This Much Should Be Fine

Group 1 pressed forward through the gloom.

They were roughly halfway through the ruins. Having dismantled the troublesome Stone Crook, they had hoped the remainder of the path would be smooth sailing, but the subterranean corridors had other plans.

"Watch out!"

A student walking point triggered a hidden pressure plate, tumbling through a trapdoor into a shallow pit.

"B-Behind us!"

"Another Stone Crook!"

"Where do they keep coming from?!"

A fresh Stone Crook dragged its massive, rocky frame from the shadows at the rear, lumbering forward with heavy, menacing strides.

Xiel still made no move to intervene. It was not a fatal emergency. To be precise—

They are more than capable of handling this on their own.

At that exact moment, Deleve glanced back, and their eyes met. The instant their gazes locked, Deleve came to a hasty, completely mistaken conclusion.

Instructor is telling me to use my head.

A Stone Crook bore down on their rear, while the corridor ahead was choked with concealed traps. The squad members stationed at the back had only just rotated from vanguard duty and were gasping for breath. Trapped between a rock and a hard place—

Ah!

Looking at Xiel's stoic face, an inspired thought struck Deleve.

"Everyone, hit the dirt!"

Deleve thrust his hand inside his tunic as he yelled. With a sharp rip, he tore one of his prized Praise Cards in half. Snapping his wrist, he hurled the bottom half toward the advancing beast.

Crack-bang!

The slip detonated squarely against the Stone Crook's rocky chest, erupting in a blinding flare of light and crackling mana sparks that disoriented the monster instantly.

"Spearmen, move up!"

Seizing the opening, Deleve swiftly reorganized the front-line spearmen into flanking positions. He drew his broadsword, exhaling a slow, steady breath.

Shallow strikes won't do. I have to end this in a single blow.

The Eighth Form of the Kundel Heavy Sword Style surfaced in his mind. With Instructor Xiel's guidance, Deleve had grasped the core principles of the Seventh Form and subsequently hybridized the Eighth with the lightning-fast mechanics of Celia's Rihardt Fast Swordsmanship. He had drilled the combination dozens of times, but this was his first attempt at deploying it in actual combat.

I need it right now.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Stone Crooks possessed an absurd resilience against thrusting attacks, but a downward cleave infused with crushing momentum and sheer mass was an entirely different matter.

Thwack! Thwack!

Three spears plunged into the monster's joints simultaneously, pinning it in place. Deleve kicked off the stone paving at that precise instant.

"Haaah!"

Kundel Heavy Sword Style, Eighth Form.

Accelerated to blinding speed while retaining its crushing weight, Deleve's broadsword crashed downward onto the creature's crown. The resulting impact did not sound like steel slicing through flesh. It was a concussive roar—force colliding violently against force.

BOOM!

A heartbeat later, jagged cracks spiderwebbed across the creature's rocky head.

With a dull thud, the Stone Crook collapsed into a heap of lifeless rubble.

"D-Did you... see that?"

"...No way."

"As expected of a Kundel..."

A single, decisive kill. The vanguard spearmen had created the opening, but earlier it had required a protracted, grueling siege to take down a single one. To obliterate a Stone Crook with one stroke was astonishing.

"So that's what real pedigree looks like..."

"Damn, our squad leader is stupidly strong."

"He really is the best in our year, isn't he?"

"Either way, we survived!"

Deleve sheathed his sword with a sheepish grin amid his classmates' excited cheers. Watching him, Xiel sensed the change immediately.

He has grown stronger than before.

Xiel also caught a subtle detail that had escaped every student's notice. The Eighth Form of the Kundel Heavy Sword Style, hybridized with swift sword mechanics, carried destructive output well beyond expectations. It hadn't merely shattered the beast's head—the residual shockwave had driven straight into the stone floor, fracturing the paving slabs beneath into a web of fissures.

Naturally, an instructional critique came to Xiel's mind.

He needs to regulate his output.

Deleve looked distinctly drained. Gambling everything on a single strike was all well and good if no further threats remained, but this level of destructive force was needlessly excessive.

Hmm.

Xiel took a step toward Deleve, then paused. The young noble was surrounded by his peers, basking in their earnest praise.

"Leader, you saved our skins!"

"How did you pull that off just now? Teach me, will you?"

"Are you an idiot? Why would Deleve teach you his family's secret style?"

Under ordinary circumstances, Xiel would have delivered his blunt assessment ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠without hesitation. But looking at the smiling boy, he chose to withhold it for the moment.

"Well done, Student Deleve Kundel."

