“Miss Liakade, why do you all look so serious?”
There were five people in the carriage.
Chloe sat in the same carriage as Liakade and the others this time, and she looked at the serious expressions around her with a puzzled look.
“Ah, that’s because…”
“Because they have no confidence in the exam, I guess.”
Before Alice could answer, Sistem cut her off and answered on behalf of everyone, making Alice look a bit embarrassed.
“I see.”
Chloe gave a small laugh.
“Pfft, you’re all so amazing, yet you still get nervous over the exam.”
“This is the final exam, anyone would be nervous.”
Liakade explained to Chloe naturally.
“Speaking of which, even Her Highness Sistem came along.”
“After all, it’s my little sister taking the exam. I’m a bit worried about her.”
“You… whatever.”
Field, who wanted to argue with Sistem, just opened her mouth but didn’t say more.
The four of them still hadn’t told Chloe about Darkness.
On one hand, it was to prevent Darkness from eavesdropping, and on the other, it was to avoid making Chloe anxious. If she got scared after hearing it and acted unnaturally, it could expose information, which would be bad.
The journey to Bibo Gorge was uneventful, and Liakade’s group arrived smoothly at the assessment site.
Since this time the location was a bit far, the academy had specially set up a camp at the outermost edge of Bibo Gorge to provide some security for the teachers and students coming from the academy.
***
“Alright, we’ve arrived at the assessment site. Everyone, get off.”
As the carriage came to a stop, the Mage Teacher and Grade Director had already gotten out and were standing at the entrance of the camp, calling the other students to disembark.
Liakade and the others quickly got off the carriage upon hearing the Mage Teacher’s voice.
“Everyone, let’s rest for a bit before we prepare to enter Bibo Gorge.”
After all the students had gotten off, the Mage Teacher instructed the guards to lead the carriages to the stable, while the Grade Director stood in front of the students and began explaining the assessment rules.
“The students in this batch are generally stronger than in previous years. Therefore, the difficulty of this assessment has increased, so everyone must pay attention to their safety.”
To the listeners, the Grade Director’s words sounded perfectly reasonable.
This year had students with high magical talent like Liakade, Field, and Alice.
Increasing the difficulty of the assessment was only natural.
If not for the memories from before the transmigration, Liakade would have also found the increased difficulty reasonable.
However, in the original story, the first-year students with overall strength equal to or even greater than now faced a lower difficulty in the assessment.
That was suspicious.
“This time, like the midterm exam, special Guardian Amulets will be used to record the types and numbers of monsters you defeat, which will determine your grades.”
As the Grade Director spoke, he distributed the Guardian Amulets.
“This assessment is rather dangerous, so I and several other teachers will proceed with you. Of course, we won’t intervene directly—only protect you from the shadows. You’d best not act alone. Even if you must, stay near the periphery.”
“The assessment lasts a full day. Now—the exam begins!”
After giving careful instructions, the Grade Director announced the start of the exam, and the students began entering the gorge.
Liakade gave Alice a look.
Alice used Light Element discreetly to check the Guardian Amulets for anomalies.
Finding nothing unusual, Liakade’s group entered the gorge.
***
“Wait, you few.”
Before Liakade and the others could enter, the Grade Director stopped them.
“Her Highness Sistem, what are you doing? You can’t just go in with them.”
“I’m only following my little sister. This exam is dangerous for her, so I want to accompany her personally. Don’t worry. I won’t act unless they’re in danger. Is that not allowed?”
Sistem explained to the Grade Director.
“Ah…”
The Grade Director stroked his graying beard awkwardly.
“That won’t do, Her Highness Sistem. Even as a royal, you can’t break the rules. This is a test for the students. If you’re always by her side, your sister won’t be able to grow.”
“Exactly. Don’t follow me, Sistem.”
Field also urged Sistem to leave.
However, Field’s line was arranged by Liakade in advance.
It was meant to make Darkness let down her guard, making her think one threat had been removed.
Afterwards, Sistem would secretly sneak into the gorge.
Darkness had Shadow Magic to hide herself, and Sistem had her own unique way of concealing her presence.
When the time came, she could appear suddenly and catch Darkness off guard.
“…Fine, since you insist. Hah, foolish sister.”
Field frowned and glared at Sistem in annoyance.
Because, it seemed the line “foolish sister” wasn’t in the original script.
“Thank you for understanding our intentions.”
The Grade Director bowed to Sistem.
“Alright, you all go in as well.”
Sistem watched as Liakade’s group entered the gorge, then turned and went back to the camp to rest.
***
[Hehe…how stupid. To think a threat could be eliminated so easily. Hahahahaha]
Hidden in the shadows, Darkness was still smug, thinking she had easily gotten rid of a powerful opponent.
In reality, the one who had fallen into the trap was Darkness herself.
The true hunter often appears in the guise of prey.
***
Because of the increased difficulty of the assessment, the original three-person squad was upgraded to a four-person team.
Liakade pulled Chloe, who happened to be in the same carriage, into the group.
“To think I get to team up with you all. I’m so happy.”
Chloe, who had successfully formed a team with Liakade’s group, was a bit excited.
After all, Liakade’s group was renowned in the academy.
Festival Flower and White Devil—Liakade.
The Second Princess of the Kingdom, Blazing Valkyrie—Field.
Dawn of Light—Alice.
Among them, Liakade was even her mentor.
It was Liakade’s speech at the Cultural Festival that helped Chloe realize her true feelings.
So to team up with Liakade’s group, Chloe naturally felt honored.
And for Chloe’s inclusion, Liakade and the others silently agreed.
First, Chloe was an Earth Element Magic user, which perfectly covered their defensive gap.
Second, Chloe’s level wasn’t low; she was also a Festival Flower nominee.
Her level had reached LV.36 during the tests a few days ago, making her fully qualified as a team member.
Lastly, there was a minor point—whether or not she was included didn’t matter much.
With the team expanding to four, although Liakade’s group didn’t want to involve Chloe, since she was in the same carriage, if they insisted on acting as three, they would have to exclude Chloe, forcing her to find another team.
Also, that would make Liakade’s group seem unnatural, increasing the chance of arousing Darkness’s suspicion.
So Liakade’s group simply let Chloe join, further strengthening their team.
“Haha.”
Liakade laughed lightly, half-jokingly.
“So happy to be in our group? But this exam is still pretty dangerous.
Since you’ve joined, no matter what happens, don’t be afraid, okay?”
“Of course!”
Liakade glanced back unconsciously.
So, where are you hiding?
Or have you possessed someone?
The Mage Teacher?
The Grade Director?
Or… is it another teacher or high-ranking official?