Survival 138

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“Since we’ve finished organizing the groups, shall we start preparing for the test? Enter the cave in the order I call your group…”

“Wait a minute!”

Someone shouted loudly, interrupting the professor.

There was a flash of arrogance, and the wrinkles on his forehead twitched.

“…Do you have a question?”

“Of course. Do I look like I wouldn’t ask?”

A familiar face with a familiar voice.

‘There he goes again.’

It was him. The lackey of the crown prince.

Without any fear, he continued his question, tapping one foot.

“Professor Marks, didn’t you say that the midterm exam would combine written and combat tests?”

“Yes, but I believe we already explained that it was changed urgently by the academy’s administration.”

“Hmph. We agreed to it thinking there would be follow-up measures.”

‘Oh?’

As expected of someone chosen by the crown prince, his rhetoric had its own appeal.

The looks in the eyes of the other students, who had been standing quietly, began to change.

“Changing the exam content so urgently and all you ask for is our understanding? Ha, there’s a limit to washing your hands of this. Shouldn’t there be some compensation?”

‘Oh, this is getting interesting.’

Indeed, the academy.

True to its nature as a political stage disguised as a place of learning, they were busy securing their interests before the actual test.

“Now that I hear it, that makes sense.”

“Why should we turn a blind eye to the academy’s mistakes? Shouldn’t we at least get some compensation for this in our exam scores?”

Some students, seemingly instigators, spread this atmosphere like wildfire among the students.

“Professor Marks, explain yourself as the person in charge!”

…Of course, among them, there was also resentment towards Professor Marks for not fitting the image of a proper noble.

However, the opponent was Professor Marks.

“If that’s how you all feel, there’s nothing I can do. I will compile your opinions and submit them to the dean.”

“…!”

“Since this batch’s performance has been exceptional, I believe the dean will respond promptly.”

– If you have a problem, take it to the dean.

Seeing the students temporarily stunned by the refreshing conclusion, a mocking smile naturally appeared.

Fools.

No matter how skilled they were, to hold a position in the academy with such rigid personalities, they would need to develop their own tactics.

It was amusing to see them squeezing into the gap I left open.

“If you are still not satisfied… I will have no choice but to assess your attitude as a professor.”

With the subtle mention of ‘discipline,’ the students who had complained earlier became silent.

‘Well, this is convenient for me.’

With such a feast set up, how could I not partake?

Smiling slyly, I stepped forward.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that. The matter of why the exam subjects were changed is something to be addressed to the academy’s administration, not Professor Marks.”

Intimidated by the mention of discipline?

That’s their problem.

As for me, having received a relic, I felt much more at ease standing in front of him.

“Hans Byron.”

“What fault could the professor have? As someone who knows the woes of a field job, I understand best as a servant.”

When I shrugged and defended Professor Marks, the heavy atmosphere eased significantly.

“In fact, I’m more curious about that. What exactly is the changed test content? We only heard it was a dungeon exploration, but we don’t know the specific evaluation criteria.”

“…Yes. I was just about to explain that.”

The elderly professor raised a sparkling gem. It was transparent like quartz, glistening as sunlight passed through it.

“The test content is simple. Enter the dungeon in the order of your groups and hunt down the elemental spirits. As proof, you need to bring back traces of these spirits.”

For adventurers or mercenaries, it was a lucrative bounty. Normally, it would be just another luxury item for nobles, but now it was evidence that would determine our grades.

“Your grades will depend on the quality and quantity of the traces you bring back.”

Then, looking at me with appreciation, he continued in a hoarse voice.

“Furthermore, Hans Byron’s party, which has helped facilitate this class, will be given the opportunity to enter the cave first.”

Priority entry.

The first chance to sweep through the elemental spirits.

“Thank you!”

I gave a broad smirk, watching the nobles fume as the pumpkin rolled right into the lap of someone unexpected. Their twisted, ugly emotions felt so sweet.

***

In the original academy, the principles for forming groups were always the same.

East, West, South, North, Central,

One talent from each region was selected and placed in a group.

It was the same now.

When forming groups, they made sure that no student’s region overlapped with another’s.

Of course, the academy’s intention was to foster cooperation between regions.

But to Rene, it seemed…

‘It feels like a game system designed to naturally meet male leads with diverse characters.’

Her reasoning was none other than her group members.

“Haha, elemental spirits! Something I’ve never seen in the East. I hope it doesn’t end as futilely as the Wendigo incident.”

“You seem to enjoy fighting rather than avoiding it.”

“Of course, Oparn. As a mercenary, you understand the satisfaction that comes after a hard-fought battle!”

“Hehe, I think I do.”

“As expected of Lady Rene! I’m so pleased that you understand!”

