On the morning of the real combat Test, hundreds of new students gathered at the back mountain entrance of Mystra Magic Academy.
Students dressed in academy uniforms of various colors lined up according to their classes, the atmosphere a mix of excitement and tension.
At the end of the Summoning Department’s first-year queue stood Camilla. From her satchel, Rimuru poked out half its head, eyes full of curiosity.
“Quiet.”
Though Ms. Victoria’s voice was not loud, it carried clearly across the entire field. She stood atop a temporarily assembled platform, with other professors representing their departments by her side.
“This real combat Test will last three days, covering areas B4 to B7 of the back mountain. Precautionary barriers and Surveillance Arrays have already been set up. The Test includes four categories: Teamwork, field Survival, completion of designated tasks, and simulated encounters. The total score is 100, evaluated by performance.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.
“Teams are allowed during the Test, with a maximum of four members. Now, I will announce the final confirmation list for pre-registered teams.”
Victoria took a roster from her assistant and began reading out names. Those called stepped out of their queues and joined their teammates.
“…Team Fifteen, Lilian Vivalana, Elina von Baldia, Emma Gattuso, Camilla Virelite.”
As Camilla stepped out, she spotted Lilian already waiting nearby. The little princess had changed into a light gold hunting outfit more suited for action today, her long hair tied in a neat ponytail and several Potion Bags hanging from her waist.
Beside her was Elina, who wore a Sorcerer’s Robe (Modified), and Emma, who looked obviously nervous.
“Camilla.”
Lilian smiled and waved. Camilla nodded back and walked over.
With all four gathered, Emma seemed uneasy, fingers twisting her sleeve.
“I-I still don’t think I’m really suitable… With people as strong as Her Highness Lilian and Miss Elina in the team, I’ll just drag you down…”
“What are you saying, Big Emma-sensei.”
Camilla patted her on the shoulder, offering encouragement.
“You’re actually very capable, you need to have confidence in yourself.”
Elina snorted, but reluctantly added, “She’s right. Pl—Emma, you’re actually quite gutsy in some ways.”
She referred to the day of Camilla’s enrollment, when Emma, to protect her friend, used a Flash Spell to blind her.
Lilian also reassured her gently, “We are a team. Only by having different strengths can we go farther.”
Just then, a slight commotion came from nearby. Camilla turned to see Ophelia also stepping out with her own team.
Ophelia was still in her usual concise Magic Swordsman training attire, blonde hair tied high, a longsword at her waist, her expression calm.
By her side, Lyudmila wore a faded Academy Uniform, her long, deep purple hair hanging loose. She carried a two-handed greatsword taller than herself, face expressionless, but there was a hint of near-obsessive focus in her pitch-black eyes.
The other two teammates were no pushovers either. Camilla rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t mistaken—Salina and Shana.
Wait, why are those two teaming up with Sis?
As Camilla puzzled over their relationship, Ms. Victoria’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
She had finished the roll call, and now a petite figure stepped onto the platform—Headmistress Krowa.
Today, the Headmistress looked exactly the same as usual. However, Camilla was sure that the one standing here was not the real person.
“Students.”
Her voice was crisp and powerful, her oratory even better than the real person’s, showcasing the professional demeanor of a Shadow Warrior.
“The real combat Test is an important opportunity to evaluate what you have learned since enrollment. It is also a precious chance to train your Survival skills and Teamwork.”
She paused here, her tone softening.
“I know there have been rumors recently, about various threats from outside Organizations. Let me make it clear—the Academy has made thorough preparations. The back mountain area is protected by three layers of barriers and twelve Surveillance Array nodes. Each team will receive an Emergency Teleportation Scroll and a Locator Beacon. If you encounter a danger you cannot handle, use the Scroll immediately. Professors will arrive within thirty seconds.”
Many students breathed a sigh of relief at these words.
However, Camilla did not let her guard down. Even though those Evil Organizations in the original story had suffered a heavy blow a few days ago, who could guarantee some wouldn’t ignore the risks and still cause trouble?
