Chapter 65

EP.65 Hunting Evaluation (2)

The island of Elt is filled with mushrooms that cause abnormal statuses.

The Poi mushroom, which feels threatened when someone approaches and releases toxic spores.

The Kukul mushroom, which forces you to fall asleep.

The Soli mushroom, which releases a spore that can recover you from any other spore's effects when struck with a strong blow.

And the Jerom mushroom, which temporarily disrupts your mana circuits, preventing you from using magic.

By the way, the Jerom mushroom doesn't work on strong people like Luce. I'm still at the level where it affects me.

Anyway, I needed to be careful of all kinds of mushrooms. If I fell into an abnormal status, it would greatly hinder my progress to the center of Elt Island.

'Ian, please be safe.'

Spores catch you off guard. That's why I was worried about Ian.

Kaya, who had studied ecology diligently, would likely cover for him.

I continued toward the center, catching weak monster illusions along the way.

Then, I noticed an unmanned shop.

[There's no one around.]

The lair of the ice snow dragon. Without hesitation, I headed toward the unmanned shop.

The unmanned shop was in the form of a cylindrical vending machine, with various items displayed behind the glass.

One-star spell scrolls of each attribute, drinking water, odor remover, useful ropes, nets, camouflage screens that mimic the surrounding environment, a baby hippo plushie, and a tent for a makeshift toilet (expensive), among others.

'120 points for the odor remover, huh.'

I currently had 120 points.

I placed my bracelet against the unmanned shop and used all 120 points. The mana beads in my bracelet flowed into the unmanned shop and the transaction was completed.

When I pressed the button for the odor remover, the item popped out.

The odor remover was similar to a spray bottle. I sprayed it on my body several times and then put it in the magic bag given by the school.

This way, monster illusions and familiars wouldn't be able to detect my scent.

[Hide.]

“...!”

At that moment, Hild's voice rang out. Reflexively, I quickly hid behind a nearby tree.

[There are flying familiars in the sky.]

I peeked through the gaps between the trees.

Several flying familiars. I couldn't tell if they were the familiars of the exam supervisors or if some students had intentionally sent them up.

Well, even if they noticed me, it wouldn't be good.

I cautiously moved my feet.

...

“Ice Spear (Ice Attribute, ★4)”

Pshh──!

[Keeeee!]

The monster illusion, a black wolf, ran toward me upon hearing my footsteps.

When the black wolf put its nose to the ground to track my scent.

I launched an ice spear and easily dispatched it.

'So far, so good.'

I could easily take down a black wolf, but the Fang Hippo would start to be a challenge.

It would be best to avoid fighting as much as possible. With the ice snow dragon-Hild as my guard, it wasn't unrealistic to think I could reach the center of Elt Island without a fight.

[There's suspicious movement from above.]

Hild's report interrupted my thoughts. I called him over.

“What's suspicious?”

[It seems an owl familiar was secretly watching you. I had a strange feeling about it, and now I'm certain.]

“...?”

A bad feeling crept over me.

If they were trying to hunt me, they would have attacked by now.

So, they were watching me?

[...Master, hide.]

Suddenly, Hild, the ice snow dragon, spoke in a serious tone.

[Humans are surrounding you and approaching. It looks like you're surrounded.]

“Wha...?”

I heard rustling. Several students were approaching me.

They were C and D class students who had come on the same boat as me. There were six of them.

A magic circle was then engraved around me.

“Rock Wall (Earth Attribute, ★4)”

“Ice Wall (Ice Attribute, ★4)”

Crack───!

“...!!”

Solid walls sprang up around me, blocking my path. They were the magic walls cast by the students approaching me.

“...?”

I was taken aback.

I didn't have time to judge the situation. I pressed my fingers together and gathered mana to break through the defensive walls. The incantation for [Ice Burst] was etched in the air.

Anyway, it seemed clear that these guys were my enemies.

At that moment.

“Fire Creation (Fire Attribute, ★1)”

Sssss─.

“Ah, hot!”

The Soli mushroom caught fire. I felt the heat and quickly let go.

The Soli mushroom fell to the ground, burned by the flames. The spores inside were powerless against the red flames.

It was Rose Redliver's magic. Her reaction speed was incredible, something I wouldn't have expected if I hadn't anticipated it. She must have considered the possibility that I had a Soli mushroom ready.

What a dog.

“Why are you so arrogant? After all, you're just a commoner. Did you think you were on the same level as me just because everyone treats us equally here? Just because we're in the same class now, do you think I'm the same as you?”

Rose smiled twistedly.

“You're nothing once you leave the Academy. You should consider it an honor to be trampled by me. You need to know your place.”

I brushed off the dirt from my clothes and stood up.

