Chapter 38
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 38
“Instructor, I believe there is an issue with the team assignments.”
Freya, who had been glaring at me for a moment, raised her hand to challenge the selection. It seemed she suspected that being placed on the same team as me was no mere coincidence. However…
“There is no issue. The team assignment process was conducted with absolute impartiality, free from any personal bias or intervention. I will not entertain any objections.”
Professor Verdandi’s response was ice-cold.
“……”
At the declaration that no protests would be heard, Freya quietly clenched her fists.
Well… it was certainly a coincidence that she and I ended up together, but when you thought about it, it wasn’t entirely illogical.
‘When averaging the competition rankings, it’s perfectly possible for Freya, with her top-tier score, and me, with my bottom-tier rank, to be paired up to balance the scales.’
“Next, I will explain the detailed outline of this field test.”
Clang.
Verdandi pointed to a section of the large map spread before her with the tip of her sword.
“Each team’s objective is to reach the mountain’s summit within the three-day time limit. The first team to claim the flag will pass the test with top honors, and all five members will be awarded a special artifact. However, all five members must reach the summit together for the achievement to be recognized. Next.”
Rustle.
“For all teams other than the first-place winner, rankings will be determined by a point system based on the quality and quantity of mana stones extracted from monsters over the three days.”
“Furthermore, stealing mana stones from other teams is permitted in this test.”
“!”
At Verdandi’s words, a murmur rippled through the students.
They could hunt monsters for mana stones, but they could also hunt each other. This field test had just shifted from a simple monster subjugation into a survival game.
“However, should combat occur between students, it will proceed under basic dueling rules via your student IDs. Inflicting excessive harm on an opponent or using unjust methods will result in immediate disqualification. Remember this: there are eyes watching you everywhere on this mountain.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Verdandi nodded, seemingly satisfied with the students’ resounding reply, and concluded her explanation.
“Additionally, automated golems dispatched by the Union are stationed throughout this mountain range. Defeating them will also allow you to extract mana stones, which are a significant source of points. But be warned—they are powerful. That is all for the briefing. I will now take questions.”
As soon as she finished, I immediately raised my hand.
“Instructor, how should we respond if an unforeseen situation occurs during the test?”
“An unforeseen situation? For example?”
“The appearance of an unexpectedly powerful monster, or… well, something of that nature.”
“There is no need to worry. The automated golems stationed throughout the mountains are not just for awarding points; they are programmed to engage any threat detected near a student. Furthermore, in case of an emergency, the faculty—including myself—will be deployed immediately. You need not be overly concerned.”
I nodded slowly at Verdandi’s answer. After taking a few more questions from other students, she concluded the session.
“That is all. Each team, gather your supplies and move to your assigned positions.”
*
“Hehe, Sir Roen, it is a pleasure to meet you again.”
The five of us in Group C, Team 17, gathered at our starting point. Garfield was among them.
“…Yeah.”
He was a familiar face, but not exactly the one I wanted on my team for a mission like this. Garfield was the heir to the Morty merchant family and a graduate of Vierman, an academy specializing in commerce. His combat abilities were negligible, making him less than useful in a field test. At best, he could serve as a porter.
“……”
Meanwhile, Freya shot me a strange look before quickly turning away. The icy chill she radiated made it clear she didn’t even want to speak to me.
‘I wonder why she’s so prickly.’
Hopefully, I could bridge the gap or clear up any misunderstandings during these three days.
Next, a beastkin girl with a laid-back expression greeted us.
“Whoa~ We’ve got a lot of famous people here. I’m Hakone. Let’s do our best!”
She was a stranger to me. With tens of thousands of students in the Union, it was impossible to remember everyone. Being a cat beastkin, she was likely from the spirit academy, Voltimir.
“I’m relieved to be on the same team, President.”
Finally, a male student with a neat appearance spoke to Freya. This was Karon, a member of Freya’s Steel Knights. I knew him to be a skilled individual, ranked around 200th in the competition.
These five made up our team. The overall balance was poor, but with Freya present, it wasn’t a terrible combination. She could probably carry a test of this level on her own.
“Before we begin, ladies, please allow me to take your baggage.”
Karon extended his hands to the female members, offering to carry their supply bags.
“Oh, you’ll carry my bag?”
“Yes, it is a knight’s duty to escort a lady. You as well, President.”
