Chapter 7

EP.7 Class Assignment Evaluation (2)

Class Assignment Evaluation.

Merhen Academy has four classes: A, B, C, and D. Top students are placed in Class A, while underperformers are placed in Class D.

Students are assigned to a class based on the results of their mana measurement and the class assignment evaluation. The class assignment evaluation, in particular, carries the most weight.

Since the class assignment evaluation determines which class a student will be in for the semester, it holds significant importance.

First and foremost, I need to focus on surviving and taking down the demons, but...

Currently, all first-year students from the Magic Department are inside the Delphin Forest.

This means that the risk of encountering other students is high, and it won't be long before that happens.

There's also a high possibility that we might end up in combat immediately.

The word 'survival' mentioned by the professor has had a significant impact. Most students know that they will have to fight if they meet.

Boom─!!

Whoosh─!!

Kaboom─!!

The sounds of magic being cast can be heard from all directions. The battle royale has begun.

In this situation, the more sensible students are trying to form teams. This way, they can gain a numerical advantage and more easily find the mana grains, which is the purpose of this test.

However, there's no way anyone would team up with me, who has an E-grade mana capacity. It would be a stroke of luck if someone even used me.

Ah, maybe I can rely on Kaya, who still thinks I'm strong?

...No. There are too many variables. There's no guarantee that Kaya will help me, and there's a high risk of my true strength being exposed. There's even a possibility that she might stab me in the back, seeing me as a liability.

In that case, I have only one option.

'...Here.'

Hiding is the only way.

Here, under the dense leaves of this tree. It looks like a perfect hiding spot. I had checked it out yesterday.

I took out a magic pouch from my pocket.

[Magic Pouch]

: A small pouch that can store many items using magic. It's very portable.

Grade: 6th Tier

6th Tier. The lower the number, the rarer the item.

I took a water bottle out of the magic pouch and sprinkled water on the tree, then used the [Ice Creation] skill to make a crude ice staircase.

I have a relatively high [Elemental Synergy] compared to other stats. The higher the [Elemental Synergy], the greater the effect when my elemental magic overlaps with other elements.

Thanks to this, I can create larger ice blocks when using the [Ice Creation] skill compared to using it normally.

I climbed up the tree by stepping on the ice staircase, barely managing to reach the top.

'Comfortable.'

Sitting on a thick branch amidst the leaves, I leaned back against the tree.

I dissolved the ice staircase.

“...”

This is the only method I, the weakest, can use: 'endurance.'

What if I just sit here helplessly and let other students take all the mana grains?

It's fine. There's a blind spot in this class assignment evaluation.

'Mana grains are luminous. When it gets dark, they become easier to spot with the naked eye.'

For me, with low mana detection, it's actually more advantageous to search for mana grains later.

I maintained my position and focused on my hearing, trying to detect any approaching footsteps.

...20 minutes later, I sensed someone approaching. Someone was coming this way.

I reached out to a frozen slingshot hidden in an inconspicuous spot around the tree.

[Slingshot]

: A simple slingshot made of wood and rubber. It has low durability.

Grade: 9th Tier

The slingshot was loaded with a stone and the rubber band was stretched and frozen in place.

I had set up a total of 10 slingshots, and I had memorized their locations.

'Ice Dissolution.'

I melted the ice that was holding the rubber band in place.

The ice turned into a blue powder and scattered.

The slingshot launched the stone.

Whizz─.

The stone flew through the air, cutting through the grass and hitting the ground.

"What?!"

I heard a female student exclaim in surprise.

She turned in the direction where the stone had landed. She seemed confident in her abilities.

There are now 9 slingshots left.

'Hang in there... '

The tension made the time pass quickly.

I just hope I can hold out until the right time.

...

The sky was turning orange with the sunset.

The sounds of magic being cast had faded away.

Silence had descended upon the forest.

It was now 6:30 PM.

I was still hiding in the tree, still alive.

'Should I come down now?'

Fortunately, my endurance strategy was successful.

I had used all 10 slingshots, and they had all served their purpose well.

I took out the remaining water bottle from the magic pouch, sprinkled water on the ground, and used the [Ice Creation] skill to create a staircase of ice. As usual, it was difficult to control, so I ended up with a makeshift staircase.

I carefully climbed down the tree and landed on the ice staircase, then descended to the ground.

"Phew."

It felt like a long time since I had last stepped on solid ground. My legs were wobbly from sitting in the tree for about 4 hours, and the muscle soreness from yesterday's physical training added to the discomfort.

I massaged my legs and dispelled the magic to melt the ice staircase.

Now, I need to move.

'Where are they?'

I don't know where Ian and Luce are fighting the demons.

