Chapter 42 – Why Is It a Forest (1)

Even though it was the exam of the last trainee, the number of people in the exam venue did not decrease.

Rather, it was in a state that had increased compared to just before.

Considering that exam days were generally accepted as holidays, it was quite a surprising thing.

But it was only natural.

Because Henry’s performance was to the extent that even the examiner Melissa admired it.

‘He knows exactly. How to face them.’

In this exam, the trainee faced a total of five species of monsters.

The characteristics each possessed were diverse.

It was a structure where even with outstanding skill, one would be placed in quite a troublesome situation if a proper response was not made.

The first monster.

In the process of facing five goblins, what Melissa focused on verifying was not only the ability to cope with situations but also the ability of ‘efficient distribution of mana’.

Mana was a limited resource.

If all of it was drawn out and used, goblins would not even be opponents, but if he did that, he would have to take a rest before long.

However, Henry proved his capability by utilizing mana efficiently, that was, only at the strictly necessary moments.

‘He was also excellent when facing the Orcs.’

The second task.

When facing three Orcs, one of two methods could be selected.

One was the method of inflicting similar damage on all three, then killing them almost simultaneously.

Thereby avoiding the risk of facing a berserk Orc.

‘That would be more stable, but Henry Camilton chose another method.’

Instead of clumsily facing all three, Henry chose the method of killing them off one by one surely.

A swift conclusion.

By consuming mana without sparing it, he steadily reduced the enemy’s fighting strength and conserved his own energy.

‘The Troll was the same.’

The third task.

The Troll was a creature classified as a tricky monster to face due to its endlessly regenerating body.

Severing the neck at once with overwhelming power and speed was the only way to deal with it.

It seemed easy at a glance, but finding such an opening accurately from a fast-moving Troll was not an easy thing.

That was to say, the key to the evaluation was.

How ‘fast’ one subdued the Troll.

‘It didn’t even take two minutes. The number of times he swung the sword was only twice, too. Because he deceived the Troll once, and cut off its neck in the next attack. It is to the point that it cannot be thought of as his first time facing one.’

To Melissa, the Troll was not even an opponent to play around with, but she was someone who knew how to accurately distinguish between her own standards and those of others.

A trainee here.

Especially to a trainee still belonging to Class C, these monsters were clearly tricky things to face.

‘So that is why they were given as an exam, but… he is certainly amazing.’

She did not show it.

But while continuing to admire inwardly, Melissa watched the remaining exams as well.

The fourth task was ten Black Gnolls.

Possessing heads similar to dogs, their stature was even smaller than goblins.

But in collective combat, Gnolls were a race more tricky than any of the previous monsters.

‘Gnolls have a leader. If you cannot deal with it quickly, you will face monsters that attack while drawing up a strategy.’

Just by the existence of a leader, the power of the group rises rapidly.

The strategy of Gnolls was quite tricky, and to break through it, a significant amount of mana had to be consumed.

But did only about three minutes pass?

Melissa ended up admiring once again.

‘Outstanding.’

As soon as the ten Gnolls appeared.

Henry ran at full speed and killed their leader.

Accurate judgment and momentum.

In addition, in the process of dealing with the remaining Gnolls afterwards, he proved even his coping ability by reducing mana consumption to a minimum.

‘I cannot let such a talent rot further. As expected, my judgment was right. Even if it is only a few months, he is not a child who should be left to spend meaningless time in Class B.’

Henry Camilton was truly a gem.

It was not simply because of talent.

Because within the Royal Knights, that kind of talent was only at the level of being outstanding, and not at such an overwhelming level.

However, in all other areas, Melissa was evaluating Henry highly.

‘In fact, looking at the previous records… except for the fact that he could not handle mana, there was nothing to find fault with. He was diligent, and things like judgment or memory were also extremely outstanding.’

Only those who were outstanding in all aspects could act as knights of the Royal Family.

