The reward of tragedy.
Inevitably bad things happen.
In a future shown by the status window, Eliya was choking my neck.
The accident halts.
I come to accept it late.
‘… As expected, this is what happens.’
Eliya is skilled at detecting and stabbing at human emotions.
On the other hand, she cannot feel them herself.
It was the same when she was an adult.
It seems nothing has changed even now.
‘Fate, huh…’
Not a word I particularly like.
Because I don’t want to live as it’s been predetermined.
That’s why I struggled so much and rebelled.
A person’s nature doesn’t easily change.
In fact, I don’t really like that saying either.
It’s a phrase that confines people to a predetermined mold.
Isn’t it no different than fate?
I just have no choice but to concede.
I believe that a person is defined not by how they’re born, but by how they live.
Maybe it’s belief, or maybe it’s what I want to believe.
Besides, Eliya is an outsider.
Changing oneself and changing others are completely different issues.
You don’t change others; you hope they change.
A person will only change when they wish to.
If you ask if I’m secretly hopeful, to be honest, that’s a lie.
The sides of her I didn’t know that she showed me.
I occasionally held hope from her unfamiliar aspects.
What if Eliya doesn’t kill me?
Then I have no reason to leave this safe training ground.
I often saw how the powerless, penniless kids lived outside.
Even if it’s just a game, I was frequently exposed to it.
Begging. Stealing. Pickpocketing.
Then there’s brawling with other kids.
Or facing off with adult thugs, getting stabbed, and dying, or maybe getting sold off somewhere.
So training to become a knight here is, in fact, a very safe and ideal thing.
If only Eliya doesn’t kill me.
‘… I don’t know if anything will come of that.’
I escape.
That resolution hasn’t changed.
*
There is one good thing.
I don’t have to escape right now.
When I closely examined the future scene, Eliya and I are of different builds than we are now.
‘It’s blurry, so I can’t see well… but at least not now.’
In other words, Eliya choking my neck is a future event.
I don’t know how far away or close it is.
The scene I’ve been shown isn’t clear.
‘But still, both Eliya and I seem to be quite tall. That means it’s probably not in the very near future. And since we’re wearing clothes, it can’t be anything else…’
The future that tragedy reveals is inevitable.
To put it another way, Eliya won’t kill me until she chokes me.
…Probably.
‘But what are the circumstances surrounding this scene?’
Me lying down.
Eliya choking me.
It’s impossible for Eliya to overpower me.
If she tried to mount me to choke me, I wouldn’t have just laid still.
‘Is it magic…? Possibly magic that interferes with the mind.’
Brainwashing, suggestion, fainting, sensory blocking, and so on.
But magic that interferes with the mind is all forbidden.
After being sealed in the underground prison co-owned by the royal palace and the magic tower, it’s strictly monitored.
Regardless of skill level, it is impossible to learn legally.
‘There are illegal pathways, though. Even if it’s Eliya, it wouldn’t be an easy route to access…’
She could probably do it, being Eliya and all.
‘If you think about it, wouldn’t using fire be more certain…?’
Why did Eliya choose strangulation?
Suddenly Sardis comes to mind.
His magic vanished upon contact with my body.
‘In the game, items with the moon attribute were resistant to fire.’
However, characters wearing moon attribute armor couldn’t withstand Eliya’s crazy flames.
I know because I’ve experimented with it.
They burned cleanly to death.
‘Is the moon attribute residing in my body and magic something special?’
It’s not something I can test.
Maybe after choking me, she could use fire magic afterward.
Or maybe she has already ignited the fire inside.
Eliya can summon fire from within a person’s body.
Invisible from the outside.
‘I wish the Information Guild would contact me soon.’
I need to hasten my plans.
So I can escape at any time.
Balak is gone, but the Information Guild must have a way.
The status window appeared when I decided to take the exam.
The scene in which Eliya chokes my neck.
It seems as if my decision to take the exam leads to that kind of future.
But I know.
This future is a predetermined fate.
Whether I take the exam or not.
Passing or failing, it’s a fate that will inevitably happen.
Still, I want to escape.
Even if tragedy is fate.
*
“I’ll be taking the first exam.”
Gawain said as he hung up the wooden sword on the rack.
I answered painfully while lying on the ground.
“Yes….”
My entire body hurts.
I feel like I’m dying.
I was also known for being merciless with kids, but this guy surpassed that.
Is this karma?
“Hmm.”
He looked down at me slowly, deep in thought.
“I don’t think you’ll get disqualified. So don’t get disqualified.”
