episode_0211

The Class War is a team survival game.

The exam begins upon entry, and the main objective is to earn points in various ways for a total of 72 hours.

The mock dungeon is a large, hemispherical structure, with 25 entrance zones spaced evenly along the perimeter.

All cadets’ parties appeared in the mock dungeon through their respective entrance zones.

Tension was evident on everyone’s faces. This was true for the first-year students experiencing the Class War for the first time, and also for the upperclassmen who knew a monster was among those first-years.

“The Class War you’ve all been waiting for has finally begun!! I’m Meti, your commentator! Nice to meet you! As you all know, the Knifeantz Academy Class War takes place in numerous locations across the vast mock dungeon! Therefore~”

“Good evening, I’m Reti, also your commentator.”

“I’m Shuti~ This year, just like last year, the three of us sisters are handling commentary.”

Mock dungeon, outside the barrier magic.

In the center of the five training grounds where the audience sat comfortably, numerous screens displayed the situation inside the dungeon.

And the popular commentary team, the Tiza triplet sisters, their voices resonated far and wide.

“For those experiencing this for the first time, let me briefly explain. The exam is a total of 72 hours! It continues in real time, without any pauses!”

“The commentary team will also take turns resting for eight hours each to avoid any gaps. It’s a three-shift system.”

“Oh my, Reti~ You’re too happy about getting the first rest shift! I want a break too~”

Ha ha ha ha ha.

The men in the audience laughed heartily. The three sisters were very popular with the men due to their great chemistry. Each had unique characteristics, and they were particularly harmonious as a trio, resulting in a strong fanbase.

In contrast, the male commentators with their dull commentary, were lackluster. Some were balding. Unlike commentary which requires wit, explanation needs expert knowledge, thus most were academics.

The difference in popularity was stark.

“I’ll see our Reti off~ Now, Reti, go ahead and say your goodbyes.”

“…I’ll see you in eight hours.”

“Tsk-! You should speak more softly to please the audience, I’ve taught you so hard…”

Whistles and catcalls erupted from the audience. Reti’s face soured, while Shuti winked as they disappeared from the screen, leaving Meti to handle commentary alone for a while.

“Even though I’m the youngest, I’m also a commentator who’s taken the exam myself! To explain the rules of this exam as I understand them, the beginning and the end are the most important, I’d say.”

She continued her explanation. Understanding? In truth, she was just reading the script written by the male commentators. As long as it was just reading, it was her greatest strength—her clear pronunciation.

“There are various ways to earn points, but there are differences between them. While hunting magical beasts earns you 1–10 points per beast, the exit zone is worth a whopping 300 points! However… this score is limited to the first three hours.”

After three hours, the score is halved every three hours.

In other words, only the person acting as the order needs to go out quickly at first, after that, they’re essentially treated as nonexistent.

“That’s why I told you! Now, the cadets who have entered are moving quickly from the start! Their target is naturally the exit zone! To navigate this vast dungeon, information is essential! Absolutely cannot be missed!”

The screen captured dozens of cadets.

Roughly 50.

From 25 parties, two each; one is the order, the other their protection.

Because basically, once they exit, they cannot engage in combat, cadets with low combat ability but excellent situational analysis skills take on the main order role.

They ran at full speed through the dungeon’s forest to secure the best position.

. . .

The 1-A party, having entered the dungeon, first surveyed their surroundings.

Their entrance zone was a vast primeval forest. Lush trees and grass, everywhere they looked was filled with green.

Nari lightly rubbed her fingers against the back of her hand.

It was considerably damper and stickier than before entering the dungeon. Meaning high humidity.

“First, let’s search the area for a water source. Supplies are generated within the safe zone every 12 hours, but water is excluded. We need to secure water first.”

Following Nari’s brief instructions, the squads quickly dispersed. Since they were within the safe zone, there would be no combat, so, for the moment, they could rest easy.

She remained alone at the outermost edge of the entrance zone, right in front of the portal, and moved at a leisurely pace.

The portal.

A faintly white mist remaining faintly on the edge of the hemispherical barrier-enclosed dungeon. One can enter through here, but exiting is impossible. It closes upon entry, and thus re-entry is also impossible.

Nari first placed her hand on the outer barrier of the dungeon.

Tsiit-

Originally transparent, allowing a clear view of the other side, when approached, a hexagonal pattern barrier appeared, blocking passage.

Next was the portal.

Ssu-ssut-

She placed her hand on it, but the portal was no longer functioning as a passage. Like the outer barrier, it was a wall that restricted physical interaction with the outside.

Finally, she jumped high off the ground.

Paat-!

