Summoning Genius at Kizen - Chapter 42 After all the practical evaluations for both the morning and afternoon teams concluded, all Class A students gathered in the Beginner Dark Magic lecture hall. “You all worked hard today.” Jane said. “Regardless of the results and scores, as your professor in charge, I am satisfied that all of Class A completed the practical without any accidents.” “Thank you, Professor!” The students, finally freed from the pressure, cheered energetically. “However, at Kizen, results are what matter most.” “.......” Jane, who had just created a touching atmosphere, casually poured cold water on it. Everyone was used to it by now, so they subtly chuckled and waited for her next words. “We will evaluate Group 1 first. Group 1, step forward.” Simon sat in his seat, calmly listening to the evaluations of other groups. It was truly Jane-like; she analyzed each group’s strengths and weaknesses with chilling accuracy and even suggested areas for improvement. Her opinions were so logical and analytical that even those unfamiliar with the groups found themselves nodding unknowingly. And then. “Karel Oxara. Yona Kasumi.” “Yes!” “Shake hands.” ......Why suddenly shake hands? The two, bewildered, blinked their eyes, and the assistant professor gave them a nudge. They did as they were told. “While you didn’t ruin teamwork like amateurs, it’s best to resolve any hard feelings quickly.” “......!” “Next group, step forward.” Jane even saw through the students’ relationships and psychology. It was beyond ghostly. Another surprising aspect, in Simon’s opinion, was that more groups than expected had managed to defeat the Cyclops. In the initial simulation, the success rate was just over 40%, but in the actual practical, a remarkable 13 out of 16 groups succeeded in hunting the Cyclops. Even considering the difference in practice time, their performance in a real combat situation was incredibly strong. It was a moment that truly showcased the potential of Kizen students. And with this, the focus shifted from whether the Cyclops was hunted to how many points were received. “Group 3’s final grade is A+. Well done.” And Group 3, led by Hector, was overwhelming. Cheers, applause, and envious gazes were directed at them from all over. “Group 3 had very few flaws.” Hector, the combatant, displayed outstanding combat prowess and leadership. Each member had clear roles and excellent teamwork. And their unique hunting time of 3 minutes. Even their stability, with the barrier gauge exceeding 90%. It was no exaggeration to say they were the representative group of Class A. “Each and every one of you shows great promise for future growth. Good work.” “Thank you!” Another strong team was Cindy Vivace’s Group 5. Their hunting time was comparable to Group 3’s, but the fact that it was an ‘all-in’ team focused solely on Cindy Vivace held them back. Their scores in teamwork and stability were significantly reduced. And then. “Group 7, step forward.” Finally, the problematic Group 7 was called before Jane. Although Group 3 achieved a high score, it was Simon’s Group 7 that had generated the most buzz. They had shown overwhelming performances that drove everyone into a frenzy. “Group 7 is.......” She rustled the grading sheet. The surroundings fell silent. “Terrible.” Thump! Simon’s heart sank. Mei-rin squeezed her eyes shut, and Kamibarez’s lips trembled. “Time taken: 13 minutes and 58 seconds. The combatant’s barrier gauge was a single digit, 7%. And unplanned, spontaneous actions that didn’t align with the initial strategy at all.” She lowered the documents and looked at Group 7 with an expressionless gaze. “Anything else to say?” “.......” With clear figures presented, they had nothing to say, even if they had ten mouths. The four remained silent, and Jane opened her mouth. “Group 7’s evaluation score is D.” Scores below F were for groups that failed to hunt the Cyclops. This was effectively the lowest score among the groups that succeeded in hunting the Cyclops. Just as everyone was about to return to their seats, disheartened. “Of course.” An assistant professor handed Jane a new document. Jane placed it on top of the grading sheet and said, “That would be the case if this information hadn’t been reflected.” “......?” The members of Group 7 stopped in their tracks, looking bewildered. “As a result of the autopsy of the Cyclops hunted by Group 7, traces of abnormal side effects caused by the curses and drugs used during its capture were found.” Of course, the autopsy