Midterms (2): Prelude to Battle Royale
Before the Battle Royale portion of the midterms kicked off, they told us the exam period would last about four or five days. Unlike the final survival test that pulls together every bit of knowledge, the rest are mostly written exams or reviews. And while I can speak decently now, I still can't read or write everything fluently.
Being in the combat track rather than support doesn't make writing unimportant—it just makes it a pain for me.
[Explain the theory of magic.]
"……"
I know magic theory inside out. Godin explained it perfectly back then, so it's all etched in my memory. But this world's script—the common tongue—is tricky. Words are simple enough, but the grammar is a nightmare. I'm grinding hard just to cast spells properly, but it's only been a month.
Tricky spot for me.
...Just write as much as I can.
Better than leaving it blank. I gripped the pen and squeezed my brain for all it was worth. Maybe they'll overlook the mangled grammar. Besides, written tests aren't a huge deal anyway.
In Soul World, they skipped straight past this to Battle Royale.
Stuff like this really drives home that this isn't a game—it's reality. Parts you could skip in the game pop up unavoidable here. Caught me off guard every time.
"Alright, pencils down, everyone. Hands off your exam papers."
"...?"
The professor called time while I was still scribbling away. I stared at my paper in panic. Grammar aside, I hadn't even finished. Some questions I hadn't touched.
A few students who'd been sprinting to the finish looked bummed as they set their pens down. I glanced around cautiously and quietly put mine away. No need to draw attention.
"You finish?"
"Nah. Think I bombed this one."
"Why do they make it so damn hard?"
Laments rose up as soon as the test ended. Truth is, it wasn't that tough. Pay attention in class, and you'd know all the answers. I just tanked because of the writing.
"Wish they'd just breeze through this crap. It's only like 10% of the grade, right?"
Kara stretched with a grumble. Like me, she prefers action over books. She'd take two extra practicals over this busywork any day. Same here.
"Still, acing it feels good. Did you finish everything, sis?"
"I scribbled some and face-planted on the desk. You?"
"I did. It's not hard if you pay attention in class. What about you, Sivar?"
Luna turned to me. Kara's eyes followed. I debated dodging but went honest. No big deal anyway.
"Didn't finish."
"Why?"
"Can't write."
"……"
Their faces went weird at "can't write." Like, what does that even mean? But speaking and writing are separate skills. Plenty of people talk fine but can't string sentences on paper.
"Huh... yeah, I guess that tracks. Took me months to learn the common tongue. You too, right, Luna?"
"I mastered it in half a month..."
"...You can be such a smug little shit sometimes."
Luna's got that Bingoo vibe occasionally, but her talents are off the charts. From adapting condensation and refinement on sight to language skills. In Soul World, you could pick jobs like mage or even Eastern ones like dosaseon, so yeah—probably that.
"Anyway, don't sweat it. Practical's what counts. Nail that, and you're golden."
"Practical felt discriminatory as hell. Sivar's strong, sure, but no attack rights? Too far."
Kara apparently saw the no-attack rule as bias. Coming from Tatar, she's felt plenty herself, so it hits home. Balance or not, it felt extreme—like hacking off flesh to even the weight classes.
But without it, no balance possible, I guess. Especially for Battle Royale.
"Might as well make everyone quit while they're ahead. Screw balance—letting it ride free-for-all is best. You think so too, right, Sivar?"
"……"
"Silence means yes. Got it."
I'd zoned out for a sec. But I agree, so whatever.
Written tests wrapped, and we shuffled to the next one: emergency aid from Lee Yeonhwa.
"Sivar, you get full marks. Feel free to head out early."
"Oh."
This kind of bias? Welcome aboard.
******
Time flew, and the real midterms—the practical—loomed. Test site was like the special arena: vast academy grounds. Flat empty now, but it'd morph the second the exam started.
Saw it in Soul World.
"Everyone's here. We'll start the exam shortly. Rules are as briefed before."
Malboro recapped pre-test. Special bracelets like survival practical—knockout triggers a shield. But unlike survival, teammates can disable it if nearby. No elimination, back in the fight. Too many KOs? Auto-elim.
Sounds like standard Battle Royale so far.
Then Malboro dropped the curveball that threw everyone.
"Teams can also agree on starting spots beforehand. Coordinate smoothly before entry."
"What? Start wherever we want?"
"Does that mean we can drop central from the jump?"
Murmurs of confusion. Rule lets teams pick start points—meaning artifact-central right off bat.
Recipe for controversy.
But profs aren't idiots. Malboro continued smoothly, like he'd anticipated it.
"Central isn't arena-center—it's the force field center. And fields shrink near-random. Final field sets true central."
Murmurs died. Rush-center-for-artifact strat? Blocked.
Luck into one? Worthless.
Survival practical had plenty of screwjobs like that. Annoying. Battle Royale fields randomize per match—even I gotta hunt.
Wonder why strip my attack rights then? Basically, no Yeopo bullshit.
"Coordinate with your team. No worries—won't assign outside the field."
I beelined for Grace and Lee Yeonju. Grace pondered a paper from the prof; Yeonju peered over her shoulder.
Not a map—just a blank circle. Maps inside only, as said.
"Uh, why not just start central?"
Yeonju's timid pitch. Solid idea, per her. Grace nodded—deemed viable.
"Good, but field's shrink direction is key. Gotta roll the dice..."
Battle Royale's full of tactics. Survival first—live to fight. Avoid foes, or hunt 'em early for their loot.
"We should dodge fights max. No attack rights for Sivar makes it rough."
Grace tsked. One strat neutered. Fair? Maybe. Equal? Nah.
"Um... Sivar?"
"Yeah?"
"You don't mind skipping fights, right?"
"Yeah."
No attack rights? What fights? Grace smiled, satisfied, then eyed Yeonju. No words needed—Yeonju nodded, getting it.
"Perfect. We'll confirm inside, but goal's set."
"What?"
Grace's plan? Simple.
"Outlast."
"Huh?"
"Outlast 'em. While they brawl, we trail the field."
Pure turtling.
"Hold till final field—Sivar snags the artifact. Easy peasy?"
Hmm. Doubt it's that easy.