The act of using accumulated knowledge and theories as weapons to defeat the monstrous letters sprawled across a blank sheet.
Ah! The written exam! What a truly admirable foe, just as distasteful as its very name.
It was the perfect time for students to prove how diligently they had kept their seats warm, out of sight from others. Without shedding a single drop of blood, they could demonstrate their abilities. Some would even seize this moment to prove themselves and vent their pent-up frustrations.
“Ten minutes remaining.”
The voice of Joo-yeon, the exam supervisor, rang clearly in the students’ ears.
Joo-yeon was the sole supervisor overseeing the exam for the class.
Yet, no one attempted to cheat. No one even dared to think about it.
Even when Joo-yeon turned her back, they knew that the very moment they tried anything foolish, they would be caught without fail.
“…….”
Like watching a gas stove left on outside, Rohan anxiously double-checked whether he had correctly written his name and student number.
He had already checked countless times, but seeing his neatly written personal details reassured him. Satisfied, he returned to solving the remaining questions.
The last two questions…
The end of the written exam was in sight. To maintain his focus until the very last moment, he had only consumed a light supplement for lunch.
A faint hunger sharpened his awareness.
There were a few questions he struggled with, likely due to gaps in his studies, but overall, he felt he was managing quite well.
“Five minutes remaining.”
On a side note, Noah Frozenheart had been sweating profusely since the start of the exam.
As soon as the first subject ended, she had collapsed onto her desk. It was impressive how Ichinose didn’t seem surprised and fed her a snack.
It was her first time seriously tackling theoretical studies.
The mental toll of being tested on both her invested time and her weak points seemed to be eating away at her.
“Time’s up. Put down your pens and place your hands on your heads.”
A collective rustling followed. No one clung desperately to the time remaining.
After all, Joo-yeon would show no mercy to anyone who tried.
“Hmm.”
Joo-yeon gathered the exam papers into a stack, checked the number of sheets and the names written on them, and then placed them inside a thick envelope.
When she saw how utterly exhausted Rohan and Noah looked, she gave a faint smile.
“You all did well. You can rest until departure, so take it easy. Just make sure to stay in the classroom until the designated time.”
Tucking the paper envelope under her arm, Joo-yeon walked out of the classroom with sharp, deliberate footsteps.
As soon as she left, the tension in the room unraveled and the students let out exhausted sighs, almost like groans.
“Wow, that was brutal.”
“Ughhh…”
Rohan and Noah melted over their desks like slimes.
“Noah, you did great.”
“Hug me…”
“That’s a bit of a tough request. But I’ll feed you a snack instead.”
Ichinose spared no praise for Noah, who had just taken on the challenge of studying for the first time.
And there was one more.
Rohan who had constantly bombarded her with questions through messages had clearly put in considerable effort as well. She glanced at him briefly.
– Rohan, the next thing you’re about to say is… “Let’s just rest quietly. What are you planning now?”
– Let’s just rest quietly. What are you pla— huh?
– Hahahaha!!!
Gilbert let out a triumphant shout of joy.
Rohan, having completely exhausted himself on the exam, could only lie limp and cover his ears.
Impressive.
Ichinose smirked and shifted her gaze away.
Then she turned her attention to Noah, who was slumped beside her and began taking care of her.
Meanwhile, multiple transport ships were stationed on standby after landing at Orion Academy.
They were models produced by the Sepia Archipelago, a nation renowned as the undisputed best in aviation. Though they were shaped like ships, these vessels were capable of soaring through the sky at high speeds.
“Attention.”
Each class stood in front of their assigned transport ship, listening attentively to their instructor’s briefing under the darkening sky.
“I will now explain the details of the practical exam before departure. I’ll take questions separately, so focus.”
Joo-yeon glanced down at the paper in her hand and continued her explanation.
“First, you will be paired randomly into teams of two. Only the standard-issue weapons provided by Orion Academy are allowed. If you have an unavoidable reason to use your own weapon, inform an instructor.”
Anyone in such a situation would receive a significant point deduction. Even without that penalty, it was clear that permission wouldn’t be granted easily. Not a single student had been allowed to bring their personal weapon into Abyss City.
“Furthermore, the monsters on the deserted island are only those that have been covered in class.”
Orion Academy operated under the assumption that its students understood how to handle and identify monsters.
That single statement made the reality of the exam sink in more than anything else.
“Food and water must be procured independently. Even with this rule, some students will surely attempt to sustain themselves using magic, considering the short duration of the test.”
