NOVEL NEXT Chapter 126
Boom!
As the Magic Power bomb exploded, the selection test commenced, and the motivated students entered the first area, the Forest, in unison.
The goal of the test is to reach zones 4 and 5, the Valley of Death and the Ruins of the Magic Tower, but it ultimately results in relative evaluation through scoring.
Students can acquire scores corresponding to monsters defeated or named bosses killed, which get logged into the party leader’s Magical Item.
Of course, freely exploring the island depends on the students’ judgment in the meantime.
Hidden throughout the island are additional scores and supplies stashed by the Academy. As the students progress into higher zones, they can earn more points, so to gain a lot of points within the time limit, they must move deeper quickly.
Thus, ultimately, the five members of the party with the highest scores will all report to each committee and become aspiring heroes, while the runner-up and third-place parties will partially apply the same criteria.
And in section 11, Edwin’s party was also cutting through the Forest.
In the back of this party, the girl right in front of Lev Denec, Aria Bluebell, recalled the events of the previous night.
“Shall we go to your room?”
“I like that, Aria… I truly do.”
‘The Lev I know…’
For now, focusing on the selection test was the priority.
‘But I thought you would apologize before we set off…’
Since the moment Aria had exchanged long glances with Lev just moments ago, no, even before that, she had been waiting for his apology.
When he first stole her lips, and she returned alone to her room that night…
“You’re a bad person… That’s mean. Really mean…!”
Holding back the tears that threatened to spill, she swore she wouldn’t engage with him anymore.
But now, things are different.
He is a colleague she must get through the test with, and she can’t keep distancing herself from him forever.
So, if he sincerely apologized, she would reluctantly accept it.
But he…
The one right behind her…
Hadn’t said a word to Aria.
However, it couldn’t be seen as complete disregard.
“I’ll carry it…!”
Thud.
“…”
As the path grew treacherous, Lev stepped up to take the load that Aria was supposed to carry…
He made sure to keep an eye around in case he needed to chant magic at any moment.
At that moment,
“Aria, Barrier.”
His low voice replayed in her imagination from behind.
“…What?”
When Aria halted her thoughts and returned to reality, it was already a beat too late.
Monsters ambushed them. The battle had begun.
“Aria, snap out of it! Barrier!”
Edwin, the party leader, continued giving orders.
“Y-Yes!”
Just as Aria was trying to concentrate,
Grrr!!
Black flame-maned wolf-like monsters lunged at her all at once.
“Ugh!!”
It was the moment she squeezed her eyes shut.
Whoosh!
Thwack!
Gak!
Lev, still expressionless, quickly threw a dagger to drive one back and executed a regrip to stab the remaining one in the nape.
Crack!
However, it seemed to be the head of a violet-maned variety, which didn’t die from just one strike.
Crunch!
It bit down on Lev’s hand, but he only furrowed his brow slightly before,
Whoosh…!
Squelch…
He completely cut off the creature’s breath.
Thud.
“Are you guys okay?!”
“Lev…! Aria!”
Edwin and Yeriel, who had been in the front, defeated the remaining monsters and approached the two.
“I’m fine.”
“I’m okay…!”
For a moment, her mind wandered, causing her not to do what she was supposed to as a healer.
As a result, Lev—who had been at the back—was injured.
“No matter how early it is, focus! Lily is working hard too.”
“That’s right. Aria is our only healer. We’ll try to protect you as much as we can…”
“Everyone, I’m sorry.”
“…”
Lev only wrapped some bandages around his hand as if nothing mattered.
After seeing that, Aria carefully approached him.
“That healing…!”
“Considering how things might go, let’s save the Sacred Power for now. We’ll do it all at once when we find a safe base.”
“Okay…”
*
When we got down to the creek of the Forest,
Ding!
The sound of the Magic Amplification was heard.
Section 3. We deem further progress impossible, so we’ll wait here. Please send a guardian.
A few hours after the test began, the first eliminated group, decided by the student committee, had been called.
“Already?”
“Since section 3 departed quite early… They must have had many encounters.”
Hearing this silently, I halted the party upon spotting a large rock.
“Let’s use this place as our base for today.”
Then, the team’s lieutenant and the front-liners, Lily and Edwin, simultaneously asked me.
“Huh? Lily isn’t tired yet?”
“Uh, Lev… Isn’t it too early to decide on a campsite?”
I slowly explained to the four of them.
