Episode 50: Practical Exam (3)"Is there really no other way?"
Hah-yul looked down below.
The ground was far beneath them.
They had been moving through trees to avoid fighting the Mole Ants.
Of course, falling wouldn't kill them.
Her question stemmed from wondering whether fighting while moving might be better than this method.
The grading criteria included time taken to clear the exam.
"This is taking too much time."
Though faster than a normal person walking on flat ground, their pace was noticeably slower compared to other teams.
"Don't worry. We're moving as fast as possible. Running on the ground would actually take longer."
The team leader spoke confidently.
She wasn't wrong.
Avoiding combat was a valid strategy.
Moreover, the Mole Ants lived up to their name with overwhelming numbers.
A single hive contained at least hundreds.
Some reportedly reached thousands.
They wouldn't deploy a thousand for a single exam,
but more than previous tests would be used.
"But aren't we too defenseless right now? If any monster besides Mole Ants appears, we'll be sitting ducks."
"Don't worry, that won't happen. I can detect anything approaching nearby."
"Really?"
She answered confidently.
Yet Hah-yul still wore a doubtful expression.
"Hmm... The gap between trees is too wide here."
They stopped.
Their first obstacle had appeared.
The distance between trees, previously jumpable with ease, had drastically increased.
The tank team leader and mage could cross, but healer Hah-yul would struggle.
"I'll cast Haste on you. Can you make it?"
"It'll be close, but I think so."
Even with Haste lightening her body, it would be tight.
"Maybe eat less next time."
The mage grumbled.
"I do eat properly! Do you know how much I weigh?"
Hah-yul retorted.
As they bickered, the spell completed.
"Spell's cast. If you can't make it, I'm calling you piggy."
A blue aura enveloped Hah-yul.
"Going first."
The team leader leaped across.
Thud.
She landed on the thinnest branch.
It was as slender as a beauty's wrist.
The branch swayed precariously but didn't break.
Thanks to her body-lightening technique.
This much was expected from Military Academy candidates.
"Clear over here. Hurry across."
The mage floated over using levitation magic.
Only Hah-yul and I remained.
"Huuup."
Hah-yul took a deep breath and jumped.
She landed on a branch thick as her thigh.
The waiting team leader and mage grabbed her.
"Thanks."
She thanked them after nearly falling.
"Seo-ah! Hurry over!"
Hah-yul waved her hand.
I stopped observing and moved.
Pushing off lightly from the branch.
Thud.
Perfect landing.
No wobble - thanks to excellent balance and mana control.
I was the one who'd elevate Seo-ah from slightly skilled to exceptional genius.
I preened internally.
Her skills already surpassed peers.
"Wow! Amazing! Did Sword Queen-sama teach you that?"
See? Hah-yul was already praising me.
"Still ignoring me? Is answering that hard?"
The other two friends were complaining behind my back.
Because I couldn't speak and kept ignoring them.
Though even if Seo-ah were conscious, she might not answer.
"Ahaha, Seo-ah's unusually quiet today."
Hah-yul gave up.
Her slight pout showed disappointment.
"Hurry across."
The team leader who'd crossed first urged us.
We fell silent and pressed on.
With Hah-yul quiet, our pace mysteriously quickened.
Soon another wide tree gap appeared.
"I'll cast Haste again."
The mage began spellcasting.
The team leader prepared to jump.
'Hm?'
I sensed something odd.
The air vibrated faintly.
Something flying toward us.
A monster besides Mole Ants.
"All clear! Hurry over!"
The team leader who'd crossed first waved.
"Huh? What's wrong? Seo-ah?"
I grabbed Hah-yul.
Tried to explain about the approaching monster.
But Hah-yul didn't understand.
She just looked annoyed.
"What are you doing? Get over here!"
The mage crossed over.
Only Hah-yul and I remained.
The team leader urged us.
"Seo-ah? The spell duration is almost up!"
Hah-yul tried to jump despite me.
I grabbed her arm.
Silently pointed behind the team leader and mage.
A massive shadow approached through forest shade.
Huge yet stealthy.
None sensed it until visible - except me.
"What the... Seo-hee! Behind you!"
Hah-yul spotted the shadow mid-complaint.
"What? Kyaaa!"
The team leader turned.
Spotted the monster too late and fell backward.
She plummeted groundward.
The mage followed suit like a lemming.
Thump.
Dust plumed upward.
Simultaneously, the ground began writhing.
Monsters approached sensing vibrations.
"Seo-hee-yaaa!"
Hah-yul panicked and lost balance.
Fell to the ground.
"Haa... Fuck."
I couldn't help sighing.
*****
"Seo-ah! Help!"
Hah-yul flailed her arms. Half-submerged in earth.
Real monsters would've dissolved her already - luckily these were man-made fakes.
"Team 10: Han Seo-hee, Kim Ji-an, Lee Hah-yul. Three members. Failure to escape restraints within one minute results in automatic disqualification."
An announcement blared.
'Fuck, we're screwed.'
I realized our predicament.
Three disqualifications meant failed evaluation.
Even fastest dungeon clear with minimal combat wouldn't save our scores.
