Ch.32032. Surviving on a Deserted Island

The Demeia Academy’s comprehensive evaluation didn’t have a fixed assessment method. Sometimes it involved mock battles similar to the entrance examination, while other times it featured tournament-style duels between cadets.

The evaluation method changed each time because it was determined by professors who assessed each grade’s current level and deficiencies. The differences in opinions among professors were narrowed through meetings, but it was never an easy process.

Since each professor specialized in different fields and was renowned in their respective areas, they never reached a consensus in a single attempt.

More precisely, opinions rarely converged even through meetings, so typically several representative evaluation methods would be selected and the final method determined through voting.

The first comprehensive evaluation for new students was thus decided to be a survival test.

More than half of the students enrolled at Demeia Academy, which was essentially a military educational institution, were nobles. Since graduating from Demeia Academy was mandatory to prove one’s blue blood, there was inevitably a high proportion of noble students.

And inevitably, most noble students who had grown up in privileged environments lacked the ferocity essential for warfare. It wasn’t that these students who had never struggled for anything were bad, but such a mindset didn’t align with Demeia Academy’s ideal candidate profile.

Of course, the same applied to commoner students. Although they might have more ferocity than noble students, it wasn’t enough to meet Demeia Academy’s standards.

That’s why the first comprehensive evaluation for freshmen was often set as a survival test. The intention was to naturally fill their lack of ferocity while teaching them how to survive when left alone on the battlefield.

The faculty also maintained that the first freshman comprehensive evaluation should always follow a survival theme, only varying the specific evaluation methods within that framework.

Gilbert recalled the first comprehensive evaluation, commonly referred to as “Main Story Chapter 1.” The survival test conducted under the name of comprehensive evaluation was essentially a graveyard for newbies.

Although Professor Yan served as a gatekeeper, it wasn’t comparable to the first comprehensive evaluation. Many students were eliminated by surprise attacks from behind in moments of carelessness.

The survival test was usually conducted on a large uninhabited island owned by Demeia Academy. An extreme hardcore rule applied: survive for a week without being eliminated on this island covered with dense forests.

Moreover, this time Professor Alexander’s suggestion had been adopted, with giant soldier puppets and magical weapons hidden in secret locations. Students could use these two elements to either fight or cooperate.

Ultimately, the theme of this evaluation was to survive until the end in an extreme battlefield situation.

“Sir Gilbert. What are you planning to do?” Hans asked Gilbert, who was deep in thought while looking at the large magic circle that would transport them to the uninhabited island for the comprehensive evaluation.

Only then did Gilbert notice Angelina and Hans gathered beside him, as he had been lost in deep contemplation.

“I’ll focus on surviving as much as possible.”

“That’s not what I’m asking! I mean, are you going to be the commander again this time?”

The Hans who had trembled at his first sight of Gilbert was gone. As he got to know Gilbert better, Hans realized Gilbert was different from the rumors and now treated him comfortably while still respecting boundaries.

“Hans. Please be quiet. Your fuss makes you look uncultured.”

“Angelina, you came here to ask him the same thing!”

“Yes, but making a fuss like you do is uncultured behavior.”

Gilbert smiled slightly at the odd combination of Angelina and Hans. Despite their stark difference in status as noble and commoner, they had become quite casual with each other since being united by their common connection to Gilbert.

Of course, Hans, being a commoner, addressed Angelina respectfully, but Angelina didn’t treat him disrespectfully despite his commoner status, which made their relationship work.

The harmony between the two was unexpected even to Gilbert, but it was actually fortunate for him since he intended to keep them as comrades until the end. Nothing was more troublesome than bad blood between teammates.

“Forming a team would be good, but it’s different from the entrance mock battle.”

“I thought so too. Still, I think we’ll be fine if we’re with you, Sir Gilbert.”

Angelina shook her head and sighed deeply at Hans, who had clenched his fists with determination.

“Sigh. Gilbert, can we form a team without this idiot? He seems like he’ll be a headache.”

“What? Angelina! That’s too harsh!”

“That’s why I’m telling you to behave with more culture.”

After watching their banter a bit longer, Gilbert called them both as he sensed the comprehensive evaluation was about to begin.

“Angelina, Hans, once the comprehensive evaluation starts, our priority is to regroup. You both understand that, right?”

“The question is where to meet. Once we’re dropped on the island, pinpointing locations will be nearly impossible. Gilbert knows this too.”

“Hmm… heading in one direction would be difficult too.”

“Exactly. It might be impossible to determine direction. We have too little information about the island to establish a plan.”

While the two were right in their thinking, Gilbert was different. He had already visited the island countless times while playing Tactical Combat and had memorized all the notable terrain features.

However, since only the faculty knew about the island, he couldn’t share this information. So his solution was somewhat irresponsible.

“I don’t know how big the island is, but since it’s called an uninhabited island, it must be an island. That means there’s likely a coastline.”

