After the Defense Battle
Once the defense battle ended, most of the students in Group 1 stood there in a daze, their expressions blank.
"Good work. Impressive as always. Thanks to you, we made it through the defense battle in one piece."
Evelyn Ansis, with her dark green hair, approached Ludenberg Lavante and spoke. She had grumbled earlier that he might have ruined her evaluation a bit, but she also thought that without him, they might not have even gotten this far. So, she expressed her gratitude first.
"I just did my part. You did well too."
At Ludenberg's words, Evelyn looked genuinely surprised. She never imagined he'd say "good work" to her.
He's not just prickly all the time, huh.
Evelyn pondered, recalling how Ludenberg had been lately. She remembered him always smiling when he was with Ashytara.
Well, he has seemed a bit softer lately, sticking close to Ashytara.
But Ludenberg's words didn't end there.
"You're pretty skilled yourself."
"Should I say thanks?"
"Nah. Just stating facts."
Evelyn stared at him with wide eyes, caught off guard. She hadn't expected him to talk to her like that.
"Why the compliment?"
"Nothing. You're just nothing like the rumors."
"If you're talking about rumors about me... most of them are bullshit."
"Yeah, seems like it. Anyway, most of us owe you one—including me. We're just wiped out right now."
Evelyn flashed a bright smile.
"Do you really need to thank me? I pretty much hogged all the points myself."
"Still, without you, a lot of us would've been out early. Me included."
Judging by Ludenberg's current skill level, he probably could've cleared the evaluation solo, even without the others. But what if he'd taken out the threats himself from the start and delayed the defense battle as long as possible? Or just watched until everyone else dropped?
At least a few would've been eliminated. And during the defense battle itself, everyone except him might've fallen.
In other words, Ludenberg could've played it purely selfish, but he deliberately hadn't.
He went out of his way not to let us drop, so yeah, thanks are in order. Even I couldn't have blocked all those ridiculous erosion beasts alone...
Evelyn nodded and said to him,
"Anyway, thanks. The other groups are probably crashing hard. They might not even pull off the defense battle."
"Maybe."
Ludenberg fell silent after that, mentally reviewing the evaluation. Evelyn did the same.
As they reflected on the battle, Hainkel approached.
"Everyone, good work."
"Oh, Professor."
The students, who had collapsed in exhaustion the moment he arrived, began to rise one by one.
"Follow me for now. Those who still need to take the evaluation will wait in a separate spot and observe the others. You can't move until all groups finish, so stay put at the designated area and grab some food first."
"Understood."
The Group 1 students followed Hainkel to the Evaluation Center outside the old school building. Built for lengthy practical exams, it had all sorts of conveniences—including dorms and dining for students.
Upon arrival, Hainkel led them to a room structured like a lecture hall.
"Whoa, didn't know this place existed."
Evelyn's awed comment drew nods from the others.
"Wait here until all groups finish. Then move to your assigned rooms. Tell me yours first."
Hainkel slowly called out each student's room number, and they committed them to memory.
"Got them all? Now watch the next group. Reviewing your own shortcomings while observing will help. Simple meals are prepared—grab some."
"Yes, sir!"
To their ravenous group, the rations were a feast. They wolfed them down and turned to the blackboard at the front.
With a quick manipulation from Hainkel, it activated, glowing with starlight, and soon displayed the interior of the old school building.
* * *
As Eden prepared for his evaluation, Mion sidled up to him.
"Ready, Eden?"
"Yeah."
"You've absorbed the holy relic and your divine power's grown a ton, so expect good results. Might not crush Ludenberg's ego, but we can at least beat Ashytara and score high."
"I can manage that."
"Next! Group 2, prepare!"
"Your turn. Good luck. I'll do my best too."
"Thanks. You too, Mion."
Eden entered the old school building, his plan set from the start: maximize points.
Keep group size minimal, claim the rest of the points myself. Defense battle'll be tougher, but it's the only way to beat Ludenberg.
He'd considered rallying the others, but that wouldn't close the gap.
He'll smash every erosion beast solo anyway. Can't even touch his heels this time. So... at least come in second.
Eden assessed Ludenberg's strength objectively and knew standard plays wouldn't cut it. The rule against direct harm complicated things—forcing indirect reductions.
No choice.
Options abounded: Lure beasts toward others. Suggest teaming up, then lead into beast swarms, eliminate the pileup, let them drop.
Not great PR, but reputation meant nothing now. Only top scores mattered—to repay Mion's devotion.
Eden moved swiftly, scouting. Spot a student? Drag beasts their way for elimination. Approach one, herd them into dense packs, "help" until the fatal moment.
Of twenty members, five fell to his maneuvers; others dropped naturally. Ten left—Eden's ideal number.
Then he rallied them, zipping through the building, gathering isolates. From there, smooth sailing: His prowess unified them, sweeping beasts and seizing the tower.
Locating the Illusion Core, Eden charged. He culled low-rank erosion beasts en route for points.
At the core: mid-rank erosion beast plus dozens of low-ranks.
"Mid-rank erosion beast."
"I'll take it. You handle the low-ranks."
"Got it, Eden."
Eden trusted his skills. He'd felled mid-ranks during the Solemnute raid. Now, two? Swordsmanship honed, divine power boosted by Mion's relic—no fumbling.
The humanoid erosion beast charged, sword swinging. Ground cratered, thunderous roars—but Eden knew: illusions. No pressure, predictable swings.
He knew their patterns too.
Right after this slash, something erupts from its body. Just brace for that.
As predicted, protrusions burst forth. Eden dodged or parried with Celioum and Mare divine power; unavoidable hits blocked by Terra.
Dropping defense, he surged, blade to its nose.
A clear thump: heartbeat. Celioum-awakened, he pinpointed it—thrust.
Krunch!
One mid-rank crumbled to black ash. He stabbed the Illusion Core—
Clang!
Odd light flared; sword rebounded.
Barrier? Clear surrounding erosion beasts first?
He tested: wiped low-ranks. Barrier vanished, defense battle triggered... beasts swarmed.
Through grueling effort, Eden succeeded.
Of course, Group 2's survivors? Everyone but him dropped before the end.