Chapter 10: Class Assignment Evaluation — Interlude
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 10: Class Assignment Evaluation — Interlude
The class placement evaluation had come to an end.
However, the results were less than ideal.
I had survived for five hours despite being the weakest and even managed to slay a demon, but in the end, I only gathered two mana particles. Since each mana particle was worth 10 points, I finished the exam with a meager total of 20 points.
Despite the loophole that made mana particles easier to spot at night, the other students possessed exceptional mana perception. They had swept up almost every particle available.
Besides, there simply wasn’t enough time.
By the time I defeated [Pernicus the Contemplative], barely twenty minutes remained on the clock. On top of that, I had to return to the scene of the battle and put on an Oscar-worthy performance of being "surprised" in front of Luce. After secretly retrieving the magic pouch, I only had about ten minutes left.
Trying to find the remaining mana particles in ten minutes was a lost cause.
Gel was awarded based on evaluation points. In other words, I had only earned 20 Gel. If I bought two loaves of bread, I’d be flat broke.
I’m at a total loss.
When I returned to the dormitory, I collapsed onto my bed in frustration—only to force myself back up. I had to go out and exercise.
Now wasn't the time to wallow. It wasn't the time to get depressed over a lack of Gel. I had to get strong. I needed to be powerful enough to defeat the final boss, the Evil God Nephid.
Ugh.
As expected, my entire body ached. The muscle pain was no joke; it felt borderline unreasonable.
Over the last few days, whenever I went to the gym, the students from the Knight Department would greet me and drag me through a series of hellish PT sessions. Combined with the exhaustion from the class placement evaluation, I was running on fumes.
Still, I couldn't afford to put off my training. Today, I needed to focus on magic. I wanted to recapture the sensation of mana perception I’d experienced while fighting [Pernicus the Contemplative] before the feeling faded.
Since the evaluation was held today, most of the first-years would either be resting or completely burnt out. That meant I could have the training grounds all to myself.
A full moon hung high in the night sky.
I bypassed the corner of the garden where I’d been practicing for a week and headed straight for the Magic Department’s first-year training ground. As I entered the domed building, the sight of the empty hall greeted me. I flicked the switch, and the ceiling glowed with luminescent magic.
The silence felt awkward. Usually, this place was filled with high-spirited students sweating over their spells. Because I was a commoner with Grade E mana, I was typically ignored and couldn't use the facilities to my heart's content. If I got caught in a confrontation, I’d only suffer mentally and physically.
So, excluding the day of the mana evaluation, this was the first time I had ever truly used the training ground.
It’s huge.
The facility was equipped with various elemental zones: lakes, fireplaces, rock formations, icebergs, and more. These areas were designed for training [Elemental Efficiency] and [Elemental Synergy]. There was also a target range for elemental practice and a section for fighting "demonic illusions"—magical constructs of monsters.
“Let’s do this…”
I slapped my cheeks to snap myself out of my fatigue.
No time for rest. Hang in there.
First, let’s distribute my stat points.
*
[Potential]
Stat Points: 8
◈ Growth Rate
– Physical Training Efficiency (C): 26/100 [UP]
– Magic Training Efficiency (C): 27/100 [UP]
– Learning Efficiency (D): 12/100 [UP]
◈ Elemental Resistance
– Fire Resistance (E): 0/100 [UP]
– Water Resistance (D): 6/100 [UP]
– Ice Resistance (C-): 24/100 [UP]
– Lightning Resistance (C): 29/100 [UP]
– Rock Resistance (E): 2/100 [UP]
– Wind Resistance (D): 13/100 [UP]
– Neutral Magic Resistance (D): 8/100 [UP]
◈ vs. Race Combat Power
– vs. Human Combat Power (E): 4/100 [UP]
– vs. Other Races Combat Power (E): 1/100 [UP]
– vs. Celestial Combat Power (E): 0/100 [UP]
– vs. Demon Combat Power (S): 100/100 [MAX]
*
I dumped all 8 stat points into [Magic Training Efficiency].
[Potential [Magic Training Efficiency] has been upgraded from C to C+!]
Rank C+… My growth rate would certainly improve, but I knew the truly noticeable changes didn't start until Rank B+. Rank B+ was the realm of geniuses.
With a wave of my hand, the status window vanished.
Now, let’s review the magic I used against Pernicus.
