Two days had passed, and the day the first-year students had been waiting for had finally arrived.
It was the day the first-year students would go on a scavenger hunt outside the academy.
A tradition designed to assess their survival skills, strategy, and teamwork.
Everyone who wished to participate was required to submit a permission slip to the academy's vice principal, Fiona, through their respective homeroom teachers.
Every document was rigorously reviewed, ensuring no protocol violations could jeopardize the students' safety.
However, Wim and Lucius were under the supervision of Kryuger, who acted as a substitute for their seniors.
For them, the formal permission slip was unnecessary.
And Wim already knew where they were headed.
Ullanor Cemetery
That was where the fourth episode would take place. In the game, it was just an EXP-gathering episode, but Wim knew that Luna, Louisa, Morian, and everyone else were participating.
The enemy they would face was an Arcane Necromancer.
He could summon the Undead without any hindrance, which gave them a substantial amount of EXP and reasonable compensation.
Wim actually didn't want to get too involved, as Lucius, who was supposed to be with them, would be able to handle it.
However, now that he and Lucius were in the same group as Kryuger's punishment, he had no choice but to do so. He also wanted to find an item there.
So, he began planning to defeat the Necromancer first, along with Lucius, so Luna and the others could safely hunt.
They entered Kryuger's office and requested permission to hunt there.
Instructor Kryuger began examining the cemetery map on the wall: Ullanor Cemetery, a location known for its mid-level monsters. The atmosphere in the office grew tense.
[Author's Note: Kryuger will now use the word 'instructor' for non-academic instructors.]
Instructor Kryuger: "You want to go to Ullanor? In your first year?"
Kryuger asked skeptically.
Instructor Kryuger: "That place is dangerous. Usually only seniors or advanced students are allowed."
Although initially hesitant, Kryuger began to have a moment of enlightenment. He realized that giving Wim and Lucius a chance to face this challenge might be a useful lesson for them.
However, his sharp gaze was not without concern; The two first-year students faced great risks, especially without any seniors other than himself.
Finally, Kryuger began to speak.
Kryuger: "Well... Since you're currently under punishment and under my supervision, I'll grant your request. But this isn't a reward. This is a test... and if you fail, the consequences will be severe," he said with a sigh.
Wim held back a small smile, his eyes gleaming as his request was granted.
But at that moment, Kryuger added something that made Wim's face turn pale.
Kryuger: "But before you could apply for this place, someone else already requested permission to go there."
Hearing that, Wim began to ask who it was.
Wim: "Really, who...?"
Kryuger looked at them seriously, then pointed to a list of names already written on a document.
Instructor Kryuger: "Luna, Louisa, Morian, Ken, Maria, Edward, several students from the Dralan club, and two seniors who will accompany them. They've already applied." "Permission."
Wim was silent, his mouth slightly open. His eyes widened, almost in disbelief.
What other variables had caused them to request permission before them?
But Wim couldn't stay silent; for now, he had to get Lucius there as soon as possible.
...
(Ullanor Cemetery Station - Anchorage West District)
Upon arriving by train, they saw something very surprising in front of the cemetery gate.
Dozens of citizens, students, and city guards were gathered in front of the cemetery gate, made of rusted black iron. Above it, moss-covered gargoyles watched with blank stares. A line of Anchorage police officers, complete with humanoid automatons in silver armor, stood at attention, magic weapons at the ready, blocking the entrance.
Kryuger then stepped forward with firm steps and asked one of the officers there.
Kryuger: "What's going on here? Why is the entrance closed?"
The police officer, recognizing Kryuger's uniform as one of the instructors at Unio Academy, began to salute him.
Anchorage Police: "The Ullanor Cemetery has suddenly gone wild, sir. The monsters inside suddenly went on a rampage a few minutes ago. We don't know the cause, but for the safety of the residents, the gates have been closed. Unfortunately... Some students entered before we blocked it. We are also waiting for reinforcements from the Steel Academy Arcane Force and the Arbiter to call for help."
Kryuger sighed heavily. His eyes sharpened. He knew this was no coincidence. Wim, on the other hand, knew as well. The Necromancer was the reason all the monsters in the cemetery were becoming more aggressive.
Then he began to ask Lucius to follow him, even though Lucius himself asked why. However, Wim cut him off with a "You'll understand later" and grabbed his arm.
They began entering the cemetery without Instructor Kryuger noticing.
Fortunately, Wim had brought some potions he had concocted himself as additional tools to combat the Necromancer, which he kept in his bag.
As soon as they set foot in the cemetery, a dark air immediately pierced them. A thick fog hung low, shrouding the rows of ancient tombstones.
From behind the crumbling mausoleum, their first horde of creatures emerged: Fangires, giant bats with torn wings and glowing red eyes. They opened their mouths, releasing a wave of magical sound that echoed through their ears.
Fortunately, Lucius and Wim were able to handle them on their own.
Lucius, using his crystal magic, used a crystal weapon-forming technique to easily attack the Fangires.
Meanwhile, Wim was having a bit of trouble with these Fangires. But thanks to his gaming experience, he managed to overcome it by using his The Hidden device, set to Sword mode.
Crack, Slash
One by one, the Fangires fell, leaving nothing behind.
Then, Wim asked Art for help finding Luna and the others.
Wim: "Art, please find Luna and the other students."
Art: "You can count on me for the sky."
WRIIIIWW
Art began to soar into the air to get a good vantage point to find Luna.
Wim also put on his Glass Art goggles, synchronizing his vision. Now he saw what Art saw: a stretch of broken gravestones, a collapsed mausoleum, and in the distance… a group of students surrounded by a horde of undead.
They had managed to find them all. They appeared to be surrounded, with dozens of Undead surrounding them.
Louisa's voice could be heard faintly in the synchronized vision, chanting a fire spell. Luna fired ice magic, freezing two undead at once, but their numbers continued to grow.
Wim knew something was wrong with the vast number of Undead.
In magic, Necromancer spells can only summon a limited number of Undead of varying numbers and qualities.
If the number of Undead was extremely large and of exceptionally high quality, it would be impossible for Necromancers to summon this number at such a high level. It would likely drain their life energy.
However, there was one thing that could break that condition: having another vessel that could serve as a reflection of themselves.
Wim: "Art, find the source."
Art widened the search radius and discovered a distinct figure. Behind a large mausoleum, it appeared to be a hooded Undead, wearing a tattered black robe, holding a skull staff.
From that, Wim already knew what kind of monster it was: an Undead Summoner. It was no wonder the Undead were so numerous and of such high quality.
They then advanced towards the Undead Summoner.
.... As soon as they arrived, the sound of a dark incantation echoed, and the ground trembled. From beneath the ground, gnarled hands emerged. The Undead Summoner turned, his empty eyes glowing green, and he raised his staff again.
Lucius was ready to fight, but Wim already had a plan. He knew that facing that level of Undead would result in his defeat, so he chose another path.
He switched from Sword mode to grapple hook. Then, he shot at the mausoleum pillar behind the Undead Summoner, the energy hook snagging on the cracked mausoleum pillar. He then pulled, bringing the entire pillar down, right on top of the Summoner.
Dummm!!
The pillar collapsed and hit the Summoner, shattering his staff. The creature roared for a moment before crumbling into black dust.
Lucius fell silent, staring at Wim in disbelief.
Lucius: "You... you took it down without a fight?"
Wim: "Hey, why bother if you can hurry?" he replied, patting the dust off his gloves and smiling awkwardly.
Wim: "Come on, we have to check on them all now," he said, patting Lucius's shirt.
Art: "Wim, wait!"
With light but careful steps, Wim and Lucius hurried towards Luna and the other students.