Ch.158158. Final Evaluation

Though Gilbert glared at the message with a grave expression, his options were extremely limited at the moment. The notification that the main scenario had begun meant that enemies within the Academy had started to take action, but all he could do right now was complete his practical evaluation.

However, warning Seraphina or Briana in advance wasn’t an option for Gilbert.

It couldn’t be helped.

Previously, he had raised suspicions but failed to identify the informant. Under these circumstances, stopping in the middle of the final evaluation to announce there was an informant and a terrorist threat would look suspicious to anyone.

Gilbert never forgot the fundamental premise he had established for himself:

He would not reveal that he was a possession, that he had enjoyed this world through a virtual medium called a game, and that he knew what would happen in the future.

Operating only within the boundaries of this absolute premise was the rule he had set for himself since opening his eyes in this other world.

The reason was that he couldn’t predict what chaos might ensue if someone other than himself learned this truth, especially in a situation where he knew neither why he had been brought to this world nor how to return.

To be honest, there was also the emotion of fear.

For these various reasons, he had established this rule, and this time too, he refrained from bringing it up with those two.

Improvisation again, is it?

An involuntary sigh escaped from Gilbert’s lips.

The practical evaluation venue he had arrived at was already filled with first-year cadets. The thought briefly crossed his mind that there might be enemies among the cadets collaborating with the Resistance. He had been too focused on suspecting professors, but he needed to consider that there could be cadets hiding their true identities as well.

“The practical evaluation will proceed in random order. Don’t expect everyone to receive the same assignment. Just as the order is random, the tasks will also be assigned randomly.”

The hundreds of first-year cadets remained silent at the professor’s words. The point the professor was trying to make was clear: luck is also a skill, so accept it.

Gilbert thought it wasn’t a bad approach. Since battlefields never unfold conveniently, it was necessary to develop the ability to adapt flexibly.

“Now I’ll call the first cadet to begin. Cadet Patrick, step forward.”

Patrick, heir to the Herman earldom and the one who served as the combat power measurer in the game like Krillin or Yamcha, was the first participant. He was given the task of passing through obstacles without equipment, and judging by his slightly frowning expression, it wasn’t the assignment he had hoped for.

As far as Gilbert knew, Patrick excelled at piloting giant mechs but wasn’t accustomed to using his bare body. Unlike Gilbert, his physical stats were below average for a tactical combat character, so his reaction was understandable.

But this was a place where complaints were not permitted. Patrick, as if trying to compose himself, closed his eyes and waited until the signal to begin the test.

Finally, the start signal was given, and he followed another test supervisor to complete his assignment.

After Patrick left, numerous cadets received their tasks and followed the examiners to complete them. Among Gilbert’s group, Brynhild and Camilla were the first to leave to complete their tasks, and the remaining members were assigned their tasks one after another.

Now only Gilbert remained. Though they said the order was random, it seemed he was assigned the last position. All those cadets had received their tasks, and only two people remained.

Ian and Gilbert.

“Cadet Ian!”

Ian stepped forward with determination to receive his assignment. His task was to navigate obstacles while piloting a giant mech. Like Patrick, Ian preferred piloting mechs to physical tasks, and he followed the examiner with a bright expression.

“Cadet Gilbert!”

Finally, it was Gilbert’s turn, the last in line. Coincidentally, his task also involved piloting a giant mech like Ian’s. However, instead of navigating obstacles, he was to face monsters.

I can conserve my strength.

He reflected on the task that was easier than expected. Gilbert had already slain an ogre monster and earned a title for it. At this point, facing monsters posed no difficulty for him.

Gilbert also followed the examiner.

***

Van Dyke was prostrated before the old man in the communication magic device. Having recently learned about his identity, Van Dyke didn’t dare raise his face.

He shuddered to think how he, once a third-rate actor, had become entangled with such a powerful figure. Of course, quitting was out of the question.

The reason he had become the leader of the Resistance, a position beyond his capabilities, was solely due to the whim of the old man in the communication device. Having lived for so long, the old man needed entertainment.

Van Dyke just happened to be chosen for that position.

If Van Dyke were to deviate from his intentions, he would certainly be disposed of immediately.

[Van Dyke. Are your preparations complete?]

“All preparations have already been completed.”

[During the final evaluations like now, it should be easy to breach their security system.]

“Understood.”

[I like your straightforward answers.]

The old man in the communication device, Horizon, smiled kindly.

Of course, Van Dyke knew better than anyone that this was just a facade. He couldn’t forget how shocked he was when he first learned Horizon’s true identity.

Horizon had been prominent for well over a hundred years. Called a sage since the time of the previous emperor or the one before that, he was a living witness to history who had appeared suddenly and lived until this day.

With knowledge accumulated over those long years and his exploration of unknown knowledge that no one else possessed, he was truly worthy of being called a sage.

But that was only his outward appearance.

This old monster, whose age was immeasurable, had deceived the eyes of countless people, been praised as a sage, and concealed his true nature.

Van Dyke could never forget how he had turned subordinates who failed to properly carry out his orders into puddles of blood. Horizon, who possessed not only knowledge but also the power and cruelty to kill people in the blink of an eye, deserved to be called a monster.

The reason Van Dyke didn’t flee, despite wanting to, was because the continent was dancing in the palm of that old monster’s hand. All the unfortunate incidents at the Academy and various events across the continent were happening according to Horizon’s intentions.

In this situation, Van Dyke’s escape wouldn’t change anything.

It would only hasten his death.

[Van Dyke. You look deep in thought.]

“How could that be? I was merely trying to understand your intentions, as you had said you would leave Gilbert alone, but now you seem to have changed your mind.”

[That’s right. This old man did say that. But Van Dyke, don’t you know? Without crisis, there is no growth.]

“Growth… you say? Do you wish for Gilbert’s growth, Horizon?”

[That’s right. Since that rascal showed his potential, I’ve begun to see a path that wasn’t visible before. That boy casually produced what this old man had been searching for all along. So I decided to place my expectations on him. For that, I need to keep challenging him.]

“You mean he needs crises.”

[Ho ho. This is why I like you, Van Dyke. You understand exactly what this old man wants!]

Horizon’s eyes curved into crescents with apparent pleasure, but a sharp glint leaked through. Van Dyke, who prided himself on his keen perception, noticed that look immediately and prostrated himself even flatter.

It was a signal that if he continued on this subject, his life would be forfeit. Having seen this look many times before, Van Dyke hurriedly changed the topic.

“Then how intensely should we attack the Academy this time?”

[Indeed. We need to consider this, as he will easily thwart it if we do it like before.]

Horizon stroked his long white beard as he fell into thought. Seeing how they had repelled even monsterized creatures without any damage, there was a high possibility that an ordinary attack wouldn’t even make them feel threatened.

In particular, the Resistance had a wide variance in skill levels because they had accepted members regardless of background to increase their numbers. In contrast, the average skill level of the Academy cadets had significantly increased after going through several crises.

After closing his eyes and stroking his beard a couple more times, Horizon seemed to reach a decision and opened his eyes.

[Deploy all Resistance members with the resolve to destroy the Academy.]

“Pardon?”

[Ho ho. Why are you suddenly like this, my friend? You must think this old man has said something strange. Let me say it again, listen carefully.]

Van Dyke slightly raised his head and looked at the communication device with trembling eyes.

Beyond the communication device, Horizon with his long beard casually dropped his words as if suggesting a light stroll.

[Destroy the Academy.]

“…Understood.”

It was a shocking statement, but Van Dyke had only one possible response.

A monster who might have lived for hundreds of years desired the destruction of the Academy.

And Van Dyke, as his servant, had no choice but to obey.