episode_0017

Test Center 4.

Because of the name Test Center, it is easy to think of a neat building.

But it is a dungeon.

A labyrinth-like place with tunnels extending deep underground.

Dungeon managers and test guides guarded the dark entrance to the basement.

Vivian and Ian arrived first.

“This is Ian.”

“I’m Vivian, an aspiring wizard.”

The receptionist checked them both.

“Ian, Vivian. Has confirmed. Test guidance will be given when all participants are together.”

Vivian consciously breathed slowly.

Ian told me to sleep well last night, but I couldn’t sleep a wink.

I guess I barely got any sleep.

Even though Mercy hugged her and sang her a lullaby, it didn’t help.

Kati, who had turned into a cat, allowed me to touch at least the tips of her front paws, but I still couldn’t fall asleep easily.

The whole time I was lying down, my heart was beating fast as if I was running.

‘Calm down, let’s calm down…’ .’

Mercy, who knew that fact, patted me next to him.

“No need to be too nervous!”

“Ugh… .”

“It’s not just you! Ian probably didn’t sleep last night either!”

“Really… ?”

“Huh? I slept well last night?”

“Oh, you clueless guy!”

Mercy hit her back, but Katy’s palm blocked it.

-match!

The two suddenly ended up giving a high five.

“This female cat!”

“You both are crazy, so stay still.”

Mercy and Kati glared at each other and then turned their heads.

It was a scene devoid of any sense of tension.

Vivian laughed a little.

Mercy and Katy bicker lightly sometimes, but ultimately recognize each other as close friends.

Ian may seem indifferent and indifferent, but he never treats his people carelessly.

Among them was Vivian, herself.

‘Yes, you will be able to do well.’

After making my resolution, a question suddenly came to mind.

‘But why on earth was Ian kicked out? There doesn’t seem to be any reason for that at all… .’

With Ian like this, is there any reason for him to be kicked out?

If it’s the people in the first party, is there a reason that I can’t understand?

‘Thanks to that, I met Ian, rather… .’

Vivian quickly shook her head.

‘What a bad imagination! Anyway, I’ve been in charge of the first party for a long time, so I’m sure I’m very heartbroken. I don’t know how good I will be, but I have to try harder… .’

Even though I can’t be Sylvia.

So that I can be Ian’s Vivian.

Soon the second party arrived.

A woman wearing a loose hooded robe stood at the front.

The woman had rich, curly brown hair.

“Manager, Marie.”

His abrupt tone made me feel like he was a tired person.

“Knight, Leon. Archer, Yeats. Wizard, Caltz.”

The name of the applicant was also called out in a whisper.

It was a tone of voice that contrasted with his cute expression.

“Marie, Leon, Yates, Kaltz. Has confirmed. Test guidance will be given when all participants are together.”

Marie nodded.

As Vivian observed secretly, his expression seemed as tired as his tone.

He looks somewhat dull, indifferent to everything, and has a tired face.

‘For some reason, I look like Ian… .’

At that moment, Ian and Marie made eye contact.

The two managers who looked alike greeted each other in a formal manner.

It was similar to just nodding your head once.

“Push… .”

Seeing the two-edged face twitch made Vivian laugh for no reason.

“Huh? Why are you doing that?”

“Oh, no. Hmm.”

All the tension I had felt until a moment ago melted away.

Vivian relaxed her mind and focused on training to open the mana circuit.

I had to practice a little more.

You shouldn’t get lost in practice.

“You’re so damn late.”

Marie muttered.

His mouth was just as rough as his appearance.

Thinking about the person who was late, Vivian’s nerves suddenly rose.

‘Felix… . No, never mind.’

Recognize the incoming and outgoing breath and open the circuits one by one.

As I was concentrating on practicing, I heard multiple footsteps.

Her concentration was broken, but Vivian pretended not to be and closed her eyes.

Several steps stood between Ian and Marie Party.

“This is Felix. The aspirant… .”

While Felix was reciting, Marie glanced at him and muttered.

“It’s too late to pretend to be relaxed… .”

Ian took out a sugar bar and asked.

I quickly reviewed what I received from Taylor yesterday.

‘Felix. A fairly famous figure in the guild. They say the grades that promote aspirants are good. However, many unpleasant incidents occurred in the process. Another party gets hurt, or the test is given up. He claims it was a coincidence or an accident, but… .’

What Taylor delivered was a warning.

Be careful with Felix.

Ian glanced at the four wannabes Felix had brought with him.

‘Knight, archer, priest, wizard. It’s standard. The armament is also excellent. I don’t know if my skills are good enough.’

For an aspiring student, I was in pretty good spirits.

Felix’s determination to suppress Vivian was evident.

However, in Ian’s opinion, his skills were not at that level.

‘I think one shot of that bulky ice spear would be enough to make skewers for four people.’

“Felix. … Confirmed.”

There are a total of three participating parties at the 4th test site.

All the parties gathered together.

“I will introduce the test.”

The guide opened his mouth.

*

“The fourth testing site is the ‘Three-Forked Path Dungeon’.”

Ian listened even if it was something he knew.

There may be something different from the previous episode.

As you can see, the “structure is simple. At the entrance, you enter three different straight paths.”

The guide unfolded a large map.

There were large circles above and below, and there were three paths connecting the middle.

“You will encounter green slime as you pass along the road. After dealing with all the slimes, the final location is Co.”

The guide pointed to the circle at the top.

“You can kill all remaining slimes here. Once all slimes are killed, your contribution will be checked immediately.”

Contribution verification work.

It is a task to determine who contributed the most to clearing the dungeon.

It is not done artificially, but is carried out directly by the dungeon.

