As the necromancer school’s summoning genius rode back to Kizen on the skeletal horse, Lorraine spoke up.
"Thank you for cooperating with Kizen. For now, your safety is the priority. That priest could strike at any moment, anywhere. You should take a break from classes..."
"No," Simon shook his head.
"I’ll just go about my usual routine."
"... Isn't that too dangerous?"
"It’s fine. That person might not have seen my face, and even if they target me, there will be some clue left behind."
Lorraine’s red eyes glimmered with concern.
"Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t need any clues that put your life at risk."
"Listen to me, Lorraine. If I take a break or act differently, the priest will become more certain of my identity. What do you think they’ll think when they see Kizen’s guards surrounding me? They’ll realize I’ve alerted the higher-ups and understand they’re in a corner."
"That may be true, but!"
"When a fanatic is cornered, can you predict what reckless actions they might take?" Lorraine bit her lip.
The opponent was so loyal that they had branded themselves with the core of terrible sins to enter Kizen.
The actions of fanatics were beyond the understanding of ordinary people.
Large-scale hostage situations or suicide attacks had already occurred countless times at the hands of fanatics.
If such an event were to happen at Kizen, it would not only severely damage the organization’s public image but also provide a reason for those questioning Kizen’s ruling system to unite.
"... I understand."
After much contemplation, Lorraine sighed.
"But if there’s even the slightest hint of danger, I will protect you, even if it means restricting your freedom. Remember, there’s no need to sacrifice you for everyone’s safety."
"I’ll keep that in mind."
Of course, Simon didn’t see it as a sacrifice at all. 'I can’t just stop my school life over something like this.' If he missed classes, the gap between him and the other students would only widen.
What would happen later when he had to leave Kizen due to poor grades or lack of skills? Kizen was not an institution that would be flexible enough to care about personal circumstances, and doing nothing would only harm him.
If he was going to bear the risk anyway, Simon judged that it would be better to boldly continue his school life.
There was still much to learn at this school.
Thus, the two parted ways upon arriving at Kizen, and Simon returned to the dormitory as if nothing had happened.
The next morning, the students of Class A waited eagerly at the entrance of the building.
"Finally, today’s the day!"
"I’m so excited."
Today was Jane’s introductory dark magic class, and it was the day everyone had been eagerly anticipating for the Cyclops simulation.
Everyone was dressed in specialized training uniforms instead of their usual school uniforms.
"That’s definitely Professor Jane for you," Dick said, wiping his nose.
"They say you usually have to wait until the second semester to even get a taste of simulations. And we’re doing this before the protection period is lifted."
"Ugh, I barely slept last night," Kamibarez muttered.
Maylin chuckled softly.
"If you’re already like this, it’s going to be a problem. It’s just a virtual battle, right?"
"Alright, Class A! Please line up by groups!" Jane’s assistants began to organize the students.
They lined up and entered the building.
The hallway was clean, as it seemed to be a new building.
Everyone chatted excitedly about the simulation, but Simon felt an unknown sensation prickling at him with every step he took.
"Groups 1 to 8, this way."
"Groups 9 to 16, over here."
Afterward, they took the magic circle elevator down, revealing an expansive space.
"Wow...!"
Kizen’s virtual combat simulation system, 'Avalon.' It was a system unique to Kizen on the continent, capable of recreating any monster as a magical life form for virtual battles.
It was the result of moving the ancient ruins known as 'Hallucina,' a fortress of illusions and hallucinations, to Kizen and undergoing numerous modifications.
"Welcome, Class A."
Then, Jane and her assistants descended from the opposite magic circle elevator.
The students bowed their heads in unison to greet her.
"We don’t have much time, so let’s get straight to the explanation."
True to her style, she proceeded efficiently.
When Jane pressed a button on the control device in her hand, the mana projector on the ceiling activated, displaying a screen.
"Groups 1 to 4 will be on the left, and groups 5 to 8 will be on the right for the simulation. All rules are exactly the same as the practical assessment. One member from the participating group and three from the support group. The support members cannot move from their set positions and can only use direct attack methods for the participating member. The Cyclops will only recognize and attack the participating member as an enemy."
Jane extended her arm and tapped the vest held by her assistant.
"But there’s no need to worry too much. The virtual Cyclops’s attacks will all be absorbed by the barrier magic of this vest. Each time damage is absorbed, the barrier gauge on the screen above will decrease. When the gauge reaches 0, the training will end. Please return to the waiting room."
The students nodded with tense expressions.
"You will experience up to three sets of virtual battles. I hope this will be a time for you to evaluate how well the strategies set last time worked and to maximize your sense of real combat."
As Jane finished her explanation, the simulation began immediately.
Groups 1 and 5 entered the training room, while the remaining members were guided to the waiting room.
The waiting room was a spacious area with sofas scattered around and refreshments provided.
A mana projector was installed on the ceiling, allowing them to view the situations of other groups.
Before checking their strategy, Simon and his group decided to watch the tests of the other groups first.
"Oh, Cindy Vivace is up."
Group 5 was the team of the pickpocket Simon had met in Langoustine, Cindy Vivace, who was aiming for necromancy.
She was the participating member, with students from curse studies, dark magic, and poison studies making up the rest of the group.
Simon thought their balance was not bad.
"Now, we will begin the simulation battle."
Jane’s voice echoed from the loudspeaker.
Whoooooooom!
The surroundings seemed to fill with mana, and suddenly the training room transformed into a forest.
It felt as if they had truly dropped into the middle of a forest, surrounded by trees, with the sounds of birds and the wind blowing.
The observing students gasped in awe.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Then, from deep within the forest, the ground shook with heavy footsteps.