results also contained ‘highly suspicious information,’ but this was classified as Kizen’s Class 2 secret. This was all that could be revealed to the students. “The Cyclops exhibited extreme aggression, and upon the curses breaking, it went berserk, temporarily enhancing its physical abilities significantly. The higher-ups have determined that the difficulty of the test was clearly different from the Cyclops hunted by other groups.” Kizen Higher-ups! Murmurs spread throughout the lecture hall. Jane waved the report, stamped with the Kizen Headquarters’ seal, at the students and said, “Based on a comprehensive judgment of that Cyclops’s aggression, strength, and curse resistance, we will apply new grading results, assuming Group 7 hunted a monster on the level of a Red Cyclops, a superior monster to the Cyclops. After all, that would be.” Jane’s gaze turned to Hector. “Fair, wouldn’t it?” “.......” Hector’s expression hardened. If it was a judgment from the Kizen Higher-ups, it wasn’t something students could argue about. Of course, it was also true that all Class A students shared the same question about the Cyclops Simon had faced. Wasn’t Group 7’s Cyclops just too strong? “I will announce the revised results.” Jane read through the data. “Mei-rin Billenne.” Mei-rin was startled and replied, “Yes, Professor!” “With Jet Black elemental magic that far surpassed the average of Kizen first-year students, you performed the most crucial role in protecting the combatant. I award you 80 points.” Ooooh-! Exclamations erupted from all over. Hector, who currently had the highest score, had 90 out of 100 points, so for her to get 80 points without the combatant bonus was quite an achievement. Mei-rin trembled with emotion, and Kamibarez hugged her, congratulating her. “It is undoubtedly a mistake to have sustained an injury due to excessive training and poor self-management.” Jane’s gaze went to Mei-rin’s heavily bandaged leg. “But your fighting spirit despite the injury was impressive.” Mei-rin couldn’t answer immediately, her shoulders trembling slightly. She had been the member who suffered the most emotionally during this time. “Next, Dick Hayward.” “Yes, ma’am!” “By effectively utilizing high-performance Jet Black enchantments at appropriate times, you served as a lubricant for Group 7’s Cyclops strategy. I also award you 80 points.” Another round of exclamations erupted. Dick raised both hands and cheered. “Kamibarez Ursula.” “Ah, yes!” “As a Hemomancy major, you properly performed the role of Group 7’s core damage dealer.” Jane smiled faintly. “Even among active Necromancers, it’s rare to see that level of Great Hemorrhage magic. I award you 85 points.” “Ah......!” Kamibarez’s eyes welled up with tears from the overwhelming emotion. “Kami!” “As expected!” Mei-rin and Dick embraced her, repeatedly saying, ‘Well done!’ “Finally, Simon Pollentia.” A sudden silence fell over the lecture hall. Hector’s face, who had been anxiously watching Group 7’s progress, also turned ashen. His butt lifted slightly from his chair. “As the combatant, you fulfilled your role perfectly. You cared for your group members despite unexpected variables, and you personally dodged the Cyclops’s attacks, buying time. Your dramatic utilization of summons created wounds on the monster’s body, fulfilling the prerequisite for Great Hemorrhage, and your use of Restoration was impressive. In the end, you finally severed the Cyclops’s breath.” She read the grading sheet, then exhaled lightly before speaking. “......It was perfect. I award you 100 points.” 100 points! A burst of cheers shook the lecture hall. Even the other Class A students had to acknowledge Simon’s performance. Group 7’s actions had been a massive stimulus to everyone. Thus, Group 7’s total evaluation score was the highest possible, A+. The score jumped several ranks, putting them on par with Class A’s strongest, Group 3. And then. “It’s a shame there’s no score higher than A+.” With Jane’s words, the fact that Group 7 was the strongest in Class A was revealed, delivering the final blow. Hector squeezed his eyes shut and leaned back deeply into his chair. “Hector.......” “Don’t talk to me. Before I rip your mouth off.” The members of Group 3 could only shut their mouths and cautiously watch Hector. * * * “To A+!” “Cheers!” Beer mugs clinked, and boisterous laughter erupted. Against the backdrop of the setting night sky, a bonfire blazed in front of a small cabin. Simon, Dick, Mei-rin, and Kamibarez sat in a circle around it, and