Chapter 48 — Survival with Disaster

1

Two more days passed.

Today was Monday, the start of a new week.

It was also the day students returned after resting over the weekend.

For those except second-years, it was evaluation day.

An evaluation to decide whether they would maintain their position, rise up, or fall.

The survival evaluation was no different.

“From now on, you will survive for one week.”

“Complete the mission assigned to you by magic. Illegal methods are not allowed. Fair duels are permitted.”

Two different professors continued the explanation.

It will be harsh.

Some may even come close to death.

Humans who experience fear and despair are divided into two types.

Those who sink, and those who struggle to never fall into the same feeling again.

This evaluation tests that.

[Tests mental strength to adapt in unfamiliar environments, desire to rise up, and attitude to overcome missions.]

Second year.

The time to take off in earnest after just finishing adapting to the academy.

Professor Trail smiled watching the second-year students moving in line.

It’s a promising year.

Coincidentally, this second year had children from two of the continent’s three great duchies.

He was quite excited to see how far the talents of those two would bloom, and how brilliantly talents rivaling them would blossom.

“Take a flare and stand inside the magic circle. Your mission will be delivered when you arrive on the artificial island.”

“The flare is your life. I wish you all good luck.”

The two professors saw off the students with interested looks.

First and second in order were Manus and Alano.

Entering in order of attendance numbers meant it was the same as order of ability.

Manus stepped forward, putting the numbered flare in his chest.

“Good luck, Manus.”

“You too.”

The two entered the magic circle side by side.

Woong-.

Mana rippled, and soon a bright flame engulfed the two.

What would that week described in just a few lines of text be like?

Excitement prevailed over anxiety about the unknown future.

Alano.

And Manus himself.

An episode featuring only the two of them would unfold.

2

The artificial island was modeled after Jeju Island.

There was a huge mountain in the center, and streams flowing from the mountaintop became rivers flowing throughout the island.

Caves, trees, rocks-.

Massive geographical features were scattered about, providing excellent scenery and places to rest.

Manus looked around, checking his watch that had returned to normal.

He spread his mana wide, scanning the surroundings.

A valley visible not far ahead.

Forest behind.

“Seems like a decent place to live.”

At the same time, a fluttering piece of paper fell in front of him.

A paper for the mission.

He didn’t wonder ‘How?’

This was a world where anything was possible.

[Retrieve seawater and fish from the western end.]

“Hmm.”

This island is big.

Enormously so.

Alano said he only encountered other students twice.

He couldn’t tell if this was east, west, south or north.

Unfortunately, flight magic doesn’t exist in this world.

He looked at the skill window still diligently spinning.

Indeed, even mages need strong physique and strength.

‘With a strong body, you wouldn’t need to use your head much.’

Right now, Manus’ body was just that of a regular person who exercises a bit.

He set his first goal.

To know the location, he’d need to head to high ground.

Wherever this is, he needs to know the location first.

He saw a suitably high peak.

The western end of the island.

An unplanned journey began.

Step-.

As he took a step, a message he couldn’t ignore appeared before his eyes.

A message just for Manus.

[DLC story has begun.]

[Carve out your own destiny.]

[S2 — Surviving in Disaster]

[Reward: -10 years acquisition time for ‘Mindset’ type skills]

He smirked.

Right, what’s 10 years?

It’s still early, and countless quests must be waiting.

The charm of idle games is waiting.

Manus decided not to be hasty.

He took a step.

It wasn’t bad to enjoy the feeling of taking a stroll.

He smiled bitterly, reminded of the mountains he often went to at someone’s call every weekend.

He remembered gathering wild vegetables and herbs with the NCO while hiking in the military.

Asking this and that, he became quite good at reading mountain terrain.

‘I’ll sweat a bit. Need to gather food on the way too-.’

He felt the Ceaser family’s characteristic stiffness dulling here.

The ordinary mind of a man emerged strongly.

He moved leisurely.

3

A guest visited the chairman’s office.

They appeared wearing emblems with swords, shields, and staffs together.

Anywhere on the continent, people would answer the same about that symbol.

The Empire.

It was the symbol of those working in the Imperial Palace.

Did the Imperial Palace catch wind of this?

Displeasure spread across the chairman’s face.

“Couldn’t you have sent word ahead?”

“We came urgently too, Chairman. His Majesty heard the news and quickly dispatched us.”

“I see. What fault could you have? What brings you here?”

The dispatched were all mages.

Their attack magic was 4th-class level, but in matters related to magic circles, they could easily be called 5th-class mages.

The chairman asked them with a hint of unease.

-The answer was even more insane than expected.

“Is the survival evaluation in progress?”

“Yes, but.”

“His Majesty orders to raise the level of trials.”

“-The academy has been maintaining discriminating power according to consistent standards.”

