Chapter 250: The Practical Assessment [7]

The final stage of Holy Trinity’s practical assessment began with a rather unpleasant announcement.

"Each team will be responsible for retrieving an assigned object from a simulated enemy position," Professor Eklund explained. "You will have fifteen minutes to complete the objective. Exceeding the time limit will result in failure, regardless of your remaining mana."

A large projection appeared above the training grounds, displaying the interior of a ruined fortress.

Several corridors connected to an open courtyard, with watchtowers overlooking the surrounding passages. At the center stood a small chamber containing the object they were supposed to retrieve.

Naturally, the instructors had filled the place with magical constructs.

Ilya examined the layout while listening to the remaining rules.

The constructs would respond to intruders according to predetermined instructions, although their behavior could change depending on how students approached the objective. Teams would be evaluated according to completion time, mana expenditure, cooperation, and the condition of their members.

Directly destroying the fortress’s supporting formations was prohibited.

Apparently, someone had already attempted that during a previous assessment.

Ilya found that disappointing.

It sounded like an excellent solution.

"Team Seven, prepare yourselves."

Elise and Solenne joined him near the entrance while an instructor distributed their identification seals.

Both had arrived early enough to review the materials they had gathered yesterday, although the actual objective differed from the possibilities they had discussed.

Elise examined the projected fortress.

"Three entrances. The eastern passage looks shortest."

"And it’s probably the most heavily guarded," Solenne observed.

Ilya agreed. The eastern corridor connected almost directly to the central chamber, making it the obvious route for anyone hoping to finish quickly.

The instructors would have anticipated that.

Fortunately, they had been given a short preparation period.

Ilya studied the arrangement before suggesting that they approach through the northern passage. It was longer, but the route included several narrow corridors that would limit how many constructs could engage them simultaneously.

More importantly, the northern watchtower appeared to have a direct view of the central courtyard.

If they could reach it, they would gain a useful position from which to observe the remaining defenses.

Elise considered the proposal.

"Then I’ll handle anything guarding the tower."

"Let’s check what we’re dealing with first," Ilya answered. "We might not need to fight them."

Solenne nodded.

"Agreed. We should conserve our mana until we know what’s waiting inside."

With their initial approach settled, the three entered the assessment arena.

The protective formation activated behind them, and the projected fortress became a fully constructed training environment. Stone walls rose around the entrance, while the distant sounds of moving machinery echoed through the corridors.

A notice appeared above the gate.

[Time Remaining: 15:00]

The examination began.

Ilya led the way through the northern passage, keeping his pace slow enough for the others to follow comfortably.

He had no intention of using his unusual mobility to race ahead and leave his teammates behind. Their objective required cooperation, and separating immediately would accomplish little beyond making the instructors question his judgment.

The first obstacle appeared near a narrow intersection.

Two armored constructs patrolled the corridor, their movements following a repeating route between several fixed points.

Elise prepared a spell, but Ilya raised a hand.

"Give me a moment."

He observed the constructs through the gap between two stone pillars.

Their patrol pattern left a brief interval during which both turned away from the northern passage. The opening was narrow, but enough for three people to cross if they moved together.

Ilya explained the timing.

They waited until the constructs reached the far end before slipping through the intersection.

Neither machine noticed them.

Solenne seemed pleased.

"That was easier than I expected."

"Let’s hope the rest are equally cooperative."

Unfortunately, the instructors had other plans.

Their next obstacle was a sealed gate guarded by a magical formation. Several glowing runes covered the surrounding walls, while a crystal positioned above the entrance periodically released pulses of mana across the corridor.

Elise examined the arrangement.

"It’s an alarm formation. If we interfere with the gate directly, it’ll probably activate the constructs nearby."

Ilya nodded.

Destroying the crystal would be simple enough, but doing so might trigger another response.

Instead, he asked Solenne to examine the surrounding runes while Elise studied the gate’s locking mechanism.

The two quickly identified a possible solution.

The alarm formation monitored changes in the gate’s mana circulation. However, the lock itself could be released through a separate control rune positioned beside the entrance.

Unfortunately, activating the rune required a continuous supply of mana for several seconds.

That was where Elise came in.

She supplied the necessary energy while Solenne adjusted the surrounding formation to prevent the alarm from detecting the change.

Ilya remained near the intersection, watching for approaching constructs.

After several seconds, the gate opened.

No alarm sounded.

"Good work," Ilya said.

Elise smiled, while Solenne appeared relieved that their first attempt had succeeded.

They continued toward the watchtower.

By the time they reached the upper passage, ten minutes remained.

Ilya wasn’t particularly concerned. They had avoided unnecessary engagements, and the central courtyard was now within reach.

The watchtower contained a small observation platform overlooking the fortress’s interior.

From there, they could see several constructs patrolling around the central chamber. Two remained near the entrance, while another moved between the courtyard and an adjoining passage.

Elise counted the guards.

