Survival Test (16)
After our sparring session, Alice and I arrived at the riverbank to wash off the sweat.
"I'm going behind that rock, so don't come over."
"I won't."
I braced myself for some colorful language if she caught me watching and decided to rinse off between two big rocks.
Splash—
I cast the Rune Barrier to guarantee our privacy, and make sure Lucy and Lumi were included as they cleaned up. Expanding its scope, I included Alice, with the center of the barrier focused on me.
"Don't forget we have until 50 minutes!"
"I know."
After dropping that reminder, I took my sweet time scrubbing away. It's a challenge to stay clean in this wild setting without a proper wash. I gave Alice a generous 30 minutes, but I was done in just 10.
Seriously, who takes that long to shower? Shampoo, body wash, and teeth brushing can be speedy affairs.
I lounged against the rock, waiting for Alice. Despite this survival scenario, I felt like we were on a camping trip, thanks to my preparation. The only downside was missing Liliana. A week without feeling the succubus' gentle body made me long for her.
I've become a slave to lust...
It seemed like ages, but still no sign of Alice. Wondering what's up, I peeked over the rock. To my surprise, she was already sitting there, fully clothed.
What's happening?
Observing Alice fidgeting in the corner and playing with something in her hands, I activated the status window.
★ Heroine Status
[Alice]
[Affection: 42]
[Lust: 62]
[Appetite: 17]
[Fatigue: 31]
Current Status: If I do it like this, there'll be a slight hole in the barrier. If I wrap the hole with mana, the chance of it not being noticed is high...
What's that noise?
I quickly checked the mana forming the Rune Barrier.
I don't sense any holes...? No, hold on.
A subtle sense of unease crept in. The mana shaping the Rune Barrier was indeed damaged, albeit ever so slightly. Even with my Mana Sensitivity, it was a minuscule difference that wouldn't register without careful attention.
Why go through all this trouble?
Despite Alice's knack for breaking my barriers, I couldn't comprehend why she'd make an effort to breach it. If her aim was to fight me by exploiting the barrier, I'd get it, but why bother creating a tiny opening that wouldn't expose me?
Let's put an end to this odd behavior right away.
"Alice, what are you doing?" Pretending ignorance, I emerged from behind the rock and called out to her.
"Nothing at all." She swiftly cleared her mana and stood up. If I hadn't anticipated it, her unchanged expression might have fooled me. Yet, in that short moment, I fully grasped the size of the gap. It was just big enough for a single finger, to be exact. It didn't seem like it was meant to harm me...
Could it be a peephole?
"..."
"Finished? Let's go."
"Yeah, sure."
Alice gave me a peculiar look as she stood there.
"Weren't you the one suggesting we seize the opportunity until tomorrow?"
"We've been silent until the 6th day, and now we're starting the Battle Royale. If that's the case, there will probably be an event on the last day tomorrow as well. Since we have the map now, instead of keeping too much distance, I think it's better to maintain a reasonable distance."
"Alright... Let's do as you say."
After convincing Alice with the prepared excuse, I looked at the twin sisters, who were looking at me with round eyes, and headed towards the center of the island.
***
The message also reached Kim Younghan's team, putting him in an unexpected and awkward situation. He certainly had considered facing Lee Hoyeon if they ran into each other, but actively seeking him out was not on his agenda. After all, this special test was about relative evaluation, and if it ended now, he could comfortably secure 3rd place without adding unnecessary complications.
Sure, his team boasted over 80 members, while Hoyeon had Alice, Lucy, and Lumi, totaling 4 members – a simple math equation resulting in a 20-fold difference. Despite the high probability of winning in the confrontation, he preferred not to take unnecessary risks.
He wanted to avoid the prospect of getting eliminated in a surprise attack and the chance of stirring ill feelings from Hoyeon were concerns, but it seemed like gathering too many bottom-tier students had created a problem.
"Let's off Lee Hoyeon!"
"Let's do it!"
"He's getting cozy with three girls in this test; I'm gonna put my damn all into taking him down."
The guys were making a commotion, targeting Lee Hoyeon.
Why stir up trouble now after enduring for six days?
While officially the team gathered to raid Lee Hoyeon's provisions, the significance had dwindled with only one day left. There was no need to initiate a fight and risk elimination at this point. However, Kim Younghan didn't anticipate that many students at the academy were indifferent to their grades. Those in the middle and lower ranks were treated similarly. They didn't even consider entering top guilds; instead, they planned to graduate and utilize their diplomas later.
Currently, Kim Younghan's team had plenty of such students. Since they accepted everyone they encountered into the team, the quality of the students was lacking. As the number of people increased, the difficulty of survival decreased. The number of students thinking, 'I've endured this far, let's just end it like this,' had also decreased. The remaining hope lay with the female students, but even they were adopting a wait-and-see approach.
"I'll take care of Lee Hoyeon." Nam Daeun, who had been silent until now, confidently declared.
"Haa... This is idiotic..." Kim Younghan ran his hand through his greasy hair and lowered his head.
"Captain! Let's quickly go kill Lee Hoyeon!"
"Fine... I don't know... Let's go."
If I stay put, I might catch some flak, being the point hoarder for the team.
What's worse is it might wreck the image I've carefully crafted at the academy. All that effort to make a splash when I announce myself as the heir to the Iron Blood Guild could be a waste.
Kim Younghan reluctantly headed towards the center of the island to aim at Lee Hoyeon.
***
In a professor's research lab, certificates, commendations, and research achievements adorned the walls, narrating the brilliant past achievements of the professor. Yet, upon closer inspection, these accolades hinted at a lack of clear results in the last 10 years. Within the confines of such a professor's lab, a student-clad man and the elderly professor were engaged in a conversation.
"Professor, I'm Shin Dongmin, the vice president of the student council. My opponent is just a freshman with no background; let's be crystal clear about that."
"Young man, are you fully aware of the potential repercussions if this becomes public knowledge?"
The material Shin Dongmin presented included a request to manipulate the friendly match arena during the festival.
"It will be fine. With you being a professor, it should be easily achievable."
"How did you end up like this? In your first year, you were a bright kid everyone had high expectations for..."
"Professor, considering your imminent retirement, you should plan for the future. I'll secure a place for you in the Shin Young Guild."
Shin Dongmin smiled faintly and locked eyes with the old professor.
"..."
Unable to utter a word, the professor silently pulled the documents towards himself.
"Well then, I'll be going. Please handle it well." With a slightly raised smile, Shin Dongmin exited the professor's office. As he left the building and walked for a while, he finally contorted his expression. "Tsk, that old raccoon. Does he truly think he can join Shin Young when he's practically decomposing?
Although Shin Dongmin had felt a slight unease about Lee Hoyeon's strength after watching the one-on-one duels, he was now relieved.
No matter how talented that guy thinks he is, it's just gonna be a fight between a fire mage and a water mage. Not only do I have the elemental upper hand, but we're also doing it on a little buoy in the middle of the sea.
"Bastard. Just you wait..." Confident in his victory, Shin Dongmin strolled away, placing his hand in his pocket.