Luckily, Camilla had spent the past days making preparations that could be called foolproof. No matter which Evil Organization appeared, she would have some surprises ready for them.
The “Headmistress” continued her speech.
“During the Test, it is forbidden to maliciously harm fellow students, use Forbidden Drugs, or leave the designated area… Now, each team will collect their Material Kit in order. The Test will officially begin in one hour!”
No sooner had she finished speaking than the students began moving in an orderly manner.
Camilla’s team received the Material Kit labeled “15,” containing three days’ worth of Compressed Rations, basic medical supplies, a map marked with mission locations, a Locator Beacon, and most importantly—a single Emergency Teleportation Scroll.
“The scrolls are specially made. Tearing one open will generate a protective barrier for thirty seconds and send your coordinates to the nearest supervising professor.”
The assistant distributing supplies explained.
“Don’t lose it. Unless you encounter an emergency, do not use it lightly. Using it means forfeiting the Test, and your team’s result will be marked as unqualified.”
Emma carefully put away the Scroll. Elina examined the map, while Lilian began checking her Potion Bags.
Camilla stuffed the supplies into her satchel. Inside, Rimuru shifted a little, sending her the thoughts of [Excited…Looking forward to it…]
“Don’t get too excited,” she whispered.
“These three days won’t be easy.”
One hour later, all teams split up at the entrance and entered different sections of the back mountain.
Camilla’s team was assigned to the eastern side of Zone B5—a broadleaf forest interspersed with streams and small marshes.
The moment they entered the woods, the surrounding sounds changed abruptly. Birdsong, insect calls, the rustle of wind through leaves, and the faint sound of water in the distance all wove together into a natural background.
Sunlight was sliced into fragments by dense canopies, leaving the forest floor dim. The air was thick with the scent of earth and decaying leaves.
“The first mission point is the ‘Ancient Tree Ruins’ marked on the map, about two kilometers away,” Lilian said, spreading out the map.
“According to the rules, we need to reach it and complete the designated task before sunset to unlock the coordinates for the second mission point.”
“Can’t we just fly? My Lightning Magic can do short-range floating—” Elina frowned.
“There’s a no-fly barrier over the test area,” Camilla pointed up at the sky.
“All flying spells and items are disabled. We’ll have to walk honestly.”
The four followed a woodland path, Emma in front, holding a makeshift wooden staff. The tip glowed with a faint Light Spell, just bright enough to illuminate their way without drawing too much attention.
Camilla walked in the middle. Rimuru had already climbed out of the satchel, perched on her shoulder, its small blue body swaying gently with her steps. Its senses were much sharper than any human’s, able to detect hidden monsters or magical fluctuations ahead of time.
After about twenty minutes, the sound of water approached. A five-meter-wide creek crossed their path, the current gentle but the depth unclear.
“Emma, this is up to you. Use Ice Spell to lay a thin sheet of ice over the stream so we can walk across.”
Hearing Camilla’s words, Emma nodded, tapping her staff against the water. Cold air spread as a semi-transparent layer of ice formed visibly, wide enough for two to cross side by side.
The four hurried over. As the last person set foot on the opposite bank, the ice cracked and melted back into water.
“Nice control,” praised Lilian.
Emma blushed. “Just a basic spell…”
They continued. The forest grew darker. The Ancient Tree Ruins mission point was already faintly visible ahead—a ring-shaped clearing surrounded by several unusually massive ancient trees, with a ruined Stone Stele at its center.
But when they were still about a hundred meters away, Rimuru suddenly let out a rapid “puji” sound.
[Something ahead…dangerous…]
Camilla immediately raised her hand to signal the team to stop.
Almost at the same time, the bushes ahead shook violently.
Three lizard-like monsters covered in dark green scales emerged, each as big as a calf. Their eyes glowed red, corrosive saliva dripping from their mouths, and they gave threatening growls.
“Corroded Scale Lizards. Second-Order Monsters. They’re pack hunters and their saliva is poisonous. Everyone, be ca—”
Before she finished speaking, the three Corroded Scale Lizards had already lunged at them!