Episode 11 Placement Test (1)
Perhaps it was because of the ominous aura that Lee Soo-dok had been giving off throughout his explanation, but the entire class moving to the arena had a very intimidating atmosphere.
On the other hand, Go Hyun-woo’s face looked slightly refreshed.
“So this is what Shin Hyung meant by ‘big day’ yesterday. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Yeah, you seem like you like one-on-one combat.”
“It’s always fun to fight against the strong. But how does that placement test work?”
I held up three fingers.
“You compete with three random people and get points equal to the number of wins. 300 points per win.”
“If you get all three wins, you get 900 points?”
“yes.”
“What if we lose or draw? Do we lose points?”
“No loss, just nothing. 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss is 300 points, 0 points, 0 points.”
“Yes, I understand.”
If everyone starts the match with 0 points, only the lower ranked students will get beaten up.
In order to prevent this even a little, a placement test is held on the first day, and 300 points are dropped depending on ability.
The first-year class 3 procession, led by Lee Soo-dok, soon joined the other first-year students and headed to the arena together.
Even though the classes are different, the placement test is administered to all first-year students at the same time.
After walking for a while, a huge dome-shaped building filled my field of vision.
The structure of the arena is similar to that of a modern stadium, with the seats surrounding a central stage where the game takes place.
If I had to point out a difference, it would be the stage.
It is a crystal that culminates all kinds of magical and scientific techniques, and can create any type of terrain imaginable.
Volcanic areas where meteors fall and lava flows, canyons where lightning rains down, and even deep lakes.
There’s nothing special about it right now, just gray tiles laid out in a row.
Above it floats a scoreboard, but now that the placement test has not begun, something else is written instead of scores.
MAP:[Circular Arena]
RULE:[Deathmatch][5 minute limit]
There are two elements that make up a battle: environment and rules.
As you carry out quests as a hero, you will realize that subduing your opponents is not your only goal.
A typical example is an escort mission.
This mission prioritizes protecting the agent over subduing the assassin.
If you have been ignorant and focused only on building up your strength, you will often end up wiping out your enemies with overwhelming force, but the unfortunate event of your escort actually dying will often occur.
In order to prepare students for a variety of environments and situations, the rules of interpersonal combat change frequently.
[Deathmatch], the rule for this placement test, is one of the regular menu items in PvP.
Simple rules that don’t end until one person runs out of stamina, becomes incapacitated, or is declared defeated.
There is also a [5-minute limit] added to it, so if there is no winner or loser after 5 minutes, it ends in a decision win or draw.
The environment is a circular arena.
It is a circular space of an appropriate size for two people to fight.
The large stage in the center is divided into several independent arenas, and two students will enter each arena to engage in a face-to-face battle.
After Lee Soo-dok had the students of Class 3 sit in the audience, he explained the above content.
The teacher from the next class seemed to be giving the same explanation from a little distance away.
“Then let’s begin. Students whose names are called, come to the stadium. Choi Jeong-pil. Park Gyeong-ah.”
One boy and one girl stood up.
As soon as he stepped onto the magic circle in front of the stadium, he disappeared for a moment, then reappeared in one of the many arenas.
The contents of the scoreboard above have changed.
[Choi Jeong-pil 100% vs. Park Kyung-ah 100%]
[5:00 remaining]
Lee Soo-dok nodded, confirming that he was ready.
[3]
[2]
[1]
[Start!]
As soon as the match started, both of them raised their mana without any hesitation.
After wrapping the overflowing mana around his body like armor, he quickly closes the distance and clashes in the center.
– Kwaaang!!
An explosion rang out and the numbers on the scoreboard changed.
[Choi Jeong-pil 89% vs. Park Kyung-ah 92%]
[4:43 remaining]
Lee Soo-dok checked only up to that point and turned his head.
There were still many empty stadiums and many names to call.
“Next. Go Hyun-woo. Hwang Hyuk.”
“Oh! It’s your turn.”
Go Hyun-woo jumped up from his seat with a smile on his face.
He is already feeling his body tremble as he slowly strokes the iron sword on his waist.
“I’ll be back.”
“Okay, do your best.”
While waiting for my turn, I called up the quest I had just arrived at.
[Sub Quest: Placement Test]
▷Goal: Achieve a score above the average on the placement test.
▷1 or more wins in the individual match placement test (0/1)
▷Top 50% or higher in the pre-conquest placement test (Current ranking: N/A)
▷Reward: [Copy-Skill] Slot +1
You just need to win at least one match in a face-to-face match and achieve a mid-level or higher score in a strategy match.
Even if you do it roughly, it’s like eating cold porridge, so to me it was basically just a passing quest.
There is something else that is really important right now.
‘Exploration.’
Just because it’s a placement test doesn’t mean you can do well on your own.
This interpersonal placement test is being held in front of all first-year students.
