Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Magical Beast (5)
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Instructor Yi Hwa-ryeon first divided the examinees who had decided to join the fight into groups.
Even though the exam had ended midway, she could gauge the students' strength to a certain extent just by looking.
With that in mind, she quickly formed teams by pairing weaker students with skilled instructors.
"Hmm..."
However, even among those examinees, there were some who stood out as exceptionally strong.
'It'd be a shame to group the Executioner and the Princess with the regular examinees.'
Those who had already reached a certain level of skill would be inefficient to lump in with the others.
Thus, Instructor Yi Hwa-ryeon assigned them to the instructors' parties instead.
The instructors were all former veterans, but she judged those two could more than hold their own.
"Executioner, join us."
"Understood."
"Princess, please lend us your aid."
"Leave it to me. I'll gladly contribute my strength."
The Executioner, exceptional in personal martial might, and the Princess, whose magic rivaled even the instructors, both merged with the combat instructors and headed to the battlefield.
"Um... shouldn't we keep the Princess protected in the rear?"
"It's fine. It's her own wish as well, and the imperial family aren't so soft as to hang back from a fight like this."
Her father, Emperor Yeongnak, had subjugated the Demon King alongside a hero, after all.
In the Imperial Empire, which revered martial prowess and honored warriors, even the pinnacle of society—the imperial family—would have been raised as honorable fighters.
'She may not have walked the path of the blade like her father, but that spirit was surely passed down properly.'
The Academy Head, aware of this, responded to the worried instructor with a faint smile.
"Academy Head."
At that moment, a group of students approached the Academy Head.
Their captivating aura drew the examinees' gazes naturally toward them.
"We came to check on things here."
"Good. And how's the situation on your end?"
"Yes, sir. The combat instructors have headed out to subjugate the beasts, while non-combat instructors and upperclassmen have formed a defensive line around the academy."
"Heh heh, well done."
"And here?"
"The sprouts have only just resolved themselves."
"......"
The Slaine Student Council President gazed silently at the examinees for a moment after the Academy Head's words.
Her languid gaze drifted to one side before halting abruptly.
"President?"
"...Academy Head, you're planning to test the examinees, aren't you?"
"That's right."
"Then let me help."
"Hm?"
The Academy Head peered up slightly through his bushy eyebrows.
"The president stepping up? That's a rarity."
Even as he spoke, the Academy Head nodded and accepted her request.
With his permission granted, the president bowed her head briefly before heading straight to Instructor Yi Hwa-ryeon, who was organizing groups.
"...President?"
The president, her black hair fluttering and drawing all eyes, addressed the instructor's puzzled look.
"Instructor, I'll take one of the examinees."
"Wh-what?"
Ignoring the instructor's question, she stared piercingly at one spot before striding straight toward it.
Without the slightest waver, her path led directly to Noah, marked by his distinctive platinum hair.
"So, we'll avoid beasts as much as possible and focus on rescuing people!"
"Wouldn't it be better to eliminate the root cause—the beasts themselves?"
"That's too dangerous! I'm against it!"
"Hmm... All right. Then we'll prioritize rescuing citizens."
"Good thinking! We only engage beasts when there's no other choice...... huh?"
Camelia's spirited words trailed off as her expression shifted rapidly upon spotting the figure behind Noah.
"Hello?"
"Eek!"
"...Gasp!"
"......!"
"...Who are you?"
Not only Camelia, but Paul and Eric stared in shock at the newcomer.
Noah turned around, regarding her with an innocent expression.
"Wa-wait a second, Noah?!"
"Uh, yeah? What's up?"
"Really? You really don't know?"
"Don't know what?"
Incredulous, Camelia's eyes widened as she fired words at Noah like arrows.
"That's the Slaine..."
At that instant, the president parted her lips with a picturesque smile.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yeon Ji-eun, Slaine's Student Council President."
"P-pleased to meet you. I'm Noah."
"I know."
A man with feminine features.
Striking, ornate platinum hair.
With two traits so starkly distinct from the crowd, she couldn't possibly miss him.
