63
Three days before the final exam.
Now that the exam was right in front of us, the atmosphere in Selenium was more tense than ever before.
The final exam that marked the end of one semester.
After the exams, the “vacation” would begin, but there was no one who was already excited and couldn’t sleep, even though the vacation had not yet arrived.
Moreover, if it were just a written exam, it would be different, but this final exam had a completely different format.
Siege warfare.
A battle fought for three days to capture a fortress, with victory going to the side that captures the fortress.
On the other hand, if the defense is successful, the defense team wins.
Well, I guess I’m used to it since I’ve been through it several times.
In a final exam that was 100% in a practical format, every grade had no choice but to be tense.
But if there are 100 people in the world, one person is bound to be different.
“Reyna, aren’t you…not nervous?”
“Huh? Why should I be nervous? Adrian, who says the same, wasn’t nervous either.”
Reyna, who was sitting next to me, rested her chin on her hand and swung her legs on the chair.
“I might have been a little nervous if it was a written exam, but I actually enjoy this kind of battle format.”
Is that so?
I remember that there wasn’t such a battle-loving personality in the original.
“…I don’t particularly like fighting.”
“Hmm?”
“But when I use this staff, the flower petals fly when I use magic. Since I can use the staff that Adrian chose for me, I like it.”
“Thank you for thinking about it that way.”
However, even if you say that, that staff is a 2-star equipment.
To be precise, it’s just a temporary equipment that you pass by in the early stages.
Starting from Act 3, the difficulty suddenly increases, and Act 4 is even more difficult than Act 3, so I have to assess the equipment status of my fellow comrades and adjust it accordingly.
Gosh.
From Noble mtl dot com
There’s a lot to do.
Just sitting here is a waste of time.
There might even be days when I skip the lectures altogether.
As I think about it, I feel like I’ve truly assimilated into this world.
From now on, I will live my life as ‘Adrian’, and eventually become the Marquis Repelheit, and create a future where Lizerilias becomes the emperor and rules the empire.
And by my side, these guys will be there.
Finally.
“Ah, everyone’s here. You probably received the advance notice, but there will be no lecture today.”
The air inside the classroom changes.
Professor Walnut stood on the podium holding something.
Melwood Elian followed behind him.
With a very determined expression, Professor Walnut placed the box he brought on the podium.
“Pay attention, it’s here.”
*Gulp*
The sound of swallowing saliva can be heard here and there, and he said.
“Then let’s make the announcement. Ah, of course, it’s not me who will make the announcement, but my teaching assistant.”
*Thump thump thump thump…*
As Professor Walnut drums the desk with his fist like that, everyone’s attention is focused on Melwood Elian, who is standing beside him…
As a result.
“Attack team, Reina von Wolf… Attack team, Adrian, attack team…”
“Adrian, we’re on the same team.”
After my name is called, Reina whispers from the side.
“Oh my, did Adrian say that before? That we can never lose? It’s unbelievable that Adrian and I are on the same team, we really can’t lose, right?”
Well.
…Externally, the ‘me’ known to others is weak, trash, the worst.
Although my reputation has improved compared to before, after going through Act 1 and Act 2, you can still see the attitude of ‘I still can’t trust that guy.’
Did they deliberately put me in the ‘attack team’? As some kind of special monitoring target or something?
Hmm.
“Seriously, you’re so foolish.”
Thank you for helping me this much.
* * *
Now that the entire grade is in the final exam season.
The second-year attack team has gathered under the guidance of Professor Walnut.
This was also mentioned in the original work.
Maybe now the second-year defense team will gather in a separate designated place as the defense team.
“Adrian, Reina! Are you also part of the attack team?”
“Oh my, is Levrian also part of the attack team?”
Green hair.
And the half-elf swordsman with pointed ears was also in the attack team’s waiting room.
“I’m glad to be on a team with you.”
“Well, same here. Levrian, I feel more secure with you around.”
“…Hmph. You should say that to Reina next to you.”
“Levrian?!”
The three of us exchanged greetings and found an empty table to sit together.
“Are there only three of us who ‘know’ each other?”
“Oh, it looks like Kelly joined the defense team.”
The bustling lobby of the attack team.
You can see wizards here and there, as well as students from the Knights Department wielding swords, spears, and other weapons.
Although they glance in this direction, they don’t really approach.
“Since we can’t see Snow White… it seems he joined the defense team.”
Apart from that, I don’t see many people I know.
For example, “Levin, friend of 999 people” who was Calen Snow White’s sparring partner during the midterm exams.
Wait a minute…
The fact that the “second seat” of the Knights Department joined the defense team…
A loud noise came, and someone walked into the waiting room, making footstep sounds as they opened the door.
When ‘she’ appeared, everyone from the Knights Department made way for her.
Long, flowing red hair that extends beyond her waist.
Crimson eyes.
“…She’s from the Vladir Ducal House.”
“I get a creepy feeling from her.”
“Levrian, she’s half-elf who seeks the harmony of life. Of course, it’s natural to feel creeped out.”
“Hmm…”
Levrian turned his head and asked, looking at the ‘heiress of the Vladir Ducal House’.
“So, who is she?”
“Prana of Blood Combat Art. She can create weapons with her own blood. It’s similar to magic but feels different. Her name is Prana Defensive Vladir. She’s the top student in the second year of the Knights Department.”
The ruler of the Empire’s northern region, the daughter of the Vladir Ducal House.
As her name suggests, she fights by creating weapons with her own blood.
And…
“She periodically consumes blood, even fresh blood.”
“That, that’s…”
That’s right.
In the age of mythology, they were originally demons, but they understood humans and turned their backs on their own kind to side with humans.
That’s why they are a pitiful race rejected as “unbelievable” and “traitors” by both the demon and human factions.
“Relvian, like an elf in half, she is a vampire.”
◈
Many others entered the waiting room as well.
Among them were some who had fought alongside Reyna in the ‘Dormitory Monster Incident,’ so Reyna and I exchanged greetings with them as well.
They seemed more friendly, perhaps after witnessing my performance.
Rather.
“I heard you lost one arm battling that monster. We had to struggle with over ten people just to barely kill it…”
“It’s an exaggeration. It was possible because Kalen was by my side. Also, if reinforcements hadn’t arrived in time, I would have been in danger too. I appreciate it.”
After hearing my thanks, they seemed bewildered.
Well, is it that surprising?
Anyway.
Looking around, it seemed the attacking team had chosen top students evenly.
This handling of the situation is precise once again.
Everyone found their seats, and the professor leading the attack team… Walnut entered.
“Alright, I’ll give a brief presentation.”
He came to the center of the lobby, looked at the script in his hand, and began reading.
“First of all, everyone here is part of the attack team. If your friend is not here, or if you don’t have a girlfriend, then that person is on the defense team, so you can defeat them.”
Laughter erupted from various places, and he refreshed the atmosphere by clapping twice.
“Now, let me explain. During the final exams, the attack team will be staying in a barracks prepared separately over here. The distance to the fortress is roughly 3 kilometers. The barracks have basic defense systems, but whether you expand the barrier or set up more defenses, it’s entirely up to you.”
I know.
The attack team stays in the military camp.
Everything is already prepared, so it’ll be over once we go.
“Each team will be given exactly two days’ worth of rations. Why two days? Because on the second day, the supply carrying rations will depart from somewhere in the field and enter the fortress.”
Each person is given rations for two days.
The remaining day’s worth will come with the next day’s supply.
“Whether you raid the supply and seize the rations or leave them to fill the enemy’s bellies inside the fortress, it’s all up to you. But if someone gets the rations, the other side will starve for a day, and morale will drop. It’s only natural.”
Resources are limited.
You have to fight to obtain them.
There are various protective devices like statue soldiers within the fortress, so they assigned outstanding students to the attack team.
It’s an exam designed with precise fairness.
“Although you should have already understood the evaluation criteria, let me explain briefly once more. The more victories in one-on-one combat, the higher the score, and additional points for multiple opponents. Tactical elements are also deeply evaluated. If you resort to tactics like infiltrating the enemy’s stronghold with a spy or reconnaissance team, there are additional points.”
Naturally.
There are also measures in place to prevent accidents.
Walnut put his hand into his pocket and took out a pendant.
“Everyone, wear this protective necklace before proceeding. If the necklace breaks, you will be considered dead immediately. If you die, the final exam ends on the spot, scores are calculated, and you return with selenium. That’s the explanation. Any questions?”
Everyone remained silent.
“Alright then, that’s it. The exam will begin in three days, all classes are canceled, so make sure to get along. Oh, and by the end of today, notify me of the ‘leader’ of the attack team. Just so you know, if the necklace breaks or the ‘badge’ is torn, it’s that team’s defeat.”
Leader.
As soon as that word was mentioned, I turned my head to Reyna.
Reyna, understanding my gaze, nodded in response.
When Reyna becomes the leader here, by putting Reyna forward, I too will have the opportunity to speak.
“I have a question. Is there anyone willing to volunteer as the leader now?”
At that moment.
“I would like to!”
“Reyna von Wolfang. And….”
Although quite a few people raised their hands, they all lowered them upon seeing the last person to raise their hand.
Everyone’s gaze turned quietly and tacitly towards the girl sitting calmly with her hand raised.
“….Frana Bladyr.”
Sophomore in the Department of Magic.
Senior in the Department of Knights.
The eyes of the two clashed in the air.