Alaric Blackwood POV
We now had a one-day gap while our theory papers were being checked.
Those who failed would not be allowed to take the combat exam — they would be expelled.
You might think it's a little cruel, but it's not like they're being expelled just for being at the bottom. They're being expelled for failing to maintain the minimum standards expected of them.
After all, this academy is prestigious. Everyone assumes that anyone who graduates from here is exceptional. If they allowed incapable students to pass, it would reflect poorly on the academy.
I practiced a little, but not too much. If my condition wasn't good, I might not get a decent grade in the combat exam.
Finally, the results came out.
1. Seraphine Nightingale
2. Sylwen Starleaf
3. Alessar Medici
...
5. Roderick Stormrider
...
8. Althaea Arkwright
9. Liora Blackthorn
...
13. Rurik Hammerfall
...
23. Alaric Blackwood
...
412. Darian Medici
I couldn't believe my eyes. Roderick came fifth! He got a better result than me.
How was that even possible?
He was laughing, standing right next to me.
Althaea Arkwright and Liora Blackthorn looked like they thought he had bribed the principal — I could tell just by their expressions.
Althaea glared at Roderick and asked,
"Who did you bribe? Or did you buy the question paper from someone?"
Roderick looked like he was about to make a sarcastic remark, but then he felt a shiver and shut his mouth.
Seraphine came closer and said,
"I actually suspected this. His memory is better than mine — he just doesn't like studying, or as he says, wasting time."
Liora, however, was still looking at the results and said,
"That guy Alessar… he actually ranked third. Darian did better than I thought."
I laughed.
"Half of your expectations were based on his bad image. But even so, he didn't do that well. I think he'll perform better in the combat exam."
Soon, Sylwen Starleaf arrived and saw her result.
She frowned and muttered,
"...Second?"
Seraphine asked,
"You're unhappy? That's an excellent result, considering how many talented people study here."
Sylwen frowned deeper.
"But you got first, didn't you?"
Then she left. Whatever emotions she held remained unknown.
---
For the combat exam instructions, we went to the auditorium where we would be briefed.
A teacher I didn't recognize began speaking.
"Students, first, congratulations on passing the theory exams. It's nothing to boast about, but remember — it's not the end of your assessment."
He continued,
"The theory exam accounts for only 30% of your total rank."
"Now, let's move on to your combat exam. We have captured the monsters for your exam and relocated them to the forest behind the academy. That's where your exam will be held."
"The exam will last for seven days."
"Except for weapons, nothing else is allowed. If you can live without food and water, good for you. If not, you'll have to gather them yourself."
" Rank will be based on points."
"You will earn points according to the strength of the monsters. Here is the chart."
---
E-Rank — 10 points
D-Rank — 50 points
C-Rank — 150 points
B-Rank — 500 points
A-Rank — 5,000 points
S-Rank — 100,000 points
SS-Rank — 1,500,000 points
---
"Though you won't find monsters of SS-Rank," the teacher added.
"You gain points by hunting, but the longer you survive, the more chances you'll have to hunt."
I frowned and muttered,
"Surviving?"
A student, perhaps thinking the same thing, raised his hand.
"Sir, what do you mean by surviving? Are we allowed to attack other students?"
The teacher laughed.
"Many of us wanted to make it that way, but in the end, it was decided to prohibit attacking other students."
He continued,
"There are no monsters above C-Rank, and many of you can't even handle those — at least not yet."
"Choosing your opponents wisely is also a valuable skill. For example, all E-Rank monsters are worth ten points, but some are three times stronger than others."
"So, to those who only focused on passing theory exams — good luck."
"By the way, all the monsters you'll face were mentioned in your theory papers. So, if you studied your notes carefully, you might have an advantage over those who just wrote a lot without understanding."
"You are not allowed to form groups."
"Every first-year student will be watched by a third-year at all times, and when you sleep, by a second-year. So rest assured — they will save you before you die."
He paused and smirked.
"But they won't help unless you're almost dead."
"Alright. Tomorrow, gather at the forest entrance by 7 a.m."
---
I arrived at the forest entrance behind the academy.
Roderick was already there, looking far too excited for someone about to fight monsters for a week.
I asked him,
"Why are you so happy anyway?"
He grinned.
"I'll get to kill a lot and finally get all this stress out of my body. Until the Rank Evaluation Exam, the academy doesn't even allow us to duel. I'm bored of practice battles."
I shook my head. Typical Roderick.
Soon, all the girls arrived together.
The examiner raised his hand and announced,
"The combat exam starts… now! GO INSIDE!"
All the students sprinted into the forest.
I entered slowly. If I rushed, too many students would attack the same monster, and I'd lose my kills. I definitely didn't want that.
When the crowd thinned out, I went in deeper.
The forest was calm — almost too calm — as if I were the only person there.
But I knew better. There were many students here.
And even more monsters.
I walked straight ahead for hours without encountering a single creature. But after around four hours, I heard a sound.
I quickly climbed a tree to get a better view. A little ahead, I saw a pack of Quick Wolves.
They weren't particularly strong — their strength lay in numbers and speed.
I quietly moved to a branch above them and then leapt into their midst.
As soon as I hit the ground, I spun in a full circle, slashing my sword in a 360-degree arc — killing three and injuring one.
Why did I do that?
Because now, the rest would back away from the center, losing some of their coordination — and I'd already taken out a few.
But soon, one Quick Wolf came at me from behind. Instead of going for a lethal strike, it aimed for my leg — trying to cripple me.
They hunted in packs, after all. Why take unnecessary risks?
I jumped over it, landed behind, and slashed — killing it instantly.
Then I went after the one I'd injured earlier. I didn't want a "ticking time bomb" lurking nearby.
Two more Quick Wolves lunged at me. They were as fast as their name suggested, but I was faster. One went for my arm to restrict me, the other aimed for my neck.
I was stronger — so instead of being caught, I slashed at the second one, while the first got its jaw broken as it got in the way.
I finished off the one with the broken jaw, then quickly ended the one I had injured before.
"Hah… hah…" I panted.
Maybe I should've held back a little.
Suddenly, I felt something behind me and instinctively ducked.
A whip lashed past, slicing the air where my head had been.
I rolled sideways and turned, sword raised.
"Whip Viper."
They weren't venomous, but their bodies were covered in hard scales, and their tails could whip fast enough to slice flesh apart. Sometimes, they even used their heads as whips.
It was a D-Rank monster.
It lashed its tail again, and I deflected it with my sword — sparks flew.
It attacked fiercely, again and again, while I kept deflecting. Each impact sent shocks through my arms; my hands began to ache.
What should I do?
Even after so many clashes, it didn't have a single scratch on its body. I had thought repeated impacts would wear it down, but I underestimated its defense.
So, I changed my tactic.
The next time it whipped its tail, instead of deflecting, I countered. It stopped its swing just in time — but I twisted my sword, coiling its tail around my blade like noodles around chopsticks.
Then I lunged forward and thrust toward its eye.
It jerked its head back, dodging the strike. I moved quickly, pinned part of its body under my leg, and stabbed again.
This time, my sword pierced its eye.
I didn't wait. The sound of the fight might attract more monsters.
I moved away cautiously, scanning my surroundings to avoid an ambush.
After walking for a few minutes, I heard more clashes nearby.
When I got closer, I saw Roderick going all out against a monster, fighting recklessly as always.
I shook my head and walked away, searching for more monsters of my own.
I don't feel anyone watching me but I know for a fact a third year student is keeping watch on me. I feel a little anxious that I can't tell when I am being watched. Maybe I should practice to feel the surrounding environment better.