NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 89: Practical Exam
Practical Exam
Ba-ba ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba…
“Ah…”
What in the world is this obnoxious alarm sound?
I thought I’d be clever and download a bunch of alarms from EveryDay to wake up in the morning, but it manages to grate on my nerves every single day. But the wonders of its effectiveness, actually making me get out of bed on time.
Liliana was snoozing away beside me today. Last night was amazing, the succubus’ teasing tongue is a talent that us mere humans can only dream of imitating.
So, today’s Thursday. In the morning, we’ve got a group boss monster hunting test. Our silent group, featuring the thrilling trio of Nam Daeun, Lumi, and that stellar guy Lee Byunghoon, is back in action. I don’t particularly relish it, but what can you do? Given my remarkable display of strength, I might just have a shot at carrying the team this time.
The afternoon’s practical monster training is just more of the same. Last time, I just about managed to scrape by the A-class average because I chose to put myself through grueling training when I was at my weakest. But this time, I’ve miraculously leveled up, so maybe I can aim a little higher.
“Today is truly Lee Hoyeon’s day. It’s the day to show my strength to everyone.”
***
“The group boss monster hunting test in the morning is held in the same exam hall as the one we used for the first dungeon practice. Just like last time, we’ll be able to watch other groups’ performances.”
During the morning assembly, Professor Kim Jinhyuk graced us with information about the test we’d all been anxiously waiting for.
“In the afternoon, the practical monster training will proceed according to your performance levels. This will be conducted in the practice arena.”
Given that I was already well-versed in this information, I used the time to let my mind wander.
“Instead of regretting the written test that’s already over, focus on managing your condition so you can do well in the practical exam. That’s all.”
With this riveting information session complete, Professor Kim Jinhyuk escaped the classroom, and the students slowly dragged themselves together to locate their respective groups.
“Lucy, stay strong. Lumi and I will go together.”
“Yeah, you too, Hoyeon. I mean, you’re practically guaranteed to be the top scorer, but we’ll put in some effort, I guess.”
“Your group’s scores are decent, right? Ours is just Nam Daeun’s one-person show.”
“That’s one way to put it. Anyway, let’s give it our all!”
With a wave to Lucy, Lumi and I watched her go off to find her group.
“Where’s our group anyway…?”
“Hoyeon, we never really gather properly… Oh? Isn’t that Lee Byunghoon coming over?”
“Huh? Well, would you look at that.”
It was quite the shocker that our usual disorganized group somehow managed to corral three members today. I guess midterms must be a really big deal.
“Hello, Hoyeon. Good morning.”
“Say what now…?”
Lee Byunghoon, who’d previously treated me like an extra in a movie, greeted me.
“We’re in the same group, but I don’t think I’ve properly introduced myself. I’m Lee Byunghoon, the eldest son of the renowned Warrior Guild.”
“…”
This déjà vu. It’s like when he first approached Nam Daeun.
Is he suddenly saying hello because I’ve become a hot topic? The guy’s something else. His consistent behavior is mildly amusing. Well, we’re in the same group, so I can’t just sock him, so let’s just go with a friendly smile.
“Sure, nice to meet you. I’m Lee Hoyeon.”
“Yeah, by any chance, could I get your contact number?”
“No.”
“Uh, okay.”
“Just kidding. If you help us carry the boss monster hunting this time, I’ll give it to you.”
“I’ll do my best!”
Let’s see if you can outperform me and Nam Daeun.
***
The three of us moved to the boss monster hunting test site. Naturally, the place was buzzing with students. Lee Byunghoon’s ceaseless chatter was becoming a chronic irritation, so I craftily excused myself with the timeless “bathroom break” alibi. He just wouldn’t stop yammering, and it was pounding my head. Is this why Nam Daeun is always fashionably late?
I decided to escape the stuffy confines of the test building in favor of a breath of relatively fresher air. I didn’t really have to use the restroom, so it was more of a leisurely stroll outside.
“Yeah, no. I love you more.”
At that particular moment, a girl’s voice reached my ears from behind the emergency stairs of the test building. I swiftly employed a rune barrier to mute the noise and turned my attention in that direction. It was Nam Daeun.
“She’s always on the phone with her little sister.”
This midterm exam must be quite important to Nam Daeun.
In the original game, the protagonist steals the first place from Nam Daeun during the first semester of the second year or the second semester of the second year when he becomes stronger. If the protagonist takes first place at the end of the first year, the route with Nam Daeun can’t be completed because the protagonist, who hasn’t yet established themselves, can’t face the guild alone.
