Chapter 304
"Dear Keyzen students!"
This time, at last, Endolas, having secured a definite opportunity for free speech, began a long speech.
"It is regrettable that my game has been scaled down, however, if after the grueling classes, the students can, even for a brief moment, forget such fatigue within the world I have created! That is an element I cannot deny is in perfect accord with the ultimate value of making games! That is why I agreed to the after-school BMAT!"
Every time Endolas spoke, the large hat on his head swished left and right.
"The collaboration with the faculty is also complete! I've even added several class-related games! Please, enjoy the new adventures to your heart's content. Now, you may open the rulebook you've placed on your laps!"
The students, as if they had been waiting for this, brought Endolas' Game Rulebook up onto the round table and opened it.
"Of course, what game we play is important, but a test is still a test! Please confirm the most important rules first!"
The rules appeared on the central screen as well.
A total of 4 tests, planned 1–2 times a week.
Test time is 4 hours, even if time ends, ongoing games will continue.
A maximum of two cards can be obtained in a single day.
Wear the protective vest provided by Keyzen before starting the test.
Combat between students is permitted.
If your barrier gauge reaches 0 due to a monster's attack or another student's attack during the game, that day's test is completely over.
Simon's eyes gleamed seriously.
The number of cards you can get in a day is limited to two.
Since there will be a total of four tests, the maximum number of cards one can obtain is eight. Any student who collects fewer than five cards will be expelled.
"If you take even one day off, it's dangerous."
Kamibarez muttered in a tense voice.
"Very well, Keyzen students! Then now—"
Endolas glanced at his wristwatch.
"In exactly one hour, we shall begin the first game!"
"What?!"
One hour later?!
The students erupted in commotion.
"We're doomed!"
"You said you'd give us plenty of time to prepare a strategy!"
To the protest of a student seated in front, Aron replied with a blank expression.
"Isn't one hour enough?"
This swindler!
The students, lit on fire, began quickly discussing strategies.
"What about you guys, what will you do?"
Everyone had different strategies in mind.
Dick decided to go conduct a siege battle, Kamibarez decided to collect seven blue cards likely tied to Haematology-related games to aim for an extra +3 points, and Maelyn decided to adjust her strategy flexibly according to the cards she collected.
Of course, Simon was planning to collect seven different cards.
"I heard there's a player limit for each game."
Maelyn said.
"So let's make this game a solo match, each of us will scatter to get the cards we want, and gather as much information as possible to share."
"Okay!"
Everyone nodded. Maelyn tapped the guidebook with her index finger.
"Then from now on, get familiar with the detailed rules, there's always someone on the first day who freezes up because of the rules."
While the students busily devised strategies or reviewed the rules, the assistants moved around busily, providing students with protective vests. Everyone wore them over their uniforms.
"Then I wish you all good luck!"
Endolas spread his arms wide, and the bundles of cards in his hands scattered like they were bursting into the sky, flying into the hands of the students.
"Ah."
A card also landed in Simon's hands.
It bore the name Simon Follentia, and beneath it, Major: Summonology.
'So that's why they told us to fill out the paperwork.'
"This is an official rule, please attach your card to the right chest of your protective vest."
When Simon placed the card on his chest, it stuck there like a sticker.
It looked just like a name tag. With this, you could also see other students' majors.
"And now, I have news you will like!"
Endolas said.
"In the game, there will be items helpful for the test, as well as plenty of prizes such as expensive artifacts and special weapons! I hope you will all do your very best!"
At the mention of prizes, the students' eyes shone even brighter.
"Now, 10 minutes left! You may scatter if you wish. Good luck!"
"Wooaaahhh!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the students in the grand hall stepped onto Darkness and soared up, the main entrance too crowded so some even broke the windows and leapt out—it was utter chaos.
Explosive enthusiasm.
Simon also curled his lips into a smile, stepping on the wall to leap up and pass through a window broken by other students.
He intended to head outside first. The test range included the entirety of Roke Island. Rather than the campus, where crowds were certain, he wanted to try heading farther away.
Wooooooong!
At that moment, a blue curtain-like barrier spread out from the center of the Keyzen campus, enveloping the buildings. It was a barrier-type black magic installed to prevent damage to the buildings or decorations during student battles.
At the same time, a voice came from the card attached to Simon's chest.
— The test begins!
— Combat between students is now permitted.
— From now on, you may challenge games and collect cards.
Boooom!
Kwagang!
The moment the test began, explosions rang out in succession from the direction of the campus.
They can't even wait to fight.
Even if combat was allowed, the only benefit would be to stop competitors in this test. As Simon continued to run forward, a mana screen spread from the card on his chest.
[If you win against the following student in combat, you will receive 1 additional point.]
[Jin Hayden]
'Oh.'
This was a new rule.
One point wasn't bad. Even if it wasn't a card, each card was worth one point anyway.
Still, this was a mission worth attempting only after first acquiring two cards.
'First, card collection!'
