Quit The Hero Party

EP.91 The Screams Resound in the Practical Exam (2)

I was sitting alone in the professor’s office, staring at the ceiling with my head tilted back. My flowing hair was almost touching the floor.

I was quite troubled.

I had been given the role of supervising the practical exam. They talked about breaking fingers and such, but there was no way I could actually sever a student’s fingers.

‘If I were training knights, it would have been different.’

But these are students, after all.

So I was mulling over things.

‘Battle Magic.’

The department dealing with the Battle Mage Class.

In the past, I thought it was an insignificant field, but once I learned the truth…

‘If I had known, I should have left behind at least a thesis before retiring.’

I often found myself thinking that.

When you think about it, it’s no wonder the Battle Mage Class seems so shallow.

The ancient mage who created the Wizard class left behind dozens, if not hundreds, of books.

The ancient alchemist who created the Summoner class also left behind his memoirs.

‘Let alone, those gloomy Sorcerers also left something behind.’

In any case, there’s usually at least one book that serves as the foundation of a class. However, the Battle Mage has none. It couldn’t be any other way.

‘Because I didn’t leave anything behind.’

In the first place, I never even realized I had created a class.

“Hmm.”

I let out a short groan with my head still tilted back.

How could I conduct this practical exam in a way that the students could properly understand this combat method?

‘One practical exam.’

If there’s a concept that needs to be instilled in the students’ minds through that exam, what could it be?

“Foundation.”

I muttered suddenly.

“What is foundation?”

Battle Mage.

If I were to write a thesis with this class, what would be the foundational first sentence?

A word sprang to mind.

“How to whack a skeleton bucket.”

No, that’s not it.

It was a battle method to take down Skebal, but I decided to look at it a bit broader.

After all, this is a class modeled after me.

What mindset did I have when casting spells on the battlefield? That’s what I needed to consider. And thinking that way, the answer came quickly.

“Flexibility.”

I verbalized the word that had come to mind.

Indeed, flexibility was a key word that ran through this magical system. It’s about finding another way right away instead of getting stuck and sitting down.

That was precisely what I valued most on the battlefield.

‘How can I convey that to the students?’

I looked at the paper in front of me.

On the paper, in large letters, was the word ‘Survival,’ along with the outline of the exam.

– Main Theme: Survival.

– The Battle Mage Class is a class centered on the battlefield. In this exam, a similar environment to a battlefield will be created through an illusionary magic tool, testing the students.

– A sort of ‘maze’ breakthrough concept.

·····Not bad?

With just a little adjustment, the exam could become perfect.

– Through practical experience, the primary goal is to indirectly let students experience the battlefield. The secondary goal is to naturally help them realize the advantages of being a Battle Mage.

“Wow…”

I couldn’t help but admire.

Mackhart, that guy might be a bit odd, but he has a solid foundation. Truly, that makes sense.

‘How can one discuss practical magic without experiencing the battlefield?’

That’s absurd, damn it.

That’s exactly what it means to lack a foundation.

‘It’s a decent method.’

Nonetheless, I saw some shortcomings.

Looking at the list of beasts to be projected through the illusionary magic tool, I clicked my tongue briefly.

‘Just these to deal with?’

It would only result in a half-baked exam.

There’s a high chance of forming bad habits rather than stimulating anything.

“If you’re going to show, show it properly.”

I quickly revised the types of beasts to project. After all, I was the one operating the magic tool. Transferring what I’ve seen and experienced would be an easy task.

Monsters that had caused me headaches in the Demon Lord’s Army.

Things you would often encounter while wandering through the Phantom Territory.

I jotted them down one by one on the paper.

‘There should be this much.’

As they say, practical experiences should be as realistic as possible. I recalled my battlefield experiences and quickly wrote down the items.

Mana-Eaters.

A pack of black wolves that senses mana.

Dumb Shadows that jump out from the shadows as soon as the circuit is drawn.

Yeah, this much is necessary.

“Hmm.”

I nodded in satisfaction.

It might seem harsh, but that’s fine. After all, it’s all an illusion, so they won’t die, right?

‘It might hurt a little, but…’

Compared to the realizations gained, that’s nothing.

“I killed these things to create it.”

Didn’t I say it’s a class modeled after me?

Then what I said is absolutely correct.

“This should be enough.”

I held up the revised paper.

Even I found it to be a quite satisfactory practical exam.

2.

A day after the duel.

Lac was wandering aimlessly through the academy since early morning. For some reason, there was an uncomfortable feeling lingering.

“Hmm.”

Rubbing his chin, Lac walked through the hallway.

It felt like he couldn’t organize his thoughts properly. What should he do in such a situation?

‘Hunting?’

