Chapter 38

Chapter 38

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 38: Reassignment Test (6).

I looked up at the sky and said, “We need to divide the tasks.”

“Divide?”

Rustila also raised her head, her curiosity piqued. Despite the sun being directly overhead, the sky had a slight purplish tint.

“…Ah.”

The semi-Ether barrier that occasionally forms when a monster appears—a phenomenon that enhances the monster’s activities. Destroying that barrier was the priority.

Rustila nodded in agreement.

“What’s this? Why are you two discussing something I’m out of the loop on?”

Ceti suddenly wedged herself between us. I briefly explained the situation to my sister. Initially skeptical, Ceti’s expression shifted to astonishment when Rustila concurred.

“…A monster appeared?”

“Yes.”

“Then, aren’t we fucked?”

“Little sister, let’s try to avoid using foul language.”

“No, seriously, we are fucked!”

Ceti was trembling, the fear palpable in her voice.

“I truly thought we were in big trouble during the practical test. And now this? Seriously, this sucks!”

“Little sis.”

“Ah, I know. I need to really pull myself together.”

That’s my little sister for you. Always bouncing back with such a strong mentality.

“Ceti, Aidel,” Rustila said, “I’ll go see if I can find the monster. You should warn as many people as possible about this.”

“What? That’s too dangerous, sis!”

“It is dangerous,” Rustila acknowledged with a shrug, looking at me as if to downplay the risk.

“When I fought against a B-grade golem… what did you think of my skills?”

“You could easily take on A-grade ones, couldn’t you?”

A grade represents the pinnacle among ordinary inspectors. Someone like me, with average physical abilities, could probably only aspire to that level.

But Rustila is different. Blessed abundantly by the stars, her physical abilities far surpass those of ordinary people, classifying her as an Irregular. One should not compare the physique of a genius with that of an average person. After all, Rustila was a child prodigy, starting at an A grade from birth.

“Rustila.”

“Yes.”

“Go ahead.”

“…”

“Don’t get hurt or die.”

“I won’t die,” Rustila assured with a bright smile. Meanwhile, Ceti leaped up in shock at my response.

“Hey! Are you pushing Rustila into a dangerous situation?”

“No, I’m not.”

In truth, I too wanted to dissuade her. But who is she, after all? She is the future Sword Saint. Her potential is immense; all that’s left is for her to gain practical experience. Fortunately, her skill, as demonstrated by her ability to dispatch dozens of B-grade golems, is well-refined.

I watched Rustila walk away into the distance and turned to Ceti. “Restraining Rustila now would only interfere.”

“Interfere? What are you talking about…!”

“Little sister, trust your brother.”

This incident could turn into an opportunity for Rustila to excel. Moreover, if managed well, it could resolve the issue of parental interference that has been troubling her deeply. The chances are high.

Should any unforeseen circumstances arise, I will take care of it by any means necessary.

“Let’s share this information with everyone,” I suggested to Ceti, who reluctantly nodded.

Announcement to all students in the test area.

“It seems like everyone is going to find out, right?” I remarked as the head teacher’s voice began to boom, echoing across the mountains.

A monster, estimated to be of A grade, has emerged at the reassignment test site. This is not a drill. Please follow the instructions of the nearest supervisor and evacuate to safety.

The task Rustila had set us was easily resolved with this announcement.

“Let’s change our objective.”

“What?”

To what we originally planned. I pointed to the sky and responded, “Let’s try breaking that barrier.”

The teachers quickened their pace upon receiving news from the on-site supervisor that an unidentified monster was roaming the area. It didn’t take long for them to realize that this monster had been unleashed by an Outer God.

“Is an S-grade inspector coming?” one teacher asked anxiously.

“I just got off the phone with the Ministry of National Defense. It’s uncertain when they can arrive…” another replied with a sense of urgency.

“Damn it!” Evan Lotus, the head teacher, exclaimed as he threw down the receiver and sighed heavily.

“How did things end up like this?” he wondered aloud.

“I suspect there might be a breach in the Ether Belt,” Karen Hublway, a fellow teacher, suggested, stroking her chin thoughtfully. She was poring over the map of the forest that served as the test venue, circling several areas of interest.

She continued, “There’s a bitter lesson we learned during the entrance test: there are no safe zones in our universe. But isn’t it strange that our school is being constantly targeted?”

“Ms. Hublway, we don’t have time for such thoughts now,” Evan interjected.

“I know. That’s why I’m currently assessing the location of the monster and other relevant details,” Karen responded. Although her official role was a teacher of social studies and history, her expertise was in Outer God studies, providing her with a unique understanding of the universal behaviors of monsters.