“Yes, well… I will try my best.”
“I’ll be disappointed if you get disqualified.”
“…Huh?”
He walked off, ignoring my surprised reply.
I stared at the door he just exited for a moment.
‘… What was that?’
So he’s saying he’d be disappointed if I, his student, got disqualified?
“Geez.”
I was taken aback.
I didn’t want to laugh, but a hollow chuckle escaped me.
Every time I laughed, my body ached.
[Hidden quest ‘First Master’ has been completed.]
‘Huh?’
[Please select your reward.]
[1. Stamina increase (+5)]
[2. Sword defense skill (+1)]
[3. Survival expert]
[4. Magic increase (+3)]
First Master, huh.
Come to think of it, there was such a thing.
A quest that clears when you establish a teacher-student relationship with a specific character.
So, that means Gawain has acknowledged me as his student.
While pretending as if he hasn’t at all.
‘What an unusual guy. A true tsundere.’
Anyway, it’s a good thing for me.
The reward options were quite decent.
The increase in stats is substantial.
Although the increase for the sword defense skill is only 1, the characteristic level isn’t something that rises easily.
Even 1 point is valuable.
But that Survival Expert.
It’s a characteristic I need urgently.
When my ‘survival’ is practically threatened, it sends me a ‘warning.’
For example, if someone decides to kill me and tries to choke me.
‘If I have just this trait, I might escape that tragedy.’
Of course, avoiding that threat depends on my ability.
If I sense the warning too late and can’t evade, then I’ll surely die.
‘But hey, better to have it than not. Much better.’
There are also secondary effects.
Just as its name suggests, it helps me ‘survive’ no matter the situation I’m thrown into.
It’s kind of like providing survival knowledge on the spot.
I don’t have a guarantee that I’ll leave here stably.
I might have to leave in a hurry, or perhaps end up living on the run.
So, being a survival expert is useful in that it gives me an advantage for my survival in any situation.
‘If I keep acquiring traits like this, maybe I can avoid or overcome the tragedy.’
This game consists mostly of choices.
Naturally, there are many times when the options I hope for are not present.
Especially when facing Eliya.
On the other hand, I can move, judge, and act on my own.
Perhaps, just perhaps, it might be possible to avoid or overcome the tragedy.
[‘Survival Expert’ has been added to your traits.]
The first exam is drawing near.
*
“Go and kill them all.”
Richard clapped my shoulder, cheering me on.
A classic line from him.
Dillon, who was next to him, also offered advice.
“… This first exam isn’t a combat event. Anyway, even if you fail, don’t be discouraged, so you don’t have to feel pressured. It’s better to preserve your body safely than risk injury and aim for the next exam…”
“Ugh, stop nagging…”
Richard teased from the side.
Dillon bit his lip and replied in a subdued voice.
“I was just giving objective advice.”
“Yeah, I see… you would say that.”
“And Judas has been growing faster than the other newcomers. He has had good results, so if he fails this time, it will be even more disappointing…”
“Oh yeah, absolutely. Our squad leader is always right.”
“…Can I hit you?”
“Yeah, you’ll just be committing treason right away.”
Dillon only clenched his fists without actually hitting Richard.
Regardless of the manner, both were encouraging me.
Somewhat optimistic Richard, rational and realistic Dillon.
Both were right and helpful words.
“I’ll do well and come back.”
The others chimed in with their words.
Encouragements like “Do well” or “Don’t get hurt” were exchanged.
It felt surreal considering how tense I had been on the first day.
Thanks to the cookies and chocolates, I grew closer to them through other activities.
Anyway, I have to stay here for a while.
There’s no harm in getting closer.
Since I’m not participating alone from our room.
Lindell, whom I fought, is here, too.
And a friend named Perlyn.
He’s 14 years old and from the 11th class.
He’s taller and skinnier than his peers, with a lot of freckles on his face.
He somehow seems like a scarecrow and is quite passive.
He’s also the one who cut my hair.
“Have the seniors taken this exam before?”
I asked Lindell and Perlyn as we moved together.
Both nodded at the same time.
Perlyn scratched his cheek shyly.
“I failed, but um…”
Lindell, on the other hand, seemed confident.
“Everyone starts like that. So just like Senior Dillon said, there’s no need to feel bad if you fail.”
Lindell is quite a caring person towards me.
Especially, he seems to harbor some guilt.
He openly disliked and hit me, but I later lifted him during the duel and forgave him.
It seems he feels sorry about that.
‘In the end, he’s not a bad guy to the core.’
