Chapter 148: Joint Practical Evaluation (5)


    <b> Joint Practical Evaluation (5) </b>


    A flood of pink mes erupted. It was the fire magic from the Heart Pdin, Shera Hectorica.


    Shera easily defeated every student she encountered. There wasnt a first-year around who could stand against her mes.


    However, what she desired was not to eliminate insignificant first-year students. There wasnt any fun to be had in trampling ants after all.


    Shera grunted in annoyance.


    Where are the Predators!


    In this ce, as vast andplex as a maze, known as Octovus Hall, the goal of every Pdin was the same.


    Hunting the Predators. They had to focus particrly on the ice element.


    Though it wasnt something that could be discussed beforehand, the Pdins understood that they needed to target the Predators upon hearing the exam rules.


    Their objective was to thwart the n of The ck Monster, The Nameless Hero, and uncover his identity.


    If he participated in this exam, they concluded he must be a Predator.


    This was because, duringst years Mrchen Academy Magic Department first year exams, demons often appeared, and the ck Monster appeared each time as well.


    If the ck Monster was a student, there was a high probability that he was now a second-year student.


    Even if the ck Monster was not here, there was no loss. There were still opportunities remaining.


    !


    It was while they were traversing Octovus Hall, that they arrived at a vast space.


    Suddenly, a strong flow of mana swept through like a whirlwind, brushing against Sheras skin. The mana was emanating from the corridor on the opposite side.


    Shera widened her eyes in surprise and looked towards the other side.


    A female student with rose-gold hair walked towards her, swaying gently. As she spotted Shera, she stopped, her expression indifferent.


    A second-year blue gem brooch was attached to her uniform ribbon. Five blue magic circles floated above her head.


    A smile spread across Sheras lips.


    Luce Eltania


    Finally, an opponent who could entertain her had appeared.


    When encountering the Predator, one must choose to either fight or flee.


    However, Shera knew from her extensivebat experience that she could never flee from a confrontation with Luce Eltania.


    It was what she had hoped for.


    Shera deployed her orange magic circle.


    There was no need for conversation. As if following an unspoken agreement, the two poured forth elemental magic at each other.


    * * *


    Whites pocket watch was different from what I remembered. The reason for this was still unknown.


    The discovery of a new variable stirred a multitude ofplex thoughts in my mind.


    However, I had to set those thoughts aside for the moment. It was gradually bing time for the Abyssal Sea Monster to emerge. I could tell from the watch on the exam bracelet.


    After dispelling the ice chair with defrost, I moved towards the passage leading to the Eltra Sea.


    While walking, I continually observed the Pdins using my [irvoyance].


    Presumably, they were out hunting Predators like me.


    When the exam began, except for the sociable model student the Clover Pdin, the rest of the Pdins quickly left their teams and began eliminating students at a terrifying pace.


    They seemed to be operating under the assumption that I had joined this exam.


    They must think Im at least a second-year student.


    Last year, various demons appeared during the Magic Departments first-year exams, and each time, the ck Monster also appeared.


    Moreover, during the joint practical evaluation, including the Eltra Sea where the Abyssal Sea Monster appears, all destinations were under barriers, and ess was controlled.


    Last year, the ck Monster acted as if he knew the exam schedule. The Pdins might have thought he would do the same this year.


    In other words, there was a sufficient possibility that the ck Monster was hiding his identity and intervening in various exams to hunt demons.


    However, fortunately, they overlooked one fact.


    Octovus Hall is muchrger than they think.


    This ce was a facility created by hollowing out the bottom part of a vast ind.


    Usually off-limits, most people were unaware of its internal structure, including the student council president, Alice Carroll.


    Octovus Hall was a vast, maze-like facility, making apass essential.


    Here, thepass was specifically for the exam. It only pointed towards the destination, and its only other function was to disy a map.


    Even with apass, if the Eltra Sea was not set as the destination, it would be useless to the Pdins except for its map function.


    The fact that the Pdins hadnt yete my way, even though the Abyssal Sea Monster was due to appear soon, proved that they were lost in Octovus Hall.


    In that regard, the goddess of fortune was on my side.


    Of course, when the Abyssal Sea Monster appeared, anyone would be able to feel its strong mana and determine the direction of the Eltra Sea.


    By the time everything ys out, itll already be over.


    When the Abyssa Seal Monster appeared, the test bracelets lost their function and broke downpletely, due to its passive skill [Mana Drain].


    As a side note, from what I remember in Magic Knight of Mrchen, the academy found it difficult to track the location of each and every student, so they primarily focused on monitoring the locations of those who had been eliminated.


    In other words, unless I made myself conspicuous, I was unlikely to arouse suspicion from the academys faculty.


    When the Abyssal Sea Monster appeared, it wouldnt be long before all the exits of Octovus Hall were automatically sealed.


    To prepare for the appearance of demons, Hegel Magic Tower developed a robust protective magicst year.


    It was difficult for anyone in Octovus Hall, including myself, to easily break through.


    The right timing would be.


    After the Abyssal Sea Monster appeared.


    To escape to Eltra Sea before the exits were sealed.


    It meant I needed to time my exit well.


    The exam proctors who had waited at the Eltra Sea coast were to have retreated to the gathering point under the condition that no students were present once the Abyssal Sea Monster appeared. I had already sessfully met that condition.


    Returning to the current situation.


    The Heart Pdin had encountered Luce Eltania. If there were no variables, Luce was likely to win.


