Chapter 160: Survival (1)

“Everyone, the autumn survival test I announced recently is just around the corner. I’m sure you’re all preparing diligently?”

The autumn survival test was a typical forest survival exam, common in academy novels.

It involved surviving in the forest for about four days, supposedly training students for forced marches during wartime or survival if separated from comrades. Honestly, I doubted how much help this test would be in such situations.

‘It’s nonsensical to assume you’d have food and necessary tools in those circumstances to begin with.’

Food and tools were inspected beforehand. If there was too much food, they’d confiscate all but a day’s worth. Any strange magical items were also taken away.

The test seemed quite easy, probably because the participants were nobles who’d never gotten their hands dirty. This wasn’t a secret; Marina openly admitted it.

“To be frank, it’s not a particularly difficult test. The forest is set up to make finding food easy, and while magical beasts do appear, they’re manageable for a group, even if they might be challenging for a lone individual.”

Still, she warned against complacency and asked everyone to take the test seriously.

This test wasn’t just for the Swordsmanship Department; all departments except Alchemy were participating.

Though it was temporary, Marina, who was in charge of the Knight Department, would lose face if even one student from her department dropped out.

“Well, that’s all the announcements for today. Class dismissed. Ah, Ian, I need to discuss something about the test with you. Come to the headmaster’s office after class.”

“Me?”

For a moment, I thought about the incident where I nearly set fire to a school building while roasting sweet potatoes, but she said it was about the test, so it couldn’t be that.

Not knowing what it was about, but figuring I had to go anyway, I left the classroom for the headmaster’s office without much thought.

“I’ll drop by for a bit, so go on ahead.”

“Don’t wander off. Come straight back.”

Ignoring Jessica, who as always treated me like a five-year-old, I headed to the headmaster’s office. Marina, who had arrived earlier using teleportation magic, greeted me.

“What’s this about? You’re not going to tell me I don’t have to take this test either, are you?”

“Similar, but different. Last time, I said that because it wouldn’t be fair for you to compete against other students. This time, it’s for safety reasons.”

Seeing as the result was the same – me not participating – I couldn’t see much difference. I remained silent as Marina continued.

“Instead of taking the test, I need you to do something else.”

“Something else?”

“Before we get to that, look at this first.”

Marina lightly waved her hand towards the wide desk in front of her. Suddenly, dense trees sprouted from the empty desktop, quickly forming a miniature forest.

The forest paths were complex and winding, resembling a maze. It looked artificial rather than natural.

“Is this the setting for the test?”

“Yes, it’s quite expansive since the test takes place outside academy grounds. Until now, we’ve been able to manage with just academy staff, but this year it’s become a bit more challenging.”

“…Because of those guys, I assume.”

Normally, even outside academy grounds, no one in their right mind would target students protected by an Archwizard. But we weren’t dealing with beings bound by common sense.

“While their target is you, Ian, there’s no guarantee they won’t attack even if you’re not participating. They might take someone close to you hostage to threaten you.”

As far as I knew, they weren’t the type to use such underhanded tactics, but it was better to be cautious. Besides, with whatever was inside Euclid, it couldn’t hurt to be prepared for unexpected moves.

“So, what do you want me to do?”

“I’d like you to stand by at the test site as a guard. If anything happens, please respond quickly.”

“I don’t mind doing it, but won’t the students scatter all over this vast forest? I can’t cover such a wide area alone.”

“I’ve thought about that and prepared a solution.”

Marina pointed at the desktop forest, which began to writhe like a snake, creating paths.

“This forest is my creation. Naturally, making paths to guide everyone to one place is child’s play for me.”

She could also use the magical beasts she created to more easily guide students in the desired direction.

“Also, while she’s not a student, Lady Nana will enter the forest with His Highness under the pretense of being his bodyguard on the day of the test.”

Nana couldn’t interfere directly to change students’ courses as it would violate the rules, but her presence could buy time if something were to happen.

Moreover, the forest was covered in a web of surveillance and detection spells. All of these were linked to Marina, so even if someone more powerful than her invaded, she’d notice immediately.

“If they come this time, we’ll catch them for sure…!! Without fail!!”

Unlike her cool appearance that brought to mind cold snow, Marina’s eyes burned with passionate determination. It seemed she’d been quite frustrated until now.

“I’m not sure if that’s possible, but we have to try.”

“What kind of half-hearted response is that?! I know it’s difficult, but we have to succeed!!”

“…”

Seeing Marina suddenly turn into a passionate teacher straight out of an old manga, I found myself missing the cool persona she’d tried to maintain when I first enrolled. It had been awkward and amusing then, but not as much as this.

“Is that all? Unlike you, Headmaster, I have someone waiting for me at home…”

“No, not yet. Now I’ll teach you where the traps and potential food sources are in the forest.”

“Do I really need to memorize all that?”

“We don’t know when they might attack during these four days. You need to maintain peak condition at all times. With your excellent memory, I’m sure you can manage.”

The forest was quite large and complex, so there was a lot to memorize. But since the routes were predetermined, I only needed to remember what was along those routes, which seemed doable.

“I think I can memorize all this by today or tomorrow. Since we’re at it, I’d like to visit the test site…”

“The site is ready. I still have some fine-tuning to do, so let’s go together.”

——

After a cursory look at the test site and returning to the academy, I realized it was already quite late in the evening.

Thinking everyone except maybe the night shift maids would be asleep at this hour, I entered quietly. In the darkness, I noticed a single candle flickering.

Though there was light, it was too far to make out any faces. Assuming it was one of the mansion’s maids, I approached without much thought. In the dim light, Jessica’s face emerged, looking both exhausted and angry.

“Geez… Have you been waiting up this whole time?”

“…I told you not to wander off and come straight back. You’re certainly quick to return.”

“The talk went on longer than expected. I’m a bit tired from going all the way to the forest.”

“The forest?”

Since there was no reason to hide it, and Jessica didn’t seem the type to gossip, I honestly recounted the day’s events.

Jessica sighed, her expression one of exasperation.

“They’re so short-staffed they have to exempt a student from the test and ask for help… This academy is truly pathetic. I can’t believe this is supposed to be the kingdom’s top educational institution.”

“Don’t be so harsh. To stop those guys, you’d need at least a Sword Saint, not just a Swordmaster. There’s not much choice.”

I couldn’t even imagine how strong Ganryu or that wizard who fought Marina would be if they came in person. Even if the Royal Knights were dispatched, they probably wouldn’t be much help.

“So you’re not taking this test?”

“No, and honestly, I didn’t really want to. It’s basically child’s play.”

This test was supposed to simulate survival in harsh conditions when isolated from allies. But what kind of isolated person would have food and survival tools readily available? It made no sense.

If I were the headmaster, I’d give students a katana and have them survive bare-handed in the demon realm for a week.

“There’s no way they’d hold such an unreasonable test at this academy full of noble children.”

“That’s why it’s boring. Man, I almost wish those guys would really show up.”