Episode 105. Winter Vacation (1)
The final exam also went smoothly.
Perhaps because Chapter 3 ended so comfortably, I was able to enjoy a very peaceful academy life.
Thanks to that, I was able to take the exam, which I had to take while feeling depressed, with a relaxed mind.
In the main story, the test becomes a mess because Assistant Adela is the only one supervising the test due to Radian’s death.
But thanks to Radian’s survival, nothing went wrong. That was one of the advantages of having Radian alive.
The final practical assessment was to defeat an artificially summoned golem. It was ridiculously strong, but the evaluation was based on how much damage it could inflict.
The identity of the golem is… the artificial golem we know, but there is no need to worry since Mosria has disappeared.
Even though the artificial spirit disappeared, the golem’s magic remained. It was only because Mosria controlled it that the situation occurred. If the proper self controlled it, the same thing would not happen again.
There are still some golems that actually move.
Of course, unlike last time, it is not running rampant on campus and is being used sparingly.
Their main job is to help with administrative work, keep the dormitory clean, or act as a surveillance network like CCTV.
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* Final grades are determined by the amount of damage inflicted on the combat golem, Hard Sentinel.
* The tactic of using terrain to trap enemies also counts as damage, but less than the damage inflicted in combat.
* That’s it! You’ve worked hard for a year. Well, cadets. See you in your second year after the vacation! Bye~
Author – Combat Assistant Adela Merhena. (I’m too tired to do this alone… I should go to sleep now.)
1. (Battle) Lyman Begilius – 100%
2. (Magic and) Mary Ludciel – 99%
3. (Alchemy and) Bayman Dreadnought – 84%
4. (Battle) Jenny Chain Silver – 80%
5. (Combat) Ruska Mad-Eye – 75%
6. (Combat) Radon Crawler – 71%
7. (Combat) Kent Easyst – 68%
7. (Magic and) Crona Delwayer – 68% *tied 7th place
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The final exam’s practical area is a one-on-one fight with a golem. It is a golem that boasts a power that even active players find difficult to deal with.
As you can see from the results, I was able to get into the top ranks. The golem I faced was a sandbag from the training content that was used from season 2, which is when you’re in your second year, so I was pretty familiar with the pattern.
I even had a fraudulent skill that allowed me to detect the golem’s movements.
-Maan Lv2
It was a skill that had changed significantly with just a 1-level upgrade. At first glance, the movements of the golem I was fighting against were clearly visible.
But soon after, he was knocked out by a single punch from the Golem.
Lyman… was nothing special. Just like in the main story, he dodged the attacks here and there and cut off the golem’s neck with one swing of his sword.
`I’m not some one-man.`
Bayman knew all of Golem’s weaknesses as he was a specialist in the field, so it was easy to attack him. The fact that he was unique compared to other alchemists also played a part.
However, due to its weak defense, it was hit by a single magic bullet and was retired.
Jenny and Ruska may seem surprising, but their compatibility can be seen as a factor.
Physically, Ruska is obviously ahead. Although imperfect, she was able to inflict massive damage on the golem by activating her “Divine Transformation”.
Against such a Ruska… the Golem was simply ahead in close combat. Now that Jenny could use ranged attacks in the Silver Age, it was easy for her to inflict damage on the Golem.
`This guy was really cool.`
Mary Rudsiel.
Excluding Lyman, it showed outstanding results and it is safe to say that it almost destroyed the golem.
In fact, the reason she was out was because she was absent-mindedly watching something random. If it weren’t for that carelessness, she would have followed in Lyman’s footsteps and gotten 100%.
It is an overwhelming achievement, not only among the other cadets, but also among the main characters, excluding the protagonist.
No wonder her new professor, Jason Bikel, who will be taking up his post next year, is obsessed with her magic.
‘Jason… I guess we’ll see that rotten human face soon enough.’
Winter break has finally arrived.
A season where beautiful snow falls at the same time as the cold weather arrives. You can see the passing scenery covered in white.
But there was a heavy object running madly against that cold background, emitting black smoke.
It was so long that even a giant snake would run away, and it ran only on iron treads.
But the snow that falls at a speed that cannot be compared to that of a galloping horse melts away the moment it brushes past.
“Wow! That’s so fast!”
Chitchukpokpok- The train speeds along, emitting steam. Mary sticks her face out the window and exclaims in admiration.
Metal trains called magic locomotives became the empire’s new means of transportation.
I was heading home on this train that was put into practical use right after the first-year season ended.
“Mary, stop and move your face away. You’ll freeze.”
“Don’t worry! It’s actually refreshing. Sniff- and super refreshing… sniff!”
“Ugh… Here’s a handkerchief.”
Mary snatched the handkerchief from Jenny’s hand and blew her nose.
Since Mary always acts like she’s going out of her way, the sound of her nose blowing sounds like a bomb exploding.
