Summoning Genius of Kizen - Chapter 25 They finally decided on 'Team Seven' as their group name and submitted the paperwork. While the students who had formed groups chatted comfortably, Simon observed the other students in Class A. Simon's group was Team Seven. This meant that 28 students had formed groups so far. The competition among the remaining students was not just fierce, but cutthroat. Now, there were almost no students acting individually; instead, groups of two or three were trying to pull in the remaining members. "Isn't it better to just combine with us? It's two and two, so…" "You two are both Toxicology majors. Why would we take a trash group like that?" "Wow, they're really bad. What's with a Jet Black, Jet Black, Jet Black combination?" This was the problem when groups were formed based on connections or friendships. They became close quickly because they shared interests or desired majors, but in group projects, grouping with the same aspiring majors had a detrimental effect. 'Beginner Dark Magic' evaluated a whopping eight subjects. Even if all four group members had different desired subjects, it wouldn't be enough; having overlapping specializations meant a disadvantage. Most of the people who still hadn't completed their groups had this problem. "I'll save just one person from your group." A blonde female student stepped forward, haughtily beckoning with her finger. She had already completed her group of three. "Get lost!" "If you hadn't taken Lucy, we would have had four already!" As the other group members growled with displeasure, a female student walked forward. "G-Group leader?" "I'm sorry, guys." She said without looking back. "I'm a Hemomancy major. It doesn't overlap, so it's fine, right?" "Welcome! As expected, you're quick-witted, aren't you? Teaching Assistant! We're registering!" The group leader, who had personally formed her group, defected, completing another group of four. The remaining students trembled with anger and betrayal. '…How cruel.' These were the things happening during the student protection period. Simon vaguely understood why only three hundred out of a thousand survived. "No time to worry about others, Simon." Dick said. "If we don't push forward relentlessly, we'll be weeded out too. And being weeded out in Kizen means goodbye." "I don't feel sorry for them at all." Mei-rin traced her fingertip and blew a puff of air. "Lack of effort, lack of preparation, lack of skill. It's been four days since they entered Kizen, what have they been doing? If their grades were insufficient, they could have found a group in many other ways." Dick and Mei-rin seemed accustomed to this atmosphere. Eventually, the 30 minutes Jane had given were up. Eight students remained. They bickered in groups of two, three, and three, but ultimately, no one managed to complete a group. "Students who haven't formed a group, please come forward." Jane arbitrarily created two groups. Team 15: Jet Black, Jet Black, Toxicology, Martial Arts. Team 16: Jet Black, Jet Black, Jet Black, Martial Arts. The reason why relatively many Jet Black Mechanics majors remained was that it was a compulsory subject, so other aspiring majors also had relatively high Jet Black scores. Because of this, the demand for Jet Black Mechanics majors plummeted in the market, and they were left until the very end. The students called to the podium hung their heads with stiff faces, and some students who had formed groups subtly snickered. "Wow, Team 16 with three Jet Black majors, is that for real?" "Pfft. They probably won't be seen next week." "If even one curse problem comes up, they're wiped out." At the other students' mocking whispers, Teams 15 and 16 hunched their shoulders, becoming even more dejected. Jane, who had also arbitrarily assigned the group leaders, looked at them and spoke in a low voice. "Are you resentful?" The students nodded slightly. Some even shed small tears. "Just because you started a little off doesn't mean you have to stay off until the end. Remember this resentment and work even harder. Even if you're a Jet Black major, share the study of other subjects and raise them above average. Then you will see the light." The students nodded with determined expressions. Teams 15 and 16 returned to their seats, and Jane stepped forward. "First, I have a major announcement. We will be conducting a 'group practical evaluation' in the first Beginner Dark Magic class next week, after the student protection period ends." Suppressed gasps were heard everywhere. A practical evaluation meant a test that directly affected their grades. This was where the real beginning was. "Now, I will explain the content of the practical evaluation." She signaled, and the teaching assistant activated a mana projector. A large monster's image was projected in light before the students. "This is…!" It was a monster Simon knew. Cyclops. A powerful, one-eyed, medium-sized monster. It primarily inhabited the Western Mountain Range of the continent, reigning as the king of the mountains. "Yes, your next opponent is the Cyclops." The students' mouths hung open. Wasn't this skipping too many steps? "I will explain the rules. You and your group members must enter Kizen's underground dungeon and work together to defeat the Cyclops." Still, sounds of relief were heard here and there at the fact that they would enter with their group members. "However, only one student will directly confront the Cyclops. The other three will stand in set positions and can support their group member or weaken the monster. Direct attacks with dark magic are not possible." Muttering, muttering, muttering. The three in set positions couldn't use offensive dark magic. So, it couldn't be entirely called a 4-on-1 fight. Jane's explanation continued. "Interference skills such as exhaustion, restraint, and blindness are, of course, allowed, and attacks that cause the monster's body to be injured to that extent will be permitted. Bleeding from Hemomancy and poisoning from Toxicology are also allowed. Of course, attacks from summoned creatures are also possible." "However, direct offensive magic cast by Necromancers, such as Martial Arts' Smite or Hemomancy's Blood Arrow, cannot be used. You will understand the exact criteria clearly when you receive the handout distributed by the teaching assistants after class today." The students nodded with serious faces. "The participating group member will enter under the supervision of Kizen safety personnel, clad in powerful defensive dark magic. The grading criteria are: success or failure of the Cyclops hunt, hunting speed, stability, teamwork and creativity of