Chapter 64: Hunting Evaluation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 64: Hunting Evaluation (1)
The right to an education must be guaranteed.
That was why, despite the frequent appearance of demons this year, Märchen Academy refused to halt its curriculum. In fact, the academy viewed this as an opportunity; teaching students in such a climate was more in line with their "survival of the fittest" ideology.
This was the case even though the situation had reached a point where the Imperial Knights had to intervene.
Driven by that resolve, the academy had allocated a significant portion of its budget to hiring additional wizards and knights.
Demons were considered natural disasters.
They lacked intelligence, were solitary by nature, behaved unpredictably, and had origins that remained a mystery.
However, the fact that such creatures had appeared multiple times at Märchen Academy this year suggested a specific underlying cause. The Imperial family was certain of it.
As a result, members of the 4th Imperial Knight Squadron—the Fenrir Knights—were dispatched to investigate.
They wouldn’t find anything, though.
It was only natural that they would fail to uncover the identity of the spy, the source of the demons, or the true identity of the Black Monster.
Alice had been meticulous in her preparations to avoid detection, and demons were originally nothing more than microorganisms living underground before being given form by the Evil God’s mana.
Furthermore, no matter how hard they looked, there wasn't a single individual at the academy with an ice element that matched the mana signature of the Black Monster.
Because the Imperial Princess planned to enroll in Märchen Academy the following year, the Imperial Knights had no choice but to intensify their search.
Märchen Academy was the pinnacle of elite institutions on the continent.
While that was currently its reputation, there was a more concrete reason for its status—one that would slowly be revealed during my sophomore year.
With so many skilled Imperial Knights deployed, the academy was fully confident in its ability to handle any demon that appeared.
From this year onward, it was clear that Märchen Academy would be the primary deployment site for these knights until the Imperial Princess graduated. This would significantly bolster the academy's security.
For that reason, several members of the Imperial Knights were serving as proctors for this exam.
Still, seeing them with my own eyes was an awe-inspiring sight.
“Now, I will explain the rules of your ‘Hunting Evaluation’.”
Elt Island was a place that resembled the Amazon rainforest. However, the colors here were far more vibrant, as the flora was saturated with various types of elemental mana.
Each academy ship had docked at different points around Elt Island. At one of these docks, students disembarked and stood in an orderly fashion, gazes fixed on the professors in charge.
I was among them.
Professor Fernando began to explain the rules. The other proctors stood in formation behind him, exuding a heavy, authoritative pressure.
“The exam will conclude by evening. You will remain on this island until that time.”
“Your objective is simple: accumulate as many ‘points’ as possible before the exam ends or you are eliminated. Those points will determine both your grade and the amount of gel you receive.”
How were points earned?
“Points are earned through successful hunts. We have prepared various demonic illusions and summoned familiars throughout Elt Island. Each successful capture will grant you points based on the grade of the target.”
“…”
“As you venture deeper toward the center of Elt Island, the enemies will become progressively stronger, but the point rewards will increase accordingly. Rest assured, a thorough inspection of Elt Island has confirmed there are no signs of natural demonic creatures.”
With that, Professor Fernando confirmed they had found ‘no trace of demons.’
In this world, a clear distinction was made between magic beasts and demonic creatures. Magic beasts were beings strongly connected to mana, while demonic creatures—often called monsters—were an uncompromising, evil species. Though similar, "demons" were classified separately as a superior species due to their uniquely overwhelming presence.
“If you are defeated by a demonic illusion, your bracelet will ring, signaling your failure. The proctors will come to retrieve you, so stay where you are.”
Every student, myself included, wore a non-removable bracelet. Much like the evaluation at the end of the previous semester, it served as a tracking device.
“Points can also be used to purchase items at various shops scattered across Elt Island. However, since these points also determine your grade, it is in your best interest to save them. In short, this exam evaluates your combat capabilities, survival skills, wisdom, and resourcefulness.”
“Professor! What happens if students fight each other to steal items? Will they be failed?”
A boy who looked like a model student raised his hand to ask.
