EP.122 Watch Out as the End Approaches (4)
It rained from the morning that day.
Summer’s rainy season, known for its frequent arrivals, had yet to arrive. Even the scholars predicting the weather asserted that this week would be clear. So, it must be close to a shower.
Swoosh
The rain pours down refreshingly.
Water drips from the eaves, pooling in the cracks of the plaza’s pavement. The sun is hidden by dark clouds, suggesting today will inevitably be a gloomy day.
Thud, plop
The sound of raindrops hitting the window gently resonates in the classroom. There is no other noise. Even the professor, who usually taps the blackboard during class, remains silent today.
Scratch
Only the sound of pens gliding over paper can be heard occasionally. Finally, ding—the bell rings. The teaching assistant standing on the platform opens her mouth.
“The exam is over. Please submit your papers and exit.”
Only then do the students put down their pens.
Gasps escape from here and there. Some let out long sighs, while others stretch languidly and rise from their seats.
This is the basic course, Mana Tuning Studies.
The final exam for this subject has just ended. Mana Tuning Studies marks the conclusion of the week. The end of this subject’s final exam means… all exams are officially over.
“It’s finally done.”
“Right? How did you do?”
“Not bad, I missed a question or two… but still, it shouldn’t be too bad.”
The students chat as they head out of the classroom. Despite the pouring rain and dreary weather, their expressions are not entirely bleak.
There are students who frown from failing the exam, but regardless, their hearts feel lighter.
The final exam is over.
The short yet long exam period has ended, and they can finally be free from their studies. With the burden they had carried throughout the semester lifted, they feel a breath of relief.
“That was tough, so tough.”
They say it’s tough, but smiles spread across their faces. Now, only the end of term remains.
End of term, and then vacation.
Their steps lighten with anticipation for the golden time that will soon arrive. It’s the sweet reward they have earned after overcoming countless hardships. The struggle makes it even more precious.
The long semester is reaching its end.
The students relax at that thought.
And in that moment, they let their guard down.
“…Something’s been posted on the bulletin board?”
“Huh? What does it say?”
“Isn’t it a notice for vacation?”
“Doesn’t seem like it. A class? Oh, it’s an event notice? An event giving non-curricular points.”
“…Event?”
As always.
“Yeah. It’s an event that gives non-curricular points, and since there’s still a bit of time until the end of term, many people tend to participate. There aren’t many details, but it looks fun.”
“There aren’t many events that give non-curricular points.”
“I heard it’s competitive in nature. Doesn’t it sound fun?”
“Should I try participating?”
Incidents often sneak up when one least expects it.
“Here it is. Looks like we just need to write our department, student number, and name.”
“There are so many participants!”
“It’s rare to earn non-curricular points, right? So, people want to grab this opportunity.”
“That’s true, the event itself looks fun.”
A crowd of students gathers in front of the bulletin board.
They glance at the event notice that’s been put up.
“Challenge! Guardians of Apuria!”
“Let’s see how long we can withstand against training golems! Rankings will be determined based on the time endured, and the student who lasts the longest will receive 50 non-curricular points along with a small prize…”
The notice features a cheerful drawing with round letters alongside it. It’s poorly drawn, making it hard to recognize… but upon closer inspection, it seems like a cute golem swinging its fists.
“I signed up.”
“Me too. Does this mean we’re participating?”
A list densely filled with names.
New names keep getting added without a second thought. The students write their names down. After all, it’s only against a training golem.
‘What’s so difficult about enduring that?’
Memories of the training golems stacked high in the spell research lab come to students’ minds. They’re technically just dummies.
“I heard the minimum condition is to endure for 10 seconds?”
“10 seconds? Come on, I could do that barehanded.”
“Whoever planned this must have underestimated it. Who can’t withstand for 10 seconds?”
The students snicker while looking at the paper on the bulletin board. No matter how they think about it, it feels like an easy event.
“…”
And there is someone watching them.
Mackhart, a professor from the Battle Magic Department, passing through the corridor, briefly halts and glances at the students gathered by the bulletin board.
‘…Are they thinking of participating in that insane event?’
Watching the giggling students, Mackhart shakes his head. Memories from a few days ago come to his mind.
-Can I borrow a few of these?
The image of the girl who had suddenly approached him requesting to borrow training golems flickers before his eyes.
-Is it okay if I modify these a bit?
A chilling smile.
The hand that fiddled with the golem, as if savoring its flavor.
-Ah, yes, this will do.
And what was birthed at the end of that.
“…Tsk, tsk.”
Mackhart clicks his tongue softly.
