Chapter 143
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 143
Ciel and I had decided to form a team.
I slotted Ciel’s student ID into my Cube and mine into hers. Just like that, we were registered as companions.
The moment the registration was complete, a brilliant white light filled my vision.
Shaaa—.
A halo of light enveloped us, and just like when we’d boarded the airship, a guiding beam whisked us away to another island.
A moment later, my vision cleared, and the surrounding landscape came into view.
It was a dense broadleaf forest, typical of the subtropics, with bushes sharp enough to pierce skin. A murky swamp lay ahead, choked by a threatening tangle of tree roots. Enveloping it all was the muggy, oppressive climate of a rainforest.
The place Ciel and I had been dropped into was, without a doubt, a jungle.
I glanced around and scratched my cheek.
Good thing I came prepared.
I had played this summer training exam, the [Faction War], many times in the game. I was familiar with the basic rules and knew how to clear it with a high score, so I wasn't too worried.
But game mechanics aside, being dropped into a jungle environment out of all the possible islands wasn't exactly a welcome development.
Still, I had prepared for this possibility just in case. This was more than manageable.
Pssht, pssht—.
“Ciel, catch.”
I pulled a can of bug repellent from my subspace pouch, sprayed myself, and tossed it to her.
“Thank you.”
In a jungle, dealing with insects was a top priority. The mosquitoes and bloodsucking flies that constantly swarmed you could seriously degrade your quality of life and even affect your health.
“Wear this around your neck, too.”
I took a blue necklace from my subspace pouch and handed it to Ciel.
“This is…?”
As she tilted her head in confusion, I offered a brief explanation.
“Simply put, it’s an artifact that regulates temperature and humidity. It’ll help you stay comfortable even in harsh conditions like these.”
In a tropical region where you’d be dripping with sweat just by standing still, an artifact like this was essential. The heat and humidity could make you feel lethargic and irritable, but with this on, there was no need to worry.
I was wearing a similar one myself.
Ciel thanked me and put on the necklace. Now that I looked closer, I saw she was already wearing a black necklace in addition to the one I’d given her.
“What’s that necklace?”
“…You don’t need to know.”
She clearly had her reasons for not explaining, so I decided not to press the matter.
“Right, well. For now, give me your Cube.”
Although Ciel and I had formed a team, I, Roen, was registered as the host. I took Ciel’s Cube and placed my own on a flat patch of ground. All I had to do was place my finger on the Cube and infuse it with mana.
Click—.
Whirrrr—.
Through a magical process, the various mechanisms embedded within the Cube unfolded, transforming it into a building. It was the size of a studio apartment—just big enough for one person to rest inside. You could think of it as a temporary shelter incorporating ancient magitech.
The reason we weren't given separate camping gear was that we were expected to survive on the island using the facilities within these Cubes.
As the Cube activated, a voice guide sounded from within.
[You are the first participant to activate a Cube. Your Base Level increases by an additional 1.]
[Current Base Level: 2]
• Your space will be expanded.
• Your Cost recovery rate will increase.
• Your maximum Cost will increase: 10 → 20.
• You can now use the toilet.
Clank—.
Shhhhrrr—.
As soon as the announcement ended, the Cube, which had been about one pyeong in size, expanded on its own. It was now large enough for two people to sleep in, and a separate toilet had even been added.
It was a latrine-style toilet, but not having to dig a hole in the dirt to do my business was news worth celebrating. As we continued to raise the Base Level, the facilities would gradually improve.
Ciel’s eyes sparkled, amazed by the Cube’s transformation.
“The Cube has a function like this…?”
“You can raise the Base Level faster by combining the Cubes of your teammates. But the requirement doubles with each level.”
Two Cubes for Level 2, four for Level 3, eight for Level 4, sixteen for Level 5, and so on.
Right now, combining my Cube and Ciel’s made it Level 2. But with the bonus +1 level for being the first to activate a Cube, we were effectively at Level 3.
“Anyway, we just need to keep taking other students’ Cubes to raise our level. If they’re useful, we can recruit them as companions. If they’re mediocre, we can just set them as vassals. It’s simple.”
And if they were completely useless, we could just eliminate them.
