episode_0028

Time passed quickly, and the day of the midterm exams arrived. The students stood in front of the training ground with a mix of frustration and despair in their eyes, facing the difficult level of the written exam.

“What’s with those clueless expressions!! There’s no changing things even if you regret it!”

“Yes…”

“Speak up louder!! Do you want to fail the practical exam too?!”

“No, sir!”

“Good. Let’s get started then. Commanders, step forward!”

Shuffling forward, the students who had been selected as commanders lined up on either side of the instructor.

“Let’s get straight to the point. Now, each of you will be assigned to one of them. The choice is yours, and the consequences are yours to bear.”

“Yes!”

“Alright, this exam is simply about capturing flags. The rule is simple: find and capture the flag hidden by your opponent, and they will be automatically eliminated. I will now indicate the positions of the three groups with more members.”

The instructor smiled and spoke to the commanders, “Naturally, the side with fewer members will receive benefits.”

While the students seemed discontent with this statement, none dared to challenge the instructor’s words. However…

Did I just see that?

I’m sorry, but I’ve also made a friend.

It feels a bit disheartening to be ignored like this.

“Furthermore, it is the commander’s role to lead warriors of all personalities. You have no right to refuse.”

The commanders all nodded in unison. The satisfied instructor then shouted at the students again, “This is an exam and soon to be training!! Therefore, even if there are eliminations, they will not be announced. Now, stand in formation of your choice for 3 minutes.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the students began to move busily.

One unique aspect of this midterm exam was that all first-year classes were integrated to take the test.

In other words, even the healer and support classes participated in the exam.

Even from a simple perspective, this exam was clearly designed to foster teamwork.

There were a total of 5 commanders: Robert, Cadira, Lina, Asvel, and myself.

Excluding me, all of them could be considered well-known figures in terms of command.

As time passed, the students began to gather around Robert, who was ranked first, and Asvel, the princess.

It was expected for Robert, but surprising for Asvel. I thought it would be Lina.

Although she was rumored to have exceptional leadership skills, the odds of success in this exam were slim for her as a healer.

It could be considered bias.

The princess possessed a physique that had never wielded a sword. In contrast, all the other commanders here were proficient in swordsmanship.

They were all top students in the first year, strong individuals.

However, my opinion changed the moment I saw him.

Raves Asrio.

The princess’s attendant and bodyguard. He had passed the academy entrance exam rightfully and now served as the princess’s aide in the healer class without attending regular classes.

He should have been in the top ranks as well, but he refused, saying, “I cannot be on equal footing with the princess.”

The incident was so well-known that even I, who had no friends, quickly learned about it. Of course, I had only seen his face at the ball.

His swordsmanship was similar to Cadira’s. The only difference was that his skills were noticeably superior.

With the rumored leadership of Asvel and the skill of Raves, perhaps they could easily turn the tide in unfavorable situations.

“Well, I haven’t seen the princess’s command, so I can’t say for sure.”

It’s better to be cautious.

Sighing, I scanned my surroundings.

But it’s too much for no one to come.

I looked at Sara, who was far away.

“Sarah, you really think you can make it?”

I knew from the beginning that this test wouldn’t work out for me.

Among all these famous people, who would come to me, ranked 11th, a loser…

Thud. Thud.

“Hey.”

“Here comes the crazy one.”

“I didn’t come here to be in the same team as you.”

“Yeah, I shouldn’t have expected that.”

“I came here today to challenge you to a duel.”

“What duel?”

Ard approached me and spoke with a challenging look in his eyes.

“Don’t act like you don’t know. Today, I will definitely defeat you and kill you…!”

“Time’s up! Freeze in that position. The undecided side will be determined based on the commander closest to them.”

“Ugh, did they really come here without deciding?”

“…Darn it!!!!”

“This isn’t my fault.”

“Shut up, loser! How dare you use me!”

“No, I never asked to come here!”

“I’ll kill you!!!”

“Disobedience or violence towards the commander will result in deductions if not justified.”

“Ugh!!!!!”

Ignoring Ard’s roar, I immediately ran towards where the instructor was.

“Clearly, your team has the fewest members.”

“Yes…”

“I never expected you to be this unpopular. But if you do your best, you can still win.”

“Yes.”

“Speak louder!!”

“Yes!”

“Good. There are a total of 3 benefits, the first 2 are known to everyone, and the last one is only known to you.”

After finishing his words, the instructor handed me a piece of paper.

⌜

1. Can move with a flag.

2. The commander can always locate the position of the same teammate.

3. Flags within a 10cm radius can be eliminated by saying ‘Boom’.

⌟

“It seems like a good benefit, judging by your surprised look.”

“…”

It’s really an unbelievable benefit. Of course, it wasn’t a good one.

Number 1 can be considered good. Unlike other team members who have to fix the flag, there is an advantage in being able to protect the flag more safely. But that’s assuming there are enough people.

Number 2 is also a benefit that only shows its true value with a certain number of people.

And number 3. Was this added because there was nothing else to add?

Just 10cm?

It would be more convenient to do it by hand.

I looked towards Ard.

“Ugh!!!!”

A sigh escaped me. Should I just give up…?