“There’s a small hill to the northwest. According to the CCTV footage, it’s highly likely the creature headed in that direction,” she informed.

“Then let’s direct the inspectors there,” Evan decided.

The academy had stationed inspectors on its grounds to prevent a repeat of the disaster that occurred during a previous practical test. Most of these inspectors were well-trained, ranked either B or A grade.

Since a C-grade monster had appeared last time, they had anticipated that a monster of B or A grade would show up next. Thus, the broadcast had mentioned A grade as the highest possible threat level, though in reality, the exact grade of the monster was unknown.

If it turned out to be C grade, it would indeed be fortunate. However, after comparing witness testimonies with the monster’s image captured on the monitors, they concluded it was neither C nor B grade.

“What is that?” someone murmured, squinting at the screen.

“The outer skin appears to be made of steel,” another observed.

“It has to be affiliated with Maxwell or Darwin…” they speculated. The Outer Gods were classified into four types, named after the four great devils in the history of science, with the characteristics of their monsters divided accordingly.

“If it’s clad in iron armor, it’s obviously Maxwell,” Karen clarified, addressing the heated debate among non-major students over whether the monster was affiliated with Maxwell or Descartes.

Just then, an inspector adorned with green epaulets entered the control room and announced, “We have a problem. An anti-Ether barrier has been erected, making it difficult to access the area!”

“What did you say?” Evan responded, alarmed by the news.

The inspector elaborated that a barrier had been established, preventing entry with plasma weapons, complicating their response efforts.

“Damn, this has gotten complicated,” Evan muttered.

However, before the situation could grow more dire, another inspector arrived with an update, “The barrier has vanished!”

The barrier erected by the Maxwell lineage’s incarnate has been successfully dismantled.

You have been rewarded with 3000 pron for completing the sub-quest!

Nice, how sweet.

The method of destruction was surprisingly simple. A mere tap with the calipers, and it shattered instantly. Truly, the weapons of the Outer Gods are cheat items.

“Ceti, you should head back and rest.”

“I don’t want to.”

Ceti clung tightly to me from behind.

“I won’t go to a safe place until I’m certain sis is alright.”

“Hey, if you keep acting like this…”

“Do I have any reason to live if sis Rustila isn’t around?”

“…”

I sighed deeply.

“I’m sorry. I was being short-sighted.”

Ceti, having been neglected by her own blood relatives, had grown up mostly alone. How could I have forgotten that Rustila, who was practically a sister to her, was someone she considered precious enough to trade her life for?

“Let’s go together then.”

Ceti nodded her head weakly.

Rustila had headed northwest. Perhaps, if we moved quickly, we might encounter her in the midst of battling the monster.

Though what could someone as frail as I possibly do, I believed things would work out since I had the Calipers with me.

Thus, we arrived at the spacious clearing to the north.

There, about a dozen inspectors were present, engaged in a standoff with a giant reptilian chimera, towering at 10 meters tall.

“W-what is that?”

Ceti covered her mouth, her yellow pupils trembling.

The basic protection of the Descartes system’s Outer God is activated.

Due to the effect of ‘Mental Stability,’ you remain undisturbed even when witnessing shocking subjects or scenes.

This sure looks difficult to handle.

“Everyone, spread out!”

The woman with blue epaulets commanded the force. She was an A-grade inspector. Fear was evident on her face.

It was understandable.

S Grade monster “Renanial” subjugation: (0/1)

Typically, inspectors of the same grade can triumph in a one-on-one against monsters of equal or lower grades.

Yet, no one here could guarantee a one-sided victory against that monster.

‘Renanial’ uses

.

A sting was launched from the monster’s tail at considerable speed. Ceti and I hurriedly took cover behind a tree.

Looking around, it appeared everyone else had fortunately managed to evade it as well.

‘Renanial’ uses

Thud!

This was followed by a physical attack. B-grade inspectors who failed to evade were swept away by the shockwave. Among them was a familiar face.

“Ah!”

“Merlin!”

When Merlin fell, Christine quickly came to her rescue. Immediately after, a crater formed right where she had been.

“Ru, where is sis Rustila…”

Ceti’s eyes searched the area, trembling.

Fortunately, the female inspector was alive and intact, though her clothes were in disarray, and there were a few scratches on her face.

It wasn’t just her. Familiar faces from the elite class had gathered in this area.

“Here! Over here!”

Despite the inspector’s attempts to dissuade them, they did their best from their positions to divert the monster’s attention, even if only slightly.

The decision was made.

It seems I had no other choice but to join in.

Just as I was about to stand up, drawing the Calipers, someone landed right next to me.