Standing robustly on either side were Theo from the East and Oparn from the North.

“Leave the rear to me, Holy Maiden. I’ll gift you the traces of the elemental spirits.”

“Oh, I look forward to it!”

Luke, who never stopped his gifting spree, even at the test site.

Though it was a bit hectic raising their favorability in such a short time.

For a Korean who pursued maximum efficiency in the shortest time, it was nothing.

A bright smile bloomed on Rene’s face.

‘At this rate, the midterm will be a breeze!’

She couldn’t understand why the dungeon exploration, originally slated for the finals, was brought forward, but with the male lead candidates who excelled even in Class A, she could easily secure a top spot!

However, there was one thing that concerned her…

“By the way, Hans Byron has been awfully quiet since entering the cave. Are you alright?”

“…I was just pondering something. Don’t mind me.”

Perhaps it was Hans Byron.

“Lady Rene, may I join your group as well?”

A man who abandoned his usual team and took a spot in the West.

It was a mistake to consider making connections with other nobles instead of sticking with Ricky Circlea, whom she was already entangled with.

“Hmm….”

“If it’s with you, brother, I agree.”

“Haha, me too! I trust Byron completely.”

‘What kind of tricks did he pull with that silver tongue of his?’

Even considering Oparn, who was usually only loyal to her, this was unexpected. But it seemed he had also firmly gained the favor of the rather picky Theodore Treha.

With half the party in agreement, Rene couldn’t just oppose it blindly. In the end, Hans Byron was added, making it a group of five.

‘This is really troublesome.’

Rene couldn’t help but raise her shoulders unconsciously. It seemed that this new male lead candidate also had a liking for her, even though she hadn’t noticed it herself.

‘No wonder he seemed to be meddling so much.’

Come to think of it, it was strange. Even if they resented a commoner saintess leading high-ranking nobles around, there was no reason to confront her openly.

If he was genuinely concerned, it made sense.

‘But I’m not into obsessive guys.’

Rene glanced at the man walking ahead. Being from the same region as that obsessive Ricky, this new candidate seemed to have a similar personality.

‘Ugh, even worse.’

Could it be that the system, having kicked Ricky Circlea out of the game, was now pushing another trap male lead my way?

Especially since Hans Byron was the subordinate of Luciana, the villainess and mid-boss.

He was likely as dangerous a candidate as Ricky.

A faint tension appeared on Rene’s face. Ricky Circlea, who was problematic whether you got close or kept your distance.

[How to get the true ending with Ricky Circlea]

– Reject the tea house date (he bribed the staff to add knockout drugs)

– Reject the library date (there’s a sleeping potion between the books)

– Reject the garden date (there’s a magical trap hidden among the flowers)

Don’t raise his favorability above 70 until he opens up about his true feelings.

If it did?

ᄂThen just tank his favorability and wait before raising it again.

ᄂᄂᄂ If you do that, you’ll end up with the obsessive confinement ending, not the experimental subject ending.

ᄂ…Is this guy really a male lead?

ᄂᄂᄂ He’s a mid-boss.

Even Ricky, who was a supposed ‘male lead candidate,’ was like that. What kind of tug-of-war would she have to play with Hans Byron?

‘Still, he’ll be helpful for now.’

He was the man who had pushed her aside and taken the runner-up spot. He had defeated Luciana Speda in a martial arts tournament and was the only one to take down the Wendigo, a monster she hadn’t even faced.

He would be perfect for eliminating these elemental spirits.

“-Enemies ahead.”

As expected, Hans Byron, fitting his rogue profile, was the first to sense the enemy and draw his dagger.

Following him, Oparn and Theodore raised their weapons at the same time.

– Beep!

A tiny, non-threatening cry accompanied the appearance of the elemental spirit.

‘It’s cute?’

Even from the illustrations beyond the screen, it had seemed cute. Seeing it in person, tilting its head and going “Beep?”, it looked like a chick.

But it was definitely not an opponent to be underestimated.

An ice elemental spirit, surrounded by a freezing aura, slowly approached them.

– Elemental spirits inherently lack malice.

– However, their curiosity and pranks often lead to disasters.

Just as the professor had said. The intense cold was enough to freeze anything it touched, even the ceiling. And there were eight of them. Quite a lot for a first encounter.

“All of them are ice attribute spirits. Sir Luke, can you prepare a fire spell?”

“Of course. Fire magic isn’t my specialty, but it should be sufficient to handle those.”

That would be more than enough. Ice spirits had no greater weakness than fire magic. Moreover,

“Blessings to all!”

Though she wasn’t yet skilled enough to cast without an incantation, the effectiveness of the saintess’s unique skill was undeniable.

A game-essential skill and a cheat code: the buff.

