Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: The End of the Practical Exam
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A Buster Call erupted from the starting island on the sea side.
Shells rained down from the sky, black smoke blanketed the ocean.
Everything turned to ashes.
As countless people perished amid the bombardment and chaos, they began resurrecting in the city's church.
"Wh-what the hell happened?!"
"So many people died..."
"I heard that boss showed up on Sky Island."
"Is that true?!"
"But looking at their outfits, they don't seem like adventurers or combatants."
"No way it reached the sea side..."
While the priests inside the dungeon speculated on what had happened.
Once the news reached the academy, the professors were struck with headaches.
"Th-this isn't our fault, right?"
"It happened on the sea side, not Sky Island, so we should be fine, yeah?"
"I hear hardly any students went that way to begin with."
"But some... did go."
Why had Balak appeared in the mini dungeon now?
It was because the academy had held a practical exam.
And nearly all those who resurrected were nobles at that.
If they made an issue of it, the academy could face serious trouble.
Having caused this unintended nuisance, the academy couldn't just sit idle.
"Let's head back into the dungeon."
"Head Professor Veris, are you planning to investigate what happened?"
"They say it takes up to three days for those who resurrected this time to fully awaken. Better to check it out ourselves than wait that long."
"Conveniently, all the professors who got hit by Light Tail have woken up except for the alchemy department's chief instructor. We can move out together."
The head professor quickly assembled an investigation team and wanted to request another early skip pass from the imperial clerk again...
But since he'd already burned through money meant for a grand mansion, he decided walking was better.
Just as the professors finished preparing and entered the dungeon entrance.
A large crowd had gathered at the dungeon entrance.
What had happened this time?
Hoping it was nothing serious, Head Professor Veris pushed through the crowd to find out.
""""He-Head Professor Veris!!"""""
"You all?!"
"Huh? You know them?"
"Thank goodness..."
"Sob..."
The commotion at the dungeon entrance was due to those who had just escaped from the sea side.
They were on edge from the intense stress of fearing Balak might pursue them inside the dungeon.
Having barely escaped with countless injuries, they were now blocked by a curious crowd and couldn't move the chests they'd obtained.
But now that reliable professors appeared one by one, the students' tension melted away.
Thud!
"Crane?!"
"Everyone, over here!"
"Oh dear... kids, you okay?"
"Please make way!"
"Guards! Can you help?!"
Afterward, the professors took the fainted Crane, the severely injured Elessa,
the teary-eyed first-years, and the relieved dwarves to the church.
*************
While the students received treatment from the priests, the head professor questioned the dwarves about what had happened.
"Such a thing..."
"It was total chaos, no other way to put it."
"Don't know why that monster didn't chase us, but we were just lucky, that's all."
From the circumstances, all the ghost ships on the sea had converged, moving to smash the seaside resort area.
Head Professor Veris realized those on the ships had simply gotten caught up in it.
"But what's in those chests that you're guarding them so fiercely?"
"...This is what everyone on that ship staked their lives to protect."
"Rather than explaining... it's faster to just see for yourselves. And since you're the students' trusted adults, we'll show you."
When the dwarves revealed the treasures inside the chests, Veris understood why they'd been so on edge.
"We went through all that hell together—gotta have some reward, right?"
"Blunt even lost all his research data."
"They need to wake up quick so we can divvy this up... tsk tsk tsk."
"But why the long face?"
"Ah... s-sorry."
Realizing the sea-side incident hadn't been caused by them, the head professor let out a huge sigh of relief.
Also, as far as the head professor remembered, now all ranks 1 through 3 across every grade had encountered Balak.
Of course, first-year acting top student Crane and acting second Elessa hadn't died in the fight with Balak.
Since it hadn't pursued them but let them go, it likely meant Balak wouldn't appear in the mini dungeon anymore.
But to confirm that for sure...
"You're thinking of entering the main dungeon?"
"We need to check if that thing is staying put now."
"I see..."
Hearing Head Professor Veris's words, the dwarves exchanged glances and nodded.
Soon, the dwarves handed over a paper from one of the chests.
"Th-this?!"
"An early skip pass."
"And don't say something cliché like 'why give us this?'"
"It's not part of the students' share, so take it without worry."
Touched by the dwarves' gratitude—saying it helped them safeguard the chests safely—the head professor was deeply moved.
Thanks to the tsundere dwarves' early skip pass, the head professor arrived with the other professors where Ferguson was.
**********
Having heard the professors' story, Ferguson looked at them with pity.
"...So that's why you've come back."
"By any chance, has this place's master returned here?"
