Chapter 814
"Good morning. I will now explain the rules of the group exam."
True to her nature, Jane skipped any unnecessary chatter and went straight to the point. The students sharpened their focus, their faces tense with concentration.
The magic output device installed on the platform powered on, and a large mana screen spread across the sky for all the students to see.
"The place where you will take the group exam is here, the Lehlon Archipelago."
The expressions on the students’ faces turned bewildered as they looked at the mana screen.
They had all studied the Lehlon Archipelago in preparation for the exam site. But then—
"A, a volcano?"
"I never heard anything about volcanic activity in Lehlon?"
From the crater of the central island in Lehlon, thick black volcanic smoke was billowing upward. In fact, traces of magma flows could be seen in several locations.
The entire Lehlon Archipelago had already been remodeled by Keyzen into a ‘testing ground’. It was a joint work of the Necromancer of the Cards, Endolas Vaudeville, who could create dungeons with his cards, along with several high-ranking necromancers and an enormous fortune.
"They say they bought the whole archipelago just for this one exam."
"......Amazing that this school still has surprises left."
The students’ prior analysis of Lehlon’s terrain and monsters had become meaningless.
It had become a completely new location unlike before.
"First, let me explain about the equipment."
Jane picked up two pieces of gear from the table.
One was a bracelet worn on the wrist, the other was clothing.
"Those of you who have already taken several group exams in your first year will be familiar with these. One is the mana screen output device worn on the left arm, the other is the protective suit you put on directly."
She strapped the output device onto her arm and demonstrated how to use it.
When she pressed the power button, the whirring sound of a mana stone engine echoed from within the bracelet, and soon a small mini mana screen appeared.
"With this function you can check the information needed for the exam, earn points for various exam elements, and request supplies with those points. For detailed instructions, please refer to the pamphlet that will be provided shortly."
After setting down the output device, she lifted the protective suit.
"You should also be familiar with this protective suit. You’re all already wearing one, right? It’s similar to the one used during the second-year duel evaluations, replicating both injuries and pain. When struck, your life gauge decreases, but when you use recovery or regeneration, your life gauge replenishes."
She put the equipment down and continued.
"As announced, the core of this exam is ‘survival’. In the extreme environment of the island, use any means necessary to survive for the given time. Any student whose protective suit’s life gauge reaches 0% will immediately be summoned to a safe location and—"
Her voice dropped heavily.
"Will be disqualified."
A wave of tension swept through the room.
"The exam duration is 48 hours. When the exam begins, you will be randomly summoned to one of five starting points in the Lehlon Archipelago, and from then on, all elements of the exam will change according to your actions."
She continued.
"When the allotted time for the exam runs out, the exam will end completely on the spot. Any student who survives until then will pass."
The rules were thoroughly survival-oriented, nothing else.
The students nodded and scribbled with their quills.
"So basically, just survive no matter what."
"But what about supplies? Aren’t we supposed to procure everything on the island?"
As the students whispered, a single brave hand shot up among the nearly 400 students gathered.
"Jaime Victoria!"
Still the same, class representative.
Watching from afar, Simon thought so with a smile.
"I heard the theme of this group exam was ‘survival or victory!’ Then does that mean there’s a victory condition besides survival?"
"Yes, Jaime. I will explain that in due course even if you didn’t ask."
Jane replied with practiced ease, and small laughter rippled through the students.
"First, let me introduce the person who will explain the exam site in detail."
She turned around.
"This is the Necromancer of the Cards, Endolas Vaudeville, who always helps with our school exams."
Clap clap clap clap!
With loud applause from the students, a peculiar man with thick clown-like makeup laughed heartily as he walked onto the stage.
He raised both hands high toward the students, greeting once to the right and once to the left.
"Nice to see you again, Keyzen second-years! This testing ground is the masterpiece of my life!"
As if recalling his past struggles, he pretended to wipe at the corners of his eyes.
"I can’t tell you how many times I almost fell into lava while making this exam site. But this work was worth it! Just thinking of you passionate students running across my exam site fills my chest with joy! To create the perfect environment I traveled across dozens of volcanic islands within the Dark Alliance, and even the monsters reflect their ecosystems......!"
"Lord Endolas."
Jane called him with a smiling face.
Receiving her sharp gaze, Endolas Vaudeville smacked his lips regretfully, then looked at the students.
"Then please, look at the mana screen!"
The display changed.
The overall map of the archipelago became even more detailed. There was one large central island with a volcano, and around it were many large and small islands scattered like dots.
"Each island of the archipelago differs slightly in terrain, as well as the types and tendencies of monsters appearing there! And most importantly, please look at the central island of the Lehlon Archipelago!"
Vaudeville pointed to the central island.
"As you can see, the central island contains an actively erupting volcano! Inside are no less than one million lava monsters crawling everywhere! And at set intervals, it will spew out hundreds of tons of lava!"
Right on cue, the screen showed an example of lava erupting.
"The lava will flow down the slopes, past the central island, and reach the sea, spreading to the other islands in the archipelago. This isn’t ordinary magma! It will ride the sea and travel far!"
The erupted lava spread over the ocean, eventually covering even the farthest islands where the students’ starting points were located. Like spilled soup, it overturned every nearby island.
