Final Exams
Quite some time had passed since the incident caused by Leje's misunderstanding.
And now, finally, the day of the final exams arrived.
"It's enormous…"
Leje's eyes widened at the sight of the vast forest spread out before her, so extensive it couldn't be taken in at a single glance.
A forest of immense size, seemingly larger than the entire County.
Located quite a distance from the Royal Capital, it was called the Labyrinth Forest due to its vastness and the near impossibility of escape once lost within.
"Truly, a forest of immense scale."
[I, I hope we don't get lost…]
"Even if we do lose our way, as long as we have faith in the Goddess, she will guide us."
Kurt, along with the rest of the group, each murmured their brief impressions, gazing at the spectacle before them.
Just then…
"Everyone, gather around!"
A familiar voice called out, drawing the attention of the surrounding students.
Standing there were Fernand and the other first-year professors.
From Class A to Class E, the professors of all five classes whose exams were scheduled for that day were present.
Amidst the palpable tension among the professors, Fernand, looking unusually dapper, exclaimed,
"As previously announced, the final exam will be held here. You will each form teams and earn points by completing the given objectives. These points will be your final exam scores."
Murmurs rippled through the students at his words.
Fernand, observing the scene, lightly tapped the podium with the scabbard at his hip.
"Silence! Before we begin the exam, I'll explain a few precautions! Assistants! Distribute the notebooks!"
Simultaneously, the assistant professors walked among the students, handing out small notebooks.
The notebooks were worn, showing signs of long use.
"These contain a brief overview of the exam, the rules, and precautions!"
As the students' gazes fell upon the notebooks, Fernand continued,
"First, coins, the objective of this exam, are scattered throughout the forest! Your goal is to collect as many coins as possible."
"Hmm…"
So far, it's the same as the original.
Thinking so, Rudell focused on the following words.
"Of course, collecting coins won't be easy! Monsters, traps, and various obstacles are placed within the forest."
As previously announced, there were various monsters, ranging from low-level ones like goblins to dangerous creatures such as ogres, giant wolves, and manticores.
"As written in the notebooks, the strength of the monsters increases the deeper you go into the forest. However, more coins are hidden deeper within, so if you can break through, you can collect coins more easily."
"Indeed. Great risk, great reward."
Leje nodded in understanding.
High risk, high return. There was no simpler or clearer rule.
"Of course, that's not the only way to collect coins. By solving riddles and puzzles hidden throughout the forest, you can also find ways to treasure chests!"
Sighs of relief escaped some of the students.
As the exam was designed to assess not only individual abilities but also the diverse skills of the students, such measures were only natural.
"Also, stealing coins between teams is permitted! However! There's a limit to the number of coins that can be stolen at once, and stealing is only allowed once per day!"
"As expected…"
In other words, this exam meant that teams could cooperate, but simultaneously, they were all competitors.
A survival game with no friends and no enemies.
That was the essence of the Pilsberg Academy first-year final exam.
"The exam period is a total of four days! Each team will be assigned an assistant teacher. Unless there's a dangerous situation, the teachers will remain hidden and only observe! Any questions?"
"What happens if there's an injury?"
"Let me be clear, this exam is a survival test. Unless it's a life-threatening situation, you'll have to resolve such issues yourselves!"
"What's the maximum number of members allowed per team?"
"Five! No more than that!"
The brief Q&A session ended.
"Since no one seems to have any more questions, I'll end it here."
Fernand turned to the students, and silence fell among them.
After carefully observing the students, Fernand slowly took a breath.
"Then, may you all utilize your abilities to the fullest and achieve good results."
With those words, he signaled the start of the exam.
* * *
A few dozen minutes had passed since the exam began.
[Kieeek—!!]
[Kyarr!! Kyarr!!]
Rudell and his companions, walking through the forest, were greeted by the epitome of the weakest monsters:
A horde of goblins.
Needless to say, a battle ensued…
"Leje! That way!"
"I know!"
Leje shouted in response to Rudell's call, swinging her sword.
The blue-tinged blade carved a clean arc through the air, bisecting three goblins charging at her horizontally.
With a splattering sound, the severed bodies fell to the ground…
"Fireball."
[Keeeeeek—!!]
[Kyaaaaak!!]
The fireball Rudell launched exploded, incinerating the goblins caught in the blast.
[Kigik!! Kik!!]
[Kiee!!]
Of course, as goblins were synonymous with numbers, some dodged Rudell and Leje's attacks and rushed towards Silfier and Elleanor at the rear.
"…"
But Kurt was there.
Wordlessly drawing a pair of hand axes from his hip, Kurt swung at the approaching goblins.
Thwack!
[Kek!?]
[Kieek!!]
A hand axe embedded itself in a goblin's head, spraying blood in all directions.
Though blood splattered Kurt's face, he remained unfazed, hacking down the approaching goblins.
He was the very image of a Nord warrior.
[Hiiiik…!!?]
"Goddess… Please have mercy on these dark souls untouched by your grace and take them in…"
Silfier, witnessing the scene, recoiled in horror, while Elleanor, with her hands clasped together, calmly offered a prayer to the Gaia Goddess.
Soon, the goblin horde that had attacked them was eliminated, and Rudell and his companions began to search the area, collecting spoils.
"Found a coin."
"There's one here too."
"I found one as well."
Rudell retrieved the coins from the goblins' pouches and placed them in his own.
They had obtained three coins from this battle.
Not a bad start.
"Isn't this too easy? At this rate, we won't even need to go deep into the forest."
"No, the monsters on the outskirts will be wiped out eventually."
Low-level monsters like goblins were only about as strong as armed children.
They were nothing more than fodder to students with proper weapons and training.
As such, the low-level monsters on the outskirts of the forest would naturally be eliminated over time.
"So, what do we do now?"
"We head deeper into the forest."
By then, the competition would naturally shift towards defeating the more dangerous monsters within the forest.
To gain an advantageous position, it was best to head deeper into the forest as quickly as possible.
'The Cult members will be moving too…'
Above all, they needed to head deeper to find the Cult forces lurking in the depths of the forest.
"Hmm…"
As Rudell pondered their next move,
"Rudell."
"Huh? What?"
Rudell turned his head at Kurt's sudden call.
He saw Kurt cautiously scanning their surroundings.
"Is it what I think it is?"
"Seems like it."
Sensing something, Rudell questioned, and Kurt nodded.
Focusing mana into his eyes, Rudell could see faint auras in the nearby bushes and treetops.
"Figures this would happen…"
Rudell sighed briefly.
In terms of combat power alone, no team could match Rudell's party.
This meant that Rudell's party was a strong contender for the top ranks.
Therefore, it was natural for them to attract the attention and scrutiny of other teams.
Dealing with the Cult was already enough of a headache, now they had to worry about other teams as well.
Feeling a throbbing headache coming on, Rudell spoke,
"We have watchers over there, there, and there. They don't seem like they'll attack immediately, so let's leave them be for now."
"Alright."
There was no point in fighting now; it would only be troublesome for them.
Since the other teams didn't seem to have any intention of attacking first, there was no need to stir things up.
"Alright! Let's move! We need to get deeper into the forest before nightfall!"
Rudell declared, taking the lead, and his companions followed him deeper into the forest.
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