Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Midterm Exam (2)
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"Alright, everyone, focus up! Now I'm going to explain the midterm exam details~"
The day of the midterm exam had finally arrived. All the freshmen were gathered in the spacious auditorium.
"How well you grasp this will have a huge impact on your scores, so listen closely!"
The chancellor was chattering away enthusiastically from the center of the stage, surrounded by dozens of professors.
"The exam format is simple. You'll wander around the island collecting as many so-called 'Mana Coins' as possible. It's just a straightforward game~"
The chancellor clasped her hands together neatly, and soon a blue glow emanated from between them.
She then flung her arms wide toward the students, and the huddled mana orbs began floating one by one toward them.
Saaaaah—
The mana glided through the air like silk before transforming into round coin shapes.
Faint sky-blue coins emblazoned with the Avillon Academy emblem.
These must be the 'Mana Coins' the chancellor had mentioned.
"You'll all start the game with the one Mana Coin you've just been given~. If you lose it entirely, you'll be eliminated immediately, so be careful~"
With a wave of the chancellor's hand, an illusion spell unfurled over the stage.
It showed shabby characters in Avillon Academy uniforms battling each other.
Before long, the loser's coins transferred to the victor, and the defeated player—whose mana barrier had shattered—was warped away to the elimination zone.
'Survival time affects your score too, huh.'
The eliminated players' names appeared on a leaderboard, with their survival times listed beside them.
"There are all sorts of ways to get Mana Coins~. You can pick up the ones scattered around, or take down the boss in the island's center for a big haul~"
With a snap of the chancellor's fingers, the screen switched.
A rough map of the exam island appeared.
Tiny dots dotted the island, and a massive red one marked the central forest.
'That must be the Forest Keeper.'
It dwarfed the smaller bosses in size.
This guy would play the biggest role in the exam.
"You'll get Mana Coins based on the number of people taking on each boss and your contribution level~. So it's best to gauge the boss's strength and tackle it with the minimal team needed~"
The next screen showed several students facing off against a boss.
Soon after, the boss fell, and a flood of reward Mana Coins flowed to each student.
The one who'd fought hardest got the lion's share.
"We should target right after fights end..."
"Better to handle bosses with people we trust."
"...Ugh, I'm just gonna quietly pick up coins."
Whispers rippled through the nearby students.
They were all mulling over their strategies.
This exam would split people into three main factions.
Plunderers who robbed other students' coins.
Subjugation teams who took down bosses for massive hauls.
And collectors who peacefully gathered coins while roaming the island.
The powerhouses who could solo bosses would go plunderer, while everyone else teamed up for subjugation.
'I'm planning to be a collector, though.'
The 'perma-lurk meta'—for those lacking confidence or just waiting out eliminations.
Technically, my specs could qualify me for a subjugation team.
But with a specific task this exam, gathering the bare minimum coins would do.
Such thoughts were short-lived as the chancellor continued.
"Alright! I think that's all the explanation needed~. Good luck, everyone!"
No time for planning—she kicked off the exam without delay.
With a clap of her hands, the entire auditorium was engulfed in a magic circle.
Warp magic activated, and vision went white.
Zzzzzzt—
The chirp of insects echoed through the dense trees.
"A forest... huh."
Seems I'd be starting the exam in the woods.
The island had three zones total.
The beaches ringing the edges, the canyon riddled with caves.
And the central forest, packed with bosses and the Forest Keeper.
Mana Coin density scaled with danger, so this spot—where I stood—was the riskiest.
'Actually... might be perfect.'
With students flocking here, fights were guaranteed. Worst case for a collector like me.
But for hunting the demon's base hidden somewhere in these woods? Not bad at all.
'It said the base is concealed somewhere in the forest.'
The moment it reveals its energy to rampage the Forest Keeper.
I had to pinpoint it then without fail.
It leaked energy periodically, sure—but students died each time.
"Alright, might as well rack up some solid points while I'm at it?"
High-risk forest meant way more scattered Mana Coins than elsewhere.
As an Avillon Academy veteran like me, I could snag the demon and ace the exam.
Two birds with one stone—the ideal play!
...Or so I thought back then.
Kaboom! Rumble rumble!
"Gahhh! Spare me!"
"Sorry. It's for the greater good."
"Greater good my ass! This is just for your score!"
"If an exceptional student like me gets top marks and protects you all as a result, that's the greater good."
"What kinda bullshit— Aaaargh!"
Kwaaaang!
Student #124: OUT
'...Didn't expect a total psycho like this.'
Everyone's got their grand plans, right?
Too bad mine felt like it'd just taken a haymaker to the face.
[Darian Lanford]
◆ Traits [Magic Lv. 5]
ㄴ[A: Thundercloud Magic Lv. 5]
◆ Skills [A: Acceleration (Lightning Attribute)] ◆ Unique Traits [A: Materialization (Lightning Attribute)]
Class A's top dog. A mad lightning freak who'd dumped everything into thunder magic.
And he was rampaging as a plunderer, sweeping the area clean.
Kaboom! Kwaaaang!
Worse, he was heading my way!
Greedily pushing deeper for more coins? Big mistake.
I was one step from facing the last guy I wanted: Darian.
That bastard didn't negotiate—he was a straight-up terrorist...!
"You there, hiding in the corner. Come out."
"..."
"I'm talking to you, so quit playing dumb."
I'd stifled my presence as best I could.
Guess some noise leaked.
'...No choice.'
Time to play my trump card.
"I surrender! Don't attack!"
"Why shouldn't I?"
"I've got important info!"
Darian paused, canceling his spell. Hooked on 'important info.'
"Spit it out. What is it? If it's worthless, you're done."
"You're looking for someone, right? Your rival."
"...Rival?"
He frowned, pondering.
No wonder—no rivals came to mind.
I was just tossing him better bait.
"The Hero?"
"No!"
"Estelle Lumeria then?"
"Nope!"
"...The Saintess?"
"Saintess is a priestess from the start!"
Each guess met with denial; veins bulged on his forehead, irritation rising.
Tch, ego much.
Even Class A's ace couldn't hang with S-Class kids.
"Not this, not that! Who then?!"
"Dude, you've got your best friend."
"Who?!"
Stalling after hyping 'important'? He was fuming.
Patience of a gnat.
Lightning magic side effect? Seemed hot-tempered.
"Lucas. Lucas Baren."
"Why's that loser my rival?"
"You two are always buddy-buddy, and your skills match."
"Who said that crap?!"
"Lucas."
"Grahhh!"
Lightning magic is hazardous.
Just facts, and he was raging.
Lucas never called Darian rival or friend, but they'd stuck together since entrance exams. Close enough?
"I waited for 'important' talk, and this is it?!"
"Calm down a sec."
"Calm my ass!"
Crackle! Zap zap!
Electricity sparked off him, angrier than before.
Huh, thought it'd work.
Just poked the bear harder.
"Hoo, guess even this nonsense falls to me to comprehend. I'll end it quick, no worries."
"Then off to Lucas?"
"Cheap tricks won't fly anymore."
Tried riling him to break his cool.
Everyone stays composed at the worst times.
Grrrr... Growl...
Like a beast's roar. Static crackled, tension thick.
'This won't be easy...'
Opponent: Class A's strongest, Darian.
Not zero odds, but I needed to conserve power...
Kwarung!
Damn, too late to run...!
Battle ignited with Darian's lightning bolt, blinding as light.