The first thought that came to mind was mindlessly climbing the snowy mountains to hunt wild beasts, but… that was impossible here.

‘Uh… Training?’

That didn’t feel right either.

He had already trained to death after the duel yesterday.

“Hmm…”

Eventually, Lac made his way to the garden and plopped down on a bench. Taking in the warm morning sunlight, he slowly began to gather his thoughts.

What came to mind was the duel with Belnoa.

Every action he had taken during that duel naturally replayed in his mind. It was different from simple recollection.

‘What if I had done this there?’

He imagined various scenarios.

‘What if I had pressed forward instead of holding back? What if I had dodged instead of striking…’

Many possibilities flitted through his mind.

Nevertheless, the conclusion was always the same.

‘No matter what, I lose.’

He had been completely defeated.

No matter what tactics he tried, Belnoa countered. Belnoa was stronger than him. It was like being a step behind.

‘Belnoa is strong. But that doesn’t mean we couldn’t match from the start.’

In the beginning of the semester, it had been neck and neck.

In fact, during the class assignment test, Lac had had moments of battling evenly with Belnoa.

But what about now?

‘I can’t win.’

The more he repeated the duel, the harder it became to defeat Belnoa. It wasn’t that Belnoa had made any special growth.

He wasn’t particularly stronger than Lac.

Always, Belnoa was just one or two steps ahead.

Lac couldn’t discern the essence of that gap.

“Why did I lose?”

He tried saying it out loud.

“Am I weak? Am I weak?”

Hmmm, as he spoke, Lac fiddled with the axe that was strapped to his waist.

‘Is it because I’m weak that I feel like this?’

He didn’t quite understand why he felt so off since yesterday.

As he contemplated while stroking his chin, a shadow suddenly fell before him.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

Lac looked up abruptly.

The first thing that caught his eye was the platinum-colored hair shimmering like gold. There was only one person in the academy with such platinum hair.

“…Princess Ayla?”

“Is it necessary to call me ‘princess’? We’re in Apuria after all.”

“What brings you here…?”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“I just thought you looked troubled. I happened to notice you while passing by, so I thought I’d say a few words. Personally, I’m also interested in you, Prince Lac?”

“Are you talking to me?”

Lac tilted his head in confusion.

“In Apuria, I need to build various connections. There’s a reason for that.”

“Hmm.”

“Do you have any worries, perhaps?”

“I do have some. But I’m not quite sure how to explain it…”

“Just tell me. I’ll listen and think it through with you.”

Flop, she sat down on the bench next to Lac.

Lac slowly explained what had happened yesterday. It didn’t take long to explain.

“…So, I’m feeling a bit uneasy right now.”

“Hmm…”

After listening to Lac’s explanation, Ayla made a rather complex expression. Then, she looked at Lac and bluntly stated.

“Isn’t it just annoying that you lost?”

“Annoying?”

“You know, competing with people who seem to be at a similar level to you? That sort of feeling.”

“Then why is that annoying?”

Lac tilted his head in bewilderment.

For him, the words ‘annoying’ and ‘defeat’ didn’t quite connect.

“Accepting defeat is part of being a warrior, I learned…”

“Lac.”

Ayla’s golden eyes focused intently on Lac.

“Accepting defeat and competition are two different things.”

“……”

“Don’t you want to beat Belnoa?”

“I would think I want to beat him…”

“But you’re in a situation where you don’t have an answer?”

“Yes.”

“Then why not seek some advice?”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“There are many excellent professors in Apuria. Some are very strong professors too.”

Strong professors.

The moment he heard that, an image of one person flashed through Lac’s mind.

‘Professor Rania.’

The professor with the aura of a beast.

And the one who had fought a match against the renowned Hound of the royal family.

“Hmm…”

Just then, as Lac stroked his chin and let out a groan.

“Lac!”

“Lac, look at that bulletin board… oh, Princess?”

A few other students from the same class as Lac approached, but they suddenly halted upon seeing Ayla. They bowed their heads toward her.

At that sight, Ayla shook her head.

“Continue your conversation. I’m off now.”

“Yes, of course.”

With the princess leaving, the students hurriedly urged Lac to check the bulletin board.

“I heard the notice for the practical exam in Battle Magic is out.”

“But something seems odd about it.”

“Odd?”

“Yeah, let’s go see.”

As they walked down the hallway, they spotted a group of students gathered in front of the bulletin board. Belnoa was among them. Belnoa pointed to the board with his thumb.

“Hmm.”

Lac nodded and checked the notice.

It was an announcement regarding the outline of the practical exam.

– Exam Location: The forest owned by the Krepfelt family.

– Exam Theme: Survival.

– Exam Duration: Up to 3 days.

A murmur of something grand began. However, the whispers gradually died down.