My top priority was learning the 5-star magic [Frost Explosion] as quickly as possible. It was an incredibly versatile and powerful offensive spell. Once mastered, it would become my ultimate trump card.
However, in the game, 5-star magic was usually only mastered in the second year. Students like Luce and Kaya, who could toss around 5-star spells as freshmen, were freakish talents.
Regardless, my short-term goal was to reach at least an amateur level of mastery with [Frost Explosion] before the PvP performance evaluation.
That evaluation would be the real test of my abilities as "Isaac." The enemies I’d face in the future wouldn't just be demons, which meant I couldn't rely solely on my [Hunter] trait. I’d have to fight other students during the PvP, and shortly after that, I’d be fighting for my life during the end-of-semester evaluation. There was a segment where Luce’s familiar—the level 175 Thunderbird, Galia—appeared. If things went sideways there, I was dead.
I needed to expand my arsenal for when the [Hunter] trait wasn't active.
But who will I be matched against in the PvP?
In the original game, the protagonist, Ian Fairytale, was paired with Luce. That wasn't luck; Ian was just being a brat and forced the match. As for me? Isaac’s fight was never depicted in the game. This was uncharted territory.
I wanted to have a few decent skills ready besides [Frost Explosion] by then.
I stood tall and pressed my fingertips together, leaving a small gap between my palms. I began channeling my mana at maximum output. Since [Frost Explosion] required condensing mana and releasing it all at once, this was the most efficient stance.
Between my palms, cold, pale-blue ice mana began to swirl.
Release it all at once and explode!
I thrust my hands forward, unleashing the condensed energy.
…Pshhhhh—
“Ah.”
The mana scattered pathetically. It sounded like a leaking balloon.
When I was fighting the demon, I could use [Frost Explosion] easily thanks to the "Skill Tree +10" buff. Now, without it, I couldn't even get the spell to form properly.
“Whew…”
One more time.
…Pshhhhh—
…Seriously?
Beads of sweat rolled down my face from the sheer effort. Finely controlling the mana was difficult, especially since my total pool was so small to begin with. Against the demon, it felt like I was pouring mana out of a bucket; now, it felt like I was trying to pour water through a single, clogged hole.
I opened my status window to check the requirements for [Frost Explosion] again.
Ping!
*
[Owned Skills]
Active
– (★1) Ice Generation (D+)
– (★2) Ice Curtain (C+)
– (★1) Cold Divergence (C+)
– (★1) Basic Protection Magic (D)
Passive
– None
Skill Tree ❰❰Details❱❱
*
I clicked on [Skill Tree ❰❰Details❱❱].
I selected the [Ice] element. My second element hadn't been unlocked yet, so its tree remained hidden. There was also a third menu, [Neutral], which contained spells like [Basic Protection Magic].
I scanned the ice skills. The ones I could use were highlighted in bright letters: [Ice Generation], [Ice Curtain], and [Cold Divergence]. Further down the circuit-like branches of the tree, the words [Frost Explosion] were engraved. Unlike the others, it was dark, signifying it was unlearned.
I tapped [Frost Explosion], and a new window popped up.
*
[Frost Explosion (★5)]
Condenses and releases a large amount of ice mana, causing an explosive freeze and dealing massive damage to enemies.
Type: Active Skill (Offensive)
Element: Ice
Acquisition Conditions:
– Lv 50 (✘)
– [Ice Generation] Grade B- (✘)
– [Cold Divergence] Grade B- (✘)
– Ice [Elemental Firepower] Grade C+ (✘)
– Ice [Elemental Efficiency] Grade C+ (✘)
Trigger Conditions:
– None
*
I hadn't met a single condition. As expected, ultimate skills weren't handed out for free.
I waved the window away. I had no choice but to train harder.
“[Ice Generation].”
I directed my mana toward a large boulder in the training area.
「Ice Generation (Ice Element, ★1)」
Crackle—
If I used [Ice Generation] in its raw form, I could only create a block of ice about the size of a soccer ball. However, by applying it to an object like a rock, I could freeze the surface.
The boulder was soon covered in ice, but it was a thin, fragile layer.
“Oh, right.”
I remembered the loot. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the [Remnant of Darkness]. It looked like a cluster of black pearls. I began infusing it with ice mana.
Suddenly, the [Remnant of Darkness] radiated a dark light. The energy condensed into dark mana and flowed into my body. It felt as if a cold, dreary current was merging with my own. A new sensation washed over me, and a system window appeared.
