Episode 35

Ding!

Damn, they never give you a moment to rest.

The first condition seems somehow manageable. Just need to rank first, literally. The problem is the second one.

To hit someone acting arrogantly with the Calipers?

Wasn’t fighting among students prohibited?

Nonetheless, the reward for success, the ‘Sage’s Manual,’ is an overpowered item that offers a glimpse into the future. It would be extremely beneficial to acquire.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I turned to the two girls.

“We should probably start dividing the work.”

“…Dividing the work?”

“Sticking too close together might decrease our efficiency.”

Although we are currently leading, this is because the points of all three of us have been combined.

To gain an advantage, each person must contribute more than their share. What’s needed for that is teamwork. More specifically…

Specialization.

“How about Ceti scouts at a moderate distance, I handle collection and mapping, and Rustila takes care of lookout and combat?”

“Hold on, why are you suddenly acting like the leader?”

Ceti asked, pouting.

“Then you take the lead.”

I naturally passed the leadership to Ceti. It doesn’t matter who assumes the role of leader.

“…”

After a moment of silence, she spoke.

“Let’s divide the roles. I’ll scout, Aidel will handle collection and mapping, and Rustila will fight.”

I knew it would turn out this way.

“Just what is going on with them…?”

Christine gritted her teeth upon checking the scoreboard.

Despite it still being the early stages, Aidel’s group was advancing with fierce momentum, even demonstrating a significant lead over those in second place and below.

Unless they’ve stumbled upon several bonanzas in a row, such a score gap would be impossible.

“Is it really because they are from a legacy family? They got in because they are from prominent families, right?”

“Chris, you shouldn’t say things like that.”

Merlin scolded her gently.

“No matter how you look at it, isn’t it strange? What if the academy had already informed them where the most likely deposits are…!”

It was entirely possible.

After all, who is Aidel? Known as the black sheep of the family, notorious for his poor conduct and mediocre academic performance.

It might be foolish to dwell on the past. Christine, having grown up with parents who were judges, knew well that people could change. There’s a possibility that Aidel is genuinely talented.

But isn’t there such a thing as probability?

Statistically, this just didn’t make sense.

“Um, do you really think there’s a jackpot nearby?”

“There must be. If we can’t find it, it’s all for naught… woah.”

Merlin, who was quite adept at math, had used various techniques to find a promising spot. There was a point where the flow of Ether peaked.

“Here!”

Merlin pointed at the map.

“This seems like the jackpot.”

“Really?”

“Numbers don’t lie.”

Once they started to get excited, the two of them began to search more diligently. Frighteningly, it seemed like another team had also found a jackpot, as their score was skyrocketing.

“…We are at a huge disadvantage.”

“Let’s keep looking.”

Since Christine and Merlin were a team, it was necessary to consider that their score would be divided in half later on.

They needed to either search separately or drastically increase the efficiency of their search.

After wandering for a while, the two girls discovered something.

A bead, shining darkly, lay alone among the bushes.

“What is this?”

“It must be a cheap black pearl. Looks like someone discarded it.”

The bead exuded a dark and exotic aura.

They were certain it wasn’t a piece of Ether.

“We’re pressed for time. Let’s move on.”

“Hmm.”

Merlin stared intently at the bead but soon followed Christine to another location.

Thus, the two did not witness the moment the bead cracked open, and something was about to emerge.

While deeply engrossed in her search for Ether fragments, Vega, the Constellation supporting Rustilia, advised her. Rustilia interpreted this as a sign of golem activity.

Yes, initially, that was the assumption.

However, the golem was nowhere to be seen. Yet, strangely, the air felt tainted.

It was suffocating, as if they had entered the domain of an Outer God.

“Do you… feel anything odd?”

“Maybe?”

When Rustilia inquired, Ceti shook her head.

Aidel felt the same.

This unpleasant odor—it seemed the Reinhardt siblings couldn’t detect it at all.

“It feels like something bad is about to happen.”

“What kind of bad thing?”

“That… I’m not sure. Maybe a monster?”

“Nah.”

Ceti dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand.

“Even if a monster attacks, we’re on a mountain. It’s an open space. Running away would end the game. An Outer God wouldn’t be that foolish, right?”

Ceti’s point was valid.

If an attack were planned, it would occur in a confined space like the last time, not on a mountainside like this.

“But…”

“Don’t worry too much. In case of emergencies, I heard they’ve deployed inspectors around the school.”

It hadn’t been long since the attack during the practical test.

The academy, seeking to increase vigilance, had deployed B and A grade inspectors nearby with government support.

C grade monsters, or even B grade ones, could be easily defeated. The same went for A grade.

Vega continued to caution her.

Given that it was advice from a Constellation, Rustilia thought it should not be taken lightly.

To be prepared for any eventuality, Rustilia resolved to be mentally ready.

So far, collecting points had been going smoothly.

Though slightly behind the score of the second place when divided by three, Ceti’s searching ability was improving over time.

Perhaps soon, they could secure first place unequivocally.

“Doesn’t something seem odd?”

“What?”

“…Wait a moment.”

The three of them checked the leaderboard simultaneously.

“She is missing.”

They realized the source of their unease. Zelnya von Adelwein, the girl with genius skills, wasn’t even on the leaderboard.

“What’s going on?”

“Maybe she’s just fooling around.”

“…No. This is.”

Aidel bit his lip slightly.

“She’s up to something.”

That was when.

Boom!

A loud explosion was heard nearby, shaking the ground.

At the same time, the ranking board also began to vibrate.

Once again.

Boom!

“They said we would encounter B-grade golems.”

Zelnya clicked her tongue and reached for her waist.

“They all look shoddily made.”

This was her third encounter with a golem.

Facing a giant towering over four meters, Zelnya remained undaunted. The giant seemed more ludicrous than intimidating, with its disproportionately larger upper body compared to its lower body.

Its color resembled that of wood, yet its material seemed akin to stone.

Despite being modeled after a monster, it bore a resemblance to humans.

Was it attempting to intimidate?

It felt as though it was all bark and no bite.

Zelnya smirked.

Swish!

Her silver rapier, drawn from its sheath, sparkled brilliantly under the sunlight.

As soon as Ether was infused, the blade heated up intensely.

Zelnya rolled lightly on the ground and struck just before the golem could assume an attack stance.

Contrary to appearances, the golem was agile. It immediately swung its arms down with formidable force as it noticed Zelnya charging at it.

Boom! The ground caved in, creating a crater.

But Zelnya was not there.

“Over here.”

Her figure appeared behind the golem. The golem, staggering, turned around. A sharp silver streak surged from the side.

The golem raised its disproportionately large hand to block the sword strike, but it was in vain. The sword, saturated with Ether, discharged plasma energy as an output terminal.

A heat sword capable of melting ordinary objects. A powerful energy that B-grade golems couldn’t withstand surged into its torso.

Flick. Flick. Flick.

Zelnya’s rapier repeatedly stabbed and withdrew.

With each thrust and withdrawal, the number of holes increased. It wasn’t just the destructive power; the speed and technique were exceptional.

Thud!

The golem collapsed, rendered helpless.

Then, the scoreboard updated.

A smirk formed on Zelnya’s lips.

Yes, this is it. The sense of omnipotence, confidence, and self-esteem gained from securing first place.

The sense of accomplishment from surpassing others. That alone propels the Adelweins forward.

However, Zelnya was curious.

“…Rustila Kersil.”

Who exactly was this girl who always accompanied Aidel?