Hero's Gateway: Random Teams and Ancient Trials

Thanks to Silvena's help, I somehow scraped through the written exam. Sure, it was just barely a C—enough to avoid the retake—but for me, it was nothing short of remarkable progress. At least I could save face in front of the young miss.

I'd have to thank Silvena properly later.

"Oh, Neriel. Long time no see?"

"Yeah, long time. I figured you'd bombed the written exam and were sulking with that ugly mug of yours, but guess not?"

And finally, the day of the practical exam arrived. As all the first-years gathered in one spot for transport, a familiar face caught my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠eye, and I greeted her warmly. It was Neriel, glaring at me with her usual sharp tongue, but honestly, compared to our first meeting, her barbs had softened a bit. Back then, her eyes had this fiercer, more slit-like edge; now they seemed a touch gentler.

"It worked out somehow. What about you?"

"Eh, so-so."

Asking about each other's scores after the exam is standard protocol, so I tossed the question out casually. I'd assumed she'd aced it, but her reply didn't sound too positive. No way she'd flunked, right? Even monkeys fall from trees sometimes, I thought, staring at her in genuine curiosity.

"There was this essay on reconstructing a magic circle formula—turned out it was similar to something I'd been researching. I based my answer on that, and the prof gave me zero points. We argued about it, but otherwise, it was fine."

"...So what happened in the end?"

"I showed him the new formula I'd come up with, and he was convinced right away. He even regretted not being able to give me higher than an A+."

Her explanation made me realize my worry was pointless, and I let out a dry chuckle. Watching her snort dismissively like it was no big deal drove home how we lived in different worlds. What kind of student discovers a formula even the professor doesn't know and turns it into exam points? No wonder she's the tower lord's prized disciple.

"Cadets! We move to the exam site immediately! Line up by class and stand by at the transfer portal!"

I was about to keep chatting when Azela's booming voice echoed from the platform where she stood alone. Neriel turned on her heel like her business was done.

"Well, I'm off. Do your best or whatever, you ape."

"Thanks for the pep talk."

"Tch, who said it was a pep talk?"

She pouted right to the end, but by now I understood her unique way of speaking, so I just shrugged it off.

"Aren, over here."

"Ah, thanks."

I headed to the knight class line and took my spot, where a familiar face pointed to the space beside her. It was Silvena—we'd started using names recently. Not that it made us close or anything. Still, it felt like she initiated more often than before. Or maybe I was overthinking it.

Who were those few kids at the far end, though? Magic class on one side, spirit class in the middle, knights here... They couldn't be idiots who didn't know where to line up.

"By the way, Silvena, who are those students?"

"Probably theology department. First time I've actually seen them up close."

"Ah, I've heard of them."

Theology department. It occupied a completely separate niche from the academy's three main classes: magic, spirit, and knights. I'd only learned about it after enrolling, and there were good reasons why. They didn't even take the placement exam, and unlike regular students in dorms, they lived in a small priest quarters next to the cathedral, treating it like a dorm. Classes and meals were all handled there too, so encounters were rare. The saintess I'd met recently was my first theology student.

With the whole school taking midterms today, they had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠no choice but to show up.

"Detailed exam instructions will follow on-site. Portal has capacity limits, so enter by class in order!"

Following Azela's guidance, we filed onto the portal one by one. Whirr—! Exactly ten knight class students, including Silvena and me, were enveloped in white light, and our vision flipped.

＊

We'd arrived at a site of sandy rocks and ancient architecture—like some ruined temple or relic. Yeah, straight out of my past life's Egypt vibes. Slap a big monster head on it as decor, and it'd be perfect.

Wait, there's actually one. Details aside, a stern-faced giant statue loomed over the massive entrance, gazing down at us.

"What's this place?"

"No idea, first time."

"Part of academy grounds?"

"Probably."

"Feels like something ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠archaeologists would geek out over."

No one seemed to know the details; everyone buzzed with murmurs. As we lined up, Azela stepped onto a square sand platform at the rear.

"Do any of you know what this place is?"

"No, ma'am!"

Usually, some encyclopedia-type would pop up with history and lore. But with everyone mumbling ignorance or silence, it must be extremely obscure.

"Not surprising."

Azela, who I'd pegged to yell "Not one of you knows?!" instead nodded understandingly. Definitely a hidden gem.

"This is the Hero's Gateway. It had no original name, but after Sir Iferia first discovered it, it earned this title."

"Sir Iferia... the Hero?"

"Correct. It's called the Hero's Gateway because he was the first to pass its trial."

Trial? My brow twitched at the odd word.

"It's been cleared since, so now it serves as a midterm stage for students. You'll form teams of three, enter, and take the test."

"Professor, what exactly is the test?"

A female student raised her hand, and Azela grinned.

"Not fixed. The Hero's Gateway gives different trials to each group. Since no one can solo it physically, teams of three. Teamwork is part of the evaluation."

Random trials, huh. Academy practicals don't mess around.

"To quit midway, all three shout 'We abandon the trial.' It'll stop everything, and you'll exit safely."

Safety net in place. Less dangerous than I thought. The heroic name had me tense.

"Teams are randomly assigned by proctors now. Score based on gates cleared."

"Ugh...!"

"Please pair me with strong teammates...!"

Random selection? Talk about team-luck roulette—like those trashy group projects from my past life. Even more brutal, almost cyberpunk survival. But proctors aren't idiots; probably balanced with one from A, B, C class each. Safest bet.

Whirr—

Azela swung her staff lightly, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠translucent blue hologram text appeared in the air.

One name jumped out inescapably. I turned, half-dreading, and amid the chaos of kids hunting teammates, one girl walked straight toward me—the only one.

She bowed deeply upon arrival.

"Ahhh, Aren. L-let's do our best...! I won't be a burden!"

"......"

Her timid tone was all too familiar. Of all people, the saintess on my team. Well, she's a saintess; she won't drag us down. Positive spin.

And that navy bob-cut girl approaching late must be the last member.

"Hi. Lena Besty. Nice to meet you."

"Same here."

Her eyepatch screamed rough type, but she greeted first. We shook hands.

"What should we call you? Besty?"

"Lena's fine. We're teammates suffering together for a day."

Most gripe at name-basis on first meet, so I probed. She nodded casually—refreshingly straightforward. I liked it.

"I'll protect you all, so don't worry...!"

"Figured from the name, but you really are the saintess. Honored."

"Ehehe, trust me...!"

Saintess side was shy but eager. The mage could cover our gaps. Ranged DPS, melee, healer. Perfect party.

"All teams, enter!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Azela's order rang out, and we surged through the entrance—twice the academy gate's size.

Rumble...!

"Hm?"

Sudden faint tremor shook the ground. Earthquake? Then, a wolfman-like statue on the ceiling glowed red-eyed and boomed:

So, when do we head in? Ah, my ass itches.