Chapter 151: Final Exam (3)

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Understanding of Combat.

Instructor Frahan observed the screen floating in midair with an intrigued expression.

The final exam’s practical footage was being broadcast in real-time from the testing grounds, and he was brimming with curiosity about which cadet team would win.

“Instructor Frahan, which team do you think will win?”

“Hmm.”

In response to the other instructor’s question, he stroked his chin and stared closely at the screen.

“The teams were balanced as evenly as possible according to each cadet’s scores up to this point. So, I’d say the team with the better strategy will probably win.”

Due to the large number of participants, the Understanding of Combat exam was divided into two sessions.

Currently, 220 cadets had been deployed to the testing field, organized into 22 teams with 10 members each.

As announced beforehand, the exam was conducted in the format of a siege warfare match.

Each of the 22 teams was assigned a base, and they could earn points by either defending their base while defeating opposing cadets or capturing the symbol of the enemy base.

“Well, the team most likely to win is……”

Instructor Frahan trailed off and shifted his gaze.

The team with the highest chances of winning naturally had the top-ranking cadets.

Nerian, Laysis, Louis, Yuria, and others…

The gap in ability between cadets was significant, so a single strong leader was enough to allow one team to easily crush the others.

–Kugh!

Indeed, not long after the exam had begun, the team led by Nerian was rampaging forward, toppling enemy cadets with overwhelming force.

Their momentum was enough to sweep all the points, prompting the other teams to quickly distance themselves and avoid confrontation.

“Well, even if a team gets knocked out once, they’ll have plenty of chances to recover. That’s how the system works.”

Retired cadets were summoned back to the central examiner.

If they wished, they could reenter and continue the exam.

Since the exam lasted for three days, proceeding without being retired even once was theoretically difficult.

Tadadadat!

The outer edge of the testing ground.

Carl hid his body in the bushes, waiting for the storm to pass.

After confirming that the presence ahead had disappeared, he reported in a low voice.

“Nerian’s party has passed. It looks like they’re continuing to move forward, so it’s unlikely they’ll return this way.”

At those words, the other cadets who had been lying flat behind him slowly rose to their feet.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief as they brushed off the grass and leaves clinging to their heads.

“If we get swept away by Nerian’s party at the start of the exam, there’s no chance of making it to the top ranks. They said the teams were balanced, but how is that fair?”

“Right? That team’s a disaster, seriously.”

Carl gave a bitter smile as he looked toward the spot where Nerian had disappeared.

Nerian’s party followed an extremely aggressive strategy.

Centered around Nerian, the team was made up of physically dominant cadets with decent skills, making it difficult to win against them in a frontal clash.

“With theory scores added in, the team balance turned out bizarre.”

“This side might actually be the most balanced team we’ve got.”

Carl nodded as he glanced around at his party members.

With 22 teams in total, each team had one top-tier cadet.

Carl’s team included Yuria, a mage, along with Carl himself, who had high grades, and the remaining members were composed of mid- to low-ranking cadets, totaling ten.

Aside from Yuria, the rest were in different classes, so Carl had never spoken with them before.

“What should our strategy be?”

“Hm.”

In response to someone’s question, Yuria crossed her arms and fell into thought.

“They call it a siege match, but it’s basically an elimination battle. It’s not about holding space—it’s about holding this symbol.”

A pink sphere floated up from her outstretched hand.

This sphere was the team’s core; if someone stole it and held it for a set amount of time, the enemy team’s base was considered captured.

Capturing the enemy’s symbol was the most rewarding way to earn points, which was exactly why Nerian’s team was aggressively engaging anyone they encountered.

“I’m not bad at fighting, you know? So as long as we avoid Nerian, Louis, and Laysis’ teams, I think we’ve got a shot.”

“Then we need to assign positions.”

Carl looked at his group and began organizing the formation.

“Let’s have three in the vanguard, three in the middle, and three in the rear. The rear team’s job is to protect Yuria, who holds the symbol. Even if you get retired, you’ll come back at the central examiner, so protecting Yuria is the top priority to avoid losing points.”

“Three in each makes nine. What about the last person?”

“I’ll take the role of scout. At the same time, I’ll move around the rear to ambush enemies and draw their attention.”

“Hm.”

At Carl’s explanation, the cadets nodded with uncertain expressions.

Since each party had the same number of members, they were unsure if one person could fill the gap alone.

Still, since Yuria and Carl ranked much higher than them, they silently decided to follow their lead.

‘…That’s an obvious thought.’

Yuria snorted quietly to herself as she looked at the other team members.

It was their first time working together, and she didn’t know their skill levels yet, so it was hard to expect much.

In short, Carl was the only one in this party who could match her.

‘Lucky me.’

Yuria secretly clenched her fist.

As a mage, her role heavily relied on having a solid vanguard.

If she had teamed up with other cadets, things would have been complicated, but being on the same team as Carl was extremely reassuring.

She didn’t even need to take initiative—he would take care of everything.

