I Became an Illegal Cheat User

62 – Midterm Evaluation (1)

Midterm evaluation.

In a regular school, a midterm evaluation refers to the tests conducted to assess a student’s academic progress.

In contrast, at Arena Academy, the midterm evaluation is a period to assess how much a student’s skills have improved.

Of course, unlike the large events that occur once a year, such as the duel season where rankings are established and classes are changed, nothing like that happens here.

In other words, even if one were to intentionally fail as soon as the midterm evaluation starts, there would be no repercussions.

That said, there’s no student who would take the evaluation lightly.

And rightly so, because while there may be no penalties, it is still an evaluation.

Just like during the entrance exam, instructors will be monitoring and recording evaluations in the student records.

Unless one decides to quit being a hero, they will do their best to join a good guild.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been in the auditorium.”

“Right? Has it been five months since the entrance exam?”

“It was really cold back then, but now it’s really hot.”

“That’s just how the weather is in Korea.”

Under the guidance of the supervising instructor for each class, students from classes A, B, and C began to gather in the auditorium.

It seemed they were planning to move with a large-scale teleportation by the principal, just like during the last entrance ceremony.

But contrary to my thoughts.

“Is everyone here?”

The person who appeared as the floor of the podium opened was not the principal.

“Huh? That’s not the principal?”

“Right? Who is that? Is she an instructor?”

“…Wow, she’s really pretty.”

As a woman, not the principal, appeared on the podium, the students began to murmur.

And as one student remarked, she was indeed stunningly beautiful.

Her red bob cut fell to her shoulders, and her scarlet eyes sparkled.

With a captivating appearance that would make anyone, man or woman, turn their head.

Her white dress shirt and black dress pants complemented her athletic figure perfectly.

She looked as elegant and sophisticated as a daughter from a wealthy family, leaving most students from classes B and C gazing up at her in awe.

In contrast, class A, perhaps because they were used to seeing the likes of Lee Seo-yeon and Asuka, reacted differently.

“Well…, she is pretty, but is she really that amazing?”

“Hey, hey, we’re just used to Lee Seo-yeon and Asuka’s looks. If it weren’t for that, we’d probably be just as impressed.”

“…Isn’t that a bad thing? It means our standards have gotten really high.”

Unlike the students from classes B and C, they were not particularly moved.

I chuckled softly at my classmates’ reactions and looked at the woman on the podium.

The woman who appeared instead of the principal.

Her true identity was none other than the vice principal.

The reason the students didn’t know her well was that her information was registered on the academy’s intranet without a photo, simply as “Seong Yu-ri/Vice Principal.”

Moreover, she spent most of her days locked away in her office, research lab, or personal workshop.

‘The fact that the vice principal appeared instead of the principal means… it must be Korea’s turn to fulfill the duties of the transcendent.’

Otherwise, there was no way the busy vice principal would be here.

And so, the duties of the transcendent refer to the act of closing high-level rifts that even top-tier heroes find difficult to seal among the numerous fissures that arise on Earth.

“Make sure the instructors report the numbers.”

At the vice principal’s command, the instructors for each class began to report in succession.

“Class A total: 100 students, currently present: all 100 are here.”

“Class B total: 97 students, currently present: all 97 are here.”

“Class C total: 93 students, 3 hospitalized, currently present: 90 are here.”

…Ten students have already dropped out?

And it’s only the first semester?

As if agreeing with my thoughts, the vice principal frowned and spoke.

“It’s only the middle of the first semester, and already there are ten dropouts.”

The vice principal glared coldly at the instructors of Classes B and C as he continued.

“The leadership of these two instructors is highly questionable.”

“I-I’m sorry!”

At the vice principal’s words, the instructors of Classes B and C simultaneously took a stiff posture and shouted their apologies.

Seeing the two instructors like that, the vice principal let out a short sigh and turned to look at Kang Cheol-soo.

Then, as if he had never frowned, he wore a satisfied smile and said,

“Indeed, Instructor Kang Cheol-soo, unlike these two, you never disappoint me.”

At the vice principal’s words, the heads of the instructors from Classes B and C bowed in shame.

Kang Cheol-soo scratched the scar on his forehead, looking somewhat awkward.

But regardless, the vice principal continued to praise Kang Cheol-soo.

With each compliment, the faces of the two instructors turned red with embarrassment.

The students from the classes of the two instructors began to look at us with hostile eyes.

Feeling that hostility, I sighed and glanced at the vice principal.

“Please continue to be a model for the instructors.”

As the vice principal said this, his eyes briefly glanced at the two instructors.