“The Magic Concentration density thickens from section 2, the reed fields. Since we need to rest for a long time anyway, I think it’s better to set up here at the edge of section 1 and get organized as much as possible.”
Thank goodness, everyone listened quietly.
“Besides, it’s everyone’s first night outdoors, right?”
“Exactly, Lily’s excited!”
“Right.”
“So we need to get used to it. The Forest gets dark quickly, and today we’ll need more time since we need to distribute roles.”
“Roles?”
In response to Edwin’s question, this time Yeriel answered instead of me.
“Meal duty and night watch duty, right? Plus, setting up spaces for everyone to rest is also part of the task.”
“Yay!”
Then Lily nodded vigorously and said, puffed up with pride.
“Just as I thought, Lev! I didn’t pick a guy for no reason!”
I brushed off the leaves stuck to her oversized active wear while saying,
“From now on, Edwin will search the area. Just check for anything dangerous. The four of us will split into two groups for food prep and tent setup.”
“Okay!”
“Got it.”
…
The results of the lottery were in.
The food prep team was Yeriel and Lily.
The tent setup team would be me and Aria.
“I’ll slowly make a dish that’s light yet hearty…!”
“I wanna work with Lev, though…”
“Come on, don’t say that, Lily…! I’ll count on you!”
“Okay~”
Yeriel shot me a bright smile and took Lily away, disappearing quite far.
It felt like she was hinting at Aria and me to have a good talk and reconcile.
Thump… Thump!
As I quietly started to select the spot for the tent, Aria came toward me.
“Can you give me a hand?”
“Oh, it’s fine. It’s better to save…”
“Please.”
In response to her cold tone, I hesitantly extended my hand. Aria flinched for a moment but gently held my hand afterward.
Shhh.
There was a slight tremor in Aria’s hand as she cast the healing spell.
Once the healing was complete, she said,
“Thanks.”
At my expression of gratitude, Aria lifted her head slightly.
“I’ll keep a close watch from now on without getting distracted.”
“Yeah, watch as closely as you can.”
“It’s not watching, it’s observing… I couldn’t fulfill my duty because I got distracted.”
As I nodded and turned to the other side, Aria began to follow me closely, seemingly wanting to continue the conversation.
Thump… Thump!
“About that, you said you’d take revenge for me, right?”
“Yeah, I said that.”
“So, I’m just helping you ensure nothing major happens. I’m just being a party member. There’s no other meaning.”
“Really sweet of you, Aria.”
“…”
At my mumbled compliment, her steps came to an abrupt halt.
“…Is that all?”
“…?”
“Words you want to say to me, Lev.”
“…”
“I see.”
Aria clenched her fist and continued speaking.
“The Lev I know, the one I’ve started to like… isn’t this way…”
“…”
“Are you keeping your distance because of Yeriel? If that’s the case, please tell me freely! Just being a colleague with you is enough for me…!”
Why is she so kind?
“Then please don’t act like someone I dislike so much…”
“Aria.”
“…?”
“The desire for revenge against Andras… is it solid?”
“…Yes?”
“I know it’s selfish, but will you promise me?”
“What about…?”
“Should we encounter Andras, please ensure that he can be completely annihilated.”
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say…”
“Please, I’ll ask you with your hands.”
Aria avoided my gaze and spoke with anxiety.
“…W-Why are you suddenly telling me this?”
“…Please.”
“If you don’t tell me the reason… I can’t promise you.”
“……”
Aria’s firm expression.
Now it couldn’t be helped.
—————————————————
[Prologue of Resurrection] [No Level] (General Trait)
: Upon a successful resurrection, you steal one of the skills from the target that killed you at random. (Can be used once)
’The resurrected soul of [Pitbit Jae] spreads its fiery wings to leap into a better future…’
– Hero, Kroon
Acquisition difficulty: Slightly Difficult
—————————————————
The only way to face Markosias.
And the only way for everyone is for me to die.
This is the only way.
…
…
…
[Remaining Time: 66 hours 30 minutes 14 seconds (Quest timer starts when the pop-up appears)]
I struggled to open my tightly sealed mouth.
“Aria, I know it’s hard to believe, but please listen to me until the end.”
“…?”
And with my hand covering my eyes and forehead, I poured it all out.
“…The Great Demon Andras is dead.”
“……Huh…?”
I pleaded with a trembling voice, desperately pushing the truth.
“I… killed him.”