161 – Survival (2)
A few days later, about 300 students gathered in front of the red garden, gathered in an orderly manner without making a fuss, and waited for their turn.
The transfer gate that appeared in front of me, emitting a bright blue light, was huge and wide, probably because there were a lot of students moving around.
If it was this big, I thought it would be okay to just crowd together, but they said that if a large number of people move at once, something could happen, so they were waiting like this.
“Have you packed all your luggage? Did you miss anything?”
“Yes, I took everything. “I’ve checked the regulations several times, so I’m sure it will pass the pre-inspection without any problems.”
We had reduced the amount of luggage, including about a day’s worth of food and a tent, but Jessica’s backpack was sticking out like a pot-bellied person’s stomach.
Jessica wasn’t the only one carrying a backpack like this. She said that all the students’ backpacks were bigger than Jessica’s, but not smaller.
Sometimes, it was extremely rare to see students without any luggage, let alone a backpack, but judging by the many scars on their hands, they looked like commoner students.
“Are you going in last?”
“Okay, we’re going to go inside after the students have spread out as much as possible.”
As I watched the students going inside while being inspected by the teacher, I remembered what happened last night.
‘Let’s eat less food?’
Marina looked puzzled after hearing her say that we should reduce the materials that could be used as food, which were widespread in the forest.
You may wonder why it was necessary to do such a thing, but it was absolutely necessary.
The most threatening thing in this test is not the artificial monster, which only makes moderately threatening attacks because the student must not be seriously injured, but food and water.
It won’t kill you, Demon Beast, or cause any injuries that will cause problems later, but even if you don’t have food and water for just four days, or even three days excluding what the students brought, the noble students, who are no better than flowers in a greenhouse, won’t be able to survive.
‘If a battle breaks out, the idea is to get the students to leave as quickly as possible so they don’t get caught up…. But there is one problem with that plan.’
If you give up and immediately fire a flare and leave, it’s fine, but if a fight breaks out over the small amount of food, you’re just inciting confusion.
Marina pointed that out, but she could have sworn that it wouldn’t happen.
‘Dean, I’m sorry to say this in front of you, the teacher, but honestly speaking, how many students are taking this test seriously?’
I’m not talking about the difficulty of the test, but most students don’t need to take the test seriously in the first place.
Receiving low scores does not mean they will fail or be expelled, and unlike schools on Earth, their grades here do not affect their future in any way.
It is not that there are no students who take exams seriously, but they are a minority.
Most students thought of this as a social gathering place to expand their network, and did not think of it as a place for serious learning.
‘You asked what you would do if a fight broke out, right? If they were in that situation, they would choose to leave immediately without hesitation.’
No matter how much of a test it is, if her food is taken away, even if she knows it in her head, her heart will still be sad.
If you repeat such a thing multiple times, it will lead to a decline in your reputation, and wise students here will choose the latter without hesitation if they are faced with a situation where they have to weigh passing the exam and their reputation.
‘… That’s definitely true. Then, let’s reduce the distribution of plants and processed meat that can be used as food.’
So I had to memorize the changed map again, but somehow I was able to memorize it all until today.
“When you get hungry, just come out without any hesitation. “I’m not giving you anything for staying there for a long time.”
There is no need to take risks and endure in a place that may be dangerous. This was especially true if there was no significant benefit to passing the exam.
She said it would be better to leave as soon as she entered, but Jessica shook her head and said with a stern expression.
“There are eyes to see, and I can’t run away alone. Even if you’re no match for them, you might be able to save at least one person, right? And….”
Jessica stopped mid-sentence and looked up at me, stuttering slightly as she spoke.
“… In times of danger, you will help me like you did then, right?”
“I don’t know how to kill, but I’m not confident about protecting and fighting?”
“Oh, please!! In times like this, even if you’re not confident, just say so!!”
While chatting like this, Jessica’s turn came and I waved her hand to say goodbye to Jessica and approached next week’s target.
