episode_0032

No matter how far I traveled by car, I finally began to see the majestic scenery the professor had talked about.

Because the basin itself was formed in a lowland area, a fairly large area, if not all, of the topography could be seen with the naked eye.

Although dense forests occupied most of the area, we could also see sparse plains and rivers.

In the center, a lake formed at the time of the collision spread out, and high, sheer cliffs were scattered in all directions, blocking the movement of clouds and fog.

The vehicle carrying the students reached the wide grassland at the entrance to the basin and stopped. There were already various facilities, such as temporary wards and simple lodgings, set up here and there. Heaps of supplies and various relief goods were also seen.

However, most of them seemed to be items not for those participating in the exam, but for those who dropped out or for professors and upperclassmen who would be monitoring new students nearby.

“Now, pay attention!”

Professor Shin Jae-yu gathered the students who got out of the vehicle around him.

The voice using the amplifier rang out loudly.

Because the northern section is inhabited only by level 3 or lower demonic beasts that cannot handle particles, the students were wearing protective clothing made of a material that had better physical defense than particle particle performance.

Each student majoring in emission magic wore only a particle array device on their wrist. Students majoring in circulatory system magic like me are additionally equipped with standard cartridge replacement blades.

“You are free to depart, but keep in mind that you must enter the basin before midnight today at the latest. Groups or individuals who do not enter after this will be immediately disqualified.”

The female professor gave students one final caution.

“However, it is not recommended to rush too much. If you’re not careful, even if you’ve pioneered a path, you’ll end up losing the fruit to others. After objectively judging the abilities of yourself and your team members, carefully consider the optimal path for them.”

“As explained last time, the southern section of the basin is inhabited by powerful demonic beasts that are difficult to deal with at your level. High-risk level demonic beasts are extremely sensitive to noise generated from interference in the field, but regardless of their original species, they are ultimately beasts that have evolved to become territorial animals. So, never go over the fence. Please keep in mind that as long as you follow the rules, nothing will happen.”

“There is no need to worry even if you get injured during the test. Upperclass students and faculty are always preparing for emergencies here, so if you really want to give up, just use the red firework magic. Then the rescue team will leave immediately. However, keep in mind that in that case, you will definitely receive the lowest score on the exam.”

Professor Shin finished his long explanation by clapping his hands. The students dispersed here and there to make final preparations.

While there were people who followed the professor’s advice and carefully discussed the map, tracing it with their hands, there were also a significant number of people who walked up to the cliff at the entrance of the basin without hesitation, with confident eyes.

“… Um.”

I, too, was lost in thought as I checked the supplied map. Since it is confirmed that I will be traveling alone, I think I will have to give up the extra points for cooperation.

I had exchanged a quick glance with Jena earlier, but now I couldn’t even see where she had gone. Have we already started?

Considering the personality of Yena I know, this part feels quite surprising.

One other person besides Jena. Seungheon probably goes around with his fiancé. I don’t really want to get in the middle of it. No matter how much I am, I have that much sense.

So, the best way I can take now is to take the shortest route, be the first to get an identification tag, secure a high rank, and get additional points by killing the demon beasts in the process.

On the map, several roads leading to the center of the northern block were stretched out like a spider’s web.

Broadly speaking, it seems to be divided into three branches: west, center, and east. And of these, the ones that save the most time are the western routes.

It is said that the shorter the route, the more powerful demons are densely inhabited, but even so, they are 3rd class demon beasts whose fields are not well developed.

With just a little bit of physical strengthening, you will be able to deal with it without much trouble. If you are having a hard time, you can use the prediction plan. There is no need to even manifest the power.

If you’re at my level, there doesn’t seem to be much difficulty. I came to a conclusion and opened my backpack to finally check the items.

And I was about to quickly enter the inside of the basin, but someone’s voice calling from behind suddenly stopped me.

“Hey, there!”

“… ?”

I turned around. From behind, a stern, bespectacled, somewhat nervous-looking male student was walking towards me.

But somehow it looks familiar. Looking back on my memory, I was one of the students with excellent grades who came to the social gathering held the day after the admission ceremony.

