༺ Hunting Evaluation (2) ༻
Elt Island was teeming with mushrooms that caused various abnormalities.
The Po’i mushroom spewed poisonous spores upon feeling threatened.
The Kulkul mushroom, which forcefully induced sleep.
The Soli mushroom, which upon receiving a heavy blow, released spores that healed any abnormalities caused by other spores.
The Xerom mushroom temporarily disrupted one’s mana circuit, preventing the use of magic.
For the record, the Xerom mushroom didn’t affect strong individuals such as Luce. I, on the other hand, was still vulnerable to its effects.
In any case, there was a need to be wary of all kinds of mushrooms. If I fell into an abnormal state, it would significantly hinder my progress towards the center of Elt Island.
‘Ian, please be safe.’
Spores could catch you off guard. It was for this reason that I was worried about Ian.
Unless sothing unexpected happened, Kaya, who had diligently studied ecology, would cover for him.
I made my way toward the center, eliminating any illusionary monsters I saw along the way.
In the process, an unmanned shop caught my eye.
[There is no one around.]
After I heard the report of the Frost Dragon, I headed towards the unmanned shop without hesitation.
The unmanned shop was shaped like a cylindrical vending machine. Various items were displayed beyond the glass window.
Various 1-star elental magic scrolls, drinking water, odor removers, useful ropes, netting, a camouflage sheet mimicking the surrounding environnt, a baby hippo-shaped doll, a portable toilet tent (expensive), and so on.
‘Odor remover for 120 points.’
The points I currently had amounted to 120.
I held my bracelet up to the unmanned shop and used all 120 points. The mana grains in my bracelet flowed into the unmanned shop as paynt.
The item popped out as I pressed the button for the odor remover.
The odor remover looked like a spray bottle. After spraying it several tis over my body, I put it into the magic pouch the academy had given beforehand.
With this, the illusionary demonic creatures and familiars would be unable to distinguish my scent.
[Hide.]
“…!”
Suddenly, Hilde’s voice echoed. Reflexively, I hid behind a nearby tree.
[There are magic beasts flying in the sky.]
I took a quick glance at the sky through the gaps in the trees.
There were quite a few magic beasts flying around. I couldn’t tell if they were the familiars of the proctors or were intentionally released by unknown students.
Well, there was no benefit to standing out anyway.
I cautiously moved on.
……
「Ice Spear (Ice Elent, ★4)」
Whoosh──!
[Keeong!]
Black wolf, an illusionary monster heard my footstep and rushed towards .
When the black wolf sniffed the ground, trying to track my scent.
I sent an [Ice Spear] at it, effortlessly eliminating it.
‘So far, so good.’
I could easily take down a Black Wolf, but starting with the Fang Hippo, it was gradually becoming more difficult.
It would be better to avoid as many fights as possible. With Hilde as my guardian, reaching the center of Elt Island without a fight wasn’t so unrealistic.
[There’s suspicious movent up above.]
My thoughts were interrupted by Hilde’s report. I called her in for help.
“What’s suspicious?”
[It seems like an owl magic beast has been secretly spying on you. I felt sothing was off from a while ago, and now I’m sure.]
“…?”
A sense of unease washed over .
If it intended to hunt , it would have attacked awhile ago.
So, it was monitoring ?
[…Master, hide.]
Suddenly, Hilde urgently called out to .
[Humans are closing in on you. It seems like you are being encircled.]
“What…?”
I heard a rustling sound. Several students were approaching .
They were students from Class C and D, who had arrived on the sa boat as . There were six of them in total.
Soon after, magic circles were conjured all around .
「Rock Wall (Rock Elent, ★4)」 「Ice Wall (Ice Elent, ★4)」
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud───!
Solid walls sprung up around , blocking my path. It was the magic cast by the students who were rushing towards .
“What the…?”
It was confusing…
I had no ti to assess the situation. I placed my fingers together and gathered mana to pierce through the layered defenses. The magic circle for [Frost Explosion] was engraved into the air.
It was clear that these guys were my enemies.
Just then.
[Kkiruk!]
Wiiiiiiiiiiiiii─
I heard the sound of a bird’s cry from above and looked up.
A sight of an owl, wrapped in wind mana, dropping two mushrooms in my direction was reflected in my eyes.
「Wind Sword (Wind Elent, ★3)」
A weak blade of wind flew from the owl and sliced the falling mushrooms.
Then, green spores spewed out like smoke.
A glittering powder poured over .
“Oh, shi…!”
A mushroom that disrupted the mana circuit, temporarily preventing the use of magic.
They were the spores of the Xerom mushroom.
The flow of mana was ssed up. I couldn’t control my mana!
The magic circle for [Frost Explosion] dissipated imdiately. The condensed ice mana scattered into the air.
Soon, the [Rock Wall] trapping turned into light brown powder and disappeared.