He didn't intend to let it slide entirely. He simply saw no reason to spoil the morale of the moment.

"Wait, I thought Instructor was coming over to chew him out."

"Does that mean Deleve really did that well?"

Deleve blinked, visibly startled. Praise from Xiel usually arrived heavily seasoned with sharp critique. It wasn't that Xiel never gave praise, but given the circumstances, the unadorned acknowledgment moved Deleve deeply.

"Thank you, Instructor!"

"Tend to the injured and prepare to resume the march."

Their trek through the ruins continued. Tension flared whenever unfamiliar beasts loomed ahead, but something strange began to happen.

"Why aren't they attacking?"

Walking point, Deleve tilted his head in bewilderment as a beast recoiled and scrambled backward the moment he drew near.

"Ah."

His gaze dropped to his belt. Whenever he focused, that wretched odor drifted up—the pouch containing the Peckworm's scent gland.

So that's why Instructor gave this to me...

For a split second, he wondered if the scent was almost pleasant—before immediately rejecting the thought. It still smelled putrid enough to turn his stomach. Seeing another beast snarl from a corridor, Deleve untied the pouch and loosened the drawstring.

"Urrgh."

"Gah! Th-That smell!"

"Pinch your noses! Cover your faces!"

The students behind him scattered in pure horror, frantically waving their hands. Finding himself abruptly isolated, Deleve wore a lonely expression as he lobbed the opened pouch toward the monster.

Skrreeeech!

The creature let out a horrified screech, turned tail, and bolted into the darkness.

"The potency is incredible..."

He had learned something valuable: a Peckworm's scent gland could send most lesser magical beasts running for their lives.

Would it not have worked on a Stone Crook, though?

Regardless, they had won without trading blows, all thanks to Instructor Xiel.

Nearby, concealed deep within the gloom, Agent 8 observed the scene and awarded high marks on his ledger.

A Peckworm scent gland. Reeks to high heaven, but brilliant pragmatism.

There were many ways to secure victory, and triumphing without battle was among the finest. These students were operating well beyond the standard of ordinary first-years. Deleve Kundel, Celia Rihardt, and Yulio Harmatan—if the growth of this freshman trio continued at this pace, the academy might witness the emergence of generational monsters.

Naturally, Xiel had been aware of Agent 8's presence all along. He simply paid it no mind.

Hmm. This much should be fine.

Group 1's score looks solid.

Agent 8 had not the faintest inkling that directly behind his shoulder, concealed by a level of stealth beyond mortal comprehension, Xiel stood peering down, quietly reviewing the evaluation sheet as he wrote it.

Outside the ruins entrance, Celia grumbled under her breath.

When on earth is Group 1 coming out?

Truthfully, she wanted to go in immediately. Idling about was dreadfully dull, and her limbs were itching for action. Yet she could not afford to act rashly.

Instructor isn't here, so I have to keep things orderly.

Instructor Xiel had escorted Group 1 inside. With only students left at the entrance, disciplined conduct was paramount. Fortunately, the remaining squads were passing the time constructively, either running light conditioning drills or stretching.

"Leader, Squad 3 just finished perimeter patrol. Nothing unusual to report."

"Good work. What about Squads 4 and 5?"

"Squad 5 is keeping watch over the camp, and Squad 4 went scouting in that sector. They should be back any minute."

Right on cue, Squad 4 emerged from the foliage. However, the expressions on squad leader Lydia's face and those of her teammates were noticeably strained.

Did something happen?

Celia approached immediately. "How was the scout?"

"Uh, well... Celia. We didn't spot any enemies, but something feels strange."

"Strange?"

"How long has it been since Group 1 went inside?"

"About... forty minutes?"

"Right. That's what we figured."

"So what's wrong?"

Lydia lowered her voice hesitantly. "We checked out Sector 9's ruins entrance where the Arcane School freshmen were assigned... but there wasn't a single soul in sight."

"Huh?"

Deleve's earlier report flashed through Celia's mind. Before entering the ruins, Deleve had scouted the surrounding area and mentioned the exact same oddity.

He said nobody was at Sector 9, either.

"Celia, do you think... could they have arrived way ahead of us, cleared the whole ruin, and left already?"

Lydia was visibly anxious at the thought of the Arcane School outpacing them. Celia, however, shook her head.

"I can't say for certain, but that's unlikely."

"Why not?"

"Deleve reported the same thing after scouting before they went in."

A sudden chill crept over Lydia. "...Then you mean they haven't even arrived yet?"

"Unless they managed to march in, clear the entire ruin, and pack up before we even arrived."

