Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Demon Sword Forte (3) - The Value of a Small Kindness
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"An illusion displaying the same message to hundreds of people simultaneously?"
"I didn't sense any mana response at all."
"Dispel doesn't work either. What kind of structure is this?"
Those who possessed even a modicum of prior knowledge about the discipline of magic were utterly bewildered by the sudden message.
From their perspective, the phenomenon unfolding before them defied all common sense and was utterly incomprehensible.
"Hmm... Is this some kind of magic? Impressive!"
"Heh, indeed. It seems the title of the central region's premier academy is well-earned."
"Anyway, it means we climb up, right? It's pretty high, but three days should be enough."
In contrast, those lacking such knowledge reacted even more swiftly.
Unfamiliar with magic, they couldn't grasp the marvel of the event and simply brushed it off.
Following the others who began ascending the stairs one by one, Pina was about to start climbing as well when—
《Hold on a moment. There's something I need to check before we go up.》
"Yes?"
At the demon sword's restraint, Pina tilted her head.
As Pina suddenly halted, the man behind her spoke in a sharp tone.
"Hey, if you're not going up, move aside."
"Ah, yes. Sorry…."
Pina quickly shrank back and shifted to the edge where she wouldn't obstruct the flow of people. Ignoring her, the crowd continued up the stairs in turn.
Watching the scene, Pina asked the demon sword again.
"Um, what was it you needed to check?"
《Read the quest window again. I can't see it from here.》
"Mm. One sec."
Pina read through the text on the translucent panel before her eyes, and the sword confirmed it.
《The time limit is three days, contractor. Even roughly estimating, take a look at the tower from outside. Does it look like something you can climb in three days?》
"Oh."
Pina stepped out of the tower briefly to gauge its height.
It was certainly tall. Assuming a normal stair climb, it felt somewhat dizzying.
Yet it was still visible from the ground to its peak.
Even at a leisurely pace, it wouldn't take more than a day.
So if the limit was three days regardless….
"…Are the people from Skyreach Academy just really nice?"
《Mm.》
The demon sword Forte felt a twinge of embarrassment.
His previous partners(?) had usually caught on immediately at this point, but this one was proving trickier.
《It means climbing the tower isn't all there is to it. There's likely a trap or special gimmick hidden somewhere.》
"Ooh, you're so smart, Demon Sword!"
Pina clapped and exclaimed in admiration.
A few onlookers gave her curious glances at the odd display, but she remained oblivious.
《In any case, rushing up blindly isn't wise. There's a city nearby—stock up on supplies there first.》
The city was over an hour away on foot.
"Yep."
One might argue it was a waste of time—three hours round trip plus shopping—but Pina nodded readily.
It was a decisiveness that left even the proposer, Forte, slightly taken aback.
True to her affluent upbringing, Pina owned a high-capacity bag enchanted with spatial compression, along with a canteen.
She purchased sugar, chocolate, and other high-calorie snacks, plus sundry items, before returning to the tower.
Contrary to expectations that everyone would have ascended, the area around the tower still teemed with people.
All wearing grim expressions.
"Damn it, how are we supposed to climb that thing?"
"Impossible barehanded. We need to prepare thoroughly."
Some were heading to the city a step late, eyeing Pina—who looked like she'd just come from there—but since her load wasn't bulky, they soon averted their gazes and hurried off.
《Worth buying that compression bag. Flaunting too many supplies would only invite trouble.》
"Y-yeah. I got a little scared they might talk to me."
《…Better hurry inside the tower. With the preemptive strike ejection rule, it's safer than outside.》
"Yep."
Pina scurried into the tower and soon stepped onto the stairs.
How long had they been steadily climbing the tower's steps?
The anomaly occurred almost immediately.
The staircase, initially wide enough for three abreast,
began widening sideways.
At first, one might pass it off as architectural flair, but once the stairs spanned wider than the tower's diameter, such excuses rang hollow.
Even the scenery shifted: the wooden walls vanished, replaced by expansive fields on either side, while the stairs morphed into a gentle uphill path.
A scorching sun blazed overhead, sapping the participants' stamina and patience as they sweated profusely up the slope.
"Wow. Just like you said, Demon Sword, climbing isn't easy at all."
Pina murmured, looking a bit queasy.
After over two hours of stairs and slopes, a light sheen of sweat beaded her forehead.