‘They’re going to have quite a rough time.’
He ponders with a sense of sympathy for the students as he moves along. The students remaining in the hallway are completely unaware of this fact, busy laughing and chatting.
Boom!
Lightning flashes, illuminating the window.
The glimmer lasts just a moment. After the brief light passes, the sky remains dark. It feels like it’s foreshadowing… the students’ grim future.
“I’ll at least endure for about 10 minutes…”
“Hey, what’s 10 minutes? I can last an hour!”
Of course.
The students had no way of knowing the truth.
—
2.
“Challenge! Guardians of Apuria!”
The day of the mysterious event.
The weather was fine, as if it had never rained. The bright, hot sun shines down on the fields.
Students gather at the edge of the forest, not far from Apuria. They stare blankly at each other, waiting for the event to begin.
Thump, thud
Soon, heavy footsteps can be heard.
They don’t sound like regular human footsteps. The ground trembles with each step.
“…Uh.”
Someone raises their arm.
They point at something. The students turn their eyes to where the finger is aimed. Their eyes widen.
Creeeak, thud
The owner of the heavy footsteps.
Standing in the meadow is a gigantic golem.
“Ah, looks like you all have gathered.”
An unrecognizable figure who had been perched on the golem’s shoulder lands gracefully on the ground. No one could mistake her. Her signature ashen hair billows in the wind.
“I am Rania van Trias, the one in charge of planning and organizing this event. Nice to meet you all.”
She smiles brightly.
Brighter than the blinding sunlight.
Rania van Trias.
At the mention of her name, the students’ faces turn pale. They had already thought it might be an ill-planned event while reading the event description… but if the one who planned it is that nightmare-inducing professor, the situation changes entirely.
‘Ill-planned’ event.
The meaning of that adjective has now transformed. The students’ gazes shift toward the golem she has ridden in on.
Hiss, steam
Smoke rises from the joints of the golem.
This is unlike the training golems they know. It is huge, twofold the size. Overwhelmed, someone begins to take steps back.
“Hmm.”
Whether she realizes the students’ reaction or not… Professor Rania looks around with a smile.
“I see many of you have signed up.”
She nods and begins her explanation.
“As stated in the event notice, the premise of this competition is simple. You must use ‘Protection’ spells to withstand against this golem.”
Tap as she pats the golem.
The golem reacts, emitting steam with a Hiss, hiss. Its dark blue eyes glimmer with intensity.
‘…Withstand?’
The students blink in disbelief.
Their eyes shake vigorously.
‘Are we supposed to withstand that?’
Is she out of her mind? Such thoughts arise.
That skepticism is truly understandable. However, there are indeed individuals who take the obvious for granted.
“Though this event was planned to be lighthearted, it will also prove to be beneficial for you all. I’ve heard from a knight I know that this is often conducted as training on the battlefield.”
Professor Rania is one such representative example.
She continues with a beaming smile.
“Protection spells are the most foundational spells. They are the spells that protect you in emergencies. It wouldn’t hurt to train them, would it?”
Her voice is filled with excitement.
“Now we will have a demonstration by our skilled teaching assistant. Mack?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Someone darts forward hastily.
It’s Mack, who received a failing grade in the last group project. Mack, with tears in his eyes, stands before the golem.
‘…I got a failing grade, so I need to earn some non-curricular points. If not, I’ll have to retake the course.’
He has his own dilemmas.
‘More importantly, for the sake of my group members…!’
Recently, Professor Rania whispered in Mack’s ear. If he becomes the first participant, he wouldn’t have to give F group a very low score.
As a group leader, it’s customary to sacrifice oneself for the team.
Mack stands in front of the golem, determined to regain honor for his previous mistake. The sight of the golem before him is enough to take his breath away.
“I, I’m ready.”
“Alright, I’ll start on three.”
Mack replies stiffly.
Professor Rania smiles and wiggles her fingers.
“One.”
The golem thumps down in front of Mack.
“Two.”
The golem raises its arm.
Its joints creak as it releases steam with Hiss.
“Three.”
With a Whoosh, the air is sliced through.
The golem’s arm swings horizontally toward Mack’s protection spell. As Mack looks at the incoming arm, an involuntary thought strikes him.
‘Oh no, this is bad…’
WHOOM
The golem’s arm shatters Mack’s protection spell.
As if that weren’t enough, the golem’s arm moves forward, slamming into Mack’s body. There’s no grand sound of impact.
“Ugh, ugh…”
Mack gags and collapses.
