Chapter 201: End-of-term exam (6)

Pshhh━

The Train spat out steam as it came to a stop at the Kandiba Demonic Realm Temporary Station.

The Temporary Station where the train stopped was an embarrassing place to be called a station.

A single Siding branching off from the Main Line of the Railway Track, and a boarding platform made of stacked gravel and wooden planks next to it were everything.

Beyond that shabby platform, a dense Sea of Trees stretched out.

At the border of the forest, bulkhead Stakes twice the height of a person were driven in a row, and lighting towers were slowly rotating atop Guard Posts that rose at regular intervals.

Between the posts, Patrol Teams carrying rifles and spears were patrolling at regular intervals.

"This is...... the Kandiba Demonic Realm......"

Witnessing the heavily guarded atmosphere, the students unknowingly swallowed a Dry gulp.

Some students focused on the sky rather than the forest.

"Wow......"

The students who raised their heads couldn't close their mouths.

The sky inside the wall had Smog settled down like a Ceiling, so looking up only revealed an ocher-colored sky.

However, the Demonic Realm untouched by Humanity was different.

The blue sky and bright Sunlight unobscured by Smog.

Just from that alone, some students realized the reason why they had to pioneer the Demonic Realm.

"So this is the scenery Outside the Wall."

"I've only read about a blue sky in a Book."

At that moment, a whistle blew shortly.

"Fall in!"

The Instructor's Cane tapped the empty lot in front of the platform twice.

The students lined up in Party units in front of the Instructor's podium.

The Instructor shouted towards the students.

"From now on, we will conduct the Preliminary Evaluation prior to the Main Exam. There are two purposes: to perform a Verification of each Party's coordination and Adaptation, and to determine the depth you will enter prior to the Main Exam!"

The Instructor pointed beyond the bulkhead Stakes with the tip of his Cane.

"Here, the Kandiba Demonic Realm is a Demonic Realm where the Nest Mother is completely extinct. There are no Demonic Beasts with fatal, highly toxic poisons that are difficult for you to handle. Most of what inhabits this place are giant rodents, snakes, or the Crocodile-type."

The Cane this time pointed towards the fortress on the ridge on the opposite side of the forest.

"The safety of this sector is guaranteed by Count Kandiba. Because the Location you will enter is a Low-risk Zone, if you are sufficiently careful, there will be no Deceased."

Thump.

The Instructor tapped the floor of the podium.

Next to him, Soldiers and knights holding Scoring Boards were watching the students.

"Scoring will be handled by the Soldiers and knights accompanying you. They will evaluate your Actual combat response capabilities with the fairest possible standards. Based on this Evaluation Result, we will determine the depth each Party enters for the Main Exam."

The students nodded, quietly sharing opinions with their Party Members.

— "If I understood correctly, depending on the score we get in this Preliminary Evaluation, how far we can enter is decided, right?"

— "Then if the score here is low, we won't be able to go deep, and......"

— "It means we won't be able to aim for a high score in the Main Exam either."

The students' whispers soon turned into a Murmur.

The Instructor on the podium left that Murmur alone for a while.

It was to ensure that there were no students who failed to notice the purpose of this Preliminary Evaluation.

Then, when he judged that the students had somewhat understood the purpose of the Preliminary Evaluation, the Instructor opened his mouth again.

"However!"

At the Instructor's shout, the Murmur stopped in an instant.

"It's only that there is no mother; Rank 2 and Rank 3 Demonic Beasts still exist. If you encounter such a Demonic Beast, Underclassmen are to flee immediately, and Upperclassmen should also not overdo it."

"Uh, Instructor. Isn't running away a deduction?"

"Student. What did I just say the purpose of the exam was?"

"To determine the depth we enter......"

"This Instructor clearly stated that the purpose of this exam is the Evaluation of coordination and Adaptation. Grasping the Limit of the Party in advance and having the judgment to Retreat at the appropriate time is also a Skill. An appropriate Retreat is not a deduction but a subject for bonus points."

"Yes!"

The Instructor took his eyes off the Student and shouted towards the crowd.

"I will say it again, surviving is a Skill! Make absolutely sure not to overdo it!"

""Yes!""

The students' resounding reply echoed throughout the Temporary Station.

*

Shing━ Click━

Before the Preliminary Evaluation began.

The outskirts of the Demonic Realm were filled with the sounds of students inspecting their weapons.

A Student sharpening a blade on a whetstone.

A Student pulling the bolt of a firearm and checking the Chamber.