Simon was sprinting across the empty field, having left the Keyzen campus.
There were plenty of other students nearby. They only glared at each other warily, but fortunately, none took the initiative to attack.
'Ah!'
At that moment, he luckily spotted a card stuck right against a tree.
Simon grinned from ear to ear and approached.
'A navy-colored card!'
But there was text written on it.
[Difficulty: Low.]
[Number of entrants: 1 person.]
[Entry condition: Major in Toxicology]
'Damn, I can't enter this room.'
Simon immediately let go of any lingering attachment and turned away.
Not knowing when she had arrived, a female student who had been hesitating behind him flinched, and took up a combat stance.
Simon smiled and said,
"I'm not interested, so go ahead and check it."
"...Huh? Oh, thanks."
Simon left right away.
She cautiously approached, and as soon as she checked, she touched the card. Apparently a Toxicology major, she was immediately sucked into the card.
'I want to find one quickly too.'
"Hey! Hey! Wait a second!"
Two male students were waving their hands. They were standing as if guarding a card in front of a rock.
"Are you a Spiritology major by any chance?"
"If a Spiritology major comes, we can start right away!"
Simon stopped walking, and looked at the card stuck to the rock.
[Difficulty: Medium.]
[Number of entrants: 3 people.]
[Entry conditions: Darkness Dynamics major, Katarology major, Spiritology major.]
'Interesting, so there are joint missions too.'
Simon waved his hand.
"Sorry, I'm a Summonology major."
At that moment, the expression of one student, who had been staring blankly at Simon, stiffened.
'Si, Simon Follentia!'
He had been unsure from the distance, but it was definitely the famous Special Admit No. 1.
If they ended up fighting, it would be the end, but fortunately, Simon left as if he had no interest. Everyone seemed focused on finding cards.
Continuing to search the surroundings while running, Simon gradually became impatient.
'Finding a card isn't the end, the conditions keep blocking me.'
Simon left the field and entered a nearby valley with water trickling along. There were fewer people here.
'Ah!'
In the valley, he noticed an abnormal water flow, and right in the middle of the swirling stream, a single card was floating.
Simon moved down a little and examined the card. It was a navy-colored card.
[Difficulty: Medium.]
[Number of entrants: 1 person.]
[Condition: None.]
"This is it!"
Simon immediately stepped onto Darkness and leapt toward the valley, then in midair, brought both legs together and aimed toward the card.
As soon as both feet touched the card, shwoooop—his body was sucked inside.
[Entering a new game.]
Splash, splash!
Whoooshhhh!
Simon opened his eyes to a spray of water hitting his face.
The sound of rushing water filled his ears, his stomach churned, and his vision swayed.
"...W-where is this?"
The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was wood grain. Smelling the strong scent of tree sap, Simon lifted his head and widened his eyes.
'A raft?'
Whoooshhhh!
Simon quickly scanned his surroundings.
Just moments ago, it had been the gently flowing valley water near the Keyzen walls, but suddenly, he found himself on a raft being carried by a tremendous current.
Moreover, the surroundings were a lush jungle far removed from the vegetation of Roke Island. Simon was crossing a river running through the heart of the jungle.
'What's going on here?'
While Simon looked around in confusion, a groaning sound came from beside him.
He quickly turned and saw a female student in a Keyzen uniform collapsed.
It was someone Simon knew very well.
"Class Rep!"
It was Jaime Victoria, the honorary class representative of Class A.
"Wake up! Class Rep!"
Simon urgently shook her, and the still figure finally rubbed her eyes and raised her upper body.
"Who... Ah!"
She rubbed her eyes and, upon finally looking ahead, let out a short scream and pointed at Simon.
"Si, Simon? Why are you here?"
"I don't know either."
Simon shrugged. Jaime, looking somewhat dazed, glanced around.
"I'm sure I entered the card alone."
"I came alone too."
Apparently, there were cards that randomly connected students together.
Just then, a mana screen appeared before the two of them.
[Objective: Survive until reaching the destination.]
"A survival mission, lucky us."
Now seeming to have regained her senses, Jaime stood up.
Then, with a bright smile, she extended her hand.
"This is my first time teaming up with you, Simon, I look forward to working with you!"
Once again, Simon was reminded of Jaime's friendliness. She was someone who got along with everyone in Class A.
"Yeah, let's do well."
The two lightly shook hands and quickly set to work.
They had only one precarious raft in the middle of a raging river, with dense jungle growth on either side.
Simon wore a serious expression, deep in thought.
'Survive until reaching the destination. If we want to get there quickly, I think we have to stay on this raft.'
"Look at this, Simon."
Jaime held up a pair of oars.
"Maybe we're supposed to steer with these?"
"Right."
Nodding, Simon carefully surveyed their surroundings. The goal was survival, so there was no way they'd be allowed to just drift peacefully to the end.
'!'
As expected, before the thought could even settle, eyes of beasts gleamed in the jungle.
"Be careful, Jaime! They're coming!"