In the game, if you survive the class assignment evaluation, a cutscene suddenly appears. It shows Ian and Luce meeting, and the location changes automatically.

Now, I need to find that location.

The sky is gradually darkening beyond the boundary. I moved forward as quietly as possible.

'While I'm at it, I'll look for some mana grains.'

I had spent all my money preparing for this class assignment evaluation. If I don't earn enough gil here, I'll either starve or end up in debt from a bank loan.

So, finding mana grains is also important.

'...What if I fail?'

Ah, damn. I couldn't find a single mana grain. The students had already taken them all.

The hope that I could find the remaining mana grains more easily in the dark was cruelly shattered.

I had overlooked it. This is the prestigious Merhen Academy.

It's very natural for the students to have excellent mana detection.

'Please, just a few mana grains... '

While searching for mana grains, I was so focused that I didn't notice the small footsteps approaching me.

"Huh?"

A female voice sounded in front of me.

My heart sank.

I was bent over, searching for mana grains, and I froze.

A cold sweat trickled down my cheek.

'What do I do, what do I do...?'

Think.

I still have a magical tool. If I use it, I might be able to overcome a significant level difference.

Yeah, if the level of the person in front of me is... 30s or 40s, I might have a chance.

I slowly raised my head and took in the sight of the female student standing in front of me.

[Kaya Astraean]

Lv: 90

Race: Human

Attributes: Wind, Ice

Danger Level: X

“...”

“...”

What should I say?

Hmm.

It's Kaya.

"Ah, ah, hello...?"

“...”

Kaya, both her body and voice trembling, looked very scared.

She is the second-ranked freshman. No matter how much I try, I can't beat her.

But she currently sees me as a powerful person who has reached the level of an archmage but is hiding their strength.

Stay calm, stay calm. If I use this perception, I might be able to get out of this situation safely.

"Move."

I was confident in my acting skills.

So, I narrowed my eyes as if revealing my true nature and spoke in a cold, mocking tone.

Pretending not to be nervous at all.

"Ah...! Y-yes, yes...!"

Kaya, trembling, moved out of the way.

Yes, just walk past her.

I started to move slowly.

Relief washed over me like a wave.

Thank goodness things didn't go wrong...

"A, Isaac-sama...!"

Suddenly, Kaya called out to me.

'What's with the "sama" (honorific)?'

I didn't expect her to use such a formal honorific, but it's Kaya, so I'll let it slide.

Quickly, I put on a serious expression.

I stopped and turned to Kaya with a cold, calm expression.

"Well, this is a test, so... How about we fight once...?"

“...”

...No.

"Of course, to someone like you, someone who has reached the level of an archmage, I must seem as insignificant as an ant... But I want to challenge you!"

No, don't. Relax that determined expression.

"Please teach me a lesson, Isaac-sama...!"

No, don't cast the magic circle. Don't cast it now. Quickly, dispel it.

...Please.

'In 20 minutes, a demon will appear...'

The test clock now read 6:40 PM.

I needed to find the location where the demon would appear as soon as possible.

But now, Kaya's light green magic circle was slowly rotating in the air, facing me.

Kaya, the second-ranked freshman, was eager to fight me, a giant presence she feared.

"...I'm weak. I have an E-grade mana capacity, the lowest! I'm the weakest in the Magic Department...!"

No matter what I do, you can't beat me...!

Calm down first. Think.

How can I get out of this situation?

What can I say to make her dispel the magic circle?

I can't just reveal that I'm a demon hunter. Just thinking about the complications that would follow is enough to give me a headache.

So, what can I do...? What can I use...?

...I have an idea.

It might not work, but I'll give it a try.

"Hmm."

“...?”

I started with a sigh.

The magic circle looks dangerous, but I tried to look as if it was laughable and stared at Kaya.

Kaya looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Now or never.

I crossed my arms and looked at the light green magic circle Kaya had cast in the air with a disdainful expression.

"With just that kind of magic?"

“...!!”

Kaya's eyes widened. My words must have stung her.

"Just that...?"

"It's a waste of time right now."

I turned my back.

I could feel an immense killing intent from behind.

Please, save me...

"I know you're a great person. But... what you just said is ignoring the time and effort I've put into my training..."

"'Right now,' I mean."

“Huh?”

She quickly changed her stance.

The killing intent subsided. Kaya seemed to be trying to understand my intentions.

"Do you know 'Sylphia'?"

Sylphia, the fairy of the Green Forest, who uses plant magic.

“H-how do you know...?”

"I can sense the aura of [Yggdrasil] from you."

“...!!”

Even though I was deliberately not looking, I could feel Kaya's shock.

The aura of [Yggdrasil]? What is that? I just made it up. I couldn't even find the mana grains, so how could I sense something like that?

