༺ Hunting Evaluation (1) ༻
Opportunities for education must be guaranteed.
That was why, despite the many appearances of demons this year, Märchen Academy refused to give up on educating its students. It was safer and more in line with their survival of the fittest ideology in teaching students.
This was in spite of the situation requiring the intervention of the Imperial Knights at the academy.
That desire was the root cause of the academy allocating more of its budget to hiring additional wizards and knights.
Demons were considered natural disasters.
They lacked intelligence, were solitary, behaved unpredictably, and had indeterminable origins.
However, the fact that such creatures had made appearances multiple times at Märchen Academy this year meant there was a special reason for it. The Imperial family was sure of it.
As a result, certain members of the 4th Imperial Knight Squadron, the Fenrir Knights, were dispatched to investigate the cause.
They wouldn’t be able to find anything though.
It was only natural that they wouldn’t be able to uncover the identity of the spy, where the demons came from, or the true identity of the Black Monster.
Alice had thoroughly prepared in order to not get caught, and demons were originally microorganisms that lived underground before being given form by the Evil God’s mana.
Furthermore, there wasn’t an individual with the ice element that possessed the mana of the Black Monster at the academy, no matter what they believed.
Because the Imperial Princess planned to enter Märchen Academy the following year, the Imperial Knights had no choice but to intensify their search efforts.
Märchen Academy was the pinnacle of all elite institutions on the continent.
Naturally, this was merely by reputation, but there was an actual reason for it. The true reason would be slowly revealed during my sophomore year.
With the deployment of many skilled Imperial Knights, the academy had full confidence in being able to handle any demon that appeared.
From this year onward, it became evident that Märchen Academy would be the primary deployment site until the graduation of the Imperial Princess. This would greatly contribute to the security of the academy.
For that reason, some members of the Imperial Knights would serve as proctors.
Still, seeing it with my own two eyes was awe-inspiring.
“Now, I will explain the rules of your ‘Hunting Evaluation’.”
Elt Island was a place that resembled the Amazon Rainforest. However, the colors were far more vibrant in comparison, as there were many plants filled with a variety of elemental mana.
Each academy ship had stopped at different docks on Elt Island. At one of the docks, the students disembarked and stood in an orderly fashion while gazing at the professors in charge.
I was also among them.
Professor Fernando began to explain the rules of the exam. The other proctors stood in formation, exuding a tremendous amount of authority.
“The exam will conclude by evening, and you will stay on this island during that time.”
“Your objective is simple. Accumulate as many ‘points’ as possible until the exam concludes or you are eliminated. Those points will determine both your grades and the gel you will receive.”
How could one accumulate points?
“Points can be earned by a successful hunt. Here on Elt Island, we have prepared various demonic illusions and summoned familiars. Each successful capture will grant you points based on the grade of your hunt.”
“…”
“As you venture deeper towards the center of Elt Island, your enemies will continually become stronger, but you also have the potential to receive that many more points in return. Rest assured, an inspection of Elt Island confirmed there were no signs of natural demonic creatures.”
With that statement, Professor Fernando confirmed they had also found ‘no trace of demons’.
In this world, there was a clear distinction made between magic beasts and demonic creatures. Demonic creatures were also known as monsters, while magic beasts were beings strongly connected to mana.
On the other hand, demonic creatures were an uncompromising, evil species. However, while similar, the demons were classified separately as a superior species due to their excessively unique presence.
“If you’re defeated by a demonic illusion, your bracelet will ring, signaling that you have failed. The proctors will come find you, so stay where you are.”
All students, including me, had a non-removable bracelet equipped. Similar to the end-of-semester evaluation from the previous semester, it could be used to track the locations of the students.
“Points can also be used to purchase items at various shops throughout Elt Island. However, since these points will also be used to determine your grade, it will be best if you save them as much as possible. In other words, this exam will evaluate your combat capabilities, survival skills, wisdom, and knowledge.”
“Professor! What happens if fellow students were to fight, say, to steal each other’s items…? Will the students involved be failed?
A boy that looked like a model student raised his hand, asking a question.
Looking at that student, Professor Fernando responded.
“It’s not a problem.”
“…!”
The other students appeared rather shocked.
“I’ll repeat myself one more time. The ‘hunting evaluation’ will judge your combat capabilities, survival skills, wisdom, and knowledge. It will test how you adapt to various opponents, how you seize an opportunity, and even how efficiently you escape. You can each become both predator and prey to one another.”
“…”
“If you’re scared of having your belongings stolen, fight back or run away.”
Professor Fernando spoke in his usual cold tone.
“If you wish to give up midway or undergo circumstances unrelated to the exam, be sure to report to us using the bracelet, and we will take appropriate action.”
“It’s currently 10 am. The exam will end at midnight, and the remaining time will be displayed on your bracelets. Make sure you survive.”
“…”
“That will be all. Enter based on your previously assigned numbers.”
The order of the assigned numbers was based on the first semester’s class placement evaluations, and following that, the students slowly began to enter Elt Island’s forest.
I followed suit, immediately taking note of the vibrant jungle that boasted various colors – frost-covered trees, flowers pulsating with electricity, and massive oak trees adorned with leaves larger than my own body.
Moving cautiously yet swiftly, I proceeded deeper into the forest.
When a blue light was emitted from my bracelet, it would signal the start of the exam.
Knowing this, I hid behind an oak tree and paid close attention to my wrist.
Soon after, the bracelet began to glow with a fierce red light before vanishing, giving way to a singular blue light.
The exam had begun.
I had two goals in mind for this exam.
The first was to reach the ‘volcano’ at the center of Elt Island.
The second was to meet ‘Ian Fairytale’.
I was able to deduce that Ian had arrived at the dock opposite mine by observing the approximate direction in which our respective ships were heading.
Immediately before the exam began, Ian would meet Kaya, and the pair would form a team.
According to 「Act 4. Chapter 2. Food Chain」, they would slowly make their way to the center of the island to earn points.
While it normally would have been difficult to pinpoint Ian and Kaya’s exact location.
‘I have [Clairvoyance].’
I closed my left eye and activated [Clairvoyance].
「Clairvoyance (Neutral Element, ★7)」
As my right eye turned silver, my field of vision shifted at an astonishing speed.
In an instant, my gaze moved towards the opposite end of Elt Island, where I saw Ian. Just like the original story, Kaya had met with Ian, and the two were engaged in a conversation.
Nodding at each other, the two began to head towards the central region of Elt Island.
I deactivated [Clairvoyance], and regained my original field of vision by reopening my left eye.
If I continued towards the volcano and periodically followed Ian’s movements with [Clairvoyance], I would be able to meet up with them.
‘They’ll be heading straight for the volcano.’
They might pause a few times to hunt and eat, but they would arrive within 8 hours at the latest.
The demon Elphelt the Evanescent, who appeared in 「Act 4, Chapter 3, Underground Giant」, would emerge in the volcanic region of Elt island and devour Kaya.
Kaya would then be forced into its body, and Ian would also be eaten in order to save her.
‘Ian won’t be able to survive though.’
Elphelt’s body was filled to the brim with demons, almost like cockroaches. Given Ian’s lack of control over his own body, there was no possible way for him to survive.
Therefore, the best method was to find Ian before he went inside Elphelt’s body.
As a side note, I considered leaving an anonymous letter to the academy that, ‘A demon will appear near the center of Elt Island’.
Naturally, I decided against it as it would create too many variables. I didn’t know if they would believe me and even if they did, it would be problematic.
It was likely that the evaluation would be suspended and Elt Island would be sealed off. If that happened, nobody would be able to stop Elphelt.
I also couldn’t be certain if things would go as I intended.
Above all, I hoped for there to be zero casualties. It would not only disrupt the scenario, but it could also lead to a bad ending.
I had carefully thought about how to keep Kaya out of harm’s way, but I had given up on that idea.
‘There’s no other way.’
In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ 「Act 4, Chapter 2, Food Chain」, it had been explained that a bad ending was guaranteed if Kaya didn’t make it to the center.
Elphelt was attracted to the plant element, so as soon as it had awakened, it went after Kaya.
If Kaya reached the central region where the giant’s head was, all Elphelt would have to do was open its mouth to swallow Kaya whole, leaving him quite satisfied.
But if Kaya didn’t make it to the volcanic region by the time Elphelt woke up, fire and ‘blood’ magic would erupt throughout Elt Island, causing massive casualties. It was a death en masse.
Therefore, finding a way to exclude Kaya from the exam entirely was far too risky.
Elphelt’s skin was as tough as Galia’s [Thunder God’s Barrier], reaching a strength equivalent to someone who was level 190. It was a demon designed to be slain solely by entering its body.
Moreover, the only viable passage to enter Elphelt’s body was through its mouth. If Kaya wasn’t present, there would be no reason for him to open it.
Even if I am temporarily sacrificing Kaya…
…In order to prevent a bad ending, this is the safest method.
‘Let’s do it.’
I took a deep breath, calming myself.
This is just the beginning.
Firstly, I had to capture several demonic illusions on my way towards the central region and earn some points. Then, I should go look for an unmanned shop.
Elt Island was quite vast, so there were quite a few unmanned shops installed throughout the island.
‘It’s quiet.’
Only the sound of grasshoppers chirping and birds tweeting could be heard. It was a completely contrasting atmosphere compared to the first semester’s evaluation.
This was likely due to the fact that the outer area of the island had very few creatures present.
“Hilde.”
I summoned Frost Dragon Hilde, who appeared in the form of a small orb of light.
[Frost Dragon Hilde]
Lv: (1)
Race: Magic Beast
Element: Ice
Danger: X
Psychology: [Enjoying the new environment.]
[Is this the exam site you mentioned?]
As Hilde’s faint voice rang through my head, I nodded.
“Let me know if there are any people, magic beasts, or demonic creatures nearby.”
[Gladly.]
Using [Clairvoyance] required a substantial amount of mana, so I chose to rely on Hilde for surveillance instead.
Hilde began to survey my surroundings from the air. Being a small orb of light, she would go unnoticed by any potential enemy as long as she remained vigilant.
[There is nothing particularly out of the ordinary.]
I carefully stepped out from behind the large oak tree and began moving.
As I headed towards the central region of Elt Island, Hilde continued to report any signs of demonic creatures, magic beasts, or nearby people.
Therefore, I was able to follow a relatively safe path. If the distance between Hilde and I was too far, her voice became fainter, so we needed to maintain a certain distance.
[I found a demonic creature… but it feels rather strange.]
[Kiiik?]
[Caw?]
「Stone Toss (Rock Element ★3)」
Boom!
When I discovered demonic illusions that resembled ants, I quickly disposed of them by using rock magic.
The demonic illusions disappeared like ash into the wind. It was because they were simply apparitions created by a magic tool.
[W-What..?! Do demonic creatures turn into ash after they die these days…?]
Hilde seemed greatly surprised, her tone resembling that of an old grandmother’s. At the same time, her voice was so beautiful it gave off a strange sense of alienation.
“They’re just illusory forms of demonic creatures.”
[I-Is there such a thing…? It seems the world has changed in many ways while I was gone… It is only natural, I suppose…]
Hilde seemed to feel the weight of the years that had passed.
The defeated demonic illusions transformed into mana grains and flowed into my bracelet.
At the same time, the number of points listed on my bracelet increased to 20. It seemed each of those ant-looking creatures was worth 10 points.
They must have been quite valuable.
I resumed my walk.
* * *
Elt Island Plateau.
After Luce summoned Galia in a suitable size, she quickly flew to the top of a cliff.
There, Luce scanned the entirety of Elt Island, noting the reddish-brown volcano at its center.
[My master is currently looking for Isaac again! A beam is coming out of her eyes! Super beam!!!]
“…”
Smack!
Luce forcefully hit Bello, her small orca familiar who had been chattering away like a child.
[Bello is shocked! Violence isn’t allowed! Violence isn’t allowed!]
“Shut up. I have to find him because he’s my friend.”
Luce meticulously searched between the canopy of the trees, looking for even the tiniest traces of Isaac.
“I have to protect him.”
With her exceptional eyesight and keen observation skills, she was confident in finding anything related to Isaac.
However, the dense forest made her search for Isaac considerably more difficult.
“Isaac, where are you…?”
She wanted to hurry and find him as soon as possible.
Elt Island was so secluded that she could spend the entire day with Isaac without anyone seeing them.
Ah… how wonderful would that be?
Luce began to salivate.