"Of course I know."
───So it's you.
She leaned in close to Noah's face, her expression turning chilling.
"The one who caught the Student Council President's interest."
"......!"
Noah flinched at the abrupt remark, while she drew back with a feigned smile.
"Stick with me. I'll keep you safe."
"Yes?"
"Got it."
"Noah?!"
Camelia, flustered by the sudden offer, gaped at Noah's casual acceptance.
"Are you insane? That's Slaine's Student Council President! Teaming up with her? We'll just get in the way!"
She was the unparalleled all-rounder who had held the presidency since enrollment.
Martial arts, refinement, knowledge—top of every field.
A peerless genius who had carved her name at the pinnacle without fail!
The idol and apex for every Slaine student—that was her.
To hunt beasts alongside someone like that!
'No way, no way, no way...!'
For her goal of scouting talent, contact with the president was inevitable, but not this abruptly.
'I haven't gathered enough intel on her yet! Teaming up now? One wrong move and we leave a bad impression—disaster!'
Unlike the half-panicked Camelia, Noah's thinking was straightforward.
'Slaine's president must be strong!'
The stronger the ally, the faster they'd resolve the crisis.
With that in mind, Noah nodded, and the president flashed a deep smile.
"Thanks. It's a makeshift party, but we need a leader. I'll leave that to you all."
Perhaps because she'd joined in the instructor's stead.
The president seemed content to hang back and observe.
"Got it. So, Camelia, who should lead?"
"You...!"
"Yeah?"
"Sigh..."
Camelia started to retort but felt foolish seeing Noah's blank look.
"Never mind. You lead. We're here following you, after all."
"You sure?"
"Yes. Just... don't do anything too reckless."
After her light caution, she gave a wry smile at Noah's quiet nod.
───
The magical beasts pouring from the gate descended to the surface, obeying some incomprehensible command.
The named beast "Wind-Bearing" Cockatrice likewise heeded the instinct-stirring order and swooped toward Academy City.
Kkiyooooot──!
Its cry, thick with mana, spread outward as a miasmic wave, erupting in a small shockwave centered on it.
Kikikil─!
Savoring the exotic air to its fill, the Cockatrice unfurled its wings wide.
Today was a fantastic day.
Who knew there'd be this much prey nearby!
The Cockatrice's gaze fixed on the people in the streets.
"Eek!"
"M-monster!"
"Everyone, run!"
The street crowd fell into panic at the beast's sudden aerial appearance.
They'd survived the first wave unscathed, but there hadn't been enough time to fully evacuate the streets.
As a result, countless people remained stranded on the ground.
And to the Cockatrice, they appeared a most appetizing feast.
Kkiyooooot──!
So much food!
At the banquet laid out as if just for it, the Cockatrice unleashed a soaring cry.
After one blast, it scanned the prey with razor-sharp eyes.
Seeking the most nutritious morsel, it shifted its head—then spotted a human brimming with dense mana and plummeted like a bolt.
At the same instant, other gate-spawned beasts landed, unleashing a fierce gale around the Cockatrice.
Kkiyooooot──!
Instinctively disrupting the area with its cry, it promptly claimed this spot as its territory.
Right after, a warning-laden screech boomed from its maw, and wind blades spewed from its wings.
The blades shot indiscriminately every which way, wreaking havoc on the ground and nearby beasts alike.
The Cockatrice flapped its wings boastfully at the devastation it wrought.
Kikikil─!
After hovering briefly in the sky, it launched more wind blades at the scurrying ground prey and aerial threats.
Techniques honed against crawling fodder and flying predators.
Not entertaining failure, it glided leisurely through the air, anticipating the screams to come.
Simultaneously, a piercing wail erupted from its beak.
Kkiyoooot──!
"A chicken's flying around."
Yes—until the winds it so proudly summoned scattered effortlessly.
Kkiyooooot──?
The Cockatrice cocked its chicken head quizzically.
What was this?
Why had its vaunted attack vanished?
Why was its targeted prey gone from sight?