“So you’re suggesting we walk along one side of the coastline?”

“Move to the southern coastline, then follow it westward as our basic movement plan.”

“Have you considered how unreasonable that sounds?”

“Do we have any better alternatives?”

Angelina closed her mouth. As Gilbert said, without a map of the area, it would be difficult to determine an exact meeting point.

“Isn’t following the coastline problematic too? The terrain is too exposed, making us easy targets…”

When Hans cautiously offered his opinion, both Gilbert and Angelina nodded simultaneously.

“It’s best to move along the coastline while prioritizing concealment.”

“Since we don’t have a better solution, let’s follow that plan for now. But we should set a timeframe. I think focusing solely on regrouping would make it difficult to survive for a week.”

The three adjusted their differences and established a plan. They agreed to regroup between the second and fourth day after entering the island. If they failed to regroup by then, they would focus on surviving alone. They set a three-day window for regrouping because they didn’t know how large the island would be.

“First-year students, attention.”

Just as Gilbert and the others finalized their plan, Professor Brianna appeared in front of the teleportation magic circle. She began a brief explanation after focusing the attention of the murmuring first-year students.

“I believe everyone has received explanations from their respective class professors. For the next week, students will need to survive on an uninhabited island using their wits. Of course, the bracelets distributed to students have magic circles engraved on them that will automatically transport you back here if your life is in danger. So don’t worry and focus on the evaluation. If anyone wishes to forfeit, simply tear off your bracelet. Any questions?”

No student had any questions about Professor Brianna’s explanation. She slowly scanned the students and briefly glanced at her disciple when she spotted him.

Though he hadn’t been her disciple before, he was now officially Professor Brianna’s exclusive disciple. Her pride wouldn’t allow her disciple to be seen as incompetent anywhere.

Of course, since he had shown promise even before becoming her disciple, she had no worries about this evaluation. Rather, with some anticipation about what he would accomplish, she called out to the first-year students:

“Then let’s begin the first comprehensive evaluation. First-grade class, step onto the magic circle!”

Gilbert watched as students took their turns stepping onto the massive teleportation magic circle. Among them was Ian, the protagonist of Tactical Combat, and Lily, who was glaring at him as if she wanted to kill him.

He steeled himself and stepped onto the magic circle after Angelina and Hans.

Soon, blue magical energy swirled around them, and his vision went dark.

***

When Gilbert’s darkened vision returned, he saw a dense forest. The uninhabited island where the comprehensive evaluation took place was covered with trees so tall they blocked the sky. Beyond that, there was only the coastline with an endless expanse of sea.

To determine his location, Gilbert first climbed the largest tree he could see.

With his growth rate doubled from the merit badge received in the entrance mock battle, and having trained without missing a day, he had increased his physical ability score by 1.

Having possessed an insane ability score of 90 even before entering the academy, even a single point increase yielded far greater efficiency for him compared to others.

Considering that the ability score cap was 100, a score of 90 was already close to perfection. Gaining 1 more point meant he had become a superhuman far beyond an ordinary person.

With such superhuman physique, he reached the treetop in an instant. From the treetop, he quickly realized he was somewhere near the center of the island.

‘Since regrouping starts tomorrow, I should first gather what I need for survival.’

Gilbert prioritized what he needed to do.

He drew on survival knowledge gained from military service and survival programs he had watched. Having applied all this countless times in both real practice and Tactical Combat, his judgment was quick.

The priorities for island survival were always shelter, devices for rescue requests, water, and food.

Since he could quickly create shelter using his mana control, he pushed that to a lower priority.

Devices for rescue requests weren’t an issue either, as they would naturally be summoned back to the academy after a week, so fresh water became his top priority.

If he were a mage who could use magic, it would have been easy, but unfortunately, Gilbert lacked such magical aptitude.

After climbing down the tree, Gilbert carefully began exploring the forest southward, checking for water collected on leaves. Though he found occasional puddles, he ignored them for fear of getting sick from contaminated water.

Despite these efforts, there were no broad-leaved trees nearby. Quickly abandoning the search for collected water, he instead perked up his ears to check for flowing water nearby.

How much time had passed since first arriving on the island?

After what felt like about an hour to Gilbert, his keen hearing detected the sound of flowing water. Thinking there must be a river nearby, he quickly moved toward the source of the sound.

After about 10 minutes, he found a small stream, just as he had thought.

Gilbert’s expression brightened at finally finding drinking water. Although a knight who could manipulate mana could survive without water, mana wasn’t unlimited.

Moreover, using mana recklessly in a battlefield deliberately designed for combat could be life-threatening. That’s why he had put effort into finding water.

Fortunately, there were no hostile students near the stream. Since this evaluation had no restrictions on bringing items except magical ones, he took out the water bottle he had prepared in advance.

After quenching his thirst with the stream water, he filled his bottle and climbed the largest tree in sight.

