Chapter 65: Hunting Evaluation (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 65: Hunting Evaluation (2)
Elt Island was teeming with mushrooms that caused various status ailments.
The Po’i mushroom spewed poisonous spores the moment it felt threatened.
The Kulkul mushroom forcefully induced a deep sleep.
The Soli mushroom, upon receiving a heavy blow, released spores that neutralized any abnormalities caused by other fungi.
Then there was the Xerom mushroom, which temporarily disrupted one’s mana circuit, rendering magic unusable.
For the record, the Xerom mushroom didn’t affect powerful individuals like Luce. I, on the other hand, was still vulnerable to its effects.
In any case, I had to be wary of every species. Falling into an abnormal state would significantly hinder my progress toward the center of Elt Island.
‘Ian, please be safe.’
Spores could catch anyone off guard. It was for this reason that I was worried about Ian. However, unless something truly unexpected happened, Kaya—who had diligently studied ecology—would likely cover for him.
I made my way toward the center, eliminating any illusionary monsters I encountered along the way. During the trek, an unmanned shop caught my eye.
[There is no one around.]
After receiving the report from the Frost Dragon, I headed toward the shop without hesitation.
The unmanned shop was shaped like a cylindrical vending machine, with various items displayed behind a glass window. There were 1-star elemental magic scrolls, drinking water, odor removers, sturdy ropes, netting, camouflage sheets, a baby hippo-shaped doll, and even a portable toilet tent (expensive).
‘Odor remover for 120 points.’
I currently had exactly 120 points.
I held my bracelet up to the terminal and spent them all. The mana grains in my bracelet flowed into the machine as payment, and the item popped out as I pressed the button.
The odor remover came in a spray bottle. After dousing myself in it, I tucked the bottle into the magic pouch the academy had provided. With this, the illusionary demonic creatures and familiars would be unable to track my scent.
[Hide.]
“…!”
Hilde’s voice echoed suddenly. Reflexively, I ducked behind a nearby tree.
[There are magic beasts in the sky.]
I stole a glance at the sky through the canopy. A fair number of magic beasts were circling above. I couldn’t tell if they were the proctors' familiars or if they had been released by students, but there was no benefit to standing out.
I continued to move with caution.
*
「Ice Spear (Ice Element, ★4)」
Whoosh—!
[Keeong!]
A Black Wolf, an illusionary monster that had heard my footsteps, rushed toward me. As it sniffed the ground trying to pick up my scent, I fired an [Ice Spear], eliminating it effortlessly.
‘So far, so good.’
I could handle a Black Wolf easily enough, but starting from the Fang Hippo, things would get progressively difficult. It was better to avoid as many fights as possible. With Hilde acting as my guardian, reaching the center of Elt Island without a confrontation wasn't an unrealistic goal.
[There’s suspicious movement above.]
Hilde’s report interrupted my thoughts. I leaned in to listen.
“What is it?”
[An owl magic beast has been secretly spying on you. I felt something was off a while ago, and now I’m certain.]
“…?”
A sense of unease washed over me. If it intended to hunt me, it would have attacked by now.
So, it’s monitoring me?
[…Master, hide!]
Hilde’s voice turned urgent.
[Humans are closing in. You’re being encircled.]
“What…?”
I heard the rustle of leaves. Several students were approaching—six in total, from Classes C and D, the same group that had arrived on my boat.
Suddenly, magic circles manifested all around me.
「Rock Wall (Rock Element, ★4)」
「Ice Wall (Ice Element, ★4)」
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud—!
Solid walls erupted from the earth, boxing me in.
“What the…?”
I didn't have time to process the confusion. I pressed my fingers together, channeling mana to pierce through the layered defenses. The magic circle for [Frost Explosion] began to etch itself into the air. It was clear these people were enemies.
Just then—
[Kkiruk!]
Wiiiiiiiiiiiiii—
A bird’s cry echoed from above. I looked up to see an owl wrapped in wind mana dropping two mushrooms directly toward me.
「Wind Sword (Wind Element, ★3)」
A thin blade of wind shot from the owl, slicing the falling mushrooms mid-air. Green spores erupted like a thick cloud of smoke, and a glittering powder rained down on me.