Anyway, Kaya is close friends with Sylphia, the fairy of the Green Forest. It's a secret she keeps to herself, known to no one else.

Moreover, she wears a necklace with a seed given to her by Sylphia. She must carry the seed with her at all times to be able to sense plant mana.

It looks like a regular seed. It condenses mana but doesn't emit it, making it hard to detect.

When she becomes a second-year student, she will be able to fully sense plant mana. Then, using the seed as a catalyst, she will be able to cast the 8th-grade plant magic [Yggdrasil], a fairy's power and a nation-destroying level spell.

Only I, who know this future, can speak of it now.

"You seem to be well-regarded."

"Do you know Sylphia?!"

Of course not.

I deliberately didn't answer and lowered my eyes, pretending to think.

I acted as if I was recalling a great past.

"...Your true potential will be revealed in the future. If you become somewhat worthy then, I'll consider fighting you."

“...”

With that, I started to move again.

I didn't know what expression Kaya had on her face or what thoughts were going through her mind.

It didn't matter. What was important was that the small noise from the magic circle had disappeared. Kaya had dispelled it!

A smile involuntarily appeared on my face. It was a feeling of relief at being alive.

It might have been a bit too middle-school-like to act so arrogantly, but I'm glad things worked out well...

"Isaac-sama."

Ah, again, why, why?

I tried to pretend I didn't hear, but Kaya called out again, "Isaac-sama!" I had no choice but to stop.

"Why are you here, pretending to be weak?"

It's a reasonable question.

In fact, I am just weak.

But from Kaya's perspective, I'm just pretending to be weak.

This is easy to handle.

There was only one reaction I could show here.

"...None of your business."

That's it. This is the rule. The other person will be speechless.

Then I started to move again.

As expected, Kaya didn't speak to me anymore.

After walking for a while, when I turned back and Kaya was no longer in sight,

"Phewwwwwwwww─."

I let out a deep sigh of relief.

Phew, I'm alive! This is a relief.

I was lucky. Phew, I really got lucky!

But now is not the time to bask in the joy of survival.

I composed myself and focused my expression. I needed to find the place where the demon would appear, where Ian and Luce would meet.

Where is it? Where could it be?

...I found a mana grain. I'll pick it up first.

When I brought my wristwatch close, the mana grain attached to the stone flew like a firefly and stuck to the watch band.

'Only 10 minutes left.'

It was now 6:50 PM.

The demon would appear in 10 minutes.

I started to move again.

The only clue I had was that the place where the demon would appear was a clearing with a low cliff.

I had explored the Delphin Forest yesterday, but it was too vast, and I hadn't found that place.

I needed to find it.

It would be difficult to find it in time. So...

I recalled my previous exploration and arrived at the riverbank. Even in the dense Delphin Forest, I could see the sky clearly here.

I looked at my wristwatch.

'7:00...'

The sunset had faded, and the sky was now a deep blue.

By now, the demon must have appeared in front of Ian and Luce.

Wandering around here would be a waste of time.

I'll put aside looking for mana grains for now. The top priority is to prevent a bad ending.

I decided to stand still.

Certainly, when Ian and Luce fight the demon, there will be a lot of large-scale magic being cast.

I just need to go to the place where the magic was cast.

Moving any further might take me farther away from that place.

Just a little longer, a little longer...

The forest was gradually getting darker.

Holding my breath, I stood still.

Kuuuuuuuuu─────!!!

“...!!”

A loud noise echoed.

I quickly turned my head in the direction of the noise. Since I was at the riverbank, the trees didn't block my view, and I could easily see the source of the noise.

A sharp ice pillar had risen in a place I could reach within 10 minutes. The pillar was not the usual blue color of ice but black.

While others might not know, I was certain that dark-attribute ice magic had been cast. It was undoubtedly the demon's magic.

The ice pillar instantly turned into black powder and disappeared.

I immediately started running towards where the black ice pillar had risen.

Please hold on until I get there, Ian! It would be even better if you win!

"Hey, where are you going in such a hurry?"

No, ah.

Ughhh...

“...What is it, huh. Aren't you just a lowly commoner with an E-grade mana capacity?”

[Tristan Humphrey]

Lv: 71

Race: Human

Attribute: Wind

Danger Level: Medium

Tristan Humphrey, a top-ranked freshman in the Magic Department and a vain blonde noble, was blocking my path.

“...”

I quickly thought.

Thanks to playing [Merhen's Magic Knight] so much, I had memorized the characteristics of all the main characters.

My level is 26. The level difference between me and him is 45. But... I think I can beat him if I do it right.

I need to take him down quickly.

'I'll pass through.'

I accelerated the flow of mana in my body and preheated the ice mana.