Chapter 22: Practical Training (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 22: Practical Training (1)
[Practical Training Evaluation].
The grounds of Märchen Academy were unnecessarily vast, resulting in several buildings that were far larger than they needed to be.
"Kalis Hall" was one such place.
Often used for practical exercises, the hall’s training ground was where I currently stood, paired up with three of my classmates from the Magic Department.
We were in a large, empty room. A door stood behind us, while a dark, tunnel-like passage waited on the far side.
In front of us, a "messenger" flapped its wings at a blinding speed, hovering like a hummingbird or a fly. The messenger was a fist-sized, spherical magic tool owned by the academy, enchanted with audio transmission and video recording magic.
Professor Fernando’s characteristically cynical voice drifted through the device.
[You have been divided into randomly selected groups. Your objective is to combat demonic illusions. Once you have defeated them all and reached the final destination, your evaluation will conclude. If a student is judged to have sustained a fatal injury, they will be eliminated immediately.]
Kalis Hall wasn't large enough to accommodate every first-year student in the Magic Department at once. Consequently, other groups were assigned to different training areas across the campus.
[The primary criteria for this evaluation are your understanding of the characteristics and weaknesses of the demonic creatures you have studied, as well as your proficiency in using elemental magic in combat. Second, your ability to cooperate will be factored into your behavioral score. I suggest you take this seriously. We begin in ten minutes. Ensure you are fully prepared.]
This was the beginning of 「Act 2, Chapter 3: Practical Training」 from ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
In the original story, the protagonist, Ian Fairytale, becomes involved with Ciel Carnedas, a Class A student, during this chapter.
Ciel was one of the official heroines. Later in the game, she would play a pivotal role in helping Ian obtain the ultimate light-element weapon, the Luminous Sword. During this training, however, her apathy was her defining trait; she didn't care if her magic caught other students in the crossfire.
Her attitude eventually led to a heated argument with Ian.
Then, the building would collapse, Garzia the Hermit would appear, and 「Act 2, Chapter 4: Ant Legion」 would begin. Ian and Ciel would join forces to fight the Disaster Ant Legion, only for Ciel to eventually decide to hold them off alone. Meanwhile, Ian would fight his way through the swarm to the center of the building to face Garzia, the boss of that chapter.
Of course, 「Act 2, Chapter 4」 was going to be skipped entirely because I had already killed Garzia. In other words, this practical training should end peacefully.
…Probably.
"This is a truly unpleasant situation."
As soon as Professor Fernando finished speaking, a beautiful girl sighed, as if she had been waiting for the silence to voice her complaints.
Her short, light-brown hair fell to her shoulders in soft waves. A red rose hairpin was tucked into her hair, and a stunning shawl was draped over her shoulders—red fabric with a golden border, intricately embroidered with roses.
Her bright golden eyes were fixed on me.
Rose Red Rivera. A Class B student.
---
[Rose Red Rivera]
Lv: 52
Race: Human
Elements: Fire
Danger: X
Psychology: [Feels contempt for you.]
---
"A vulgar Grade E is on our team. You’re the lowest of the low, aren't you?" she said, her tone dripping with confidence as she looked down her nose at me.
I was used to it by now.
Just as I was about to ignore her, she leaned in closer.
Wow, she smells good. Must be expensive perfume.
"Even a worm crawling on the ground has a role to play. I’ll assign you a role that suits your station, so just make sure you don't get in the way."
"..."
Why are you so eager to pick a fight? I really don't get it.
The two remaining male students stayed silent, clearly intimidated by the heavy atmosphere. Rose certainly had a knack for making people nervous.
Ugh.
In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, her role was insignificant. She was an extra, barely even a supporting character. She only appeared briefly, acting arrogant before Ian thoroughly humbled her.
You and Isaac are two peas in a pod, lady.
[All right, the practical training begins now. Everyone, enter.]
Ten minutes had passed. Professor Fernando’s voice rang out from the messenger.
"Let’s go."
Our group began walking down the tunnel-like passage. It was dark, but we reached the end quickly.
Five "Black Wolves" roamed the narrow arena ahead. They were demonic illusions created by a magic tool called 'Illusion Materialize.' There was a slight static flicker to their forms, but it was hard to notice unless you were looking for it.
No Status Window appeared. They were definitely illusions.
We paused at the edge of the tunnel. The moment we stepped out, the fight would begin.