“Thank you. Still, I’m going to do my best.”
“That’s right.”
“What kind of exam is it? But is it the same every time?”
This time it was Perlyn who answered.
“The content is the same, but the location changes. It’s a survival exam… How should I explain it, um…”
Both Lindell and Perlyn are seniors, but still kids.
They didn’t have fluent and detailed speaking skills.
They tried their best to explain, which was admirable, so I listened sincerely.
Just from that, I felt like I could understand what kind of exam it would be about.
*
[Stamina: 11.1]
[Strength: 8.5]
[Agility: 14.4]
[Magic: 3.1]
‘My stats have overall risen evenly. The increase in magic seems to be thanks to the Moon Deer.’
After confirming the results of consistent training, I looked up.
In front of the exam site.
The supervising knight, Gawain, was scanning the candidates.
Beside him, under the parasol provided by the red-haired maid Ria, sat Eliya.
Wrapped in the red blanket I gave her like a scarf, clutching a black cat doll.
‘No one mentioned she was coming…’
Our eyes met.
She softly smiled and waved at me.
I avoided my gaze and simply lowered my head.
The image of her choking me came to mind.
Gawain quickly began explaining the exam content.
“Welcome to the first exam. Starting from this exam, you will continuously be checked whether you’re qualified to be Lady Eliya’s knight. The first exam’s content is simple.”
Gawain stepped aside.
The entrance to the mountain was revealed.
It was far too shabby to be called an entrance.
Dense grass and trees, uneven terrain, protruding rocks.
The winding mountain ridge looked like waves, heading towards the mountain called ‘Waves of Mountains.’
“Survive here.”
I had heard it on the way from Lindell and Perlyn, but it was a bit much.
To throw kids into the wild and tell them to survive.
It strongly hit me that there’s no concept of protecting kids here.
“Survive for two days and return here. All we provide is a water-filled canteen. What you do afterward depends on your capabilities. You can choose to avoid moving and bear hunger or hunt animals and search for fruits. The method is up to you.”
Gawain stated it quite sternly.
“The virtue we expect from you is one. Perseverance. This exam is a rite of passage. If you can’t even surpass this, you will not be able to achieve anything in the future. So do whatever you can to endure.”
He glanced at the stiff candidates.
Even Lindell and Perlyn, who had experienced it once, seemed tense.
“While survival methods are free, if you fight with other candidates, you will be disqualified. Most noble families have multiple knights. Thus, you must also learn how to cooperate with others, even if they are unfamiliar.”
Perseverance.
The next criteria evaluated would be agility and cooperation.
How one judges in a bare environment with nothing.
How well and with whom one cooperates, basically.
“Should you wish to give up, you can return here early. The bracelet given to you has a position recognition magic. The exam is limited to the mountain range. If you leave the area, the bracelet will break, and you will be disqualified from the exam.”
Upon arriving here, I was given a leather bracelet.
Adorned with a small emerald jewel.
Yet again, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the Bevel family’s wealth.
A magical item.
In other words, even the simplest and most shabby artifact is quite expensive.
Even considering the cost of recycling them afterward, it’s extraordinary.
Is this the power of the wealthy nobles?
“For any reason, if you lose or damage the bracelet, you’ll be disqualified.”
Gawain checked his wristwatch.
“It begins in five minutes. If you have questions, ask.”
A few people raised their hands with questions.
There weren’t particularly valuable ones.
I had no questions, so I remained quiet.
‘It was a good idea to acquire the Survival Expert trait.’
If all goes smoothly, I should pass without issue.
More than that, for this exam.
How to make allies in the initial stages seems to be the most important.
‘Whether or not I have reliable allies significantly changes the difficulty.’
All participants scatter to enter the mountain range from different locations.
If luck is bad, I might not make allies until the exam ends.
If I fail to make allies, I may confront wild animals and be in danger.
‘Bears are hibernating now, there are no tigers, but wild boars roam this mountain. They aren’t monster-sized, but they can be quite dangerous.’
Survival Expert.
Adding allies on top of that would reduce the difficulty significantly.
‘Lindell, Perlyn… They seem nervous and scared. Is there no way to meet them?’
I somewhat know this mountain range.
It won’t be easy, but I can gather those two in one place.
While Gawain was receiving questions, I approached them.
“Senpai.”
“Yeah?”
“If we could meet up at the beginning, it would be easier, right?”
“Of course.”
“But since we all start from different places…”
“I have a method.”
Just to see if it could help, I used [Survival Expert].
