What filled their vision was a massive mountain. Since it was land owned by Witmore, it naturally was no ordinary mountain.
“This is a mountain managed by Witmore. You’ve probably heard the rumors already, but monsters currently inhabit that place.”
A distinct concentration of magic could be felt around the mountain. It was completely different in nature from the magic humans emitted.
It was none other than the magic emitted by monsters.
Monsters were aggressive beings that harmed humans, creatures that possessed magic within their bodies just like humans did. Put simply, they were beings closer to monsters and beasts.
The types of monsters were incredibly diverse, and depending on their danger level, they were divided into ranks from Grade 1 to Grade 5. The lower the number, the more dangerous the monster. In the case of Grade 1 monsters, the existence of a Grade 1 mage was essential for subjugation due to how powerful they were.
On the other hand, Grade 5 monsters were not particularly dangerous, so as long as one knew how to handle magic to some extent, they could be subjugated without much risk.
“Now then, I’ll explain the practical test from here on. At present, this mountain is inhabited by monsters managed by the academy. Grade 5 monsters make up the majority, followed by Grade 4 monsters, and then a very small number of Grade 3 monsters.”
Witmore captured monsters and released them into this mountain for various reasons. The largest reason was for student tests like today’s, while other purposes included providing experimental subjects for students creating magical tools and professors researching monsters.
“Our class’s test will begin at 4 p.m. Each of you will enter the mountain individually and eliminate any monsters you encounter. Every Grade 5 monster you kill will earn 10 points, Grade 4 monsters are worth 20 points, and defeating the small number of Grade 3 monsters will grant 40 points. This practical test will be evaluated based on the points you earn by eliminating monsters.”
According to Harold’s explanation, Grade 5 monsters wore blue bands around their bodies, Grade 4 monsters wore yellow bands, and Grade 3 monsters wore red bands, so students were expected to judge accordingly and subjugate them.
There was no such thing as a textbook strategy for this test. One could enter the mountain and steadily build points by targeting only the relatively easy-to-subjugate Grade 5 monsters even at the cost of using more stamina, or conversely, one could kill one or two of the rare Grade 3 monsters and fill their score all at once.
In other words, it meant students were free to approach combat however suited their own tendencies and create their own scores.
“Grade 3 monsters won’t continue chasing you once you widen the distance past a certain point. They’re wearing magical tools that partially regulate their speed and strength. So even if you unintentionally encounter a Grade 3 monster, there’s no need to panic too much. If you judge that you can’t win, running away is perfectly acceptable.”
“Professor.”
At that moment, Magnus shot his hand high into the air.
“Then how do you know what rank of monsters we killed and how many?”
Harold nodded, saying it was a good question.
“There are two methods of confirmation. In principle, after subjugating a monster and bringing it down, you inject a small amount of your magic into the monster’s corpse. Once all the tests are over, the professors, myself included, will detect the magic inside the monster corpses and individually check your magic signatures. It’ll make it easy to tell who killed what.”
And as for the second method, Harold held out a square piece of translucent glass.
“Once you enter the mountain, you’ll probably notice crystal-shaped objects floating overhead. This is one of the magical tools actually used by mages right now. These crystal magical tools directly display the situation within a certain radius of where they’re positioned. In other words, with these objects, the professors can observe every single thing you do inside the mountain in real time.”
That would make scoring easier while also preparing for possible emergencies. After all, the monsters the students would face from this point onward were not fabricated creations but actual living creatures, so unexpected situations always had to be considered.
“If your body ends up in bad condition and you think you can’t continue the test, find one of these crystal spheres. Mark a large X on it, and the professors monitoring the situation will come retrieve you.”
The real-combat practical test that began in third year.
They had already heard plenty of rumors about it through their seniors, but actually facing the situation themselves naturally made everyone nervous.
“Now then, we’ll distribute the weapons.”
Harold and Neo, who had come as an assistant professor, handed swords to the students one by one. These were not the practice swords used during practical lessons but genuine blades capable of cutting.
“They’re all identical weapons. If you intend to use a weapon during this test, only the sword distributed here is permitted. If you use any other weapon you brought in yourself, you’ll be disqualified immediately, so be careful.”
