Chapter 149: End of the First Day

The Orion Academy Instructors held a rather lengthy meeting to decide on the practical exam.

There were suggestions to stick with the initially planned bell snatching exercise between the cadets, but looking back at recent events, it felt too lenient.

To make the second semester’s curriculum more substantial, a deeper understanding of the cadets was needed.

Thus, the bells were transferred from the cadets to the instructors, and various evaluation criteria were proposed.

Among them, one idea received positive responses from all the instructors.

The majority of the academy’s cadets were children of prestigious families.

Even if allowed to use every possible means, these children were likely to stay within conventional boundaries to maintain their appearances.

This wouldn’t do. Superficial appearances were mere shells that led to futile deaths in real combat.

The instructors made it one of their goals to strip away these superficialities as much as possible.

Separately, they were also greatly anticipating what clever tricks the cadets might bring to the table.

Kwaaang!!!

An explosion accompanied by a tremendous roar erupted where Carrot was standing.

The observing cadets gaped at the unexpected scene.

Carrot, of course, was perfectly fine.

She hadn’t secured her position as an Orion Academy Instructor by sheer luck.

“Eeeh, the tips of my hair are singed…”

Carrot fiddled with the hair affected by the explosion, making a disappointed sound, but her lips curved into a smile.

Wasn’t it fun from the very beginning? It was already exceeding expectations.

‘I thought the ground felt strange. But when did he plant the bomb?’

Even Carrot had only felt a sense of incongruity with her innate beastkin intuition.

When she first stood there, she couldn’t find anything visually out of place. Plants were growing normally on the ground, and there were no signs of digging.

That meant the bomb had been planted and concealed flawlessly.

“Heehee, how cunning.”

As the black smoke cleared, Rohan came into view.

Catching Instructor Carrot’s gaze, Rohan maintained his smile and pulled out a bottle filled with liquid from his pocket.

A brown glass bottle, the kind you’d see in a hospital.

Right in front of Carrot, he tossed the bottle into the air. It arced towards Carrot’s rabbit ears.

Rohan aimed his Handgun. He pulled the trigger.

Carrot, her eyes sparkling with interest, observed the situation.

‘Hydrochloric acid or Sulfuric acid? Or Poison?’

Ordinary poisons or acids had no effect on a body imbued with Mana. They were generally less effective than bombs.

Yet, the fact that he pulled it out meant he had confidence in it. She couldn’t just let it hit her.

Bang!

The glass bottle, pierced by the bullet, shattered with a Clang! sound, spilling a green liquid into the air.

Carrot kicked off the ground to avoid the falling liquid.

She hopped forward to close the distance with Rohan.

With a single leap, Carrot entered striking range and immediately launched a Kick.

Rohan twisted his body, narrowly dodging the Kick aimed at his chin.

“Don’t be angry, Instructor. It was just ordinary Green tea.”

“…You’re a truly interesting Cadet.”

Was it a trap to set up his next move? Or was it to lure her into a straight approach? Or was it to check her response to an unknown attack?

Carrot couldn’t erase the smile from her face, intrigued by Rohan’s methods.

She felt strangely manipulated.

‘Did Instructor Juyeon teach him this? Or is it experience cultivated in the Southern Region? Whatever it is, it’s stimulating.’

Rohan was unusually skilled for an ordinary Cadet.

The flow and movements were too natural to have been taught. Even if he had conceived it in his imagination, it didn’t feel like his first attempt.

“Hiya!”

The explosive power characteristic of Rabbit Beastkin.

Rohan’s large frame was sent flying by the roundhouse Kick.

‘Without any Mana!?’

Rohan’s eyes widened.

Even with Mana stabilizing his center of gravity, he was sent flying. It was a strike, a strength, on a different level.

Swoooosh! Rohan slid across the ground and landed.

Carrot had already closed in. Showing off her flexibility, she lifted her Leg high.

Unfazed, Rohan raised his Sword sheath to block the downward strike.

Crack!

‘Heavy.’

Carrot’s kick carried a deep discipline that surpassed natural talent.

If he hadn’t used the arm holding his Handgun to reinforce his defense, he would have dropped his Sword.

“Instructor, you’re merciless.”

“Of course! The tips of my hair are split, so I’m angry!”

She looked more excited than angry. Her rabbit ears were standing straight up.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Carrot’s attacks carried a cheerful rhythm, conveying her exhilarated emotions.

Rohan naturally drew Radiance from its sheath.

Infusing it with Blazing Blade, he swung without hesitation.

[First Sword – Flame Sever]

Carrot spun around to avoid the Slash, wiggling her hips.

“Eeeh! Cadet Rohan, that’s so mean! Trying to kill such a pretty Instructor?”

“I’ll pay as much condolence money as I can.”

Rohan fired his Handgun Bang! Bang!

Carrot dodged the bullets with minimal movement and started extending her Legs again.

“I don’t accept a Cadet’s pocket money!”

“Ugh!”

Carrot’s movements were incredible. Every time he blocked a Kick, he felt like his grip on the Sword would tear.

It was amazing that she was delivering those blows so lightly, without any intention to kill.

‘…My Mana is being drained.’

He could read her movements with his eyes, but even keeping his blade and gun barrel on target was difficult.

