When people call St. Eliria one of the elite academies, it's not just about the exclusivity of its students.
It's also about the facilities—and the technology.
Semi-automatic doors were a common sight in Lucien's previous world.
But a teleportation portal?
He was mildly worried he'd look like a total technophobe for not knowing how to use it.
Apparently, though, he wasn't alone.
That's probably why two staff members were stationed at the portal.
"Professor Lucien Arkwright?" One of them, a dark-haired man with light bronze skin, stepped forward to confirm.
"Yes. We've been granted permission to use … Field 110 for 'Applied Combat Simulation' from 8 AM," Lucien replied, double-checking the number in his mind.
Field 110?
Was that just a random number or did they seriously have more than a hundred outdoor facilities? Lucien didn't have the time to investigate.
The staff member nodded. "We'll have it ready shortly."
Lucien turned back to Class 1-F.
Look at them…
Just yesterday, some were openly yawning or playing games in class, and now they looked like model students.
Even Althea Crowne.
"I know most of you weren't paying attention yesterday, so I'll go over how this works—"
"No need!" someone interrupted. Vin Almeris, the tallest student in the class, stepped forward. "Basically, the group with the most flags by the end wins."
Lucien shrugged. "That's the short version, yes."
"Professor! The portal is ready!" one of the staff called out from behind.
"Keep in mind that while this is just a simulation, I'll still be grading you. A strong performance here will influence your monthly evaluations."
Lucien turned and walked toward the glowing portal, glancing back only to catch the glint of mischief in the eyes of Vin, Tessa, and Selene.
"…So, good luck."
*#*
Applied Combat Simulation was universally loved by students.
And why wouldn't it be?
It wasn't a boring theoretical class filled with reading, memorization, and presentations.
As the name implied, it was a battlefield simulation.
Many people didn't attend this academy just for degrees or the prestige of certified scholarship.
Their reason was far more primal—and practical: to become stronger.
That said, because of its risky nature, this kind of exercise usually only happened during monthly evaluations.
So Lucien understood the surprising enthusiasm.
Being the first to step through the portal, he was also the first to witness the 'grandeur' of Field 110.
It wasn't a field—it was a vast stretch of wilderness, hundreds of kilometers wide, covered in thickets, towering trees, and ominous swamps.
"Form lines according to your assigned groups."
There were four groups, each made up of up to five students.
With the exception of Rhea Calven, no one had skipped this time. Still, with an odd number of students, one group had to go in short.
Not that they'd mind.
Tessa Nightwell. Vin Almeris. Selene Linhardt. Althea Crowne.
All four were considered the strongest in Class 1-F.
Lucien had discovered that much from reviewing last month's evaluation results.
If there was one subject that didn't tank Althea's grades, it was Applied Combat Simulation.
She had scored 90 out of 100.
A high mark even compared to the top collective rankings.
The other three weren't to be underestimated either.
Selene Linhardt specialized in illusion magic—a relatively rare type in this world.
Tessa Nightwell had something called a Verdict, a hereditary talent linked to her clan's secret arts. Hers related to long-distance vision.
Vin Almeris, on the other hand, was the heir of House Almeris, known for passing down the role of royal military commander for generations.
"The rules are simple: targetting head or vital organs are prohibited. No attacking those who surrender or are seriously injured."
Lucien adjusted the timer in his hand. "You have one hour."
"…Starting now."
*#"
"I didn't expect you to suggest charging straight in, Selene." Althea, leading the way, crossed her arms as she spoke.
Selene Linhardt looked startled that Althea had spoken to her at all. "Uh, yeah… I just thought it'd be easier that way?"
"Easier?"
Selene immediately panicked. "I mean, we've got Tessa to guide us and Vin who can take down monsters in one hit."
Vin chimed in cheerfully. "Exactly, Lady Althea. I doubt this'll take even an hour."
"You sound awfully confident," Althea said coolly.
"Have you ever seen me otherwise?" Vin replied with a crooked smile.
Althea sighed. Maybe it's just my imagination. But she'd had a strange feeling ever since they were told their group was being 'handicapped' due to Rhea Calven's absence.
Maybe Lucien Arkwright was holding a grudge and wanted to humiliate her.
But that wasn't going to happen. Not even in his sweetest dreams.
Althea had never been the type to worry about fighting alone.
But now she was actually given capable teammates?
Was this his way of trying to 'compromise'?
Lucien Arkwright was trying to prove he could be a fair, supportive teacher.
Althea laughed internally.
Another futile effort from a walking corpse.
Just like all the others before him, Lucien would be discarded in four days. And Althea would be sitting in the front row, laughing as it happened.
"This way!"
Tessa Nightwell suddenly gestured them down a turn.
The objective of this simulation wasn't all that different from past ones: gather limited resources—in this case, flags.
There were five flags, each randomly placed. Each group was assigned to one. The team with the most flags at the end would be declared the winner.
No map was provided. Students were expected to sketch one themselves through exploration.
While not mandatory, those who did would receive bonus points.
Points that didn't mean much.
Unfortunately, the effort and hassle rarely justified the reward.
Rather than waste time, it was better to strategize against the other groups.
Everyone knew the real way to win this 'game' wasn't by finding the flags—but stealing them.
And Althea knew full well that if her team got the first flag, they'd become a prime target.
But … would they really?
Althea would defeat all of them eventually anyway.
So wouldn't it be better to bring them to her now?
And once their morale was crushed, Althea and her team could claim the rest uncontested.
"The flag… should be around here," said Tessa as they reached a towering teak tree that rose a hundred meters into the sky.
Around them, in a strangely beautiful contrast, there were only shrubs and low trees.
The flags had been placed a day earlier by the facility staff—people well-accustomed to handling complicated instructions.
Which was exactly why Althea doubted one would be hidden somewhere so exposed.
Still, without a word, Vin suddenly stepped forward. He approached a suspicious hole—about the size of two clenched fists—gaping open in the trunk of the teak tree.
"That's dan—"
Too late!
Vin had already leaned in, peeking into the hollow as if checking for something.
Then, just as suddenly, he reached inside.
"What are you—"
Once again, Althea's words were ignored. Vin pulled his hand back out—clutching a short wooden rod with a red flag attached to it.
"Got one," he announced, grinning in triumph.
"Nice find, Vin."
"You're amazing, Mr. Almeris!"
Althea, on the other hand, let out a sigh and clicked her tongue. "Next time, say something before you act. What if that had been a monster trap?"
Vin chuckled awkwardly and scratched his neck. "Sorry, Lady Althea. I just didn't want anyone from other group grab it first."
"Lady Althea!" Tessa suddenly called out.
Althea scoffed and looked up—just in time to spot a head of silver-bond hair drifting through the sky, watching them from above.
"It's started, huh."
Finally.