Ch.26First Semester Evaluation (3)

After careful consideration, I decided to plan the subject evaluation to take place in the Labyrinth.

Not all Labyrinths are filled with powerful monsters. And in case of emergency, I could step in, so I judged it would be fine.

When I arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild, the receptionist greeted me with a smile.

“How may I help you today?”

Since explored Labyrinths are completely managed by the Adventurer’s Guild, to enter one, naturally…

“I’m here to get a Labyrinth entry permit.”

A permit is required.

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

The receptionist briefly left her post and disappeared.

Seems like she needed to prepare something.

A Labyrinth is a place where anything can happen.

Even when the Labyrinth Core has clearly been collected, sometimes a new one appears elsewhere.

Sometimes the terrain suddenly changes, and powerful monsters appear.

Of course, the chances of such things happening are slim.

But considering how serious it is when they do occur, I understand why the Adventurer’s Guild remains vigilant.

The receptionist returned, placing a sheet of paper on the counter, and asked:

“What is your reason for entering the Labyrinth?”

“For an Academy evaluation.”

“In that case, a D-rank Labyrinth would be suitable.”

“Yes, that will do.”

Since Labyrinth ranks range from D to S…

D-rank means it’s the lowest level Labyrinth.

Even that might be challenging for students, but it should be just right for an evaluation test.

“Just a moment. Let me see…”

The receptionist quickly flipped through some documents in the corner before smiling at me.

“All D-rank Labyrinths are currently accessible.”

That means I have three options.

Labyrinths primarily populated by insects, lizards, or goblins.

Since they’re all about the same distance from the Academy, that won’t affect my choice.

I need to choose based on the main monsters…

“I’ll go with the Guster Labyrinth.”

The Guster Labyrinth was primarily populated by lizard-type monsters.

There are quite a lot of lizard-type monsters in the higher ranks.

That unexplored Labyrinth I went to with the party that day.

The main monsters there were B-rank lizard-type monsters called “Armored Lizards.”

If I take this opportunity to learn how to deal with lizard-type monsters, it will definitely help later on.

I wonder if the students realize I’m thinking this far ahead for them.

* * * * *

“Lael, Ludmila, Denevan, Frit, Ed…”

Standing at the Academy entrance, counting the students with my finger, I paused.

One person was missing.

I clearly told them the departure time yesterday and emphasized multiple times not to be late.

“Does anyone know where student Flan is?”

“Huh? We were definitely getting ready together this morning. She’s in the room next to mine.”

Based on Ludmila’s testimony, she’s not sleeping, but where could she be and what is she doing?

Just then, I saw someone waving and running hard from the direction of the dormitory.

Even from this distance, the blue hair was unmistakable—definitely Flan.

As she ran toward us, perhaps feeling anxious for making everyone wait, she tripped and fell.

“””””Ah, oh….”””””

The students let out a collective sigh at the sight.

Finally reaching us, Flan caught her breath and bowed her head.

“I’m sorry!”

“Why are you late?”

“Um… well… actually, I was preparing some food for the morning. I’m sorry.”

I clearly explained that we would prepare the food.

This isn’t a picnic.

Anyway, now that all the students were here, we couldn’t waste any more time.

We needed to finish quickly so they could rest.

“Everyone, get on the carriage. We’re departing immediately.”

The students boarded one by one, and after confirming everyone was on, I got on last.

As the coachman pulled the reins, the carriage began to move forward with a rattle.

The Guster Labyrinth takes about 2 hours by carriage, then a 10-minute walk to reach.

Since just traveling takes considerable time, the students chatted to alleviate their boredom.

“Flan, so that’s why you looked busy this morning?”

“Yeah, it’s my first time going out with everyone like this, so I just wanted to prepare something.”

“Lael, don’t you want to try it soon?… Lael?”

When Ludmila tapped her shoulder, Lael jumped in surprise and turned her head.

“Huh? What did you say?”