delicious skewers dripped oil as they cooked perfectly over the bonfire. “Kee-euh, this practical evaluation was practically a Dick hard carry!” Dick, his face flushed, chuckled and said, “If I wasn’t here, you guys wouldn’t have even scratched the Cyclops! Right? Don’t you acknowledge this?” “There he goes again.” Mei-rin glared at him and chided. Still, a smile played on her lips, lacking her usual sharp edge. “If even one person didn’t do their part, we would’ve lost, you idiot. And if you think about it, you had the smallest role! All you did was throw weapons!” “Wow! That’s seriously unfair! Can you really slander the carry-man like this?!” “Ah, go away! You smell like alcohol!” “Huh? Do I really? I’ve only had one drink.” Dick sniffed, blowing on his palm to smell it. Mei-rin shook her head in disgust. Meanwhile, Kamibarez was looking down at the beer mug in her hands with a very serious expression. “You don’t have to drink if you don’t want to.” Simon said with a smile. “Ah, no! It’s not that......! It’s just my first time drinking, so I’m a little nervous.......” “It’s okay! Kami, it’s okay!” Dick waved his hand wildly. “Kizen students can do anything as long as they take responsibility for their actions! Besides, we’re not just here by ourselves, we have a ‘guardian,’ right? Legal drinking! Legal drinking!” Kamibarez, who had been staring at the high-spirited Dick, cautiously asked Simon, “If I drink this, will I become like Dick?” Simon finally couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing. Mei-rin across from him was cackling, almost collapsing. Dick’s face crumpled. “Kami, even you.......” Just as Dick was livening up the atmosphere with his slurred speech, someone appeared from the cabin. “Here, have this too!” It was none other than Professor Hong Peng, the Martial Arts professor. She placed a pot on a stand in front of the bonfire. The pot contained steaming meat soup. “Waaah!” Everyone, excited by the delicious smell, crowded around the pot. Hong Peng personally ladled out bowls of soup for her students. “Thank you for the meal!” Hong Peng was the one who invited everyone to the cabin. Hearing the rumor that Simon had achieved the highest score this time, she invited Simon’s group for a celebratory party. The skewers and meat soup over the bonfire were all made from game she had personally hunted. Simon took a spoonful of soup. ‘......It’s, delicious!’ He had never tasted anything like this. It was so delicious his jaw dropped. It had a mild, natural taste without spices, yet it was surprisingly deep. “Amazing!” “Professor, you’re the best!” “Hehe! Eat a lot!” Hong Peng also sat down. Normally, such a drinking gathering among students within Kizen would be unthinkable, but thanks to her providing the venue and taking responsibility as their guardian, they could enjoy this time. Dick quickly poured a mug of beer from the oak barrel and handed it to her. “Thank you, Dick.” “Waha! I never thought I’d live to see the day I get invited by a Kizen professor! As expected.......!” Dick looked at Simon with a sly gaze. “Professor Hong Peng! You’re subtly favoring Simon.......” Mei-rin, who was eating soup, suddenly looked up. “Hey, Dick!” “That’s right.” Hong Peng said with a simple smile. Everyone paused and looked at her. “We are all human, aren’t we? It’s natural to have students you like and students you don’t.” “......Ahaha! You’re right! Cheers!” Dick quickly called for a toast. Simon, feeling somewhat embarrassed, blushed as he clinked his mug. Hong Peng chuckled. “I’m joking. I’m proud of and love all my students!” Even as she said that, Hong Peng affectionately stroked Simon’s head. Dick and Mei-rin’s envious gazes fixed on Simon, while Kamibarez looked back and forth between Simon and Hong Peng before quickly lowering her head. “It must be tough now that the student protection period is over. But it’s not because the Kizen professors dislike you. Just hang in there a little longer! Alright?” “Yes! We understand!” Hong Peng, in a private setting, showed no trace of the Kizen professor’s authority. Her warm and comfortable demeanor made her feel like a friendly neighborhood older sister. Thanks to her, everyone quickly adapted to the drinking party atmosphere. “Next week.” In the lively atmosphere, Hong Peng stretched out her legs and said. Dick quickly pretended to listen intently and said, “Yes, Professor! I’m listening!” “Next week, you will finally go on your first ‘mission’.”
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