The ending where, in a bid to protect her purity, Nam Daeun slaughters the guild members, kills her little sister, and then commits suicide… was genuinely bone-chilling. Should the protagonist secure first place in the second semester of the second year, his foundation is robust enough to face the guild and rescue Nam Daeun.
My goal is to establish a foundation by the end of the first year and save Nam Daeun. I don’t need to drag things out until the second year. I need to finish this quickly.
“I have to go now. Yeah.”
Having heard Nam Daeun’s voice, I naturally lifted the rune barrier and headed toward the front gate. She concluded her call, and I greeted Nam Daeun as she approached through the main gate.
“Hello?”
“…Yeah.”
Nam Daeun briefly glanced at me and responded curtly, then quickly darted through the main gate and off.
“Let’s go in together. We’re in the same group, after all.”
“…”
Nam Daeun remained silent and rapidly disappeared into the test site. Quite the prickly character, she is. For the upcoming test, I’ll need to figure out how to navigate her route. I also proceeded to where our group was gathering.
“You’ve arrived…!”
Lumi, visibly discomfited by the atmosphere, greeted me.
“Yeah, sorry. Looks like it’s starting soon, right?”
“Yes, it appears that way.”
The cacophony of students grew louder, and as the professors took their positions, it was evident that the test was about to kick off.
[Oh, yes. Representatives from each group, kindly step up to draw your turn numbers. I repeat. Representatives from each group, kindly step up to draw your turn numbers.]
“…”
“…”
“…”
“Should I go…?!”
“I’ll go…”
Sending the timid Lumi into the crowd for turn number selection isn’t exactly a guarantee. As for Lee Byunghoon, the guy who was acting all chummy earlier has suddenly gone mute.
I drew a number from a box set up in front of the test site.
“It’s number 3. Please write down your name and the names of your group members here.”
“Sure.”
The third one. Frankly, it’s a meaningless number because we’re destined to take first place anyway. If our group goes early, it might rattle the confidence of the other teams. Oh well, nothing to be done.
I returned to my seat with the number in hand.
“Guys, it’s number three. Let’s get this over with quickly.”
“Yes, of course!”
“Starting early seems like a blessing. Looks like luck’s on our side.”
“…”
Lee Byunghoon’s reactions became more frequent. Let’s hope he backs up his words with skills.
[All groups have drawn their numbers. We’ll start with Group 1. Group 2, please gather towards the front of the test site for your turn.]
“It’s go time!”
“Man, I’m nervous. We’re Group 11. We’re up soon!”
“We’re Group 2… we’re next, and one person hasn’t shown up. What do we do!”
Amidst the students’ excited chatter, our group glanced at the screen, trying to relieve the tension. Group 1 was up against a cyclops monster, comparatively stronger or at a similar level as the ogres.
“Wow, a cyclops?! Can Group 1 really handle that?”
“Hmm, their lineup is solid, but can they actually win?”
Each group faces a different monster. While they initially aimed for similar average strengths when forming the groups, as time goes on, growth rates diverge, and by midterm exams, group balances usually fall apart. Hence, the varying levels of the monsters.
“Ugh!”
Group 1 fell to the cyclops. However, even in defeat, they’re not automatically disqualified. This test is about demonstrating their abilities, so Group 1, which coped well with the cyclops’ patterns, will still receive a respectable evaluation.
[Next, Group 2. Move forward. Group 3, please come to the front of the test site and wait.]
Our turn has arrived already.
“Let’s get going.”
***
[Next is Group 3. Enter, please. Group 4, come forward to the front of the test site and wait.]
In front of the test site, a portal was prepared for the exam.
“Use this portal, it will lead you to a virtual space where a boss monster is prepared. There won’t be any actual physical harm if you get hurt or die since it’s a virtual space. However, you may still feel pain and suffer mental damage, so be careful.”
With those last-minute instructions echoing in our ears, we plunged into the portal. The nauseating sensation was a momentary companion, and when I blinked my eyes open, we were inside yet another cave.
“Another cave, seriously?”
Group 1 was a grassy plain, and Group 2 was at the seaside, but we ended up in a cave. Again.
“Gather here. Let’s first assess the monsters and plan our movements.”
Since this test emphasizes the process, preparation is crucial. Lumi and Lee Byunghoon listened to me, but Nam Daeun didn’t. She moved ahead without heeding my words.
“Nam Daeun, Listen to me this time. During boss monster hunting, moving as you please can endanger your teammates. This test emphasizes the process.” I shouted at Nam Daeun, who was ignoring my words and walking ahead.
Boss monsters are typically different from regular monsters. Moreover, since it’s an exam, you have to utilize your team’s full capabilities and aim to clear it as safely as possible. That’s what the test expects.