Ciel asked, “What’s the difference between a companion and a vassal?”
“Companions can participate directly in combat. They can also seize an opponent’s Cube. The catch is that the host has to spend Cost to register them as a companion.”
“So vassals can’t fight?”
“They can, but it’s pointless. They can’t take an opponent’s Cube, and all their attacks are nullified by the Cube’s protective barrier.”
Within the Full Moon Archipelago, the Cube’s barrier was absolute. It was impervious to any attack that wasn't powerful enough to destroy the ritual barrier cast over the entire exam area.
“I see.”
“Vassals, on the other hand, are non-combatants on your team. Think of them as workers who handle chores or prepare food. They can also be used as a mana source to keep the Cube activated. The more, the merrier. Plus, each student has a special ability, so they can be helpful in their own way.”
My current special ability was [Enchantment]. It was the ability to manipulate the Cube’s facilities using mana. An ability like this could be used even as a vassal.
Ciel’s special ability was [Versatility]. It increased the efficiency of the Cube’s various bonus effects. It seemed to affect everything, from increasing Cost recovery and expanding space to reducing mana consumption.
“Abilities like these are applied automatically just by registering someone as a vassal. That’s why it’s good to have more of them.”
Thanks to these special abilities, even non-combatants had their own value. However, maintaining vassals also periodically consumed a small amount of Cost, so we needed to manage their numbers carefully.
“Ah, I understand.”
Tap, tap—.
I tapped the wall of the Cube, and the structure reverted to its palm-sized form.
“First, let’s find a suitable place for a base and set up the Cube again.”
I needed to find a spot with a nearby water source, a good vantage point for surveillance, and a defensible position.
Listening to my fluent explanation, Ciel looked curious.
“Lord Roen, how did you know all this?”
“Zimmer and I have an information-sharing agreement. He gave me a heads-up about this exam, which allowed me to prepare in advance.”
It was actually information I’d learned from playing the game, but since I couldn’t say that, I made up a plausible excuse.
“I see…”
Sshhk—.
Ciel nodded, then slowly drew the dagger strapped to her thigh. The sharp blade glinted menacingly as it caught the light.
I tensed up at the sudden sight of the weapon, but Ciel’s dagger wasn't aimed at me. It was aimed at the forest. Without a word, she threw the dagger toward the trees.
Whoosh—.
“Whoa!”
The dagger cut through the air, flying straight toward a group of students who had just been transported from the airship. To be precise, it was aimed at the Cube a male student was holding.
Thwack—.
Ciel’s dagger pierced the student’s Cube perfectly.
Piiing—.
As Ciel channeled her mana to retrieve the dagger, the Cube impaled on its tip flew back into her hand.
“My—my Cube! Give it back!”
“Get them!”
The male student and his teammate, who had their Cube stolen the moment they arrived, stood dumbfounded for a second before rushing toward us. The two charged, shouting bravely.
“Huh?!”
“R-Roen? And Ciel?”
But upon realizing who they were up against, the two of them stopped dead in their tracks and dropped to the ground, prostrating themselves. They began rubbing their hands together, begging for their lives.
“Please spare us!”
“…”
They were quick to assess the situation and give up. I looked down at the two of them and shrugged.
“I wasn't planning on killing you in the first place. Hand over your student IDs and Cubes.”
“We will! Right away!”
“Xavier and Lant, was it?”
No need to remember their names. I inserted my student ID into both of their Cubes.
“From now on, you are my vassals.”
And just like that, I gained two vassals and their Cubes, allowing me to raise my Base Level to 3. It was a smooth start.
*
“Hmm, so this is basically how you use it.”
Elena withdrew her mana, and the Cube returned to its original form.
“This is amazing. Does it only work here on Full Moon Island?”
“Probably, ma’am. If high-performance shape-memory alloys and protective magic of this caliber were commercialized, the entire continent would be in an uproar.”
“Yes, you’re right. I heard they’ve been modifying this island for hundreds of years just to use it as an exam site.”
Besides, she had heard that the Cube, much like the airship, was a product of the golden age. These wondrous abilities were entirely due to the ancient artifact and could only be used within the special environment of Full Moon Island.
