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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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They finally settled on “Team Seven” as their group name and submitted the paperwork.
While the students who had formed their groups chatted comfortably, Simon observed the other students in Class A.
Simon’s group was Group 7, meaning 28 students had formed groups so far.
The competition among the remaining students was fierce, bordering on cutthroat.
There were almost no students left working individually.
Most had formed groups of two or three and were trying to recruit the remaining members.
“Wouldn’t it be better to join us? We each have two members…”
“But both of you are Toxicology majors. Why would we join a crappy group like that?”
“Wow, those guys are really bad. A ‘Jet Black, Jet Black, Jet Black’ combination? What’s the point?”
This was the problem with forming groups based on personal connections or friendships.
While shared interests and majors helped them bond quickly, it was detrimental in group projects.
The [Basic Dark Magic] class evaluated all eight subjects.
It was crucial to have diverse majors within a group, and overlapping majors were a disadvantage.
This was the main reason why some students still hadn’t formed complete groups.
“I’ll save just one of you from your group.”
A blonde girl stepped forward, snapping her fingers arrogantly.
She had already secured three group members.
“Get lost!”
“If you hadn’t taken Lucy, we would have already had four members!”
As the other group members growled with displeasure, a girl stepped forward.
“L-Leader?”
“I’m sorry, guys.”
She said without looking back.
“I’m a Hemomancy major. It won’t overlap, right?”
“Welcome aboard! You’re a quick thinker, aren’t you? Assistant! We’re registering!”
A group leader abandoned her own team to complete another group of four.
The remaining students trembled with anger and betrayal.
‘…Brutal.’
This was what happened during the student protection period.
Simon was beginning to understand why only three hundred out of a thousand survived.
“No time to worry about others, Simon.”
Rick said.
“If we don’t aggressively push forward, we’ll be left behind. And being left behind at Kizen means goodbye.”
“I don’t feel sorry for them at all.”
Meilyn blew on her fingernails.
“Lack of effort, lack of preparation, lack of skill. It’s been four days since they entered Kizen. What have they been doing? If their grades weren’t good enough, they could have found other ways to form a group.”
Rick and Meilyn seemed accustomed to this atmosphere.
The 30 minutes Jane had allotted were finally up.
Eight students remained.
Two, three, and three, arguing amongst themselves, unable to form complete groups.
“Those who haven’t formed groups, come forward.”
Jane arbitrarily formed two groups.
Group 15: Jet Black, Jet Black, Toxicology, Martial Combat.
Group 16: Jet Black, Jet Black, Jet Black, Martial Combat.
The reason there were relatively more Jet Black Mechanics students left was that it was a required subject, so other students tended to have relatively higher scores in it.
This caused the demand for Jet Black Mechanics students to plummet, leaving them to be picked last.
The students called to the podium hung their heads with grim expressions, while some of the students who had formed groups snickered.
“Wow, Group 16, three Jet Black students? Seriously?”
“Pfft. We probably won’t see them next week.”
“They’re screwed if even one Curseology question comes up.”
The taunts from the other students made the members of Groups 15 and 16 shrink back even further.
Jane, who had also arbitrarily assigned the group leaders, addressed them in a low voice.
“Are you frustrated?”
The students nodded slightly. Some even shed a few tears.
“Just because you had a rough start doesn’t mean you’ll always be behind. Remember this feeling of frustration and work even harder. Even if you’re Jet Black majors, divide the other subjects among yourselves and raise your average above average. Then you’ll see the light.”
The students nodded with determined expressions.
As Groups 15 and 16 returned to their seats, Jane stepped forward.
“Then, let’s start with an important announcement. Next week, in the first Basic Dark Magic class after the student protection period ends, we’ll be conducting a ‘group practical assessment.'”
Gasps could be heard from around the classroom.
A practical assessment was an exam that directly affected their grades.
This was where things got real.
“Now, I’ll explain the details of the practical assessment.”
She signaled, and the assistant activated the mana projector.
A picture of a large monster was projected onto the wall.
“That’s…!”
Simon recognized the monster.
A Cyclops.
A one-eyed, mid-sized monster with immense strength.
It mainly inhabited the western mountain range of the continent, reigning as the king of the mountains.
“Yes, your opponent will be a Cyclops.”
The students’ jaws dropped.
Wasn’t this a bit too much of a leap?
“I’ll explain the rules. You’ll enter the Kizen underground dungeon with your group members and work together to defeat the Cyclops.”
Sighs of relief rippled through the classroom at the mention of entering together.
“However, only one student will directly confront the Cyclops. The other three will stand in set positions, supporting their teammate or weakening the monster. Direct attacks with dark magic are prohibited.”
Murmurs filled the room.
The three members in set positions couldn’t use offensive dark magic.
So, it wasn’t a true 4-on-1 fight.
Jane continued her explanation.
“Disabling techniques like exhaustion, binding, and blinding are permitted, and attacks that cause minor injuries as a result of these techniques are allowed. Bleeding from Hemomancy and poisoning from Toxicology are also allowed. Naturally, attacks from summons are also permitted.”
“However, necromancer ‘direct attack spells’ like Smite from Martial Combat or Blood Arrow from Hemomancy are prohibited. You’ll receive a handout with the exact criteria after class.”
The students nodded seriously.
“The participating member will enter with strong defensive dark magic cast by a Kizen safety officer. The evaluation criteria are the success of the Cyclops hunt, hunting speed, stability, teamwork and creativity of the group members, and the proficiency of the dark magic used.”
She looked around the quiet classroom and continued.