This means that you can watch other students’ games from start to finish.
Various information collected there.
If you learn about other students’ weapons, skills, tendencies, habits, weaknesses, etc. in advance, you will be able to use them effectively in the interpersonal battles that will take place throughout the semester.
Those who are fidgeting and waiting for their turn are the sewers, while those who are quick-witted already have their eyes fixed on the field.
Because I need to keep my eyes on at least one more battle.
This was a great opportunity for me too.
The first goal is to mark if there is any talent that can be trained to EX level in the future.
And the second goal is to remember students who have good skills or traits to [copy].
In the long run, both are important.
‘He has a good sense. He’s far behind in specs, but he doesn’t get pushed around. It’s worth raising him.’
‘It looks flashy, but it’s actually a piece of equipment.’
‘That’s a rare skill. Let’s check it out first.’
As I was going through each game, my name was called.
“Kim Ho. Hong Yeon-hwa.”
I glanced around and saw that no one else was up besides me.
Hong Yeon-hwa seems to be in a different class.
Somewhere in the audience, someone must be thinking similar thoughts to me.
As I stood on the small teleportation magic circle, my vision changed dramatically in an instant.
We moved inside the circular arena.
Soon, someone was summoned from the magic circle on the other side.
A school girl with red hair.
The short wand is set with a large ruby.
‘It’s a ruby tower.’
A magic tower specializing in fire magic.
Because of its destructive power and spatial control, Ruby Magic Tower was my main pick among S-class heroes that I secretly brought along often.
It felt strange to see a magician from that magic tower appear as my opponent.
A feeling of guilt, as if one were tormenting one’s subordinate’s disciple.
‘Poor thing… … But what can I do? It’s a placement test. I have to win too.’
I just need you to play with my acting for 5 minutes.
* * *
Hong Yeon-hwa is a promising prospect who has Ruby Matap’s expectations all to herself.
Sometimes, there are even talks among the elders of the tower about electing him as the next tower lord.
To make it a reality, we must first conquer this Yongsal Academy.
If she can rise to the top, beating out all the great geniuses like the disciple of the sword master, the daughter of the topaz magic tower, and the second daughter of a famous family, then even if she asks for the position of the magic tower master after graduation, no one will vote against her.
This placement test was her first great step.
however…….
The first man she faced only disappointed her.
Kim Ho? That’s a name I’ve never heard of.
Even if it’s a placement test, if you defeat an opponent with even a little bit of name value, your reputation will go up that much.
Somehow, I feel a sense of urgency.
The weapon he brought out was also poor.
At first glance, it looks like [Earth Staff (E)].
It’s a cheap item that even apprentice wizards ignore.
A staff that amplifies the effects of earth magic or protection magic by a tiny amount, and to her it’s just like a stick of wood.
‘I’m not a wood wizard.’
I’m not on good terms with the Emerald Tower, but I’m familiar with their wizards.
It’s clear that that guy isn’t from the Emerald Tower.
The fact that it is not related to the Emerald Tower means that the possibility of learning earth magic is drastically reduced.
According to the law of elimination, it can be concluded that [Earth Staff (E)] was used for protection or as an aid to utility magic rather than earth magic.
Also, judging by the fact that he uses a long staff, he is likely a so-called artillery-type wizard who sacrifices mobility and focuses on power.
Supporter. Formation-type sorcerer.
then,
‘We will decide the match quickly.’
[Kim Ho 100% vs. Hong Yeon-hwa 100%]
[5:00 remaining]
As both sides took their positions, the scoreboard began to count down.
[3]
[2]
[1]
[Start!]
As soon as the game started, Hong Yeon-hwa stretched her wand forward.
[Combustion]
-pop!
The opponent’s upper body was engulfed in a small explosion of flames.
E-class ignition magic, Combustion.
Although its destructive power is somewhat low, its strength is that its casting time is extremely short.
Even if that shabby-looking support cast a protective spell, she could easily break through it, but she didn’t want the match to drag on.
Because he wanted a clean and overwhelming victory, he didn’t even give his opponent a chance to cast magic.
– Wow, did you see that cast?
– Something was shiny, I think it was alcohol.
– As expected, it’s the Ruby Tower.
The exclamations from the audience can be heard from here.
It was a very natural compliment for Hong Yeon-hwa.
however…….
[Kim Ho 100% vs. Hong Yeon-hwa 100%]
[4:41 remaining]
She checked the scoreboard and doubted her eyes.
I didn’t think it would end here… … 100%?
Are you saying that it didn’t have even a 1% impact?
When I turned my gaze again, Kim Ho was still there, with his arms hanging leisurely.
what?
Is the Staff of the Earth a smokescreen, or is it a defensive artifact?
‘Then how about this?’
Hong Yeon-hwa began casting by drawing up mana.
Create a sphere of mana on top of your staff and fill it with fire magic.
