Chapter 118
As I finished my brief explanation, we all drifted apart without much more discussion.
Although no one spoke easily, it was clear that they had decided to participate. Surprisingly, it was Seymour who spoke up first.
“I’m in.”
“What?”
Thud.
Seymour tossed a piece of bread he bought from the canteen onto his desk and spoke bluntly.
“That thing you mentioned before. You told me to pick a side carefully. I’ve made my decision.”
Seymour was in a position where he was tormented by a curse.
Although he hadn’t made enemies of all the spirits and students, it was true that his relations with them were strained.
Knowing that they could target his life at any moment, he decided to accept my proposal.
“I don’t know if I’ll be of any help, but I’m in. You’ll regret this, though; my reputation is in the gutter.”
“There’s no way you won’t be helpful—”
“I’m leaving!”
“Oh… okay!”
The next day, Adela and Solia visited.
“It’s a dangerous and crazy thing to do, but what I was planning to do is just as risky. I can’t blame you.”
Adela sighed after bringing up the matter of revenge.
“Honestly, this isn’t something I can just ignore. I hate those people just as much as you do. But….”
“….”
“You’re doing this out of anxiety. You’re scared something might go wrong.”
Solia stood beside Adela, silently nodding.
“Me too.”
Well, the fact that the most crucial member, the Light Mage, had joined was a success.
Though, it was probably more due to Lee Han’s persuasion than mine.
Solia also disappeared with an unreadable expression.
“Th-Thank you.”
“… I’m leaving.”
The day after that, Yoon Haul came by….
“As handsome as always….”
“What?”
“Anyway, I’m in too! Save a spot for me!”
With that, Yoon Haul scurried off after saying his piece.
“Uh, okay, got it!”
I mean, everything’s fine, but why do you all just say what you want and leave?
* * *
[Main Episode 6: Ardel’s Crusaders]
[Protect the Cube from the Dark Mage (Archant).]
[Recommended Party: 6 Members]
I glared at the main episode window floating above my head.
I had successfully gathered the necessary people.
What the cube taken by the Dark Mage Archant would be, and whether we could protect it, were issues yet to be addressed.
For now, I was focusing on preparing for the upcoming battle, whenever it might occur.
The Cube of Sensations.
After taming Sagak, it seemed to have connected with me.
It felt like it was bound to me.
… Talking about this with a stone feels weird!
“Damn it, I tamed a stone!”
“Peep?”
The more I thought about it, the more confusing this strange ability became, something I couldn’t easily explain to anyone.
As I shouted in frustration, Kloshti tilted its head, rolling its big, round eyes.
I smiled at Kloshti and said, “Go play.”
“Peep!”
They say kids grow up fast, but I didn’t expect the same for a pterosaur.
Taking advantage of Won’s absence, they turned the cramped dorm room into their playground.
Crash, bang!
“Kkuu! Sun! Don’t cross the line!”
“Peep, peep!”
Ignoring the harmonious chaos created by Basilus and Kloshti, I took a deep breath.
There was still something I needed to test.
After taming the Cube of Sensations, my senses had become extraordinarily sharp.
I needed to assess just how effective this was.
One thing was clear: overusing this cube could have severe consequences.
Without crossing into superhuman levels, I refocused my heightened senses.
I closed my eyes.
It felt like I could sense the flow of air.
I could detect even the faintest breeze.
Though it was far from Basilus’ reaction speed, it was still on a completely different level compared to my original senses.
I pushed my senses further.
Is this how it’s done?
As I concentrated, my head began to throb slightly.
But in contrast, my senses sharpened even more.
Beyond what could be considered human, my senses detected everything in the quiet room.
Not just Basilus running around wildly, but also the book on the shelf and the tiny dust particles rolling across the floor.
Even with my eyes closed, I could perceive objects.
Although it was an incredible level of sensitivity, this seemed to be my limit.
If I pushed beyond this point, I would start to deteriorate.
Just like the protagonist Lee Han, who lost his natural senses after amplifying them too much in a short time, I needed to stop here.
As expected.
I could feel a slight, soul-consuming sensation starting at the top of my head.
From the top of my head… the top of my head….
Scratch, scratch.
“Huh?”
Scratch….
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
I turned my head to the mirror, responding to the uneasy feeling.
There, I saw Kloshti gnawing on my hair like it was grass.
So I was being eaten for real!
“Kloshtiyyy!”
You crazy reptile!
Seeing this, Basilus rushed over and swiftly smacked Kloshti on the back of its head.
The effect of Basilus’ overwhelming loyalty was impressive.
Smack!
“Peep!”
Crash.
Kloshti went flying, shattering the glass window.
In the past, it would’ve just taken the hit, but now its round eyes glowed blue.
It was the new attack magic I had taught it last time.
A type of area-of-effect magic that freezes the air and attacks with the ice shards.
Unlike Basilus’, Kloshti’s magic was quite precise.
While Basilus’ power was raw and destructive, Kloshti’s attacks were sharp and delicate, naturally targeting its enemies with finesse.
Its precision had reached a considerable level.
Enough that it could clear a dungeon with Basilus alone.
