Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Placement Exam (2)
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As Professor Kate had announced, the academy's schedule was completely changed during the practical combat placement period.
The mornings, which used to have general subject classes, were replaced with "special classes," and the afternoons were dedicated to practical combat matches.
"Hmm..."
That's why I was deep in thought from the morning.
'Should I join the special class and slack off, or just not show up at all. Which one would rack up more sloth?'
What a rotten dilemma.
And the conclusion came quickly.
'Yeah, better not to go.'
I figured skipping entirely would give me higher points.
Honestly, it was a bit of a hassle anyway.
My fighting style was completely different from a typical mage's to begin with.
I didn't even use magic—I just clicked skills, and if I fought diligently, my points would drop, so I had to force myself to fight lazily.
No matter how great the external instructors were, none of them would teach something like "how to fight lazily."
So.
"Ah.... Nice weather."
Instead of joining the special class, I was lying on the soft grassy hill of the academy, leisurely basking in the sunlight.
A booming voice echoed from the large training ground below.
"Get your heads in the game, you rookies! The blood, sweat, and tears you're shedding now are forging your victories! Got it?!"
"Yes, Instructor!"
"Voices too small! Louder!"
"Yes, Instructor!!!!!"
That was the special class happening today.
Not every class was like that, but they all seemed to be drilling the cadets pretty hard in similar fashion.
I wondered if they should be pushing that hard when they had practical matches right in the afternoon...
But then I saw the exhausted cadets collapsing one by one, only for the waiting instructors to rush over and cast healing magic on them.
'Whoa, that's how they do it.'
They pushed them right to the brink of death, then healed them back to full vigor with magic.
What terrifying, gruesome training!
'...Good thing I didn't join.'
That was basically torture.
Anyway, as I watched the other cadets sweat it out in training, my sloth kept piling up.
[Training Exemption]
[Very slothful behavior!]
[Sloth +1!]
[Sloth +1!]
[Sloth +1!]
...
During class, I had to sleep slumped over my desk, which was uncomfortable, but now I could lie flat out, so it was way more relaxing for my body.
The sloth accumulation rate was a bit faster too.
'Ahh. This is so much better.'
I wished placement periods were like this every time.
Huh? Wait a sec.
That thought made me sense something off.
I'd unconsciously focused more on how much more comfortable my body felt than on racking up sloth points.
'Ugh, crap.'
It snapped me awake.
They say people adapt to their habits.
Lately, even my mindset was getting a bit slothful.
Snap out of it. Can't let the concept consume me.
I shook my head.
***
A few hours later.
Sloth farming done, it was finally time for practical combat.
I strolled leisurely into the arena at my match time.
The moment I stepped inside, what hit me was.
"Waaaaaaah!!!"
Incredible heat.
The cheers and fervor from hundreds of cadets filled the entire massive dome-shaped arena.
Last time it was just magic department cadets, but now the entire 1st Year Combat Department was packed in tight.
Dozens of arenas hosted simultaneous battles, with the constant clash of swords and explosions of magic echoing nonstop.
'Whoa. Check out this atmosphere.'
It was like this in the game too... but experiencing it in real life felt totally different.
Feeling a slight thrill, I headed to my assigned Arena 7.
But even before it started, I noticed an unusual crowd gathered at the spectator seats.
Turned out my match was one of the earlier ones today, and thanks to all the incidents, I was something of a celebrity, drawing spectators.
Yuria and Arteil, who usually hung around with me, weren't there—their match times overlapped, so they were off preparing for theirs.
Instead.
"Hey, Jeron~. Here to watch Jeron's magic~."
From the front row of the spectator seats, Ciel was waving her hand lightly.
I waved back casually.
She was the only friend who'd come to cheer(?) me on.
That's when the instructor's voice boomed.
"Arena 7, Cadet Jeron Airgia, Cadet Victor Presel. Enter!"
I stepped into the arena.
The instructor recited the practical combat rules and cast life-protection magic on me and my opponent.
Standing across from me was a massive, rough-looking martial artist. Victor Presel.
He gave me a chilling smile.
'He looks even more menacing than in the game.'
On the surface, he seemed like a straightforward brute fighter.
But actually, he fought in a very sneaky way.
