Ch.49Second Semester Evaluation (2)

At the Academy’s main gate, I began inspecting the students lined up in a row.

Though they had merely exchanged their uniforms for armor, they looked impressively gallant—quite different from their usual appearance. Despite their formidable look, their excitement hadn’t diminished.

After circling around the smiling students, I stood at a slight distance where everyone could see me.

“If you’ve forgotten anything, now is the time to go get it.”

The students answered my final warning with silence, which meant there were no issues.

“I’ll begin distributing supplies. Everyone gather over here.”

From this moment on, they wouldn’t be passing through the Academy’s main gate for about two weeks.

I placed a large bag on the ground and started handing out supplies.

Ten recovery potions, five mana potions, three antidotes, and five days’ worth of preserved food per person.

They would likely have more items they brought personally, so the final amount would be greater, but…

‘It’s definitely not enough.’

The evaluation route certainly had a lower danger level, but that was only because the monsters appearing there were lower-ranked.

Because of the barrier set up in the Great Forest, monsters tended to wander around its perimeter, actually increasing the frequency of encounters.

Still, for a C-rank party, they could pass through while humming a tune without much danger, but…

That was only for C-rank parties. Students who had never adventured before would likely perform at D-rank or below.

The exception was Lael, but we’d already discussed that matter.

After all the other students had received their supplies, I whispered quietly to Lael, who came last.

“You remember, right?”

“Yes, I remember everything. I’ll manage myself properly.”

To be honest, if Lael were to use her full power in that group, the evaluation would become impossible.

Like Derin and me, she was also a B-rank adventurer.

Considering that a B-rank adventurer was equal to or slightly superior to a C-rank party, she was an overwhelming presence among the students.

That’s why I asked her to participate in combat but to hold back enough to allow for the evaluation of the other students.

Given her personality, I was concerned she might act instinctively…

Well, I’m sure she’ll handle it properly.

With Lael being the last, all students had received their supplies.

“We’ll now move to the entrance of the Royal Capital.”

The evaluation would begin the moment they left the Royal Capital.

* * * * *

I waited until all the students had passed through the massive gate before following at a distance.

“From now until you pass through this entrance again, everything will be evaluated. Keep that in mind and be mindful of even the smallest actions.”

Despite my serious tone, the students seemed unconcerned, focusing only on looking around and admiring the scenery.

“Hey, look at the sky. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Yeah, it does seem kind of nice.”

The cloudless, clear sky was certainly beautiful, but…

‘That’s the same sky you were looking at until just now.’

They were so excited their heads were in the clouds.

Sigh.

Watching them made me involuntarily sigh.

When I first went adventuring, despite being in a party, I was so nervous my legs were trembling. That’s how terrifying monsters are to ordinary people.

And it shouldn’t be any different for Academy students. That’s how they were during the first semester evaluation.

Even though adventurers regularly cleared monsters near the Royal Capital, encounters weren’t completely eliminated, so they should maintain some level of tension.

‘Is this really just a picnic to you?’

At first, they at least pretended to maintain formation, but now they were walking side by side, chatting away.

Normally, I should deduct points immediately, but since we’d been traveling for less than three minutes, I decided to give them a warning.

Next time, though, I would definitely deduct points.

But it seemed I wasn’t the only one who was dissatisfied.

“Hey everyone, could we at least maintain formation? The possibility of encountering monsters may be low, but it’s not zero. Plus, there are occasional attacks by criminal groups, so it’s always good to be prepared.”

Lael’s words as the leader were gentle, but they clearly had an edge to them. The students nodded and returned to their positions.

I couldn’t help but nod in approval at the leader’s actions.

As expected of the leader of an A-rank party.

When Lael glanced at me to check my reaction, I gave her a thumbs up.

That’s the way to do it.

Just then, Derin, who was walking beside me, moved closer and said:

“This reminds me of when we used to adventure together. It feels nice.”

I almost snapped at her inappropriate comment but decided to keep it to myself.

This was just how Derin was.

She would play mischievous pranks without a care, but when something happened…

Suddenly, Derin placed her hand on the dagger strapped to her thigh.

“I think there’s something to the left front of our formation.”

The excited demeanor she had just moments ago vanished completely, replaced by the aura of a veteran adventurer.

Actually, I had noticed it around the same time she mentioned it. There was an unusual movement among the tall bushes to the left front of our formation.

Lael seemed to have noticed it too, as she reached for her greatsword and raised her fist to halt the formation, but…

“Oof…”

“Ouch…”

They were a disorganized bunch, one after another.

The fortunate thing was that whatever was moving in the bushes wasn’t very large. And we were still near the Royal Capital.

The monster that might appear would likely be a goblin separated from its group or a small insect-type monster.

They could probably defeat something like that without much worry, but in my opinion…

‘That’s a person.’

It happens sometimes—children playing and hiding in bushes to spy on adults.

Sure enough.

“S-s-sorry…”

“Sorry, big sisters and brothers…”

Two cute little kids walked out of the bushes, looking terrified.

Of course they’d be scared—eight people suddenly stopped in front of them and stared sharply.

When Lael gave me a look, I waved my hand signaling them to continue, and approached the children.

As I reached them, the little ones bowed their heads and apologized.

“We’re sorry… You all just looked so cool…”

“Thanks for saying we look cool. But if you hide like that, we might mistake our friend for a monster. That would be bad, right?”

“Yes… We won’t do it again…”

“Good. Take good care of your girlfriend there and hurry back to your parents.”

“She’s not my girlfriend!”

The boy shouted with a reddened face, while the girl beside him lowered her head deeply.

It was obvious he said that out of embarrassment, but…

‘You’re being deceptive.’

I’ve been hiding that I’m a Warlock all my life and haven’t even dated once at my age.

I decided to give this deceptive little kid a push.

“So you’d be fine if your friend there played with other boys?”

“That’s…”

Seeing him unable to answer properly, it seemed I’d hit the mark.

Why not just be honest from the start?

“Well, take good care of her. Understand?”

“…Yes.”

The boy, blushing with embarrassment, quickly bowed his head, grabbed the girl’s hand, and started running toward the entrance of the Royal Capital.

That tightly held hand revealed a budding, innocent love.

Lucky kid…

When I rejoined the group, Derin spoke with a dissatisfied voice:

“That could have been really bad. It’s fortunate no one acted rashly—if there had been even one person with a quick temper, blood might have been spilled. What were they thinking…”

“Well… they’re just kids. These things happen.”

Actually, when I was young, I also used to hide around there and spy on passing adventurers.

Perhaps that’s why I had a feeling it might be people.

Anyway, since I did the same thing in the past, I couldn’t really criticize them.

“Do you like kids…?”

“I don’t dislike them.”

Children are pure. They’re clumsy at hiding their emotions and not good at lying.

Perhaps that’s why, to someone like me who has lived a lifetime of lying to others, children seem like radiant beings.

“Why do you ask?”

“No… just… thought you’d make a good father.”

Marriage, let alone dating, is still far off for me, so talking about fatherhood seems premature, but if she meant I’m a caring person, I’ll take it as a compliment.

It was clearly a compliment directed at me…

So why does Derin look so pleased?

As my head filled with questions, I once again noticed an unusual movement in the bushes beside us.

Large and swift, clearly not human—Derin and I naturally began preparing for any possible situation.

The party of students, following Lael’s instructions, moved into combat formation.

“Monster! Prepare for battle!”