“…Huh?”

“Why is the exam supervisor…?”

The name written at the bottom of the notice drew puzzled comments from the students. And Lac felt the same.

– Supervisor: Professor Rania van Trias.

Professor Rania van Trias.

The supervisor of the exam was not Mackhart Krepfelt, but Professor Rania.

‘Why is Professor Rania…?’

Lac blinked at the name.

He had no idea why Professor Rania, the basic instructor of Mana Trading Studies, was in charge of supervising.

However, one thing was for sure…

‘Something feels ominous.’

It seemed like something ridiculous was about to happen.

This was more of an instinct than a feeling. Predictions are formed through experiences.

Rania van Trias.

Lac remembered all the incidents that had occurred whenever that unique professor became involved.

“Hmm, urgh…”

The more he recalled those incidents, dread swelled within him. He felt a cold sweat trickle down his back.

3.

About a week later, the practical exam began.

The exam proceeded as originally planned, taking place in the forest owned by the Krepfelt family.

Chirp, chirp.

In the early morning, students gathered at the entrance of the forest, where even the sound of birds could be heard. And there stood a professor at the forefront of them.

A professor with ashen hair flowing down.

At first glance, the professor looked almost like a student, standing before them and starting the exam’s briefing.

“The theme of the practical exam, as announced, is survival. The main evaluation criterion is improvisation. Please remain calm and respond to any situation.”

She handed out a bracelet to each student.

“This is a bracelet that reacts to the illusionary magic tool and records impacts. If you receive an impact above a certain amount, you will be forcefully ejected from the illusionary maze. You can retry after an hour, but it will result in a deduction of points.”

The bracelet records and conveys impacts.

While the students strapped on the bracelets, Professor Rania continued her explanation.

“As a piece of advice before the exam, I recommend using only the circuits you currently possess. If any of you haven’t stocked up on circuits, I advise you to do so before entering the forest.”

·····Don’t draw new circuits?

The students tilted their heads in confusion. Wouldn’t a Battle Mage draw circuits as needed?

Clap.

But there was no time for them to voice that question.

With a clap of her hands, the forest shook. A massive barrier engulfed the entrance.

“I am fully aware of all your positions, and all monsters that will appear during the practical exam are created with illusionary magic tools. Please do not panic.”

She gestured towards the forest.

“I will now begin the exam.”

At that moment, one by one, the students stepped into the forest.

The moment they set foot, a portal activated. The students randomly scattered throughout the forest and began to slowly explore.

The conditions for concluding the exam were one of two things.

Survive for three days.

Or hunt down the hidden boss monster within the forest.

Most students aimed for the latter. They had no intention of surviving three days in this forest.

And then.

“…Huh?”

They would soon realize.

“What is this…?”

That they had been mistaken.

They blinked and looked around. The atmosphere of the forest was odd. It felt desolate. Ominous. A fog hung low, and the air felt heavy.

Something felt foreign.

The students, shocked by the unexpected sight, took a few steps back. Some activated their circuits. Others attempted to draw circuits, forgetting the warning.

For those who forgot the warning, the exam showed no mercy.

Thud, there was a sound as something dropped. A student, who had paused drawing a circuit, looked up. A branch was swaying.

Thwap, drip.

Something fell from the swaying branch.

What fell landed on the hand of the student who was about to draw a circuit.

‘…A bug?’

He tried to swipe it off, but it wouldn’t budge. Soon, the student realized it was no ordinary bug. His face turned pale.

‘Mana-Eater.’

A monster that reacts to mana and blocks it.

“Ah, AAAAAAH!”

Before he could even scream, the Mana-Eater injected the student’s hand with its venom. The poison disrupted the mana flow.

The process of disrupting mana caused a significant headache. At the very least, it was not something a student experiencing it for the first time could endure.

Thump.

One student collapsed.

The nearby students held their breath and stopped their fingers that were about to draw circuits.

The mere presence of Mana-Eaters in the forest already increased the difficulty drastically, but that wasn’t all. The students scanned their surroundings.

And then they spotted something within the fog.

Grrr…

Red eyes glowed through the mist.

A low growl mixed with the fog. Monsters began to reveal themselves amidst the haze.

Beasts specialized in mana tracking.

Black wolves.

And wolves always travel in packs.

“This is insane.”

At that moment, the students realized.

That the main theme of the exam was survival, and it truly meant ‘survival’ in the most literal sense.

And.

“Ah, AAAAAAH!”

They recognized that the difficulty of this exam was beyond their imagination.

“What is that all?!”

“Agh, AAAAAAH! Damn it, damn it!”

“AAAAAAAH!”

“Bugs! AAAAAAH!”

Screams echoed throughout the Krepfelt family forest.

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