A Student checking the same buckle over and over again.

Lady Keres, standing on the Rear Waiting Line with the Qualification of Safety Personnel, watched the sight with Interest.

In that process, Lady Keres was able to make one interesting Discovery.

'The higher the grade, the more enthusiastic they are about inspecting their weapons.'

It was an ironic thing.

Parties mostly consisting of Underclassmen were busy comforting each other, saying they would do well.

On the contrary, Upperclassmen students were busy inspecting their weapons.

'Usually, one barely realizes the importance of weapon inspection only after repeating Actual combat multiple times. The level of the students is higher than expected.'

Lady Keres knew the importance of weapon inspection better than anyone else.

It was because she had personally seen a knight who died due to a Hand Cannon that Misfired at the most crucial moment.

As that memory came to mind, she absentmindedly inspected her own Glaive.

Fortunately, the blade was well sharpened.

Enough that it would be fine to use as a mirror under the Sunlight.

Having checked her favorite weapon, she was relieved and rested the Glaive diagonally on her Shoulder.

And as she swept her gaze over the students' backs beyond her Cotton Cloth, she muttered.

"......I'm craving a drink."

Hearing that mutter, Freya put down the Gun she was inspecting and lifted her head.

"Are you not nervous, Duke's Daughter?"

"Me? Nervous? Why do you think that?"

"Since it's still Actual combat, isn't it natural to be nervous?"

"That's only when it's your first time."

"By any chance, have you ever faced a Demonic Beast?"

"Until I caught the Demon Disease, going out to sea on my Father's ship and cutting down Demonic Beasts was my Daily life."

At this, a Feeling of respect dwelled in Freya's eyes as she looked at Lady Keres.

"You're like a Hero."

"Isn't it obvious. Heroes are Nobles once they receive Acknowledgement from the Empire. Fulfilling that Duty is also not much different from a Hero."

"But even though I am a noble, I've never faced a Demonic Beast. Even when I followed my father, I only saw the law being executed......"

Freya's Shoulders slightly dropped.

The eyes looking at the girl beyond the Cotton Cloth curved beautifully.

"There's no need to shrink back. It's just that the Duty given to you was different. It's not that you failed to fulfill your Duty."

"My Duty......?"

"The Nobles of the Capital have the Duty of assisting His Majesty the Emperor. But the Nobles with a Territory have the Duty to protect their Territory. The reason I have experience facing Demonic Beasts is simply because I have the Duty to protect the Keres Duchy."

Freya straightened her shrunken Shoulders.

"Then what kind of Demonic Beasts have you Subjugated, Duke's Daughter?"

"I haven't gone far out from the coast...... but I have Subjugated a Rank 3 Scylla before."

"Scy! Lla!"

"Fufu. Since you like it so much, it gives me the Thrill to tell my Tale of Heroism."

Around the time the students each finished their Preparation to rush into the Demonic Realm like that.

A long whistle signaling the start of the Evaluation blew.

— "Everyone! Move in!"

Hearing the Instructor's command, the students formed groups and stepped into the forest.

*

It was obvious even from the outside, but the inside of the forest was quite dark to be called daytime.

The tree canopy covered the sky, and light fell sparsely through the gaps in the leaves, forming pillars.

Inside the pillars of light, flying insects floated around like dust.

Jenny, who was looking at those flying insects, asked with Worry.

"Those aren't Mosquito-type Demonic Beasts, right?"

Charlotte shook her head at Jenny's Question.

"They are definitely not Mosquito-type Demonic Beasts. I can't even feel any Magi. In the first place, not everything that flies is a mosquito. Has your Common sense become lacking because you studied Healing Arts too much, Jenny?"

"I asked because I was nervous. And I don't want to receive Pointing out regarding Common sense from you. No, wait."

Jenny, who was refuting, stopped in her tracks.

It was because she realized something strange in the conversation just now.

"How do you know how to distinguish Insect-type Demonic Beasts? Weren't you lacking Interest in Demonic Beasts?"

"There's a thing called Forensic Entomology. It's a Technique that deduces the Time and Location an Incident occurred through the bugs or Larvae left on a Corpse. By studying this, you naturally learn about Insect-type Demonic Beasts as well."

"......No wonder. There's no way you would have earnestly studied Magical Beast Studies."

"I do know about Scavenger-type Demonic Beasts. Because they help in investigations."

"Even so, as a Student of the Hero Department, shouldn't you at least know the ecology of Demonic Beasts?"

"Why should I?"

"I'm sorry for asking."