[The aura of the loot [Remnant of Darkness] permeates your soul…]
[Congratulations! You have learned the unique skill [Black Ice]!]
*
[Black Ice (★5)]
Creates black ice.
Type: Active Skill (All-Purpose)
Element: Ice (Derived from Darkness)
Acquisition Conditions:
• Apply ice mana to [Remnant of Darkness] (✔)
Trigger Conditions:
• None
*
Black Ice.
It functioned similarly to [Ice Generation], but the power and durability were on an entirely different level. I felt like I knew how to use it instinctively, as if it were as natural as breathing.
I reached toward the rock and dispelled the existing ice. It crumbled into pale blue powder and vanished. Then, I activated the new skill born from the union of ice and darkness.
“[Black Ice].”
「Black Ice (Ice Element, ★5)」
CRACKLE—!
“Whoa…!”
The rock was instantly encased in black ice. It was far tougher than the [Ice Generation] I’d used moments ago, and the freezing speed was incomparable. The layer of black ice was at least five times thicker. The ice glowed with a dark, obsidian sheen, completely obscuring the rock within.
I could use this to block an opponent’s line of sight.
I extended my hand toward the ceiling and activated [Black Ice] at maximum output.
Tssarrr!
“Uh-oh…!”
A massive amount of mana vanished instantly. My strength failed me, and I felt like I was going to collapse from mana depletion. But when I looked up at the ice in the air, I couldn't help but grin.
It’s huge!
It wasn't the size of a soccer ball anymore—it was nearly the size of a car!
At that moment, another notification appeared.
[Ice Element [Elemental Firepower] has increased from D+ to C-!]
[Ice Element [Elemental Efficiency] has increased from D+ to C-!]
It must have been the combination of my increased [Magic Training Efficiency] and using [Black Ice] for the first time. Both stats jumped up a rank immediately.
Good, good.
Ah, wait—defrost, defrost!
I quickly dispelled the spell before the massive block of black ice could fall and crush me. The ice dissolved into glowing black powder and drifted away.
I almost passed out… How much mana do I have left?
Mana: 10/350
– Mana Recovery Speed (D)
“Oh, man.”
I felt a chill looking at the status window. Only 10 mana left… When you hit mana depletion, your recovery speed tanks. I hadn't experienced it personally yet, but if it was anything like the game, I needed to avoid it at all costs.
[Black Ice]… the performance is definitely worth the cost.
Of course, [Black Ice] couldn't completely replace [Ice Generation] because the mana consumption was as high as its power.
[Owned Skills]
Active
– (★1) Ice Generation (D+) / (★5) Black Ice (D+)
The strength of [Black Ice] was directly tied to [Ice Generation]; if one improved, the other did too. This meant I wouldn't lose out on growth even if I alternated between them.
Once [Black Ice] reached S-rank proficiency, it would be possible to apply its properties to other spells, just as Pernicus had done with his [Ice Spear]. It was essentially a massive buff.
In the future, if my [Hunter] trait activated while fighting a demon, I could infuse [Black Ice] into other spells to supercharge them. Normally, I’d be limited to using it with [Ice Generation].
The catch was that using [Black Ice] on other spells tripled the mana cost. It was a "go big or go home" move.
One last thing to check.
Have I learned [Ice Wall] yet?
[Ice Wall] was the first spell I’d used against Pernicus, and the memory of casting it was still vivid. I went back into the [Skill Tree ❰❰Details❱❱], selected [Ice], and tapped [Ice Wall].
*
[Ice Wall (★4)]
Creates a solid wall of ice.
Type: Active Skill (Defensive)
Element: Ice
Acquisition Conditions:
– Lv 30 (✔)
– [Ice Generation] Grade C- (✘)
– [Cold Divergence] Grade C (✔)
– Ice Element [Elemental Firepower] Grade C- (✔)
– Ice Element [Elemental Efficiency] Grade C- (✔)
*
I’m almost there.
The only missing requirement was [Ice Generation] Grade C-, and I was only one step away. I’d be able to learn [Ice Wall] very soon.
I felt a surge of motivation. Growing stronger was actually fun.
However, the first order of business was finishing this magic session, as I was completely tapped out of mana.
I’m in a good mood. Maybe I should go do some physical training.
I headed to the gym.
The students of the Knight Department greeted me as if they had been lying in wait.
After surviving another round of hellish PT, I trudged back to the dormitory, filled with deep, soul-crushing regret.