Chapter 6: Class Assignment Evaluation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 6: Class Assignment Evaluation (1)
The class assignment evaluation was only three days away.
It was a pivotal event where the protagonist, Ian Fairytale, and one of the main heroines, Luce Eltania, were destined to become entangled.
The catalyst for their meeting was the sudden appearance of a demon.
Just as Ian and Luce were about to face off, a demon would manifest. The two would be forced to join forces, and in the heat of the moment, Ian would end up protecting Luce. Ian’s actions were simple—he merely thought she had been caught off guard—but the impact was profound.
They would successfully defeat the demon, and in the aftermath, Luce would find herself drawn to Ian, her heart stirred by the memory of him shielding her. Luce was notoriously vulnerable to being protected, and that single event would eventually lead to the two of them dating.
Of course, none of that matters if Ian loses right at the start.
In truth, there was no actual need for Ian to protect Luce. If the player didn't pursue her route, she lived by the motto "living my life my way," becoming a supporting character who occasionally assisted Ian. Even if Ian didn't step in, the story wouldn't break.
My role was simple: defeat the demon without overthinking it.
Besides, even if Ian were defeated and Luce was left to face it alone, she was more than capable of winning. The problem, however, was that her solo victory led directly to a "Bad Ending."
The key to this event was to eliminate the demon as quickly as possible to prevent that outcome.
There was a catch, though. The evaluation began at 2:00 PM, but the demon wouldn’t show its face until 7:00 PM.
The class assignment evaluation was a survival game—a battle royale where everyone was an enemy. As the weakest student in the academy, I had to survive for five grueling hours until the demon finally appeared.
First, physical training. Second, magic training. Then, Introduction to Basic Magic, and finally, The Study of Elementary Ice Science…
I began to move, strictly following the training regimen I had mapped out.
*
As dusk descended, I reached a secluded corner of the Butterfly Garden.
It was a wide, open area. Under the gloomy evening sky, I took a deep breath of the cool, grassy air. Because the grounds were so vast, finding a deserted spot was easy.
"Whew."
From this moment on, I intended to spam the 1-star spell [Ice Generation] until I couldn't move. Basic elemental magic was incredibly versatile; mastering it was the foundation for everything that followed.
[Ice Generation].
I thrust my hands into the air, channeling my ice mana.
「Ice Generation (Ice Element, ★1)」
I repeatedly conjured blocks of ice the size of soccer balls, only to immediately melt them away with [Defrost].
I pushed myself until my mana pool was bone-dry, waited for it to replenish, and then started all over again. Despite the biting cold, beads of sweat rolled down my body as if I were standing in a downpour. The fatigue I had been suppressing finally hit me, draining my energy until blood began to trickle from my nose.
Expending mana recklessly is more exhausting than I thought.
After two hours of magical exertion, I dragged my battered body toward one of the academy's seven gymnasiums.
Most students in the Magic Department aspired to be traditional wizards, so they rarely set foot in a gym. They believed it was far more efficient to study magic theory or refine their casting, doing only the bare minimum of exercise for health.
I would have preferred to stick to the standards of this world, but in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, high stamina offered a wealth of hidden benefits for both growth and story progression. Physical training was a necessity no one could afford to ignore.
"Haah… haah…"
When I entered the gym, I found students from the Knight Department training with terrifying intensity. It was a sanctuary of cold steel and raw testosterone.
There really isn't anyone else from the Magic Department here, is there?
I scanned the room, relieved to find no familiar faces. If I were spotted, I’d be mocked: "Look at that E-grade commoner. Instead of practicing his magic, he’s wasting time on meathead exercises. He clearly doesn't understand his own path."
That would definitely kill my motivation.
"Ugh."
I started with the bench press. I loaded 20kg plates onto each side of a 20kg bar—a total of 60kg.
I could feel the gazes of the fit Knight Department students lingering on me. It was a strange sight: a slender Magic Department student trying to power through a workout.
Just ignore them.
"Uuughhh…!"
Gritting my teeth, I heaved the bar up with everything I had.
"Haah."
I managed five reps before resting.
Five more. Rest.
Another five. Rest.
"Blergh…"
I let the bar drop onto the rack. My arms and chest felt like they were on fire.
Is this really my limit?
As I stared blankly at the ceiling, four muscular male students suddenly surrounded me.
"Are you from the Magic Department?"
Damn, these guys are intimidating up close.
It was obvious where I belonged; I was wearing the navy blue sweatshirt exclusive to the Magic Department. But what did these knights want with me?
"Yeah, what about it…?"
"Why are you training like this? Are you an aspiring Magic Knight?"
My brain was too fried to come up with a clever lie, so I just blurted out the truth.
"I just want to be stronger…"
"…!!"
The eyes of the Knight Department students practically caught fire.
Wait… why did the atmosphere just get so intense?
"I know that feeling all too well!"
"To think there was someone with such a magnificent mindset in the Magic Department! Yes! Whether it's magic or anything else, if you want to be strong, exercise is the foundation!"
"Hey, can we show you how to do it properly?"
What? Are these guys offering to be my personal trainers?
Back in my old world, I’d always heard that a PT was the most effective way to train, but I could never afford one. These guys had better physiques than any professional trainer I’d ever seen. It seemed like a waste to refuse.
"I’d appreciate that."
"…!"
I would come to regret those words very quickly.
*
Every muscle in my body was screaming. I couldn't even walk straight.
"Ugh… guk…"
The training the Knight Department students put me through could only be described as hellish.
— "You're doing great! Good! One more rep! Just one more!"
