After all the practical evaluations for the morning and afternoon teams were completed, all the students of Class A gathered in the introductory dark magic classroom.
"Thank you for your hard work today," Jane said.
"Regardless of the results and scores, I am satisfied as the supervising professor that everyone in Class A completed the practical without any accidents."
"Thank you, Professor!" The students, finally freed from the pressure, shouted with enthusiasm.
"But in Kizen, results are the most important."
"......."
Jane, who had created a touching atmosphere, suddenly poured cold water on it.
Now that everyone was used to her ways, they exchanged sly smiles and awaited the next topic.
"I will evaluate Group 1. Group 1, step forward."
Simon sat quietly, listening to the evaluations of the other groups.
It was truly impressive how Jane analyzed each group's strengths and weaknesses with chilling accuracy and even suggested improvements.
Even those who knew nothing about the groups nodded along, as her opinions were logical and analytical.
"And now, Karell Oksara and Yona Kasumi."
"Yes!"
"Shake hands."
......
Suddenly, a handshake? The two, taken aback, blinked as the teaching assistant beside them nudged them.
They complied with the request.
"While you didn't damage your teamwork like amateurs, it would be best to resolve any hard feelings quickly if there are any."
"......!"
Jane seemed to read the relationships and psychology among the students.
It was almost uncanny.
Another surprising aspect for Simon was that more groups had successfully hunted Cyclopes than he expected.
In the initial simulation, the success rate was just over 40%, but in the actual battle, an impressive 13 out of 16 groups managed to hunt Cyclopes.
Considering the difference in practice time, their strength in the actual battle was remarkable.
It was a testament to the potential of Kizen students.
With this, the focus shifted from whether they had hunted Cyclopes to how many points they had earned.
"The final score for Group 3 is A+. Well done."
Group 3, led by Hector, was overwhelming.
Cheers, applause, and envious glances filled the room.
"There were hardly any flaws in Group 3." Hector's outstanding combat ability and leadership, clear roles for each member, teamwork, and even the stability of maintaining a barrier gauge over 90% made them a representative group of Class A.
"Each and every one of you shows great promise for future growth. Good job."
"Thank you!"
Another strong contender was Group 5, led by Cindy Vivace.
Their hunting time was comparable to Group 3, but being an all-in team held them back.
They lost significant points in teamwork and stability.
"And now, Group 7, step forward."
Finally, the much-discussed Group 7 was called in front of Jane.
While Group 3 had achieved high scores, the biggest buzz was around Simon's Group 7. They had shown overwhelming performances that drove everyone into a frenzy.
"Group 7 is......."
She rustled the grading sheet, and the surroundings fell silent.
"Terrible."
Bang! Simon felt his heart drop.
Meilin squeezed her eyes shut, and Kamivarez trembled.
"Time taken: 13 minutes and 58 seconds. The barrier gauge of the participating members is a single-digit 7%. And not a single tactic from the initial plan was executed, resulting in unplanned and impromptu actions."
She lowered the paper and looked at Group 7 with an expressionless gaze.
"Do you have anything to say?"
"......."
With such clear figures presented, they had no words.
The four fell silent, and Jane spoke again.
"The evaluation score for Group 7 is D."
Scores below F were for groups that failed to hunt Cyclopes.
In fact, they had the lowest score among the groups that managed to catch Cyclopes.
Just as everyone was feeling dejected and about to return to their seats, the teaching assistant handed Jane a new document.
"Of course."
Jane placed it on the grading sheet and said, "This would be the case when this information was not taken into account."
"......?" The members of Group 7 looked puzzled and paused in their seats.
"Upon examining the corpse of the Cyclops hunted by Group 7, we found traces of abnormal side effects caused by the curses and drugs used during capture."
While the autopsy results included 'seriously suspicious information,' this was classified as a Kizen Level 2 secret.
The only thing that could be shared with the students was this much.
"The Cyclops exhibited extreme aggression, and the moment the curse was lifted, it went berserk, temporarily enhancing its physical abilities. The higher-ups have determined that the difficulty level of the test was distinctly different from the Cyclopes hunted by other groups."