"Balak bro did return to the boss room a little while ago. And he seemed pretty satisfied."
The professors greatly relaxed upon learning the dungeon's boss had returned to its post.
However, the practical exam still had about five days left.
The professors, already envisioning the ordeal ahead, had dark circles under their eyes.
"But Balak bro won't be entering the mini dungeon again during the practical exam."
"What a relief..."
"Oh, and the sea side is closed until repairs are done."
"You call that repairs?"
"Of course."
Restoring an island reduced to ashes seemed utterly bizarre.
But since this was a place that defied logic to begin with, it was highly convincing.
Afterward, Ferguson listened to the professors' grumbling while making some considerations for them.
"You're not giving us something too expensive, are you...?"
"It's really nothing to us, so take it easy."
He first gave them two early skip passes to replace those used so far.
And created the same portal to the entrance as before.
Overwhelming rewards dispel all complaints.
The professors' forced financial therapy lightened their expressions instantly.
"I don't know what you'll do with it if you sell it, but I hope it eases your minds."
"Truly... thank you so much!"
"Next time we hold an exam in the dungeon, we'll definitely come talk to you first!"
As the professors left in high spirits, Kairel and Pepi, who had overheard the incident, wore strange expressions.
"Branch manager, branch manager."
"What is it, Kairel?"
"Somehow... we messed up, but we're getting thanks? Is it just me?"
"Nah, not really. Entering this place means steeling yourself for death anyway."
Who could've predicted they'd hold a practical exam here?
If the academy had gotten permission first, none of this would've happened.
"Well... not sure if the boss would've allowed it."
"But it all worked out, so that's good."
Ferguson, Kairel, and Pepi checked on the students exploring the mini dungeon interior.
"True youth~"
"Yeah, really."
"I used to dream of wearing that academy uniform... seeing it now feels so fresh."
"You wanted to go to that academy, Kairel?"
"Of course~ Getting in guaranteed success."
"What about now? Still want in?"
"Hehehehe... I like it better here?"
With everyone at the tavern wrapping up talk of the day's events, peace returned to the dungeon.
**********
A full week had passed since the practical exam began.
All students had stuffed their bags full—not with supplies, but with specimens gathered inside the dungeon.
Everyone looked so satisfied, their faces beaming.
Some were even planning to spend their break here.
Once the professors confirmed all students had exited the dungeon, a two-day rest period followed.
During this time, students chatted with friends about the practical exam.
And began drafting their reports early.
"No... why'd you write the outline like this?"
"Kid, this isn't a diary."
"Too wordy. It's already super long—focus on the key points."
While students gathered for various activities.
Those who had encountered Balak in the mini dungeon grew pensive.
Soon, their attention turned to the first-years who survived meeting Balak.
Among them, third-year top student Albert met the first-year acting top and second.
"You guys had a real grand adventure..."
"Hahaha... yeah, looking back like you say, it feels that way."
"But I can't forget the sensation of my sword shattering."
Elessa recalled blocking Balak's sword.
The instant her whole body shattered.
How hollow death truly was.
She realized how distant the word "best" really was.
"You feel powerless too, huh?"
"Yes..."
"Sigh... I fought that boss too, but no answers at all."
Albert had pulled out every trick against Balak.
But it felt like just swinging his sword at empty air.
"First time I truly felt unreachable. No strategy, technique, or matchup worked."
"Speaking of, you faced that thing one-on-one, senior."
"Faced? I was just flailing. Makes you wonder what 'genius' or 'prodigy' even means... Crane, you as a mage feel it too?"
"...Agreed."
For the first time, geniuses tasted utter powerlessness.
The three could have crumbled right there.
But Albert remembered Balak's encouragement.
"Still, I get why heroes keep challenging this dungeon."
"What do you mean?"
"It might be forever out of reach, but it gives the clearest goal."
"No way, senior, you want to take on that boss...?"
"Once you're a knight, aiming for the strongest is a must, right? And you can challenge endlessly?"
Geniuses usually carve their own paths.
But those paths are so dark and unsteady.
They might just waste time pointlessly.
But now, a guiding star had risen in one corner of their sky.
"Didn't expect a duke's heir to talk romance like that."
"Hey, Elessa. You're a marquis's heir too—don't say that. Crane, you agree?"
"...I heard nothing."
"Pfft!"
"Kukuku... too wise?"
Seeing commoner Crane deftly evade, Albert and Elessa laughed.
Thus, the sprouts unbroken by the raging storm sank deep roots.
Preparing to grow further, becoming verdant flora to usher in a new generation.
Episode 13, Verdant Saplings END.