Lael, sitting at the very front of the carriage right behind the coachman, was doing exactly what I was doing.

From the moment we leave the Royal Capital, anything could happen.

Whether it’s a monster attack or an assault by criminals.

She couldn’t let her guard down, it seems.

Looking at her like this, despite being similar in age, there’s clearly a difference between her and the other students.

Well, I think they’ll all become similar after the adventure planned for the second semester.

No, I’ll make sure of it.

Adventure is no child’s play.

After traveling for quite some time, we arrived at our destination, and everyone got out of the carriage, stretching their stiff bodies.

Even I, who’s used to carriage rides, feel sore, so the students must feel worse.

For now, I plan to escort the students to the front of the Labyrinth.

That way, the evaluation can take place with everyone in proper condition.

“Line up in a single file. We’re departing now.”

The formation was decided with me at the front and Lael at the rear.

I thought Lael, being a former warrior, would naturally object, but surprisingly, she accepted without complaint.

Has she acknowledged the position of professor and student?

Either way, it wasn’t a bad feeling.

As we pushed through the forest, it wasn’t long before the entrance to the Labyrinth and two adventurers came into view.

I approached them as they were chatting, looking bored.

“I’d like to enter the Labyrinth.”

“Ah, are you from the Academy for that eval… what was it?”

“Evaluation, you idiot. Can’t you even remember that?”

“Right, that. Anyway, they said someone would come for that…”

The man, who looked like he’d been through it all, glanced at the students behind me.

“Seems right. Let me see your permit.”

I handed over the permit, and after checking it, he tucked it between his pants and belly.

“Can we enter now?”

“Well… just make sure these rookies don’t wet themselves inside the Labyrinth. I can’t stand the smell. Or maybe you’ll be the one wetting yourself?”

His adventurer companion burst into laughter at that remark.

Adventurers hate being disrespected and love disrespecting others.

That’s why they’re often so rude.

But I’m no better than you guys, if not worse.

I have a temper that’s hard to control—I once beat up everyone who laughed at my party name “Black Crow” until they were nearly dead.

I infused my mana core with blue energy and raised my index finger. Then I aimed.

Right between the legs of the guy who disrespected me.

As the water shot out and struck his groin, he clutched his private parts and collapsed to the ground.

“Ugh, aaaaargh!”

One down.

As I slightly moved my finger to aim at the other guy’s groin, he immediately bowed and apologized.

“I’m sorry!”

“Kid, don’t apologize. Be proud. Aren’t adventurers supposed to live on pride?”

“Pride won’t save my groin! I’m sorry!”

What should I do now?

Since he’s bowing, I can’t give him the same treatment as his friend.

Then a good idea came to mind.

It’s obvious that my adventurer rank is higher than theirs, so shouldn’t I educate them a bit?

I took out a spoon from my pocket and channeled colorless mana into it.

The spoon began to glow softly.

Enhancement complete.

When he saw I wasn’t doing anything, he slowly raised his head, perhaps feeling uneasy. And the moment our eyes met…

WHACK!

I struck his head with the spoon.

There was a loud noise, and his eyes rolled back as he collapsed on the spot.

“Don’t do things that deserve punishment. Then you won’t get hit.”

Ah, I guess it’s pointless to talk to someone who’s already unconscious?

Now that the situation was neatly resolved, I turned around to face the students.

“Everyone, don’t worry too much. Adventurers are just like that. They all have bad tempers and no manners.”

The students nodded vigorously, as if they were scared.

Except for Lael, of course.

She was staring into space, letting out a deep sigh.

She must be remembering the old days.

After all, whenever I caused trouble, she was the leader who had to apologize.

Anyway, what’s important now is…

“We’re entering the Labyrinth. Everyone, brace yourselves. The evaluation begins now.”

The evaluation is starting.

But I never imagined such a thing would happen in the Labyrinth.

In a mere D-rank Labyrinth, no less.