Failed evaluation meant ruined relationship with Seo-ah.
Not relationship-ending, but I'd have to concede defeat.
I hated that.
"Nn...Ah. Uun."
Seo-ah's eyelids fluttered.
Regaining consciousness.
Her eyes finally opened.
"What's...?"
She looked bewildered.
"Ah... About that."
I explained the situation.
"You idiots... Didn't you know Mole Ants and Armored Beetles are symbiotic?"
Ah, so that giant monster was an Armored Beetle.
First time knowing. Should ask Seol-hwa to cook one later.
I memorized the name.
"And you caused this mess? Are you insane?"
After venting, Seo-ah changed targets.
She glared at me.
Guilt-ridden, I shrunk back.
'Wait, why should I feel guilty?'
I changed my mindset.
As her master, I needed no guilt.
"You bi... Don't get mad. We can still fix this."
I swallowed calling her a bitch candidate. No need to provoke.
Calmed Seo-ah down.
"Uggh... Can't you see that?"
Seo-ah pointed downward.
"Seo-ah! Don't just stand there - help!"
Half-buried teammates.
Three Armored Beetles guarding them.
Their numbers had increased.
"You expect me to handle that alone?"
Seo-ah couldn't manage solo.
She wasn't a genius like Sia.
"I'm here. Already forgot?"
With my help, everything changed.
I activated reserved Traits.
Stats skyrocketed. Seo-ah must've felt omnipotent momentarily.
"Let's think positively. This is your chance to show everyone your true power."
All teammates in crisis.
Single-handedly breaking through.
A story Seo-ah would love.
"Y-yeah. That should work."
She agreed, pupils dilated with excitement.
"Now's your time to shine. Walk the same path as Sia."
I gave her a gentle push.
Seo-ah leaped down, sword tightly gripped.
Fast.
The tank team leader couldn't track her speed.
Clang!
Her sword swung.
Sparks flew as it failed to pierce the beetle's armor.
"Idiot! How do you slash an Armored Beetle?!"
The team leader shouted advice.
Though she hadn't connected Mole Ants to Armored Beetles earlier,
she knew about their characteristics.
Seo-ah smirked.
Poured mana into her sword-arm, mocking the advice.
Forced mana beyond limits.
I absorbed the bodily strain.
Overwhelming power cleaved the beetle's armor.
The Armored Beetle split at the waist.
She leaped over shocked teammates.
Thud.
Her foot stomped ground.
The earth shook.
Subterranean Mole Ants crushed instantly.
Golems scattered throughout the temporary dungeon converged on the noise.
Armored Beetles blocking ahead.
Mole Ants attacking from below.
Seo-ah entered a trance-like state.
Sword slashes transitioned seamlessly into punches.
Enhanced stats easily shattered beetles and killed buried ants.
"Haa. Haa. Haa."
Seo-ah stood panting heavily.
A mountain of golem debris surrounded her.
No more golems appeared.
"Beep. All dungeon monsters eliminated. Evaluation concludes at current time."
An announcement echoed.
Exhausted Seo-ah collapsed.
"Amazing. Seo-ah."
Hah-yul rushed over.
She'd narrowly salvaged their failed evaluation.
Must've felt like cheating death.
"Y-yeah."
Seo-ah looked dazed.
Even she couldn't believe it.
* * * * *
"I won't be home for a while. Sorry."
Seol-hwa kept apologizing.
Her team would bunk together until Dimensional Gate entry.
"I wanted to escort Master home... Really sorry."
"It's fine. I'll take the subway back."
Time to use public transport for once.
I returned to Seo-ah's body.
"Subway? Why not take a taxi?"
Seol-hwa answered when hearing Seol-hwa couldn't accompany me.
Rich girls think differently from commoners.
She called a cab without hesitation.
While waiting,
Seo-ah pulled paper from her pocket.
[Practical Exam 1st Place]
The heading proclaimed.
My eyes scanned downward.
[Detected monster presence beforehand. Additionally awarded high marks for single-handedly rescuing teammates in crisis.]
Dry-toned praises filled the page.
Seo-ah's mouth twitched.
She couldn't suppress her rising smile.
The taxi arrived.
Seo-ah rose and boarded.
Alone at home, Seo-ah undressed.
"Good work today. Do whatever you want tonight."
Seo-ah spoke magnanimously.
Though I already had free access, I didn't mention it.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Then get on your hands and knees."
"Kyaak!"
I forced Seo-ah down.
She screamed as she hit the floor.
Struggled but couldn't rise.
"Got cocky today, huh? 'Don't want dissected? Behave?'"
Smack!
"Hyyueep!"
Angry spanking struck her buttocks.
She reflexively crawled forward.
Training results showing.
"Now that I've proven my worth, you'd better obey."
I grabbed Seo-ah's hair and lifted her.
"Y-yes...ter..."
She drooled while answering.
"Bitch, crawl forward."
Tentacles smacked her rear.
Imprinted pleasure forced her forward.
That night,
Punishment disguised as education continued till dawn.
***
"Thought of a great way to expand the hive."
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