I Will Carry as an Academy Veteran chapter 66

66

Time flies in the blink of an eye.

And the day of the final exam has dawned after all the twists and turns.

In cases like this practical exam, it’s a rule to wear gym clothes instead of uniforms, so today, I’m also in gym clothes.

“Kalen… then.”

“Yes, I will definitely do my best to block it.”

Without saying more, the guy bowed his head slightly and headed towards the long line.

The central square of Selenium in the early morning was crowded with students wearing gym clothes.

“Alright! Stay in line! Yes, one by one, receive this necklace, confirm your identity, and enter! Yes, the ring of the Butter family. The chip student of the Poca family… No, the chip student is in the 1st-year defense team, why are they in the attack team line?”

In front of the shining blue warp portal.

The people bustling around under the scorching sun are obviously not professors.

If you ask if they’re wearing uniforms, well, that’s not the case.

But their attire is similar to that of students.

I know the identities of those who are dressed like that.

“Yes, I will check the next one. 2nd-year, attack team… Oh.”

“You’ve been through a lot.”

At my words, he blinked his eyes behind his glasses and lowered his head for a moment.

“No, isn’t it because Lord Adrian once saved my life? I’ve already received my reward, what more could I ask for.”

Melwood Elian.

Yes, they are all… graduate students.

“This necklace is your life. If it breaks, you’re out. You already know that, right?”

Saying so, he handed me the necklace from the basket with skillful gestures.

As I nodded, Melwood smiled lightly and said, “Go and show it to everyone.”

“No need to say it, I’ll do just that.”

Plunging into the round light, my body blurred.

Then, as my feet touched the ground and the light faded, what appeared was…

A vast wasteland, sandstorms, and emerging ruins.

“Hmm.”

The unfolding wasteland is surprisingly familiar.

Because I’ve seen this place many times in the original ‘final exam’ part.

From the red flag emblazoned with a sword to the white tents flapping in the wind, even the warhorses trotting around.

This is the encampment of the ‘attack team’ where we will stay for three days.

Two people who passed through the warp portal stood beside me.

“You made it.”

“Yes, it’s hot.”

“Yeah, scorching hot.”

As per your request, here is the translated novel excerpt in English, preserving the line breaks:

As usual, he wielded his sword, but Rellvrian had his short green hair tightly tied up, fully exposing his long ears.

Standing next to him, Reyna had her long black hair tied into a ponytail.

“Is that our encampment over there? Is the large building in the middle the command post barracks?”

“A complete wasteland… I can’t feel the grace of nature. How can there be not a single blade of grass or a single tree…”

While Reyna, Rellvrian, and I were expressing such sentiments, from the side…

“Ughweeek.”

“…Adrian, I came along as you said, but why is Lady Vladir acting like that?”

“Well, this is a wasteland, and the sunlight is intense.”

“Ah. Come to think of it, she’s from the north and half vampire by blood.”

Born in a cold place.

Moreover, she’s half vampire.

Even if she has ‘blood magic,’ the reason she can’t rightfully claim the top tier is right here.

“Gwouuureuk…”

“Lady Vladir, you don’t have to force yourself if it’s difficult.”

“Ughh…”

In the morning, she’s fine, but from noon until evening, she suffers from a debuff called ‘weak dizziness.’

During this time, her accuracy and order compliance rates drop.

If the season here is ‘summer,’ she’ll be hit with debuffs like reduced movement speed and dehydration in a rapid cycle, rendering her a useless giant body.

However, with such penalties during the day, from sunset to late night, and even until dawn, she suddenly becomes lively, adorned with all sorts of buffs and becomes incredibly powerful.

“Well, then our attacks should primarily be ambushes. If we only consider pure strength, Lady Vladir is the most outstanding.”

“In that case, their attacks will likely occur during the day.”

“That’s right.”

The four of us walked into the encampment where the dust was swirling.

As there were already quite a few people settled in the encampment, we exchanged greetings with them, parted ways with Rellvrian, and entered the command post barracks.

It was already known that I had become a staff officer, and since no one opposed it, the process continued as planned.

Honestly, who would oppose it?

But I still feel uneasy from their gazes, so I have to prove myself in this final exam.

If Reyna and I lead this final exam to a complete victory, it could completely reverse my reputation.

As Reyna and I entered the command post barracks, people were already seated.

“Alright, is everyone here?”

The day before the midterm exam.

The leaders of each unit, divided from 1 to 10, were seated at the round table.

Reyna naturally took the center, and I sat next to her.

“There’s no need for introductions, right?”

Reyna, the top student of the Department of Magic, and 4th, 6th, 7th, and 9th.

Prana, the top student of the Department of Knights, and 3rd, 5th, 9th, and 12th.

Under the unit leaders ranked by performance, members of the Department of Knights and the Department of Magic were appropriately mixed and arranged.

Of course, this is an academy exam, so except for combat, the encampment strictly separates males and females, and even the living quarters are all different.

“…As you all know, the exam has already begun.”

Everyone focused on Reyna’s words.

“Our goal is to capture and destroy that damn castle within three days.”

Everyone nodded.

“To achieve that, we need a plan. Does anyone have a strategy in mind?”

A moment of silence passed.

“I, I have something in mind.”

“Go on, Donal.”

Donal, ranking 12th in the knight department with short brown hair, looked at the map before speaking.

“What if we organize a castle infiltration team to strike first from the inside out.”

“It’s pointless.”

Of course, it was my response, and Donal frowned.

“…Is there a reason?”

“Do they seem like fools to you? They wouldn’t overlook the possibility of an infiltration team entering. Moreover, inserting our already limited forces into an operation that inevitably involves sacrifices, isn’t that just pouring resources into a losing battle?”

Donal Drumm, 12th in the knight department.

His strength and stamina were good enough to be in the top 10, but this guy was just a third-tier character.

His combat AI, including strategy and tactics, was just not up to par.

“Tsk…”

In the end, the hamburger guy who couldn’t come up with an alternative closed his mouth, and others proposed their plans.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“It’s an unreasonable story.”

“It’s a dream of a greenhorn without real combat experience.”

I blocked them all.

Their opinions were so trashy that it wasn’t even worth discussing.

At least.

“I find a frontal assault to be the most viable.”

“It’s a good idea, but the losses would be significant. Just as we have cavalry, they have defensive ballistae. There are also spellcasters positioned in the fortress. If we rush in recklessly, we’ll be the ones to break.”

“Hmm…”

Surprisingly.

Lady Vladir, unlike the previous time when she poured out insults like ‘traitor’ or ‘I would rather die than converse with you,’ was now engaging in the conversation seriously without adding any sarcasm.

“Then, Adrie… I mean, ugh, do you have a tactic in mind? Surely you didn’t ignore all our opinions without having one yourself?”

Well.

I do have one.

“Indeed.”

And it’s a very surefire method.

* * *

The commanders looked at me with widened eyes at the strategy I presented.

“…”

“If there is a more certain and better alternative than this, please inform the leader. Listen to it, and if it’s a reasonable opinion, proceed with that plan. Is that acceptable?”

From Noble mtl dot com

“I’m fine with it. Well then, let’s end the meeting. Since we can’t attack each other until morning, let’s focus on finishing the basics first. Each unit, proceed with the assigned tasks of guarding and scouting. Dismissed.”

Like that.

Others left the barracks, leaving only Reyna and me behind.

“……Adrian, how did you come up with such an idea?”

“It’s simple.”

Of course.

This is a method I’ve used to the point of exhaustion.

In ‘Erhan,’ as the story progresses, it is inevitable to be assigned to the attacking team, so I know which entry route and strategy have definite effects.

Although the target has changed from the first year to the second year, it is the same stage, so it will work.

If they confine themselves inside the castle, we just need to make them come out.

The members of the ‘defense team’ are inferior to the attacking team, so if we lure them out and create a confrontation, we can easily win.

“It may seem like an obvious story, but there are those who can’t think about it properly.”

That can’t be helped.

“We can take on that role.”

“That’s right. Adrian, let’s lead this final exam to a complete victory.”

“Well, this final exam will be decorated by the two of us.”

“hehehe… That sounds good.”

It’s like a dialogue between complete villains.

After having that conversation, I stepped outside the barracks for a moment.

The knight students, who seemed familiar with taking care of the warhorses, were on the other side, male students throwing off their armor, and on the opposite side, female students in gym clothes were sparring with wooden swords.

Although it was a military camp built on a wasteland, and their lives were not really at stake, it was a real battlefield where they aimed their swords and magic at each other.

Feeling that tension all over my body, I went to a place behind the barracks where no one could see and drew out a dagger.

【Beloved Dagger】

A dagger that has been well sharpened.

Increases critical hit rate and damage by 20% at the same time.

Token of Affection.

Unlocked by achieving Level 5 affinity with the assassination organization ‘Greener.’

Special function) Summoning.

When the dagger is thrown, it can ‘summon’ the assassination organization Greener from the ‘shadows.’

The reason I said it was a great deal was because of this.

Throwing the dagger forward without looking back, I speak.

“Come out.”

Finally.

【Who am I?】

【Who am I?】

Voices coming from the two shadows.

The left is Shal, the right is Fin…

No.

These guys, last time they messed up, but this time they came out properly.

Shal is the one whose wrist angle is subtly twisted by about 0.3 degrees when their shoulders touch.

“The one on the right is Shal.”

“Correct.”

“Really amazing.”

Before I knew it, the figures that appeared from the shadows handed me a dagger, and I put it back into my embrace.

“So, Adrian.”

“Why did you call us?”

“To use the Dagger of Affection.”

“It must be something we need to do, right?”

Of course.

I spoke to them.

“Please pass on the information to the defense team.”

“That’s… sorry, but it’s difficult.”

“We’re third-years, we have our own exams. So, it’s difficult to interfere with the exams of the second-years.”

I knew they would say that, these cunning fellows.

That’s why we’ve prepared something on our side as well.

“If the mission is successful, take us with you.”

“To where?”

“We can’t use regular channels for the transaction.”

“The Black Market. It’s about the Black Auction.”

“Oh?”

“Ah!”

The eyes of those guys suddenly sparkled.

“Is it true?”

“Lies are bad.”

“It’s true. We’ll take you to the Black Market, the metropolis under the darkness, which you may not desire. Perhaps, what you are looking for might be sleeping in the Black Market.”

Those guys are born assassins, and due to their nature, they always crave for equipment.

That’s also one of the reasons.

“Adrian, can you…”

“Get the ‘Dagger’ we’re looking for?”

“It’s very expensive, and we haven’t even confirmed it in person.”

The Dagger set does exist. We can get it for you if you want.

How many times do you think I’ve acquired it?

The green guys whispered to each other and then reached out their hands in unison.

“To be honest, with exams or whatever…”

“We can’t judge you. Let’s make a deal.”

Nodding their heads, they disappeared into the shadows, promising to inform us if they obtain useful information.

“Well, I don’t know who the leader of the opposing defense team is, but they must be truly pitiful.”

Whatever they do, they will be completely exposed down to the bottom.