As expected, the trait provided a more specific approach.
“First, once the exam starts, look for the highest and most open place….”
The more I explained, the brighter Lindell and Perlyn’s faces became.
By the time I finished, both of them were nodding vigorously in agreement with my proposal.
“Five minutes have passed. Participants, please move to your respective entrances and begin following the commands of the supervising knight.”
Gawain ordered us to scatter.
“Remember?”
I asked one last time.
“Yeah, we all remember.”
Both nodded confidently.
Now, we scatter to our respective entrances.
As I was about to move, Eliya waved her hand gently.
She silently mouthed something.
I read the movement of her small lips.
‘Do well and come back.’
Once again, I avoided her gaze and lowered my head.
It seemed like she was instructing Gawain about something, but it was too far to hear her voice.
*
I leisurely climbed the mountain.
Moving quickly at the beginning would deplete my stamina.
What I’ve been provided is just one bottle of drinking water.
I have to be self-sufficient for everything else in the mountain.
Clearing through the underbrush, I climbed the steep hill while clinging to the trees.
At times, the dirt would slide, almost causing me to fall.
If I die here, the Bevel family won’t take responsibility.
‘There’s no test crazier than this.’
Amidst my grumbling, I reached a relatively flat area.
‘A spot with an appropriately open sky.’
I immediately used [Survival Expert].
First, I need to find Lindell and Perlyn.
So what I urgently need now is ‘fire.’
I looked around for a moment.
The woods only had soil, grass, and trees.
There seemed to be many things that could start a fire, but I had no idea how to lite one.
Such survival knowledge was beyond me.
However, a few pieces of lumber, dry grass, and stones piqued my vision.
They seemed to glow.
[Survival Expert] was instructing me on what to do.
First, I gathered everything.
A large piece of wood, a pile of dry grass, and stones.
I picked up a stone and forcefully threw it onto a nearby boulder, breaking it.
With the sharp edge of the cracked stone, I carved one side of the wood.
I shaped the pointed end of another piece of wood.
Then I placed the dry grass onto the carved wood and began rapidly rubbing it with the sharpened wood.
As if gnawing at it.
If unskilled, this could take hours.
But thanks to the Survival Expert, within a few minutes, smoke began to rise.
“Phew…”
I blew air into it.
The smoke thickened further.
A burnt scent wafted through the air.
Finally, the dry grass caught fire.
I watched as thin gray smoke rose into the sky.
‘Wonder if Lindell and Perlyn are doing okay.’
I sat quietly by the campfire, adding firewood.
It wasn’t long before I heard rustling sounds coming from one side of the woods.
Turning just as I looked, a cheerful voice flew towards me.
“Judas!”
It was Lindell and Perlyn.
“Wow, that was surprisingly easy to meet.”
“Where did you learn to start a fire? It’s hard to get one lit this quickly….”
The instructions I gave them were simple.
As soon as the exam started, I told them to find the highest and most open spot and come to the place where the smoke was rising.
Others might’ve started fires, throwing off the direction, but the chances were quite low.
It’s rare to find someone who lights a fire immediately after the exam starts.
“I learned it a while ago.”
Since I couldn’t explain my traits, I dodged the question comfortably.
“But… what should we do now?”
Lindell asked in confusion.
I heard that he got lost during the last exam but failed to determine how to survive.
It makes sense. Hmm.
“Well, first….”
Just as I was about to use [Survival Expert] again, the forest in one direction grew noisy.
Sash, sash.
The noise of footsteps crunching through the leaves.
It was approaching us.
All three of us froze, staring in that direction.
I just gazed at the newly lit campfire.
The embers were still puffing up smoke.
‘I expected this….’
Lindell and Perlyn couldn’t possibly see this.
Other participants might stumble upon the smoke and come to us.
It’s against the rules to attack another participant during this exam and cause disqualification.
There’s a critical flaw.
The flaw is that it cannot be proven.
The witness to that flaw is Perlyn beside me.
His reason for failing the last exam.
‘He was betrayed by another participant over food. He couldn’t prove it, and the opponent passed.’
I cautiously picked up my wooden sword and shield.
These were defense tools provided to guard against wild animals encountered in the mountains.
That means the other person has equipment of this level too.
Lindell and Perlyn also drew their weapons, following my lead.
‘If it’s another candidate or a wild animal, that’d be preferable….’
In worrying about the tragedy, I almost overlooked a crucial fact.
I’ve made an enemy of Balak.
There’s a small chance this could be one of his sent agents.
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