    The other Pdins were wandering in the wrong direction. Diamond Pdin had defeated a group and had taken theirpass.


    It was apass leading to the Eltra Sea. The direction the needle pointed was where I intended to go, and it was identified as Eltra Sea Coast on the surface of thepass.


    Since the Pdins needed to know the direction to the Eltra Sea, it was apparent that the Diamond Pdin had located the requiredpass.


    As a side note, the naive Shera, excited about catching a Predator first, seemed to have rashly embarked on solo action.


    She left her team as soon as the exam started, not knowing that her teamspass was pointing towards the Eltra Sea coast.


    Well, it should be fine.


    Fortunately, the Diamond Pdin was in the wrong ce quite a distance away. she had to go around in circles to find the way.


    Indeed, today, the goddess of fortune was on my side. I wouldnt be hindered by that girl.


    As I thought about this and continued forward.


    What?


    I stopped in my tracks without realizing it.


    I focused on [irvoyance].


    Suddenly, I caught my breath at the extraordinary actions of a female student, Alexa, marked with a golden diamond pattern on her forehead.


    She was charging rapidly towards my intended path, breaking through walls.


    <i> BOOM</i>


    <i> BOOM</i>


    The booming sounds reached here and were getting gradually getting closer.


    The air vibrated noisily as if there was an earthquake. The ground also rumbled loudly.


    Students scattered throughout Octovus Hall were all startled and stopped in their tracks.


    <b><i> No way, thats insane. Who destroys the exam hall while taking an exam?!</i></b>


    I never expected her to rudely carve a path like this. Even the Italian explorer Columbus would have admired such audacity.


    The thick walls were being sted open. I could break trees or rocks with my fists, but the Diamond Pdin was on another level.


    Cold sweat ran down my cheeks. I regained myposure and quickly crossed the corridor.


    As expected, the exam proctor went to stop the Diamond Pdin, Alexa.


    However, she attacked the proctor with rock magic and knocked him out. It was a merciless strike delivered expressionlessly.


    <b><i> Shes umting quite the stack of penalties</i></b>


    Shes really going all out.


    Alice probably didnt enroll her to draw such attention.


    I take back saying the goddess of fortune was on my side. She was capricious.


    If I continued this way, our paths would inevitably cross. I was bound to encounter her on the way to the Eltra Sea.


    But rushing to the Eltra Sea first wasnt a good idea.


    My position was still being monitored by the exam bracelet, so clumsy actions were strictly forbidden.


    Moreover, there were exam proctors outside the exit. I couldnt go out until the proctors had retreated to the gathering point.


    <b><i> So what should I do?</i></b>


    Firstly, I couldnt avoid a confrontation with Alexa.


    Her path was straightforward.


    From that point on, it was logical to recall all the traps and useful features of the joint practical evaluation to formte a strategy on how to ambush her.


    Huh?


    Then, something unexpected happened.


    A man, with an arrogant smile, blocked the path of the diamond female student, Alexa.


    Tristan?


    It was the vain, blond nobleman, Tristan Humphrey.


    * * *


    <i> Bang!</i>


    In a wide space lit bymps on the walls, at a point where several paths intersected.


    A powerful rock magic broke through the wall, and Alexa, a female student with a square diamond pattern on her forehead, emerged.


    Ha!


    ?


    A sudden short chuckle stopped Alexa in her tracks.


    Amid the dust raised by the copsing wall, a blond male student stood facing Alexa directly.


    Ive heard there were many insolent juniors


    The dust quickly settled.


    The brooch on the blond students tie shed once with an aquamarine light.


    But I never thought Id see someone foolish enough to destroy the very purpose of the exam.


    He was a Predator. Tristan Humphrey, ranked second in ss B, a second-year of the Magic Department.


    Alexas rock magic circles, etched in the air, targeted Tristan.


    Tristan swiftly deployed four wind magic circles, all aiming at Alexa.


    The sh of mana waves created a fierce gust that swept over them.


    Alexa sensed Tristans mana and realized she was stronger. However, Tristans fearless demeanor made her feel a sense of doubt.


    Being overwhelmed by fear in the face of a strong opponent meant never reaching a higher realm. This was a lesson Tristan Humphrey had learned after being effortlessly swept away by Luce Eltanias magic inst years end-of-semester evaluation.


    Looking back, it was true. Before Luce appeared at the end-of-semester evaluation, the audaciousmoner, Isaac, had faced many foes, including A-ss students and Tristan himself, without hesitation. No trace of fear was seen in him.


    The sheer willpower. The determination as if saying, I will defeat you all shimmered in his eyes, Tristan remembered it well.


    Reflecting on this memory during the winter break, Tristan had to admit that Isaac was inherently superior. It was a realization that came with gritted teeth.


    Thus, he trained relentlessly. He didnt want to lose to Isaac. Tristans winter break was filled with grueling training.


    His will surged fiercely, determined to ovee whoever or whatever crossed his path.


    Tristan could sense how strong his junior, Alexa, was through her mana. Yet, he smirked as if finding herughably insignificant, as if unable to even feel fear.


    I, the superior one, shall personally teach you a lesson!


    Tristanughed heartily, Kahaha!


    Soon after, he choked and coughed, seemingly catching his breath.


    <strong>You can rate this series here.</strong>


    <strong>Advanced chapters avable on </strong>


    <strong>Illustrtins on our discrd  discord.gg/genesistls</strong>


    We are Recruiting!


    We are looking for Korean Trantors. For more details please join Genesis discord server