“…!”
「Fireball (Fire Elent, ★3)」
Hwarururuk─!
At the sa ti, a sphere made of flas flew towards .
There was nowhere to escape. I hastily tried to deploy an [Ice Wall], but as expected, nothing sprang out.
I had no other choice. I threw myself at the [Rock Wall], clinging to it in a lying position, and shielded my face with my arm.
Kuuuuung──!
The [Fireball] slamd into the [Ice Wall] behind , spreading flas.
The [Ice Wall] lted.
I felt a brief flash of heat in front of my nose, but that was it. However, the [Fireball] wasn’t particularly powerful. Phew, that was a close call.
I quickly adjusted my posture and raised my head.
The students who were approaching had gathered around a single female student.
The leading female student had short brown hair and wore a headband adorned with a red rose. It was a very familiar face.
“Hehe. Indeed, you look best when you’re scraping the bottom.”
The girl flashing an arrogant smile was Rose Red Rivera, who had also co on the sa boat as .
[Rose Red Rivera] Lv: 55
Race: Human
Elents: Fire, Wind
Danger: X
Psychology: [Feels inferior and envious of you.]
The mory of the first sester’s practical training ca to mind. At that ti, Rose had been grinding her teeth at .
Rose was demoted from Class B to Class C in the second sester, based purely on rit. So we ended up attending the sa classes in the sa lecture hall.
Every now and then, when our eyes t in the lecture hall, she would frown.
I could tell from her [Psychology] that she felt humiliated just by being in the sa lecture hall as .
As I had suspected, Rose was planning to screw over.
Perhaps she had assembled mbers on the ship to harass . If it was determined that there would be no issue harassing after hearing the contents of the exam, they would proceed according to her plan.
After entering the second sester, the Class D students who harbored an inferiority complex towards flashed through my mind. So of them had joined Rose.
Damn… what idiots.
Suddenly, I was reminded of the conceited blond noble, Tristan Humphrey. At least he intended to vent his frustration through a fair duel.
Their thod was utterly pathetic.
“It’s strange, isn’t it? That you and I ended up in the sa class. Especially considering you, who had Grade E mana until last sester, now have a higher mana capacity than … it’s unbelievable, isn’t it?”
She had a lower mana capacity than … she must be Grade C then.
“Why are you acting so high and mighty, you Grade E commoner?”
Rose had low self-esteem. She had a tendency to try to restore her fallen self-esteem by any ans, even if it ant belittling others.
Therefore, it seed like Rose intended to satisfy her fallen self-esteem by harassing , the person she had looked down upon the most, but had surpassed her in strength.
I stood up from my spot.
“You, you’re really annoying.”
As I said this, I pulled out a ‘Soli mushroom’ from my pocket. A mushroom that negated the effects of all spores. I had picked it up on the way, just in case.
It was a mushroom that released spores whenever it received a strong impact. Squeezing it alone wouldn’t disperse the spores well, but throwing it directly at the ground would do the trick.
At that mont.
「Fire Generation (Fire Elent, ★1)」
Hwaaaaaar─.
“Ah, hot!”
The Soli mushroom was set on fire. I felt the heat and quickly let go of it.
The Soli mushroom, set ablaze, fell to the ground. The spores inside couldn’t withstand the bright red fla.
It was Rose’s magic. An incredible reaction speed that couldn’t have been possible if she hadn’t anticipated my next actions. She seed to have taken into account the fact that I had prepared the Soli mushroom in advance.
What a bitch.
“Who are you to be annoyed with ? You’re just a commoner to begin with, aren’t you? Even if this is supposed to be a place of learning where everyone is treated equally, did you really think we were on the sa level? Do you really think we are the sa just because we’re in the sa class?
Rose showed a twisted smile.
“When you leave this academy, you’re nothing. You should feel honored to be trampled on by . You’re nothing but a pig. You need to know your place.”
I got up, dusting the dirt off my clothes.
“…What’s with that arrogant look? Shall I fire another [Fireball]? This ti, you won’t be lucky enough to dodge it.”
“…”
“Ah, but if you say, ‘Lady Rose, please step on this worthless pig with your dignified body,’ I might consider sparing you a little.”
“Is that so?”
Aren’t you embarrassed by your own words?
It made my skin crawl just listening to it.
“Sigh.”
I let out a deep breath. There wasn’t much to say.
Well, it was about ti now.
The sound of sothing parting the bushes reached my ears. It would have been better if it had co a little sooner.
I turned my head in the direction of the sound.
“Eden, you’re here.”
[Kyuu!]
What appeared was Eden, my small golem familiar.
Rose and her lackeys widened their eyes in surprise. Their looks asked what was going on. I had not summoned the familiar, nor given him any orders.
As soon as Eden revealed himself, he threw the blue mushroom he was holding at . It was a Soli mushroom.
