Episode 6. Thank you~ Hogang (1)
On the day of the practical exam.
First-year students from each department gathered in the gymnasium.
In the future, three subjects – magic, combat, and alchemy – will take exams at the same time.
The method of evaluating one’s skills through sparring with one another applies to magic and combat. The method of testing one’s own magical tools and reagents applies to alchemy.
The exam takes place in a subspace created by professors, who implement a field appropriate for the exam.
However, the number of people who can enter is limited. While one department is taking the exam, other departments must wait on the second floor.
During this time, you can watch and see how each department takes the exam.
“Then, from now on, we will conduct the practical exam for the first year students this month.”
The professor standing on the podium had a loud and majestic voice.
First year combat specialist, ‘Radian Bersern’. All the cadets held their breath at his voice that suited his heavy weight class.
He is not the highest rank. He was just put on the podium because he was suited to controlling many cadets.
In fact, the cadets who had been chatting with him shut their mouths when they made eye contact with him.
“From now on, anyone who starts talking will not only get the lowest grade, but they will also be left behind until the end and undergo hellish training. This will not even apply to alchemy. Do you understand?”
“yes!”
“Why is your voice smaller than mine? Do you understand?”
“Yeaaah!!”
Is it just my imagination that I’m suddenly thinking about the school trip? I couldn’t help but chuckle.
However, he is on a different level from the assistants back then. Apart from just receiving education, Radian is a combat professional who has been through numerous wars.
It is only because he has the build and fierce appearance of a veteran soldier that the silence that we see now can be felt.
If a professor with a grumpy appearance came out and said something like that, would you really listen to him?
Just like the words ‘Stop!’ only carry weight when said by a powerful person.
Radian’s voice spread again.
“Since it is a test that is held once a month, it is not as influential as the midterm or final exams. However, it is not insignificant in terms of influence. It can cause a change at any time.”
Class changes due to performance results. The class size was small, but most cadets were prepared for this day.
“Of course! It’s not like we just look at the test results and change them ignorantly. It’s just a result of students who left an explosive impression. They either show unexpected growth or… …”
“… .”
“Showing an extremely weak and feeble appearance.”
At the end, some of the cadets swallowed dry saliva at Radian’s low voice.
“I hope you don’t fall into the latter category. I don’t think there’s a single student among you who wants to fail.”
At least I had no intention of going up to a higher class, but I could never go down to a lower class.
The news was relayed to his parents’ house, and he was unable to rest properly during the vacation.
Most people take any test they can to prevent that.
“And I took a walk around town over the weekend to see how you guys train. The intensity of the C class’s training was quite rigorous.”
As he said that, Radian looked over the cadets. Silence fell among the cadets who realized what message it was.
The competitor you must be most careful of is the one below you. There is nothing more humiliating than showing an opening to a subordinate and being overtaken.
A subordinate with such a purpose is always bloodshot. Therefore, it is foolish to look down on someone who is inferior to you.
“Anyway, that’s what happened. I hope you’ll work hard on your exams as usual. That’s all!”
Finally, after Rydan’s speech, the real test began.
The first to take the test was the alchemy department. While they were finishing, the rest of the departments waited on the second floor. There, a translucent glass designed to show the test scene was displayed.
The test of alchemy is a test to see what you can create with your chemistry. Combining and disassembling objects, or even creating small reagents or magical tools on the spot, are highly evaluated.
It was around the time when the exchange of glances between cadets trying to kill that boring time began to appear naturally.
“That con artist. Where is he?”
Two cadets were wandering around, looking for someone. With their arrogant expressions and rough demeanors, they looked like neighborhood thugs. They shouted at Class C.
“Hey Class C! Has anyone among you seen Radon?”
A boy with some muscle on his shoulders, said Breed. He was a combat officer.
“If you saw it, blow it quickly! If you don’t do this, I’ll target you first during the test.”
Ludicul, a cadet with a slightly thin physique, was blatantly threatening. He belonged to the magic department.
Since the two belonged to Class B, they could look down on the cadets of Class C. Among them, they particularly targeted the combat department.
They were bad students who trampled on a student named Radon. They claim that there is no problem because they are fans of a conman, but in the end, it is just violence. It is nothing more than a sophistry that justifies sadistic desires.
“Where is the radon!”
“Why are you looking for that conman?”
Some of the C class students who couldn’t stand to watch stopped them. It seemed presumptuous of them to be questioning them as a C class student, but there was nothing they could do since they didn’t know the details.
“Bride explained, holding back her anger.
“That guy promised to prepare our wooden sword and staff. But where did he hide? I can’t see him no matter how much I look at him.”
“You didn’t jump, did you?”
You must bring your own weapons to be used in the test.
Only non-lethal weapons, such as wooden swords or practice swords, may be brought in.
Originally, he had a bridle and a ludicral, but they broke due to excessive use during training.
I wanted to borrow it from the academy, but I couldn’t.
Until recently, it was possible, but when it came time to return it, it was usually returned in perfect condition. No matter how many times I warned them, it was no use.
It is the same for everyone to use things carelessly, even if they are not theirs.
“You guys… …you’re not prepared?”
“Then what should I do! I’ve run out of money to buy a wooden sword and a staff.”
The two were busy having a blast whenever they got their living expenses. There was no way they would have been wise enough to anticipate that their practice weapons would break.
All they know how to do when cornered is trample on and shuttle around the seemingly easy guys.
“Where’s the radon!”