Joo-yeon flicked the paper in her hand and straightened it crisply.
“However, since this exam is based on the anomalies of the Monolith, the instructors will intervene accordingly. Expect to fail often and learn from it.”
Though the exam had a clearly defined endpoint, its setting was designed to simulate an unpredictable situation.
Moreover, Rohan understood exactly what “intervene” implied.
“Additionally, small amounts of food and water have been hidden throughout the island. In some cases, supplies will be distributed in plain sight. Any problems that arise from this… will be up to the students to resolve.”
The objective was clear.
They were meant to observe the points where conflicts and disputes would emerge.
“Given the nature of this exam, disagreements and minor physical conflicts will be tolerated within reason. After all, under these circumstances, even those can serve as learning experiences. However…”
A sharp glint flickered in Joo-yeon’s eyes.
A powerful, overwhelming presence radiated from her, serving as a warning to all.
“Do not seriously try to kill your fellow students.”
Her words carved themselves into the depths of their consciousness.
Rohan sensed Dick who was seated in the back row nervously swallowing.
“The instructors and other officials will be monitoring you at all times.”
Joo-yeon’s gaze swept over each student in Class 1.
Even with instructors present, blind spots were inevitable, and her eyes carried both concern and apprehension.
“There is one most important rule. If you experience any physical issues, do not let your pride get in the way. Use your signal flare immediately. The instructors do not wish for any casualties in this exam.”
Joo-yeon softened her tone to ease the tension in the air.
She ran her fingers through her red bangs, shifting the atmosphere.
“Now, I’ll explain the evaluation criteria and scoring.”
The exam was structured around the idea that the deserted island was a dungeon created by Monolith, and the goal was simple. Survive.
The evaluation covered a variety of factors, including teamwork, physical condition at the end of the exam, the number of monsters defeated, and partner assessments after the practical test.
Joo-yeon folded the paper in her hands, slipped it into her inner pocket, and spoke again.
“That concludes the explanation. I’ll now take questions.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Ichinose raised a hand.
After receiving Joo-yeon’s permission, she asked,
“I’d like to know if the pairs will be divided into vanguard and rearguard roles.”
“For balance when fighting monsters, that setup would make sense. However, this exam is entirely random. We will not be assigning roles that way.”
“……..”
“Until now, the training conducted at Orion Academy has always been based on specific conditions and assumptions.”
In cases where they ventured into monster-infested areas for subjugation, thorough preparation was always essential.
Even if one was suddenly confronted on the streets, anyone who made combat their profession was expected to be somewhat prepared.
However, dungeons shattered such assumptions and conditions.
Helpless civilians could find themselves trapped in inescapable situations, and elements that rapidly deteriorated an individual’s physical condition coexisted within them.
Supplies ran out quickly, and even when capable fighters gathered, forming a cohesive formation was purely a matter of luck.
“The anomalies caused by Monolith do not take such things into consideration. If rear support roles end up grouped together, they will have to establish their own survival strategies. The same applies to the opposite case.”
“Understood.”
“Next question.”
Amidst the heavy atmosphere, questions and answers were exchanged.
Once Joo-yeon confirmed that no more students were raising their hands, she led Class 1 onto the transport ship.
“The journey will take quite some time. Aside from roll call, you are free to rest or sleep.”
⋯
⋯
The partners who would spend time together on the deserted island were decided through a lottery aboard the transport vessel.
Each student reached into a box and drew a number.
Those who pulled matching numbers became partners.
“What’s your number?”
“Number 12!”
Although an odd-numbered class would have resulted in one team of three, Class 1 had an even number of students.
“Next.”
It was Rohan’s turn. Stepping forward, he reached into the box.
He shut his eyes tightly as his fingers brushed against the slips of paper.
Please…
He hoped to draw a partner he could communicate with properly.
Rustle.
He grabbed a piece of paper and pulled his hand out of the box. Gilbert, who had been watching from the sidelines, fixed him with an intense stare.
“What number is it?”
At Joo-yeon’s voice, he unfolded the paper.
“Number 3.”
Gilbert clicked his tongue in disappointment.
Rohan let out a breath of relief.
“If it’s 3, that number has already been picked.”
“I’d like to know who it is.”
“Look to your right.”
At Joo-yeon’s words, he turned his head.
A girl with her eyes closed held up her paper.
The number 3 was written on it.
Rohan’s partner for life on the deserted island had been decided. It was Ichinose Yui.
“Looking forward to it.”
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