Chief Magician Jin Joohwa’s explanation dragged on about the process, how groups would form, and the types of monsters. I understood his caution, but just wished he would start the exam already.

“Now, we will begin. Group 1, please stand up.”

Group 1 consisted of Hazuki, Kim Junho, Yoo Jungjin, and Spenner. I only knew Hazuki.

“I’ll do my best!”

Hazuki stood up as her friends encouraged her. The four members followed a staff to the examination grounds.

“Everyone else, please stand to the side.”

The 96 remaining cadets in Veritas stood against the wall. Jin Joohwa clapped, and ten circular tables with ten chairs each rose from the floor.

“Take a seat, everyone. You will write a report for this exam as well.”

The cadets all groaned.

“Sit wherever you want.”

Since I already knew, it didn’t faze me. I took a random seat as the other cadets sat with their friends.

“…?”

I glanced sideways and saw Rachel. She stared at her fingernails and trimmed them with a nail clipper. We made eye contact, and she hastily put away the nail clipper.

“Battle analysis will also be a part of this exam.”

Jin Joohwa explained, “It’s simple. You will carefully analyze the cadets battling monsters and write a report.”

A monitor for each seat shot up from the tables. The screen split into four, each showing a different cadet taking the exam.

“How they defeated the monsters, or why they lost. Even if they won, what did they lack? If they lost, what could they improve? This is what we are looking for in your reports.”

Chak, chak. Jin Joohwa clapped, and the other magicians handed out the papers.

“You will write three reports, but only the best one will reflect your grade. That doesn’t mean you can write only one. If you do, you will be penalized.”

I picked up the peer assessment paper and looked at it. Suddenly, I recalled my college days as I wrote my name and the name of the cadet I was evaluating. [Check the anonymous checkbox if you wish to remain anonymous.]

Thankfully, we could remain anonymous.

“For the record, this report only makes up 5% of your grade, but they will be given to the cadets you evaluated.”

The cadets looked around at their peers.

“Giving your peers advice and encouraging others are also the duties of a hero. You will be penalized if you act maliciously.”

The chief magician smiled.

“It seems we’re ready. Group 1’s exam will now begin.”

I stared at the monitor and clicked on Hazuki’s box. The other three disappeared as the screen displayed Hazuki fighting a low-intermediate rank, grade 1 monster. This ghoul should be a difficult fight.

— Clang, clang

The ghoul’s claws clashed with Hazuki’s axe. She calmly responded to its attacks, but the ghoul’s claws were sturdier than average high grade weapons. After exchanging a few blows, Hazuki concluded the disadvantage and began circling the room. She took advantage of the ghoul’s slowness as she looked for an opening, but 15 minutes passed with no change. The ghoul disappeared after being reverse summoned.

“Draw, Hazuki and Yoo Jungjin. Victory, Spenner. Defeat, Kim Junho. Next is Group 2. Chae Nayun, Hojun, Jutryn, and Carlos.”

Chae Nayun walked up in an imposing manner. The weight of her bow seemed lighter than usual. What could Kim Suho have said to her? I looked at Chae Nayun through the monitor.

“A thousand-mile horse?”

Chae Nayun’s opponent was an intermediate rank, grade 9 monster. The thousand-mile horse was one of the trickiest monsters for an archer, but Chae Nayun stood confidently in front of it. Not long afterward, the battle began. Chae Nayun drew her bow, and the thousand-mile horse charged at her. I examined the fight with the help of my gift. Master Sharpshooter had also increased my sense of judgment with my eyes. I could clearly see Chae Nayun’s faults.

[Chae Nayun]

Chae Nayun rolled to the side and missed an opportunity to attack. She should have stabbed an arrow in its flank or fired after rolling to hit the horse’s butt.

[Chae Nayun only shoots her bow in upright positions. She lacks adaptability and situational awareness as an archer.]

Chae Nayun fixated on textbook stances. As a result, the thousand-mile horse easily dodged her arrows.

[In a one-on-one fight, sharpshooters require detailed analysis and background knowledge of their targets. However, Chae Nayun lacks knowledge about monsters.]

She could easily defeat the thousand-mile horse after disabling its legs first. However, Chae Nayun attacked large areas like its neck and body.

She didn’t like memorizing theory. I had created that flaw in her myself.

[Her ability to predict her opponents is superb, but she doesn’t take the speed of her arrows into account.]

This was a matter of talent. Chae Nayun’s talent for the bow was ranked second or third at best. In contrast, her talent for the longsword ranked first. The spear and bow came after. Chae Nayun couldn’t predict what I could as a sharpshooter. That was the difference between our gifts.

[Chae Nayun only managed to win against the thousand-mile horse because of her overwhelming magic power.]

Eventually, the thousand-mile horse grew tired and couldn’t withstand the endless barrage of arrows.

[Overall, I recommend Chae Nayun find a more suitable weapon for her immense magic power.]

The exam ended with her victory, but my report only criticized her. Still, they were reasonable. The person grading this report would agree if they had sharp eyes.

“Victory, Chae Nayun. Defeat, Hojun and Jutryn. Draw, Carlos.”

Chae Nayun returned in the same imposing manner as when she left. I didn’t give her a single glance and felt somewhat guilty as I flipped over my report.

“Next is group 3…”

The exam continued.

***

Meanwhile, Oh Junhyuk patrolled the west forest. He felt a faint vibration that bothered him. Normally, he would have ignored it, but someone had killed a police officer yesterday. As a result, he acted much more diligently.

Oong—

A vibration even clearer than the one before rang out.

“Youngji, did you feel that?”

— Yep, another vibration. I think it’s coming from the ocean. Can you tell me exactly when you feel it?

Seo Youngji quickly replied through a micro-transceiver.

“How should I know?”

— Then just send me your smartwatch data.

“…”

Oh Junhyuk did as she requested.

— I’m in the east forest. The vibration was 0.03 seconds faster on your side. The source must be in the west sea.

“Can I use the smartwatch to calculate the same thing?”

— You should be able to since the association specially crafted it. Anyways, I’m headed there now. Wait for me.

“Got it.”

Oh Junhyuk proceeded towards the west sea through a field of weeds. Since the vibration came from the west sea, he planned to observe from a distance. Suddenly, he felt magic power. Oh Junhyuk quickly turned and saw a shadowy figure coming out of the forest.

“…”

Oh Junhyuk stared at the figure he had seen before. Tap, tap. The man walked out with heavy steps. Oh Junhyuk remembered him because of his unique aura and large build with a sinister face. The man who glared at him at the arena smiled widely. Oh Junhyuk spoke in a businesslike manner.

“This area is off-limits to outsiders.”

“Is it?”

A fierce light shone from the man’s eyes.

“Then why are you here?”

His voice sounded deep and husky. However, Oh Junhyuk retorted.

“Because I’m not an outsider.”

“Mm, what a surprise.”

The giant man dryly replied as he rubbed his chin. Oh Junhyuk forced himself to smile.

“If you understand, please go back.”

“I refuse.”

With a grin, the giant man suddenly cracked his knuckles. He was asking for a fight. Oh Junhyuk deeply sighed.

“You were the one who murdered the police officer, correct?”

“Huh? I don’t know. Rather than that, don’t just stand there.”

A chilling wind blew from the sea. Oh Junhyuk’s smartwatch loudly rang.

“Move if you don’t want to get beaten up!”

As the giant man’s voice fell…

Chwaa— 

A huge creature shot up from the depths of the sea with a burst of water. Oh Junhyuk quickly turned around. The creature looked like a snake, but with overwhelming size and viciousness.

A mythical serpent dragon had appeared in the west sea.