The mention of Kizen's upper management caused a stir in the classroom.
Jane waved the report bearing the Kizen headquarters seal before the students and said, "Based on a comprehensive assessment of the Cyclops's aggression, strength, and curse resistance, we will apply a new grading result under the premise that Group 7 hunted a higher-level monster, a Red Cyclops. That seems to be..."
Her gaze turned to Hector.
"Fair, wouldn't you say?"
"......."
Hector's expression hardened.
If it was the judgment of Kizen's upper management, it was not something the students could dispute.
Of course, it was true that all the students in Class A shared the same doubts about the Cyclops Simon faced.
Wasn't the Cyclops they hunted just too strong?
"I will announce the revised results."
Jane began to read the materials.
"Meilin Villenne."
Meilin responded, surprised.
"Yes! Professor."
"With shadow elemental magic that far exceeds the average of first-year Kizen students, you played a crucial role in protecting the participating members. I award you 80 points."
Ooooh! Gasps of admiration erupted from all around.
Since the highest score at that moment was Hector's 90 out of 100, Meilin scoring 80 without bonus points for being a participant was quite impressive.
Meilin trembled with joy, and Kamivarez hugged her to congratulate her.
"While the injury from overtraining and self-management was undoubtedly a mistake," Jane's gaze fell on Meilin's bandaged leg, "your fighting spirit in the face of injury was impressive."
Meilin couldn't respond immediately, her shoulders trembling slightly.
She had been the one suffering the most during this time.
"Next, Dick Hayward."
"Yes!"
"By skillfully utilizing high-performance shadow enchantments, you acted as a lubricant for Group 7's Cyclops assault. I also award you 80 points."
Once again, admiration erupted.
Dick raised both hands in celebration.
"Kamivarez Ursula."
"Ah, yes!"
"As a blood flow major, you properly fulfilled the role of the core dealer in Group 7's attack."
Jane smiled brightly.
"Such a level of excessive bleeding magic is hard to find even among necromancers on the field. I award you 85 points."
"Ah......!" Kamivarez's eyes welled up with emotion, waves of joy washing over him.
"Kamivarez!"
"Of course!" Meilin and Dick hugged each other, repeatedly exclaiming, "Well done!"
"Finally, Simon Polentia."
An instant silence fell over the classroom.
Hector's face, anxiously watching Group 7's performance, turned pale.
His bottom shifted slightly off the chair.
"As a participating member, I fulfilled my role. Despite unexpected variables, I cared for my teammates, dodged the Cyclops's attacks to buy time, and dramatically operated my summoned creature to inflict wounds on the monster, meeting the conditions for massive bleeding. The use of restoration techniques was also impressive. In the end, I managed to sever the Cyclops's breath."
After reading the grading sheet, she let out a light breath and opened her mouth. "...... Perfect. I award you a personal score of 100 points."
A score of 100! Explosive cheers shook the classroom.
The other students in Class A could not help but acknowledge Simon's performance.
The achievements of Group 7 had been a tremendous inspiration for everyone.
Thus, the total evaluation score for Group 7 was the highest, A+.
With their score climbing several steps, they stood shoulder to shoulder with Group 3, the strongest in Class A.
"And it's a pity that there are no scores above A+," Jane remarked, solidifying the fact that Group 7 was the best in Class A.
Hector closed his eyes tightly and leaned back deeply against the chair.
"Hector......."
"Don't talk to me. Not until I tear my mouth apart."
The members of Group 3 could only keep their mouths shut and cautiously glance at Hector.
"For A+!"
"Cheers!"
The sound of beer mugs clinking erupted in laughter.
Against the backdrop of the darkening night sky, a campfire burned in front of a small cabin.
Around it, Simon, Dick, Meilin, and Kamivarez sat in a circle, and in front of the campfire, delicious skewers were sizzling, dripping with oil.
"Wow, this practical evaluation was basically Dick hard-carrying us!" Dick, his face flushed, laughed.