I don’t remember his name, but I think he was just as quiet as me and didn’t participate very actively in conversations.

“Did you call me?”

“Yes. You’re right, you found it.”

The male student nodded.

“Jinhyeon Yoo. Right? I came to a social gathering that day. Well, trying to say no would be useless because of that mask… ”

“I am Yoo Jin-hyeon, but… Why did you call me?”

“It’s nothing special. Is there a group you go to together?”

“… ? No, alone… ”

The male student immediately brought up the business he had called me for.

“It did seem that way. Well, it went well. Jinhyeon Yoo. If you don’t have anyone with you, how about forming a group with me?”

“What… ?”

“I am a spiritist. Although their skills are not that great, a spiritist can use spirits as sentries or reconnaissance, so they are quite useful in the field. I’m sure you’ll have a huge advantage in that regard if you come with me. I don’t think it’s a bad offer for you either?”

It was definitely a good situation for me. But what is the reason for making such a suggestion to me?

Naturally, rumors spread about my behavior at the social gathering, and I have long been left with a bad impression on those who follow Yeon.

If you were an ordinary student without a clique or background, there wouldn’t be much benefit from showing you are close to me.

“Well, I’m not that interested in politics or social circles.”

As if he had read that I had such a question, the male student grinned and continued talking.

“I want to graduate from cradle and return to my hometown as soon as possible. I don’t want to get involved in the headache-inducing affairs of the capital. Baek Seo-yeon doesn’t seem like a very bad person, but I don’t want to follow her around like the others. And the reactions of my spirits are very interesting.”

“Interesting? Is that about me?”

“Okay. I am very afraid of you, but at the same time feel sorry for you. This was my first time experiencing such dual feelings, and I had a very hard time interpreting it.”

The male student’s voice seemed full of academic passion.

“And from the looks of it, it seems like you are a bit picky about people. Right?”

“… ”

“I am quite similar to you. Because my temperament is quite sensitive. But somehow you feel okay. Well, the proposal was made for those reasons.”

There was nothing in his words that went against reason. You can definitely spread out the work rather than going alone, and you can also get additional points for cooperation that you almost gave up.

“… I was thinking of taking the shortest route. It might be a little dangerous. Is it still okay?”

“There is nothing particularly inconvenient. Rather, it is a welcoming sea. You obviously majored in circulatory magic, right? I can definitely guarantee that if we work together, there will be significant synergy.”

If so, there is no reason to refuse.

“Good. Please take care of me. I’m Jinhyeon Yoo.”

“I know. I am Shin Muyoung.”

I held out my hand and shook the boy’s hand.

***

“Woojin. I thought you were already in?”

“I was just about to enter. What about you?”

Choi Woo-jin, who spotted Ryu Seung-heon from afar, approached him waving his hand. Seungheon was just organizing his backpack with Moon Yeoul next to him.

“We were just about to leave. I’m not necessarily aiming for high grades, but I still don’t want to fall too far behind… haha… ”

“Tsk tsk. You always say that such ambiguous attitude is the problem. If a man is going to aim for it… ”

“Hey. Don’t cross the line. Who are you to say something like that to our Seungheon?”

Yeoul intervened, glaring at Woojin.

“Ji, you take such amazing care of me. There is no such thing as a match made in heaven.”

“This… !”

“Ugh, stop it. Yeoul, you too. Woojin doesn’t do that for a day or two… ”

Just as an argument was about to break out between the two, Seungheon intervened.

Although it didn’t come to the forefront because of his constant bickering with Jin Ye-seo, Yeo-wool also didn’t like Woo-jin, who spoke excessively whenever he got the chance.

“But what about Yeseo?”

“Well? If you can’t see it, it looks like they entered first. Surprisingly, Jaeryong also entered early as a starter. It was a bit funny to see 9 of them being taken away… ”

Woojin laughed lightly.

“Well, that’s it. To work hard. Well, now I have to go too… Huh?”

As Woojin turned around, he noticed something and opened his eyes. The person who caught his eye was Yoo Jin-hyeon, the masked male student.

He and one other member of the group were just disappearing down the ramp between the cliffs of the basin. The direction he headed was west, which was the most difficult.