The Soli mushroom that hit my body began to quickly spew out spores.
Whoosh, I took a deep breath. My tangled mana began to flow smoothly again.
「Ice Wall (Ice Elent, ★4)」
Thud───!
“…!!”
I imdiately created a wall of ice around Rose and her group.
A thick [Ice Wall], more advanced than the one Rose’s lackey had used, rose up.
Rose and her group were trapped in the [Ice Wall], just as I had been, with only one side open towards .
It was ti to pay back those wretched bastards.
“How impudent…!”
Before she could comprehend the current situation, Rose stretched out her arm towards to counterattack. The magic circle of [Fire Pillar] was engraved in front of her hand.
Another student also tried to cast an offensive spell.
It was a foolish decision.
「Frostfire (Ice Elent, ★4)」
Hwaaaaaaar────!!
“Ahhhh!”
I had already casted an offensive spell. They should have used a defensive one.
The icy blue fla engulfed Rose and her lackeys.
With their rear and sides blocked by [Ice Wall], they had to endure the full brunt of [Frostfire].
Of course, I had reduced the power. It would be a sha if they went down in one hit.
When the [Frostfire] faded, Rose and her group were seen lying on the ground.
Frostbite and chilblains appeared all over their bodies.1Editor’s Note: A chilblain is a patch of swollen skin or blisters that appear on the skin due to prolonged exposure to cold air. They mainly appear on the hands and feet.
They were shivering fiercely from the bitter cold. It was an unsightly outco.
“Ah, ahhh…”
Rose groaned, her eyes bulging and her head bowed in agony. She seed to be in pain.
I walked toward her with large strides.
Hwaaaar───!
When one male student tried to counterattack, I casually launched a [Frostfire] at him.
By the ti the second cold fla had subsided, he had completely collapsed. He didn’t even have the strength to stand up anymore. He just shivered from the cold and pain.
I stopped in front of Rose and looked down at her.
Rose’s frostbitten face turned towards . Her teeth chattered at a rapid pace, and her body shivered violently.
[Rose Red Rivera] Psychology: [She is terrified of you.]
“What, what, how, did…?”
From the start of the exam, I had instructed Eden to be on stand by whenever I found a Soli mushroom, in case I accidentally fell victim to spores.
Whenever I found a new Soli mushroom closer to the center, I would summon Eden and repeat the standby command.
I had previously instructed Hilde, ‘If I get hit by spores, bring Eden to imdiately and have him throw a Soli mushroom at .’
For example, if I fell victim to the Kulkul mushroom spores that forces one into a deep sleep, I would have fallen asleep defenseless without being able to use the Soli mushroom I had prepared. It was necessary to prevent such misfortune in advance.
So when I fell into Rose’s trap, Hilde called Eden right away.
“Don’t look down on … A Grade E, commoner, like you… don’t look down on …!”
I sent another [Frostfire] her way. Of course, I adjusted the power to only cause moderate amounts of pain.
“Arghhhhhh!”
Rose scread as she was engulfed in the cold flas. Thanks to the [Basic Protection Magic] she had applied to her skin, she wouldn’t suffer a lot of damage, but it seed she couldn’t escape the pain.
As the cold fla subsided,
Rose, lying on the ground, began to wriggle and whimper.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… it hurts too much… Please, spare… spare …”
When I gazed down at her without responding, Rose grabbed the hem of my clothes and began to plead.
This should be enough.
I didn’t want to waste any more ti.
I turned around and began to move towards the center of Elt Island again.
Then, Rose’s face contorted and slowly she started to regain her smile.
“Ah, ah… Yes, indeed… you’re just like that… You’re scared because I’m a noble, right…? Hehehe…! You, you made a mistake…! Once I graduate from the academy… I’ll make you live in hell for the rest of your life…!”
「Ice Generation (Ice Elent, ★1)」
Wiiiiiii, crash─!
“Ugh!”
I dropped the block of ice I had previously frozen in mid-air.
Rose scread once as the block of ice hit her on the head, and then she passed out.
Beep─
A sound indicating an exam failure ca from Rose’s bracelet.
Even the most arrogant nobles do not dare to say things like ‘Wait until I graduate from the academy.’
It’s a disgrace that tarnishes the na of the family.
There was also an unwritten rule that what happened in the academy should be resolved within the academy.
To ignore even that, what a character.
I really don’t have any affection for Rose.
“…”
I quickened my steps with a stoic expression.
T/N: A couple term changes. Attribute -> Elent, Evil Goddess of the Apocalypse -> Evil God of Destruction. There are other smaller changes as well.
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Footnotes:
1Editor’s Note: A chilblain is a patch of swollen skin or blisters that appear on the skin due to prolonged exposure to cold air. They mainly appear on the hands and feet.
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