Ch.48Second Semester Evaluation (1)

# Evaluation is Like War

Evaluation is like war.

Since honor follows the results, it held even greater meaning for the Academy students, most of whom were nobles.

Especially the spirit of students aiming for the top 10 positions was like that of knights on a battlefield.

Just seeing that, one could feel the determination they held.

Of course, they weren’t the only ones.

Most students who entered the Academy did so with their own goals, so even those in the lower ranks had passion.

That’s why all students, without exception, would become tense as the evaluation period approached, but…

‘Why does it feel somewhat different this time?’

There was a sense that the first semester evaluation had a relaxed tension, but not to this extent.

“Are you going to bring fruit?”

“Yes, I’m planning to buy some today. What are you going to bring?”

“I’m going to bake cookies.”

While some were discussing food…

“Should I bring a board game?”

“Hey, what if we get caught? Would the professor let it slide?”

“If we play just briefly during camping, I think they’ll understand…”

Some were already planning how to have fun.

“Professor, should I prepare sandwiches for your breakfast tomorrow?”

Worrying about my breakfast…

As I lowered my gaze slightly, Lael smiled brightly at me.

“Lael, does this atmosphere seem normal to you?”

“Actually, there’s a rumor going around among students. That’s probably why they’re acting like this.”

“A rumor?”

Lael nodded lightly.

“The rumor says that since we’re not taking a dangerous route and we have escort adventurers, it’s enough to go with the mindset of just taking a trip.”

A scoffing laugh escaped my lips without me realizing it. It was beyond absurd, to the point of making me dizzy.

It’s true that we’re not taking a dangerous route as the rumor suggests.

Even if the professors are composed of outstanding talents, there are certainly aspects they can’t handle individually.

That’s why we’re bringing escort adventurers to prepare for any possible dangers.

But if the students are really showing such reactions because they believe only that rumor…

‘They’re going to be in for a rude awakening.’

The moment we leave the Royal Capital, the evaluation begins, and after that, professors and escort adventurers won’t intervene unless it’s truly an emergency.

In other words, students must handle everything among themselves—battles with monsters, meals including camping, hygiene, and resource management.

Two days. I guarantee that after two days of evaluation, the smiles will disappear from their faces.

Well, let them laugh excitedly now.

And…

“Board games, fruit, cookies. You can bring whatever you need.”

I don’t care what they bring. The most important thing in an adventure is preparation.

But if everything is solved with money, the evaluation won’t be properly conducted.

“As I mentioned before, just remember that except for magic pouches, no magical items are allowed.”

Magical items refer to objects with special powers.

Their abilities vary widely, and I’ve heard that some can split the ground with a single swing.

Of course, such items are extremely rare and I’ve only heard rumors about them, so they must be expensive…

‘But they’re nobles.’

It’s possible they might have hidden family treasures.

Actually, such incidents happened in the past.

In the year the Academy was established, students who went for evaluation all brought magical items, which prevented a proper evaluation.

That’s why this rule exists now.

Well, even if they secretly bring them, it’s not particularly problematic.

Magical items have faint mana flowing through them, so detecting them is no challenge at all.

Besides, the rules I explained earlier state that if a student is caught with magical items, they will automatically receive the lowest grade, so they probably won’t even think of bringing them.

“Then I’ll distribute the basic supplies tomorrow. You may go back for today.”

The sun is still high in the sky, but since we’ll start early tomorrow morning, today’s schedule ends here.

I’ve said everything that needed to be said, and all that remains is to hope that the second semester evaluation ends safely.

I’d like to dismiss it as needless worry, but after experiencing what happened in the first semester, I couldn’t.

After all the students left, I alone began walking toward the Academy’s main gate.

“Derin, have you been waiting long?”

Waiting for me at the Academy’s main gate was Derin.

She slowly shook her head from side to side.

“No, I just got here.”

The reason I called her to the Academy at this hour was because there were things to confirm about tomorrow’s evaluation.

Of course, I had already provided information about the escort request, but it never hurts to be certain.

After completing a simple procedure with the guard, Derin entered the Academy with me.

“It looks even bigger than when viewed from the entrance…”

“I thought the same when I first saw it.”

Now I’m so used to it that I don’t think anything of it.

“Do you have something like a professor’s office too?”

“Of course. That’s where we’re going now.”

There’s no better place for just the two of us to talk.

After all, it’s my personal space.

After passing through several massive buildings to reach the professor’s office, I pointed to a chair and said to Derin:

“You can sit here, and would you like some tea?”

“I’d appreciate it if you’re offering.”

I opened the lid of the teapot, filled it with water using magic, and then channeled mana into the teapot itself. Soon after, the water began to boil.

Indeed, magical items are the best…

I handed over a cup filled with well-brewed tea, and Derin accepted it with a smile.

“Thank you.”

“Sure.”

Sip.

The sound of drinking tea echoed through the professor’s office, and I got to the point.

“Do you remember the information about the escort request?”

“Yes, the expected duration is 16 days. The route bypasses the Great Forest, passes by the large pond, and returns. Don’t move unless it’s clearly an emergency or you bring it up.”

“Do you have the map with you?”

Derin took out a rolled-up map from her magic pouch and showed it to me.

It was indeed the map I had given her, which included the Royal Capital and the Great Forest, so I nodded.

“Do you need any supplies? Like throwing daggers, poison, or something like that?”

“Usually the person receiving the request prepares everything, right? So I’ve already prepared everything.”

Of course I knew that, but I asked just to confirm because the evaluation is such a sensitive matter.

Besides, the headmaster had said that if an adventurer requested anything, it could be handled within the budget.

It’s practically free, so why not take it?

“Tomorrow, come fully equipped either to the workshop or wait at the Academy’s main gate.”

“I’ll go to the workshop.”

Derin answered as if it was obvious and took a sip of tea.

Her smile suggested that she quite liked the tea.

By the way, tomorrow I’ll get to see Derin in that outfit again after a long time.

That combat outfit full of apricot color.

* * * * *

“…You must be careful.”

Master’s words carried weight after a long time.

Lately, they had been more bittersweet, so the meaning of these words felt even more solemn.

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

“If it seems dangerous, run away. Others might blame you as a professor, but that’s only possible if you’re alive.”

Master began putting potions into my magic pouch personally.

I had said that the potions provided by the Academy would be sufficient, but a disciple can’t win against their master.

Although I felt a bit uncomfortable…

If this eased Master’s worries even a little, I could endure it.

“There, all done.”

“Thank you.”

I attached the magic pouch Master handed me to my waist.

“I’ll be going now.”

I bowed my head respectfully.

As I was about to leave the workshop, I felt something pulling me from behind. When I turned my head, Master was holding onto the hem of my clothes with an anxious look.

“It’s okay. It won’t be long.”

Considering that I hadn’t returned for years when I went on an adventure, this should be just the blink of an eye…

But that seemed to be just my own thought.

The grip on my clothes tightened, and I finally turned around to face Master and said:

“It really won’t be long. Nothing will happen. I’ll definitely come back. Don’t worry and wait for me.”

“I know. I know all that…”

Ah, really. With that expression, I can’t leave.

I reached out and embraced Master’s head, whispering softly:

“Whose disciple am I that you don’t trust me so much?”

Creak.

“I’ll be back.”

Thud.

I left the workshop without looking back, and Derin approached, waving her hand as if she had been waiting.

“Are you feeling feverish? Your face is red.”

I wonder if something’s wrong with my body since I did something I don’t usually do.

Anyway, now is not the time to worry about such things.

The second semester evaluation, its curtain is about to rise.