When Karon offered his hand, Freya adjusted the straps of the backpack on her shoulders and shook her head.
“I’m fine, Sir Karon. I can carry this much myself.”
“Actually, I’m good too. I’m tougher than I look.”
Following Freya’s lead, Hakone struck a pose, flexing her muscles to decline the offer. Karon gave a small nod and obediently backed down.
“…If you say so. However, you may give me your baggage anytime you feel tired.”
“Okay.”
“……”
He’s certainly trying hard.
I tore my gaze away from Karon’s attempts to win favor and began formulating a plan.
“We have about ten minutes until the test starts. Let’s establish a strategy in the meantime.”
“A strategy… you say?”
At Garfield’s question, I held up a finger.
“Yes. First, we are giving up on the flag at the summit. The risk is too great.”
Being the first to climb the mountain and seize the flag was a high-reward method—granting first place and artifacts regardless of mana stones—but it was better to abandon it.
‘That’s just tempting bait.’
It would be great if we succeeded, but if we failed to capture the flag, we’d have exhausted our stamina for nothing, rushing up the mountain without collecting a single mana stone. We would naturally fall behind the other teams. With our lopsided composition, winning a race to the top was unlikely. I wasn’t about to bet on such a low-probability gamble.
When I announced my intention to forfeit the flag, Karon scoffed.
“A coward with no guts. Giving up without even trying. Lady Freya, what are your thoughts?”
As Karon turned the question to her, Freya glanced at me and spoke.
“…I hate to admit it, but Roen is right. The probability of our team capturing the flag is low. If we were to fail, we would have to gather mana stones from a very disadvantageous position.”
A cool-headed judgment, as expected. This was especially true for a team like ours, composed of individuals from the extreme ends of the spectrum. No matter how strong Freya was, it would be difficult to claim first place while carrying dead weight like Garfield and me. Capturing the flag was a test of the entire team’s speed, meaning a team of five mid-rankers actually had the advantage.
Karon frowned. “I see. Then what should we do?”
“We have no choice but to diligently slay monsters and collect their mana stones.”
The direct approach. Faithfully kill monsters and gather stones. It was an honest method, very much like her, but not one I would recommend. It might be the "proper" way, but it was a total grind.
Having listened in silence, I suggested an alternative.
“How about we hunt other teams instead of monsters? We ambush them and take their mana stones.”
This was the true strength of an extreme team like ours. Although our balance was poor, we could use a powerhouse like Freya to steamroll other teams and steal their loot. It was the most efficient way to climb the rankings; in the game, this had always been the meta strategy.
At that, Freya shot me a sharp glare.
“…We will not resort to such a cowardly method. Rejected.”
Karon chimed in obsequiously. “Hmph, just the kind of idea a guy like you would come up with. I will follow President Freya’s lead.”
“I’m also a bit uncomfortable with fighting other students,” Hakone added.
“The same goes for me,” Garfield muttered.
It seemed the rest of the team was reluctant to play the villain. If the entire team felt this way, I had no intention of forcing the issue. I had other means, anyway.
“If that’s the case.”
As I yielded, Freya nodded.
“Very well. Our policy is decided. Next, the formation. I will take the lead and clear the path. Sir Karon, you will take the rear.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The front and rear were the most dangerous positions. It was only right for the two most skilled members to take them.
“Then what about me…?”
When Garfield timidly raised his hand, Freya asked for his details.
“Your name and affiliation?”
“My name is Garfield. I am from the Commerce Department of Vierman Academy.”
At the mention of the Commerce Department, Freya’s eyes narrowed.
“Pardon my bluntness, but do you have any combat skills?”
“I learned some self-defense when I was young. I also learned alchemy to harden my skin.”
“Fortunately, it seems you won’t be easily injured. Still, since your combat ability is low, please stay in the center of the formation. If a battle breaks out, you will guard our supplies.”
“Understood. You can count on me.”
Next, Freya looked at the cat beastkin.
“Miss Hakone, as a beastkin, you must be familiar with mountainous terrain. You will act as our scout. Inform us immediately if you spot a monster. I will handle the rest.”
“Okay~ Leave it to me.”
“And finally…”
Freya’s gaze turned to me. I beat her to the punch.
“I’ll stay with Garfield and guard the luggage. I don’t think I’ll be of much help in a fight.”
My reputation might have risen recently due to the territory war, but right now, I didn’t even have my magic crystal orb—my primary weapon. There was no need to stick my neck out. I’d just let her carry me.
