Chapter 277
After the intense third BMAT, Keyzen entered a period of respite.
As the students' fatigue had accumulated from relentless training, the faculty focused more on textbook-based lectures rather than physical exercises or performance evaluations.
Although Keyzen seemed to enter a resting phase, it was also a golden opportunity to improve individual skills.
Simon received private white magic tutoring from Farahan once or twice a week.
After each lesson, he would go to the library to study the Four Great Curses created by Bahil.
He also improved the efficiency of his black magic linked to haematology, such as Cloud and Blood Golem, and trained his magical combat mainly through stamina-focused exercises.
He refined his summoning fundamentals as well. Now, Simon could control up to eight undead at once, nearly the top number for a first-year.
Simon diligently built up his skills day by day. For him, surviving at Keyzen wasn’t the only goal, he also had a decisive battle ahead with the Legion Commander, Magnus. His motivation was clearer than anyone else’s.
‘Somehow, I made it through today too.’
Sitting at his desk in Room 409, Simon stretched with a long yawn.
Although the pressure of exams had lifted and he had more free time, it oddly felt like he was even busier than usual.
He stared out the window, shrouded in darkness, then turned his gaze to the calendar.
‘It’s already that time.’
Over half of the integrated second semester had passed. Simon picked up his quill and made a mark on the calendar.
His mother Anna’s birthday was approaching. Since he couldn’t leave Roke Island, he was planning to send a letter and gift instead.
“I’m back!”
With a click, the door opened and Dick entered, wearing a cheerful grin.
“Welcome back, Dick.”
“What are you doing?”
“Studying Katarology. I’m just going to the bathroom for a sec.”
As Simon stepped out, Dick shook his head.
“He’s starting to become more like Maelyn. How can someone study even in the dorm?”
He began taking off his outer robe to hang it up when—
“Hm?”
His gaze landed on Simon’s calendar.
* * *
There was a joke among the students that peace and Keyzen could never coexist.
And indeed, peace didn’t last long this time either.
“Now then, everyone. Next week, we have a dispatch evaluation scheduled.”
During the Elementary Black Magic class, Jane announced a new development.
‘Dispatch evaluation?’
It was a new system. While Simon and Kamibarez tilted their heads in confusion, Dick, sitting in the back, let out a knowing laugh.
“Hehehe, it’s finally happening!”
“You know what this is about, Dick?”
“I’ve heard bits from the seniors. She’ll explain it soon.”
At that moment, Jane, who had been casually tidying up the lectern, spoke up.
“Dick Hayword, the one who claims to have heard the explanation?”
Did he have to be called out again! Dick straightened his back in shock and stood up.
“Tell us the difference between the mission evaluation and the dispatch evaluation.”
Maelyn giggled with satisfaction, while Simon and Kamibarez couldn’t hold back their laughter.
“Ah, y-yes. The difference between mission evaluation and dispatch evaluation! Um…”
Sweating profusely, Dick hesitated before answering,
“In mission evaluation, you go solo, and in dispatch evaluation, it’s… ‘four to a team’ on-site… that kind of difference, maybe?”
Jane gestured calmly for him to sit down. Only then did Dick sink into his seat with a soulless face, relieved.
“That’s not all. You’ll be sent outside Roke Island to meet an active professional necromancer, who will serve as your mentor, and you’ll carry out a real mission together.”
The students began murmuring at the mention of real missions with professionals.
“We at Keyzen are well aware of what kind of chaos your past mission evaluations have been.”
She began reading from another set of documents she placed on the lectern.
“Missions inside Roke Island were filled with chores—cleaning trash, catching rats, planting trees, with help from local residents.”
Several students winced in guilt.
“Or proudly wearing Keyzen uniforms while escorting merchant caravans.”
Maelyn’s shoulders flinched.
“Or using the Keyzen name to mobilize authority and process requests, or in some cases, even threatening clients into stamping the documents.”
Dick turned his head slightly, laughing awkwardly.
“For famous students, nobles would even issue direct invitations to their manors, showering them with luxury, handing over completed request forms and payment without any real task involved.”
Seeing several students hang their heads in shame, Jane continued.
“I understand.”
People of the Dark Alliance tremble at the mere mention of Keyzen. Even if it's a first-year student, a life considered expendable, Keyzen is still Keyzen.
In other words, there's a high chance that mission evaluations won't maintain a level playing field between client and student.
Of course, most students carried out their missions with integrity, but the very existence of methods to easily clear evaluations by exploiting the Keyzen name was the problem.
“Originally, several students should’ve been reprimanded… but the reason we allowed these sloppy mission evaluations was because the second semester curriculum was so intense, we let it act like a break period.”
Jane rolled up the documents and lightly tapped her palm.
“However! The dispatch evaluation will be different.”
She went on to explain the dispatch evaluation in detail.
As Dick had said earlier, students would form teams of four and seek out a professional necromancer. These professionals would become their mentors.
Mentors had the authority to directly evaluate students as they worked on real missions together.
Simon nodded as he listened.
‘So it’s a mission evaluation with four team members and an additional leader.’
As he was pondering this, a hand shot up in the classroom.
Jane, recognizing the gesture, pointed with a familiar expression.
“You have something to say, class rep?”
Even Jane was now calling her “class rep”.