Jenny apologized on behalf of the people sitting nearby who were startled.
‘I can’t believe I can ride a train in this world.’
The final exam’s practical area is a one-on-one fight with a golem. It is a golem that boasts a power that even active players find difficult to deal with.
Sitting on Mary’s right, I was looking outside the window, closing it. The view outside the closed window was of snow falling.
It’s horrible how much colder it would be if the wind from the fast-moving train was added to that cold. But Mary is a thoughtless girl…
“Not bad. Who would have thought that the day when the magic train would be put into practical use would come sooner than expected?”
Ruska, sitting next to me, looks around the interior and says. While other countries are still preparing the magic train, this Divine Empire is the first to put it into practical use.
If this were Korea, a situation would have been imagined where the entire nation would be shouting out nationalism and making a fuss.
“It’s a shame there’s no in-flight meal.”
“In-flight meal?”
When Jenny questioned what I was mumbling, I explained it to her in simple terms.
“I just wish they sold some food on the train.”
“That would be impossible. Merchants wouldn’t be able to pass through such a narrow space carrying food. And there’s no way to set up a kitchen either.”
As Jenny said, it was too old-fashioned compared to the subways I know. On such a long trip, you need to eat something to make it taste better.
“A kitchen on a train… That’s a pretty cool idea, Radon Crowler. I’ll consider it.”
Crona, sitting next to Jenny, claps his hands and exclaims in admiration. It seems like he is planning to use the power of the commercial district to do something.
When I looked closely, I saw that all the important people I knew were sitting in the same seats.
The destination of the current running train is Silvertown Estate. Even if Mary and Jenny are like that, Ruska would be so out of place that you wonder why she is there.
“But the timing is incredible. A party right when vacation starts.”
“It’s not just a simple party. It’s a grand ceremony of sorts, so many of the most prestigious people in the empire will come.”
It is a party that will be attended by numerous nobles and even royal family members.
The name of the party is Baptism, and it is a ceremony in which the saint herself comes from Kreuz to baptize the nobles.
Speaking of the saint… I don’t need to say who she is. She’s also the reason Ruska rode the same train as us.
“You’re so lucky, Ruska Mad-Eye. Your status is ambiguous, so you weren’t originally allowed to participate…”
“I should thank Angela.”
Ruska took out a letter and a gold badge from her uniform pocket.
The letter contained the younger sister’s advice to her older sister to enjoy herself sometimes, and the badge was a sort of party invitation.
It’s similar to the silver badge I received from Jenny during summer vacation.
“But Ruska, you wouldn’t turn into a beast at the party, would you? There’s a rumor that you caused a ruckus in the forest before the final exam.”
“Don’t worry about that. As long as the moon doesn’t rise, it’s fine.”
The moon wasn’t visible at all because the sky was covered with clouds. It seemed okay because I took the final exam with my mind intact.
“But you and Radon Crowler share a room, don’t you feel like there’s someone watching you?”
Crona glances at Jenny and asks me and Ruska, as if asking if we’ve ever thought about Jenny’s feelings about our cohabitation.
“Of course. Most guys who share a room with other guys end up being teased like that. Of course, the moment I catch them, they’ll break your head and be socially ostracized.”
That’s why no one says anything when Ruska and I share a room.
First, get your head bitten off by Ruska who has turned into a beast… If you want to meet your end by having your academic life ruined by spreading dog-like rumors with the authority of my newspaper club… then say whatever you want.
“Then you guys! Since you live together, you must have done something. I’m sure of it!”
“I didn’t do it.”
“What are you doing?”
Towards the suddenly excited Crona… Ruska and I answered coldly.
“Don’t lie, Radon Crowler. It’s an art to brag about something just so no one can think you’re not a fraud!”
“Well, I said no.”
“Then give me the evidence!”
If there is any evidence… it is that the erosion rate is not decreasing, but there is no way to express this.
“Hey, Crona. Shall I show you what a real lie is?”
“What is it?”
Lies. It’s a simple thing to say, literally twisting the facts.
“You’re like a pig.”
“…!!”
[Erosion rate reduction: -40%]
[+ 4000 Credits]
Crona’s eyes twitched. But he was able to endure it because he knew in advance that it was a lie.
Because we all know what the opposite of piggy is.
but…
“And the temperament is a bit monstrous. If you showed your face in the Taurus lair in the western part of the Empire, you wouldn’t be attacked, but rather treated as a relative.”
“Ugh…!”
[Erosion rate reduction: -30%]
[+ 3000 Credits]
“Plus, your face looks like slime.”
“Slime? Well, that’s cute, so I guess I can overlook it.”
“No, not the low-level slimes, but the dirty slimes that get bigger and sloppy.”
“Kuaaaaak!! Sunred! Kill him!”
Dirty Slime is a monster that is not only dirty, but also disgusting in every way, including its appearance.