“Hi, Ian!”
When I went to his side, Euclid welcomed me with a bright face as always.
Unlike Jessica, whom I taught about this test in advance, Euclid does not yet know that he might be attacked this time.
It was not clear whether an attack would come yet, but there was no benefit in causing anxiety.
If you are preparing for an emergency, it would be best to leave it out altogether, but it may become a problem later if it is known that only the prince acted separately during the attack, so it ended up like this.
“You’ll be going in soon, too, right?”
The timing of Euclid and Jessica’s entrance was almost at the same time, and the places they entered were also very close, so if possible, the purpose was to place the two who should have the highest priority in case something happened.
Since she had told Nana in advance, if the situation arises, she will be there to offer at least a word of help.
“But don’t you have any luggage?”
“I can move without eating anything for four days.”
“Really? “I guess I’d have to eat a lot to maintain that mountain-sized body, right?”
“This kid is really….”
When Nana stretched out her hand towards the hilt of her sword, Euclid stopped her with a shy smile.
“Ahahahaha…. Neither of you should fight….”
As we spent time talking about various things, time passed quickly and it was finally Euclid’s turn to be examined.
Since it was only Euclid who was being examined, Nana waited and headed to the teacher who was waiting in front of the transfer gate with Euclid alone.
“Hey, you know?”
When the two of them brought up the topic of security without worrying about what men thought, Nana nodded and said.
“I know. “I will definitely protect you, even if it means exchanging your life for mine.”
When the servant was re-establishing his resolve in the absence of his master, Euclid, who had already received the inspection, waved his hand at us.
Seeing that, Nana hurried to Yukli and I watched them enter the transfer gate, praying for their safety.
After Euclid left, the crowd that filled the garden gradually moved towards the transfer gate.
When all the students had left for the forest where the test was to take place and only a few teachers and Marina were left in the garden, Marina came to me, sighing as if she was tired.
“Can I go now?”
“… No, let the students settle down before leaving. “At that time, the route we will take will have been roughly decided, so we will be able to start from a place that is easy to escort.”
While waiting, Marina explained to me the tools to take into the forest.
First of all, the first thing I saw was a map. The map showed the students’ locations in real time, and the two security targets who were believed to be the most dangerous were especially marked in red.
“How accurate is the map?”
“The margin of error is about 1m, so it is virtually non-existent. Student Ian’s location will also be displayed on the map, so please refer to it while moving.”
In addition to this, I received a ring that allows me to use message magic and a magic tool for escape like the one given to students.
The escape magic tool I received was a little different from the one the students received. While the one the students received could only move themselves, the one I received was able to move all students within a 10m radius to another location.
“Is there anything else I should be careful about?”
“Yes. “Try to avoid battles with the demonic beasts roaming the forest as much as possible.”
“Huh? “Did you make it exceptionally strong?”
“No, I set it so that it is not that strong in case the enemy steals the beast. However, I am telling you in advance that it will be quite annoying as you will have to invest all your abilities to last as long as possible and save time.”
“Then doesn’t that make us a nuisance when the initiative is taken away?”
“…… I understand what Ian is trying to say, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make it weaker. “It hasn’t been decided that it will be taken away yet.”
I think it was already confirmed that the enemy would be taken over when the level was higher than Marina’s, but it still didn’t make any sense.
From noble mtl dot com
There is no guarantee that the opponent will come out in a way to seize the pseudo-magic beast created by Marina, and at least they have not made such a move yet.
In this situation, it could be said to be negligent to use a magical beast that was weak enough to defeat even a child, fearing that the opponent might take it over.
“Well, you’ll know when it actually comes out. “Can I go now?”
“…… It’s about time we’re slowly settling in. Ian’s starting point will be midway between Jessica’s and Euclid’s. When you move, make sure to check the map first.”
For the last time, I put the map and magical tools that Marina had given me into my arms and took a step toward the brightly shining teleportation gate.