Having secured water, his next task was to obtain food. If this was a water source, animals would naturally come to drink.

Gilbert climbed the tree to hunt such animals, and while resting, he waited for animals to approach for water.

In such survival situations, the most important virtues were the will to survive and perseverance. Unwavering patience was essential, so Gilbert waited for animals with a relaxed mindset. Meanwhile, some students came to find the stream, but none detected his presence.

Not wanting to expend energy on the first day, he simply watched as the students quenched their thirst and moved on. After waiting on the tree for a while, Gilbert finally spotted what he had been waiting for: a Kelni, an animal similar to a deer with small horns on its head.

Gilbert gripped the small dagger he had prepared. Even if he could drop from the tree instantly, drawing a longsword in this tree-dense area would be cumbersome, hence the prepared dagger.

He patiently waited until the cautious Kelni approached and began drinking water.

Usually, the moment an animal is most vulnerable at a water source is when it’s drinking. As soon as the Kelni stretched its neck to drink, Gilbert leaped down from the tree like lightning and plunged the dagger into its neck with a single strike.

“Kik!”

With a final cry, the Kelni perished. Having easily obtained his daily sustenance, Gilbert quickly shouldered the Kelni and left the area. After moving quite far away, he surveyed the surroundings, put down the Kelni, and sat down.

Carrying the Kelni as it was would be inefficient, and the blood smell could attract carnivores.

Drawing his dagger again, Gilbert skillfully skinned the Kelni and extracted the meat. To make it easier to carry, he cut off the legs and tied the four legs together with string he had brought.

Although it was a shame to leave the torso behind, Gilbert was satisfied with the four legs. He climbed a nearby tree again to check the direction he had come from.

Realizing he had moved more eastward than intended, he adjusted his direction and headed south.

Despite the trees being tall enough to block the sky, day and night were still distinguishable. Noticing it was getting darker, Gilbert decided to stop moving.

Wandering at night would be reckless, and it was about time for a meal.

Luckily finding a cave suitable for camping, Gilbert threw down the bundle of Kelni legs he had been carrying and first lit a fire. Although the light or smoke might attract other students, he didn’t want to eat the Kelni legs raw.

After skillfully lighting a fire with dry branches, he picked up one large Kelni leg. He found a long, sturdy branch, cut between the Achilles tendon and the leg, hung it on the branch, and placed it over the fire.

The Kelni leg, which began to brown nicely, was mouth-watering just to look at. As the fat dripped down and the meat finally cooked enough to eat, he cut off a well-cooked portion with his dagger and tasted it.

‘This is delicious indeed.’

Satisfied with the juicy meat spreading in his mouth, Gilbert removed the Kelni leg from the branch and prepared to eat in earnest. Although it was too much for one person, he could eat the rest before departing in the morning.

Just as he was about to enjoy the meat, Gilbert’s senses detected something. The presence approaching wasn’t an animal. That left only one possibility: another student like himself.

Gripping the longsword he had placed beside him, he waited for the other person to approach. The presence drew closer and closer until it was right in front of him.

Rustle!

With the sound of trampled leaves, Gilbert drew his longsword and pointed it at the person.

“Ugh!”

The unidentified person who suddenly appeared was so startled by the sudden sword that they fell on their backside. Gilbert checked the intruder’s face in the firelight and couldn’t help but inwardly curse.

Pink hair and an overwhelming chest size.

It was Pinchang Lily.

“You…”

As soon as Lily realized it was Gilbert pointing the sword at her, her gaze turned fierce. Having shown such an embarrassing display in front of her mortal enemy, Lily gritted her teeth.

“Lily, is it.”

Gilbert was equally troubled. Given his awkward relationship with Lily, this encounter was far from welcome.

Although it wasn’t directly his doing, the casual one-line setting he had inserted had left an indelible memory in her life.

That weighed on his mind, but Gilbert couldn’t decide how to approach Lily. A hasty apology would clearly only provoke her further.

“Eliminate me.”

Lily glared at Gilbert as if she wanted to kill him and said that. Gilbert already had his longsword in hand, and she was defenseless on the ground. Rather than seeking his pity, she preferred to be eliminated cleanly.

‘This is giving me a headache.’

Gilbert pondered how to handle Lily. If it had been anyone else, he would have eliminated them without hesitation, but having wronged her, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

During the brief moment that passed, Gilbert went through countless considerations.

Growl!

“Ugh!”

An untimely sound erupted from Lily’s stomach, which hadn’t eaten anything all day.

For Lily, this became the moment in her life when she most wanted to die. To make such a sound in front of the dreadful Gilbert—there was no greater humiliation.

Gilbert, watching Lily trembling, thought his previous deliberation had been foolish. With a lighter heart, he withdrew his sword and pointed his thumb behind him.

“I was about to have dinner. Let’s eat first, then continue.”

“…”

Lily wanted to refuse, but thinking that would make her look more pitiful, she reluctantly nodded.