Now, it seemed to have gained some confidence of its own.
“Peep… peep….”
Shaking.
Kloshti’s body trembled once more.
In the tense atmosphere of a practice duel, with a fierce battle between the Red Dragon and the Pteranodon looming, I found myself as a spectator.
My chest swelled with excitement.
No.
…Actually, I should be stopping this.
With a sigh, I grabbed Kloshti and held it close to me. The creature squirmed in my arms.
“Peep! Peeeep!”
“Stop it, you two.”
If I have to clean up the shattered glass, Won is definitely going to give me an earful.
* * *
Murmur, murmur.
When I went down to the first floor of the dormitory, a crowd of students had already gathered in front of the bulletin board.
They seemed excited, probably due to some new announcement.
I spotted Won a few steps away and quietly positioned myself behind him.
It was time to come clean.
“…The window is broken.”
“…”
“Basilus and Kloshti did it. I’ll take care of the repairs.”
Given that money is the one thing I have in abundance, the repair process should be relatively quick.
Won frowned and pointed to the bulletin board.
“I understand, but that’s not the issue right now.”
“What’s up?”
“Promotion exams.”
There, posted prominently on the bulletin board, was the announcement.
“A departmental unity written exam…?”
I was just as shocked as Won.
It was a promotion exam replacing the final exams.
I knew that such an exam was coming up, given that it was the end of the semester, but I was surprised by how soon it was.
What was even more concerning was….
“Why are first-year grades being included in this year’s promotion criteria?”
To be honest, based on the exams I’ve taken so far—from the first semester exams to the opening exam—my grades are solid.
Actually, to be precise, they’re top-tier.
Even if they throw that infamous test at us, there’s no reason I wouldn’t pass.
But…
If first-year grades are included, doesn’t that change things a bit…?
Uh… no, wait.
If those grades are factored in, I’m in big trouble!
“Wow… you really need to ace this exam. You’re on the borderline.”
As expected.
Judging by the grades listed next to me, my rank was indeed precarious.
Most of the students with failing first-year grades had already been filtered out.
So, those glorious near-zero grades of mine were basically immortalized.
Why is my life always so full of thrill and suspense?
“Hey, but you’re good at exams, right?”
Ignoring Won’s comment, I checked my team members.
I don’t know why such an important written exam is being conducted as a group evaluation, but now that it’s happening, it’s crucial to have reliable teammates.
Hopefully, they’re familiar faces.
…They were all familiar faces.
“Yoon Haul, Creek… Fabian Den Edwin….”
This lineup is insane.
The headache that had been bothering me since earlier suddenly felt like it was getting worse.
* * *
The departmental unity written exam was designed to test various subjects by dividing them into zones.
It’s called a unity exam for a reason. Although the members are randomly assigned, the exam covers an extensive range of topics, from magic studies to necromancy.
This means that even students from other departments could end up in the same group.
Regardless, the exam format involves memorizing designated topics and writing about them during the test.
Even though there are cheat sheets passed down through the generations, the designated topics alone cover over a thousand questions.
Each question has a 15-second time limit.
When a question appears on the screen, you write the answer, and as soon as time’s up, a bell rings, and you’re immediately booted out.
Yeah, this is a format I’m pretty familiar with.
“This is like a speed quiz from hell.”
Ugh, I feel like I’m going to lose my mind.
It’s no wonder the promotion exam has such a bad reputation.
A speed quiz as a promotion exam? Even if it were an individual test, it would be stressful enough, but now we have to take it as a group?
Since you have to move quickly through different zones to complete the exam, it’s crucial to divide up the parts among the group members according to their strengths.
If you’re unlucky, you could end up with the worst team and have to study subjects that aren’t even your specialty.
It’s supposedly part of the integrated talent initiative that the Ardel Empire has been pushing lately.
But the “integrated talents” in front of me didn’t seem all that integrated.
“Creek.”
“So, what are we supposed to be tested on?”
That guy is from the Magic Department.
“Fabian…?”
“Han Siha will… do everything, right?”
“Right. He’s our coachman after all.”
Fabian Den Edwin.
The little noble from the Necromancy Department, subtly dropping a bombshell while pretending not to care.
And finally.
“…What?”
Yoon Haul from the Theology Department.
At first glance, it might seem like a well-balanced team with representatives from different departments, but the composition is a bit off.
There’s nothing to say about the other two, and the only reliable teammate is the lazy genius, Yoon Haul.
His laziness is really concerning.
“Sigh.”
If the group I had last time was the dream team for group projects….
This one is a nightmare.
“Can you explain the test format again? I still don’t really get it. Han Siha?”
“….”
“Oh, why no answer? Hey, you, noble dude?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Hmm. It’s tough after all.”
Ignoring Creek, who still hadn’t grasped the exam format, I slowly turned to Yoon Haul.
He called my name with a faint smile.
“Han Siha.”
So, you’re thinking the same as me.
You’re trying to figure out how to lead this pitiful team, your mind tangled in complexity.
And so, you call my name, seeking some sense of camaraderie….
“Trust me!”
Yoon Haul, not you too…?