episode_0030
by AfuhfuihgsThe sound of students murmuring echoed throughout the classroom.
Over the past few decades, it has been common for children’s first exams to be written exams that assess basic performance in each subject.
Although it is said that the questions were presented on a different topic every year, this only means that there were variations in the subjects and narrative methods.
It has been decades since the turbulent times when the cradle was first built that the first test was held as a practical test.
“Hehe, that must be quite embarrassing. I understand, but if you talk like that, I can’t explain it to you.”
The confusion was finally calmed by the female professor’s voice coming through the amplifier.
“As briefly explained at the entrance ceremony, starting this year, Cradle’s classes will be conducted with a greatly improved curriculum. This was also a request from the Supreme Council of the Republic, and the Cradle Education Committee decided to accept the request after several internal discussions. The recent unstable situation played a major role in the background of such changes.”
The female professor looked around at the students and continued her explanation.
“Everyone is probably familiar with the incident a few years ago when a large group of demons crossed the wall and invaded. At that time, the northern fortresses were burned, and we suffered a heavy blow, including numerous casualties and economic losses. And recently, a report that a similar pattern of movement to that time was observed has been delivered to the General Intelligence Service through investigators.”
“… Hyuna? What’s not good?”
“… no. I guess I dozed off for a moment… ”
I gritted my teeth. Yena looked at me and tilted her head, as if sensing something strange. I know that very well. Because I was also a direct victim of that incident.
“It is not only the North that is exposed to risk. In the south, various anti-state groups are appearing and growing in power. In particular, you have probably heard of the extreme terrorist acts of the People’s Liberation Front, commonly known as PLF. All of their leaders have been determined to be warlocks, and are presumed to have particularly close links with demons.”
“In the eastern part, the construction of settlements and colonies is being delayed due to the inability to capture the specially designated demon beasts observed a few years ago… ”
“In each city, the number of mutants who commit crimes without hesitation in ever more cruel and perverted ways increases day by day… ”
The amplifier carried the female professor’s voice without stopping.
“The Supreme Council judged the current situation to be comparable to the chaos of the dawn of magic. The faculty at Yoram also agreed with that opinion. In this situation, what is needed is not theoretical perfection but quick adaptation to practice. The revision of the education method was made in that context.”
The students seemed to have finally grasped the context. I looked around.
Although there were some students, like Yena sitting next to me, who had very worried expressions, most of them had facial expressions filled with the spirit of victory, which is quite impressive.
Well, I said that most of those who want to major in magic have a certain level of ambition and desire. So, do we welcome this situation?
If I had to be honest, I also like this version much better. Although I am spending some time studying on my own, I am still lacking in theory. It seems that tests where you directly move your body are much more likely to achieve excellent results.
“Everyone’s mood is very good! Yes, of course a wizard should have that mindset!”
The female professor smiled broadly as if she was satisfied with the students’ attitude.
“But I said it clearly before, right? No matter how much the method has changed, the test itself is not that difficult. It’s a level of difficulty that you can easily solve within the knowledge you’ve learned over the past two weeks. Just keep in mind that future education will proceed in that direction. Now, shall we explain the method of the test?”
The female professor stepped aside and pressed a button on the device she was holding.
“The exact name of this place is Heavenly Basin. It was the only place in this area where a meteorite fell on the day of its construction. Now, the entire basin is managed by the government for research and education purposes.”
The sound of something spinning was heard, and soon various explanations, photos, and drawings began to be projected onto the white cloth provided on the classroom podium.
“This is the area where a meteorite full of Bessel particles collided, and the flow is stagnant due to the basin topography, so the concentration of particles in the atmosphere is very high. Thanks to this, a variety of unique and bizarre vegetation is flourishing. Although it is swarming with various dangerous demons, on the other hand, it is also a place where you can obtain invaluable research materials. Scholars sometimes refer to this basin as a place closer to outer space. Well, you’ll see what I mean when you see it for yourself.”
A few students reacted by flinching when they heard that dangerous demonic beasts were inhabiting the area. The female professor who caught that reaction without missing a beat grinned.
“Puhuhuh, there’s no need to be scared anymore. Through decades of management, our cradle has complete control over most of this basin. The place where you will take the test is here, in the northern section of the Sky Basin.”
The professor raised his baton and pointed to an area on the map. A small area can be seen with a red border around it, separating it from other areas.
“The only species that inhabit the northern section are the wild beast species with a risk classification level of 3 or lower. Demonic beasts of level 3 or lower are beasts that even ordinary people can deal with with firearms because their field is not developed. Please be sure to keep in mind that if you have faithfully read the training over the past two weeks, you will be able to cope without difficulty.”
“The test content is simple. There is some kind of mechanism installed in the center of this northern section. You go to this device through various paths and then… ”
The professor explained the subject of the test to the students in earnest. It wasn’t very difficult to understand.
Each student is issued an identification tag in the form of a bracelet, scans the identification tag on a machine installed in the center of the northern block, and then returns to the starting point.
The route is divided into several branches, but the easy route involves covering a relatively long distance. On the other hand, the nearby route passes through areas densely populated by demonic beasts, so there is the difficulty of having to go through them.
