episode_0067

As Instructor Bahamut announced the commencement of the third and final test, all first-year students, gulping down their nerves, began entering the Forest of Delusion through different paths.

Although the Forest of Delusion was a vast woodland teeming with corrupted spirits, it seemed unlikely that the entire first-year cohort, numbering in the hundreds, would find enough Fairy Tears to claim as their own.

Aware of this fact, everyone moved swiftly to secure the Fairy Tears before anyone else.

In this final test, it was either obtain the Fairy Tears or fail to do so—there were no other outcomes.

Depending on success, the third test distributed significantly higher scores than the first and second tests.

The moment a student presented the Fairy Tears to the instructor, even the lowest-ranking student could instantly be assigned to Class A.

I patted Tia’s tense back gently and said, “Tia, we should start moving too.”

“Uh…,” Tia responded, her voice lacking vitality.

Trees resembling withered palm trees and grasses tinged grey from prolonged exposure to dark energy greeted us as soon as we entered the forest.

The sights upon entering the forest were eerie.

“It seems fitting to call this a restricted area. The ground barely exudes any vitality. It seems like ordinary plants wouldn’t survive here.”

Corrupted spirits emitted dark energy simply by their presence.

True to a forest that housed such spirits, the deeper we ventured, the more the chilling energy tickled our bodies.

Even though we were still at the forest’s edge, we couldn’t afford to let our guard down. The pervasive dark energy here could cloud the mind continuously.

We continued further into the forest. I walked ahead, vigilant, while Tia followed me quietly.

…

About thirty minutes passed.

All we could see were fields covered with unpleasant grey weeds and a landscape stretching endlessly with grotesquely twisted trees.

“Eek!”

Tia shuddered suddenly, her whole body trembling.

As we delved deeper, the thickening dark energy of the forest became palpable.

“We must be nearing the outskirts of the Forest of Delusion.”

I asked Tia, “Feeling dizzy?”

“Not yet,” she replied.

“Good. From here on, the dark energy will only intensify, so stay sharp. If you feel unwell at any point, make sure to tell me.”

“Okay.”

“It’s crucial that you speak up. If you endure alone and something goes wrong, it’ll put us both in a tough spot.”

“I understand.”

In preparation for this test, I had consistently trained my mind through meditation and energy control techniques.

The level of dark energy was still manageable for me. However, Tia might have a different experience.

Typically, Spirit Mages possess inherent resistance to dark energy due to their contracted spirits’ unique traits.

But since Tia hadn’t formed a contract with a spirit yet, she was directly exposed to the incoming dark energy.

I kept checking on Tia’s condition as we moved forward. We seemed to have entered the outskirts. It had been about an hour since we entered the forest.

“Ahh!”

Suddenly, Tia took a step back and screamed.

“What’s wrong?”

“S-Something just… whooshed past! Look over there, Cyan!”

…

“Didn’t you say you wanted to change?”

Tia flinches at my words, hanging onto them.

During our conversation last night, Tia shared some family stories with me.

The Haritzbel family, known for producing many renowned spirit mages.

Tia, a direct descendant of that prestigious lineage, has reportedly faced discrimination.

Compared to her siblings who made contracts with spirits early on, she hasn’t been chosen by any spirit yet.

She’s considered the black sheep or troublemaker of the family.

Growing up hearing such remarks, I understood why Tia had a defensive personality.

I realized that if I had gone through such a family environment, I might have developed a timid or warped character as well.

I could relate. After all, the situation I found myself in, possessing Sian, was somewhat similar.

“But she said she wants to change.”

Tia may lack talent, but she works harder than anyone else. Her passion to change is evident in her knowledge of spirit research.

Even in our brief exchange, her depth of knowledge was apparent.

“But that alone won’t be enough to change.”

Ariel Academy doesn’t just judge based on theory.

If even lower-level spirits like hers fail the 3rd test out of fear, she won’t make it past Class B due to her low grades; she’ll be assigned to Class C.