Professor Fernando looked at him and responded flatly.
“It is not a problem.”
“…!”
The other students looked shocked.
“I will repeat myself. The ‘Hunting Evaluation’ judges your combat capabilities, survival skills, wisdom, and knowledge. It tests how you adapt to various opponents, how you seize opportunities, and even how efficiently you escape. You are all both predator and prey to one another.”
“…”
“If you are afraid of having your belongings stolen, fight back or run away.”
Professor Fernando spoke in his usual icy tone.
“If you wish to forfeit or encounter circumstances unrelated to the exam, report it via your bracelet, and we will take appropriate action.”
“It is currently 10:00 AM. The exam will end at midnight. The remaining time will be displayed on your bracelets. Survive.”
“…”
“That is all. Enter according to your assigned numbers.”
The entry order was based on the first semester’s placement evaluations. One by one, the students began to disappear into the forests of Elt Island.
I followed suit, immediately struck by the vibrant, multi-colored jungle. There were frost-covered trees, flowers pulsating with electricity, and massive oaks with leaves larger than my entire body.
Moving cautiously but swiftly, I pushed deeper into the forest.
A blue light from my bracelet would signal the official start of the exam.
Knowing this, I ducked behind a massive oak tree and kept a close eye on my wrist.
Soon, the bracelet flashed a fierce red before fading, replaced by a steady blue glow.
The exam had begun.
I had two goals for this evaluation.
First: reach the ‘volcano’ at the center of Elt Island.
Second: meet ‘Ian Fairytale’.
Based on the direction our ships had taken, I deduced that Ian had arrived at the dock opposite mine.
Just before the exam started, Ian would meet Kaya, and the two would form a team.
According to 「Act 4. Chapter 2. Food Chain」, they would slowly make their way toward the center of the island to rack up points.
Normally, pinpointing their exact location would be nearly impossible.
‘But I have [Clairvoyance].’
I closed my left eye and activated the skill.
「Clairvoyance (Neutral Element, ★7)」
As my right eye turned silver, my field of vision shifted at an incredible speed.
In an instant, my sight swept across to the opposite end of Elt Island. There, I saw Ian. Just as in the original story, he had met up with Kaya, and the two were deep in conversation.
After nodding to each other, they began heading toward the central region.
I deactivated [Clairvoyance] and reopened my left eye, my normal vision returning.
If I kept moving toward the volcano and periodically tracked them with [Clairvoyance], I’d be able to intercept them.
‘They’ll be heading straight for the volcano.’
They might stop a few times to hunt or eat, but they would arrive within eight hours at the latest.
The demon Elphelt the Evanescent, who appeared in 「Act 4, Chapter 3, Underground Giant」, would emerge in the volcanic region and devour Kaya.
Kaya would be pulled into its body, and Ian would jump in after her to save her.
‘But Ian can’t survive that on his own.’
Elphelt’s internal anatomy was swarming with lesser demons, thick as cockroaches. Given Ian’s current lack of control over his power, there was no way he could survive.
Therefore, the best course of action was to find Ian before he was swallowed.
I had considered leaving an anonymous tip for the academy—something like, ‘A demon will appear near the center of Elt Island.’
However, I decided against it. It created too many variables. I didn't know if they would believe me, and even if they did, it would be problematic.
The evaluation would likely be suspended and the island sealed off. If that happened, no one would be in a position to stop Elphelt.
I also couldn't be certain things would play out as I intended.
Above all, I needed to ensure there were zero casualties. Not only would deaths disrupt the scenario, but they could also trigger a "Bad Ending."
I had agonized over how to keep Kaya out of harm’s way, but I eventually had to abandon that line of thought.
‘There’s no other way.’
In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ 「Act 4, Chapter 2, Food Chain」, it was established that a Bad Ending was guaranteed if Kaya didn’t reach the center.
Elphelt was attracted to the plant element. As soon as it awakened, it would hunt for Kaya.
If Kaya reached the central region where the giant’s head was located, Elphelt would simply open its mouth and swallow her whole, satisfied for the moment.
