Fairness and justice. They seem like similar concepts but dig a little deeper, and there are many differences.
Fairness first. It ans facilitating everyone to take the test without regard to any conditions.
To put it a bit extrely, its like having one-legged or armless people compete in sports alongside able-bodied individuals.
And justice. It's the opposite of fairness, where the able-bodied compete against their peers, intricately adjusting to avoid being influenced by external conditions.
"Why is only Sivar prohibited from having the right to attack?"
"The decision was made through consultation with the professors. I believe you all understand why."
I understood that United Academy stood on the principles of fairness and justice.
Rank, origin, age, and physique. The academy doesn't discriminate and provides equal opportunities for all.
Yet, even at the academy, a magician isn't subjected to the sa exams as a warrior. This is justice.
So I guess the conditions Marlboro ntioned about the prohibition of attacks can be seen in this context.
"There was so pushback, indeed. So even suggested that Sivar be excluded from the exams completely. But as you see, Sivar has completely finished his adaptation period. It signifies his official enrollnt."
I havent received a certificate of admission from Rod, but I'm estimating that I'll receive it within the next two days.
Once officially enrolled, I'll be living off points as well. Of course, they won't be particularly high.
Through my various antics, that could be called incidents, what are points to ? They plumt just from simple acts of violence.
"Does that an Sivar can only defend and not attack at all?"
Luna raised her hand to ask the question. The fact that I was not allowed to directly attack ant, conversely, that indirect attacks might be possible.
It seed Luna asked to confirm her understanding, and Marlboro nodded in agreent.
"The student is correct. While a direct attack is prohibited, a counter-attack should be feasible. The criteria for a counter-attack are simple. It will only involve an opponents attack, or phenona caused by it."
Marlboro explained in detail. Any attack using my physical body is absolutely forbidden.
Even when receiving an opponent's attack, the sa goes. Even if I skilfully deflect an attack, if a punch follows, it will be counted as a direct attack.
There was that ti Rod sliced space, making his punch hit my face. Only in such cases, it would be allowed.
Throwing anything was also banned. Presumably, this is considering my throwing capabilities demonstrated during survival training.
At the very least, clever use of terrain and features would be tolerated to so extent. Put simply, it ant to employ strategy.
Using my head for this is going to be botherso.'
I'm aware of balance patches, but isn't this one more akin to an amputation-level balance patch?
I have to just defend without doing anything else, and the attack has to be left to other team mbers.
It's akin to being a support character. Of course, if Lize heard this, she would genuinely lant such a role of support.
But, I guess I understand.'
I might have ntioned it before, but I am beyond an invasive species; I'm a veritable destroyer of ecosystems.
It's like a giant snakehead disrupting the peace at a freshwater bank with a big splash!
The professors must take action without exterminating the snakehead, which no doubt gives them quite the headache.
"Let's leave the matter of Sivar here and move on to the team exams. The team exam is similar to the survival training yet different. Each team will be assigned 3 to 4 mbers, and the roles will be akin to the survival training. However, a crucial distinction from survival training is that you must necessarily defeat the opposing team."
"That ans Are we doing it in the forest again?"
"No, that's not the case. It will take place in a specially designed space. The scale is roughly equivalent to the forest, and the mana field will also shrink. But it will contract much faster than in survival training."
"Phew that's a relief. I won't have to eat bugs."
Grace sighed with relief, mumbling under her breath. The trauma from the previous survival training must have been significant.
Technically, she didn't have to eat bugs since I was the only one who did. She even vomited after seeing devour a boar's heart.
For , that's rather disappointing. I would have preferred the forest.
Was the midterm exam like this?'
I couldn't quite rember. I only retained the storyline related to demons, so I'm not sure about this type of thing.
The more I listen to Marlboro's explanation, the clearer my mory becos. Perhaps due to the existence of a mural.
"Also, unlike survival training, there will be collectible items. Starting from basic first aid supplies to various weapons. Collectibles on the outside are less efficient, but the further you go inside, the more enhanced they will beco."
Ah. I think I get what kind of exam this is. True survival test in every sense of the word.
More precisely, its a battle royale. Dropped in a secluded area, farming various items before battling opponents.
Even with insufficient farming, if one has the skill, they can defeat opponents. And vice versa.
"And at the very center lies an artifact that can boost one's ranking. Depending on the user, it's undoubtedly a powerful tool."
"Um"
"Is it better to head straight to the center?"
"No, slowly making our way in following the shrinking mana field is probably better."
The strategic choices are too varied. Students are already tying their brains in knots over their decisions.
They could make more comfortable choices not concerning since they knew I had no right to attack.
I was hardly different from them. The absence of attack rights was already causing a headache.