The birds fled.
The footsteps grew closer, and soon a massive turquoise monster, over two meters tall, burst through the underbrush.
Its body was muscular, one eye grotesquely squished, while the other pupil moved erratically up and down.
"Roooaaar!"
As it opened its mouth and roared, the expressions of the students who had entered the training room stiffened in unison.
"Alright!"
Cindy stretched her arms behind her, summoning a sleek black scythe into her hands.
"Let’s give it a try!"
With a thunderous sound, the battle began.
And then.
[Simulation Failed]
Time Taken: 1 minute 16 seconds
Damage Taken: 22%
Barrier Gauge: 0%
Overall Evaluation: F
The information measured during the simulation was projected on the mana projector screen.
Everyone was left speechless at the one-sided result.
Simon was equally astonished. 'This is no joke.'
The members rushed towards Cindy, who lay collapsed on the ground.
She propped herself up and sheepishly scratched her head.
"Sorry, my timing for materialization was a bit off. I’ll definitely dodge next time!"
Group 1 finished even faster than Group 5. The reason was the same.
The participating member couldn’t properly respond to the Cyclops’s fierce attacks and was knocked out.
Even a single hit would drop the barrier gauge below half.
Moreover, both groups had brought 'curses' as a means to restrain the Cyclops, but with the participating member going down before they could cast their curses, there was no chance to act.
"The participating members were all frozen in their movements," Dick said.
Simon nodded in agreement.
"There’s bound to be a psychological issue as well."
Even though three members were standing behind, the fear and tension of facing a Cyclops alone were not something easily overcome.
Simon turned to Maylin.
"Are you really okay?"
"Uh, yeah?"
Her face had turned as pale as a sheet, but she quickly nodded.
"Of course, I’m fine!"
Her voice trembled with tension, making it clear she was not fine at all.
Eventually, she excused herself to go to the restroom, and many other students followed suit.
Next, the simulations of Groups 2 and 6 followed.
Simon watched closely, hoping to gain some hints, but once again, the participating member was struck directly by the Cyclops’s attacks and fell.
"Groups 3 and 7, please enter the training room."
Much sooner than expected, it was Group 7’s turn.
As Simon stood up, a group of students headed towards the opposite training room.
"Oh, Group 3 was Hector’s team."
Centered around group leader Hector, Group 3 included Pierre Buckler, the ace of summoning studies in Class A, and two others who were all skilled students scoring over 90 in dark magic and necromancy.
They were essentially the best-rated group in Class A.
At that moment, Hector’s gaze met Simon’s in the air.
The corners of Hector’s mouth lifted.
"You’re obviously the participating member for Group 7, right?"
Simon shook his head.
"Not me, it’s Maylin."
"That clueless girl is participating? Did you let her take your place to be nice?"
"The best person is just going out."
"Don’t be so humble, Simon Polentia."
Hector’s eyes sparkled.
"Give it your all. I’ll make sure to break you this time."
"Groups 3 and 7! Please enter the training room quickly."
At the instructor’s urging voice, the two turned and headed to their respective training rooms.
Simon entered the training room, where Dick and Kamibarez were stretching and waiting.
The instructor, holding a clipboard, looked around and asked, "Where’s the other member?"
"Sorry for being late!"
Finally, Maylin rushed in, panting.
When the instructor pressed the control device in hand, countless mana signal lights on the wall lit up, and the door closed.
"Participating member, step forward."
"Yes."
Maylin stepped forward with a tense expression.
"I will indicate the positions for the support members."
The lights on the ceiling flickered, and a circle made of mana was drawn on the floor.
The three walked to their respective positions.
Kamibarez took the left, Simon stood in the center, and Dick took the right set position.
Maylin stood in front of them.
"Don’t worry, the Cyclops won’t see the support members. But if you step even one foot outside this circle, you’ll be disqualified."
"Yes!"
"Participating member. Are you ready?"
"Uh... yes!"
Maylin, who had been momentarily dazed, finally responded.
"Maylin, pull yourself together. Are you really okay?" Dick asked.
"…I told you I’m fine!"
"Don’t be too tense, Maylin! It’s just a virtual battle! You can do it!"
"Yeah. Thanks."
Everyone took their positions.
The instructor stepped back and said, "Then, we will begin the first simulation battle for Group 7."
As the instructor’s body seemed to dissolve into the air, a fierce wind rushed in.
Simon’s eyes sharpened. 'Wind indoors? This is definitely not a simple illusion.'
The ground turned green, transforming the surroundings into a forest with a swampy area.
Leaves flew in the wind and struck Simon’s forearm.
He could feel the texture of the leaves as he touched them.
Experiencing it firsthand was certainly on a different level than just watching from outside.
Faced with the overwhelming sense of reality, Simon couldn’t think of anything else.
And then.
Boom! Boom!
Vibrations were felt from the ground.
Dick shouted, "Everyone, get ready! It’s coming!"
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
With the loud sounds of footsteps echoing, the massive Cyclops charged through the dense leaves.
"Roooaaar!"
Every hair on Simon’s body stood on end, and his heart raced wildly.
It truly felt like encountering a monster in the forest.
Even in the set position, the pressure was immense, and for Maylin, who had to face it head-on...
"Hoo."
At that moment, she took a deep breath.
Maylin’s expression turned serious.
"Alright, let’s just do what we practiced."
Her trembling subsided.
Simon smiled.
Contrary to his worries, she quickly adapted to the situation. 'Right, why am I worrying? No one here needs to worry.'
Simon focused on his role, pulling the virtual lever. 'Let’s concentrate 200% on my role!'