She leaped up above the dense forest to observe the outside of the safe zone first.

Tat-

She stepped through the air using the [Myeongyeongbobeop] and slowly looked around.

The mock dungeon, being vast in size, contained various climates and terrains.

1-A’s location was a primeval forest. It appears that safe zones are basically generated in comfortable environments suitable for living.

Nari slowly walked outwards.

As seen in the rule book, the safe zone barriers were arranged in a circle along the edge of the hemispherical dungeon.

Once again, she placed her hand on the safe zone’s barrier and slowly poured in ether.

Ssiik-

And she gave a wicked smile.

“Safe zone… I’m not sure if it’s really safe.”

Stepping back onto the ground, voices came through her incineration magic.

「Gang, found it!」 「I also found a small lake here!」

Normally using water attribute magic, she could drink water freely, but within the barrier, magical recharging is invalidated.

It was the Headmaster’s intention for them to fully enjoy the survival experience instead of finding loopholes.

This applied to Nari as well.

Over-reliance on magic sometimes makes the absence of discomfort feel uncomfortable.

By occasionally indulging in the analog, one comes to recognize convenience as such.

「Mark the location on your map, fill your water bottles or quench your thirst. Make sure to drink a lot, as you do not know what’s going to happen! 」 「Yes, ma’am!」

Nari strolled through the primeval forest within the safe zone.

“Hmm~ Heung~”

She brought her lips to the dewdrops hanging from the leaves and drank from them *horok-* and stretched her fingers towards a flying butterfly and let it land on them.

It wasn’t so easy to relax in the wildness of such a forest.

The less human interference, the deeper the magical energy runs in nature. In short, magical beast appear every three steps.

In contrast, this was a safe zone where enemy entry was restricted. It was an unparalleled place to relax and enjoy. Nari inhaled the refreshing air and promised herself she would learn barrier magic like this in the future.

Huuu—

“Well then… shall I begin working now?”

After about an hour exploring in the area and enjoying nature, Nari stretched her arms and legs.

Other parties had already reached or were nearing the exit zone. 1-A’s party was considerably behind, yet no observers had set off yet.

However, none of the squads rushed towards the exit zone.

Only Nari stretched her legs, planted her feet, and took a ready stance for a sprint.

. . .

“Ah—Everyone’s setting off! They’re all moving towards the exit zone! Just because it’s the observer team doesn’t mean there won’t be any battles, it will be even fiercer because they can quickly eliminate opposing parties-!!”

Meti’s rapid-fire commentary continued.

On the central screen of the training grounds, the observers of each party, the leading runners, were shown running at full speed to secure the safest position.

The audience held their breath.

As Meti, who was doing the commentary mentioned, the early skirmishes at the exit zone were expected to be fierce.

“Location information received! The fastest is, as expected, Rick Mahler of 4-A! Being a master of wind magic, he’s as fast as the wind! Close behind are Raymond of 3-B and Hercules of 3-C-!!”

That screen was also being broadcast to the via telecommunication magic.

In the study of his mansion, not a fortress.

Duke Darius, Moriarty’s , rested his chin in thought while listening to it.

“Hmm… It’s an ordinary speed. If it were Princess Narita, she wouldn’t take even 30 minutes to arrive.”

Of course, that wouldn’t happen.

Since exiting the dungeon to take on the observer’s role means you cannot re-enter, in order to minimize wasted combat power, one can only send out comparatively weaker cadets.

Soon a report arrived.

「I have confirmed with my own eyes Princess Narita entering the dungeon.」 「Good, well done.」

Thus, the obstacle was gone.

Darius spread out the Knifeantz Academy map on the table and placed various pieces in their respective places.

“Kkkkk… I cleverly altered the deployment of the security forces, but in the end, it’s the work of a young sprout. Even if I didn’t want to find the gap, it is crystal clear.”

He prepared for another attack.

The difficulty had increased compared to a few months ago, but for Duke Darius, a master of siege warfare, it was easy as pie.

He immediately moved the pieces representing each unit on the map, ordering the attack.

“Now then… rise, my soldi—”

「Seeker-nim…!! Urgent report…!!」

Jirit-

The excitement that had been building up suddenly disappeared.

Darius decided he would kill the messenger who had rudely interrupted him later, and once again rested his chin on his hand in thought.

「Tell me. What is it?」 「Princess Narita… Princess Narita…!!」

He tilted his head.

He had removed the obstacle, so why was Princess Narita’s name suddenly mentioned?

However, that question was soon answered by the ongoing commentary.

“Ah, what’s happening—!! Cadet Narias Philbrogue of 1-A, last tournament’s champion is blocking the entrance to the exit zone—!!”