The students who had anticipated Mack’s body being sent flying blink in shock. With an arm that fast, even a minor hit would cause fractures. However, there are no visible injuries on Mack’s body.
“As you can see, I have ensured your safety.”
Professor Rania addresses the students, answering their unasked questions.
“I’ve installed a shock conversion magical engineering device at considerable expense. All physical impacts from this golem are converted into magical shock.”
If only they knew what that meant.
“It means that your mana will just waver and that’s all. Mack? Can you stand?”
“Ugh, I feel a bit nauseous…”
“Yes, you’re fine.”
Pat, pat – Professor Rania pats Mack’s back a couple of times. Mack stands up, staggering. Professor Rania gestures to him, presenting him as a fine example.
“It only leaves you a bit shaky. You don’t need to worry that much.”
Worry is all they can feel now.
“The minimum condition is to endure for 10 seconds, so let’s all do our best, shall we?”
Professor Rania is all smiles.
Always smiling brightly.
There isn’t a hint of malice in that laugh. She looks as though she truly planned a delightful event. The students feel a chill running down their spines at that sight.
“I, I want to withdraw from the…”
Someone attempts to make a wise choice, but another student grabs their arm. Shaking their head, they advise.
“…Why would there be a minimum condition for an event that gives non-curricular points?”
“…”
“If you can’t fulfill that condition and run away, you won’t be able to participate in the next event offering non-curricular points. And you know how rare those events are…”
“Damn…”
This measure is originally intended to deter students from signing up carelessly and then leaving. However, now it is used maliciously against them.
“Excuse me? What did you say?”
“Oh, it’s nothing…”
The student lowers their hand.
They choke down their tears and remember their turn.
What can they do?
This is the event they chose to participate in. All they have left is the option to grit their teeth and endure…
—
3.
“Gwaaargh!”
“Hrgk, Urrk!”
“Ugh, UGGHHH!”
Wails echo through the air.
“Cough!”
“Hik, heeeeeugh!”
Groans ring out.
“I… I can’t take it anymore!”
“Uwaaahhhh!”
Screams pierce the atmosphere.
“Oh, you lasted quite a while.”
Then.
“Now, the next student can enter, please.”
A cheerful voice reverberates.
Professor Rania continues replenishing mana to the golem as she pats it. There seems to be no end to the mana. The golem is raring to go.
“Uuugh…”
“I feel strange…”
In stark contrast to the active golem, the students lie sprawled on the meadow. They aren’t hurt; they just feel queasy. They could stand if they want to, but…
‘If I stand, it’ll be my turn.’
There’s no spark of will to rise.
They lie on the meadow, cozy and warm under the midsummer sun. The odd comfort brings tears to the students’ eyes.
‘What was I thinking…?’
Non-curricular points.
One of the graduation requirements in Apuria, obtainable through various events conducted within the academic year.
‘Seniors said it’s tough to earn non-curricular points and encouraged everyone to participate in any event that arises… and here I am, just a participant.’
They were fished in.
They truly were.
“I… endured!”
Someone exclaims with joy over their success. They managed to last just 10 seconds, but their smile is of one who has conquered the world as they exit the event arena.
The students watch them with dazed expressions.
Their eyes express envy.
‘It’s not entirely impossible, is it?’
This makes it all the more sinister.
As long as one has the will, they can challenge again and again. Sometimes the success seems just within reach. With each attempt, the students’ techniques become more refined.
There’s learning. There’s growth.
It seems that brings Rania immense joy, as she claps her hands. She looks happier than ever.
‘This will be a memorable event.’
It will surely become a lovely memory for the students.
Though it might seem hard now, in hindsight… they will be able to say, ‘Ah, such a time existed,’ with a smile.
‘I did that.’
Remembering the moments spent on the battlefield, Rania nods. While the echoes of groans fill the air, Rania continues her evaluation.
“Professor, I feel queasy…”
“Oh dear, go rest for a bit and then come back to try again. There’s still plenty of time left.”
“No, I think I’ll just quit…”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s nothing…”
Thus, “Challenge! Guardians of Apuria!” continued until dusk. The participating students would gain a profound realization.
As the end of the semester nears.
The closer they come to the finish line.
During such times, they must not let their guard down. They must stay vigilant. They must not be complacent. As the end approaches, they must exercise even more caution.
The wisdom born from experience is not easily forgotten.
‘An event that will etch itself into memory.’
In a sense, it was the outcome that coincided with the initial intentions of Rania’s planned event. Reflecting on the event’s results, Rania blurted out.
“What a rewarding semester.”
It was a summer day right before the end of term.
