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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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Chapter 128
The Black Forest was exactly as its name suggested—a black forest.
As soon as we presented our travel permits to the knights guarding the entrance and stepped inside, it felt as if the world had changed, darkening instantly.
It wasn’t just because of the sheer number of massive trees.
"Hmm... A demonic realm is still a demonic realm."
"Everything’s twisted. Safety awareness is nonexistent."
As Luna pointed out, neither the paths nor the flow of mana followed any normal patterns.
The moment I sensed this oddity upon entering the forest, Isna, who was walking lightly ahead, turned to look at me.
"The test is simple. Each group explores the demonic realm. Of course, compared to real demonic realms, this one is child’s play."
Students were free to hunt monsters or gather rare materials, but each action carried a designated point value.
"That means some students will try to exploit the system. What about safeguards?"
"The supervisors' job is to make sure monsters don’t swarm beyond a certain level. Finding materials doesn’t need interference, but if dozens of monsters suddenly appear, that could lead to accidents, right?"
To prevent such situations, priests from the Holy Kingdom were on standby to provide immediate healing if needed.
It became clear that midterms and finals at the academy were of significant importance.
Thud!
Isna casually picked up a small rock and threw it into the depths of the dark forest.
Rustle!
A moment later, small goblins emerged from the bushes.
"As you can see, the monsters in this area aren’t that strong. Most students in the Swordsmanship Department are aura users."
Of course, some students might not have even reached that level.
Still, the Empire’s Academy was known for its high standards.
For an aura user, goblins weren’t much of a threat—even if they resorted to tricks.
Kieeek!
Drooling, the goblins charged at us, eager to devour us.
"Is that all?"
"Yes. The Academy Administration regularly culls their numbers to keep things under control. No matter how much students go wild during the test, it won’t become a serious problem."
Though she spoke as if this had always been the case, I felt something was off.
"It sounds like you’re implying this time will be different."
"To be honest, I don’t really like holding exams in the demonic realm. In places like this, you never know what might happen or when."
Slash!
Without hesitation, Isna drew the two swords from her waist and swung them gracefully.
The goblins, weaponless and reckless, were instantly cut down, their blood spraying as they fell like autumn leaves in the wind.
For a fighter of expert-level skill, goblins were nothing.
"This brings back memories..."
She said it so casually.
Yet, for some reason, her words carried a tinge of bitterness.
After following Isna around to inspect the Black Forest examination site, we finally returned.
* * *
On the day of the test, the Black Forest was bustling with students.
Excitement and tension mixed in their chatter as they waited.
Professor Rommel, who was overseeing the test, had been inspecting the outer perimeter of the demonic realm since early morning.
He also ensured supplies were ready in case of injuries.
"The test will last three hours. There are two objectives: collect rare materials or eliminate monsters. If you paid attention in class, you should be able to complete the test without injury. Do not take unnecessary risks. If you feel endangered, retreat immediately."
He emphasized safety procedures multiple times.
Since this was a real combat situation, anything could happen.
To mitigate risks, Professor Rommel provided each student with an artifact that would protect them from fatal injuries.
It was a high-quality artifact, ensuring that even if a student was struck down by goblins, they would only sustain minor injuries.
Of course, if the artifact activated, it meant they were effectively "dead" in terms of scoring—causing their points to plummet.
But that was preferable to real casualties.
Judging by the students' reactions, this kind of setup wasn’t unusual.
As before, Luna, Isna, and I were assigned as exam supervisors.
Professor Rommel would not be entering the forest himself, focusing instead on monitoring and coordinating the overall situation.
Our task was straightforward: patrol the forest, intervene only in emergencies, and ensure that monsters didn’t swarm the students.
Additionally, we were responsible for extracting any student whose artifact activated and transporting them to safety.
We also had to monitor for cheating or any other dangers, while assigning bonus or penalty points in real-time.
The students’ scores were primarily recorded through spirits and artifacts that captured their actions, making our direct input minimal.
Apparently, the exam format had been different in the past, but with staffing shortages, Professor Rommel had adjusted the approach to lighten the burden on us.
Even so, I couldn’t shake my unease.
"Professor, no matter how I look at it, a demonic realm is too dangerous for an exam."
"It’s fine. There hasn’t been a single reported incident in over ten years."
“Just because it's been safe for ten years doesn’t mean the Demonic Realm is actually safe.”
Some of the students chuckled at my exchange with Professor Rommel.