This is each person’s choice, and in any case, the highest score is given in the order in which the identification tag is recognized first. Additionally, the more people cooperate to produce results or kill more demons, the more points are given. After all tests are completed, these scores are combined and the final ranking is announced.
“Relevant materials will be distributed to each person in the future, so please make sure you read the materials faithfully before the exam. And I will further explain some of the important regulations. Practice is also part of the official curriculum. In addition to the cradle’s standard equipment, the use of separately brought in particle suits or particle arrays is strictly prohibited. The use of drugs such as stimulants, accelerants, and sensitizers is also strictly prohibited. Please keep in mind that so far, not a single student has neutralized the cradle’s doping test. Contacts and sponsorship contracts with companies are also possible after the rankings are announced, so don’t mistake the timing…
The professor finished the explanation only after explaining a few more rules.
“Okay, the explanation should be enough. The first and most important exam is just around the corner. Let’s all prepare hard until the end so that we can achieve good grades!”
***
“There’s only one week left… I’m so excited… What do we do… ?”
Yena muttered in a voice without confidence as she left the classroom. From what I’ve observed so far, Yena’s skills are by no means bad. In particular, he was much better at theoretical aspects than me, and his relationships with friends were much better, so he picked up a lot of things.
However, perhaps because he grew up without ever seeing a demonic beast, his only flaw was that he trembled excessively during killing practice…
“You will be able to do well. If you feel anxious, should you go to the same group? They said I could get more points for cooperation… ”
“Huh? then… No, that… ”
Yena, who was about to nod with a bright face, swallowed her words for a moment. Then he suddenly looked determined and shook his head.
“Ugh, no. You can’t rely on others all the time. I’m sorry for helping you every time you train… ”
“… Are you really okay? Whenever I learn how to kill demon beasts, my hands always tremble… ”
“Actually, it’s a bit scary, hehe… Still, I can do it, but I’ll give it a try… ! If we meet in the middle, we’ll hang out together from then on, well… ”
If that is your will, then there is nothing more to say. Yena seemed to have a surprisingly bold side. Maybe he’s adapting better than me.
I was just moving to the classroom one floor down to take the next class. Yena suddenly collided with someone who appeared from a corner of the hallway.
“… Ugh… ”
“Ouch… I… Are you okay… ?”
The shock must have been so great that the other person fell to the floor, clutched his chest, and let out a painful groan. She’s a female student, and looking at her badge, she looks like she’s in second grade. At first glance, the surrounding area is filled with a sweet floral scent, as if perfume had been sprayed on it.
When Yena handed over the apple, not knowing what to do, the female student lifted her head and glared at Yena.
“… Where are you opening your eyes now? ”
“… Hehe… ”
I don’t think Yena did anything wrong. Something that happened so suddenly cannot be said to be anyone’s fault.
However, the scraggly brown appearance of the female student looked somewhat familiar.
Neatly combed straight hair, thin and slim face.
Big, clear eyes and pale lips.
A nose that stands out at an artistic angle and clear skin without a single blemish.
A seductive and haughty appearance that catches your eye the moment you see it, but arrogance and arrogance seep through the cool eyes.
I was soon able to recall the identity of the female student without difficulty.
As far as I know, there is only one person in this cradle who has such a vicious and casual attitude of looking down on others.
“Tsk, dogs and cows are accepted as students, so these things are installed and walked around… ”
Yang Yeon-ha muttered as she shook herself off and got up from her seat. Yena cowered like a frightened rabbit at that ferocious force.
“… Hi.”
“… Aren’t you talking too harshly? I think it was the senior’s fault that I crashed into him because I didn’t see him.”
It’s not that I came forward specifically for Yena. I was instantly moved to tears by his unique, belittling tone of voice.
“What are you… Ah, it’s him.”
Yang Yeon-ha, who was about to say something, gave an expression of understanding.
We made eye contact briefly on the day of the entrance ceremony, and I think he may have heard rumors about my unusual personal information. Wouldn’t the word “that guy” have that kind of meaning?
“Anyway, these ugly things come together… Get out.”
For a moment, I thought there might be a collision, but he only uttered words full of pity and mockery and staggered away down the hallway.
It was a somewhat unexpected situation, but it didn’t seem like she showed any mercy. Now, doesn’t that mean that even that level is too much?
The condition of Yeon Yeon-ha, whom I had just met, looked noticeably worse than when I saw her at the admission ceremony a few days ago.
“… Are you okay?”
“Thank you, hehe… But I almost got into big trouble… I almost cried… Senior Yeon Myeong-ha is really scary… ”
Yena belatedly got up and smiled weakly. It’s a bit absurd to see someone who was almost unfairly treated make such an expression.
Even though she was not a party, there was something about the attitude shown by Yeon Myeong-ha just now that turned people inside out.
I thought I would feel this way, so if possible, I tried not to have any contact with them until the first test was over.
Well, if you’re at the same school, you might run into each other at least once. I already had an additional encounter last week.
However, through our meeting just now, I was able to reaffirm one fact.
After all, I hate needlessly arrogant and arrogant women.
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