The Cockatrice couldn't comprehend.
Meanwhile, its body had soared even higher right after the failed strike.
A purely instinctual maneuver.
At the same time, pristine white sword ki streaked toward where it had been.
Kkiyooooot──!
Finally registering the intruder's arrival, the Cockatrice cried out in wary alarm.
"A named beast, eh."
The woman with waist-length black hair slung her sword over her shoulder as she spoke.
"This'll be tough. Think you can handle it?"
"I'll give it a shot."
"No way, no way, no way──!"
"Go on, have at it."
As if she had no need to intervene herself.
The woman continued bantering downward.
Kkiyooooooot──!
In that moment, the Cockatrice flapped its wings at the foe heedless of its cry.
"Not on my watch!"
As the mighty gust rushed to engulf the woman, a golden flash abruptly lanced upward from below.
Startled by the sudden assault, the Cockatrice climbed high—but mana arrows targeted its body to bar the way.
Kkiot──!
Yet the Cockatrice paid it no mind.
Or rather, it had no need to.
"What!?"
Paul's mana arrow had failed to pierce its hide, bouncing harmlessly away.
"Looks harmless, but it's named. Half-baked attacks won't land."
She remarked while hovering motionless, surveying the scene—prompting Camelia below to begin her incantation.
"By our pact, manifest here. Xanthus!"
At once, a massive magic circle bloomed before Camelia, from which a gigantic Pegasus emerged.
"Whoa?! Camelia, what is that?!"
"My summon, Xanthus. We'll chase it on him!"
"So your special class is a summoner!"
Camelia nodded lightly at Noah's awed words, mounted Xanthus, and extended a hand to him.
"Hold on tight. He bucks pretty hard with strangers...?"
"Ooh! High up!"
Contrary to Camelia's expectations, Noah mounted without a hitch.
Xanthus even bent its legs slightly to ease his climb, leaving Camelia dumbfounded.
Kkiyooooot──!
Sensing ill portent, the Cockatrice rocketed upward—Noah hastily pulled Camelia into an embrace.
"It's getting away! After it!"
Eric leaped from a rooftop to harass the fleeing beast.
Creating mana platforms, he cut off its path, countering its wind-charged wingbeats with fists to grapple it.
Paul's covering fire streaked in from below.
Xanthus seized the gap to close distance.
"Go for the wings! Strip its mobility!"
"On it!"
With some separation gained, Noah rose on Xanthus's back.
Aura-clad feet braced steadily against the Pegasus; Noah slowly shut his eyes.
'Replay that sensation.'
He recalled the golden sword ki.
The radiant blade aura from his mana rampage.
'It's okay. I can do this.'
He'd just pulled it off moments ago.
Noah gritted his teeth and clenched his sword.
Then, the furious Cockatrice spread its wings wide.
'Now...!'
Sensing the instinctual opening, Noah launched from Xanthus──
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Aura Skill - Brave Sword - ■■■■■■──!!
"I did it!"
There was a definite bite at the sword's tip.
But his elation was fleeting.
His elevated body yielded to gravity, hurtling down.
Falling even faster than his leap upward!
Camelia closed in desperately, arm outstretched toward him.
"Whoooaaa──!?"
"Noah!"
"Hup!"
Their hands locked; Xanthus swooped in to catch Noah securely.
"To think you actually pulled it off..."
"Haha! Told you I could!"
"You did. Amazing job!"
With a wounded wing, its flight was crippled.
'At this rate, we might really take down a named beast...!'
That would mean passing the exam—and rookie status among examinees!
But as Camelia looked skyward with budding hope, she sensed trouble: the Cockatrice wasn't falling.
"It's not dropping...?"
"No way. I definitely sliced the wing!"
Flustered by Camelia's words, Noah peered up urgently.
At the same time, the idly observing president intoned coldly.
"Sloppy. Think a wind beast can't fly with damaged wings?"
If that sufficed to fell it, "named" wouldn't be its title.
With that, the president narrowed her eyes at the Cockatrice brewing a tornado.
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