“Yes! Jaime Victoria here! I’m curious, what kind of missions will we be doing with these professionals?”
“You’ll take on the exact same assignments that pro necromancers normally handle.”
“S-sorry, but could you give us an example?”
“For example,”
Jane’s cold voice rang out.
“Assassinations.”
Jaime’s pupils trembled.
“Battles against high priests, espionage in the Holy Federation, transporting dangerous criminals, gang eradication operations.”
With each word, the students’ expressions grew more pale.
“Let me say this ahead of time. Over 90% of these dispatch evaluations will be carried out in the Neutral Zone. And those familiar, simple missions where you just kill monsters?”
She looked around at the nervous faces.
“There will be none.”
Murmur murmur murmur.
"You may have to kill someone during this mission. Of course, I believe in most cases, the professional will handle such matters instead, but if the situation becomes urgent and the professional gives the order, you must obey without question."
Jane swept her serious gaze across the students.
"If you disobey your mentor's orders, or leave a bad impression and receive a score of zero, or fail to complete the mission, you will go through a semi-expulsion procedure. If you cannot defend yourself properly in front of the disciplinary committee regarding the unreasonableness of the mission, you will be expelled. Any further questions?"
Several students immediately raised their hands.
"Scott Snyder here! It seems like the most important part of this evaluation is who the mentor is. How are the mentors selected?"
"Randomly. Of course, we try to avoid assigning a necromancer with any connection to the student’s origin or family. Next."
"Cindy Vivace. What if a mentor maliciously gives a zero? Would that mean expulsion without a chance?"
"First, it's up to the student to behave appropriately to avoid such outcomes. Second, you must prove your innocence in the disciplinary committee. Next."
Given the importance of the topic, many questions were exchanged, and Jane, as always, answered them smoothly.
As she answered a few more, the bell rang, signaling the end of class.
"Tomorrow is the school’s founding anniversary. I hope you use the holiday wisely. See you the day after."
"Thank you, Professor!"
Jane and the teaching assistants promptly exited the lecture hall.
Immediately after, the students’ voices burst out like a bomb.
"They’re giving professional-level missions to students?"
"Just finished one brutal thing and now another brutal thing comes up."
The remaining students talked with stiff expressions, when suddenly, a TA who was thought to have left with Jane peeked her head back in and looked around.
She hurriedly stepped onto the platform.
"Alright, alright. Students, there's no need to worry too much."
She smiled kindly, drawing everyone's attention.
As Jane’s chief teaching assistant, she was particularly popular for her gentle nature and her approachable attitude toward students.
"Miss TA!!"
"Are we really gonna fight priests and kill people and stuff?"
The students, still intimidated by Jane’s intensity, poured out questions and concerns. The TA gave a soft smile.
"It felt like Professor Jane was being harsh just to keep you on edge. As long as you listen to your mentors and follow their instructions, there shouldn’t be any problems. Just make sure to greet them politely, respond clearly, treat your seniors with respect, and be courteous—everyone knows that, right?"
"Yes!!"
"It’s nothing big. Just think of it as a regular four-person mission evaluation, with one guardian added for safety. Go comfortably."
The contrast between the stern Jane and the warm chief TA was a surprisingly good balance.
Meanwhile, Team 7 huddled together and began chatting.
"I wonder which necromancer will be our mentor!"
At Kamibarez’s words, Dick stroked his chin.
"Hmm, I can’t really guess since it’s a necromancer from the Neutral Zone. Simon, is there anyone you want?"
"Me?"
Simon thought for a moment and replied,
"Maybe someone from the Vanilla side might take me in. I want to learn more about summoning circles."
"Probably not."
Maelyn said firmly.
"Professor Jane said 90% of mentors are from the Neutral Zone. Hoping for a mentor in creation studies is a long shot."
"…Haha, going to the Neutral Zone does sound kind of scary. Have any of you been there before?"
Maelyn and Dick shook their heads, while Simon nodded absentmindedly.
Suddenly, the three turned to him in unison.
"Wait, what? You’ve been there?"
"Whoa! When? When did you go?"
"Is it true that priests just walk around in the streets over there?"
Simon made a face, realizing he’d slipped.
He had passed through briefly while crossing into the Holy Federation territory, but he couldn’t tell the truth.
"Just when I was really young… I went with my parents. I barely remember anything now."
"Aww~ that’s boring."
Maelyn chuckled, sounding let down.
"Then this is basically your first real time in the Neutral Zone?"
"It’s scary, but also a little exciting! I heard it’s mostly desert and wasteland. I heard there are tons of cacti!"
"Ah, but it’s a lawless zone. Don’t you guys know? People make eye contact and start slinging black magic right away…"
As the topic shifted again, Simon smiled and naturally joined the conversation.
* * *
Grand Cathedral.
During mass.
"Now then, your visitation deployment locations have been decided."
While many Efnelle students were seated, Rahol, the professor of Holiness Dynamics standing at the podium, opened his mouth.
"Lete, focus."
"Yes~"
Lete, sitting in the front row, uncrossed her legs and answered. Rahol rubbed his aching head and looked at the other students.
"The key location of the visitations is the Neutral Zone. And your main mission is one thing."
Her lips parted again.
"The securing of saintess candidates."
Superb.
When are we getting more free chapters?
Thanks for the new chapters