Then, pulling his gaze away from Kang Cheol-soo, he looked around at the students of Classes B and C and nodded briefly.

‘…So it was intentional after all.’

Praising Kang Cheol-soo while undermining the pride of the two instructors.

This, in turn, ignited hostility among the students of the two instructors.

‘Even if our class is superior, must it be done this way?’

I thought to myself that this was the only reason the vice principal would act like this.

Making sure that the students from Class B and Class C don’t feel intimidated by our Class A.

And pushing their skills beyond their limits.

‘…Just like the vice principal of Arena Academy.’

The chairman sure loves talent, just like him.

&

“Before we begin the midterm evaluation, I will provide some important information.”

As the vice principal spoke, an alarm rang from the smart watches.

“Everyone, please check your smart watches.”

At those words, I raised my wrist, which was adorned with the smart watch.

────────────────────

[Midterm Evaluation Guidelines]

□ No killing allowed.

□ No outside food permitted.

□ No outside items allowed.

– Academy-produced items and supplies are permitted.

■ Violation of any of these three rules will result in immediate disqualification.

────────────────────

Hmm…, so we can use academy-produced items and supplies.

‘That means I can use most of my gear, right?’

Of course, I can’t use the Thunderbolt or the specially modified rifle since I bought those from the point shop.

But all the newly developed firearms, special ammunition, explosives, and various items were all produced by the academy.

‘I thought we’d have to use training weapons or rubber bullets like during regular practice.’

It seems that since this is a midterm evaluation, the conditions are quite generous.

“Has everyone checked?”

“”Yes!””

Nodding at the students’ shout, the vice principal snapped his fingers.

At that moment, the floor on the right side, including mine, shot up and stopped around waist height.

Then it split in half and opened, revealing a metallic bracelet, known as the ‘HP’ bracelet, and a scroll, just like the ones we saw during the entrance exam.

“Everyone, put the bracelet on your wrist.”

At the vice principal’s command, the students donned the bracelets without a moment’s hesitation.

I decided to test the bracelet and scroll with the system, just in case.

“Hmm, not bad.”

Only after confirming that there were no issues did I strap the bracelet onto my wrist.

Ding.

────────────────────

HP: ■■■■■■■■■■

────────────────────

The ‘HP’ bar appeared on the surface of the bracelet, and the students gazed down at it with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.

But that moment was fleeting.

“Has everyone put on their bracelets?”

“”Yes!””

“Then it’s time to tear the scrolls.”

At the vice principal’s command, everyone shifted their gaze from the bracelets to the scrolls.

With determination, they tore the scrolls apart.

Rip, screech! Screech!

The sound of scrolls being torn echoed all around.

As a result of the scrolls, a teleportation magic circle appeared beneath everyone’s feet.

And shortly after.

The magic circle activated, beginning to emit a bright light.

“Everyone, do your best to survive.”

With those final words from the vice principal.

Flash.

The scenery changed.

From the auditorium to a deserted island.

&

&

&

────────────────────

【Arena Academy 1st Year Midterm Evaluation】

The theme of the mid-evaluation is ‘Survival.’

Survive for a total of ‘5 days’ using the strength, skills, and knowledge you have accumulated so far.

– If you lose all the ‘HP’ on your bracelet, the evaluation for that student will end, and they will return to the auditorium.

– If you wish to forfeit the evaluation, press the forfeiture button on your smartwatch. Your remaining HP will be immediately lost, and you will return to the auditorium.

Tip 1: Supplies will be dropped once a day. The location is random.

– If you are near the supplies, an alarm will sound on your smartwatch.

Tip 2: Supplies are hidden throughout the island.

Tip 3: The island’s monsters are ‘edible.’

────────────────────

“Supplies will be dropped, huh….”

The mid-evaluation changes every round, so it’s always something new.

I lowered my hand, which was wearing the smartwatch, and looked around.

This time, unfortunately, we were moved to the beach instead of the forest.

“The beach doesn’t have many items….”

And the few items available on the beach are useless at my current level.

No, not just in this area, but all items in every area are useless.

The only items that might be of any use to me are the stealth-type items from the forest area or the observation-type items from the central area.

“Wait a minute… now that I think about it, wasn’t there an observation-type item called ‘Clairvoyance’?”

I smiled to myself at the sudden recollection of the item’s name and effect.

It’s no wonder, as the effect of the island-exclusive item ‘Clairvoyance’ is.

“The difficulty drops from easy to super easy?”

It allows you to observe all areas.

“How can I resist that?”

I’m going to find it right away.