Even Ian couldn’t figure out the principle.

“Only the party that comes out with the magic stone at the end can pass the test.”

When all monsters in the dungeon die, the ground in the center of the cavity rises like a circular staircase.

On top of that, there is a ‘magic stone’ prepared as a reward.

Only the hero who has achieved the highest contribution level can climb the stairs and grab the magic stone.

Others can’t even set foot on the stairs.

An invisible barrier blocks it.

Magic stones have a variety of uses and are traded at a high price.

This is also the reason why the vast majority of superhumans aspire to become warriors.

Once the magic stone is recovered, the portal closes and the attack ends.

Complete winner takes all.

For this reason, there are many cases where they decline to enter the same dungeon as a strong party.

This is the reason why the last seat at this 4th test site, where Vivian participated, was filled late.

“The management, including the Manager Guild, is not responsible for any casualties that occur during the test.”

It was a cruel but obvious statement.

Even in the temporary exam, if you have the skills to get hurt or die, it goes without saying that you will become a hero.

They are warriors who try to be the hope of humanity, but behind them is the reality of sleeping with death.

“Do you have any questions?”

The guide turned around and asked.

No one raised their hand.

“Then, we will enter immediately. One last thing. Mutants such as Big Slime may appear in the test site. Even in that case, the test will proceed as is, and if the dungeon cannot be cleared, no one will pass.”

Felix chuckled after hearing the last warning.

‘To prepare for that, I formed a party with enough strength to hunt Big Slime.’

Felix’s gaze returned to Ian.

Looking at Vivian, who was clearly nervous, Ian chewed the sugar bar indifferently.

‘Today will be the last time I pretend to be relaxed. Cheeky brat… .’

Compared to Felix’s competitive spirit.

Ian didn’t think anything of it.

‘I’ve only heard about King Slime, but I’ve never actually seen it. ‘How big is it?’

The manager removed the pile of stones blocking the entrance.

“Please enter. You just have to choose the intersection freely, as long as it doesn’t overlap. No one except managers and applicants are allowed to enter.”

Felix was the first to confidently step forward.

As he passes by Ian, he snorts and mutters.

“Do you think they are Philip and Sylvia? .”

There are two epidemics going around among training center managers.

One is ‘Philip’s disease.’

Inspired by Philip taking Sylvia, a beggar girl, and putting her in her current position, he picks up aspirants without skills from anywhere.

In Felix’s opinion, that’s exactly what Ian looks like now.

‘Seeing that Vivian’s magic only has good destructive power, I think she’s trying to imitate Philip, but that’s okay.’

Felix, who took Vivian for the test, knows.

Her magic is completely useless in actual combat.

Even with such nice clothes and a cane, it’s still Vivian.

“Then, I hope you have good exam results.”

Felix laughed and sarcastically then quickly went inside.

Katy’s gaze, glaring at me from behind, was so harsh.

“Take care! Vivian! Cheer up!”

“Yes, yes… .”

Ian and Vivian also entered the dungeon.

Felix is the middle path.

Ian is on the left, Marie is on the right.

The test began at Test Center 4.

***

After passing through the wet and dark downhill road, I took the left path.

The road stretching far ahead was so dark that it was impossible to see the end.

There were candles lit here and there, so I could see ahead.

“Ian… .”

“Yes?”

“Can I really do well…? .”

… Ah, Felix, that bastard hit the switch.

It was fine for a while.

There are two epidemics going around among training center managers, one of which is the ‘penny disease’.

Squinting your eyes, smiling, and using polite language to imitate Penny.

The other one is called Philip’s disease, and it seems like everyone is out of their minds.

Anyway, I don’t know why an idiot who imitates Penny would go out of his way to provoke someone else’s wizard.

“I wonder if someone like me can really do it well… . I’m not confident… .”

“Vivian.”

Even when I called, she couldn’t raise her head.

It was a worthy environment.

I failed the test 10 times in 2 years.

So many insults I’ve heard along the way.

The same exam room as the manager who put him there.

It is not surprising if buried wounds burst open.

“Do you remember the promise you made with me last time?”

“It’s a promise… ?”

“Yes. I decided not to say things like that or that kind of thing.”

“Ah… . Yes, sorry… .”

“I didn’t do anything wrong, but I decided not to say sorry.”

“Ugh… .”

She was in tears and covered her face with her conical hat.

“If you do it again in the future, there will be a penalty.”

“Penalty… ?”

“Yes. Anytime, anywhere, whenever I want. Shouting, ‘Silvia is a lousy wizard of a lower level than me!’”

“Yes, yes?!”

Vivian suddenly raised her head.

The face that looked like it was about to cry was stained with embarrassment.

“How could someone like me, Sylvia…? !”

“Huh? Just now?”

“Oh! I’m sorry… . Ugh!”

“Again?”

“Ugh… .”

Vivian covered her mouth.

“This won’t work… .”

“Whoop!”

I can’t say anything, I just cover my mouth with my hand and shake my head.

“I’ll pretend that what you just did didn’t happen, so don’t do it again. Got it?”

“Oof… .”

Still covering his mouth, he nods.

“And, if you don’t trust yourself, trust me. He was also the first party manager, so isn’t it worth trusting?”

… Or not.

I’m embarrassed for no reason.

I shyly looked away, but I heard Vivian’s voice.

“Yes. I will believe it.”

When I turned around, she was looking at me, smiling brightly.

“Then let’s go.”

“Yes!”

As we entered the road, a green slime appeared.

I finished giving a rough explanation about the slime I drew on the way.

Now all that remains is the actual battle.

“Are you ready, Vivian?”

“Yes! Ian!”

Vivian answered confidently.