“… … .”
Kim Ho, who had been standing there blankly, moved for the first time.
Slowly tilt the staff diagonally and point the other hand forward.
A movement that seems to scatter the opponent’s magic with one’s hand.
Hong Yeon-hwa frowned at the sight.
Because it was a movement that a wizard could not have been unaware of.
‘Dispel.’
Spell release magic.
But to her common sense, Dispel was a magic that was used secretly so that no one could even sense it.
There is an underlying meaning behind such an overt act of casting.
I’m a beginner so I don’t know how to use Dispel properly.
Or.
I can use it openly to people like you.
‘I’m a little annoyed.’
Although the latter may seem like a bit of a leap, Hong Yeon-hwa still felt very bad.
Contrary to the bubbling emotions inside, he keeps his head cool and focuses on completing the magic.
Anyway, I figured out that you were trying to use Dispel.
In that case, you can just quickly complete the spell and blow it away before Dispel comes in.
“… … .”
Kim Ho still had one hand extended toward himself.
However, it seems that the timing hasn’t been right yet, as the magic doesn’t seem to be interrupted at all.
Even though he maintains a calm expression, he must be burning inside.
Hong Yeon-hwa smiled with a sense of conversion.
‘It’s too late!’
A giant sphere of flame the size of a human body was completed.
Hong Yeon-hwa threw it straight at her opponent.
If you dare to taunt me, I will make you regret it!
[Flame Orb]
– Phew!!
A blazing fireball engulfed Kim Ho.
The fireball exploded again, engulfing the area in flames.
Hong Yeon-hwa felt the heat touching her cheek and raised one corner of her mouth.
‘It’s over.’
If he had been hit by the Flame Orb in a real fight, he would have been completely burned to ashes, but he would not have died because his uniform had a D-class protective magic applied to it, and there were various safety devices in the arena to protect the students.
Of course, it was clear that at least he was incapacitated for combat.
I wonder if this overwhelming blow will break my will and ruin the rest of the placement test.
however…….
[Kim Ho 100% vs. Hong Yeon-hwa 100%]
[3:58 remaining]
“……uh?”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s mouth slowly opened as she checked the scoreboard.
As I hastily turned my gaze straight ahead, Kim Ho’s figure was revealed through the slowly dying flames.
It’s fine.
Just standing in place, no different from before.
As if to say that this level of flames is nothing.
‘Did you really dispel it?’
Otherwise, it would be inexplicable that he is so fine.
Are you saying that you used Dispel at that split second before the magic hit and destroyed the magic?
But was it possible to dispel magic that had already been completed?
What surprised Hong Yeon-hwa the most was that she couldn’t even figure out when the man was using Dispel.
A chill ran down her spine.
‘Oh, that’s right. I guess I let my guard down.’
Hong Yeon-hwa chastised herself for underestimating others based only on their appearance.
That man is also a hero candidate who entered this Yongsal Academy after going through numerous competitions.
There’s no way he’s an easy opponent.
Take a deep breath and grip your cane tightly.
There is every chance that the next spell will be interrupted.
In that case, let’s try to win using a magic circle type spell that is almost unaffected by Dispel.
– Boohoo—
Hong Yeon-hwa raised her mana.
The mana released from the ruby drew a red magic circle at Kim Ho’s feet.
His gaze glanced down and checked the magic circle.
“… … .”
Magic will soon fall on the location where the magic circle appears.
It’s a simple cause-and-effect relationship that anyone can understand.
Therefore, if a magic circle appears under your feet, you should naturally get as far away from it as possible.
Hong Yeon-hwa expected Kim Ho to evade in a hurry, and prepared the next move to capture him.
however….
‘… … Not moving?’
Kim Ho seemed intent on keeping his position.
Instead of avoiding the blow, he slams his staff into the ground.
This means completely abandoning even the little mobility you have.
Considering that it is likely to be a supporter, it seems that the intention is to counter it with strong defensive magic.
“ha ha ha.”
Hong Yeon-hwa was so dumbfounded that she let out a gasp.
There’s no way you wouldn’t know that I’m from Ruby Tower.
Even though I know that it is a fire type magic that is not inferior to any other magic in terms of destructive power,
You dare to confront me head-on with defensive magic?
If so, that’s good.
– Flash!
The ruby embedded in the wand radiated light.
The red magic circle’s diameter has doubled, spells have been added to the empty spaces, and it has taken on a more vivid red color.
On the other hand, Kim Ho is like a stone statue, not moving at all, just waiting for her with his staff stuck in the floor.
To Hong Yeon-hwa, it seemed like she was asking, ‘So when are you going to use magic?’
‘I’ll write it now, even if you don’t rush me like that!’
Then try to stop it!
[Fire Pillar]
– Kwaaaaah!
A pillar of fire rose from the giant magic circle.
The supporters ate it all