"They hunt in packs. Alan, Ethan—trap them with rock and ice magic. I’ll finish them all at once with flames."
Rose naturally took command. She seemed to believe that being in the highest class among us made her the de facto leader.
I had no objection to her leading. The only problem was that I wasn't included in her plan at all.
Well, they were just Black Wolves. I suppose they didn't think they needed a Class D student with Grade E mana—even though I wasn't really a Grade E anymore.
As our group stepped into the arena, the wolves growled, baring their teeth and circling us. The two boys immediately unleashed their magic.
Rumble—!
「Rock Wall (Rock Element, ★4)」
「Ice Wall (Ice Element, ★4)」
Crude walls of stone and ice rose from the floor, penning the wolves in. Rose raised both hands, conjuring flames.
「Fireball (Fire Element, ★3)」
Crackle—!
Boom!
A roaring red [Fireball] slammed into the trapped wolves. It was a high-level spell, executed with skill. The wolves were scorched, their forms flickering before they whimpered and vanished into thin air.
The Black Wolf illusions were easily dealt with.
"Good. Let’s move on."
Following Rose’s lead, we moved to the next area. More demonic creatures appeared, and Rose incinerated them all.
I’d like to get a good grade too, you know.
"Oh, that’s the last of them."
"Easy enough."
Finally, we reached the final stage. Rose and the boys were chatting quietly, the boys clearly in high spirits after such a smooth run.
Judging by the fact that she still hadn't given me a single instruction, it was clear she had no intention of letting me do anything.
We passed through the final passage and entered a massive room with marble floors. In the center of the stage stood the final boss.
It was an illusion of a "Tauro," a giant, humanoid bull-like demon. It stood at least four meters tall, gripping a massive spear in its right hand.
I needed to actually do something now. This wasn't the time to play along with Rose’s ego.
As I raised my right hand to manifest [Frostfire], Rose shot me a cynical glare.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I’m trying to earn some points. Cooperation is part of the evaluation, so wouldn't it be better if we worked together?" I replied with the most polite, business-like smile I could manage.
Rose’s eyes narrowed in disgust, as if she were looking at a cockroach.
"Gross."
"Huh?"
For a second, I genuinely doubted my ears.
"You’re a Grade E; know your place. Don't be disgusting. I am the leader here, and you will wait until I tell you what to do. Do you understand?"
"..."
...Isn't she crossing the line a bit?
"Alan, Ethan. Let’s go."
Rose and the two boys marched out. I stared at her back in disbelief for a moment before following.
Then.
Whoosh—!
"Whoa, fire!"
「Fire Generation (Fire Element, ★1)」
Flames suddenly erupted around me, encircling me and cutting off my path.
"Didn't I tell you not to interfere?"
Wow, the audacity of this girl. She’s really going there.
What is wrong with her?
Only then did the Tauro notice us. Rose, Alan, and Ethan took their combat stances.
"Alan, Ethan! Formation...! Huh?!"
Rose gasped as she tried to give orders.
Vroom—!
"Waaaaah!"
"Aaah!"
Beep—!
In a blur of motion, the Tauro leaped at Alan and Ethan, swinging its massive spear. A loud alarm blared from the bracelets on the two boys' wrists.
The bracelets glowed red. They were out.
[Alan Neville, Ethan Purcell. Eliminated.]
Cold sweat rolled down Rose’s cheek. She would have been eliminated too if she had been a single step closer.
Even from a distance, the speed was startling. For Rose, seeing it up close, it must have been terrifying.
The door to the elimination room creaked open. All combatants had to remain still until the eliminated students had left the floor. Even the Tauro illusion froze mid-swing.
The two boys walked toward the exit, looks of resentment plastered on their faces. The moment they stepped through, the door would shut, and the Tauro would resume its slaughter.
"Y-you!"
Rose turned to me, her voice trembling with desperation.
"Fine, I’ll give you a chance to contribute...! You wanted to fight, right? You be the bait. While it's distracted, I’ll finish it with my fire magic!"
Rose placed a hand on her chest. Her voice tried to maintain its commanding, noble tone, but the underlying fear was unmistakable.
I remembered Rose Red Rivera’s character from the game. She was obsessed with being the "best of the best," a mindset beaten into her by the rigorous expectations of the Red Rivera family.