Chronologically, it made no sense. No matter how much imperial society fawned over mages, basic common sense still applied.

"We arrived before the sun was high. There is no way they cleared their site that quickly."

"I've heard the Arcane School pulls all kinds of shady shortcuts, though. Could they have...?"

That was impossible to verify. But one truth remained absolute.

"Even if they did, there's no way they performed better than us."

"I... I suppose so?"

"Of course. Who taught us, after all?"

The instructor who held the absolute, unwavering trust of every freshman—Xiel Steelheart. There was no need to worry. Instructor Xiel had stated it plainly: their sole concern was their own training.

Wait... at this rate, won't I lose my chance to hire him as my escort knight?

Celia frowned in thought. Even if he held the title of a temporary elective instructor, someone of his caliber was bound to attract recruitment offers from powerful houses across the empire.

Ugh, damn it. That would be a disaster.

"Oh, look! Group 1 is coming out!"

Lydia pointed toward the archway. Sure enough, Group 1 was marching out into the daylight—wearing refreshed, triumphant expressions that immediately irked Celia.

"Group 1 is back!"

"What was their time? Forty-one minutes? Is that fast?"

"We'll find out once the next squad goes in, won't we?"

Though covered in dust, the students of Group 1 beamed with pride.

"How was it? Is it dangerous inside? Lots of monsters?"

"Wait, what is that? What did ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you bring back from the end?"

Clutched in Deleve's hand was a small, polished gemstone marker left behind by the academy—proof that they had reached the deepest sanctum.

"A Stone Crook? What's that?"

"Thrusting is useless against it. Cleaving works much better, and blunt concussive force does the trick too."

The remaining students diligently scribbled down every piece of advice Group 1 offered. This was not an inter-squad tournament. While healthy rivalries flared among peers, the field exam evaluated the class as an entire cohort. Only if everyone succeeded would their collective marks rise.

Of course, tips alone would not make the ruins an easy stroll. For freshmen with zero dungeon experience, every step into the unknown was daunting.

"Student Celia Rihardt."

Xiel approached her side.

"Did anything happen while we were inside?"

"Of course not! Everything was per—" Celia paused, recalling Lydia's report. "Well, it might not be a huge issue, but during Squad 4's patrol..."

She relayed the news that the Arcane School freshmen had yet to appear at their designated site.

"We aren't sure if they already finished and left or if they haven't arrived at all, but I felt you should know, Instructor. Right, Lydia?"

"Uh, yes. I just felt uneasy... so I reported it."

"I see. Understood."

Xiel's expression remained entirely flat. Celia's shoulders drooped.

"You don't care at all, do you?"

"Indeed. What matters is our practical training."

Beside her, Lydia's head sank with identical disappointment. But Xiel spoke again.

"However, intelligence is always vital. You did well to report it. One never knows when or how information might prove useful. Continue to report any details uncovered during patrols without omission."

Their faces lit up instantly.

"Yes! Understood!"

"Understood, Instructor!"

The two girls answered with renewed vigor.

"Student Celia Rihardt, ready your gear. Group 2 deploys shortly."

"Yes, sir!"

While Group 2 made final preparations to enter the ruins, Agent 8 finalized Group 1's score sheet high up in the canopy. Just then, another messenger bird fluttered down from the branches above.

Again?

Field communications were never supposed to be this frequent during an exam. Unfurling the slip of parchment tied to the bird's leg, Agent 8 skimmed the contents.

"...!"

His eyes widened at the message.

It was another dispatch from Agent 9.

Continuous sightings of beast tracks meant...

Magic beasts have breached that sector?

Points 33 and 34 were critical checkpoints along the routes traversed by the Sword School and Arcane School students from the forest entrance to their respective base camps. Barrier wards emitting tuned mana frequencies had been erected to deter wildlife, but they were by no means impenetrable.

Probably just stray low-tier beasts.

He made a mental note to inspect the perimeter on the return trip. In any case, it was abundantly clear that the Arcane School was in shambles.

Those magic students are finished.

The Sword School freshmen, by contrast, were operating on an entirely different level. Even an evaluator with a personal grudge against martial artists would have had no choice but to award stellar marks for this performance. Group 1 had set a blistering standard, and Group 2 looked primed to deliver just as decisively.

Above all stood one man: Xiel Steelheart.

The instructor's tactical command, foresight, and preparations were downright terrifying.

Is this why he ordered me to monitor him separately?

Prior to deployment, Agent 8 recalled the secret directive he had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠received—an order handed down directly from Second Prince Dietrich.