A Feast and the Tongue Pad
Erzsébet, true to her original purpose, had led her corpse spiders off to recover the Nusselack carcasses, and Simon stepped onto the teleportation circle alone, crossing over to another location.
The place he arrived at was near Hong Peng's cabin.
"Simon!"
Camibarez greeted him with a radiant smile. She'd been so worried about him running late that she'd kept glancing toward the teleportation circle the whole time.
"Sorry. Am I late?"
She darted over in a single stride and looked him up and down with anxious eyes.
"Did something happen with the TA, sir?"
Simon's mind raced. He could have brushed it off as nothing, but if Dick and Meilin pressed him with the same question later, things could get annoying. Better to attach a suitably plausible reason here and now.
"Actually, on my way back I remembered the Nusselack carcasses. I grabbed a few for undead research."
"Oh, is that it! Summoning majors really are built different!"
Camibarez seemed to swallow it without a shred of doubt. Just then, Meilin's furious voice rang out from far away.
"What do you idlers think you're doing? Quit goofing off and come help!"
"Coming~"
"Got it."
Everyone was deep in preparations for building the fire. Dick was laying straw on the ground and stacking firewood, while Meilin groaned and hauled logs she'd fetched from behind the cabin.
"Dick! Where should I put this— whoaah!"
Walking with her eyes fixed ahead, she wobbled and lost her balance in an instant.
"You okay?"
Simon closed the distance like lightning and caught the firewood.
"I'll carry these. You go help with something else."
"Uh...? Oh. Thanks."
Meilin twisted a strand of hair in embarrassment, then spun sharply away.
Simon set the logs down near Dick, and since it looked like they'd need far more firewood than expected, he headed back behind the cabin again.
Aw, no.
The pre-cut firewood had run out. But an axe for splitting logs and a chopping stump still sat nearby.
Simon took a thick log, stood it upright on the stump, and raised the axe over his head.
CRACK!
The wood split cleanly down the middle with ease.
There we go. Guess the old instincts haven't rusted after all.
Simon was quietly swelling with pride as he swung away when, at some point, Camibarez had appeared at his side, watching him intently. She quickly snatched up a fresh log, ran over, and set it on the stump for him.
"Let me help!"
"...Ah, thanks. But it's dangerous, so step back."
Camibarez retreated, and Simon raised the axe. Again, with a solid thunk, the log split in two.
She clapped her hands together in applause.
"You're amazing at this! Do you do it often?"
"Mm. Before I came to Kizen, this was one of my main jobs."
Simon said, wiping the sweat from his brow.
While Camibarez went to fetch the next log, Simon examined the cut face of the firewood.
Not a clean split.
Someone was watching, so he must have put more force into it than needed. He was wearing a wry smile when Camibarez placed a fresh log on the stump, scurried back, and waited with shining eyes.
"It's just chopping wood. Is it really that fun?"
"Yes!"
With Camibarez's help, he split a generous pile of firewood, then gathered an armful and headed for the bonfire.
"You built it bigger than I expected?"
Simon marveled at the towering stack of wood. Dick snickered and pointed at the Nusselack carcass.
"Look how big the Nusselack we caught is. This much is only fitting."
"Fair enough."
Simon joined in helping with the fire now. They laid straw, dry leaves, and twigs across the ground, then stacked the firewood pyramid-style on top. Once the kindling underneath was lit and fanned, the flames gradually climbed up into the larger logs.
"Fascinating."
Meilin crouched nearby, chin resting in both hands.
"Do you have to stack it like that?"
"Not necessarily, but it's the most reliable way."
Simon explained the principles of a campfire as he tended the flames. Dick, fanning beside him, chuckled.
"The fire mage doesn't know how to build a campfire?"
"Oh, shut it. Is this fire anything like the fire I use?"
"Your temper's fire enough."
"And your mouth's basically firewood. Split it in half and toss it in, it'd burn like a dream."
"Oooh, spicy."
Listening to Dick and Meilin scrap as usual while he waited, Simon found the fire had quickly settled into a steady burn. He and his skeleton fetched stones of a suitable size and laid them out in a circle around the bonfire.
Now that's starting to look proper.
"Is everyone here?"
At the voice behind them, the whole group sprang to their feet.
"Professor Hong Peng!"
"Hello!"
She had all sorts of tools strapped to her back. She was barefoot, and the bucket in her hand held several fish.
"Oh! You've got the fire going nicely too. Shall we get cooking right away?"
"Yes!"
The survival lesson began at once. She hoisted the Nusselack carcass Simon's group had brought onto a wooden cutting board.
"Monzters come in all shapes and sizes, but the butchering process is almost the same for all of them, so watch and learn."
Her hands were utterly merciless. With quick strokes of her knife she peeled away the shaggy hide, sliced open the belly, pulled out the organs, and drained the blood.
Camibarez, by the time the organs came out, was covering her eyes, unable to watch any longer.
"You know how monzter meat is famous for its gamey smell, right? That odor comes from the rotting of the flesh and blood, so the best way to deal with it is to finish the butchering as quickly as possible. Now, we tear off the forelegs and remove the tendons. Like so!"
