episode_0091

The act of using the knowledge and theories accumulated in one’s head as a weapon to defeat the monster of letters that has taken up residence on a blank sheet of paper.

Ah! The written test! It’s a truly desirable thing, despite its bitter name.

How much you’ve been working hard in an unseen place. You can prove it without shedding a drop of blood, so there’s still time for someone to prove themselves and vent their frustrations.

“10 minutes left.”

The voice of the principal supervising the test seeps cleanly into the cadets’ ears.

In the class, there is only one person who supervises the exam.

But no one attempts to cheat. No one dares think about it.

Even if the protagonist turns his back, he knows that if he does something foolish, he will definitely get caught.

“···.”

Rohan recalled the gas stove outside and double-checked that he had written down his name and number correctly.

I don’t know how many times I’ve checked it, but I feel reassured by the fact that the personal information is written neatly, so I return to the problem.

‘The last two problems···.’

The end of the written exam is in sight. I’ve been lightly eating a supplement for lunch to keep myself focused.

A little hunger sharpens one’s consciousness.

There were a few questions for which I couldn’t see the answer, perhaps because I didn’t study deeply enough, but I feel like I’m getting along pretty well.

“5 minutes left.”

As a side note, Noah Frozenheart has been sweating profusely since the start of the test.

When the first subject was over, he immediately banged his head on the desk. It was impressive to see Ichinose not surprised and feed him a snack.

This is my first time taking on the challenge of theory with a serious mind.

It felt like the time invested and my weak points being tested was really mentally draining.

“Test is over. Put down your pen and put your hands above your head.”

They move quickly. There are no students who are looking for more time.

Because the protagonist will catch such behavior without mercy.

“Hmm.”

The main character, who had gathered the test papers, finished checking the number and names written on them.

The test paper was placed in a thick envelope.

He smiles faintly as he looks at Rohan and Noah, who look unusually tired.

“Everyone worked hard. It’s a break right before departure, so you can rest comfortably. Just stay in the classroom until the announced time.”

Jooyeon, with a paper bag tucked under her arm, left the classroom making a clanking sound.

The relieved cadets let out a sigh that was almost a sigh.

“Wow, I’m dying.”

“Eueee···.”

Rohan and Noah slid down onto the desk like slime.

“Noah. You’ve worked hard.”

“Hug me···.”

“That’s a tough ask. Instead, I’ll buy you a snack.”

Ichinose did not spare praise for Noah, who was challenging himself to study for the first time.

And one more.

I glanced at Rohan for a moment, knowing that he had put in a lot of effort every time he sent me a question through message.

─ Rohan. What are you going to say next… “Let’s rest quietly. What are you going to do next.”That’s it!

─ Let’s rest quietly for a bit. What are you going to do now… Huh?

─ Hahahaha!!!

Gilbert screams with joy.

Rohan looks like he poured everything out during the test, just lying there with his ears covered.

‘That’s amazing.’

Ichinose looked away with the corners of her lips raised.

I started to pick up Noah, who was lying down next to me.

Several transport ships have landed and are waiting at Orion Academy.

This model was made in the Sepia Archipelago, a country known for being the best at flying. It is shaped like a ship and flies at high speeds.

“Attention.”

Each class stood in front of their assigned transport ship.

I listened to the instructor’s explanation under the sky that was starting to darken.

“Before departure, I will explain the practical test. I will answer your questions separately, so please concentrate.”

The protagonist continued his explanation, looking at the paper in his hand.

“First, we will randomly pair up two people. Only Orion Academy standard weapons will be allowed. If you have unavoidable circumstances that require you to use your own weapon, you can tell the instructor.”

In this case, you will suffer a huge penalty in your score. Even apart from that, it was clear that it would not be easily permitted.

Even in Abyss City, no cadet entered with his own weapon.

“And the monsters on the uninhabited island are only the ones we have learned about in class so far.”

Orion Academy assumes that its cadets understand how to deal with monsters and their characteristics.

That one word makes me feel the reality of the test the strongest.

“Self-sufficiency in food and water is the basic requirement. Even so, the period is not long, so there will probably be cadets who try to survive with magic power, right?”

The protagonist fluttered the paper in his hand and flattened it.