“Logz Avantche.”

“Yes.”

“Here’s the map.”

The instructor handed me two small badges with a smile in front of my despair.

“It’s a holographic map. With this, you can locate the enemy’s flag and your teammate’s position, so don’t lose it.”

“I will remember.”

Quickly taking the badges, I moved towards the one who had become a lone wolf. But it’s still the middle.

“Let’s do this fairly.”

***

30 minutes had passed since the test began.

This practical test took place in a training ground with a flat terrain covered with trees.

Of course, it was much better than the mountains. I couldn’t help but be satisfied.

But.

“Hey.”

“Shut up.”

Being with Ard still felt awkward.

“…Can we succeed?”

Well, there’s no hope other than that, so I guess I have no choice.

I grabbed Ard, who was confidently ahead of me.

“It’s a test, so cooperate a little.”

“I have no intention of cooperating with you.”

“Then are you just going to do nothing?”

“I’ll do it alone. I don’t trust someone like you.”

“Still, since there are only two of us, it’s better to act together.”

“Don’t act all high and mighty just because you’re the commander. I will never…”

We maintained a brief silence. Then I sighed, lowered my head.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Well, I thought you would take it seriously, even just a little.”

“Huh… I would have if it wasn’t you.”

“So, do you have a plan?”

“If there’s a flag, it doesn’t mean you’ll be disqualified just by fainting. Here, we scatter.”

“…Do as you please.”

Without any mercy, Eod showed me his back.

“If I stick with you even for a moment, I feel like throwing up.”

‘That hurts.’

Eod’s departing figure. He’s thrown the bait now.

I’m not particularly angry about this. I’m used to this kind of nagging, even from Sara.

I know this is all an act… but the last thing he said wasn’t part of the act.

Anyway.

This is just a trap.

-There will definitely be someone trailing us. They’ll wait until we fight and separate.

-When that happens, I’ll give you a signal, and you should go with the trailing person’s team according to that signal.

-If it’s the princess… I know my job, right? I’ll make sure we win.

The last statement was an inevitable attempt at persuasion.

Still, I’m grateful.

Thud!

He’s a guy who can be convinced with just that statement.

“You’ve managed to block me, death row prisoner.”

“Yes?”

The opponent was none other than the princess’s steward and bodyguard, Rabes. Wait, did he just call me a death row prisoner?

“You’ve not only held the hand of the noble princess but also dared to touch her. I can’t kill you by order, but I’ll make you feel the pain.”

“No! Wait!”

Thud!

“You have no right to speak.”

Insane.

He looked like a fanatic who had lost his reason and believed in his religion uncritically.

It’s certain.

He’s someone who has listened to his father’s speeches without fail every day.

The same atmosphere that he exudes is reminiscent of his father.

The scariest people in the world are those who have nothing to lose and fanatics.

The only thing they have in common is that they’re not afraid of death.

Still, fanatics are easier to manipulate than ordinary people as long as they don’t have a specific ‘command.’

“Is the princess not in danger of being attacked while all this is happening?”

“That’s why we’re destroying all the traps and coming.”

“…?”

“The opponent is strong too, so it took some time, but it doesn’t matter.”

“…You never know. While you’re here, someone could be attacking the princess…”

“I’ve already imagined that situation.”

His posture changed.

“I want to go to her side right away.”

Then go! Please!!

“But it’s the princess’s order. So I’ll trust her until the mission is over.”

…I really didn’t expect this.

Probably no one else did either.

Which commander would send the best forces from a group of 2?

‘I have to be careful now. Fanatics who have received a ‘command’.’

Because they’re the strongest.

I’ve seen it countless times and felt it countless times.

The man who gave up his entire body for his father.

The rich housewife who gave up her entire household for her father.

There was no hint of hesitation in their eyes.

The sight of a human offering wealth to a demon filled me with fear.

Thud!

As soon as I heard the sound of someone running towards me, I gripped my sword tightly. But.

Rabes’ sword was already in front of me.

Swish!

His attack hit my abdomen.

Although there was no blood from the protective shield, the pain felt like I was about to pass out.

My legs went weak.

“Why the princess is interested in you, I don’t understand.”

“…What are you talking about.”

“If you didn’t hear, it doesn’t matter. And hand over the flag.”

“Will you give it to me?”

“…”

Rabes raised his sword again without saying a word. And.

Swish!

“Ugh…”

Unbearable pain spread throughout my body. I didn’t pass out, which was a relief.

“I’ll give you credit for enduring that, your mental strength is commendable.”

Rabes started searching my body. But he looked puzzled.

“Putting it in the bag is cheating.”

“I know, right?”

“…Then.”

“I don’t know, maybe Eod has it instead of me?”

“…Do you believe in that bastard?”

“I still don’t have the same trust in you as I do with the princess.”

“Then what is it?”

“What could it be.”

-It doesn’t matter. The commander of this test is you, not me.

-…What? Were you such a character?

“It was just a serious look.”

“…Interesting.”

“…”

“However, there is no time to waste on someone like you without a flag.”

“I have no intention of letting you off easily.”

[Skill: Dark Magic]

[Three skills are automatically unlocked with the first use]