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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Tactics classes were broadly divided into two categories: theoretical and practical.
Of course, it would have been better to learn theory and practice simultaneously, but the resources of the ‘Lake,’ the space where practical classes could be held, were limited.
Because of this, only one group could have a practical class per day.
Two days after taking the tactical theory class with the students of Swordsmanship Class 2, our group finally had a practical class scheduled.
Eight from the swordsmanship class, two from the spearmanship class, two from the archery class, and four from the magic department.
Our group of 16 was divided into Team A and Team B, with eight members each. It was for the mock battle that would take place during the first practical class.
‘Team-based mock battle.’
That was the evaluation method that would take up the entire first semester.
The method was simple.
Eight teams, each consisting of eight members, would compete in a league format. The individual ranks to be used for the second semester’s evaluation were determined by combining the wins and losses in the process and individual performance.
Of course, whether that rank represented the strength as a hero was another matter. This was a ranking based on interpersonal combat.
For heroes who mainly fought against chaos, interpersonal combat was secondary.
Nevertheless, the reason why the evaluation of the first semester was based on interpersonal combat was to encourage the growth of students through competition.
‘That being said, interpersonal combat tactics are quite important.’
Even though the main enemies of heroes were chaos, it wasn’t always the case.
The demon lords, for example, were basically intelligent, humanoid enemies, and they might have to fight against heroes who sided with them.
If they were familiar with the tactics they might use, it would definitely be helpful.
I turned my head and scanned the appearance of the guys who had become the same B team.
Wilhelm, who was in the same archery class, naturally became a member of the other team, Team A, and Yuseora, the only person I knew somewhat in Swordsmanship Class 2, also became a member of Team A.
In the end, most of the guys who remained in Team B were either those I had only heard of by name or didn’t know at all.
‘Well, I’ll get to know them one by one.’
Anyway, for a while, there would only be mock battles, not evaluations.
In particular, today’s mock battle was a team deathmatch format that continued until the last candidate was killed, without any special rules. It was also the best way to assess individual capabilities.
‘Besides, the archer’s position is in the rear, so it’ll be easier.’
That was the advantage of being an archer. I could have a wide view of the battlefield from the rear.
That’s why, even if the leader was the strongest hero, many hero parties had the archer take command in battle.
‘The problem is that I’m not at the stage where I can command yet.’
Right now, I didn’t know anything about my team members.
Besides, they didn’t know anything about me either, so they obviously wouldn’t listen to my commands. So, this mock battle would just be a brawl where everyone fought each other here and there.
‘I need to observe them as much as possible while hiding.’
Of course, I would help when I needed to.
But since it was just a mock battle, I had no intention of getting involved seriously. The place where the mock battle would take place was a forest artificially created inside the ‘Lake.’
The center of the forest was divided by a barrier separating Team A and Team B. During the waiting time when the barrier was up, I moved as far as possible to the edge of the forest.
Then, a trumpet sounded from somewhere, and the mock battle began.
‘Power of Wind.’
I used the Power of Wind to jump onto a sturdy-looking tree branch.
And I lightly moved between branches and climbed the tree. But I didn’t go all the way to the top.
The middle of the tree, where the leaves were moderately dense, was good for hiding.
‘This height is enough to observe the situation.’
The entire forest where the mock battle was taking place was in full view. Of course, there were blind spots, but I couldn’t help it.
‘Come to think of it…’
As soon as the barrier disappeared, a battle broke out in the middle of the forest. It seemed that there were at least one or more hot-headed guys in each team.
I focused my eyes, and I could see the guys fighting quite far away. Come to think of it, Allen… no, my eyes were pretty good.
I had felt it before, but my hearing was also quite good. Perhaps instead of sacrificing strength, stamina, or talent, my senses were quite keen.
‘Okay, they should win that.’
Team B won the first battle that broke out. It was an obvious victory.
While all four members of the swordsmanship class from Team B came out, only one from Team A rushed out. The victors started to move forward. But…
‘The targeting is wrong.’
According to the standard tactics, they should find out where the opponent’s mage is first.
Mages, depending on how they were used, could annihilate an army single-handedly. However, the four members of Team B’s swordsmanship class were clustered together and just moving forward.
‘At this rate…’
It wasn’t like they were winning overwhelmingly fast for a 4v1.
They hadn’t grasped the opponent yet, and their teamwork was almost non-existent, so when they met the opponent, the confrontation was long. At this rate, when they found the opponent’s mage, the mage would have finished all the necessary casting.
On the other hand, the situation was different for Team A.
Except for the two unlucky ones who encountered Team B’s four swordsmen, the remaining one spearmanship class member and two swordsmanship class members scattered and entered Team B’s field.
I checked on our team’s two mages. One from the combat magic class and one from the support magic class.