After that, the Valkyries continued to advance through the Demonic Realm.

Vanguard Erika was at the forefront, followed by Charlotte, and Freya and Jenny followed at the very rear.

And Lady Keres and the Evaluators followed behind while keeping a distance from them.

"......"

"......"

The knight and the Duke's Daughter following them wordlessly.

Meanwhile, the Evaluator's gaze became fixed beyond the darkness of the forest.

Soon, the Evaluator sent a Hand Signal toward the Duke's Daughter.

— 'Front 34M. Jaguar Demonic Beast. Rank is Rank 1. Heavy Damage is a Worry if the students fail to detect it.'

The Evaluator's gaze was fixed on a tree.

The Claw marks left on the tree.

It was the trace of Jaguar-type Demonic Beasts.

Looking closely here, Feces and remains could be seen among the Fallen Leaves.

It meant this Location was the main hunting ground of that Demonic Beast.

Lady Keres was also noticing that trace.

However, the Duke's Daughter shook her head at the Evaluator.

— 'The students can Handle it.'

Strength entered the fingers of the Evaluator holding the Scoring Board.

"They are First year students, you know?"

Generally, a Superhuman is advised to face Demonic Beasts lower than their own Rank.

Because if it was a Demonic Beast of the same Rank, they had to have the Resolve for injury, and they could experience Death if they allowed a Surprise Attack.

And the Valkyries' Rank was Rank 1.

It was the same Rank as the Demonic Beast hiding its Body beyond that darkness.

But the Duke's Daughter showed no will to intervene in this situation.

The Evaluator felt that such a Stance from the Duke's Daughter was far too complacent.

"If you will not move, I will give a warning......"

It was then.

Erika, who was walking at the Vanguard, sent a Hand Signal toward her Party Members.

'11 o'clock. Above the tree. Cat. I'm the bait.'

Erika's Red eyes headed toward the branches.

From the moment she entered this forest, the forest had never been quiet for her even for a moment.

Things trembling finely beneath the Fallen Leaves.

Things slipping out smoothly through the gaps in the roots.

And twelve steps above, one thing whose heart was beating slowly with its belly pressed against a branch.

'So a Demonic Beast's blood feels like this. It's a bit more...... sticky than a human's.'

She could feel blood itself.

To someone like her, no beast with flowing blood could secretly approach.

Freya and Charlotte were also noticing the Demonic Beast in advance through their own methods.

'The sounds are strangely quiet. Does it mean there's a predator.'

'Compared to a person who is determined to hide Evidence...... Demonic Beasts are simple so it's easy.'

Only Jenny, the only one who hadn't received relevant training, had yet to notice the situation.

The Valkyries quietly took their respective positions.

Charlotte moved to a Location where she could protect Jenny, and Freya to a Location where she could provide supporting Fire for Erika.

Lastly, Erika headed below the tree where the Demonic Beast was hiding, pretending to know nothing.

The moment her hand headed toward the Hand Axe hanging on her waist.

"Above!"

Tearing through the darkness, a Body the size of a calf fell above Erika's head.

Erika immediately pulled out her axe with a Reverse Grip.

And she subtly slipped out of the Location the Demonic Beast was falling, striking her axe upward toward the Demonic Beast's wide-open mouth.

The falling force and the upward striking force met at the Demonic Beast's mouth.

Crack!

Along with the sound of a Skull splitting, a giant lump of Meat dropped to the ground.

However, the Demonic Beast immediately twisted its waist and raised its Body again.

"Wait, I definitely split its head!?"

"Normally, even a person doesn't die just from having their head split. If the Brain isn't hit, Damage to the bone itself doesn't lead to Death. Of course, mostly it's a matter of Time due to Bleeding."

"Charlotte. I think that kind of commentary isn't needed in this situation."

Just as Charlotte said, Erika's axe definitely cut the Demonic Beast's Skull.

However, it stopped at only taking an eye, not the Brain.

Grrr━

The Demonic Beast, whose half face had disappeared, glared at Erika with its single remaining Inverted Eye.

Strength entered the Demonic Beast's feet that stepped on the Fallen Leaves.

Soon, the moment it was about to leap again━

Bang!

The Bullet Freya fired passed through one of the forest's pillars of light.

Blood and flesh burst out from the Demonic Beast's fully exposed half face.

The Demonic Beast, which twitched for a while, soon stopped its Convulsion and collapsed headfirst onto the Fallen Leaves.

Freya spoke without taking her aim off that Demonic Beast.

"Should I fire one more shot, Unnie?"