All she had to do was cast magic from behind and use the openings Carl created to strike down enemies and earn points.

“Alright then, let’s move. I’ll send signals, so everyone stay alert.”

Carl lightly pushed off the ground and climbed up a tree.

The cadets, who had been nodding in admiration at his elegant movements, spoke with impressed expressions.

“Wow, he moves so lightly.”

“Is he the son of a hunter?”

“Idiot. He’s a noble. He’s the third son of the Leipzig family. He’s probably used to forests like these since they’re from the frontier region.”

They were deep in a forest dense with foliage.

The terrain was so complex that losing one’s way during the exam wasn’t out of the question, and without Carl’s guidance, it would’ve been impossible to navigate.

“Miss Yuria, we’ll protect you no matter what.”

“That’s right. If you’re in danger, please hide behind me right away.”

In the meantime, the cadets assigned to the rear pounded their chests and spoke up.

Since they usually didn’t get a chance to talk to her, they were hoping to make a good impression.

“…Thanks, everyone.”

Yuria smiled softly and expressed her gratitude, all while suppressing the urge to tell them to get lost.

‘I’ve really mellowed out.’

Yuria intensely hated these kinds of insincere remarks.

And for them to act this way during an exam of all times?

Were these people even taking it seriously?

Chik.

–A party has been spotted up ahead.

“Let’s go.”

At Yuria’s words, everyone nodded and began to move.

They couldn’t stay trembling in hiding forever.

To earn points and get good grades in the exam, they too needed to defeat the opposing cadet teams.

Swish.

Soon, they reached the location Carl had designated and discovered other cadets cautiously making their way down a forest path.

‘Good pick.’

Assessing the cadets’ level with a glance, Yuria spoke to her party through the Archive’s communication.

“I’ll start with the first strike. Attack immediately after.”

Everyone nodded.

Yuria quickly formed a spell with her hands and, without hesitation, hurled a bright yellow lightning bolt onto the other party.

Rumble—!

The earth twisted and debris scattered as the powerful shockwave shook the surroundings.

Since an illusion field had already been deployed in this area, there was no danger of injury or death.

That’s why Yuria was able to unleash her magic without restraint.

“Kraaagh!”

“Eek!”

“…Guh!”

The vanguard cadets, who had been advancing while maintaining their guard, were caught in the blast and rolled across the ground.

The damage must have been severe, as they couldn’t even support themselves, and the cadets who had been waiting rushed forward and swung their swords.

Slash—!

They had some prior combat experience, so there was no hesitation in their strikes.

Even as the enemy cadets looked up at them with terrified eyes, they did not back down and swung their swords forcefully, severing their opponents’ necks.

The cadets who were retired collapsed on the ground and were transported to the central examiner.

“…Phew.”

Once they had defeated the entire opposing team, the cadets wiped the sweat from their brows and lifted their heads.

Fortunately, they had maintained full strength without suffering a single casualty.

Carl rummaged through the area where the cadets had fallen and picked up a bright red orb from the ground.

“So this is it.”

“Looks like the cadet holding the symbol has to be the one carrying it for the capture to count.”

“Oh, I’ll give it to—”

“It’s fine. Carl, you hold onto it.”

Whoosh.

Yuria tossed her pink symbol over to Carl.

As Carl caught it, the red glow of the symbol turned the same pink color as theirs.

“…So that’s how it works.”

“Is it alright for me to hold onto it?”

“It’s safest with you. The other teams will assume I’m the one holding it and attack me. But if something happens, you can get away on your own, right?”

“Hm.”

Carl scratched his cheek with an awkward expression.

He had planned to be retired alongside the others if the party was wiped out.

It seemed they were placing great expectations on him.

“Understood. I’ll hold onto them.”

Nodding, Carl tucked both symbols into his chest.

And just as he lifted his head to go scout the area again…

Swish!

Several cadets dropped down from the trees, surrounding them.

“…Damn!”

Realizing the ambush too late, the cadets quickly formed a circle around Yuria and set up a formation.

“….”

Yuria hastily raised her staff, but then her eyes widened as she recognized a familiar face.

“Laysis? Maximilian? You two ended up on the same team?”

“Huh? Yuria? And there’s… Carl, too.”

“Carl?”

Laysis and Maximilian, who had been preparing to strike, froze in place.

While the other cadets in their party licked their lips like predators spotting prime prey, the two who knew Carl’s strength bit their lips and exchanged glances.

‘What should we do?’

‘It’s not like I have a clear answer either…’

They thought they had set a trap, but had they walked into one instead?

Laysis felt a cold sweat run down her back as she gulped.

“Calm down, Carl. We don’t want to fight you. We’ll withdraw peacefully, so won’t you let us go?”

“Hm.”

Carl looked down at the sword in his hand.

He hadn’t planned to show off his strength, but now that his disciples had come to him, perhaps it was fine to reveal a little.

So he lifted his head and smiled gently.

“I’ll decide based on what Laysis does next.”

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