Blackening
"Ahh, Your Highness the Third Prince. What are you doing out here all alone in such a secluded spot?"
"Are you after my gold coins, you scum?"
"Sharp eyes you've got there. That's right."
"How many have you collected?"
"Do you really need to know?"
The third-years dared to mock a prince. Philly finally couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Well, I suppose I can just check for myself."
"Huh? Whoa—!"
The third-years plunged straight into the pit. Amaen had dug it beforehand with earth magic.
As they flailed in panic, trying to crawl out, Amaen started dumping dirt on them.
"Guh—! Guhuh!"
Realizing they could suffocate outside of water, the third-years hurriedly tossed their pouches. Lania snatched them mid-air.
I let out a cheer.
Saaak!
"Argh! Snake! It's a snake!"
The third-years freaked out at my hiss. I quickly shut my mouth and rummaged through the pouches they'd thrown.
A gold coin marked with 2 emerged for the first time. Looks like leaving Amaen alone draws in more fools who underestimate him.
Adding up their coins: a total of 7 points. One each to Amaen and Philly, and Lania pocketed 5.
Five points might sound skimpy, but in terms of gold coin value, that's about 5 million won in Korean currency.
The hunt continued. You can't keep using the same trick forever without the prey catching on. We tried variations.
In the middle of the forest, Amaen and Philly started brawling loudly.
"You filthy commoner! Hand over your gold coins!"
"You tyrannical prince! Taste the fist of the common folk!"
And then, commoner punch! Amaen slammed Philly in the gut. It must've hit harder than expected—Philly gasped, hack!, his face twisting in betrayal.
Sure enough, third-years burst out.
"Get 'em!"
These ones were a bit smarter. Instead of taunting "Hand over the prince's gold, heh heh," they charged right in.
But Lania was much faster. She pounced like a tiger, kicking one in the back.
"Kugh!"
We looted the coins from the third-year who puked up his guts.
Next!
We hid again, repositioned Amaen and Philly. Ran into another student.
"Gotcha!"
Just one opponent this time, so all three of us jumped him.
"W-wait, I'm not with the Second Prince! I'm a second-year!"
"Hand over the gold!"
In the ruthless world of competition, predator and prey mean nothing to chance encounters. The unlucky second-year had no choice but to surrender his coins.
From early morning, these antics kept going. Before we knew it, the sun had crested the sky and begun its descent. Past noon.
Our stomachs growled, so we caught and roasted some mountain birds.
"Some of these birds we caught might be the professors' familiars."
"Let 'em be."
The kids chatted amiably. Occasionally, birds watched us—likely professors' familiars spying on the students.
We ignored them and roasted the birds. I hunted them, but Oliver taught me how to clean and cook them. Humans really know their way around food.
Even as a snake, swallowing feathers and all in one gulp couldn't compare to this delicious roast.
Time to tally the gold we've collected.
Over half the time must be gone by now. We'd raked in a ridiculous haul, but expecting the same rate ahead was unrealistic. Most hidden coins were probably claimed, and rumors of us—terrifying first-years hunting third-years—had spread. Couldn't kill them all, after all.
Still, that's why we can lock in our rank now.
We operated as a trio. Lania's combat prowess contributed the most.
We pooled the gold. Not just from hunts—we'd found hidden caches too.
On a big rock. Tree crown. Knothole in a dead, twisted trunk that centipede couple might've called home.
Gold coins hid in such spots. What a waste for a festival game. How loaded is Emerald School?
Hard-to-find 2-point coins: five. Easy 1-pointers: eight. Total 18 from treasure hunting.
From "human hunting": thirty-five 1-pointers, twelve 2-pointers. Total 59.
Grand total: 77 points. Lucky 77! We're rich!
Redivided: 15 each to Amaen and Philly, 47 to Lania.
Lania looked guilty. "Is this okay...?"
"It's fine. You want to see the Mirror of Essence, right?"
The others agreed. Only Lania among us craved first place for the mirror. As a prince, Philly couldn't enter even if he won, and Amaen didn't care.
"No 3-pointers yet, huh?"
"Yeah, where the heck are they hidden?"
Hmm, true. Probably in super tricky spots. Worth scouting?
Human hunting had been way more efficient so far. This haul guaranteed top ranks—maybe even first.
A-a, test, test.
Then the headmaster's voice boomed from the sky. Amplification magic, judging by the echo.
From the sky? Philly pointed upward.
"A hot air balloon!"
A bright red balloon floated like in the sky. Definitely a hot air balloon. They pulled out all the stops.
His voice resonated like through a megaphone.
I've watched your splendid efforts. Some students used truly inventive strategies.
They were watching, huh. Good thing I stayed back.
I'll watch those mountain birds closer from now on.
"We got praised, right?"
"Seems like it."
The kids giggled.
Less than half the time remains. Here's the midterm ranking.
Oh, what service! We waited eagerly.
31 midterm dropouts. Such a shame.
Fewer than I thought. Those who kept their pouches probably dove back in.
24th place has 8 points. Everyone, step it up!
This was key. Prelims aren't pure ranking—just make top 24.
Top ranks must've stripped the bottom feeders. Haha!
Gasps erupted. If 24th had only 8, Amaen and Philly had nearly double. Qualification was all but certain.
"We're first too!"
"Shh! Don't jinx it—Sullipae, you know?"
"What's Sullipae...?"
"Get excited and fail. Jarein taught me."
Jarein taught her well.
And the glorious 1st place... Wow! A huge lead over 2nd!
Heh, feels good.
I slipped up, getting cocky. Assumed we were first.
Second Prince with 55 points in 1st. No, 60—oh, 68, 72! Overwhelming lead!
What? Score jumped from 55 to 72 instantly.
Leadership is key. Loyal minions pay off big. Impressive. 2nd has 47—tough to catch.
Me—no, Lania in 2nd. Obvious what happened. They track via pouches, not birds.
Keep at it till time's up!
Second Prince probably commandeered nearly all third-years and some second-years. They "donated" willingly. Explains 24th's measly 8.
"Princes can't enter the mirror room even if first—why go so hard?" Lania wondered.
Philly just gritted his teeth. "Brother always wants first."
"...Should we dump all our coins on Lania? We can farm more."
Amaen suggested, but I stopped them.
Don't.
Qualifying trumps the mirror. Risky with unknown time left.
Better ways...
Oh right. You've wondered about the 3-point coins. They'll reveal now.
Headmaster knew his stuff. Group games shine with a late-game bombshell.
The sweetest rewards lurk in the deadliest spots.
Voice cut off. But showmanship supreme.
Whiiiish—Boom!
Familiar fireworks.
Lania!
She was quick. At my call, she scampered up a tree like a squirrel.
"Ah!"
Fireworks burst in one forest corner.
That direction must have a 3-pointer.
Even uninterested Pellelian piped up. 'Boring kid stuff.'
That way—the dead tree and flower field.
"Yeah."
I'd memorized the map. Knew what was there.
Lania landed with a thud. Mention of fireworks fired up Amaen and Philly too.
"Let's sprint—it's close!"
As Lania nodded and we geared to run—
Shiiik!
I halted them. No, can't go like that.
"Master...?"
Don't put all eggs in one basket—that's for kids with a few eggs. We have tons of coins. Time for reverse psychology.
Lania, give all your coins to the others.
"Huh?"
Trust me.
She hesitated but complied. Amaen got it instantly, big-bro style. Philly blinked in confusion.
No birds around. I wrote: You two guard here. Lania goes alone. Someone must protect the gold.
"Then... I stay alone, one helps Lania...?"
Philly and Amaen together. Balanced.
Truth: Philly's dead weight. Taking Amaen leaves Philly vulnerable. He nodded, realizing.
Lania, go!
No time to waste. Close by—prime chance.
Lania bolted.
Full speed!
Wind whistled, leaves whipped her face. Scratches be damned, she pushed on.
Ex-Grayrim tomboy, huh? Knight-level agility now. Better than most knights I've seen.
We reached the fireworks spot: a flower field. Nutrient-hogging blooms had killed the dead trees amid them.
Center: biggest dead tree. Red pouch dangling from a branch.
"That's it!"
Not Lania—another student from opposite side. Second-year badge.
Eyes met. No signal needed—they sprinted.
Knight-aspirant too. Fast.
I sensed danger.
Lania, above!
Good—she saw "it" too. Dodged springing back.
Whiiing—!
Persistent attacker. Lania kicked the incoming thing.
Crack!
Gruesome crunch.
"Eek!"
Lania's weird yelp. At her toe: finger-sized red-assed hornet, burst.
"Gaaahhh!"
Scream from the other student—stung, face swelling, fleeing.
Wasps! Hornets!
Obvious. And hives everywhere.
Poisonous sting. One okay, swarm deadly—even for nimble Lania.
Lania, no protective aura?
'W-what's that?!'
Forget it.
Not there yet. As she backed away stealthily, students swarmed.
"Second Prince over there!"
He brought nearly ten lackeys. Spotted the hornet nest instantly. Analyzed, commanded.
"Depth formation—charge fast! Mages, flank with fire spells! No arrows!"
Formed ranks crisply. Impressive.
'W-what now?'
Trapped. Can't retreat or advance.
Tch...
I could handle it. Crystal scales shrug off stings. Just grab and go.
Too many eyes.
Can't reveal myself. Can't slaughter all.
...Or can I?
Hesitating, idea flashed.
Lania, you okay with gross stuff?
'Stings? No!'
Disappointing. As if I'd ask that.
She nodded reluctantly after explanation.
'O-okay, trust you—I'll run!'
Go!
Hornets swarmed. Second Prince side gawked.
"Martaine? What an idiot."
"Suicide."
They sneered, advancing slowly.
Lania swatted hornets but some stuck.
"Eww, gross!"
She screamed but didn't fall. Face didn't swell.
Because I'd found the way—for her, without me stepping up.
Connection Crown lv2 shares Black Scale lv3.
No scales, but her skin blackened. Mana drain huge—but close enough.
Stings couldn't pierce. But face-clingers? Horrific.
"Waaah!"
Lania ran crying. Third-years gaped.
"What the—?!"
"M-Martaine's blackened!"
Go, black lightning Lania!