“…Very well.”
Freya accepted this without objection. With that, our roles were set. Just then, Verdandi’s voice, amplified by magic, echoed from the distance.
[Alright, the field test will now commence. Head for the summit, but be mindful of your safety—the fog is thicker than usual.]
*
An uncharted territory.
About 500 years ago, this was the Darkness Archipelago, a demonic realm teeming with monsters. The Human Alliance undertook a campaign to subjugate the region, and to commemorate their victory, they renamed it the Meteor Archipelago and established the Union upon its soil.
However, they had never completely conquered the vast archipelago, and pockets of uncharted territory untouched by human hands still remained. The site of today’s test, the Howling Mountains, was part of that wild land.
But since this area was close to the Union, the mana concentration wasn’t high, and the monsters were generally lower grade. The level of danger was low enough that even students like Garfield could participate.
Given the circumstances, the students roamed the forest without much fear, cutting down monsters as they went. Our team was no different.
“Three kobolds up ahead!”
From her perch in a tree, Hakone confirmed the enemies' location.
“Acknowledged.”
Freya instantly folded space, rushing forward and piercing a monster’s heart with her sword.
Stab—
“Krrk…”
After felling the kobold with a single strike, Freya twisted her blade to extract the mana stone embedded in the corpse.
Schlick—
A dark purple ore was pulled out on her blade. There wasn’t a single wasted motion in the entire sequence. It was, quite literally, a display of skill bordering on art.
Click.
Freya wrapped the mana stone in a leaf and handed it to me. I tucked it into a leather pouch and checked the tally.
“Three low-grade mana stones. That’s nineteen in total so far.”
Wiping the sweat from her cheek with the back of her hand, Freya frowned.
“…At this rate, this will be endless.”
More than ten hours had passed since the test began. Yet, we had only gathered nineteen stones, all of them low-grade. A low-grade mana stone was worth only one point. In contrast, a mid-grade stone was worth 10, and a high-grade one was worth 50. Hunting small fry indiscriminately was far less effective than taking down a single powerful foe.
But high-grade monsters were rare in these mountains, so we had no choice but to keep searching on foot.
“Lady Freya, please use this.”
Karon offered a handkerchief to the sweating Freya. With a slightly reluctant expression, she took it and thanked him.
“Ah. Yes, thank you.”
Meanwhile, I sighed as I looked at the meager collection in the pouch.
“This is too inefficient. At this point, it would be better to set up a base camp near the finish line and ambush other teams as they approach.”
All teams had to reach the finish line within the three-day limit anyway. We could rest comfortably, conserve our stamina, and then jump a few teams near the end to secure a high rank. There was absolutely no need to tire ourselves out clearing monsters across the entire range.
At my suggestion, Freya’s eyes widened again.
“Roen, I believe I made it clear that we would not be using that method.”
“So you’d rather just keep running around catching small fry?”
“……”
“We cannot attack other students. It would be better to search for high-grade monsters.”
“You want to find a high-grade monster in a forest this vast? We haven’t seen a single one. What guarantee is there that we’ll find one later?”
Other teams were already searching for high-grade monsters with fire in their eyes. There was no guarantee we would be the ones to find them.
“Then what do you suggest we do?”
It seemed I wouldn’t be able to break Freya’s stubbornness. In that case, it was time to use the card I had prepared. I was tired of this grind, anyway.
I let out a small sigh and rummaged through my pocket.
“…If you insist, there is one other way. Prepare for battle.”
I pulled an artifact from my pocket and held it high.
Beep.
As I pressed the red button, an activation chime rang out, and a pulse of mana rippled through the forest. Karon bared his teeth at me.
“What are you doing, you bastard? Pulling a suspicious stunt all of a sudden.”
“Shut up and wait.”
“…What did you say?”
I ignored him and stared quietly into the dark forest. Not long after…
Thud—
A vibration shook the ground, followed by the low thrum of a mana engine. From her tree, Hakone’s eyes sparkled as she shouted down to us.
“Hey! A—A golem! An automated golem is coming!”
Indeed, a massive figure was cutting through the fog, heading straight for us.
THUD—
A towering form clad in sleek steel armor and a heavy helmet appeared. It looked like a giant steel knight in full plate mail.
It was the Union’s monster-exterminating automated golem—a walking, armored score dispenser.