Chapter 379: Practical Exam Begins

379 Practical Exam Begins

After a few minutes we began our strategic discussion, all the speakers throughout the ship emitted a shrill metallic ring.

In the next second, an announcement was made by the ship captain.

-"We will be arriving at our destination in thirty minutes. All the cadets on board are requested to gather in the main hall within the next five minutes."

Stopping our discussion, we checked our smart bracelet's dimensional storage to see if we had packed everything.

After making sure we were all clear, our group proceeded toward the main hall downstairs.

In the main hall, all the other first-year cadets who boarded the same ship as us were present.

There, all of us were given our objective for the final practical exam. As expected, like every year, it was a battle royale.

But this year, our objective was to take control of a clock tower situated at the center of the chain of isles.

The first unit to take control of the tower and write their names on the white flag present on top of it would win.

Of course, the losers won't automatically fail. Everyone would be evaluated based on their participation and efforts.

In fact, there was no way to fail the practical exam.

Even if someone is eliminated right off the start, they would still pass. Obviously, their score would suffer.

However, those who perform well in the exam will receive a series of rewards in the next academic year.

Whereas, those who win will receive a place in the Top 16 next year, i.e. either the Disciplinary Committee or the Cadet Council.

To be honest, after the King's Tournament, I should already have been in the Top 16, but since I was on leave for six months, my ranking plummeted.

Right now I should be somewhere in the Top 30. Well, it's fine. After winning this exam, I would cement my place in the Top 16 for next year.

Being in the Disciplinary Committee or Cadet Council is actually really beneficial since its members could go on leave for as long as they want, provided they keep up with their duties and take on missions that the academy assigns them.

Anyway, after giving us our objective, the ship captain told us all about how we will make landfall.

The ship was going to circle the chain of islands twice. The ship would be sailing as close as it could get to the coast.

Those who knew how to fly could do that to get to the islands while others would be jumping in the water and swimming to the shore.

The rules were simple.

Lethal attacks weren't allowed.

All kinds of relics, enchanted items, and mana techs were allowed.

A cadet will be eliminated if their smart bracelet is damaged.

First to mark their names on the white flag on top of the clock tower would win.

Cadets could start attacking each other as soon as they leave the ship.

After explaining the rules, the cadets were provided with enchanted armor vests that could negate one-fourth of the damage targeted at its user.

That way, a misfired stray spell or anything like that wouldn't accidentally kill a cadet.

Though, if something like that could kill them then they have already failed as a model cadet.

Anyway, the cadets were allowed to refuse the enchanted item if they had a better alternative.

After the ordeal was done, the practical exam officially began. The ship started circling around the chain of isles.

Some cadets rushed to the deck while others took their sweet time and decided to wait and watch for a while.

Our unit was among the ones who decided to move to the deck. As soon as we stepped into the open space, everyone present there shifted their attention to us.

Their gazes were scrutinizing as if they were scanning potential threats, and they weren't even trying to hide it.

Naturally, Nero and I were attracting most of the attention but the rest of our unit was still being regarded cautiously.

Leaning against the railing, watching the islands in front of us with bloodshot eyes, Kent yawned, still massaging his forehead.

"Will you be alright?" I asked. "You still look pretty beaten. Just how severe is your hangover?"

"I don't know, bro," Kent groaned. "I can't even remember what I took last night."

"And that's why drugs are bad, kids," Anastasia remarked playfully.

"Sure, Grandma," Kent chuckled. "But I will be alright."

"Like hell you'll be," Nero scoffed while walking up to us. In his hand, he carried a glass full of some yellow liquid. "Here, take this. You'll feel better."

"What is it? Are you poisoning me because you think I'll be a dead weight for you all?" Kent blinked.

"....." Nero sighed, shaking his head.

"It was a joke!" Kent shouted.

"It's a hangover remedy," Nero clarified, puffing his chest as a small smile tugged on his lips. "Created by yours truly."

"Careful, Kent! There might very well be poison in it!" I laughed. "But no, seriously, why do you have a hangover remedy?"

Nero shrugged, handing the glass over to the blue-haired elf. "My master drinks a lot. One of the first things she told me was how to deal with a hangover. She says it's a remedy passed down to her by her master."

"So it's not created by you?" I asked, grinning.

"It... Well, I modified it!" Nero retorted.

Anastasia frowned. "Should she be teaching her disciple how to deal with hangovers rather than instructing him to not drink? Sounds like a bad influence."

"Please," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "That's very tame compared to all the advice my Grandmaster benevolently graced upon me."

"Okay, okay, guys!"

Right then, Amelia clapped her hands to have our attention.

"Now that we know the objective," Amelia said while turning to face me. At the same time, everyone else also turned to me. "Tell us what's your strategy."

"What do you guys think I am?" I asked, furrowing my brow. "It's not even been a full ten minutes since the announcement. How do you think I could come up with a winning plan this fast?"

"So you don't have a plan?" Nero raised an eyebrow dubiously.

"...Of course, I have a plan."

Letting out a soft sigh, I willed mana to one of the two dimensional rings on my fingers.

Instantly, a whirlwind of ethereal sparks flashed before me before materializing into my hoverbike.

The cadets around in our immediate surroundings, even the members of my own unit, were forced to take a few steps back.

A chain of murmurs and whispers broke out amongst the cadets upon seeing what I had summoned.

Without minding the fuss, I quickly mounted my hoverbike and pressed the ignition switch.

The engine roared as it was jerked to life, igniting the eight propellers installed on this mechanical beauty.

I looked at the members of my unit and saw their mouths agape with eyes widened.

Before any one of them could even speak, I uttered a single sentence.

"This is the plan: take control of the clock tower and don't get eliminated. Also... the last one to get there will have to do the assignments of the other four for the whole academic year."

Before anyone could retort, refute, agree, or even comprehend my words, I took to the skies like a rocket.