“Oh, shi—!”
It was the Xerom mushroom.
My mana flow instantly went haywire. I lost all control. The [Frost Explosion] circle dissipated immediately, its condensed ice mana scattering into the air.
Deprived of the caster's maintenance, the [Rock Wall] trapping me crumbled into light brown powder and vanished.
“…!”
「Fireball (Fire Element, ★3)」
Hwarururuk—!
A sphere of flames roared toward me. With my mana circuit disrupted, I couldn't deploy an [Ice Wall] to block it. I had no choice but to throw myself toward the remains of the [Rock Wall], shielding my face with my arms.
Kuuuuung—!
The [Fireball] slammed into the [Ice Wall] behind me, sending flames licking outward. The ice melted instantly. I felt a flash of heat against my skin, but the spell wasn't particularly powerful. I had survived the initial burst.
I quickly adjusted my posture and looked up. The students had gathered around a single girl. She had short brown hair and wore a headband adorned with a red rose. It was a face I knew all too well.
“Hehe. You really do look best when you’re scraping the bottom.”
The girl flashing that arrogant smile was Rose Red Rivera.
[Rose Red Rivera]
Lv: 55
Race: Human
Elements: Fire, Wind
Danger: X
Psychology: [Feels inferior and envious of you.]
Memories of the first semester’s practical training flashed through my mind. Rose had been holding a grudge against me since then. She had been demoted from Class B to Class C for the second semester based on her grades, which meant we shared the same lectures. Every time our eyes met in the hall, she would scowl.
According to her [Psychology], she felt humiliated just by being in the same room as me.
As I suspected, Rose had planned this. She must have gathered a group on the ship specifically to harass me, waiting for the right moment once the exam rules were announced. Looking at the group, I recognized several Class D students who harbored similar complexes.
Damn… what idiots.
I was suddenly reminded of the conceited blond noble, Tristan Humphrey. At least he had the dignity to seek a fair duel. This method was just pathetic.
“It’s strange, isn’t it? That you and I ended up in the same class. Especially considering you were Grade E until last semester, and now you have a higher mana capacity than me… it’s unbelievable, isn’t it?”
If her capacity was lower than mine now, she must be Grade C.
“Why are you acting so high and mighty, you Grade E commoner?”
Rose had bottomless insecurity. She tried to restore her fallen self-esteem by belittling others. She wanted to satisfy her ego by trampling the person she looked down on most—the one who had eventually surpassed her.
I stood up, brushing myself off.
“You’re really annoying.”
As I spoke, I pulled a Soli mushroom from my pocket. It was the counter-agent that negated the effects of all spores. I had picked it up earlier just in case. To work, it needed a strong impact to release its spores. Simply squeezing it wouldn't be enough; I needed to smash it against the ground.
At that moment—
「Fire Generation (Fire Element, ★1)」
Hwaaaaaar.
“Ah, hot!”
The Soli mushroom in my hand caught fire. I hissed and let go. The burning mushroom hit the dirt, its internal spores destroyed by the flames before they could disperse.
It was Rose’s magic. Her reaction speed was incredible—she had anticipated my move perfectly. She had clearly accounted for the fact that I might have a Soli mushroom ready.
What a bitch.
“Who are you to be annoyed with me? You’re just a commoner. Even if this academy pretends everyone is equal, did you really think we were on the same level? Do you really think we’re the same just because we sit in the same room?”
Rose wore a twisted smile.
“When you leave this academy, you’re nothing. You should feel honored to be trampled by me. You’re a pig, and you need to know your place.”
I stood my ground, dusting the last of the dirt from my clothes.
“…What’s with that look? Shall I fire another [Fireball]? You won’t be lucky enough to dodge it this time.”
“…”
“Ah, but if you say, ‘Lady Rose, please step on this worthless pig with your dignified body,’ I might consider sparing you a little.”
“Is that so?”
Aren’t you embarrassed to say things like that? It made my skin crawl just listening to her.
“Sigh.”
I let out a long breath. There wasn't much left to say.
It was about time.
The sound of something parting the bushes reached my ears. It would have been better if it had arrived sooner, but it was enough. I turned my head toward the noise.