the group members, and the completeness of the dark magic used." She looked around at the now quiet students and continued. "To face the Cyclops, you will need to push your capabilities to the limit this week. Don't just gloss over each class; truly make it your own and use it in the practical evaluation. That is all. Any questions?" Innumerable hands shot up everywhere. Jane pointed to the student in front. "Jamie Victoria! A-Are we really not going to fight a real Cyclops? I heard Kizen has a virtual combat simulation system, so…!" "It's a live, breathing Cyclops, freshly caught from the Western Continent." Jane cut her off coldly. "You will have to sign a waiver of life before taking the practical evaluation." At those words, Jamie's face darkened rapidly. "Still, it will be weaker than a Cyclops encountered in nature due to the curses for restraint and chemical treatment. Next question." "Scott Snyder! You said whether the Cyclops is hunted or not is part of the grading. What happens if we can't catch it?" "Failure to hunt is the lowest score, regardless of other evaluation criteria. If there are other groups that fail, your ranking will be determined by competing with them on the grading elements." A deep silence fell over the classroom. "There are three cases where a hunt failure is declared. First, if the participating group member becomes incapacitated. Second, if the professor or safety personnel determine that combat is no longer possible. Third, if any one of you raises your hand and declares withdrawal from the test. Next question." Students raised their hands one after another, pouring out questions, and Jane answered them without hesitation each time. In fact, the students' curiosities were similar, so by the time five more questions were answered, all the raised hands had gone down. "I understand that Class A has two more Beginner Dark Magic classes this week. In the first class, we will have time for each group to present their Cyclops hunting strategy. In the second class, as Jamie mentioned earlier, we will have time to adjust your practical senses through a virtual combat simulation with the Cyclops. And the third class next week will be the real combat." A tense atmosphere filled the classroom at the word 'real combat'. Jane looked at her wristwatch. "For the remaining time, you will discuss your Cyclops hunting strategy with your group members. First, decide on the combatant, and then prepare in a way that maximizes the power of the other three support members. I will be here, so come forward if you have any questions." Having finished all her words, Jane slumped into her chair. The teaching assistants stepped forward and clapped their hands. "Alright, students! Begin!" As if on cue, murmurs erupted from all directions. Dick and Mei-rin also leaned towards the table, their eyes shining. "…As expected of Professor Jane. Real combat with a monster right after the protection period ends? That's insane." Dick said. Mei-rin's eyes sparkled. "I love it too much! My heart is pounding! Now it finally feels like I've come to Kizen." Simon looked around once and said, "Let's quickly make a plan too. Is there anyone who wants to be the direct combatant?" Mei-rin raised her hand high. Dick, sitting next to her, yelped as he got hit, but she seemed not to notice, her eyes shining. "Me! I'll do it!" "Are you confident?" "I'm the strongest here. Of course, it's right for me to do it." Dick rubbed his cheek and glared at Mei-rin. "Hey, hey! It's not a problem to decide so simply. We need to approach it strategically! In my opinion, this practical evaluation seems almost like a push for Martial Arts, so teams with Martial Arts majors are at an advantage." "I think so too." Kamibarez quietly agreed with Dick. "Cyclops' attacks are heavy, making it difficult to block with defensive dark magic, and it consumes a lot of Jet Black. Evasion is the best option." Simon subtly turned his head to observe the other groups' movements. Other groups seemed to think the same way, as Martial Arts majors, who had struggled to find groups earlier, were now confidently voicing their opinions. Most groups with Martial Arts majors seemed likely to put them forward as the combatant. "No, my opinion is a bit contrary." Mei-rin returned to a calm expression and crossed her arms. "Did you forget? Only the combatant can directly attack the Cyclops. What offensive means do Martial Arts majors have right now? Just wildly punching with Jet Black-enhanced fists? How are they going to catch a Cyclops with thick hide with that?" "Ah…!" "That's certainly a problem." As Kamibarez and Simon agreed, Mei-rin chuckled and leaned back in her chair. "Then, Mei-rin, do you have a way to attack the Cyclops?" "Of course, Kami." She smiled confidently and spread her palm. A magic circle was drawn on her palm, and black flames flickered up from it. Kamibarez gasped. "Jet Black Elemental Magic's Dark Flare. Is this enough?" "Amazing! This magic already…!" Dick was displeased with Mei-rin's constant showing off, but Dark Flare was indeed impressive. "Then, I'll explain my plan." Mei-rin extinguished the black flames and leaned forward. "I'll face the Cyclops and burn it with Dark Flare. The three of you will all go for curses! If you keep stacking Exhaust curses to slow the Cyclops down, I can cleanly turn it into ashes!" Dick crossed his arms and clicked his tongue. "If that plan goes through, you'll shine, but we'll be completely out of luck, won't we? You, the curse specialist, are the one going in, and we just mechanically cast curses behind you?" "Then what's a better way than this? Tell me." Dick was speechless, unable to think of an immediate solution, but he twisted his attack. "First of all, that method assumes you can cast Dark Flare while dodging the Cyclops' attacks. Can you really dodge?" "What's there that I can't dodge?" "It seems your stamina is terrible. You were panting at the very end during the running in Martial Arts class, and you couldn't even jump across the valley properly, so Professor Hongpeng had to help you." This time, Mei-rin's face flushed hot. "T-That's true, but…! No! Shouldn't you, the curse specialists, prevent me from being attacked in the first place? If I get hit, it means your curses are terrible!" "We're not even specialists in curses to begin with!" As Mei-rin and Dick growled at each other, Kamibarez, caught in the middle, nervously darted her head back and forth. Thud! The two flinched and turned their heads. Simon, who had slammed his palm on the desk, wore a serious expression. "Then let's do this."
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