With the butchering lesson wrapped up, pieces of meat finally suitable for grilling were laid out. Hong Peng beamed.
"That's all there is to it. Easy, right?"
"..."
"..."
Meilin and Camibarez nodded along with strained smiles.
"Alright, next!"
This time she demonstrated how to break down a fish. The work was far easier here.
"Wherever you go, there'll be rivers and fish, won't there? Fishing is another great way to secure food."
Hong Peng chopped off the fish's head, scraped off the scales in smooth strokes, removed the innards, and rinsed it in water. After passing through her hands, the fish was ready for the grill in no time.
"Alright, time to roast."
"Grill pan, coming through!"
Dick brought over a grill plate and fixed it above the bonfire, and Hong Peng laid the Nusselack meat on top. The meat sizzled as it cooked, and drops of juice began to fall into the flames.
"Incredible. Prepared like this, it looks just like regular pork."
"It smells delicious!"
As the meat grilled, Hong Peng brought out a few jars of spices and sprinkled them on top.
"Spices at about this level should be allowed through inspection."
When she dusted the meat with a seasoning that looked like a mix of pepper and seeds, a fragrant aroma spread in every direction.
"One more thing—monzter meat may carry parasites or bacteria no matter what, so searing it over a strong flame is essential."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Once the meat was fully cooked, they transferred it to dishes. Dick rolled over an oak cask of wine, Camibarez brought out the tableware, and every preparation was complete.
"Cheers!"
In the end, it was an outdoor barbecue party disguised as a survival lesson. Everyone ate, drank, and enjoyed themselves amid the cheerful clamor.
"This is so good!"
Camibarez hugged her cheeks with a blissful expression. Dick nodded too.
"Whoa. I'm stuffed. Completely stuffed. How does something that disgusting taste this good?"
"Hey! Don't make me think about that while I'm eating!"
Meilin glared sideways at him, scolding.
"Ah, my bad!"
Hong Peng looked at Simon.
"Oh, Simon. Where did TA Brad go? I told him to at least stay and taste the meat since he helped with the teleport."
"Ah..."
Simon flinched inwardly but forced a smile as he answered.
"I invited him too, but he said he wasn't feeling well today and headed back early."
"Hmm~ Well then, can't be helped."
Darkness fell, and the drinking grew livelier by the minute. The bonfire was so large it felt like a proper campfire gathering. Best of all, it was the same crew as the last party, so no one needed much time to warm up. Even Camibarez, who was usually terrified of alcohol, sipped away quite merrily tonight.
"Ahh, this is the life~"
Dick swayed his head, reeking of wine. He loved his drink, but he couldn't hold it well.
"Dick. You okay?"
"Huh? Yeah. Fine, fine. Gonna go take a leak."
Dick scrambled up from his seat and trudged off with his back to them. He was clearly quite drunk; his gait wobbled unsteadily. Then he stopped dead in the grass nearby and started fumbling with the front of his pants. Meilin shrieked at the sight.
"AAAAH! AAH! You maniac! Go pee farther away!"
A moment later came the unmistakable sound of trickling water. Meilin, repulsed, hastily clapped her hands over her ears and turned her head away.
"Ugh! Commoners, honestly...! Have some shame, some shame!"
At her screeching, Simon and Hong Peng burst out laughing.
Just then, someone's head thunked down onto Simon's forearm.
"...Cami?"
Camibarez, both cheeks flushed from the wine, was quietly drifting asleep against Simon's arm.
"Mmm... Simooon..."
"Professor. I'll put her to bed in the cabin and come back."
"Mm. Do that."
Hong Peng raised her glass with a flourish.
"Then another toast for Meilin ztudent and me!"
"P-Professor, I think you're drinking a little too fast tonight..."
"Me too! Me too, I'm toasting!"
Dick came sprinting over. Meilin shrieked and bolted sideways.
"Ack! You lunatic! Zip your pants properly! Your pants!"
Simon was chuckling and about to rise from his seat when Camibarez suddenly grabbed at his clothes.
"Cami?"
"...Don't leeeave me..."
"I'm not leaving you."
Simon said gently and lifted her lightly into his arms. Nestled against his chest, she nuzzled her face into it.
"Hey, hey. Simon."
Meilin narrowed her eyes slyly.
"If you do anything weird to our Cami, you are dead. Got it?"
"...What's that supposed to mean."
"Tuck her in fast and come back out!"
Simon carried Camibarez into Hong Peng's cabin. She was sleeping without a care in the world. When he slowly laid her on the bed, as if she'd only been waiting for it, she curled up and settled into a comfortable position.
"Good night, Cami."
Simon stroked her hair and tucked the blanket over her. Then he turned to head for the door—
GOTCHA!
Something seized the back of his collar. Yanked with unbelievable strength, Simon toppled onto the bed, and Camibarez's mouth gaped wide open.
"...!"
The Camibarez of this moment seemed like an entirely different person. The crushing pressure rolling off her drained the color from Simon's face. Every cell in his body was screaming danger.
Just as her sharp fangs aimed for his throat—
fwip!