“…Oh! I feel an overwhelming sense of vigor! Hah!”

With a shout, Theodore was the first to step forward. As soon as he gripped his long sword at his waist, the ice spirit before him lost its shape and shattered into pieces.

“…An impressive technique. It was invisible.”

“Haha, can you recognize it? It’s a sword-drawing technique passed down in the East.”

Rene’s lips slightly parted in awe. It was like watching a swordsmanship video that once went viral overseas. Gripping the scabbard, drawing the sword slightly, and then sheathing it again, causing an apple to split and fall apart smoothly.

However, the swordsmanship before her eyes was the real thing, unedited and raw. Truly a dazzling technique befitting Theodore, who had mastered all the swordsmanship styles of the East.

Not to be outdone, Oparn also waded into the fray, wielding his greatsword. Compared to Theodore’s earlier display, his swings were purely straightforward. Yet, demonstrating that technique was meaningless before overwhelming power, the ice spirits were smashed into fragments under his crushing force.

Therefore, Rene had to worry about something else.

“…Oh! Oparn! If you do that, you risk damaging the elemental stones!”

“Is that so? I’ll be careful.”

Rene couldn’t help but worry about such an unexpected issue with Oparn. In the original story, inflicting damage beyond the spirit’s health resulted in a loss of loot. As it directly affected their grades, Oparn heeded her words and focused solely on defense, using his greatsword to guard his body.

“Alright. The spell is ready. Everyone, fall back!”

While one side attacked and the other defended, buying time at the front, the mage at the back completed his incantation.

“O sun of the South, warm presence that extends the World Tree to the heavens… I beseech thee, devour the enemies and show thy majesty!”

A lengthy incantation flowed from his lips. Of course, there were pros and cons. In a world where battles were decided in seconds, long incantations were very disadvantageous. However, there was a reason for using such a method despite its drawbacks.

Soon, flames erupted where the ice spirits were gathered. Thanks to the long incantation, the spell was more precise and powerful, engulfing the enemies without leaving them any chance to escape.

‘…Huh. Magic is fascinating no matter how many times I see it. To think it could handle all of them at once.’

The impressive strikes shown by the two warriors were quickly forgotten. The remaining ice elementals vanished, leaving only their elemental stones behind.

“Well done, everyone!”

“No, I too was surprised by the power of my own magic. I didn’t expect the saintess’s blessing to be this effective.”

The successful battle result created a cheerful atmosphere among everyone.

Except for one person.

“Shall we continue moving?”

A dry voice without a hint of praise. His message was clear. This wasn’t enough points; they needed to deal with more elemental spirits.

‘You didn’t even do anything!’ Rene’s lips pouted. She really didn’t like him. His brazen attitude, his concealed slyness. 

‘If only he had a straightforward goal like the Third Prince. I don’t like men who live recklessly.’ 

Of course, his appearance scored more than passing marks. But considering all factors, it was better to keep a reasonable distance. She had no interest in a life that went downhill because of a pretty face.

Still,

‘We’re allies until Luciana Speda’s engagement is annulled.’

At least his loyalty or affection toward his master seemed genuine. She just needed to manage their relationship well until then. 

Just as Rene finished her mental evaluation of Hans Byron, 

-Drdrdrdrdr! 

A massive vibration echoed through the entire cave.

“What, what’s going on?!”

“Stay calm! The examiner mentioned this! The elementals would create a labyrinth!”

Rene soothed her teammates with a calm voice. As expected, it was a dungeon event from the original story. Called ‘Isolation.’

The terrain would change, causing all party members to be separated. 

“See you at the exit!”

Over the rising walls, Rene smiled at Theodore Treha, who happened to make eye contact with her.

Now, she just needed to keep her wits about her. Everyone had shown their competence in dealing with the elementals earlier, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

‘I have enough strength to protect myself!’

Thinking of this as another stepping stone for growth, she clenched her fist. 

“You’re quite composed. Considering you’ve just been separated from your party.”

A voice colder than the ice elementals she had faced earlier sent shivers down her spine.

“We… we didn’t get separated?!”

“Hmm. You’re unaware, I see. Well, few would know.”

Step, step.

He slowly walked towards her, filled with hostility.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment when it’s just the two of us. Hmm, where should I start… Right. I’ll be honest. I’m deeply conflicted about what to do with you right now.”

Finally, a message appeared in her status window. 

Rene’s face turned pale in an instant.

[BOSS]

[Hans Byron]

[WARNING]

[The difficulty level is too high compared to the player’s current level.]

[It is recommended to challenge after further growth….]

‘Why are my ominous premonitions always right?!’

He wasn’t a male lead candidate. He was a spy.

A man worse than Ricky had appeared. Rene swallowed nervously as the tension tightened around her neck.

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