But if Kaya wasn't in the volcanic region when Elphelt woke up, fire and ‘blood’ magic would erupt across the entirety of Elt Island, causing massive casualties. It would be a massacre.
Therefore, trying to keep Kaya out of the exam entirely was far too risky.
Elphelt’s skin was as tough as Galia’s [Thunder God’s Barrier], boasting a defensive strength equivalent to a Level 190 entity. It was a demon designed to be killed only from the inside.
Moreover, the only viable entrance to its body was its mouth. If Kaya wasn’t there, it would have no reason to open it.
Even if I have to temporarily sacrifice Kaya…
…to prevent a Bad Ending, this is the safest method.
‘Let’s do this.’
I took a deep breath to steady my nerves.
This is just the beginning.
First, I needed to hunt some demonic illusions on my way to the center to earn points. Then, I’d look for an unmanned shop.
Elt Island was vast, so several of these shops had been set up across the terrain.
‘It’s quiet.’
Only the sound of chirping insects and birds filled the air. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic atmosphere of the first semester’s evaluation.
This was likely because the outer edges of the island were sparsely populated with targets.
“Hilde.”
I summoned the Frost Dragon, Hilde, who appeared as a small, floating orb of light.
[Frost Dragon Hilde]
Lv: (1) Race: Magic Beast Element: Ice Danger: X Psychology: [Enjoying the new environment.]
[Is this the exam site you mentioned?]
Hilde’s faint voice echoed in my mind. I nodded.
“Let me know if there are any people, magic beasts, or demonic creatures nearby.”
[Gladly.]
Using [Clairvoyance] drained a substantial amount of mana, so I chose to rely on Hilde for local surveillance instead.
Hilde began to scout the area from the air. As a small orb of light, she would go unnoticed by enemies as long as she stayed alert.
[There is nothing out of the ordinary.]
I stepped out from behind the oak tree and began to move.
As I trekked toward the central region, Hilde continued to report any signs of life.
Thanks to her, I was able to maintain a relatively safe path. If the distance between us grew too large, her voice became faint, so we had to stay within a certain range.
[I found a demonic creature… but it feels strange.]
[Kiiik?]
[Caw?]
「Stone Toss (Rock Element ★3)」
Boom!
When I encountered demonic illusions that looked like oversized ants, I quickly dispatched them with rock magic.
The illusions dissolved into ash and scattered in the wind. They were merely apparitions created by magic tools.
[W-What…?! Do demonic creatures turn to ash when they die these days…?]
Hilde sounded genuinely shocked, her tone like that of a bewildered grandmother. Her voice was so beautiful it felt strangely out of place with her reaction.
“They’re just illusory forms of demonic creatures.”
[Such a thing exists…? It seems the world has changed much while I was gone… It is only natural, I suppose…]
Hilde seemed to feel the weight of the centuries she had missed.
The defeated illusions transformed into grains of mana and flowed into my bracelet.
The point total on my display updated to 20. It seemed those ant-like creatures were worth 10 points each.
They were surprisingly high-value.
I resumed my pace.
*
Elt Island Plateau.
After summoning Galia to a manageable size, Luce flew to the top of a cliff.
From her vantage point, she scanned the entirety of Elt Island, her eyes settling on the reddish-brown volcano at the center.
[My master is looking for Isaac again! Beams are coming out of her eyes! Super beams!!!]
“…”
Smack!
Luce delivered a sharp blow to Bello, her small orca familiar who was chattering away like a child.
[Bello is shocked! No violence! No violence!]
“Shut up. I have to find him because he’s my friend.”
Luce meticulously searched the gaps in the forest canopy, looking for even the slightest trace of Isaac.
“I have to protect him.”
With her exceptional eyesight and keen observation, she was confident she could find him.
However, the density of the forest was making the search difficult.
“Isaac, where are you…?”
She wanted to find him as quickly as possible.
Elt Island was so secluded; she could spend the entire day with Isaac without anyone else seeing them.
Ah… how wonderful would that be?
Luce began to salivate.