Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: 29. Midterms
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Packing up and stepping out of the cave, the cold, damp air unique to the Mist Forest clung to my skin.
"Still, after spending two whole days here, it's kind of regrettable to leave now."
Elysia glanced back at the cave entrance with a wistful look.
Her eyes held a touch of reluctance, as if she were leaving a place filled with precious memories.
It was the space where we'd spent days cut off from the outside world, just the two of us.
But now it was time to go.
"It's regrettable, but we can't stay forever."
"..."
At my response, Elysia pursed her lips for a moment.
Then she shook her head as if shaking off her lingering attachment and flashed a spirited smile.
"Shall we get going, Evan?"
"Yeah. Let's."
I watched her turn and take the lead.
I adjusted the sword at my waist.
The final day, huh.
I mentally sketched a map, gauging the distance from our hiding cave to the central clearing where the portal would appear.
It was a solid few hours' walk, at least.
But we've got plenty of time.
No need to rush.
If anything, taking it slow and steady might be better.
"Where to now? We've got time to spare, so should we hunt for any flags we missed?"
Elysia, walking ahead and scanning our surroundings cautiously, asked softly.
She had a point. If we were thinking about total points, scouring the forest for even one more flag would be the smart play.
"No. Wandering around looking for flags now would just be a waste of time."
"A waste of time...?"
"Most of the flags are already in someone's hands by now."
The students in this exam, S-Class included, were no slouches.
Two days was more than enough time for them to comb the forest like pros.
Hanging around in a forest that's been picked clean would just lead to empty searches.
Worse case, you'd run into beasts and waste energy, or bump into desperate teams short on flags and spark pointless fights.
"So...?"
"We're heading straight for the portal."
Elysia's eyes widened at my answer.
She must have thought that on the last day, we should push a bit harder.
She's not entirely wrong.
Most students would be frantically roaming the woods in a panic right now.
I just didn't see the point.
"The portal? But we've still got tons of time left. And our score..."
"Elysia."
I stopped and turned to her.
"I told you once, didn't I? The real point of this exam is survival."
I clenched and unclenched my fist as I spoke to her puzzled expression.
"By now, the teams with plenty of flags are playing it safe and heading to the portal."
Teams with enough points had no reason to risk wandering the forest anymore.
All they wanted was to hold onto their flags and escape before time ran out.
So naturally, they'd converge on the forest's center, where the portal was.
"And the teams short on flags...?"
"...They're lying in wait for them, right?"
Elysia finally caught on, letting out a soft gasp and nodding.
"Exactly. The center of the forest is probably a warzone right now. Flag-holders clashing with those trying to snatch them."
Only one exit, and a ton of people gunning for it.
Add in the hyenas circling for flags, and we didn't need to bust our asses hunting them down.
All the flags would be gathered right there, in front of the portal anyway.
"We just stroll right into the middle of it."
Scope out the situation, snag some fisherman's gains if we can.
If not, just bail.
"Ready to keep going? Don't want to miss the fun."
"Yes!"
I headed toward the forest's heart without hesitation.
Elysia followed with renewed resolve.
As we neared the forest's center, signs of battle started popping into view.
Every path showed fierce fighting: trees scorched by magic, rocks deeply gouged by blades, faint bloodstains scattered everywhere.
"Everyone's... really desperate."
Elysia murmured bitterly, eyeing a shattered sword fragment.
"It's an exam. They're all backed into a corner."
The test split classes by talent from the start.
So yeah, they'd claw for high scores to close the gap even a little.
I replied indifferently, staying alert.
The closer we got, the thicker and more murderous the air grew, even as the mist thinned.
Thud...
Boom...! Boom boom...!
"...Fire... now!"
"Don't... kid... yourself!"
Metal clashes and exploding magic echoed from afar.
Screams and roars erupted everywhere.
It felt like sharks swarming a blood scent, sharp killing intent pricking my skin.
A lot of them, too.
"The noise... it's intense."
Elysia muttered, her voice tense, ears twitching faintly.
"This is where it gets real. Stay sharp."
"G-Got it, Evan."
We moved stealthily, muffling our steps and using trees and bushes for cover.
How long had we gone?
The dense trees thinned, vision opening up.
And right then—
Boom!
A massive explosion rocked the ground, clearing our view completely.
"Oh my god..."
Elysia sucked in a breath.
It was pure chaos.
A huge portal pulsing blue light dominated the clearing's center.
But no one dared approach it recklessly.
"Hand it over! That flag's mine!"
"In your dreams. We found it first!"
"Outta the way! Interfere and you're dead!"
Eyes rolled back, they slashed and spell-bombed each other.
Reason thrown out, driven only by instinct to grab flags and keep theirs.
I signaled Elysia, and we ducked behind bushes.
She got the hint, stifling her presence and crouching beside me.
"I can't... I give up."
"I-I forfeit. I'm exhausted..."
Scores of students lay groaning or unconscious, already out.
The sane ones ripped return scrolls and bailed from the battlefield.
Let's assess.
The front lines formed a ring around the portal.
At the innermost ring, the standouts were familiar faces, as expected.
"Hahaha! Come at me! Plains warriors never back down!"
Whoosh!
Barkan swung his massive axe like a windmill, roaring.
Three or four students charging him flew off like leaves.
"Eek! S-Sorry! Get awayyy!"
Behind him, Hera flung suspicious vials with a terrified face.
But her throws were dead-on, despite the fear.
"Ugh... what is this? It's sticky...!"
Vials shattered into sticky webs or noxious stenches, bogging down attackers.