[Erosion rate reduction: -60%]
[+ 6000 Credits]
Why else would Crona scream like crazy and summon the Phoenix Spirit?
“How dare you mock Crona! I will burn you beyond recognition!!”
Sunred, who is like her family, also seems very angry.
In response, the black snake hiding in my shadow also jumps out.
『Kuhahaha! What a surprise! It’s been a while since I’ve been able to eat some chicken legs.』
Muto, this guy, only shows up in situations like this to add fuel to the fire.
The passengers next to me are also muttering, asking what that is.
“This is such a disgusting spirit!”
“Haha! If I’m disgusting, you think I’m cute?”
The moment when the battle of the century between the spirits and the lord is about to unfold…
Knock knock knock-
『Kwaaah! You son of a bitch!』
“Be quiet.”
I incapacitated the guy by dropping a raindrop of Man-young on his head.
“Okay, okay, good boy. I’ll hug you.”
“Hahahaha! That guy… looked at me… and said… Heh..!”
“Yeah, I know. So calm down. And you too, the phoenix.”
『Damn! How dare this woman…!』
Jenny hugs Crona and Sunred at the same time. Crona’s face cleared up and he buried his face in Jenny’s chest without any resistance.
It seemed as if he had been waiting for this opportunity, and Sunred also gradually lost strength and became incapacitated.
“Wow~ Good job! Good job!”
Mary was in spectator mode, wondering what was funny about the situation.
“Have fun among yourselves. I’ll wake you up when I get there.”
Ruska sighed and pulled down the seat cover. With the seat now fully stretched out, Ruska closed her eyes.
Although there was no in-flight meal, there was a function to adjust the angle of the chair.
Jenny and Crona also fell asleep while hugging each other. Crona’s sleeping expression turned red and sinister.
It’ll take a few hours to get there… I should go to sleep too.
Mary seemed to close her eyes, but suddenly a fly flew in.
She could have just ignored it and fallen asleep, but Mary saw the fly and waved.
I wondered if they were going to eat me like frogs again…
“Hello, Paris. Where are you from?”
“….”
“Huh? You came from a place that was incredibly hot? And you lost your place to hibernate and got stuck here? Poor thing…”
He placed the fly on his hand and continued talking to it. The fly remained still, with no intention of flying away.
It’s a bit shocking, but Mary is not an ordinary child.
“What? You want to obey me?”
“….”
“Your Majesty? Thank you for the compliment!”
Mary rubs the fly in her hand against her face as if she is hugging a pet.
But the fly had disappeared without a trace, and Mary was left bewildered, unaware of the black stains spreading across her face.
“Where did Paris go?”
* * * * *
A pure white carriage was running through the snow-covered streets.
It looked no different from a regular carriage, except for its sophisticated colors. However, the townspeople were polite or at least made a show of recognizing it even for a moment as it passed by.
“Party. That guy Gerard, his fortune will improve.”
Inside the carriage, a man sat with his elbows on the window frame. He jokingly referred to the Empire’s greatest duke as “the guy.”
A handsome man in a pure white magic suit and with peach-pink hair. He looks to be in his late 20s at most, but he actually lives his life in his late 40s.
Having built up trust among those around him over a long period of time, he is always trusted.
Baektapju, also known as Tailly Ryuudsiel.
“What’s so good about it? Since it’s an event where the two saints will be visiting in person, the preparations must be quite a lot.”
“But this is also the first opportunity for the two of you to be the first among the nobles to open a cave. It’s like the jewels have rolled into your hands.”
The woman sitting on his side speaks freely. Her white hair, as clear as the snow falling outside, makes you think she might be Baektapju, but that’s half true.
Semiya Ludsiel. His wife, and a person with enough skills to take over as the tower master when the tower master is absent.
“Mary, have you arrived at Silvertown by now? I already contacted you.”
“That kid probably only recognized it as going to a friend’s house to play.”
“I hope I don’t do anything that would be rude to the saints.”
As parents, we know better than anyone that our daughters have a few loose screws.
When Semiya was looking at him with a self-deprecating expression, a fly flew in with a buzzing sound and landed on Tailley’s arm.
Hwaruruk-
Tailley’s once cheerful expression turned heavy as the fly began to burn and evaporate. It was impossible to see when the magic had been cast.
“I thought it was quiet for a while…”
There was contempt in Tailley’s eyes. It was difficult to call it a simple insect-averse obsession, but it was a very sensitive emotion that I sensed from him.
“Could it be that it was just a fly that flew in?”
Semiya spoke in a tone that seemed to reassure him, but it lacked credibility.
“With the weather like this… do you think there are bugs that aren’t hibernating and are flying around?”
“… .”
A silence flowed inside the carriage at that strange contradiction.
Feeling bitter, they recalled the incident 30 years ago when they had faced the Demon King in the form of a fly.
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster