Chapter 169
The Martial Arts Hall visited for the midterm exam.
The martial arts students gathered there all had tense expressions.
Today's midterm evaluation was an opportunity to shorten the six-month training period at once.
In other words, it was also an opportunity to make themselves known to the high-ranking nobles.
Of course, outstanding students would naturally be scouted.
Therefore, for the children, the midterm exam was a place of opportunity.
Except for just one person.
"Haaah."
A boy, with his mouth wide open, yawned openly as if bored.
His relaxed demeanor unintentionally demoralized the other children.
Naturally, it was because he was Kraush Balheim.
Starting from his first-place entrance exam score, he defeated a 6th Class Erosion Species on his first mission.
He also defeated the child of the Imperial Local Noble Faction, Arsholder Freya.
And he contributed his opinion to Fighting Emperor Durandal and eradicated a World Erosion Being on a mission based on his proposal.
For his same-age second-year classmates, it was only natural to feel intimidated.
His performance was so overwhelming that no one could match him.
However, such a relaxed attitude kindled a faint flame in the hearts of the children.
This was Rahelrn Academy, where the geniuses of the world gathered.
Especially the Martial Arts Department, known for their pride.
They were born to be warriors.
A desire to break his composure began to sprout.
[ He's blatantly provoking us. ]
As the phrase suggested, Kraush was indeed intentionally provoking them.
The target of his provocation was none other than Mary Diana.
Since entering the Martial Arts Hall training ground, she had been leaning against the wall, watching Kraush.
'No matter how much he shows off his composure, Mary probably won't let her guard down.'
Her younger brother Glen's words began to make some sense.
Indeed, Mary was gritting her teeth and had regained her prime strength.
Although it was still far from her peak.
But there was no denying the powerful aura she emanated.
Screech!
While everyone was lost in their own thoughts.
Along with the sound of a door opening, a pure white cat and an associate professor walked in.
The cat walked to the center of the training ground, plopped down, and sat.
Ganon Sarsha.
He was the professor for the second-year students of the Martial Arts Department.
"Now, I will explain the method for the midterm exam."
Without hesitation, Ganon proceeded with the test.
Then, Ganon's associate professor pulled out a Magic Projector.
Swoosh-
Along with the sound of the Magic Projector operating, an image was projected in the sky.
It was a mountain.
"This is an artificially created mountain made through magic. Inside, there are Erosion Species formed by illusions that you will hunt."
The image then shifted, and the mountain was divided into rainbow-colored sections.
"From the outermost Purple Line to the innermost Red Line, the difficulty and number of Erosion Species vary. The Purple Line, with the most numbers, is 1st Rank, while the Red Line, with the least, is 7th Rank."
The mention of 7th Rank made the children start whispering.
After all, encountering a 7th Rank Erosion Species was a rare occurrence among them.
"As expected, the point disparity increases as you go inward. Even if you eliminate all the Erosion Species in the Orange Line, it won't match the value of one in the Red Line."
The screen changed once again.
This time, it showed people.
"And here's an additional rule. Starting from the Blue Line, combat between students is allowed."
The students' gazes changed simultaneously.
"Defeating a fellow student grants you all the points they've accumulated so far. Of course, defeated students can no longer enter. Eliminated students will take a supplementary exam, so keep that in mind."
Although a supplementary exam was mentioned, being effectively eliminated in the midterm evaluation was undeniable.
'They're intentionally raising the tension.'
In the World Erosion, one could never be completely safe.
Since variables could arise anytime and anywhere, even during Erosion Species hunts, they deliberately heightened the tension.
The intent behind the exam was evident.
"This test is a relative evaluation. Everyone below the midpoint score will have to take the supplementary exam, so remember that."
Ganon brushed his face and looked at the associate professor.
The associate professor quickly prepared Spatial Magic for transportation and distributed bracelets to the students.
"The bracelets handle scoring and damage accumulation. The damage accumulation of the bracelet is linked to your clothing, and exceeding 100 percent damage means immediate elimination."
Listening to the final explanation, Kraush clicked his bracelet into place.
"Ahaha, this looks fun!"
At that moment, Balak held up his bracelet with an excited expression.
Still small in stature, as always, his energy was high.
"This isn't the time to say it's fun."
Then Glen, standing nearby, looked around at the children as if issuing a warning.
"If battles between students are allowed, those with the highest scores will easily become targets."
The children who made eye contact with Glen flinched and averted their gaze.
Naturally, the ones who could earn the most points here were the Special Class students.
Their superior skills compared to their peers had already been proven.
Naturally, the children would keep an eye on their scores, waiting for an opportunity.
If they targeted them while exhausted from hunting Erosion Species, they could not only eliminate them but also gain their points.
"That means they might team up."
Karandis, seemingly sensing the atmosphere, rubbed her body.
"Mr. Kraush, I'm scared. Will you protect me?"
"I'll make sure you're the first to be eliminated."
"Don't be mean."
She pouted and stuck out her lips.
At that moment, Kraush felt a tug on his clothes.
Turning his head, he saw Haring with a determined expression.
"I'll definitely protect Kraush."
She looked like a cat trying to protect its master.
"Just make sure to manage your own score. If we're to continue working together, you can't afford to be eliminated either."
Kraush smiled and spoke to Haring, who flinched and began mumbling.
"......Okay."
She then answered with a slightly sulky expression.
Seeing this, Karandis' eyes subtly widened.
She noticed Haring's demeanor.
"Haring, don't tell me......."
"I will now call the participants. Please enter one by one."
As Karandis tried to speak to Haring, Ganon began calling names.
"Kraush Balheim."
At the first name called, everyone understood the order.
It was according to the entrance exam rankings.
'How cruel.'
This was to remind the children once again.
Of who they had to defeat in the midterm evaluation.
Kraush moved to the front of the entrance.
The children's gazes were all entirely fixed on Kraush.
In those gazes were admiration, respect, competitive spirit, and jealousy.
A mix of emotions could be felt from each one.
It's not a bad feeling.
Standing at the very front, he intended to fulfill the role of the Heavenly Pivot Star by making the ones behind chase after him.
So, for what lay ahead, Kraush had to remain in this position.
Kraush, who had drawn all the children's attention, noticed that among them was Fake Arthur.
The emotion reflected in Fake Arthur's eyes was something Kraush couldn't quite discern.
However, thinking that Arthur might be behind those eyes made him tense up.
'Let's see.'
Let's stir things up big in the midterm evaluation.
Kraush, with that thought in mind, stepped toward the Space Magic.
At that moment, with a faint light, the surrounding scenery changed.
The first thing that came into Kraush's view was a forest.
At a glance, it was just an ordinary forest.
However, the bracelet wrapped around his wrist had turned purple.
This meant that this place was the exam venue for the midterm evaluation.
Kraush noticed that a red circle was drawn beneath his feet.
When he raised his hand, something like a transparent barrier was struck.
It must mean to wait until everyone had entered.
As expected, it was fitting for Rahelrn Academy, which prided itself on nurturing the world's greatest talents.
They had infused an enormous amount of magic into the exam.
How long did Kraush wait?
After some time, the red circle disappeared, and he felt a breeze blowing.
Judging by the smell that came belatedly, it seemed that there was a sea nearby.
'Is this some remote island?'
They really found a place like this to use as an exam venue.
Ding!
At the same time, a sound was heard from the sky.
When he looked up, the name "Sebas" from the Second Year students was displayed.
The number written after it was 1.
Someone from the Purple Line had succeeded in their first hunt.
Kraush let out a dry laugh as he saw this.
They even displayed the points earned in the sky, as if to confirm someone's nastiness.
"With this, the one with the highest score will inevitably become a target."
[ What's your plan? ]
"Simple."
Kraush began to loosen up his legs lightly.
Whoosh!
At that moment, the heat of Annihilation Erosion surged from his body.
By now, his body level had risen to the point where he could keep Annihilation Erosion activated at all times.
"I'm heading to the Red Line."
A 7th Rank Erosion Species.
Let's see if I can take it down.
* * *
The Exam Island prepared for the midterm evaluation.
[ Catch it! Drive it that way! ]
[ Damn, it really feels like an actual Erosion Species! ]
[ Aagh, you traitor! ]
In such an Exam Island, a space with multiple screens displayed.
In front of it, a single white cat was sitting.
And behind that cat were several associate professors and teaching assistants with solemn expressions.
The reason their faces were stiff was simple.
It was because there was an entirely unexpected figure behind them.
"Shouldn't you be more considerate of the associate professors and teaching assistants?"
At that, the cat watching the screens, Professor Ganon, opened his mouth.
The person who heard his voice let out a light snort.
"Surely, I have the right to oversee the exam."
"Well, you certainly have more than enough qualifications. But while I'm fine, for the others, it must be unbearable."
Muscles bulging beneath the suit.
And the threatening scars scattered across his body.
Even his massive physique didn't seem human.
He was the former Celestial Four Strongest and now retired, the Rahelrn Academy Chancellor and the former Fighting Emperor Durandal.
The midterm evaluation being overseen by the Chancellor.
The associate professors and teaching assistants were having a hard time grading the students' performance.
"So, how are the Second Year students?"
When Durandal asked, Ganon let out a brief sigh.
"Overall, their skills are undoubtedly good."
After all, it was Rahelrn Academy, which gathered the most exceptional students.
Naturally, their skills had to be good.
"But compared to the First Years, they're falling way behind."
However, that didn't make them the best.
The First Year students at Rahelrn Academy had endured the most competitive entrance exam in history.
That was because, when the academy first opened, exceptional students aged 15 to 19 all applied.
Thanks to that, the First Years, selected from the best of the best, could be considered overwhelming within their generation.
In contrast, the Second Years clearly lagged behind the First Years.
Starting with the fact that nearly half of them had just turned 15.
Even among the older students, some were those who had failed the First Year entrance exam.
From this alone, the qualitative difference between the First and Second Years was clear.
Frankly, it was an inevitable story.
Most of the top talents had already been gathered during the First Year admissions.
In various ways, the Second Years were bound to fall behind.
"Then, what about individually?"
At that moment, Durandal gave a meaningful smile.
Knowing what that smile meant, Ganon let out a short sigh.
"Even individually, the First Years are undoubtedly superior."
The top-ranked individuals among the First Years.
They were people who would have left their mark in any generation.
Naturally, their excellence was undeniable.
However, Ganon also knew of one person.
Someone who not only didn't fall behind them but even surpassed their achievements.
Kraush Balheim.
Currently ranked first among the Second Year Martial Arts students.
A sensational figure who had continuously caused a stir since entering Rahelrn Academy.
"If it's Kraush, he wouldn't fall behind the First Years."
It wasn't just Kraush.
The Special Class he belonged to also had the strength that wouldn't fall short even among the First Years.
But even among them, Kraush stood out.
Even Ganon, known for his harsh evaluations, often thought when looking at him.
That this guy would one day cause quite a commotion.
"Haha, right?"
Then Durandal let out a satisfied laugh.
Ganon, who knew what he wanted from the beginning, looked at him with disapproval.
"Do you like Kraush that much?"
Hearing those words, Durandal looked at the screen.
He was running directly forward without any hesitation from the beginning.
Judging by that appearance, he was undoubtedly running toward the Red Line.
Even though there was a 7th Rank Erosion Species in his path that couldn't be handled by ordinary measures, his eyes showed no assumption of defeat, which was quite admirable in many ways.
"It's the first time I've seen someone more impressive than that friend of mine."
Hearing his response, Ganon slightly raised his head.
"Are you comparing him to the Sword Emperor?"
Back in the days when Durandal was making a name for himself as one of the Celestial Four Strongest.
His companion and friend, the Sword Emperor.
Even Balheim, known for his swordsmanship, admired her name highly.
Balrok Balheim, who inherited the title of Martial Emperor following her title of Sword Emperor.
Thinking of her, who was no longer around, he smiled faintly.
"That friend had an incredible sense of malice, too."
Even the malice she showed at the very end left a lasting memory.
Briefly recalling her, Durandal turned his gaze back to Kraush.
"So, I've been thinking."
That I might give this malice-filled student a gift to ensure he doesn't stumble while moving forward.
A star destined to illuminate the world must not lose its light.
Hearing Durandal's words, Ganon's eyes widened slightly.
"......He's the son of the Martial Emperor."
If you do something like that, the power of the Balheim Family might become too concentrated.
If the world's balance collapses, it's inevitable that something somewhere will start to creak.
When asked if he understood that, Durandal's expression remained unchanged.
"There's a prophecy left by a former Sephira from a long time ago."
The Sephira, a family of astrologers.
Durandal vividly remembered the words left by the leader of the previous generation of Sephira.
"Upon the devoured Black Star, countless stars shall follow a single star."
"What a baffling statement to interpret......."
"Then wouldn't it be best to make that star shine the brightest so more stars follow it?"
Ganon said no more.
He simply looked at Kraush on the screen as well.
The people present here didn't fully understand the meaning of Durandal's words just now.
However, Ganon knew.
'The successor of the Fighting Emperor.'
That he had chosen someone to whom he would pass down the secret techniques he had built up his entire life.