Click! Click! He pulled the trigger, but no bullets came out.

He ejected the empty magazine.

Rohan tossed the Handgun upwards.

He gripped his Sword with both hands and swung, managing to push Carrot back slightly.

He then reached for his magazine pouch.

“Heng!”

Carrot tenaciously pursued, as if she wouldn’t let him go.

Rohan, once again, pulled out something other than a magazine.

This world has many special weapons unseen in his previous life.

Firearms designed for mana users have developed in fascinating ways.

Rohan had purchased many things.

And the one he’d use here…

An Infrasound Noise Bomb purchased for 46 coins. It was shaped like a Grenade.

Infrasound is difficult for ordinary people to hear. Most of the time, it’s inaudible. Even in his original world, it was only used to repel wild animals.

But Beastkin could hear it clearly. Shion, the Elf, also said she could hear it.

When he asked what it felt like, she described it as ‘an unpleasant noise that disrupts concentration.’

Click!

Rohan pressed the button and threw the noise bomb on the ground.

The noise bomb began to vibrate like a ringing phone.

Several Beastkin Cadets watching nearby squeezed their eyes shut and covered their ears.

“···!”

Carrot also winced. Her erect rabbit ears were trembling.

If it weren’t for the restriction of using minimal mana, she would have easily protected her hearing. It was a shame.

Carrot checked Rohan’s Handgun descending from the air.

Rohan would have to grab it for combat.

Therefore, Carrot aimed for the noise bomb on the ground.

‘As expected.’

Kicking it away was also within his predictions.

Rohan ignored the falling Handgun without catching it. The Brand wouldn’t even get scratched if it fell on the ground.

“Heup!”

Rohan threw himself forward.

He shoulder-checked Carrot, who was about to kick the noise bomb like a soccer ball, pushing her away.

“Ah!”

The two rolled on the ground.

Rohan grabbed Carrot’s Leg as she tried to get up.

“Huhu, I don’t dislike persistent men.”

Could these legs attached to such a slender body be real? Rohan’s body was dragged along the ground.

He even let go of his Sword and grabbed her ankles with both hands, trying to apply a joint lock, but her ankles wouldn’t budge, as if they were made of iron.

‘Crazy.’

Her leg strength was unbelievable. He considered using Weakness Inducement, but contact without firing it through a bullet would result in unpredictable mana consumption.

So, he decided to pull out more of what he had prepared.

Just as Rohan was about to gesture towards a distant building.

“Surrender~”

Carrot raised both hands with a smile.

“Huh?”

“Could you turn off that noise bomb first? My ears hurt.”

“···.”

Was it just a verbal surrender? As Rohan narrowed his eyes.

Carrot seemed to like that, chuckling and pointing to one side.

“Ah.”

The silver Bell that had been attached to Instructor Carrot’s waist was already gone.

Had it fallen off and the thin string snapped as it rolled on the ground?

Rohan quickly got up, picked up the Bell, and deactivated the noise bomb.

“I apologize.”

“Apologies~ That immediate distrust! Excellent.”

Carrot, looking at the Cadets standing around with dazed expressions, felt even more satisfied.

She applauded Rohan, congratulating him.

‘I used too much mana defending.’

If she used any more, full recovery within a day would be difficult.

She had no intention of expending any more on the first day. Impatience is poison.

From now on, she would focus on observing and understanding the remaining tests.

Rohan wandered around, diligently gathering information.

He also made sure to have a hearty lunch.

Then, at the promised time of 5 PM, the announcement came.

─ Day 1 practical exam concluded. Day 1 practical exam has concluded.

─ Injured Cadets, please proceed to the tent set up in the center to receive Healing from Instructor Marcel···.

Rohan left the Academy without hesitation.

··

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After showering, Rohan lay on his Dormitory bed and checked his phone.

He opened Orion Circle, the Orion Academy Community, to continue his reconnaissance.

[Practical difficulty wtf rly?]

[That guy writes 10 posts a day…]

[Just assume the red Bell doesn’t exist lol]

[Diary! Do not click♡]

[↑Don’t click it;]

[Was that explosion sound in today’s test done with mana? No way it was a real bomb, right?]

[Recommending lunch for tomorrow]

[I heard more than half didn’t get a Bell on the first day]

[Let’s have a moment of silence]

[I’m screwed ㅠㅠ]

[The girl I’m seeing asked if I’m gay, what does that mean?]

Complete chaos.

Even here, if he sifted through it, he could find useful information.

[Saw Instructor Carrot give out a Bell only once, and Ichinose Yui and Noa Frozenheart got Bells from Instructor Ed.]

Those two had already secured one of the only 20 Bells each.

He figured they’d cross paths again tomorrow.

‘This kind of competition is good.’

They usually contacted each other often, but they would naturally stop contacting each other during the practical exam, wouldn’t they?

It seemed like they would have a lot to talk about afterward.

He continued scrolling, gathering information.

‘More than half were blocked on the first test.’

If they had blindly increased their mana capacity with Elixirs and other support from their families, they wouldn’t be able to pass Instructor Marcel’s test.

It would take three days just to figure out the trick. There was a strong possibility it would take even longer.

“Hmm.”

He felt like he had a good start.

It made him happy.

Getting out of bed, Rohan continued his preparations for tomorrow’s exam.