“...What's with that arrogant look? Do you want me to cast another [Fireball]? This time, you won't be lucky enough to dodge it.”

“...”

“Ah, but you know, if you say, ‘Please, Lady Rose, trample this insignificant piglet with your noble body,’ I might consider showing you some mercy.”

“...”

“Huh.”

I sighed deeply. I had nothing to say.

Well, it was about time.

I heard something rustling in the bushes. I wish they had come a bit faster.

I turned my head toward the sound.

“Ian, you're here.”

[Rumble!]

What appeared was a small golem familiar, Eden.

Rose and her lackeys widened their eyes. They looked confused. I hadn't summoned a familiar or given any commands.

As soon as Eden appeared, he threw a blue mushroom at me. It was a Soli mushroom.

The Soli mushroom that hit my body immediately began to release blue spores.

I took a deep breath, and the tangled mana began to flow smoothly again.

──── “Ice Wall (Ice Attribute, ★4)”

Crack───!

“...!!”

I immediately created an ice wall around Rose and her group.

A thicker and more advanced [Ice Wall] than the one used by Rose's lackeys sprang up.

Rose and her group were trapped in an [Ice Wall] with only one side open toward me, just like I had been.

It was time to pay them back.

“Arrogant...!”

Without understanding the situation, Rose stretched out her arm to counterattack. The magic circle for [Fire Pillar] appeared in front of her hand.

Another student tried to cast an attack spell.

It was a foolish decision.

──── “Frost Flame (Ice Attribute, ★4)”

Whoosh────!!

“Squeal!”

I had already cast the attack spell. She should have used a defensive spell.

The blue cold flame engulfed Rose and her lackeys.

Trapped by the [Ice Wall] on all sides except the front, they had to endure the full force of the [Frost Flame].

Of course, I reduced the power. It would be a shame if they fell too quickly.

As the [Frost Flame] subsided, I saw Rose and her group lying on the ground. Frost and ice covered parts of their bodies, and they were shaking violently from the intense cold. It was a despicable outcome.

“Agh, agh...”

Rose groaned, her head bowed and her eyes wide open. She looked in pain.

I approached her.

Whoosh───!!

When a male student tried to counterattack, I lightly cast [Frost Flame] at him.

As the second cold flame subsided, he collapsed completely. He didn't have the strength to get up. He was just shivering from the cold and pain.

I stopped in front of Rose and looked down at her.

Rose's face, now darkened by frost and ice, was turned toward me. Her teeth were chattering rapidly, and her body was shaking uncontrollably.

[Rose Redliver]

Psychology: [Feeling fear towards you.]

“What, what, how did this...?”

From the start of the exam.

I had Eden on standby whenever I found a Soli mushroom, in case I was caught off guard by spores.

If I found a new Soli mushroom closer to the center, I would call Eden and put him on standby again.

I had already instructed the ice snow dragon to bring Eden and have him throw a Soli mushroom at me if I was affected by spores.

For example, if I was hit by the spores of a Kukul mushroom that forces you to sleep, I wouldn't be able to use the Soli mushroom I had prepared and would fall asleep helplessly. I needed to prevent such an unfortunate event.

So, as soon as I fell into Rose's trap, the ice snow dragon brought Eden.

“Don't look down on me... a commoner of E rank... don't look down on me...!”

I cast [Frost Flame] at her again, this time controlling the power to inflict only moderate pain.

“Gahhhhhh!”

Rose screamed, covered in cold flames. Thanks to the [Basic Protection Spell] on her skin, she wouldn't suffer major damage, but the pain seemed unavoidable.

As the cold flames subsided.

Rose, lying on the ground, began to twitch and sob.

“Sniff, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... It hurts so much... P-please... save me...”

Seeing that I didn't respond, Rose grabbed my pants and began to beg.

This was enough.

I didn't want to waste any more time. I turned and started moving toward the center of Elt Island again.

Rose's expression twisted, and she slowly began to smile.

“Aaah, y-yes... As I thought... You're nothing... You're afraid because I'm a noble...? Hahaha...! You made a mistake...! After graduating from the Academy... I'll make you suffer for the rest of your life...!”

“Ice Creation (Ice Attribute, ★1)”

Whoosh, thud─!

“Gah!”

I dropped a block of ice I had frozen in the air earlier.

Rose, hit on the top of her head, let out a scream and fainted.

Beep─.

The sound of her bracelet signaling her exam failure rang out.

No matter how arrogant a noble is, they don't say things like, 'We'll see after we graduate from the Academy.' It's a dishonorable statement that tarnishes the family name.

There's also an unwritten rule that matters within the Academy should be resolved within the Academy.

To ignore even that shows her character. No wonder I can't stand Rose.

“...”

I walked away calmly.