Chapter 9: Entrance Exam (3)

“……This is difficult. We need to formulate a strategy ourselves.”

Only the two of them remained, and Laysis looked awkward.

“I will take the lead ….”

“I brought last year’s expected terrain maps. Using these ….”

“From what I heard, the most important thing is to complete the assigned task. Therefore ….”

The other parties were already engaged in passionate debates preparing for the practical exam.

But this party seemed to have scattered, perhaps because they were overconfident in their own abilities.

‘It’s fortunate at least that Laysis stayed behind.’

Carl gave a bitter smile as he glanced at her.

“For now, shall we at least discuss among ourselves?”

“That sounds good.”

Laysis lightly clapped her hands and nodded.

“The party consists of two swordsmen, one magic swordsman, and one mage, correct?”

“In that case, I think pairing swordsman‑magic swordsman up front and swordsman‑mage in the rear would be best.”

That way, they could compensate for each other’s shortcomings.

“The placement…”

Objectively speaking, it would have been proper for Carl, who was lower in skill, to take rear guard alongside the mage.

But if they did that, Yuria would surely make a fuss.

“I’ll stand with Miss Yuria. Carl-kun, please take the vanguard with Nerian‑kun.”

“Carl is fine with that.”

“Then Carl‑kun.”

Laysis called Carl’s name and chuckled softly.

“It’s the first time I’ve called a man so casually. It feels refreshing and fun. Well then, I look forward to working with you.”

“I also look forward to working with you.”

Carl offered a faint smile.

Still, he was relieved that, unlike the others, she was cooperative.

‘They’re more troublesome than I expected.’

Nerian and Yuria seemed to have more annoying personalities than what had been described in the report.

Assassinating them outright would have been far less difficult.

But even for the Greatest Assassin of the Central Plains, blending in safely between adolescent boys and girls apparently wasn’t easy.

“Okay, everyone, pay attention!”

After waiting a bit, the proctor announced that the practical exam would begin soon.

The cadets, who had been resting while formulating their strategies, prepared to move, and Nerian and Yuria returned to the party from elsewhere.

“While the two were away, I discussed party setup with Carl-kun. Miss Yuria and I will take the rear; Nerian‑kun and Carl-kun will take the vanguard. Is that okay with both of you?”

“It’s fine. Just don’t slow us down.”

“I don’t care either. …What did you say?”

Carlos, Carl.

Yuria’s eyes narrowed fiercely at the relaxed familiarity in how he was being addressed.

At that, Laysis stepped a bit closer beside Carl teasingly and smiled softly.

“While Miss Yuria was away, I talked quite a bit with Carl-kun. I suppose you could say he’s the first friend I’ve made since entering the academy.”

“…You.”

Unlike Nerian’s expression of indifference, Yuria’s furious glare returned toward Carl.

It seemed to produce an unintended effect, but honestly, it didn’t matter.

After all, from the low point of affinities, going lower still meant hitting rock bottom anyway.

‘That might be for the better.’

If she formed that impression, at least she wouldn’t forget him.

As these exchanges unfolded, the practical exam proceeded.

Each party was led in turn into the underground maze, and before long it was their party’s turn.

“You may enter through here.”

It was an antiquated facility that exuded age.

Nerian led the way and stepped forward slowly, and they felt the ambient magical energy ripple, indicating they had entered within a mystical barrier.

Soon, the scene before their eyes was …

“…a swamp area.”

Nerian frowned.

It was the sticky swamp environment usually seen only in the southern regions.

It was humid and hot, with the stench of rot and an unpleasant sensation creeping up from their toes.

“Tch.”

Yuria clicked her tongue, raised her hands, and began weaving a spell.

A transparent barrier formed and enveloped the party.

Hum—.

As if by a kind of purification magic, the humidity and rotting smell that had blown in from the swamp vanished instantly.

…Carl still looked slightly uneasy as though the charm barely touched him.

“Is there no explanation?”

Laysis glanced around.

She had been told each exam had a task assigned.

But upon entering here, aside from the murky swamp, nothing else was visible.

Nerian glanced sideways at her and then pointed at the swamp in front with the tip of his chin.

“The Bayern practicals aren’t exactly friendly. You must have signed a pledge when applying for the entrance exam.”

“Yes.”

“Even if this is a magically created environment, the dangers are real. It’s normal for casualties to occur every year. Even someone like me could suffer a setback if I let my guard down. The practical exam is dangerous. Presumably they want us to break through this ….”

Shwaaak!

Interrupting Nerian’s words, something sprang from the swamp.

A large crocodilian monster—an alligator.

A typical creature inhabiting swamps like this, its hide tough and hard, making it a troublesome opponent.

“…!”

As Yuria and Laysis reacted and were about to move, Nerian smirked and lightly stamped his foot.

Ssssh—!

The damp air instantly transformed into a chilling cold.

The alligator that had sprung from the swamp froze along with the mud clump, incapable of even attacking before becoming encased in ice.

“…That must be the goal of this practical.”

The young noble of Hopfenheim stomped his foot and turned around.

‘This is the power of Cryokinesis.’

Carl silently admired inwardly.

Power (the unique ability passed down through certain methods such as bloodline inheritance) was something that could not be imitated easily and served as a symbol once manifested.