Those two make a surprisingly good combo.
Tank and debuffer. A solid party setup.
And on the other side—
Flash!
"...Not here either."
A blue aura flared as she searched for someone.
Three or four rushers dropped instantly.
At the center: a silver-haired girl.
Iris.
Her sword danced gracefully, but destructively.
Most couldn't even track her blade.
Rin stood beside her, unleashing nonstop spells in support.
"Riel, behind you!"
"Got it."
Iris whipped around without looking, parrying an ambush sword effortlessly.
And finally—
"Young master. All clear."
"...Then let's head back. No need for pointless fights."
It was Kaien.
Paired with Rosalyn, he toyed with foes using his signature swift, sharp swordplay.
Even not fully recovered, his moves were flawless.
Rosalyn whipped away anyone closing in.
Main character party lives up to the hype.
S-Class was on another level.
Regular students couldn't even touch them as they methodically cleared the area.
Obviously.
Talent gap's too wide.
"They're all gathered here."
Elysia whispered softly.
"Yeah."
No plans to jump into those gaps yet.
Not the right moment.
Just a bit longer.
After the clash died down.
With dropouts' groans and ripping scrolls fading, only a few held the field.
"Hoo..."
Iris steadied her breath, planting her sword tip in the ground.
Her silver hair was matted with sweat and dirt, but her eyes gleamed coldly.
Rin gripped her staff beside her. Opposite: Barkan with axe on shoulder, Hera trembling in fear.
And Kaien and Rosalyn eyeing gaps between them.
Like they'd planned it.
The three flag-holding groups formed a triangle around the portal.
Perfect.
Hiding in the bushes, I watched contentedly.
Worth the patient wait.
Their focus was locked on rivals ahead.
Protecting their flags or stealing others'.
Hypersensitive senses blinded them to threats right behind.
"Hahaha! Just us left now?"
Barkan boomed, breaking the silence.
"Perfect! Warriors worthy of a final stand! Comrades!"
"...Shut it. Cough up the flags and leave?"
Kaien replied coldly, adjusting his grip.
"...Riel. What's the plan?"
Rin asked lowly.
"...They've got the most flags."
Iris and Rin's gazes shifted to Hera behind Barkan.
As expected.
Iris thought the same as me.
Easiest target.
Barkan tanking upfront, Hera supporting and holding loot from behind.
Efficient, but a glaring weakness.
Isolate Barkan, and Hera's wide open.
Not easy, though.
"We target them."
Iris decided fast.
She signaled; Rin began chanting.
"Fireball!"
Whoosh!
A massive fireball hurtled at Barkan.
"No chance!"
He swatted it away with his axe.
Smoke billowed from the blast; Iris darted in.
"Now, young master!"
Rosalyn's call spurred Kaien; he joined the fray.
Boom! Clang! Scrape!
The three parties tangled in a brutal melee.
Magic blasts and sword auras in a whirlwind of chaos.
All bloodshot for the flags—that instant.
Go time.
I sprang up, grabbing Elysia's wrist as she watched quietly.
"E-Evan?"
She stared in surprise from her crouch.
"Run!"
"R-Right?!"
No time to explain.
I yanked the stunned Elysia and burst from the bushes.
Thud thud!
No need to muffle steps now.
Their ears rang only with weapon clashes.
Wind whistled past; scenery blurred by.
"Evan?!"
"B-Brother?"
"...You!"
"M-Master? Ah..."
Iris, Rin, and everyone gawked.
I ignored them.
One goal.
Not the melee center.
Not straight to portal.
The poor alchemist huddled behind, clutching flags.
"Hera!"
She looked up at my shout.
Her eyes behind thick glasses swirled with terror and confusion.
"E-Evan...!?"
More shock than joy at seeing me.
Makes sense—me charging the battlefield's heart like a madman.
I closed in without slowing, hand outstretched.
"Sorry, but I'll take these."
"Wh-Wha...?"
Before she processed, I snatched the flag bundle from her arms.
Snatch.
Smooth, natural motion.
Like picking up my own stuff.
"...Huh?"
Empty-handed, Hera blinked blankly at the air.
"Thanks! I'll treat you to something yummy later!"
I waved cheerfully at her stunned face.
With the brightest smile.
"Th-Thief! Thief!!"
Hera's belated scream rang out.
"Run, Elysia!"
"Y-Yes? Evan...!"
I grabbed her hand again and sprinted for the portal.
"B-Barkan bro! The f-flags! Evan's taking the flaags...!"
Hera's desperate yell echoed across the field.
Barkan's ears perked mid-clash.
"What? Flags? What the—!"
He turned; saw me bolting for the portal with Hera's bag.
"Comrade! Coward!"
Barkan bellowed in shock.
Like stepping on your own axe.
His betrayed fury was priceless.
"Sorry! Victory's ruthless!"
I yelled without looking back.
"Comrade!"
"Too late."
Elysia and I dove into the portal.
Vision flooded blue.
Insults and shouts from behind vanished like a lie.
Even amid the floating sensation.
The flags' weight lingered solidly in my hand.
[The exam has ended.]
I smirked as the familiar announcement rang in my ears.
Perfect.
Max gains for minimal effort.
Couldn't be cleaner.
Eyes open: the academy plaza, familiar as ever.
Cheers and applause bombarded my ears.
"Is it over?"
"Yep."
"...Kinda anticlimactic."
To her dazed words.
"Winning's all that matters."
I grinned, ruffling her hair.
"Good work."
I said to Elysia, still looking stunned amid the light.
"Let's head back."