However, effort alone wasn't enough to surpass the true monsters at Märchen Academy. The fact that she was in Class B instead of Class A likely ate at her soul every day. Even within Class B, she was ranked near the bottom.
She was desperate because she believed she was always giving her absolute best. That desperation was bleeding into this evaluation.
She wanted to use me as a sacrificial pawn to create an opening. If she wanted to climb the ranks, she couldn't afford to be eliminated here. Using me would make it look like she was "managing resources" effectively.
But...
I think you should probably put out your own fire first...
She was so panicked she wasn't even thinking straight.
"Answer me!"
As the eliminated students cleared the door, Rose screamed at the top of her lungs, her face flushing with rage.
Do it yourself. What other answer do you expect?
[──── Ooooohhhhhhhhh!]
The Tauro roared, and the evaluation resumed.
Rose’s face went pale.
As the Tauro prepared to lunge, Rose frantically channeled her mana. A red magic circle manifested on the floor, and a pillar of fire erupted beneath the demon.
Fwoosh—!
「Flame Pillar (Fire Element, ★4)」
The Tauro instantly leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the blast. Despite its bulk, its athleticism was incredible.
"Ahhh..."
Being good at magic didn't always translate to being good at combat. Rose was a prime example. Her entire body shook as she watched the Tauro land unscathed. She looked like she was on the verge of tears from the sheer frustration and fear.
This was exactly why she couldn't break into the top ranks.
The Tauro, having gained distance from the [Flame Pillar], began its charge toward Rose again.
—An opening!
Now was the time to move, while Rose held its aggro.
「Ice Generation (Ice Element, ★1)」
As Rose’s mana control faltered and her fire circle dissipated, I used ice magic to snuff out the remaining flames around me. Then, I sprinted toward her.
On the other side, the Tauro was closing in. Rose threw several more fire spells, but the demon dodged them with ease, narrowing the gap in seconds.
Realizing she was about to lose, Rose collapsed to the ground in despair. She was practically offering her throat to the charging bull.
Giving up already?
Pathetic. Well, it doesn't matter.
Rose was still a fair distance away, and her back was blocking my direct line of sight to the target. A direct spell might hit her, and team kills were a bad look. But it would be a waste not to use her as bait.
Luckily, I had a better tool for this.
I drew the dagger housed within the "Sheath of Disaster."
Here goes!
I hurled the dagger at the Tauro with every ounce of strength I’d gained from my hellish physical training.
Whirr—!
The dagger spun through the air, cutting a path straight toward the target. It flew past Rose and reached the Tauro just as it closed in on her.
I felt my mana circuits sync with the flying Sheath of Disaster. The moment the Tauro reached Rose and raised its spear, the connection peaked.
Like a trigger being pulled, the magic circle engraved on the "Sheath of Disaster" glowed a pale, ethereal blue.
「Frost Explosion (Ice Element, ★5)」
K-BOOM—!
It happened in a heartbeat.
A chaotic swirl of ice crystals and freezing air erupted, and a massive surge of frost exploded from the sheath, devouring the Tauro instantly.
Before anyone could blink, a jagged, towering block of ice dominated the center of the room. The Tauro’s form vanished completely within the frozen mass.
At the same moment, Rose’s bracelet let out a sharp ring.
[Rose Red Rivera, eliminated.]
The messenger announced her failure in a flat, robotic voice. The Tauro’s spear had grazed her just a fraction of a second before the Frost Explosion triggered.
Well, it didn't matter. I had no intention of saving her anyway. Why would I save someone who looked down on me?
Rose had her eyes squeezed shut, her head bowed in terror. She trembled, slowly opening her eyes to see the aftermath.
I walked forward and retrieved the Sheath of Disaster from where it had fallen in front of the ice block, tucking it back into my belt.
"Uh...? W-what happened...?" Rose stammered, her mind reeling.
I sighed, looking down at her. I had no patience for people who crumbled the moment a fight got difficult.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
I stood with my back to the massive ice block, a faint white mist of cold air swirling around me. My voice was so flat and monotonous that Rose caught her breath, her eyes widening in disbelief.
I deactivated the spell. The massive block of ice began to crack and shatter, dissolving into a pale blue powder that drifted into the air.
Without another word, I turned and started walking toward the next passage, heading for the final destination.
Rose didn't stand up for a long time. Her only remaining destination was the elimination gate that had just opened behind her.