Chapter 161: Survival (2)

A few days later, about three hundred students gathered in front of the autumn-tinted garden. They stood in an orderly fashion, waiting for their turn without causing a commotion.

The shimmering blue teleportation gate before them was massive and wide, likely due to the large number of students it needed to transport.

It seemed large enough for everyone to rush through at once, but they were told to wait as transporting too many people simultaneously could cause problems.

“Did you pack everything? Didn’t forget anything?” I asked.

“Yes, I packed it all. I’ve checked the regulations multiple times, so I should pass the pre-inspection without issues,” Jessica replied.

Despite packing only about a day’s worth of food and a tent, Jessica’s backpack bulged like a potbelly.

She wasn’t the only one; all the students’ backpacks were at least as large as Jessica’s, if not larger.

Occasionally, I spotted students without any luggage at all. Judging by the calluses on their hands, they seemed to be of commoner origin.

“You’re going in last, right?” Jessica asked.

“Yeah, I’ll enter after the students have spread out as much as possible.”

As I watched the students undergo inspections before entering, I recalled last night’s conversation.

‘You want to reduce the food?’

Marina had looked puzzled when I suggested reducing the food-like materials scattered throughout the forest.

It might seem odd, but it was necessary.

The most threatening aspect of this test wasn’t the artificial magical beasts designed to attack without causing severe injuries, but the food and water.

While the beasts wouldn’t inflict fatal or lasting wounds, these noble students, pampered like greenhouse flowers, wouldn’t last even three days without food or water – and that’s not counting what they brought with them.

‘I see you’re thinking about evacuating the students as quickly as possible if a battle breaks out… But there’s one problem with that plan.’

It would be fine if students gave up and immediately fired signal flares to evacuate. But if a scramble for limited food broke out, it would only create more chaos.

Marina pointed this out, but I was confident it wouldn’t happen.

‘Headmaster, I apologize for saying this in front of an educator like yourself, but honestly, how many students do you think are taking this test seriously?’

It wasn’t about the difficulty of the test; most students simply didn’t need to take it seriously.

Unlike schools on Earth, low scores here wouldn’t result in failing or expulsion, nor would they affect their futures.

While some students took the test seriously, they were the minority.

Most viewed the academy as a place for social networking rather than sincere learning.

‘You asked what would happen if a scramble broke out? If faced with such a situation, they’d choose to evacuate without hesitation.’

Even if it was just a test, having their food stolen would leave a bitter taste, regardless of what their minds told them.

Repeating such actions would damage their reputation, and the shrewd students here would choose their reputation over passing the test without a second thought.

‘…You’re right. Well then, let’s reduce the distribution of edible plants and processed meats.’

So, I had to memorize the revised map, which I managed to do by today.

“If you get hungry, just come out without regrets. It’s not like they’re giving out prizes for staying in there longer,” I said.

There was no need to endure unnecessarily in a potentially dangerous place, especially when passing the test offered no significant benefits.

I suggested she should leave immediately upon entering, but Jessica shook her head firmly.

“There are people watching, and I can’t run away alone unless everyone else does. Even if I’m no match for those guys, I might be able to save at least one person. And…”

Jessica paused mid-sentence, looked up at me, and continued with a slight stammer.

“…You’ll help me if it gets dangerous, right? Like that time?”

“I’m good at killing, but I’m not confident about fighting while protecting someone.”

“Oh, come on!! At times like this, just say you will even if you’re not confident!”

As we chatted, Jessica’s turn approached. I waved goodbye to her and moved on to the next person of interest.

“Hello, Ian!” Euclid greeted me with his usual bright expression.

Unlike Jessica, who I had informed about the potential attack during this test, Euclid was still unaware.

There was no point in making him anxious about an uncertain threat.

Ideally, we’d keep him out entirely to prepare for a possible incident, but that might raise questions later if people learned the prince acted separately during an attack.

“You’ll be going in soon too, right?”

Euclid and Jessica’s entry times were nearly simultaneous, and their starting locations were very close. This was intentional, to keep the two priority targets together in case something happened.

I had briefed Nana beforehand, so she’d surely help if the situation called for it.

“Don’t you have any luggage?” I asked.

“I can go without eating for about four days and still move around,” Euclid replied.

“Really? I’d think you’d need to eat a ton to maintain that mountain of a body.”

“This guy, I swear…”

As Nana reached for her sword hilt, Euclid laughed awkwardly and stopped her.

“Haha… Come on, you two, don’t fight…”

Time flew by as we chatted, and soon it was Euclid’s turn for inspection.

Since only Euclid was carrying luggage, Nana waited while Euclid alone approached the teacher standing by the teleportation gate.

“Hey, you know, right?” I said to Nana, now that we were alone.

She nodded, understanding I was referring to the escort duty.

“I know. I’ll protect His Highness with my life if necessary.”

As the servant renewed her resolve in her master’s absence, Euclid, having completed his inspection, waved at us.

Seeing this, Nana hurried to Euclid’s side. I silently wished for their safety as I watched them enter the teleportation gate.

After Euclid’s departure, the crowd that had filled the garden gradually moved towards the gate.

Once all the students had left for the forest test site, leaving only a few teachers, Marina, and myself in the garden, Marina approached me with a tired sigh.

“Should I go now?” I asked.

“…No, wait until the students have settled in a bit more. By then, their routes will be somewhat established, making it easier for you to start from a convenient location for escorting.”

While we waited, Marina explained the tools I’d be taking into the forest.

First, she showed me a map that displayed the students’ positions in real-time. The two most likely targets for protection were marked in red.

“How accurate is the map?” I asked.

“The margin of error is about 1 meter, so it’s practically perfect. Your position will also be shown on the map, so refer to it while moving.”

In addition to the map, I received a ring for communication magic and an evacuation magic tool similar to those given to the students.

However, my evacuation tool differed slightly. While the students’ tools could only transport themselves, mine could move all students within a 10-meter radius to another location.

“Is there anything else I should be aware of?” I asked.

“Yes. Avoid fighting the magical beasts roaming the forest if possible.”

“Huh? Did you make them exceptionally strong?”

“No, I set them to be not too strong in case the enemy takes control of them. However, I designed them to last as long as possible to buy time, which could be quite annoying. That’s why I’m telling you in advance.”

“Wouldn’t that be troublesome for us if we lose the initiative?”

“…I understand what you’re saying, Ian, but we can’t make them completely weak. Besides, it’s not certain they’ll be taken over.”

Given that our opponents were likely more skilled than Marina, it seemed almost certain the beasts would be taken over. Still, her point wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

There was no guarantee the enemy would try to take control of Marina’s artificial beasts, and they hadn’t shown such behavior before.

In this situation, making the beasts so weak that even a child could defeat them, just because the enemy might take control, could be seen as negligent.

“Well, I guess we’ll see when it actually happens. Can I go now?”

“…It should be about time for them to settle in. Your starting point will be midway between Jessica and Prince Euclid. Check the map as soon as you arrive.”

With those final instructions, I tucked the map and magic tools Marina had given me into my clothes and took a step towards the shimmering teleportation gate.