Chapter 93: The Hunt (1)

Evelina didn’t stay for long, to my disappointment.

She wasn’t lying when she said she just came to check up on me.

Apparently, she had interviews already scheduled and planned the day before the examination even began, all to be taken after she finished the academic part of the examination.

She wasn’t the only one; Marcellus and Lillian had their own interviews once they finished.

With all the reporters currently waiting just outside the academy gates like vultures, ready to be the first to gather information about this month’s current exam. It didn’t help that the current academy batch was rumoured to be the best in the academy’s entire history.

Of course, I couldn’t come with her, too many questions, too many rumours.

And it was clear she still wanted to hide my value from the public perception.

“You and Lady D’Arclight are really close, huh?”

Kevin said cheerfully.

I’m even surprised he’s still that easygoing. I expected him to be bored after a few minutes of just watching students fail and pass.

Unlike me, I don’t even think he has experience of just waiting in one place for hours just to observe targets.

Certainly didn’t fit his character.

“Are you paying attention?”

“Yes! I’m keeping a mental note of each student’s weakness.”

Kevin observed their body, their face, even their magic, literally everything he could see.

I could see his inexperience in how he tried to gather information, but he made up for it with the sheer amount he tried to cram into his brain.

He was a perfect student in my opinion, following instructions without a complaint in the world.

I could even say I’m proud, probably…

*** Hours Passed

I didn’t even know how long we were just standing for. If I had to give an estimate, there were at least ten batches of students that came and went while we waited.

Even the faculty itself was questioning what we were doing midway.

But a truthful answer was enough to stop them from questioning us.

[Ding!]

[All students, head to your assigned spots. Those with a team may decide which assigned spot from their members they will choose to gather.]

“It’s time.”

I push myself off the wall, waking up Kevin, who had finally dozed off from the boring precaution.

It was finally time for what everyone was waiting for.

The practical exam.

And this one was going to be more brutal than the one from the entrance examination.

Kevin jolted awake the moment I moved, blinking a few times like he forgot where he was.

“Oh—already?” he asked, rubbing his eyes. “I was still tracking that light mage with the bad left knee.”

“You fell asleep halfway through,” I said. “Guess you aren’t cut out for this kind of thing.”

“It’s just… tactical rest, is all,” he corrected weakly.

We followed the flow of students out of the hall, the atmosphere shifting almost immediately. The noise was different now, not panicked like the academic exams, not quiet either. It buzzed with anticipation. Excitement. Fear that people were pretending wasn’t there.

Outside, the academy grounds had been completely rearranged.

Large sections were cordoned off by towering magic barriers, translucent walls humming with power. Floating platforms hovered above certain zones, clearly meant for faculty and observers. There were even medical tents already set up along the perimeter.

Yeah. They were expecting casualties.

Or at least injuries.

Students were being grouped quickly, proctors shouting names and directing traffic with practised efficiency. Some people immediately gravitated toward each other, relief written all over their faces. Others stood alone, scanning the crowd like predators or prey.

Some chose to stay solo, others abandoning friends for stronger teammates, while some just stayed with people they were comfortable with.

Kevin stuck close to me without being told.

“I know I don’t need to say this,” I said quietly. “But just in case. No heroics, no unnecessary risks, information first, action second.”

He nodded instantly. “Got it.”

We reached our assigned area, a wide clearing near the edge of one of the barriers. The terrain beyond it looked… unpleasant. Broken ground, artificial ruins and uneven elevation.

Basically just a modified version of the academy’s west wing.

If I could describe it in familiar terms, it would be our spawn point for a game.

A proctor floated down onto a platform above us, voice carrying effortlessly.

“The practical examination will consist of a simulated Hunt. As for your targets…” The proctor pointed to a professor who was sitting on the edge of a building’s roof.

“Professors, or in other words, people you can’t take on face-to-face.”

A pause.

“Failure conditions include incapacitation, loss of consciousness, or forced extraction by faculty.”

That last part barely elicited any reaction from anyone, but the first one certainly did.

The proctor wasn’t just pointing at some random professor after all, it was Corvus, and if he’s here…

Then that means other beasts would be present.

“You are not required to eliminate other students,” the proctor continued. “However, cooperation is not guaranteed. Act accordingly.”

In other words, do whatever works to gain the highest score and survive.

The barrier flared brighter.

“You will be released in groups. Once inside, the Hunt begins. You may switch teams midway; it all depends on you.”

I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders once.

This was the part I remembered clearly from the novel.

The part where power finally started to mean something, where everyone could finally show off and use all their training.

Kevin glanced at me, eyes sharp now, all traces of drowsiness gone. “So… I’m guessing you’re gunning for Professor Corvus?”

I smiled faintly.

“Nice observation,” I confirmed. “Are you up for it?”

“I-Isn’t that risky!?”

It looked like even Kevin had lines he didn’t want to cross; I couldn’t blame him. Corvus was a literal powerhouse of a dark mage.

“This is why we don’t go in rushing; we’ll find a good chance to strike.”

“I-If you say so…”

[Batch Number 21, head to the field!]

“That’s us!” I smiled widely.

It’s finally time for the fun to begin.

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