Chapter 41: Act 1, Chapter 2: The Forest of Monsters
In the academy, students had to comply with four mandatory tests within each semester.
These tests were designed to challenge and evaluate every aspect of a student’s capabilities, ensuring they were well-prepared for the demands of their future careers.
Which the academy was really sensitive about, as they considered their final graduates as their very own products, to advertise in the world.
The first test was the placement exam.
This took place at the beginning of each semester and was designed to determine a student’s overall strength and skill level.
Students showcased their abilities through various battles and practical evaluations, aiming to secure a high placement in the class rankings.
This test was considered the most important as it determined which class and ranking each student belonged to, setting the stage for their entire semester.
The second test was the written exam, occurring twice during the semester: once in the middle and once at the end.
These exams assessed students’ theoretical knowledge across various subjects.
While students in the knight department didn’t rely heavily on their written exam scores for their overall ratings, the grades still contributed significantly.
Understanding theoretical concepts was crucial for strategic planning and deepening their combat training, making these exams an essential component of their education.
‘My written exam scores were around in the middle grade among my peers’
Making me quite above the average in terms of intellect in our department, as most knight department students tend to have below standard scores in the written exams.
The third test was the duo exam.
In this test, students selected a partner and were tasked with an adaptability exam.
The duo was left alone in a forest teeming with monsters, where they had to survive and accumulate points.
Points were awarded based on the number and rank of the monsters they killed.
Higher-ranked monsters yielded more points, reflecting the duo’s ability to handle tougher challenges.
This test emphasized teamwork, adaptability, and strategic thinking, as partners had to rely on each other’s strengths to succeed.
‘But in the game, it was just a way to showcase and highlight the heroines though.’
The final and fourth test was the Grand Festival. Unlike the other mandatory exams, which required participation from all students, the Grand Festival was reserved for the top 10 students of each department and each year.
This event took place in a grand stadium, where students showcased their skills and strength in a series of one-on-one matches.
The festival was a highlight of the academy’s calendar, drawing large crowds and significant attention.
It was not only a test of combat prowess but also a spectacle that demonstrated the academy’s high standards and the exceptional talents of its students.
Competing in the Grand Festival was a prestigious honor, and those who performed well often garnered recognition and opportunities beyond the academy.
Together, these four tests formed a comprehensive evaluation system that balanced theoretical knowledge, practical skills, teamwork, and individual excellence.
The third test was the duo exam, which formed the main scenario for [Act 1, Chapter 2: The Forest of Monsters]
In this test, students selected a partner and were tasked with an adaptability exam.
Right now, I was participating in on the said duo exams.
As the second chapter of the main scenario focused on the duo exams, I couldn’t help but feel nervous yet excited at the same time.
‘It’s finally time…. I wonder just how I would fair against the monsters here with all the preparations I made beforehand’
At the start of the duo exams, all first-year students from each department were gathered on the western side of the forest situated within the academy grounds.
For reference, the second years occupied the north, the third years the east, and the fourth years the south.
The distribution of zones reflected the strength of the monsters in each area. From what I remembered, the fourth years faced around thirty A-rank boss monsters in their southern area, while our own area for first years only had around five monsters, two of which were high B-rank at most.
Given this disparity, we couldn’t really complain about our situation.
Looking around, I could see that almost all the students, except for those in the general education department, were already gathered.
Some of them had already paired up with their partners.
I wondered if the seniors had informed them about the tests in advance or if they were simply aware of this event through other means.
Well, it didn’t really matter….
“Attention!”
A sudden burst of explosive magic shot into the air, grabbing everyone’s attention.
A professor from the magic department stood on a small podium in the open field of our designated area, quickly organizing us into lines based on our classes.
All students stood silently, ready to listen to his explanations.
“Good morning to you all I am professor Alexander Gustavian, right now I know all of you are—”
As for me, I didn’t really need to pay close attention.
I was fairly certain that everything he was going to say would mirror the game descriptions I was already familiar with.
And, as expected, the moment he opened his mouth, what he explained was predictable.
The duo exams were straightforward in concept.
All we needed to do was survive in the forest behind us for three days straight and accumulate as many points as possible by killing the monsters within it.
Simple enough, but there was more to the rules than just hunting monsters.
Given the large number of students participating, there was bound to be some foul play.
To address potential unfairness, especially since some students could essentially secure an easy win by partnering with a highly skilled classmate, additional rules were put in place.
“Pairing up with a partner of your choice introduces a significant variable,” the professor noted.
“Particularly for those in the top ten of their class, who are expected to have a high rate of efficiency and a greater chance of success. Thus, the scoring system will also factor in the disparity between the strengths of the partners. The higher the disparity, the more points the weaker partner stands to gain from successful encounters.”
In simple terms, here’s how the scoring system of the exam would work under normal circumstances:
[Normal Monsters:]
[F-rank monster – 10 points]
[E-rank monster – 20 points]
[D-rank monster – 40 points]
[C-rank monster – 80 points]
[B-rank monster – 160 points]
[A-rank monster – 320 points]
[Boss Monsters:]
[A-rank Boss – 1000 points]
[B-rank Boss – 500 points]
However, to ensure fairness, especially considering the disparity in abilities among students, an additional rule was introduced.
If you had a top 10 student as your partner, all of your scores would be halved, making the scoring system a bit more complicated than expected, especially those of A-class who were only allowed to hunt C-rank monsters and above.