Elena, silently staring at the Cube in her hand, asked, “Adler, how much Cost would it take to recruit you as a companion?”
“Eighty-seven, ma’am.”
“And your rank in the competitive matches?”
“Eighth place.”
“I think I have a rough idea of how the Cost is determined.”
Elena’s own Cost was 100. The higher a person’s combat ability or the stats recorded in their Cube, the higher the Cost required to recruit them as a companion.
Therefore, indiscriminately recruiting powerful opponents wasn't a wise move. To recruit someone as strong as Adler, her Base Level would need to be at least 9. That meant she would have to seize nearly 500 Cubes.
Well, to become the ruler of this island, I’ll have to subdue at least seven thousand people anyway.
For Elena, who was aiming for first place from the start, it wasn't such a daunting task. As she gradually increased her number of companions, she would be able to suppress hostile forces without having to move herself, which would speed up the acquisition of Cubes.
Fortunately, she had already teamed up with Adler before the exam, so no Cost was consumed for now.
Having grasped the situation, Elena rolled up the cumbersome sleeves of her priestess robes and fanned herself.
“Phew, it’s hot. So hot.”
The sweltering heat made her drip with sweat just by standing still; it felt like her whole body was on fire.
Adler spoke up. “Looks like we’ve been dropped in the middle of a jungle, ma’am. I heard the other islands consist of snowfields, volcanic regions, or mountainous terrain.”
The natural environment of Full Moon Island was anything but ordinary. Elena scratched her head.
“…Should I consider this fortunate, in a way?”
“Well, I suppose it depends on how you look at it, ma’am. Each has its pros and cons.”
“Alright, shall we get moving for now?”
Elena stood up with a grunt and started to move. Just as she and Adler were patrolling the immediate area, they encountered another team.
“Oh? Lady Elena?”
Elena greeted them with a bright smile.
“Oh, what a pleasure to see you! How about it? Would you like to join our team?”
“Y-Yes! Of course!”
At Elena’s offer of collaboration, the two male students readily accepted.
“Excellent. Your Cubes—could you give them to me?”
When Elena held out her hand, the two hastily fumbled in their pockets and handed them over. While others fought to subjugate their opponents, Elena made allies with just a smile.
To win without fighting—that was the ultimate strategy.
*
“Hmm, this place looks good.”
After wandering through the jungle for a while searching for a suitable campsite, I found a decent spot near a waterfall.
A water source was nearby, and if I set up a watchtower above the waterfall, I could look down over the entire area, making it easy to stand guard. It was also a convenient location with a secured escape route, as we could flee down the river in an emergency.
I unfolded my Level 3 Cube here and made it our base camp.
Fwoosh—.
The Cube expanded, and a building of about ten pyeong was set up in an instant. It wasn't very spacious, but it was an excellent shelter.
“Xavier. Lant. Patrol the area.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
After setting up the Cube, I ordered my two vassals to scout the surroundings. While they were on patrol, Ciel and I went inside to organize the interior.
I installed the portable air conditioner I had brought to create a comfortable environment and set up sentry stones around the perimeter to guard against intruders. I also took out the bedding stored in the closet and laid it out so we could rest at any time.
We were in the middle of setting up our base camp when it happened.
Beep-beep-beep—.
The sentry stones went off, warning of an intruder.
“Let’s go out.”
“Yes.”
I took Ciel outside the Cube to greet our uninvited guests. After a short wait, familiar faces emerged from the depths of the jungle.
A giant of a man with a long scar on his face. And a female student with a purple ponytail and an eyepatch over one eye.
Chepesi and Crowlin.
The two of them had come here with four of their subordinates from Jerome Academy. And they had my two vassals, whom I had sent out on patrol earlier, tied up tightly with ropes.
“Mmph! Mmph!”
The two were gagged and completely immobilized. Having subdued my vassals, Chepesi appeared before me confidently, surveyed the surroundings, and smiled.
“Hah, this looks like the perfect spot for a base camp. To do that…”
Fwip—.
Chepesi pulled a steel bat from behind her back and smirked.
“I guess we’ll have to dislodge the stone already in place, right?”