I had been forced to lift iron while genuinely believing I was going to die. The results were undeniable, though—every single muscle cell was throbbing. They even told me they wanted to see me again tomorrow; apparently, they’d had a blast "teaching" me.
[Status]
There was no immediate jump in my stats; those would only increase once my muscle tissues repaired themselves.
Ahhh…
I had reached my absolute limit. I practically crawled back to the dorms like a drunkard. I intended to study, but my body wouldn't listen. The moment I stepped into my room, I collapsed, falling fast asleep on the floor before I could even reach the bed.
*
[Status]
[Combat Skills]
* Elemental Series 1: Ice
* Elemental Firepower: (D)
* Elemental Efficiency: (D+)
* Elemental Synergy: (C)
* Elemental Series 2: (Locked)
It was unrealistic to expect a miracle in just three days, but I had grown.
Through my training, I gained one level. I dumped the two stat points I earned into [Magic Training Efficiency], bumping it from C- to C. My overall mana pool increased by 20, and my sub-stats like [Mana Recovery Speed], [Stamina], and [Elemental Efficiency] each ticked up by one rank.
The growth is slower than when I played the game.
I couldn't grow as fast as Ian Fairytale. It was a matter of innate potential; to everyone else, I was just the "Academy’s Weakest" with Grade E mana. However, if I kept funneling points into [Physical Training Efficiency] and [Magical Training Efficiency], my growth rate would eventually skyrocket.
Now for the preparations…
I spent my remaining time gathering supplies for the evaluation: ten slingshots, magic pouches, several magic tools, and a Magic Cloak of Disguise.
The slingshots and basic tools were easy enough to find at the general store, though the magic tools bit into my savings. The Magic Cloak of Disguise, however, required a trip to a secret shop. Ordinary stores only sold perception-impairing glasses, which merely blurred your face.
The Cloak of Disguise was different. It used optical illusions to completely alter the wearer's physique and voice. I needed this to hide from Luce’s sharp eyes and photographic memory. If she realized who I was, she’d report me to the faculty, and word would inevitably reach the Student Council President.
It’s so damn expensive…
True to its "secret shop" status, the cloak cost me 3,000 gels. I only had enough because I’d been living on 10-gel scraps of bread every day.
I was officially broke.
However, the amount of gel allocated to students increased based on their evaluation performance. I had no choice but to secure a high grade.
*
"We will now begin the class assignment evaluation."
The day had arrived. The midday sky was a brilliant, mocking blue.
The Magic Department’s Provisional 3rd Class stood at the edge of the Delphine Forest, a dense woodland on the west side of the academy. Professor Fernando stood before us, his expression stern.
"The rules are simple: collect as many mana particles as possible within the time limit. They are hidden throughout Delphine Forest. If you bring the watch I’ve provided near a particle, it will automatically attach itself. Once attached, a particle cannot be removed."
The academy changed its exam formats every year, revealing the details only on the day of the test. This was the first time any of us were hearing this.
I looked down at the watch on my left wrist. It was 1:30 PM. My name, "Isaac," was engraved on the band in glowing magical script.
Mana particles emitted a very faint aura, making them difficult to find. This exam was a test of mana perception. Of course, mana could only be detected if it was being emitted. Even someone with top-tier perception couldn't sense Luce Eltania if she wasn't actively using magic. Detecting "dormant" mana was a feat reserved for Archwizards.
"Mana perception? Easy."
"This is simple enough."
"I’ve got this."
The students around me started whispering confidently. They wouldn't be acting like that once Professor Fernando finished his explanation.
"Additionally," the Professor continued, "if the watch is removed from your wrist for any reason, a signal is sent to us and you are immediately eliminated. You are permitted to steal watches from other students. Anyone who successfully takes a watch will receive bonus points equal to the victim's mana grade. In short, this is a survival game. Any means of collecting points is acceptable. Be aware that all first-year Magic Department students are participating."
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Panic set in.
"A survival game?! What am I supposed to do? I’m not a fighter!"
"If I run into someone like Luce Eltania, I’m dead. This is all luck…"
"On the bright side, if I find a Grade E like Isaac, I’ll hit the jackpot."
"No, even if you catch him, his mana is Grade E. You barely get any points for that."
Taking down Luce Eltania (Grade A+) or Kaya Astrea (Grade B+) would grant a massive point boost, ensuring a spot in a top class and a mountain of gel. Naturally, I wasn't planning on trying that.
On the other hand, Ian Fairytale—also a Grade E—would be a prime target for many.
Ian will be hunted because he’s Grade E, but what about me? I can already see the disaster coming.
At least Ian had incredible combat skills and physical stats to fall back on. That was how he survived until 7:00 PM. I, however, was starting from a much worse position.
"Professor, what if an outsider breaks in?" a female student asked. "It’s a forest; I’m worried about running into someone dangerous."
"Once all students have entered, a barrier will be erected," Fernando replied. "No one enters or leaves until the evaluation is over. You are safe from external threats."
He was right—the forest was sealed. But the threat wasn't coming from the outside. The demon was already within the woods. Furthermore, once you were eliminated and left the forest, you couldn't get back in.
"We will enter in numerical order, starting with Number 1."
The first student disappeared into the Delphine Forest. At staggered intervals, the rest followed. Other provisional classes were likely entering from different points around the perimeter.
Finally, as Number 25, I stepped into the trees.
The evaluation started at 2:00 PM. The demon would appear at 7:00 PM.
Let’s do this…
I just have to survive for five hours in a game where everyone is stronger than me.
I took a deep breath, centering myself. High above, a firecracker signaled the start. A shimmering barrier rippled into existence, sealing the forest.
The class assignment evaluation had begun.