“But since this is a test based on the Monolith’s anomaly, the instructors will take care of it. Fail a lot in this part and learn a lot.”

Since it is a test, the ending time is clearly visible before your eyes, but the background itself is meant to assume a moment where the ending cannot be predicted.

Besides, Rohan knows what it means to ‘use one’s hands’.

“Separately, small amounts of food and water were hidden throughout the uninhabited island. There may be cases where they are distributed for everyone to see. Any problems that may arise here will have to be resolved by the cadets themselves.”

The purpose is transparent.

It was clear that we were seeing a point of conflict and strife.

“Since the content is the content, I understand that there will be conflicts of opinion and armed conflicts that do not cross the line in this test. And that is part of education in the current situation. But···.”

Heat rippled at the tip of the lead actor’s sharp eyes.

An overwhelming momentum flows out, warning everyone.

“Do not try to kill fellow students with sincerity.”

The feeling of a single word being imprinted deep in one’s consciousness.

Rohan felt Dick swallow nervously in the back row.

“Instructors and other related personnel will always be watching.”

The protagonist’s gaze captures each and every student in Class 1.

Even with instructors, blind spots are bound to exist, so worry and concern coexist strongly in their gaze.

“The most important thing is one thing. If you have any physical problems, do not be angry and use the flare immediately. The instructor hopes that there will be no casualties in this test.”

The lead actor reduced his momentum and made the atmosphere softer than before.

She runs her fingers through her red bangs to freshen up the air.

“Now I will tell you the evaluation items and distribution of points.”

The test content is about thinking of the uninhabited island as a dungeon created by the Monolith and surviving well.

The evaluation items were varied, including cooperation, health status after the test, number of monsters dealt with, partner evaluation after the practical test, etc.

The protagonist folded the paper, put it in his pocket, and spoke.

“ or more, I will take questions.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ichinose raised his hand.

Ask the lead actor for permission.

“I wonder if pairs of 2 are classified as vanguard and rearguard.”

“That would be a good balance for dealing with monsters. But this test is literally random. It doesn’t work like that.”

“···.”

“The education that has been conducted at Orion Academy to this day has had basic conditions and assumptions.”

If you go directly to a place where there are monsters and fight them, thorough preparation is essential.

Even if you suddenly encounter someone on the street, if you are a person who uses force for a living, it is basic to be prepared to some extent.

But the dungeon is a place that breaks those conditions and assumptions.

There are elements that coexist, rapidly destroying the condition of individuals and putting powerless citizens in situations they cannot escape from.

Consumables run out quickly, and even if you gather characters who can fight, it’s pure luck if their formations don’t overlap.

“The anomaly caused by the Monolith does not take such things into account. If the rear support is tied up, you will have to establish your own countermeasures and survival rules, and the opposite is also true.”

“I understand.”

“I will ask you the following questions:”

There was a question-and-answer session in a serious atmosphere.

After confirming that no more cadets were raising their hands, Joo-yeon led Class 1 onto the transport ship.

“It will take quite some time to move. You may sleep except when your name is called.”

··

··

The partners who would spend time together on the deserted island were chosen through a lottery inside the transport ship.

A method of putting your hand into a box and picking a number.

If you draw overlapping numbers, it becomes a pair.

“What is the number?”

“It’s number 12!”

A class with an odd number of students will have one team of three, but class 1 has an even number of students.

“Next.”

It’s Rohan’s turn. He steps forward and puts his hand into the box.

I close my eyes tightly to the papers I touch.

‘please.’

I hope to be chosen as a friend with whom I can communicate normally.

──Thud.

He grabbed a piece of paper and pulled his hand out. Gilbert, an onlooker, was staring at him intently.

“How many times?”

Fold the paper to the lead actor’s voice.

“3 times.”

Gilbert clicked his tongue.

Rohan exhaled with relief.

“If it’s 3, it’s already a drawn number.”

“I want to know who you are.”

“Look to the right.”

Let’s turn our heads to the main character’s words.

The girl with her eyes closed showed the number.

Number 3 written on the paper.

It has been decided that Ichinose Yui will be Rohan’s partner for life on the deserted island.

“Please take care of me.”