No matter how diligently one studied monsters at the academy, it could never compare to experiencing actual combat. Mages were especially effective at killing and subjugating monsters, which was why the magic knight order and mercenary guilds—both heavily populated by mages—primarily dealt with monster subjugation.
Among the students in the Department of Magic, there were quite a few who had enrolled to become mages because monsters had killed their parents or caused severe harm, leaving them with hatred toward monsters.
Providing future talents—those who would take the mage exam after graduation and officially become mages—with experience in personally defeating and killing real monsters was extremely important.
“No questions?”
“……”
At Harold’s words, the students who normally would have answered loudly all fell silent as mice. With the tension of real combat pressing up to their throats, their bodies gradually began to stiffen.
Perhaps Harold noticed that as well, because he clapped his hands sharply to lighten the atmosphere.
“You lot are supposed to become mages in the future, and you’re already this scared? Even if something dangerous happens, the professors will handle it, so don’t be too frightened! Countless seniors before you have all gone through this test too. Alright, everyone, get ready to head in.”
Harold walked several steps forward and opened the firmly shut iron gate directly beneath the mountain entrance. The chilling screech of metal grinding against metal scraped against their ears.
Within the moving formation, Ruite curiously examined the real sword in his hands.
At that moment, a sudden cold sensation brushed over him, and he sharply lifted his head. Now that they had arrived at the mountain entrance, the filthy aura of magic felt even thicker.
Those who possessed magic within their bodies could basically sense the magic possessed by other living beings to some extent, so everyone was surely thinking the same thing.
That the things inside this mountain truly were real monsters.
“You have a total of thirty minutes. Once thirty minutes pass, the crystal spheres floating overhead will turn red, and when that happens, return to the mountain entrance. Understood? Punctuality is also part of your evaluation criteria, so keep that in mind.”
Harold raised the crystal sphere he had demonstrated earlier into the air. At the same time, dozens of crystal spheres floated up overhead all at once.
Soon after, the crystal spheres turned blue.
It was the signal announcing the start of the test.
The students poured into the mountain in groups. Some enthusiastically rushed forward, while others chose not to act rashly and carefully watched their surroundings.
Ruite belonged closer to the latter group. With the sword still sheathed, he continuously scanned the area.
It’s not like I particularly want to graduate with high rankings.
As long as he could graduate, he honestly would not care even if he barely passed at the bottom of the class, so there was no need to desperately accumulate points.
“Guess it’s better to focus on Grade 4s and 5s.”
He did not want to waste energy provoking a Grade 3 monster for no reason. Well, according to Harold, Grade 3 monsters were few in number and difficult to find anyway, so unless he deliberately searched for them, there likely would not be any chance of encountering one.
About three minutes after the test began, not a single classmate could be seen nearby. Everyone had probably scattered throughout the vast forest.
From time to time, the screams of monsters could be heard, so the quicker students seemed to have already begun subjugating them.
At that moment, an unfamiliar presence was felt from behind him.
Ruite abruptly halted and turned around. Thick trees, overgrown bushes, and the dirt ground beneath his feet filled his vision.
“……”
Ruite sharply heightened his senses and slowly moved forward. Just as he was about to head toward the location where he had sensed the presence, a green vine lashed powerfully toward him.
The tip of the vine extending toward him sharply enough to wrap around his wrist was pointed. But before it could touch him, Ruite caught it in his hand.
Grabbing the fairly thick vine tightly, Ruite yanked it with force.
A gigantic flower-shaped monster hidden within the bushes was dragged out. Its petals were such a dark brown that at a glance they resembled tree bark, a camouflage coloration that made it blend into the forest. It was one of the Grade 5 monsters. A blue band was visible as well.
After confirming the monster, Ruite tightened his grip.
The instant he did, flames erupted fiercely, spreading along the vine in an instant. Controlling the firepower to burn only the monster itself, Ruite easily killed the Grade 5 monster before injecting a small amount of his own magic into the charred corpse.
If only things could keep going this smoothly.
Ruite dusted off his hands and resumed walking in the direction he had originally intended to go.