Scholars, so this is a new sight!"

"O-Oh, not really 'Scholars', just one." She said, and politely sat down on her chair. "Seniors, I really need your guidance on the upcoming Performance test. I'm so nervous....."

"And we're here to help, dear." One of the men, who was wearing heavy eye make-up, reassured her. "We've seen great talent in you and wanted you to succeed."

"Yes, you were one of the greatest when it comes to making Fine art, and we wanted you to join our little art guild since the start." Another Artisan said, her dress covered in paint.

"Thank you..... I love creating fine art, and would like to be one of the best when it comes to beautifying homes and furnitures." Klio said. "But I have encountered a problem..."

"What is that, Klio?"

The 4th year student sighed. "There might be a bit of drama that may ensue once the Performance test happens..... In fact, there was already one brewing at the choosing of the panel of judges earlier."

"The panel of judges? How could there be such drama when the professors pick them from former alumni, and they usually pick two anyway?"

Another agreed: "Yes, one for Fine Art and one for Performance."

Klio delivered the news with a hushed tone. "Well..... Three people applied for it. Two of them happened to be rivals."

"Rabuka and Calla Lily."