"Evaluation will consider various factors including final rank, number of opponents taken down, number of battles, etc. One important note: it is forbidden for teams to form alliances with one another. Any violation of this rule will be considered cheating, and will result in imdiate disqualification."
" "
That statent likely pricked the conscience of a few. I sensed soone behind deliberately averting their gaze.
While the the of the survival training was just that a the, this exam's the is battle royale.
If I can't defeat opponents, then I'll be eliminated; fighting is essential.
"Now, lets announce the team mbers. First is Luna Estelle"
The announcent of team mbers, arguably the most important part, began. It didnt matter who I was with, but I hoped for soone familiar.
"Sivar. Grace Aria Del Berce. Yeonhwa."
"Uh?"
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
But what do you know? My wish ca true, quite remarkably.
Not only was I surprised, but Grace and Yeonhwa showed similar reactions upon hearing the team mbers' nas.
Luna and Kara seed equally baffled. They couldn't comprehend why the sa team from the survival training were together again.
"That's all. Any questions?"
"Um"
If there are doubts, they need to be resolved imdiately. Luna timidly raised her hand.
But Marlboro seed to have anticipated her question. After checking the list of team mbers again, he spoke strictly.
"The team assignnts are correct. However, unlike during survival training, many factors have been considered for the assignnt."
"This exam is not about sheer force. It's about directing that force towards others. Strategic insight is critical."
So, my strategic insight lags far behind others. Sadly, it's undeniable. Without ever using my head and relying solely on my body, strategic planning is my bane.
That must be why Grace and Yeonhwa are at my side. The rapport built up since survival training likely influenced this decision.
Luna lowered her hand silently as if accepting that she had no grounds to object. Her face betrayed thoughts of Is this right?'
"Quite obvious there. Being too close can still feel unfair."
Marlboro chuckled as though he found it amusing. It wasn't a rebuke but really a look that found it cute.
Of course, Luna didn't understand what he ant and just tilted her head. I also didn't grasp his words.
"Any more questions?"
"Can you tell us whats roughly involved with the artifact at the center? Im also curious if we'll have separate maps."
A voice ca from behind . Turning slightly I saw Antonio with his hand raised.
Soone who had a rough experience with during survival training. The suicide squad episode was sowhat entertaining.
"Excellent question. As ntioned before, the maps are not provided at the start but must be collected. Still, if you can't read them, theyre aningless. As for the artifact in the center"
Marlboro trailed off, pausing montarily. He cast a quick glance at .
"If soone claims it, the bracelet will imdiately issue a warning. Moreover, since the artifact is powerful, it will expose the user's location."
The so-called public enemy announcent. How powerful must it be for even the user's location to be revealed?
Was he attuned to my curiosity, or was this also anticipated?
Marlboro scanned the students and then dropped an appropriate example.
"For instance, there might be sothing that gives Sivar the right to attack. It's more like a privilege than an artifact You understand the implications, even if I don't spell it out."
"Is there really such a thing?"
The atmosphere of the lecture hall sank instantly as the possibility of gaining the right to attack beca a reality.
Their concern was justified since the ga would be over the mont I can attack directly. Everyone saw what happened during survival training when they ganged up and still lost.
"Verify it for yourself. I only provided an example. As I said repeatedly, alliances in this exam are strictly prohibited. Implicit alliances for strategy are allowed, however."
Is that hinting to take advantage of gray areas? At least, thats how I heard it.
After laying out various rules, Marlboro concluded the class.
As the exams are tomorrow, there were no lessons today. I'll just have to train.
"It seems we're fated together. It was the sa team last ti, and here we are again."
"Y-yeah Is there a reason?"
Grace and Yeonhwa, once again on the sa team since survival training, showed a bewildered expression.
The difficulty, if solely based on conditions, seems to have escalated compared to last ti. The biggest factor being my lack of attack rights.
"Sigh When will I get to be on a team with Sivar? I want to try it at least once."
"Is it difficult for us, sister?"
"Soday it'll happen. Id like to believe that."
Karas grumbling reached my ears from the side. She seed to truly envy Grace.
If I ever tead up with Kara in the future Hmm Wouldn't that be balance-breaking in its own right?
Given our similar fields, being on the sa team would be quite a headache.
"And this ti, we have to fight. I'd rather not fight with him. Can he even be taken down?"
"Youll only know once you try. I'm indifferent."
"You have a point. We better try our best. Shall we go train?"
I finished the day's routine with just basic training. As the exams are tomorrow, I couldn't afford to deplete all my energy.
The first day in the uniform, after attending classes.
"You're back. Were there no classes today?"
""
Lize welcod back at the dormitory on the first day.
Why does she keep being in Fist Saint mode?'
As nice as it is, I wish she would sotis return to her Saintess mode.
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