Nervous mutters could be heard among the students.
"Do not think the place where you stand will remain safe forever! You must move! You must keep moving! Flying will not be easy either. The skies above these islands are already filled with volcanic debris, and each time magma erupts, the heat and turbulent currents will disrupt flight! The closer to the central island, the worse it will get."
Perhaps showing the later stages of the exam, the screen now displayed lava sweeping away the entire surrounding area.
"Now, how will you survive in such an extreme environment? I look forward to your creativity and excellent strategies. Let me give you just one example!"
Ssshh—
He pointed toward one of the remote islands in the archipelago, a deserted island standing all alone with nothing around it.
"Crossing the open sea to enter this island can also be a survival strategy! Enduring for 48 hours here may be one way, but if lava reaches this far it would be troublesome, right? In any situation, it’s best to prepare an escape plan!"
The students scribbled quickly in their notebooks, while their minds spun endlessly to devise strategies of their own.
The island’s resources and good positions were limited, and as time passed, the number of test locations where one could safely remain would shrink. Students were destined to compete.
Endolas continued speaking.
"As the exam progresses toward the later stages, volcanic activity will grow more and more intense. And when 24 hours of the 48 have passed—!"
The screen zoomed in, revealing a massive castle in the center.
His voice turned ominous.
"The master of this island will appear!"
"...Master?"
The students blinked in confusion.
"Yes, that’s right! This island is not only inhabited by you students, but also by an ‘examiner’! They can even use points, just like you! We’ll call this being the ‘Volcanic Lord’. From time to time, the Volcanic Lord will leave the castle and attack students. Those with great ambition may attempt to defeat him. Ah, of course."
He curled his lips into a smile.
"He is not someone who exists simply to be defeated."
One student shot a hand into the air, and Endolas pointed as though he had expected it.
"Who is the Volcanic Lord, you ask? Naturally, that is a secret. You’ll see for yourselves during the exam! And even if the students gather together, defeating the Volcanic Lord is nearly impossible, so—"
He pointed to various terrain features on the central island.
"I’ve prepared certain structures that can weaken the Volcanic Lord! If you occupy or destroy these, you can weaken him! If you intend to defeat him, you’d best seize these before the 24-hour mark when he appears. And......."
Click, click.
Endolas, who had been spilling out all this information, turned his head.
Jane was tapping her wristwatch.
"Ah, just one more word......!"
"I’m sorry."
Jane cut him off sharply and stepped forward.
"All students, rise. Professors, please rise as well."
One by one, the students stood from their seats. The professors also stood, stretching their backs. Jane stepped aside, folded her hands, and spoke.
"Lady Neftis will now enter."
"!"
Krrrrrrrrrr—!
Suddenly thunder rumbled, and the sky began to quake.
A moment later, a magic circle flared on the stage, and with a pop! a girl jumped out.
"Hi hi, everyone!"
On the surface, it was just a small girl with silver hair, waving both arms cheerfully. Everyone watching broke into wide smiles.
"It’s Lady Neftis!"
"It’s the real one!"
Waaaaaaaaah—!
At this unexpected appearance, the students clapped as they welcomed her. Only Endolas Vaudeville smacked his lips once in irritation.
"Here you go."
"Thank you, Jane."
Standing on tiptoe, Neftis accepted the amplification crystal and strode forward.
"Now thennn! You listened to the explanation, right? Then as the Chancellor of Keyzen, I’ll now announce the new rule!"
Snap!
She flicked her fingers, and another magic circle burst forth. From it, a necromancer was suddenly thrown out.
"Mmmph!"
He was bound with ropes of Darkness, struggling desperately. His hands and legs were tied, his mouth gagged.
Endolas Vaudeville shot to his feet.
"No! What is the meaning of this......!"
"I captured the Volcanic Lord who was supposed to be on the island."
Neftis smiled brightly.
As she said, the man was dressed in long garments fit for a lord, with a somewhat awkward crown placed upon his head.
Endolas erupted in fury.
"What is the meaning of this outrage!"
"I thought the Volcanic Lord you prepared was too weak! So I sent a new person to the castle!"
"If a high-ranking, active necromancer is weak, then who in the world could you have...! No, and also!"
He snapped his gaze toward Jane. Jane pressed her forehead and sighed deeply.
It meant—she hadn’t known either.
"You should have told us in advance!"
Neftis giggled, pretending to smack herself on the head.
"I was busy and forgot!"
I want to hit her.
Endolas truly thought that, his fists trembling in rage.
To pour cold water on my masterpiece.
"Ah, and also, a new rule has been added!"
Neftis strode one step forward.
"In this exam, the ‘point system’ will be abolished. Whether you defeat the Volcanic Lord, or topple countless rivals, the points are all the same. Just think of it as the concept of PASS in a practical assessment."
Endolas Vaudeville clawed at his own hair. The students too began murmuring.
"T-then there’s no need to try so hard."
"All we have to do is endure."
Neftis smiled sweetly.
"Of course! Since this exam has no evaluation scores, the risk of disqualification is higher."
"......?"
"Any student who is eliminated in this exam—"
She smiled radiantly.
"Will be expelled."
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