“Eden, you’re here.”
[Kyuu!]
My small golem familiar, Eden, emerged from the brush. Rose and her lackeys widened their eyes in surprise. They didn't understand—I hadn't summoned him or given a verbal order.
The moment Eden revealed himself, he threw a blue mushroom at me. Another Soli mushroom.
It struck my chest and burst, spewing a cloud of spores. I took a deep breath, and my tangled mana began to flow smoothly once more.
「Ice Wall (Ice Element, ★4)」
Thud—!
“…!!”
I immediately manifested a wall of ice around Rose and her group. It was a thick, reinforced [Ice Wall], far superior to the one her lackey had used. They were trapped exactly as I had been, with only the side facing me left open.
It was time for payback.
“How impudent…!”
Before she could even process the shift in momentum, Rose thrust her arm toward me. The magic circle for [Fire Pillar] ignited in front of her palm. Another student tried to cast an offensive spell as well.
It was a foolish choice.
「Frostfire (Ice Element, ★4)」
Hwaaaaaaar—!!
“Ahhhh!”
I had already completed my spell. They should have focused on defense.
The icy blue flames engulfed Rose and her lackeys. With their rear and sides blocked by the [Ice Wall], they took the full brunt of the [Frostfire]. I had dialed back the power, of course—it would be a waste if they passed out after only one hit.
When the [Frostfire] faded, the group was sprawled on the ground. Frostbite and chilblains covered their skin. They shivered violently from the supernatural chill. It was a pathetic sight.
“Ah, ahhh…”
Rose groaned, her eyes bulging as she clutched herself in agony.
I walked toward her with slow, deliberate strides.
Hwaaaar—!
When one male student tried to scramble up and counterattack, I casually tossed a [Frostfire] at him. By the time the second wave of cold flames subsided, he was completely broken, shivering in the dirt.
I stopped in front of Rose and looked down. Her frostbitten face turned toward me, her teeth chattering uncontrollably.
[Rose Red Rivera]
Psychology: [She is terrified of you.]
“What… how… did you…?”
From the start of the exam, I had instructed Eden to stay on standby with a Soli mushroom in case I fell victim to spores. Every time I found a fresh mushroom closer to the center, I would summon him and refresh the command.
I had told Hilde: “If I get hit by spores, bring Eden to me immediately and have him throw a Soli mushroom at me.”
If I had been hit by a Kulkul mushroom and fallen into a deep sleep, I wouldn't have been able to use a mushroom myself. I had to account for every variable. The moment I fell into the trap, Hilde had signaled Eden.
“Don’t look down on me… A Grade E commoner like you… don’t you dare look down on me!”
I sent another burst of [Frostfire] her way, again adjusting the power to maximize pain over damage.
“Arghhhhhh!”
Rose screamed as the cold flames licked her skin. Thanks to the [Basic Protection Magic] she had applied earlier, she wouldn't suffer permanent damage, but she couldn't escape the sensation of her nerves freezing.
As the flames died down, Rose began to wriggle on the ground, whimpering.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… it hurts too much… Please, spare… spare me…”
I stared down at her, silent. Rose reached out, grabbing the hem of my trousers and pleading for mercy.
This was enough. I didn't want to waste any more time. I turned to continue toward the center of Elt Island.
Behind me, Rose’s face contorted, and a jagged smile returned to her lips.
“Ah, ah… Yes, of course… you’re just a coward… You’re scared because I’m a noble, right? Hehehe…! You made a mistake! Once I graduate… I’ll make your life a living hell!”
「Ice Generation (Ice Element, ★1)」
Wiiiiiii, crash—!
“Ugh!”
I manifested a block of ice in mid-air and let it drop. It slammed into the back of Rose’s head, and she went limp instantly.
Beep—
A sharp tone echoed from Rose’s bracelet, signaling her failure and disqualification from the exam.
Even the most arrogant nobles knew better than to say things like “Wait until I graduate.” It was a disgrace that tarnished the family name. There was an unwritten rule that academy business stayed within the academy. To ignore that showed a complete lack of character.
I truly had no sympathy for her.
“…”
With a stoic expression, I quickened my pace.