Fortunately, Henry was outstanding, and he had filled in the single missing piece.

‘Now what is needed is only experience.’

Henry Camilton was facing monsters for the first time in his life.

Even so, he made perfectly accurate decisions.

The basis of the judgment would be at most a few lines of theory seen in a book.

Let alone knowledge known by the head, how difficult was it to translate it into execution?

‘If such a fellow accumulates sufficient experience… he would be able to grow excellently. If he succeeds even up to this task, I should seriously speak to the Commander.’

The last, fifth task began.

This opponent was not a single species of monster.

Several monsters that appeared previously appeared mixed together, and the number reached a whopping thirty.

Melissa focused again. The clamorous trainees also stopped talking and only watched Henry’s figure.

‘There are two paths. What will you do, Henry Camilton?’

If it was the skill shown until just before, in fact, the method of consuming mana to his heart’s content and sweeping them away was entirely possible.

Since this was the last task.

Even if he consumed all mana, a sufficient rest would be given, and since it was an exam, demonstrating one’s skill was not something to be criticized.

‘Though it is true that it would be slightly regrettable.’

Actually, the method Melissa wanted was separate.

If the thirty monsters were of the same species it would be different, but it was a method possible because they were evenly mixed.

Monsters were certainly the enemies of humans.

However, that did not mean all monsters had a friendly relationship with each other.

The relationship between goblins and Gnolls was like that, and the relationship between Trolls and Orcs was like that.

‘If he waits while hiding his presence like this, at least half will self-destruct. The living ones won’t be in a whole state either.’

Entering at that time and sweeping away the exhausted monsters was the best choice Melissa thought of.

The trainees watching might consider the former to be more outstanding, but in the end, a person can only see as much as they know.

However, contrary to Melissa’s expectations.

Henry ran out as soon as the monsters settled.

‘Is he still a child after all?’

The trainees who were watching began to be clamorous.

Because in their eyes, Henry’s judgment right now came across as more unconventional.

Melissa let out a small sigh and leaned her body against the backrest.

Her eyes had cooled down a bit compared to before.

However, although it was regrettable, she was not disappointed.

‘Because it is not that bad of a choice.’

This degree was within the allowed range.

Rather, a bit of rashness could also help growth.

However.

After a very brief moment of time passed.

‘…I thought completely wrong.’

Before long, Melissa was in a posture leaning her upper body forward again.

Interest caught in her cooled eyes.

If she could only reveal her emotions, a reaction more intense than the trainees next to her would have surely burst out.

‘There was a third method. I didn’t even think of this?’

The third method.

Actually, rather than saying Melissa had not thought of it, the expression that she had not expected it was accurate.

Because it was an excessive expectation to place on a Class C trainee in the first place.

Henry had not run out blindly.

Although he pulled up mana to the maximum, there was a clear order to the monsters he dealt with afterwards.

A stage leading from the most dangerous to the slightly less dangerous ones.

However, if it was only up to that, it was insufficient to make Melissa admire.

‘He is keeping the balance perfectly.’

Even if the target was right in front of his nose, if it was more interested in other monsters than Henry himself, he pushed it to a lower priority.

They were fellows who could lead to the enemy’s loss just by being left alone.

Furthermore, the decisive thing was.

The fact that amidst the constantly changing situations, Henry changed the order to match that situation every time.

“There is no need to watch further.”

This time, she ended up muttering aloud.

Melissa immediately stood up from her seat and sought the other examiners.

Trainees admired once again at the unprecedented situation, and in the meantime, Melissa exchanged opinions with the examiners and reached a conclusion.

“Then we will implement it as planned. There would be nothing as regrettable as not seeing the result here.”

***

The noisy space turned quiet.

The monsters that surrounded Henry all fell, and because it was an illusion, they disappeared without even leaving debris.

The same state as when he first entered.

In the silence, Henry spoke.