"It's dead. Its blood has definitely cooled. Let's save the Bullet for now. It's expensive."

"Got it."

Freya lowered the rifle's Gun Muzzle.

Erika spoke while rubbing the Cerebrospinal fluid stained on the Axe Blade on the Fallen Leaves to wipe it off.

"By the way, does this become Meat too? If I bring it to Teacher......"

"No, Unnie."

"Just saying."

Like that, after the first battle ended.

Having confirmed there were no Injured, Charlotte sent a signal to the Evaluator.

A short while later, the knight in charge of their Scoring came over.

"Yes, it's a Juvenile Dekuani. It seems to be an entity that has just become independent. According to the Scoring items, your response was also perfect. I will give you bonus points on the point that you detected it first."

"Nice."

Erika quietly did a Fighting!.

The first start was smooth.

That was what she was thinking.

"Student Kal! Do not do reckless actions!"

From not too far away, the Voice of a person presumed to be a knight echoed.

The Valkyries students immediately reacted to that Voice.

"Kal?"

"Senior Kal?"

"......Sword Fool?"

Kal.

A famous swordsman of the Second Year in the Hero Department.

Could he perhaps be in danger.

With such Worry, the Valkyries students moved in the direction the Voice was heard.

Not long after, they were able to discover the Hero Party that Kal belonged to.

"What on earth was that reckless method just now!"

A thunderous scolding from the Evaluator fell upon Kal.

Behind Kal, the other Party Members of the Hero Party were bowing their heads.

And behind the Party, the Corpse of a Crocodile-type Demonic Beast with its mouth wide open was sprawled out.

In the middle of that sight.

The Evaluator spoke towards Kal and his Party Members.

"For a Crocodile-type Demonic Beast, blades do not easily cut through its hide. That is why you should hit the Skull with a blunt weapon or aim for the eyes with a thin Sword, but......!"

The Evaluator pointed at the Corpse of the Crocodile Demonic Beast.

Inside the wide-open mouth, a Sword was deeply embedded in its Skull, piercing through the roof of its mouth.

"You! What on earth were you thinking, stabbing a Sword into the Demonic Beast's mouth!"

"Since the Sword did not work on its hide, I thought aiming for the internal organs would do."

"The Pommel! I'm telling you to use the Pommel like a blunt weapon!"

"But doesn't a Pommel fail to cut the enemy?"

"Don't just try to cut, but use your Sword!"

The knight beat his chest as if he was frustrated.

However, Kal spoke toward the knight without any sign of Self-reflection.

"But didn't I kill it first before this Demonic Beast could close its mouth, so isn't it fine?"

"You were just lucky! If the Sword had pierced another Part instead of the exact center of its head, the Demonic Beast could have put strength in its Jaw just like that!"

Saying that, the knight pointed to the battered Gauntlet on Kal's right hand.

That Gauntlet, crushed by the crocodile's tooth marks, was showing what would have happened if Kal had made a mistake.

However, Kal seemed to have seen something else from that Gauntlet.

"As expected, my Training is lacking. Then I will do more Honing of my Sword and make sure to reliably aim for the exact center next time."

"No! Not inside the mouth! I'm telling you to do it according to the manual!"

"But the manual doesn't teach how to cut a Crocodile-type Demonic Beast with a Sword, you see."

"Ugh...... Grgh......!"

The knight who was giving a Lecture to Kal grabbed the back of his neck.

And Freya, who was watching the sight from a Location a bit away, muttered.

"......Young Lady Hausen."

"I think I know what kind of Question you're trying to ask. You want to ask if Student Kal acts like that at the Academy as well, right?"

"Yes."

"In his First year, there was a time he made a Protest to the Professor, asking why a Sword is a disadvantageous weapon in one-on-one combat compared to a spear. And the next day, in a spar, he defeated all First year cadets holding spears with his Sword to provide Proof."

"......"

Hearing those words, Freya nodded in understanding.

"I think I know why he's a Sword Fool(劍癡)."

"Right?"

— "Then what are you going to do if a Jaguar-type Demonic Beast comes like this!"

— "If I suffer a Surprise Attack, I will immediately react and cut it."

— "If there! Are Claw marks! On a tree! I'm telling you to carefully! Notice it in advance! And make Preparation! What are you going to do if a swordsman loses an arm!"

— "Wouldn't Lord Saint just reattach it?"

— "Ugh. The back of my neck......!"

Like that, the Valkyries watched Kal and the Evaluator's Sword Debate for a while.