"If I hadn't been there, you guys wouldn't have even scratched the Cyclops! Right? Isn't that something you have to admit?"
"Here he goes again."
Meilin rolled her eyes, giving him a teasing look.
Yet, a smile lingered on her lips, and it didn't feel like the usual sharp tone.
"If even one of us had failed to do our part, we would have lost, you fool. And if you think about it, you had the least role! Just throwing weapons around!"
"What! Is it really okay to belittle the carry man like this?"
"Ah, get lost! You smell like alcohol!"
"Huh? Is it really me? I've only had one drink."
Dick sniffed his palm, blowing warm air on it.
Meilin shook her head in disgust.
Meanwhile, Kamivarez looked down at the beer mug in his hands with a serious expression.
"If you don't want to, you don't have to drink."
Simon smiled and said, "Ah, no! It's not that...! I'm just a bit nervous since it's my first time drinking..."
"It's okay! Kamivarez, it's all good!" Dick waved his hands dismissively.
"As long as Kizen students take responsibility for their actions, anything is okay! Plus, we didn't come here just for ourselves; we have 'guardians' here too! A legal drinking party! A legal drinking party!"
Kamivarez, gazing at Dick with a serious expression, cautiously asked Simon, "If I drink this, will I become like Dick?"
Simon couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
Meilin across from him was nearly rolling on the floor with laughter.
Dick's expression turned gloomy.
"Kamivarez, you too......."
Just then, someone emerged from the cabin.
"Here, let me serve this too!"
It was none other than Professor Hong Peng from the Department of Necromancy.
She placed a pot over the campfire's support.
The pot was filled with steaming meat soup.
"Wow!" The delicious smell excited everyone, and they rushed to the pot.
Hong Peng personally ladled out bowls of soup for her students.
"Thank you for the meal!"
It was Hong Peng who had invited everyone to the cabin.
She had heard the rumor that Simon received the highest score and invited his group for a congratulatory party.
The skewers and meat soup over the campfire were all made from game she had personally caught.
Simon took a sip of the soup. '......
Delicious!' This was a taste he had never experienced before.
It was so good that his mouth dropped open.
The flavor was mild and natural, without any spices, yet it was astonishingly rich.
"Wow!"
"Professor, you're the best!"
"Hehe! Enjoy it a lot!"
Hong Peng also sat down.
Normally, such drinking parties among students in Kizen would be unthinkable, but thanks to her providing the venue and taking responsibility as a guardian, they could enjoy this time together.
Dick quickly poured a glass of beer from the barrel and handed it to her.
"Thank you, Dick."
"Wow! I never thought I'd receive an invitation from a Kizen professor! Truly......!" Dick shot a sly glance at Simon.
"Professor Hong Peng! You seem to have a soft spot for Simon......."
Meilin, who had been eating soup, suddenly looked up.
"Hey, Dick!"
"That's right," Hong Peng said with a light smile.
Everyone paused and looked at her.
"We're all growing together. It's only natural to have students you like and those you don't, right?"
"...... Ahaha! Now that you mention it, that's true! Cheers!" Dick quickly shouted a toast.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Simon clinked his glass, his face flushed.
Hong Peng chuckled.
"I'm just joking. I take pride in all my students and love them equally!"
As she said this, she affectionately ruffled Simon's hair.
Dick and Meilin shot envious glances at Simon, while Kamivarez alternated his gaze between Simon and Hong Peng, then quickly bowed his head.
"These days, the guardianship period for students has been lifted, so it must be tough. But that doesn't mean the Kizen professors dislike you. Just hang in there a little longer! Got it?"
"Yes! Understood!"
In private, Hong Peng showed none of the authoritative demeanor of a Kizen professor.
Her warm and friendly attitude made her feel like a comforting older sister.
Thanks to her, everyone quickly adapted to the drinking party atmosphere.
"Next week."
Amid the lively atmosphere, Hong Peng stretched her legs and spoke.
Dick quickly pretended to listen attentively.
"Yes, Professor! I'm listening!"
"Next week, you will finally go on a 'mission'."