"Three below. We could probably defeat them."

"We could," Ilya agreed. "But look at the courtyard."

Several narrow grooves ran across the stone floor, connecting the central chamber to the surrounding walls.

Solenne noticed them as well.

"Another formation?"

"Probably."

The arrangement suggested that the courtyard contained a defensive mechanism capable of responding to intruders. Simply attacking the constructs might activate it.

Ilya considered their options.

They could attempt to disable the formation, but that would consume time they couldn’t afford to waste.

Alternatively, they could draw the guards away from the chamber and retrieve the object while the entrance remained unprotected.

That seemed more promising.

"Elise, can you attack the far wall from here without striking the constructs?"

"Of course."

"Good. Make enough noise to draw their attention, then move toward the western stairs. Solenne and I will approach the chamber from the other side."

Elise understood immediately.

"You’re going to use the distraction."

"That’s the plan. Don’t engage unless you have to."

She nodded before preparing her spell.

A moment later, lightning struck the courtyard’s western wall.

Crackle——!

The impact echoed through the fortress.

All three constructs turned toward the disturbance.

Two began moving toward the western passage, while the third remained beside the central chamber.

Ilya had expected that possibility.

He signaled Solenne to follow him.

They descended through the northern stairs and approached the courtyard from a narrow side passage.

The remaining construct stood near the entrance, its attention divided between the western disturbance and the surrounding corridors.

Ilya formed a small ice javelin and sent it toward the opposite wall.

The projectile shattered against the stone.

The construct turned.

Solenne immediately moved toward the chamber, keeping close to the wall while Ilya remained behind to occupy the guard’s attention.

Unfortunately, the construct reacted faster than expected.

It abandoned the disturbance and rushed toward Solenne, raising its weapon as it approached.

Ilya accelerated.

A burst of freezing wind carried him across the passage, allowing him to intercept the construct before it reached her.

His fist struck its armored side, forcing it away from the entrance.

The construct staggered.

Ilya followed with another attack, freezing one of its joints before withdrawing beyond the reach of its weapon.

The machine attempted to pursue him, but the damaged joint slowed its movement.

That was enough.

Solenne reached the chamber and retrieved the assigned object from its pedestal.

A bell rang.

[Objective Acquired.]

[Time Remaining: 05:42]

However, the examination wasn’t finished.

Another notice appeared.

[Return to the Entrance to Complete the Assessment.]

Naturally.

Ilya had suspected the instructors wouldn’t make things that easy.

"Solenne, head toward the northern stairs. I’ll follow."

She nodded and began moving.

Meanwhile, the constructs Elise had distracted were returning toward the central courtyard.

They had apparently recognized that the disturbance was a diversion.

Ilya considered the situation.

They could fight their way through, but doing so would waste mana and risk damaging the object.

Fortunately, Elise was still positioned near the western passage.

He called toward her.

"Elise! We’re leaving!"

She responded by releasing another lightning spell, forcing the approaching constructs to retreat behind the courtyard’s stone barriers.

The attack bought enough time for Ilya and Solenne to reach the northern stairs.

Elise joined them shortly afterward.

Rather than returning through the same passage, Ilya suggested taking a shorter route along the upper corridor.

They had already examined the fortress’s layout, and the alternative passage would bring them closer to the entrance without passing the alarm formation again.

The others agreed.

Their retreat proceeded smoothly until they reached the final intersection.

A construct had appeared near the exit.

Apparently, the instructors had anticipated that students might attempt to escape without fighting.

Ilya glanced at the remaining time.

Four minutes.

Enough.

"Elise, can you disable its legs?"

"Leave it to me."

Lightning flashed through the corridor, striking the construct’s lower joints and interrupting its movement.

Before the machine could recover, Solenne released a spell that forced it against the wall.

Ilya used the opening to pass through and reach the entrance.

The others followed.

A bell rang as all three crossed the threshold.

[Assessment Complete.]

[Completion Time: 11 Minutes, 38 Seconds.]

The fortress’s protective formation gradually dimmed, revealing the ordinary training arena beneath it.

Professor Eklund was waiting near the exit with several instructors.

He examined their results before offering a brief nod.

"Good work. You avoided most unnecessary engagements and completed the objective with all three members intact."

Ilya thanked him.

Elise appeared pleased, while Solenne was already examining the evaluation notice the instructor had handed them.

Their team had completed the exercise without losing a member or damaging the assigned object.

More importantly, they had managed to coordinate their abilities despite having little experience fighting together.

As they left the arena, Elise turned toward Ilya.

"That went better than I expected."

"I thought so too."

Solenne smiled.

"Although next time, I’d appreciate a little warning before one of those things charges at me."

"Fair request," Ilya admitted.

The three continued toward the waiting area, where several other teams were preparing for their own assessments.

Their examination was finished.

For now, however, the instructors had yet to announce the final evaluations, and Ilya was interested in seeing how the other teams approached the same objective.