“Huh? Are the professor and the assistant instructor arguing?”
“Since when was the Black Forest considered dangerous…? I just wish we could get started already…”
Damn fools with no sense of danger.
The problem isn’t the students; it’s the academy itself.
Maybe it really is just my imagination, as they said.
Not all Demonic Realms are the same, after all.
It’d be a relief if it turned out to be nothing.
But if even one thing goes wrong, it’ll be a catastrophe.
“We can’t back out now. The students’ safety is, of course, our top priority, but I believe you’re worrying too much.”
He’s not entirely wrong, but I can’t shake this strange feeling.
“Sigh… Understood. As an outsider, I don’t have the right to argue.”
“I don’t misunderstand your concerns. However, we are taking every precaution to ensure safety.”
“Alright. I’ll try to relax a bit, then.”
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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As soon as I received Professor Rommel’s signal, I stepped into the forest.
Immediately, the sound around me felt muffled, as if being swallowed.
Luna and Isna must have felt the same because their voices came through the comms.
— Doesn’t this eerie place feel like someone could suddenly attack us? Hehe.
“Stop saying unnecessary things. The Demonic Realm isn’t something to be taken lightly.”
— Aww, you’re too tense~. In a cold place like this, wouldn’t it be nice to light a fire and roast some sweet potatoes…? Ah! Hey, guys! Do any of you have sweet potatoes on you?
A test proctor begging examinees for snacks?
What a lunatic.
Still, this is the Imperial Academy.
These students are supposed to be talented elites.
Among them, a few were already at the Expert level, like Melissa.
Most of them were older than her, but reaching the Expert rank at this age meant they had outstanding talent.
Holding a record tablet in my hands, I walked in the shadows, following the students from a distance.
“Muyeong, drive away the monsters that get too close to the examinees, except for a certain number. But don’t enter their range under any circumstances.”
— Grrr.
My phantom wolf, Muyeong, swallowed the chunk of meat I threw at him in one bite before melting into the darkness.
At the same time, dark shapes spread from my shadow in all directions.
The exam proceeded without major incidents.
Since this wasn’t an advanced course, the students were working in teams rather than alone.
I usually despise group projects, but since the teams were assigned based on skill levels on the day of the exam, the situation was a little better.
At first, the students seemed overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere of the Black Forest, but they quickly adapted and began their exploration.
I left the tedious work to the phantom undead and stealthily followed the students while suppressing my presence.
* * *
Sssht!
— Kiaaaak!!!
Weak goblins fell, sliced apart by the students’ blades.
Many of them had entered the forest tense and anxious, but they quickly adjusted.
I observed them carefully, marking their performance on my record tablet.
“Hm… Examinee #1’s left shoulder is overly stiff, minus 4 points. Examinee #3 lacks situational awareness in battle, minus 6 points.”
I wasn’t grading all the students at once, so my scores likely wouldn’t have a huge impact on their final results.
Still, writing these notes would help Professor Rommel later when he used the artifact to assess the scores.
If I’m going to do this, I might as well do it properly.
With a keen eye, I scrutinized every flaw and meticulously recorded them.
Then, making sure they didn’t notice, I moved away to observe another team.
Luna and Isna were in a similar situation.
Unlike me, they weren’t using undead to handle variables, but they were managing everything precisely without interfering with the exam.
“The exam is progressing without issues.”
—We’ve got an injured one here. I’ll escort them out.
—Same here. Two injuries. I’ll take them back.
We kept reporting through our communication artifacts at regular intervals.
After some time, while checking on the students and taking notes, I spotted a team fighting against a goblin giant in the distance.
Among them was a silver-haired girl, and the students in her group were notably skilled.
Huh, I thought the teams were balanced, but they’re doing surprisingly well.
“Lucia! Fall back to the left!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Ah.
So it’s about good orders?
Individually, they were still just rookies.
I could see flaws everywhere.
But their weaknesses were being turned into strengths because someone was issuing proper commands and quickly analyzing the battlefield and the monster’s weaknesses.
Eilena Lu Pascalia.
A princess and one of the academy’s top students.
Professor Rommel often praised her.
She was reading the battlefield, giving orders at the right moments, and leading the subjugation efficiently.
‘Not bad for a bunch of fledglings. +5 points.’
Outside this place, the difference in our social status would be insurmountable.
But here, she was just a student, and I was the exam proctor.
No need for unnecessary greetings.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Join our Discord for release updates!
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