She hastily covered her own mouth with both hands and pressed her forehead against Simon's shoulder.
"Noooo... it's Simon... nmm... nmmm..."
And with that she drifted right back into a peaceful slumber.
Simon broke out in a cold sweat, his whole body trembling.
Her face was so utterly serene that he couldn't tell whether the whole thing had been a drunk hallucination or had actually happened.
Cami. Don't tell me... you've been holding it back because of me?
"Mmmm."
Simon laid her properly back on the bed and covered her with the blanket again. He still couldn't make sense of any of it, but somehow, he felt grateful.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Simon smiled softly.
"Good night, Cami."
With the midterm exams over, a new week had begun.
"I have an important announcement today."
Jane, Class A's homeroom professor, swept her gaze across the students. The pattern had grown familiar by now, so the students steeled themselves and waited for her next words. Jane took an official document from a TA and read it.
"Yes. In two days' time, you will all begin the Island Survival Assessment."
Kizen had finally made it official.
The Island Survival—or the Island Survival Assessment, as it was formally called—was a massive program involving the entire freshman class.
The students erupted into a murmur as if a bomb had gone off, but Simon's Group 7 all exchanged glances with meaningful smiles.
Ah, seriously—how am I supposed to wait two whole days?
The corners of Simon's mouth, arms crossed, were curling upward toward the heavens.
"Please take exactly one copy each!"
The TAs moved quickly among the students, handing out the assessment guidebooks.
"I'll keep the explanation brief."
Jane said, opening her guidebook. The students opened theirs in step with her.
"Class A through Class N. All 961 first-years still alive at this point will be dropped onto the island via teleportation."
Jane picked up a piece of chalk and swept a circle—presumed to be the island—across the blackboard. She marked a triangle at the island's center, then rapidly dotted points along the outermost rim of its border.
"You will each begin at a random location on the island's outer region. The rule that cuts to the heart of this project is simple. Survive for four days."
The students nodded with tense faces.
"However, mere survival is not enough to properly evaluate your abilities. This assessment features a point system. Once every exam has concluded, your grade and ranking will be determined by the points you hold."
She drew small X marks at various spots across the island.
"Hunting the monsters that appear across the island earns you points. Ranging from the weakest Grade 1 up to Grade 4 monsters. Depending on the type of monster, you can earn anywhere from 1 point to more than 20."
At that moment, Jamie Victoria thrust her hand high into the air.
"Your question would be how the points are tallied, I presume. Jamie Victoria."
Jamie flushed and drew her arm back down. Snickers bubbled up here and there.
"You will be using this device."
Jane held up a bracelet. It had a round, squat body shaped like a monster's mouth, attached to a strap.
"It is a bio-artifact called a Tongue Pad. When you press this artifact against a slain monster—"
FLOOP!
A long tongue shot up out of the mouth-shaped bracelet, and startled cries burst from the students. The long tongue licked over a practice specimen a TA had prepared in advance, then slid back inside the bracelet.
"The artifact will absorb the corpse's mana on its own and process it. Within ten seconds, the value will be displayed on the pad in mana-script."
Jane said, showing how the number visible on the Tongue Pad had risen.
"Which means hunting monsters is not a choice but a necessity. If only for the sake of eating."
At those words, the faces of several students went visibly pale.
After that, Jane walked them through the Tongue Pad's functions in detail. Beyond simply absorbing the mana of hunted monsters and converting it into points, the pad could also transfer accumulated points to another person's Tongue Pad.
"Now, back to the rules. Combat between Kizen students is, of course, permitted. If you reduce a fellow student's barrier gauge to zero, that student is judged to have reached 'death.' Their assessment ends immediately, and they will be transported to a safe zone by the teleporters. At that time, the departing student's Tongue Pad will expel all of its stored mana in the form of a condensed orb."
"...!"
In other words, taking down another student meant seizing every point they had and dramatically swelling your own total.
Jane didn't bother to spell it out any further, but everyone could tell—that was the core of it.
"And one more important tip."
She pointed her chalk at the island's center.
"At the exact center of the island stands a mansion built by Kizen. The Indestructible Mansion, which no attack can destroy. Its interior is the only attack-prohibited zone on the entire island, and if you set foot inside even once—"
She turned to look back at the students.
"You will be granted a flat 200 points after the exam concludes."
The students' murmur swelled to a roar in an instant.
"You will start on the island's outskirts, but you must move with your sights set on breaking into the island's center. The difference between reaching that mansion even once and never reaching it at all is truly enormous."
Simon, listening, nodded along too. A guaranteed 200 points would probably secure him a spot in the middle of the rankings.
"That covers the broad strokes."
She set down the chalk and looked around at the students.
"This survival assessment will comprehensively evaluate your survival skills, combat ability, adaptability, and improvisation when dropped into unfamiliar terrain. The major rules are clear and simple, but there are many demanding sub-rules as well. How you exploit them will be the true measure of your skill. I expect you to commit every page of the guidebook to memory over the next two days."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Then for the remaining time..."
Jane glanced down at her wristwatch.
The students' eyes lit up. Could it be—free time?
"We will proceed with a lecture from a guest instructor."