Battle Royale Exam (1)
The deployment method for the Individual Battle Royale was identical to the survival drill. Blindfolds over the eyes, guided by professors and assistants. But unlike the survival drill, we had to remove them only after the broadcast announcement—failure meant immediate elimination, so they warned us.
The exam will begin shortly. All students, please finish preparing.
I yanked off the stifling blindfold and scanned the surroundings.
"Whoa... this is... magic too?"
Just like Lee Yeonju's awed whisper, the landscape was breathtaking. It looked like an utterly ordinary village—prosperous, if not quite a city. Houses dotted the area, and far off stood a massive windmill. Lush forest surrounded it all. To a stranger, it might seem like a decent little town. But it was all an illusion, meticulously recreated by magic.
"It's magic. Same principle as what we saw in the special arena. But recreating it on this scale..."
Grace gazed at the flawlessly rendered village, genuinely impressed. As someone well-versed in magic, she instantly grasped its magnificence.
While they marveled, I surveyed the area. In the distance shimmered a blue barrier—the magic field, presumably. Safe for now, but it would shrink gradually. Before that, I needed a map or high ground for terrain scouting.
"Let's head to that house first. The professors said they'd have collectibles."
"Yes."
Follow the leader's call. No harm in building strategy slowly. I trailed Grace to the nearest house—a wooden structure straight out of medieval Europe.
Creak—
I entered cautiously first, just in case—not her. It looked real enough outside, but inside was fully furnished too: tables, hearths, furniture galore. We gawked again, then rummaged thoroughly. Replicating the interior was downright obsessive.
"Hm? Ah! This must be the map."
Lee Yeonju found it rifling through a table drawer. Grace and I joined her.
The map was a handy size—not too big, not too small. Awkward without a bag, though. It showed a village layout as expected: clustered houses here, scattered there, a giant windmill smack in the center.
"Hmm... We'd need to step outside to pinpoint our location. Come to think of it, I saw the windmill from out there."
"Can you read maps, Grace?"
"...Roughly?"
Her voice lacked confidence. Lee Yeonju wasn't much better. Maps weren't common necessities anyway—useful mainly for soldiers or explorers. And in this era, they were often unreliable.
"Best to figure out directions first. Let's hunt for a compass. Plenty of collectibles left."
"Yes."
We scoured every corner as Grace directed. Not the outskirts, so we hit paydirt: the compass I'd mentioned, spacious backpacks, and more. Most battle royale essentials covered.
I snagged one item—a fist-sized rock at first glance. Better ask the team. Clutching it, I headed to the center.
"Grace."
"Hm? Find something?"
"This."
I showed her the rock. Grace and Lee Yeonju peered curiously. Grace took it, turning it over—then her eyes widened slightly.
"There's a button here?"
Click—
Curiosity got the better of her. The moment she pressed it, a bad feeling hit. Wild Instinct whispered: Chuck that out the window now.
I trusted it, snatching the rock back and hurling it through the window.
Crunch!
Wood splintered—magic house or not.
"Wh-what are you—!"
Before Grace could finish, flustered—
BOOM!
A hefty explosion rocked outside. Not massive, but enough to knock out a few people. Figures it looked like a grenade.
Loud noise meant we had to move.
"...Gotta watch for traps too."
"Y-yeah..."
Grace shook off her shock quickly. Useful in a pinch—especially for me, with no attack options. Key to scout for more.
"Let's relocate first. That noise probably drew attention."
"Head for the windmill?"
"Too risky. It's too obvious—one team always goes there. Let's hit a house a bit farther."
Wiser than expected from Grace. Nailing battle royale hotspots. We ditched the original house per her call, no encounters en route—lucky.
"Another weird rock here. Longer than the last..."
Pop!
"Kyaa!"
"My eyes...!"
Why press the button again? Curiosity like a cat. But thanks to her, I learned the elongated one was a flashbang equivalent.
Farming yielded tools aplenty; I focused on weapons. Interior spots meant quality gear—including, naturally, an axe.
The magic field is moving.
A few farms in, and the field was already shifting. We were inside, so no rush. Outsiders would hustle, though. Grace issued orders at the announcement.
"Hole up here for now. Set some traps."
"Y-yes."
"Pardon?"
"Ah, n-no...!"
Lee Yeonju slipped into casual mode from proximity, then shrank back. Grace was just surprised, but her sharp expression caused a misunderstanding. Amusing duo.
"Sivar, could you scout the windmill? Might be better loot. If anyone's there, run back immediately."
"Yeah."
"Memorize our house. Trouble? I'll blow the bombs."
Contingency planned. I slipped out cautiously, eyeing the windmill. Its open fields would spot intruders quick. Even I couldn't get too close without notice. Quick in-and-out.
Anyone there?
Lucky team might've spawned there. I crept low, ignoring distant blasts. Not my focus.
Nearing it, I spotted floor marks.
Crushed traces...
Not full footprints, but heavy treads—leading straight to the windmill. Someone inside, no doubt. Expected. Per Grace, bail... but curiosity nagged. Only defense allowed—clever ways to exploit it?
I headed in without hesitation.
Blades whirred relentlessly.
Too obvious.
Peeking a central window, a face flashed. They hid quick, but I caught it.
Conversations drifted to my ears. My sharp senses picked it up—they just didn't know. Normally, inaudible.
At the door, presence detection confirmed: Exactly four.
"You guys" meant two melee, two ranged, likely.
I slipped in quietly.
Gears and mechanisms crammed the interior.
"Now!"
"Ice, pierce through!"
"Blazing spear!"
Door open—spell chants rang. As predicted, mages overhead. Solid combo with two casters.
But their mistake—
Crunch!
"Gack?!"
I grabbed the throat of the one lurking behind the door. Planned to finish me post-spell, but way too sloppy. Using the warrior as a shield beat spell speed.
Crunch! Whoosh!
"Aaaagh!"
Ice spear impaled him; fire arrows riddled his body. Not lethal, but I maneuvered the meat shield to hit the painful spots.
Slump—
Pain knocked him out. Shield activated, enveloping him.
"Th-that...!"
"Did he attack? What the hell...!"
Horrified students. I stated firmly:
"Not an attack."
I never attacked.
"Defense."
You team-killed yourselves.