Midterms (1): Fairness and Equity
Fairness and equity. They sound similar at first glance, but dig deeper and the differences become clear. Fairness means helping everyone take the exam regardless of their conditions. In an extreme example, it's like letting someone missing a leg or an arm compete in sports against able-bodied opponents. Equity, on the other hand, is the opposite—able-bodied people only face other able-bodied people. It's about fine-tuning everything so conditions don't play a role.
"Why can't only Sivar be denied attack rights?"
"It's a decision made after discussions with the professors. I figured you'd know the reason better than anyone."
The United Academy was known for upholding principles of fairness and equity. Status, background, age, physical condition—none of it mattered. Everyone lived on equal footing. But they didn't force mages to take the same exams as warriors. That was equity.
So the no-attack condition Marlboro had mentioned fit right into that framework.
"There was some pushback, of course. A few even suggested excluding Sivar from the exam entirely. But as you can see, Sivar's adaptation period is fully complete. That means he's officially enrolled."
I hadn't received my enrollment certificate from Lord yet. But I figured it'd come within a couple days. Once I was officially a student, I'd start living off points like everyone else. Not that I'd have many. With all the "incidents" I'd cause along the way, they'd get slashed just from the violence alone.
"So Sivar has to stick purely to defense no matter what?"
Luna raised her hand with the question.
No direct attack rights for me meant indirect ones were fair game, at least. She seemed to know that and was just confirming. Marlboro nodded in agreement.
"Correct. No direct attacks, but counterattacks should be allowed. The standard is simple: only responses to the opponent's attack or effects caused by it."
Marlboro went into more detail. Any attack using my body was absolutely forbidden. Even parrying—if my fist extended, it'd count as a direct attack. Like that time Lord sliced space and my own fist smacked my face. Only cases like that were permitted. Throwing anything was banned too, probably factoring in my tossing skills from survival training. Using terrain or objects cleverly? That got some leeway. In other words, use your brain.
'Brain's a hassle.'
I knew it was a balance patch, but this felt like a limb-severing one. I'd do nothing but defend while the team handled attacks. A classic support role. Lize would probably weep if she heard.
'Still, I get it.'
Like I'd mentioned before, I wasn't just an ecosystem disruptor—I was an outright destroyer. Picture a massive catfish splashing into a peaceful freshwater stream. The professors had to contain it without outright removal. Must be a real headache.
"That's enough on Sivar. Now for the team exam details. It's similar to survival training but different. Teams of 3-4, roles akin to survival. The key difference? You must take down opponents, unlike pure survival."
"You mean... in the forest again?"
"No. A specially crafted space. Roughly forest-sized, but the mana field will shrink much faster."
"Phew... thank goodness. No bug-eating this time."
Grace let out a relieved sigh, muttering under her breath. The last survival training must've left a mark. She hadn't eaten any bugs herself—I'd taken care of that. She'd even puked watching me devour a wild boar heart. A shame, really. The forest was way better.
'Were midterms like this?'
I couldn't recall clearly. My memories stuck to the storyline—the demon arc—so details like this were fuzzy. But Marlboro's explanation was sharpening them up. Probably thanks to those murals.
"Unlike survival, there are collectibles. Basic first-aid kits up to various weapons. Outer-edge ones are basic, but the deeper you go, the stronger they get."
Ah, now I got it. A true survival test. Battle royale, to be precise. Drop into a quiet spot, farm resources, clash with enemies. Skill could make up for poor farming, and vice versa.
"And at the center, an artifact that boosts your rank. Excellent tool, user-dependent."
"Hmm..."
"Rush the center?"
"Nah, skirt the mana field slow and steady."
Strategic options galore—maybe too many. Students were already racking their brains. No glances my way either; with my attack ban, they could pick comfy paths. Same for me. No attacks meant my head was already hurting.
"Evaluation covers final rank, opponent takedowns, battle count, and more. One big rule: no alliances between teams. Violations count as cheating—immediate disqualification."
"..."
A few looked guilty. I felt someone behind me pointedly averting their eyes.
Survival training had been thematic. This? Pure battle royale. Fail to drop others, and you get dropped. Fights mandatory.
"Now, team assignments. Starting with Luna Estel..."
The all-important team reveals kicked off. Anyone was fine, but familiars would've been nice.
"Sivar. Grace Aria del Berche. Lee Yeonju."
"Eh?"
"Huh?"
"What?"
And just like that, it happened. In a surprisingly perfect way. Not just me—Grace and Yeonju beside me were stunned too. Luna and Kara reacted the same. Same lineup as survival training? Baffling.
"That's it. Questions?"
"Um..."
If something bugged you, clear it up now. Luna timidly raised her hand. But Marlboro seemed to guess her question. He double-checked the list and spoke firmly.
"No mistakes. Unlike survival, we weighed a lot of factors for these assignments."
"..."
"Raw power isn't key here. Directing that power at others is. Strategic vision matters most."
So my strategic chops lagged behind everyone else's? Couldn't argue—depressing. I'd relied on brawn, not brains, so tactics were poison to me. Hence pairing me with Grace and Yeonju. Post-survival intimacy meant we'd mesh.
Luna had no comeback, lowering her hand quietly. Her face screamed, Is this for real?
"Making it obvious. Being too close is unfair too."
Marlboro chuckled like it was adorable. No scolding—just genuine amusement. Luna just tilted her head, clueless. Neither did I.
"Anyone else?"
"The central artifact—what kind? Any maps?"
A voice from behind. I glanced back—Antonio, hand up. The guy I'd wrecked hard in survival. His suicide squad had been kinda fun.
"Good question. No starting maps—you collect them. Useless if you can't read 'em anyway. The central artifact..."
Marlboro trailed off, pausing. Then he glanced my way.
"...If someone grabs it, your bracelet warns instantly. And as a powerful item, it'll expose the user's position."
Public enemy number one. How insanely strong was it?
Sensing the curiosity—or maybe anticipating it—Marlboro dropped a perfect example, scanning the class.
"Say, granting Sivar attack rights. Less an artifact, more a permission... but you get the idea."
"...Something like that really exists?"
The room's vibe plummeted. Just like they feared, me with direct attacks? Game over. Even mobbing me in survival hadn't worked.
"Test it yourselves. Just an example. Alliances forbidden, as I said—but tacit, temporary ones for strategy? Allowed."
Play the angles smart. That's how it hit me, at least.
Marlboro rattled off the rest of the rules, then class ended. Exam tomorrow, so no more lectures—just training time.
"Talk about fate. Same team twice now."
"Y-yeah... weird, right...?"
Grace and Yeonju, teamed up with me again post-survival. They looked as floored as I felt. Not unhappy, but difficulty spiked—mostly my no-attack rule.
"Ha... when do I get Sivar? At least once, y'know."
"Wouldn't unnie and I be tough?"
"Someday. Gotta believe."
Kara grumbled nearby, eyeing Grace with real envy. Teaming with her later? That'd shatter balance too. Overlapping roles made it a nightmare.
"Plus actual fighting this time. Hate clashing with him. Can we even break through?"
"Long or short, we'll see. I'm good either way."
"Fair point. Let's grind. Training?"
Kept it to basics today—couldn't drain stamina before the exam. First day back in uniform for classes.
"You're back. No class today?"
"..."
Lize greeted me at the dorm—first time like this.
'Why's she stuck in Kwonseong mode?'
Nice and all, but saint mode would've been welcome too.