Chapter 92

EP.92 Joint Practical Evaluation (1)

"Did you catch that two-headed dog, Helga? That was quite a sudden situation, wasn't it?"

"Well, the guild members helped a lot. I just shot a few [Ice Spears] when the two-headed dog let its guard down."

"You're not at the student level anymore! That's amazing...!"

Eve Ropenheim likes it when people praise her.

In the afternoon, at the terrace of the Hailly Bakery located on the grounds of Merhen Academy, the enthusiastic praise from her short-haired friend, Alicia, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, made Eve feel elated.

Pretending it was nothing, Eve chuckled and added,

"It's no big deal. If you were in the same situation, you would have done well too, right?"

"No way. Only Eve could have done that."

That's right.

Eve looked at Alicia with a sharp gaze and inwardly retorted.

"But what did you do with the two-headed dog? Horns can fetch a lot of money, right? You probably sold it?"

"That's... a secret. Actually, it became my servant."

"Wh-What?! Are you crazy?!"

"Shh."

"Oh, sorry. H-How...?"

"It said it wanted to follow me. I guess it was impressed by my battle."

Eve shrugged as if it was nothing.

"Wow! Can you summon it?!"

"That's a bit difficult. It's still hard to control. It consumes a lot of mana too…."

"Since it's a servant, that makes sense. Still, a two-headed dog, that's so cool…!"

"No, I still have a long way to go. I need to keep improving. They might even scout me from the guild later…."

"Scout you…? How impressive!"

Alicia, with her wide, innocent smile, didn't doubt a single word Eve said.

"Cool, Eve…. I want to be like you."

Eve felt an unparalleled pleasure from Alicia's admiring gaze.

……

In the semi-luxury dormitory, Elma Hall for girls, on a dark night.

A glowing lamp on the desk emitted a soft light.

The book she had opened for studying was tucked away in a corner of the desk, and Eve, sitting at the desk, hummed a tune while drawing on a piece of parchment.

The two-headed dog Helga. The silver-haired female mage, Eve Ropenheim, fighting the beast alongside her comrades.

In the battle, she performed exceptionally well.

In the end, the two-headed dog Helga bowed its head and said it wanted to follow her.

That was the picture she drew.

All of it was something that never actually happened.

She had told Alicia that a two-headed dog suddenly appeared due to an unexpected situation, but she had never even seen a dangerous monster or beast. It was just a fabricated story.

After all, who would take a student on a dangerous expedition to a remote area just for practical experience?

Alicia is simple. During her time at the academy, she was the perfect tool to boost Eve's ego.

Besides Alicia, there were several other second-year classmates who praised and admired Eve for her appearance, skills, and experiences.

What you see is what you get.

What you can't see, Eve could manipulate freely, whether it was true or false. The story she liked, the ideal version of herself, became the 'truth'.

Since she entered Merhen Academy, Eve had subtly lied to present herself as the ideal version.

Gradually, the admiring gazes of the students gave her more pleasure, and her purpose became distorted.

Now, even her childhood memories were filled with lies.

That doesn't mean no one knows Eve's true face.

─ 'By the way, Eve, do you really not have a younger brother?'

Eve's hand, which was moving the pen, stopped.

A younger brother. She did have one.

Eve moved the pen again and drew a simple face of a man with wavy, cute-looking hair.

'There's no way he's here.'

Her brother, who had no abilities or talents, could never have entered Merhen Academy. There was no need to verify it.

Even if he somehow managed to get in, it would be like a sheep entering a lion's den. He wouldn't survive in this survival-of-the-fittest academy.

Eve thought this and let out a bitter laugh.

……

'Why is he here?'

Eve's face turned as pale as a corpse.

Right in front of her, her younger brother was standing.

* * *

"I will now begin the joint practical evaluation."

Merhen Academy occupies an entire large island, so the terrain can be used in countless ways.

For example, this gorge.

On a bright midday, the first and second-year students of the Magic Department stood in an orderly line, looking at Professor Fernando, who was holding a megaphone. As usual, behind the students, exam supervisors, assistant professors, and a group of royal knights were lined up.

I am standing in a large gorge called 'Makia Gorge.' It boasts a grand appearance, just like in the game. The joint practical evaluation is scheduled to take place here.

The first and second-year students are divided into three groups, each listening to the professor's instructions at different starting points. Since I can't see Lucena or Dorothy, they must be at different starting points.

At least Kaya is visible. Her emerald eyes indicate she's not a glutton. Ah, Rizetta is there too. I just noticed her because of the crowd.

"Additionally, there are restrictions. If you summon a familiar or servant outside of the gate challenges, it will result in disqualification. Keep that in mind."

Familiars and servants can serve as convenient means of transportation, but they don't align with the purpose of this joint practical evaluation, which is a race.

"Moreover, fake monsters based on puppet technology are prepared. Unlike monster illusions, they can actually harm you. However, there's no need to worry as skilled clerics and doctors are on standby. If you are judged to have suffered a fatal attack or are in a state where you cannot continue the exam, you will be disqualified. That's all."

Professor Fernando raised his right arm and formed an elemental magic bullet on his extended index finger.

"Then, get ready."

Silence. The students all took their starting positions, the tension palpable.

I slung Yanya's staff over my shoulder and got into a running position.

Ding─!

Professor Fernando fired the elemental magic bullet.

Releasing telekinetic power at the bullet in the sky, he made it explode.

Boom──!

"Start."

Ice crystals adorned the sky.

As the fireworks sound faded, Professor Fernando's voice rang out.

Da-da-da-da─! The students started running en masse.

"Let's gooo!"

"Move!"

"Che, already cheating?!"

"Here I come!"

'This is chaos.'

It's the expected scene. If combat among students was allowed, it would have been a historic mess.

"Ha!"

「Wind Generation (Wind Attribute, ★1)」

Whoosh──.

The energetic laugh of the vain blonde noble, Tristan Humphrey, echoed among the students. It was almost like a battle cry.

I looked up at Tristan. He was floating in the air above the students, his body wrapped in wind magic.

"I'm the leader!!"

With a loud laugh, he flew faster than anyone else, but then he started coughing.

Leading the way, the wind attribute students all began to wrap their bodies in wind and float into the air.

'That's not good.'

It consumes a massive amount of mana. They'll run out of mana soon.

Whoosh──!!

"What?! Whoa!"

Suddenly, a girl with light green twin-tails flew past Tristan at high speed, almost like a rocket. The strong wind from her passing pushed Tristan away.

Kaya Astraean, the second-year vice-chair of the Magic Department. Only someone of her caliber can use the initial wind booster effectively.

Everyone here knows that floating and flying using wind magic is inefficient. However, what you see is often the most stimulating.

The students started to get anxious.

* * *

'How are you here…?'

During the joint practical evaluation, while running among the students.

Eve Ropenheim looked at Isaac's back and felt puzzled.

He had no abilities, talents, or skills. There was no way he could be here!

But she was sure. She had seen his face just now; it was definitely Isaac.

'Something… has changed.'

He had grown taller and more robust compared to when she last saw him. The once small and cute boy now exuded a mature masculine charm.

Moreover, the staff he held. It looked like a difficult magical weapon to handle, and the fact that he was holding it….

Does that mean he can use it? Isaac?

Eve gripped the wooden staff she held tightly. Her mind was in turmoil.