“You’ll need to push your abilities to the limit this week to prepare for facing the Cyclops. Don’t take any class lightly; master everything you learn and apply it to the practical assessment. That’s all. Any questions?”
Numerous hands shot up. Jane pointed to the student in the front.
“Jamie Victoria! W-We’re not actually going to fight a real Cyclops, are we? I heard Kizen has a virtual combat simulation system, so…”
“It’s a living, breathing Cyclops, freshly caught from the western continent.”
Jane said coldly.
“You’ll have to sign a waiver before the assessment.”
Jamie’s face paled.
“But it will be weaker than a wild Cyclops due to the curses and drugs used for its capture. Next question.”
“Scott Snyder! You said the success of the hunt is part of the evaluation. What happens if we fail to kill it?”
“Failure to hunt results in the lowest possible score, regardless of other criteria. If there are other groups that fail, your ranking will be determined by comparing other evaluation factors.”
A heavy silence fell over the classroom.
“There are three scenarios that result in a failed hunt. First, if the participating member becomes incapacitated. Second, if the professor or safety officer deems the fight impossible to continue. Third, if any of you raise your hand and declare forfeiture. Next question.”
The students raised their hands one after another, bombarding Jane with questions, and she answered them all without hesitation.
Since most of the questions were similar, the raised hands gradually went down after five more questions.
“Class A has two more Basic Dark Magic classes this week. In the first class, each group will present their Cyclops hunting strategy. In the second class, as Jamie mentioned earlier, you’ll have a virtual combat session with a Cyclops to fine-tune your practical skills. And the third class next week will be the real deal.”
The word “real deal” made the tension in the classroom palpable.
Jane glanced at her wristwatch.
“For the remaining time, discuss your Cyclops hunting strategies within your groups. First, decide on the participating member and prepare a strategy that maximizes the support of the other three members. I’ll be here if you have any questions.”
Jane finished speaking and sat down heavily in her chair.
The assistants clapped their hands.
“Alright, students! Begin!”
A cacophony of voices erupted.
Rick and Meilyn leaned towards the table, with their eyes gleaming.
“…Professor Jane, as always. A real monster fight right after the protection period ends? Intense.”
Rick said. Meilyn’s eyes sparkled.
“I love it! My heart’s racing! Now this feels like Kizen.”
Simon glanced around and said,
“Let’s make a plan quickly. Anyone want to be the participating member?”
Meilyn shot her hand up, accidentally hitting Rick in the process.
He yelped, but she didn’t seem to notice and her eyes were still shining with excitement.
“Me! I’ll do it!”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m the strongest here. Of course, I should do it.”
Rick rubbed his cheek and glared at Meilyn.
“Hey, hey! This isn’t something we should decide so simply. We need a strategic approach! From what I can see, this practical assessment is practically tailored for Martial Combat students. Teams with Martial Combat majors have a huge advantage.”
“I agree.”
Camibarez quietly supported Rick’s statement.
“A Cyclops’s attacks are heavy; it’s difficult to block them with defensive dark magic, and it consumes a lot of Jet Black. Evasion is the best strategy.”
Simon glanced at the other groups.
It seemed like they shared the same thought.
The Martial Combat students, who had struggled to find groups earlier, were now confidently voicing their opinions.
Most groups with Martial Combat majors seemed likely to choose them as the participating member.
“No, I disagree.”
Meilyn crossed her arms, her expression calm once more.
“Did you forget? Only the participating member can directly attack the Cyclops. What attack methods do the Martial Combat students have? Punching wildly with Jet Black-enhanced fists? How are they going to take down a Cyclops with thick hide like that?”
“Ah…!”
“That’s a valid point.”
As Camibarez and Simon agreed, Meilyn smirked and leaned back in her chair.
“So, Meilyn, do you have a way to attack the Cyclops?”
“Of course, Cami.”
She smiled confidently and opened her palm.
A magic circle formed on her palm, and black flames flickered and rose.
Camibarez gasped.
“Dark Flare, a Jet Black elemental spell. This should be enough, right?”
“Amazing! You can already cast this spell…!”
Rick was annoyed by Meilyn’s constant bragging, but he had to admit, Dark Flare was impressive.
“Then, I’ll explain my plan.”
Meilyn extinguished the black flames and leaned forward.
“I’ll face the Cyclops and burn it with Dark Flare. The three of you will focus on curses! Keep stacking Exhaust curse stacks to slow the Cyclops down, and I’ll turn it into ashes!”
Rick clicked his tongue and crossed his arms.
“With that plan, you’ll shine, but we’ll be completely useless. You, the curse specialist, are the participating member, and we’re just supposed to mindlessly cast curses behind you?”
“Then what’s a better way? Tell me.”
Rick was momentarily speechless, but he changed his tack and attacked her logic.
“Your plan assumes you can dodge the Cyclops’s attacks while casting Dark Flare. Are you really sure you can dodge them?”
“Why wouldn’t I be able to?”
“I’ve seen you; your stamina is terrible. You were panting and trailing behind everyone during running in Martial Combat class, and you couldn’t even jump over the ravine properly, so Professor Hongpeng had to help you.”
Now it was Meilyn’s turn to blush.
“T-That’s true, but…! No! Shouldn’t you, the curse specialists, be preventing me from getting hit in the first place? If I get hit, it means your curses are useless!”
“We’re not specialized in curses in the first place!”
As Meilyn and Rick bickered, Camibarez, caught in the middle, fidgeted nervously.
Thump!
The two flinched and turned their heads.
Simon had slammed his hand on the desk, his expression serious.
“Then let’s do this.”
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