This meant that every point you earned would be subject to a 50% reduction, leveling the playing field.
This rule was designed to prevent stronger students from carrying their partners to victory too easily, encouraging genuine teamwork and ensuring that all participants had to contribute actively to their duo’s success.
All in all, everything the professor said after was the same as in the game: the dangers in the area, the boundaries of the forest we were allowed to explore, the constant monitoring by the school staff, and the overall tasks we needed to accomplish during the exams.
As the professor continued his reminders, I tuned out, looking around and scanning familiar faces. As expected, everyone from the main cast was already here.
Each one had a nonchalant or emotionless expression about the upcoming exams, a stark contrast to the normal students around us who looked anxious and tense.
Even Lucas appeared more composed than I had anticipated.
Although I hadn’t interacted with or seen him much due to my busy schedule over the past few days, I could tell he had grown stronger.
There was a certain aura and presence about him that was unmistakable.
This change reassured me, as I had been a bit worried that he might screw up and get himself killed in his own main scenario.
Initially, I had made plans to follow him and provide assistance if necessary.
The main scenario was critical, and any misstep could have disastrous consequences for my plans up ahead.
But now, seeing the confidence and strength he exuded, I felt less inclined to intervene.
‘Looks like I don’t need to worry about Mr. Black hole’
Lucas seemed ready to handle the challenges ahead on his own, which allowed me to focus more on my own tasks and partner.
Closing and opening my hands, I felt the surge of mana coursing through my fists. The sensation was still somewhat new to me. Initially, I had no idea how to coat my fists and weapons with mana, but after some intense training sessions over the past few days, I had started to get the hang of it.
Although my proficiency was still quite low, progress was progress.
Over the last couple of days, I had done nothing but train and hunt down the dungeons I could think of. My determination to improve my skills and readiness for the exams had driven me to push my limits.
I managed to clear two dungeons in the last three days: the Kobold Dungeon and the Snake Dungeon located beneath a random pub in the city.
They might not seem like much since they were low-level dungeons, but the experience was incredibly beneficial.
[Status info:]
[Riley Hell]
[Race: Human]
[Level-49]
[Strength: C] [0/60]
[Agility: D] [5/50]
[Endurance: D] [5/50]
[Luck: 0] [Invalid… Error!]
[Power: C] [0/60]
[Skill info….]
[Skill – Time dilation] [Proficiency (15%)]
[Effects: Movement slow: 50%]
[Note: Mana consumption 10 per sec]
[Skill: Basic swordsmanship] [Proficiency (55%)]
[Effects: Sword attacks will now deal 30% more damage]
[Skill: Piercing strike!] [Proficiency (18%)]
[Effects: Piercing attacks will now deal 30% more damage]
[Mana Amplification] [Proficiency (25%)]
[Description: Your physical attacks will be reinforced with a layer of mana, increasing your attack power.]
[Effects: Attack +75%]
[Special abilities]
[Crazy Magnet]
[Description: Evil people will have a certain liking to you]
[Overview: A person who’s fated to be surrounded with happiness ??????????????????????]
[Available ability points: 14+27+5]
Looking at my status screen, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction with the results.
While there hadn’t been significant changes, the fact that there was progress was enough to reassure me.
I had around 46 available stat points to allocate, giving me the flexibility to level up any of my D-rank stats.
However, I hesitated to allocate points just yet.
Both agility and endurance were crucial for the upcoming exams, but depending on my chosen partner, I might need to adjust my build in real-time.
Considering all the passive effects the blue mandrake has given me as well, I was also fairly certain, that I stood a bit of a chance against any of the boss now.
“That is all… you may now proceed to find your partners. Remember, the exam starts exactly at 12:00 noon,” the professor announced, his reminders echoing across the open field.
With the professor’s reminders concluded, students immediately began to move around, searching for partners.
Earlier, I had noticed groups forming, but now it seemed like many were still without one.
The atmosphere grew louder and more frenetic as students rushed to secure a partner before the exam commenced.
It was a mix of excitement, anticipation, and nervous energy permeating the air, a palpable sense of urgency driving everyone to find their ideal teammate.
As I pondered on whom I should choose as a partner, I realized that depending on the situation and plan I had in mind, my decision could greatly impact our chances of success. After weighing my options for a while, I knew it just had to be her.
Luck was essential to ensure everything went smoothly once I was inside the forest. While I typically didn’t put much stock in suspicions, rumors, or accidents, I couldn’t ignore the undeniable influence of luck in this world.
There was a chance Lucas would choose her as his partner, but I had to make priorities were priorities go, he can still complete this scenario without her so it doesn’t really matter
‘I’m sorry my dear protagonist, but this time, you’ll have to choose another heroine.’
As I turned around to find that certain heroine, my foot stopped abruptly.
Someone was standing right in front of me.
“‘LUCAS~?’ Can you be my partner?” her voice interrupted my thoughts, sending a jolt of surprise through me.
That’s right….. I completely forgot about this woman……
A trail of cold sweat trickled down my back as I saw her eyes, devoid of any light, staring at me with intensity.
It was clear from her words that she wasn’t going to let me slide for telling her a fake name like Lucas.
I guess she found out, huh?
‘haha…’
I forcefully hid a nervous laugh, trying to mask the rising tension within me, as Rose Brilliance continued to stare at me as if she could see right through my facade.
The air around us seemed to crackle with unspoken tension, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was moments away from unleashing her wrath upon me for lying to her.