Trials.

Disasters to occur for six out of seven days.

Heavy rain, appearance of virtual enemies.

Adding harshness by introducing various environmental changes.

They’re already providing quite a high-level environment.

When Mythos Academy was founded, all the prominent mage families came together to create this magic circle.

It’s been over a decade since setting it to a level with discriminating power to select talented individuals.

“-And you’re saying to change those standards arbitrarily?”

“We understand. But… what can we do when His Majesty insists on pushing through?”

“Sigh-.”

Chairman Nyx took off his glasses and pressed his eyelids for a moment.

First Veronica’s matter, now this — he felt the Imperial Palace’s interference was gradually increasing.

He and the Emperor had a contractual relationship.

He did not belong to the Empire, and strictly speaking, had no obligation to follow the Emperor’s orders.

However, the chairman knew.

No matter how unrelated they were or that it was a contractual relationship, the Emperor was the absolute patron of Mythos Academy.

“It’s just this once. We were pushed into this too… please understand, Chairman.”

“That’s right. You think we came here because we wanted to? What good will come from making the students suffer?”

The mages’ pleas were heard.

Right, they were employees too and probably wanted to work comfortably.

They likely didn’t want to suddenly fly to the academy to tinker with magic circles.

“This is too dangerous. If something goes wrong, students could die.”

“We’ll take care of that issue.”

“Yes, we’ve prepared solutions for everything.”

They spoke confidently.

The chairman didn’t hide his unease.

But still-.

There was probably no choice.

“You must absolutely guarantee safety. This is no joke.”

The mages bowed their heads.

He expected quite a long debate, but permission was granted more easily than anticipated.

They bowed repeatedly and showed what they had prepared.

“If you look here-.”

“This isn’t the place to discuss. I’ll summon the professors. Please wait a moment.”

“Ah, that would be better. Understood.”

Knock knock-.

Just then, a knock was heard from behind the door.

Though they hadn’t sensed any presence-.

The mages exchanged surprised looks.

“It’s Aden. It seems guests have arrived…”

“Perfect timing. Come in.”

The door opened, and Aden appeared with neatly trimmed black hair.

Nyx asked her to guide the mages.

The destination was the conference room.

“Please follow me.”

The mages quietly followed her.

Nyx also stood up and headed to where the evaluation was being supervised.

What could the Emperor be thinking?

Could he have already noticed about Veronica?

If he was trying to harm Manus out of that grudge-.

Chairman Nyx had to try hard to hide his unease as he walked.

‘Certainly, the Emperor is no ordinary person. But if he carelessly touches the Caesars, even the Emperor’s power will weaken. Plus, the Harrisons are there too.’

To put it simply, the Emperor couldn’t make rash moves.

Harrison and Ceaser.

Would those great families stand by and watch their children die?

Maybe if they were incompetent mages, but the two heirs were displaying the highest talents.

No one could escape the wrath of those two families.

-The chairman’s pace quickened as his thoughts reached that point.

His expression and breathing had already stabilized.

“I must fulfill the contract-.”

He could lose great power, but he believed in Manus and Alano.

Since he had his own guilty conscience, it wouldn’t be bad to go along with it.

Once decided, action must be swift.

He summoned the magic professors, asked for the students’ understanding, and hurried to the conference room.

The professors arrived one by one.

The two mages who had arrived early and were chatting slowly stood up when they saw the professors.

“What business do the Emperor’s mages have here-.”

“We’ll explain the details once all the professors have gathered.”

The chairman, seated at the head, began to moderate.

With Professor Chandler slowly closing the door, all the magic professors had gathered.

Everyone looked at the chairman.

Now it was time to speak.

4

The weather was gloomy.

Alano looked up at the sky and sighed softly.

She stood blankly, staring helplessly at her mission.

-She scratched her head.

Not only was the mission content absurd, she really didn’t feel like doing it.

But what could she do?

She had to do it, even if just for her grades.

“This has to be on purpose, no matter how I look at it.”

A slightly relaxed appearance since she was alone.

Alano sighed deeply once more and looked at the note.

This is really malicious.

[Interfere with 5 other people’s missions.]

A mission completely at odds with Harrison and Alano’s personality.

She looked out at the wide field.

For a week, she had to encounter five students on this vast island, and prevent them from completing their missions.

She recalled the purpose of the test.

Mental strength to adapt to harsh environments.

She seemed to understand what it meant, what the professors wanted.

In this world, you couldn’t survive by just being nice.

“…One for now.”

Her eyes changed.

She hadn’t lived her whole life hunting others, but she also hadn’t lived avoiding doing what needed to be done.

This kind of experience might be necessary once in a while.

She slowly moved, emanating mana.

The rules clearly stated:

‘Duels by mutual agreement are allowed.’

–TL Notes–
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