Practical Exam Day Two
The second day of Orion Academy's practical exam dawned.
An hour before the start, Rohan stretched his body while downing the supplement Clara had prepared and sucking on the candy Sion had packed for him.
The vibe's totally different from yesterday.
Looking around, the difference from the day before was stark.
Fewer cadets were loosening up their muscles; most were meditating or standing still, focusing their minds.
Probably prepping for Instructor Marcel's exam, where more than half had already been eliminated.
Orion Academy Practical Exam — Day 2 Commences
As 9 a.m. hit, the same broadcast voice from yesterday echoed out.
Today, the cadets scattered in all directions, each with their own plans.
The path to Juyeon was deserted, unlike the first day, while the most headed for Instructor Marcel.
Instructor Juyeon must be bored out of her mind.
Regrettable, but Rohan had no intention of going to her today either.
He'd decided his route yesterday.
For now, he planned to head first to Instructor Palkenhain, the defense specialist.
Palkenhain's bells were blue, totaling 100.
Community chatter said about 30 had gone out on day one.
Even if true, there could be discrepancies. With momentum, they might all vanish today, so now seemed like the perfect window.
Let's go.
Plenty of others had the same idea as Rohan.
Lots of cadets walked the same direction.
How long had they walked? A male instructor came into view, arms crossed.
Short hair, tight-lipped mouth. Massive build. A huge scar across his face.
To put it simply, he had a tough, solid impression.
The kind of look and aura that screamed special forces soldier—everyone would buy it.
Thud. Thud.
The cadets halted at the line drawn on the ground.
The instructor scanned the crowd of gathered cadets and continued, mana flowing.
"The way to get a bell is simple. Break the barrier I've set up. Anyone who shatters it gets one."
Instructor Palkenhain used mana to form a translucent membrane.
It physically severed the space between cadets and instructor.
"Challengers, step over the line."
Rohan, having snagged a front-row spot with clear sightlines, decided to watch for a bit.
One cadet stepped up right away.
"Attack whenever. With so many people, time's limited to one minute from the start."
"Yes, sir!"
The forward cadet reached out, touching the barrier Palkenhain had deployed.
Ripples spread from the point of contact with his palm.
Rohan stroked his chin, observing. He revisited a nagging thought from yesterday.
Will skills work on the barrier? Wonder how the judgment works. If they do, it's basically a test made for me.
With so many cadets, Palkenhain was likely adjusting the barrier's rigidity on the fly.
As Rohan pondered, the testing cadet drew his sword.
True to Orion Academy, his mana reserves were impressive.
"Hah!"
The blade struck the barrier relentlessly, shout accompanying each swing.
Clang! Claaang!
Blade strikes poured in nonstop for a full minute. Still, the barrier held.
Just some scratches at best.
"Time."
"Haaah...! Heh...!"
The barrier repaired itself in an instant, erasing the marks.
Aim for the same spot consistently in one minute, and it might've worked. But minimizing error at full power wasn't easy for a cadet.
"It's not a lack of mana. Focus your power, and it's possible. Next time, condense it more cleanly."
The panting cadet bowed and retreated.
More challenges followed.
While Rohan watched, two cadets claimed bells.
My turn.
As one cadet pulled back, Rohan crossed the line.
The instructor's gaze turned his way.
"One-minute limit. Attack when ready."
"Got it."
Rohan drew Stigma, the pistol holstered at his side.
Confirmed the empty chamber, then swapped the top round in the magazine for a special one.
A high-rigidity mana-piercing round. Racked the slide.
Click!
Aimed Stigma's barrel at the barrier.
Seeing a cadet use a non-issue weapon, Palkenhain upped the barrier's rigidity a notch.
"Huuu..."
Focused mana, infusing the round with precise Weakness Infliction. Mana filled the bullet.
Here, pricey special rounds weren't the only weapon.
Rohan's exclusive Stigma had its own effect.
'Internally inserted rounds enter Fire Brand state—increased mana capacity and resistance.'
Perfect synergy with special ammo.
This should do it.
The moment mana from the skill packed the bullet tight.
Rohan pulled the trigger without hesitation.
Bang—!
Gunshot rang out.
A perfect round hole punched through the barrier.
...
...
Rohan pocketed the bell from Instructor Palkenhain and left.
Used a good chunk of mana.
Plan was to rest till afternoon, focus on recovery. No point rushing half-cocked.
Rohan headed to Ed's position, keeping distance to observe.
Instructor Ed looked unchanged from the placement exam.
Bored eyes, unkempt beard, shaggy hair.
Rare for personality to show so plainly in appearance.
"Hm."
Appearance aside, he was undeniably skilled.
Rohan watched closely, but no clear habits or openings.
If any existed, the cadets just weren't good enough to expose them.
Ichinose and Noah passed, huh.
Like Carrot, Ed ran a simple test.
But through Rohan's morning vigil, Ed gave zero bells.
'...'
One thing threw Rohan off a bit.
Word of yesterday's stunt must've spread—several cadets now tried explosives.
Nothing groundbreaking, though.
Mastering a new weapon cleanly and timely doesn't happen overnight.
Often tangled with their usual gear instead.
This worked in Rohan's favor.
Cadets kept greater distance now.
No buried surprises on the ground, huh.
Hard to do discreetly.
Even sneaking in pre-dawn, you'd work alone.
Good. Time to prep.
Rohan stood, heading to the academy cafeteria.
Early lunch, then a nap.
4 p.m.
One hour till exam end, Rohan sought Ed.
Fewer cadets now—quiet.
Rohan crossed boldly, dropping his bag.
Ed, hand in pocket, staring blankly at the sky, looked down.
"Long time no see."
"Mm, Cadet Rohan. First proper face-to-face since placement."
"Can I take the test?"
"Of course. And the rumors? Ears full of 'em. Impressive."
"Thanks. Mind explaining the test?"
"Nothing special. Just snag the bells hung here..."
Ed began explaining.
Similar to Carrot's. Rohan already knew it all.
But this was a cadet's right.
Foolish not to claim it and exploit the gap.
First move wins.
Rohan eyed Ed's slow drawl.
Pressed the hidden detonator.
KABOOOM——!!!
Ground flipped, black smoke billowing up.
Unlike Carrot's elevated spot, Ed was slightly offset—but no reason to spare the pre-planted bomb.
"Heh, so you're the fireworks kid from Carrot's on day one."
Ed emerged through the thick smoke.
Rohan already wore a gas mask.
"Gotta start with a bang, right?"
Muffled through the mask.
But Ed heard fine.
"Yesterday's pair too—kids these days are scary."
"Finish the explanation? Missed the end."
Ed chuckled at Rohan claiming rights post-boom.
"What now. Not feeling generous."
The instant Ed spoke.
Three tin-can objects Rohan tossed rolled across the ground.
Ed tried to check them, but Rohan had painted over labels.
Chem-bio stickers altered the look.
Hiss——!!!
Unknown objects spun, spewing green smoke.
Colored haze filled the air.
Rohan's gas mask hinted at the smoke's nature.
Sinister imagination raced.
Poison gas? No regard for surroundings... Samhwa Nation's Disabling Toxin?
But no—it was just colored smoke grenades.
Before Ed realized, Rohan burst through the haze, closing distance.