Fortunately, they seemed to have learned the basic tactic that the two jobs should stick together, so they were located in the same place.
And as soon as the spearmanship class student confirmed that the four swordsmen had set off, he stayed behind to protect the mages.
‘At that rate, they can buy quite a bit of time even if they’re discovered.’
They couldn’t win alone. They would need to call other team members. If that happened, they could at least stall for time.
‘Except for one person.’
My gaze settled on a girl cutting through the forest. She was constantly looking around as she moved forward. And the direction she was heading in was where our team’s mages were.
‘This is bad.’
Of course, the current Yuseora had a major flaw. It was that she still hadn’t deviated from the basic build. Why was that a flaw? To explain that, you need to know this first.
‘Basic build’ and ‘Standard build’ are different.
The standard build is synonymous with the so-called ‘meta build,’ which is generally recognized as good through the research of users.
But the basic build was different.
If a constellation wasn’t attached, what would have happened to Gwen or Elsie? If a constellation wasn’t attached to Gwen, she might have found the holy relic sooner.
Gwen’s constellation was one whose purpose was to delay Gwen’s acquisition of the holy relic as much as possible.
In Elsie’s case, she would be living as a prisoner in the Reim Kingdom.
That was the basic build. The build that a character would take if a constellation didn’t intervene.
And in Yuseora’s case, unfortunately, learning swordsmanship was the basic build.
‘That doesn’t mean that the current Yuseora doesn’t have a constellation.’
Occasionally, there were players who wanted to see the ending with the basic build.
It might look like a basic build, but it could be a perverted build in disguise. …No, never mind that, Yuseora couldn’t survive with the basic build in the first place.
Of course, like Elsie’s kingdom escape route, even if there was a constellation, the probability wasn’t extremely low. If a constellation helped just a little, Yuseora could survive.
After that, with the help of the apostle, she walked on a paved road, if not a flower road. However, Yuseora without a constellation basically dying was the default.
‘The fact that such a Yuseora is here means…’
She probably did have a constellation. But for some reason, the constellation was developing Yuseora with the basic build. Why?
‘How would I know?’
They could be a pervert, neglecting her, or they might have other plans. Whatever it was, it wasn’t my concern.
Unlike Elsie, who was destined to die if left alone, Yuseora was walking on a paved road as long as she entered the Hero Academy.
‘Her constellation will take care of it.’
The important thing was that even a basic build Yuseora was sufficiently strong in the environment of a mock battle where holy relics could be used without limit as disposables.
If she encountered the spearmanship student like this, the outcome was already decided.
‘I need to keep her in check.’
Arrows wouldn’t reach at this distance. Even if they did, the accuracy would be significantly reduced. I once again imbued my feet with the Power of Wind and started to close the distance.
As a result of diligently moving between branches, I was able to move within range before Yuseora discovered the mages. I settled down again in a high, shaded area.
I wanted to use the Optical Modulation skill to hide, but apart from the skill’s proficiency, it was impossible with my meager F-rank mana.
‘Still, it’ll be hard to spot me from afar.’
I confirmed that there were no other A-team cadets nearby. Then, there was no one here to check me. If Yuseora was distracted by me, that would be a jackpot.
It was the moment I drew my bow. Something flashed in the corner of my eye. And fortunately, I had something faster than my hands and feet.
‘Power of Wind.’
I used the Power of Wind to deflect the incoming arrow. I narrowly avoided immediate danger and turned my head towards the direction the arrow came from. It was from Team A’s side. I saw another arrow being shot from there.
‘What the…’
It was a place that seemed to be at least twice my range. Naturally, not only the accuracy but also my strength wouldn’t be able to reach that distance. Wilhelm was performing such a long-range snipe as if it were nothing.
‘Is this what it means to be a playable character?’
I used the Power of Wind again to deflect another incoming arrow. The accuracy was also deadly, and if it weren’t for the Power of Wind, it would have been a direct hit to my head.
‘What should I do?’
No matter how versatile the Power of Wind was, it had limitations. With my current proficiency, it was impossible to assist my shooting while simultaneously blocking incoming arrows. If I had to choose one…
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Wilhelm, after confirming his arrow’s trajectory, doubted his eyes.
“What?”
Attacking the mages, who were immune to long-range attacks due to the support magic Magic Shield, was meaningless.
That’s why he decided to check the enemy’s archer. The guy’s archery skills shown in the first class were quite clumsy, but he thought he might be hiding something, as he had passed this year’s unusually fierce entrance exam.
And that judgment was correct. The guy avoided the arrow with an unknown ability. But something was strange. He shot another arrow for confirmation.
“What…!”
He confirmed it. The guy was making his arrows curve without even moving his body.
“Was it Seo Yoo-rang?”
For some reason, the guy, who still seemed relaxed, exuded an unknown strength. He drew his bow again.
“Let’s see what you’ve got.”
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