In other words, strategically.
'He's probably analyzed me thoroughly by now.'
So his first move would be...
"Match start!"
Charge.
Victor rushed me at terrifying speed right from the start.
An absurd velocity that didn't match his huge frame. In an instant, his fist was thrusting right at my face.
But.
'Predictable.'
Since I'd seen his moves coming a mile away, even Keen Eye's 'danger detection' didn't trigger.
'[Dark Shadow Barrier].'
In a flash, a thick purple barrier unfolded between me and Victor.
His fist slammed into it.
BOOM!
A massive sound rang out, but the [Dark Shadow Barrier] held firm without a tremor.
'?!'
Victor's face twisted in shock and alarm.
***
The start signal dropped, and Victor charged full throttle without hesitation.
'As expected, he's just standing there.'
His analysis was spot on.
Despite the match starting, Jeron Airgia hadn't made any preparations—he was just standing there blankly.
'Bon voyage!'
WHOOSH!
Victor's fist nailed right into the defenseless Jeron's face.
Imagining the impact to come, he was certain of victory.
But.
BOOM!
What his fist met wasn't soft flesh.
It was a dull thud, like punching a steel wall barehanded.
"？!"
A thick purple barrier had appeared out of nowhere.
It completely enveloped Jeron.
'Wha...?'
Victor couldn't help but panic.
Damn, he really had a defense spell hidden!?
And what the hell was that casting speed...!
He was stunned, but quickly regained his cool.
'St-still, it changes nothing!'
Ignoring his stinging fist from the impact, he unleashed a storm of strikes on the barrier.
"[Continuous Strike Stance]!"
Ora ora ora!
Fists, kicks, elbows, knees.
Turning his iron-hard body into a weapon, he hammered the barrier relentlessly.
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
But the protective shield around Jeron didn't have a single scratch.
It was staggeringly tough.
'...Grr, incredible! But barriers like that must guzzle mana! If I keep attacking!'
Victor doubled down even harder.
However.
1 second.
2 seconds.
3 seconds...
Time dragged on, but the barrier didn't budge an inch.
If anything, Victor's barrage was starting to slow.
'Wh-when's it gonna drop?!'
That's when Victor's eyes met Jeron's inside the barrier.
Those utterly calm purple eyes.
They gleamed as if saying he could do this all day.
"Guh!"
Victor finally leaped back.
Both his fists were mangled, blood dripping steadily.
Panting raggedly, he glared at Jeron in utter disbelief.
"...Ah. That all?"
Jeron asked in an endlessly languid voice.
"So, my turn now?"
Then, slowly, he raised his hand.
"...!!!!"
In that instant, chills exploded across Victor's body.
It felt like a giant serpent coiling around him.
His martial artist's instincts detected danger on another level.
'It's coming...! That's the rumored slashing magic!'
But Victor hadn't given up yet.
He'd already analyzed Jeron's slashing magic.
'I prepared for this too...!'
A slim chance to withstand his barrage.
He had a counter ready for that scenario.
'[Defensive Stance]!'
Focusing his energy, he shifted to the optimal guard.
Arms crossed in an X over his head and heart, body lowered.
'It's not over. Block the attack, then strike the opening for a counter!'
Even the magic department students in the spectator seats held their breath, eyes locked on Jeron's hand.
'Finally, that spell!'
The horrifyingly powerful slashing magic from signature spell class.
Everyone expected it.
But Jeron didn't slash the air with his hand this time.
Instead, he just fanned out five fingers toward Victor.
'...What's that?'
Victor faltered at the bizarre, unfamiliar gesture.
'Wh-what? Another spell?'
He braced harder for defense, but unexpectedly, nothing happened to him.
The moment he started wondering.
"M-Match over! Winner: Jeron Airgia...!"
Out of nowhere, the instructor judging the match declared Jeron's victory in a trembling voice.
Why!?
As Victor bristled at the absurd call, he realized.
'Ah.'
Stella's arenas, custom-made with durability that shrugged off all but the heaviest damage.
The floor and walls of that arena—
Were shredded to tatters, like they'd been hacked apart.
And.
"Reason: Victor Presel's life-protection magic destroyed!"
If this were real combat, he'd be dead.