“Thank you for the 500,000 won. I will use it carefully where it is strictly necessary.”

[Oop Oop! Oop Oop! Oop Oop! Oop Oop! Oop Oop!]

[It really was cleared within 10 minutes lolol]

[Sir Knight, you have given up on hiding your skills now, right? lolol]

[Countless requests for handshakes as soon as you walk out of the exam venue lolol]

[For real, if the knights who came last time were here too, they would have lost their minds???]

“I gave up. Honestly, up to Class C, I could pass it off as coincidence, but from Class B, it is impossible. It is not a place one can rise to by luck. Also, there is no reason to hide it anymore.”

Hiding power was only when there was no background to protect one.

But not long ago.

Thanks to Bane Timothy’s foolish act, Henry had left a solid impression on the knights of the ten major noble families.

The same was true especially for the Royal Knight Melissa, who presided over today’s exam.

Just as Austin had said there was something, Henry also had felt long ago that she was very interested in him.

“I have obtained a background. Honestly, it’s not to the extent that I can say it’s reassuring, but it has become enough to not get caught up in sloppy tricks. Right now, I have become in a position where I can beat up Bane to my heart’s content. Of course, only in the case when they pick a fight first, though.”

A Class B trainee could do that.

Because no matter how much they were a child of a Marquis family, it was impossible to manipulate even the academy’s rules.

Rather, if there was a ‘normal procedure’, it was at a level where it was difficult to even raise an objection.

“For now, to add the explanation I missed when facing the monsters earlier…”

Henry conducted the broadcast a bit longer for a moment.

Borrowing the words of the viewers, the method Henry chose was a ‘speedrun’, and because of that, he had not delivered sufficient explanations.

Then, suddenly.

Henry felt something strange.

“Why is there no instruction to come out?”

The exam was finished long ago. By now, the situation should be sorted out with various instructions.

“I should head out. It seems some problem has occurred.”

Henry headed to the door.

He put his ear to it, but there was no sound heard.

And click. The moment he opened the door and walked out.

“…?”

The unfolded scene was of a kind very different from Henry’s expectations.

“Why is it a forest?”

[lolol]

[What is this lol]

[Why is it real lolol]

[It’s seriously a forest lolol]

In an instant, countless thoughts repeated popping up and disappearing.

“This is not an illusion. The flow of mana is natural, and where on earth is this?”

Being so dumbfounded, only hollow air leaked out of him.

In the exam a moment ago, Henry became able to distinguish illusions.

Because the flow of mana was different.

Judging by that experience, this space was absolutely not an illusion.

“It’s not an illusion, and I was in the middle of taking an exam. It was the Knight Academy of Vallaran. That is certain. Also, the ones who presided over the exam were the Royal Knights…”

At the end of a brief monologue, Henry reached a conclusion that was at least plausible.

“This is an extension of the exam. Austin had said so. The part where Dame Melissa said we would face monsters crafted by illusions. That it was a lie.”

They seemed to want to hide this content.

Whatever the reason, the exam was not over yet.

If so, the attitude Henry had to adopt was clear.

“…Anyway, this place is a forest. Judging by the position of the sun, it seems to be around noon. There are no trees blocking the sunlight, and fortunately, the trees are not that dense either. In times like this, securing vision is the priority.”

The explanation automatically flowed from his mouth.

The knowledge filled in his head for three years.

Things he wondered when he could utilize, but that was right now.

“But I probably won’t need to do that. Since I can see through the flow of mana. Something is approaching from the front. There is also something southwest, some distance away, but it is not coming this way.”

[What’s with the stance change lolol]

[Maphack “ON”]

[Lol what is it? Why is he suddenly adding that kind of explanation??]

[Show-off mode lol]

Henry drew his sword.

With a brief swing, he left a small mark on the tree in front.

“It means it’s the starting point. I don’t know why I am placed in this kind of situation, but let’s begin for now.”

BJ Swordmaster