For Pina, with ample water, it was merely tiring, but those who'd underestimated the tower panted desperately, parched.
And desperation sharpens shortsightedness.
"Hey, you! Hand over that water!!"
"Ha? Get lost."
"I said hand it over!!"
"Wha—hey!? Stay back! I said stay—urk!"
One examinee lunged at another, punching him outright and snatching his waterskin and bag.
It evoked brigandish brutality, but given how many strong contenders lacked patience and restraint, it wasn't so shocking.
However, the triumphant thief soon paid for ignoring the warning.
Before he could drink from the waterskin, the ground beneath him gaped open, and he plummeted toward the earth below.
With a brief scream, he vanished, and the ground seamlessly restored itself.
The problem: his stolen waterskin and bag fell with him.
"N-no! If you're going, go alone—why take my stuff!!"
Watching the youth despair over losing everything in a blink, Forte murmured calmly.
《Hm. There's a noticeable delay between attack and ejection. Contractor, stay wary of ambushes.》
"Yes."
The youth stared blankly at the former hole for a moment before gritting his teeth and resuming the climb.
Glancing sidelong, Pina pressed onward too.
The path widened further, grew harsher, and drew more people.
Some had reinforced themselves with mana to ascend swiftly, but it had clear limits.
Typical reinforcement peaked at third-circle level, granting beast-like physicality—overwhelming for combat or sprints, but constrained for prolonged treks.
Rest and food were still essential.
As the blazing sky darkened and eerie winds rose, people abandoned the ascent, hunkering in makeshift shelters.
Needless to say, the shelters were rudimentary.
Few prepared camping gear for an academy entrance exam.
That said, a rare few had.
Surveying the scattered tents, Pina blinked.
"So many well-prepared people!"
《The test repeats yearly with gaps, but info from past examinees or graduates exists. Even randomizing professors has limits.》
"I see."
《You should rest too. Over two days left—no need to push early.》
"But what if it's so tall it takes three straight days of nonstop climbing?"
《Unlikely—too few would pass early. It'd undermine the preliminary exam's purpose.》
"Ah, true."
Pina nodded, then unpacked a larval sleeping bag and a broad cloth from her backpack to prepare for sleep.
A proper tent would draw eyes and was a hassle anyway.
She chose flat, level ground, spread the cloth, laid out the bag, and was about to drift off when—
Suddenly, another examinee entered her view.
"Huff... haa…."
He was familiar—from earlier, the youth who'd lost his gear.
Without proper hydration or rest, his face was haggardly drawn, limbs trembling visibly from afar.
With no bedding or blanket, he meant to flop on the bare path—sleeping like that could prove disastrous.
Of course, it was none of Pina or Forte's concern.
Pity his misfortune from interference, but such trials were part of the exam.
Yet for some reason….
Watching him, Pina fidgeted restlessly.
"Um, Demon Sword?"
《What's up?》
"If I help him, will it cause problems?"
《It could. You're aiding a rival, and gratitude isn't guaranteed. They might even demand more shamelessly.》
"R-right."
She nodded, but looked dissatisfied.
Sensing Forte probed.
《Any reason you want to help? Hero's lineage duty?》
"Nothing that grand."
Pina glanced around slyly, then grinned goofily.
"It's dim now, so no one's watching. Just quietly handing over some water and food seems low-key and embarrassment-free."
It was an answer that sorta-kinda wasn't.
Speaking of motive yet citing circumstances.
《Well, no harm. Short-term, aiding a rival; long-term, gaining a potential academy ally. Repayment's uncertain if you help—but certain not to come if you don't.》
"Right? So it's fine?"
Eyes sparkling, Pina rummaged out a spare waterskin, rations, and a blanket, approaching the youth.
He tensed at her approach, but before he could speak, Pina blurted.
"Here, uh, use this if you want! Totally fine if not!"
Thud.
Scamper.
She dropped the supplies and bolted, turning tail.
The youth looked dumbfounded, but upon her vanishing, cautiously reached for the waterskin.
Doubt flickered briefly.
Then he gulped it down eagerly, finally exhaling a satisfied "Ahh!"
Looking alive at last.
He bowed gratefully toward Pina, who'd been peeking from afar; she scratched her cheek sheepishly before retreating farther to set her new spot.
《Hmm.》
Forte watched silently.
And judged.
Not bad.