Without a chance to apply what she’s learned, she’ll attend classes at a lower level with failing students.

“Tia, listen carefully. If you step back now, you’ll end up the same. The disdain and discrimination of the family—all encapsulated in the D class where lazy students reside. Do you want to be part of that, attending low-level classes at the academy?”

“…”

“The family will probably say the same. They knew you’d end up like this. No matter how hard you try, talent is something you can’t catch up on. You’ll keep struggling and facing discrimination.”

“…”

“But you said you want to change.”

As I spoke, Tia, who had unknowingly descended from my back, clenched her fists tightly.

I told her, “Let’s pass the 3rd test no matter what.”

“…”

Then, to lighten the mood, I chuckled and continued, “Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to be assigned to a low class before even contracting with spirits?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t worry about the spirits; I’ll handle them. Let’s move forward.”

“Okay… Thank you, Sian.”

“You’re welcome.”

With Tia looking somewhat different from before, we proceeded ahead.

While Tia followed behind me, we encountered several low-level corrupted spirits along the way.

Each time, she seemed momentarily surprised, whimpered softly, then silently continued following.

Soon, we reached the outskirts of the Enchanted Forest.

The atmosphere grew denser and more ominous.

.

.

.

.

Moist and oppressive energy.

The forest, barely visible in broad daylight due to mist.

Finally, we reached the outskirts. I immediately instructed Tia:

“Tia, use detection magic here.”

“Got it.”

The strong energy made my head spin.

From here on, we couldn’t afford to relax. A slight slip-up could lead us to encounter intermediate corrupted spirits.

They might take advantage of our vulnerable state and possess us.

As Tia chanted her spell while touching the ground, I stood by her side, keeping watch. We needed to be ready to fend off any spirits we encountered.

“Sian, analysis complete. The strongest energy is to the left from here.”

“Let’s go straight there. We can’t let another team beat us to it.”

“Got it!”

We ran.

Since fairy tears are crystallized when spirits corrupt, emitting stronger energy, the place with the most potent energy should be where they are.

“Huff… Huff…”

Tia following behind seemed quite exhausted.

“We need to find it quickly and get out of the forest. For her, enduring for hours will be a limit.”

And so, we continued running hastily.

We encountered two candidates running side by side. Both of them were women.

Without caring about the dog, I tried to keep running, but one of the women who noticed us seemed to be running towards us for some reason, so I slowed down and stopped for a moment.

That’s when Tia spoke.

“Si, Si-an. Let’s just go.”

“…? Why?”

“Oh~ It’s Tia! Have you already arrived here?”

Then, the other candidate who was approaching recognized Tia and struck up a conversation.

Tia awkwardly smiled and replied.

“Uh, yeah… Hi Maria….”

“No way, did you really keep walking up here without resting?”

“Yeah. Hehe….”

“Tia, you really worked hard on your topic, didn’t you?! Did the man next to you help?”

“……”

Topic of Tia?

The tone was odd. It seemed like it wasn’t a situation to just stay still.

I quickly sent Tia behind me and faced the woman.

“You speak so beautifully.”

“Gasp! You’re…!”

“…?”

Maria, trembling, covered her mouth with both hands.

“Si-an! Aren’t you Master Si-an from the Swordsmanship Department?!”

“Do you know me?”

“Of course! You defeated the Fire Elemental Ignis in 29 seconds during the second test!”

Maria suddenly widened her eyes in confusion while conversing.

“Could it be… you’re paired with Tia?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Maria sincerely asked, curious.

“Why?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you paired with Tia, who hasn’t even contracted with a spirit…?”

“Why are you curious about that?”

“Well, wouldn’t it be better to be paired with a Spirit Master who has contracted with a spirit…?”

I retorted, feeling astonished.

“Wouldn’t this be better than that?”

“…What?”

Maria blinked her eyes as if she had misheard.