“Where are you?”
“Wow!”
The thing they were looking for so badly… I whispered behind their backs.
Breed and Ludicul were startled and excited by my surprise appearance.
“Did you miss me that much?”
I said, laughing at the guys’ foolishness.
“I thought he was going to die. What kind of safety is this kid… …!”
“Why are you suddenly angry? I came out because you told me to. It took some time though.”
“Ha… … This kid has gone crazy.”
Breed and Ludical looked dumbfounded.
I had a strong urge to punch him in the face for his cocky behavior, but that was put on the back burner.
Because the item I asked for via shuttle was more important.
“Okay. What about our practice weapons? Do you know what happens if you don’t bring them?”
“Tsk, don’t worry about it.”
I clicked my tongue and threw the wooden sword and staff I had on my back at them.
“It’s old.”
Dalgrak-
The remaining two objects the guys failed to catch were thrown to the floor.
“How dare you… … !”
“Why are you looking like that? Don’t you want to receive it?”
Eat it like a dog… … My attitude of being like that can’t be pleasant. However, no matter what the form, I handed over the weapon to be used in the test as requested. That’s all.
Of course, I also expected that the guys’ pride would be scratched.
“What happened to you over the weekend? Your nose went up in the sky while I wasn’t looking?”
“Really. If you had listened to my demands, I could have just quietly disappeared. Why are you so impatient and unable to catch me?”
“this!!”
The bride, whose rationality had been cut off, raised her fist. What could a con artist believe in and talk back with her shoulders straight? It seemed necessary to impress fear as an example before the test.
“Stop.”
A slender hand suddenly appeared and grabbed Breed’s fist.
“Jenny… Chain Silver?”
The audience was astonished at the presence of this thing that was like an ice age.
“Stop.”
Breed and Ludical were taken aback by the sudden appearance of a cadet from Class A.
Jenny’s hands were incredibly cold. It felt like everything from her fist to her shoulder was frozen.
“You… what are you meddling in? Are you going to protect this guy right now?”
“So, you’re not going to stop?”
Just meeting her eyes made the strength drain from Breed’s hands. To avoid losing face any further, Breed hurriedly withdrew his fist.
Observing the situation, I thought:
‘Yes. That’s the correct way to use ‘stop’.’
As expected, when the strong shout, the effect is real. Jenny, who took control of the situation, looked straight at the guys and said.
“Don’t get me wrong. You’re not the only ones who have a grudge against this guy. If you guys get the first one, it’ll be really frustrating.”
“… .”
“If you really want to beat him up, go ahead and do it during the test. Of course….”
This time he turned his gaze to me and said:
“You won’t have any room to come forward.”
It was a look in his eyes that said he was targeting me too.
* * * * *
Finally, the alchemy test was over and the magic test began. Finally, there was something exciting to see, and the students watched with excitement.
The test was a kind of group competition. Rankings were determined by how long one survived in a randomly designated field.
If the badge you are wearing before entering falls off your body, you are out. It’s a pretty simple setup.
‘You’re still watching this way.’
There were quite a few glances passing over me because of what had happened a little while ago.
Who wouldn’t be interested if Jenny, a senior cadet, took a picture of me? She was also secretly casting a sidelong glance at me.
‘You still resent me, right?’
Of course, that’s true. Right now, I’m the one who caused Jenny’s precious belongings to be lost.
There is no guarantee that you can just say that you saved someone from drowning and carried them to the infirmary.
I was the one who missed it in the first place. I even broke his ribs.
“… . Lyman… … ?”
The main character of this game, Lyman Begilius, also glared at me. I should never get involved with that monster. Especially not at this point.
He is extremely friendly to those he is close to, but he is cold to everyone else. He can’t possibly look upon me favorably since I have upset his friend Jenny.
‘Let’s ignore it.’
I turned my head with great effort and focused my gaze on the glass wall that reflected the test status. Even though it was a magic test, it was related to combat, so I needed to keep it in mind.
And one more thing… …
<'Liar's Curse' Erosion Rate: 44/100%>
‘Hehehe. Something fun will happen soon.’
I slowly raised the corners of my mouth at what was about to happen.
* * * * *
“These are persistent!”
A vast meadow was chosen as the test background. Ludical was being chased by the C class cadets.
I barely managed to defend myself from the fireballs and magic missiles they shot at me. I need to survive as long as possible and get good grades.
However, Class C postponed their competition with each other and formed a temporary alliance among themselves. Although they agreed that, as the weak, they had to stick together to increase their survival rate.
“Why am I the first one!”
Even though it was Class B, there was no way to defeat them all. Now that it was like this, we had no choice but to aim for defeating them individually.
The C class guys are recklessly firing off magic. Since they don’t know how to aim properly, their accuracy is poor.
On the other hand, Ludicul was able to go beyond just aiming and aim precisely at the pinpoint.
“You sloppy guys. I’ll show you what the difference in skill is.”
A fireball was created from Ludic’s staff. The sphere of flame that had been swelling up suddenly contracted.
If you reduce the size, the power will decrease, but the speed will increase. At least you will be able to drop the badge on your chest.
“One by one with this… … .”
phut!-
Something went off. The fireball that was created didn’t explode on its own.
And then my hands suddenly felt empty.
“uh?”
The staff I received from Radon in the shuttle… … had been destroyed on its own.
“This fucking XX… … .”
It was after he was hit with a barrage of magic missiles from Class C students that he realized he had been scammed.
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster
