༺ Joint Practical Evaluation (1) ༻
During the joint practical evaluation.
“Aaaaah!”
Swoosh──!
A sharp water blade cleaved through the demonic illusion.
It was the moment when Princess Snow White let out a scream upon witnessing the grotesque form of the demonic illusion that had unexpectedly burst forth.
The demonic illusion vanished into dust.
Abel Carnedas, a male student with grayish-blue hair and a mischievous expression, glanced at White with a troubled expression.
“Princess White, are you alright?”
“Princess, the demonic illusion was defeated by Sleazo, so please be reassured.”
“‘Sleazo’? Choose your words carefully, you’re in front of the princess…”
In front of Abel and Roanna, a girl with light green hair, White cleared her throat with a ‘hmm-hmm’ and calmed her startled heart.
“I’ve made a pitiful display…”
White had a defeated smile with tears brimming in her eyes.
Abel, after dispelling the water mana from his sword, sheathed it and gave Roanna an awkward smile.
Despite her friend’s smile, Roanna showed only a stoic expression in response. To Abel, she was a friend who was level-headed in every situation.
“Princess, over here.”
“Ah.”
In the dim corridor, only the lamp held by Roanna cast a soft light around.
She illuminated the ground with her lamp.
“It seems someone was ambushed here. We should have noticed it sooner. I was not careful enough. I apologize, Princess.”
On the ground, there was a long red mark that resembled a scratch, leaving a trace of mana. As explained earlier, it was the ‘Scar of Elimination’.
In the event a student was eliminated for whatever reason, the exam proctor marked the spot preceding the location where the element causing the elimination occurred.
“No, no! I’m the one who’s sorry! Let’s go.”
White and her team members quickly crossed the dark corridor.
About an hour earlier.
[Let’s begin the joint practical evaluation.]
The huge isolated island was entirely the property of Märchen Academy.
Underneath, there was a vast underground facility.
A maze-like facility that had spread out like the legs of an octopus, named ‘Octovus Hall’.
It was a former emergency shelter that was designed for training purposes.
The facility was always filled with the mana of Headmistress Elena Woodline, so anyone who entered Octovus Hall would have their location detected.
But today, being the day of the exam, her mana had been withdrawn.
Octovus Hall, Entrance No. 13.
The walls, filled with glowing lamps, brightly illuminated the narrow corridor.
In the air heavy with moisture and a quietly hovering tension…
…Four students listened to the message delivered by a circular magical device, fluttering like a hummingbird, the messenger.
Two first-year students from the Magic Department: Princess Snow White von Kairos Elfieto, and Shera Hectorica.
Two first-year students from the Knight Department: Abel Carnedas, and Roanna Shelton.
The team was formed by the academy, taking into account both a drawing lot and academic performance.
“Uh…”
Snow White bit her lip, trying hard to calm her trembling heart.
It was an opportunity to demonstrate the results of her rigorous training under Isaac since she had enrolled in this academy. She couldn’t help but feel nervous the more effort she had put in.
White took a deep breath to steady her rampant emotions, reaffirming her resolve to avoid being in the lowest ranks in this exam.
[The test format is simple. It ends when you reach the destination.]
The kind voice of a middle-aged female professor flowed from the messenger. She was a professor for the second year, Class D, of the Magic Department.
[This is our underground base, Octovus Hall. The paths are designed like a maze, but the compasses we’ve provided will guide you to the destination. The faster you reach it, the more points you will earn, so please hurry~.]
Abel Carnedas, the boy with grayish-blue hair, looked at the compass in his hand. The compass pointed in only one direction.
[And if you are eliminated midway, your score will be based on how close and how quickly you move towards the destination.]
In any case, it meant the faster they moved, the better. Anyway…
“Eliminated midway?”
White tilted her head in confusion.
[Oh, what’s this about being eliminated midway? This place is prepared with all sorts of demonic illusions and labyrinth traps. If you can’t overcome them with your knowledge and wisdom, you’ll be eliminated. Also, all students except for your team are your enemies. If you incapacitate another student, rendering them unable to fight, that student is eliminated. You will receive bonus points proportional to that student’s grade and class. Of course, the most significant and crucial part of your score is how close you get to the destination, so please keep that in mind!]
Of course. Since it was called a ‘joint practical evaluation’, combat was inevitable.
[But remember, intentionally blocking one’s path is considered cheating and will lead to immediate disqualification!]
It was an obvious rule. If a high-ranking student were to create a magical barrier to block the path of others, it would leave them with no recourse.
[And! As you go along the path, you might see parts where red mana flows – that’s what we call the ‘Scar of Elimination’. If a student ahead of you was eliminated for whatever reason, a Scar of Elimination will be marked at the location before they encountered the eliminating element. Paying close attention to these can significantly increase your survival chances.]
In essence, the faster you move towards the destination, the more points you can earn, but the risk of elimination increases. Moving slowly increased one’s chances of survival as one would likely encounter more ‘Scars of Elimination’, but it would be difficult to expect a high score.
[And, even if a team member is eliminated, you are allowed to continue. But unnecessarily sacrificing a team member will greatly reduce or even nullify your teamwork score, so be cautious. Even if you incapacitate another student, the loss in points won’t change regardless of your team’s remaining members, so avoid reckless actions.]
[And, please pay close attention to this. Exam proctors will be stationed in key areas. If a particularly dangerous incident occurs in the middle of the exam, focus on escaping first and then report the situation to us via the bracelet. The exam proctors will protect you.]
The mention of danger likely implied the potential appearance of demons.
Suddenly, White recalled the Märchen Academy’s entrance examination announcement. It stated that ‘Under the auspices of the Elfieto Royal Family and the Lord Manhalla, no matter what dangers may arise, we will ensure the protection of our students and guarantee their educational opportunities.’
White looked down at her left wrist, where the bracelet for the exam was fastened.
It was evident that the academy had taken various measures to ensure not only the educational curriculum of Märchen Academy but also the safety of its students.
As White gulped nervously, wondering if it was about to begin,
[Lastly, in this exam, there are ‘Predators’.]
“Predators?”
The name itself already sounded ominous.
[The Predators are composed of your seniors, either from class A or those with equivalent skill. In case you manage to incapacitate a Predator, you can earn a massive amount of bonus points! Whether you choose to be prey, flee from them, or become hunters capturing them, is up to you.]
The purpose of having Predators in the exam was clear.
The exam had the feel of being modeled after maze exploration.
How they dealt with dangerous elements like the Predators was undoubtedly a crucial criterion for their grades.
[Well then.]
The messenger flew to a corner, clearing the path.
A dark corridor unfolded before White, Shera, Abel, and Roanna.
[We wish you the best of luck.]
The messenger’s voice cut off abruptly.
And so, the joint practical evaluation began.
“Well, then…”
“Imma go off by myself~.”
“…What?”
As Abel Carnedas started to speak, a girl with bright red hair raised her arm lightly and declared her withdrawal with a smiling face. It was Shera Hectorica.
Bright red short hair, partially braided towards the back. She wore red earrings and a gold hairpin, all in the shape of hearts.
She was petite, with red eyes that glinted like a gold-tinted sunset sky, looking quite young and cute, almost making one doubt if she was really a classmate.
“You guys seem boring.”
Her manner of speaking was perfectly childish, lacking any decorum.
White, Abel, and Roanna couldn’t hide their astonishment.
“It seems like I’m the most skilled here. It’s obvious that I’d have to lead you all~. That’s no fun!”
“Great joke. Except it’s not funny.”
Abel scratched his cheekbone area with an awkward smile.
He hadn’t expected a psycho to show such brazen behavior in front of Princess Snow White.
“Um, excuse me! You said your name was Shera Hectorica during the introduction, right? Please reconsider!”
White interjected, sweating nervously.
“We need to get good grades, right…? Uh, it’s dangerous to be alone…? With Predators roaming around, it’s safest and most logical to move together…”
“Why don’t I just catch a Predator?”
Shera chuckled, ‘Hehe.’
White, Abel, and Roanna were at a loss for words.
“You guys are nothing more than baggage~. Take care of yourselves!”
With those words, Shera cheerfully stepped into the corridor ahead of them.
The remaining three were so dumbfounded that they had to pause for a moment, wondering what to say next.