“…I can handle it the fastest by moving on my own.” Nam Daeun didn’t listen to me and leaped ahead.
“Ah, she’s crazy… Hey, let’s follow her for now.”
We had no choice but to follow Nam Daeun. While we ran, I scanned the cave walls and ceiling for clues.
“No markings on the walls, but there are faint claw marks on the ceiling. For a cave-type boss monster, those small claw marks on the ceiling mean…”
As we continued, we encountered a fork in the cave. I compiled the information I had gathered and instinctively looked up at the ceiling, only to be greeted by hundreds of glowing pairs of eyes.
“It’s the Night Queen! Everyone, cover your ears with magic!” I immediately shouted to ensure everyone heard me. In response to my voice, my teammates promptly shielded their ears with magic, and simultaneously, their pupils dilated.
The Night Queen’s ultrasonic attack began with a shrill screech.
Kkkkkkhhhhh!
Thud, thud, thud, thud.
The Night Queen had a patented strategy – disorient the enemy with her initial attack, leaving them bewildered, while her bats swooped in for the kill.
Fortunately, once we deflected the initial assault, dealing with her wasn’t overly challenging. The real challenge lay in the sheer number of bat subordinates. Yet, these bats had skittish tendencies that we could exploit.
We methodically tackled them one by one in well-illuminated areas, avoiding any injuries. I positioned a fiery orb, equivalent to my body’s size, at the heart of the cave.
Gyaaaah!
Gwoooosh!
The bats panicked when they saw the blazing inferno, desperately clinging to the ceiling. Now, it was a matter of handling them individually. However, Nam Daeun decided to charge ahead again.
“Nam Daeun!!!”
As there were hundreds of bats, some refused to stay put on the ceiling, fluttering around the airspace. Nam Daeun, showcasing her acrobatics, stepped on them one by one as she ascended towards the Night Queen.
“Ugh… Lumi, provide a shield for Nam Daeun, and Byunghoon, guard Lumi. I’ll support Nam Daeun on her way up.”
I assigned roles to my teammates and hurried forth. The more bats the Night Queen had, the more formidable she became. If Nam Daeun attempted to handle them solo, she’d inevitably sustain injuries, defeating the strategy’s purpose. A successful strategy prioritized safety over any sacrifices. It was better for a well-coordinated strategy team to retreat safely rather than complete their mission with even a single loss.
I followed Nam Daeun, stepping on the bats as I ascended. Utilizing Acceleration, I caught up with her, and then…
I witnessed Nam Daeun sheathing her sword and the Night Queen, its body cleaved in two by her strike.
Kuueeeek!!
The shattered body of the virtual Night Queen dispersed into mana.
“…Huh?”
Nam Daeun, from the first semester of the first year, proved to be far more stronger than I had imagined.
***
As the Night Queen vanished, our strategy was deemed complete, and we automatically exited the portal.
Outside, an unsettling silence hung in the air, almost as if the entire world had frozen in awe of Nam Daeun’s exceptional performance. The results were positive, yet this time, I couldn’t help but voice my frustration.
“Nam Daeun, what’s the rush? I mean, you were lucky to be right, but if you hadn’t taken down the Night Queen in a single strike, we would have faced a substantial deduction. I already told you, this test places emphasis on the process.”
My words weren’t just for our group’s sake; they were directed at Nam Daeun. In the original game, her unwavering strength would have secured her the top spot, regardless of her behavior. But this time, with me in the picture, even if she intended to challenge my lead, my abilities had already been partially revealed. To woo the heroines, showing strength in the practical exams was crucial. If Nam Daeun continued down this path, I might snatch first place from under her nose sooner than she expected.
“…I’m sorry, but my ranking is too important. I have to be the first.” Nam Daeun averted her gaze as if she had other priorities.
No, behaving like that won’t guarantee first place. It’s so frustrating. Does she think being attractive is all that matters? While she’s busy securing her own scores, she should at least lend an ear to others.
“[Uh, Group… we’re entering now. Group 5, please prepare to enter, or rather, come forward.]”
The guiding professor appeared flustered, perhaps shocked by our strategy.
“W-Well, we did succeed, didn’t we?” Lumi seemed content with our success.
“Success isn’t just success…”
This test primarily assessed situational awareness. I quickly gathered information about the Night Queen to avoid utter failure and ensure a high score. However, all Lumi had done was cast a shield, so her score likely wouldn’t be high.
“As expected, Hoyeon, you’re incredible. Your ability to locate the Night Queen quickly, I’d love to learn from it… By any chance, could I have your contact information?”
This guy would probably score a zero.