The House of Hopfenheim was a founding noble of the Ribera Empire.

Since the first ancestor, they developed the power of Cryokinesis, earning countless feats and martial merits.

‘I’ve heard Nerian is one of the most gifted among the heirs.’

Even now, he manifested Cryokinetic power almost without delay.

Normally, one would be overwhelmed by power not suited to their age, but there was no such sign.

Tap tap.

Carl tapped the ice that had formed beneath his feet with his toe.

If he could create such thickness in an instant, he would be slightly tricky as an assassination target.

Cold dulled the body.

If the surprise attack failed on the first strike, one would end up like that alligator.

Of course, there was no reason to assassinate Nerian, but making such assessments was a basic habit as an assassin.

“So, the exam is to cross this place? With monsters like alligators swarming beneath the water surface, it won’t be easy.”

At Laysis’s words, Carl looked around.

There were trees positioned ahead of the swamp.

Wouldn’t it be standard to cut those and build a raft to move forward?

“Nerian, what do you think? Can you make a path all the way there with ice?”

Yuria lightly offered a suggestion.

Nerian narrowed his eyes, gauging the distance, then shook his head.

“…It would be close. And I don’t want to take unnecessary risks. If I create a path all the way, the ice would get thin, and if we’re attacked midway, the risk increases.”

“I see.”

Yuria, having guessed that much, stepped back without resistance.

“Then how about weaving ice walls like a raft? We could just thicken it as needed and save mana as much as possible.”

“…That’s worth trying.”

Thinking it was a good suggestion, Nerian immediately stretched out his hand.

Shh—

Then an ice raft of appropriate size formed atop the swamp.

Waist-high walls were formed around the edges, looking like they could efficiently block attacks from the swamp.

“Let’s go.”

With Nerian at the lead, the three climbed onto the ice raft.

Soon, Yuria conjured wind and they began gliding smoothly across the swamp.

Bubble bubble.

The monsters lurking beneath the swamp didn’t dare to rush in because of the size of the ice raft.

They slowly circled around, assessing the situation and seemingly watching each other.

Swoosh!

At last, the first attack came.

Perhaps learning from the alligator that was instantly frozen earlier, they didn’t lunge with their bodies.

Instead, mounds of mud dredged from the swamp floor were hurled indiscriminately onto the ice raft.

Splat splat.

Of course, all of them were blocked by the barrier Yuria had deployed.

Seeing the filthy mud trickling down the invisible wall, she furrowed her brow.

“They’re being annoying. Are real swamp monsters this smart too?”

“Probably not. I heard the magical barrier inside here was created by the Empire’s magic towers, so it’s a bit more complicated.”

Swoosh!

A stream of water shot up from beneath the swamp.

It was a sharp enough attack to pierce Yuria’s barrier and punch a hole through the ice raft’s floor.

“B‑block it! Hey! Hey! Plug it with your body if you have to!”

As the dirty mud rapidly sloshed up through the floor, Yuria panicked and pushed Carl’s shoulder.

Thud.

To make matters worse, a bipedal fish monster leapt from the swamp and landed on the raft.

“I’ll hold the front!”

Laysis, stepping into place, immediately swung her sword and slashed it down.

The problem was that it wasn’t the only monster that had appeared.

Splat.

The ice raft quickly hit its load limit and began to tilt.

Laysis and Nerian balanced themselves instinctively, but Yuria slipped on the mud as she tried to cast a spell.

“Ugh!”

At this rate, she would fall into the swamp.

Just as she desperately reached to grab the wall, the raft flipped.

Clutch.

Carl, wrapping his arms around her waist, leapt straight into the air.

He tried to cross the swamp surface using a clumsy imitation of the Denping Dosu technique, but Nerian, reacting faster, created a new ice platform under their feet.

Tap.

Landing on it, Carl narrowed his eyes and looked around.

Nerian and Laysis were also standing intact on separate ice patches.

He would need to revise his evaluation of Yuria a bit.

Based on rumors and reports, her talent should be overwhelming, yet she was floundering like this.

‘Lack of real combat experience?’

It was a common issue at this age.

Especially since she came from a magic tower, it wouldn’t be strange if she had spent all her time locked in a lab doing magical research.

She dangled from Carl’s arm, then, realizing the situation, lifted her deeply blushing face and muttered.

“…Put me down.”

At least she acknowledged the help—her sharp energy was gone compared to before.

When Carl carefully set her down beside him, she stepped onto the ice with both feet and tidied her disheveled appearance.

“I was focusing on purification magic, that’s why I reacted late. Still, I did receive help, so I’ll say thanks. I could’ve gotten out on my own just fine…”

Then she mumbled rapidly in a very small voice.

By the end, Carl couldn’t make out a word.

By the time she finished speaking, she was already running along the ice path connected to the other side, heading toward Laysis up ahead.

“If you’re my guard, then guard me! Where were you going?!”

“Haha, sorry. It just looked more urgent up front. Still, I’m glad Carl‑kun saved you safely.”

“…Shut up. You’re getting hit again.”

Though she said that, there was no strength behind the blow.

Just as Laysis was about to take it softly, Nerian, who had been watching below the swamp, spoke to the group.

“That’s enough chit-chat. Given the situation, we’ll break through at once.”

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