Surviving as the Third-rate Extra: I Can Plunder Talents
Chapter 48: The Island Exam [2]

Chapter 48: The Island Exam [2]

The Western Holy Empire of Divinia.

The Eastern Empire of Adania.

The Central Empire of Arya.

The Southern Arctic Empire.

The empires of the present era were composed of both larger and smaller kingdoms alike, all of which were under the ultimate rule of the imperial power.

The Kingdom of Grisha, one of the significant kingdoms of the Adania Empire, located in the far east, west of the Atlan Sea, was one of the largest exporters of marine life resources throughout the continent.

In its capital known as Adua City, an enormous warp gate—a technology architected by the innovative mages of magic towers and engineered with the assistance of the dwarves—caused a jarring sound as it pulsated, forming a bluish-white whirling portal before revealing dozens of expensive caravans engraved with the [Hero Academy]’s insignia.

Even if unrest or conflicts arose from kingdoms within the same empire, under the imperial law, territorial war could be invoked with a proper justification.

It also meant that, quarrels aside, the empires of the continent, as long as their respective interests weren’t extremely challenged, could be amicable with each other.

It was especially true with the relationship between the Holy Empire of Divinia and the Adania Empire in all aspects that made up the entire system—from economic, educational, and in some but rare cases, military.

After all, even if humans or churches had occasional conflicts, the demonkind was their ultimate nemesis.

"It seems we’re fated to face each other again. This makes this exam worth it even before it begins." Maya chuckled, her amethyst eyes fixated on the quiet girl seated across from her.

Alana, on the other hand, remained silent, seemingly getting used to this mage’s battle maniac personality.

The caravan, drawn by four horses and powered by [monster core]—the spherical solidified remains of any monster or unintelligent demonkind that contained the remnants of their remaining mana upon their deaths—was conveniently large.

It could accommodate a maximum of twenty passengers as though it were a modern minibus. Well, not that the technology in this world was that far behind compared to Earth’s.

It’s just that the natural existence of this world’s abundant mana and magic became the foundation of innovations instead of science alone.

"Maya..."

Unexpectedly, Alana’s reluctant voice echoed. Even their respective classmates riding with them were surprised since she barely opened her mouth.

Moreover...

"Can you locate him-?!"

Such words were blurted out, unexpectedly so, prompting Maya to look at her for a second before realizing the identity behind this [Hero Candidate]’s concern.

"Oho? Why did you stutter? So you’re thinking about—"

"STOP!"

"...?"

"!!?"

Alana suddenly shouted, which could be said the first time they witnessed her doing so ever since she became a student in the Hero Academy. Because of her unusual reaction, those who definitely heard her and Maya’s words just now began to speculate about things.

- ’Is she looking for someone?’

- ’A him? It’s a man... No way, right? But who is it?’

- ’But why is she asking Maya? Is she aware of who Alana is looking for?’

But they could not voice out their thoughts in her presence due to the possibility of getting on her bad side based on her abrupt and surprising response, which caused Maya to even fall into contemplation.

’This naive girl... She’s criminally strong, but unable to gauge her own emotions? Though I doubt it’s romantic in a sense.’ Maya carefully thought before an idea popped into her mind, followed by her smirk.

"You see, my radar can’t detect that person this time. It seems that man just..."

- Entered the Dark Forest.

During the time the two of them sparred, Maya openly talked about her one [Passive Talent] known as the [Mark of Space-time]. Even though she refrained from discussing such a talent in its entirety, one of its basic effects was that she could locate someone she had a particular connection with throughout the continent—apart from the only place even the sun couldn’t reach.

Hearing Maya, Alana took a deep breath. Her mind then wandered, ’Is he looking for something in the Dark Forest?’

Little did they know, Lugh was simply on a quest of hunt.

*

Knock, knock.

"We’ve arrived." The driver of the caravan tapped the window behind him, prompting every student inside to open the ones near them, seeing a vast lively port.

But their eyes were soon glued to the massive ship, powered by dozens of [monster core] acting like coals. Greyish, clean hot smoke was being expelled through the ship’s funnel.

It had ten decks, with each one wide enough that it could house hundreds, if not thousands. However, most of these sections were restricted to students’ access.

The professors assigned to facilitate the exams all gathered the first and second years. Meanwhile, as the main personnel in charge of the exam itself, Sir Ragnar of Cetera’s voice reverberated.

"Fall in line!"

The organized students then began their entry through two long gangways connected to the dock.

After that, the curious and in awe students were guided to the ship’s spacious upper deck where they would be briefed for the second time regarding the island exam.

"Holy... I can’t believe the Adania Empire has a ship of this caliber..."

"It can even be used as a warship."

"Idiot. The larger the vehicle, the easier it is to target and destroy."

Students conspicuously murmured and praised the architecture and engineering of the massive ship named—Koatz, the Watcher of the Sea.

Its interior was no laughing matter either. It’s something that catered to the taste of the nobles and even the members of the royal family.

Delicate marble circular tables. Intricate chairs free from any blemishes. Hanging chandeliers that provided light suitable for a delightful atmosphere... and above all, it’s the food that could satisfy one’s appetite day and night.

It was evident that such a ship was never meant to be used for simple agricultural purposes.

"Well, this will be annoying for a while." Morgan of Class Mu frowned.

Meanwhile, Zion of the same class didn’t know what she meant, so he ignored her words as he focused on the food at the table.

Sitting beside her at a circular table along some of their classmates, as the final groupings for the island exam were already established a week before, he then again heard Morgan’s mumbling,

"Look at the quality of these dishes. It feels like a last meal..." She chuckled.

"Based on the exam’s contents, it’ll really feel like it." A young man interjected, one of their groupmates.

"That’s fair enough. But I guess it’s nothing compared to experiencing difficult and hazardous expeditions, especially the ones categorized with Danger Level of SSS..." One of the boys at the table also chimed in.

"This should be fun," Morgan muttered, anticipating the island exam that would test every student’s limits and survival instincts.

She then looked at Zion, "Don’t you think so?"

"Stop talking to me. You weirdo bastard."

*

[First Semester - Island Exam]

Location: Ranaya Island, Atlan Sea

Class Participants: Year I and Year II, total of eight classes

Approximate Number of Students: 319

Exam Categories:

[1] Survival

[2] Dungeon Raiding

[3] Monsters Subjugation

[4] Materials Gathering

[5] Mark of Hunt

Exam Duration: 14 days.

Exam Contents:

[1] Survival

Description: [This will become a prerequisite for the third semester, Year II subject - Expedition Readiness.]

Objective: [Survive for 14 days.]

[2] Dungeon Raiding

Description: [Ranaya Island is well-known to possess several aquatic-themed dungeons with a considerable danger level, suitable for training purposes.]

Objective: [Every group will be named a ’Raid Group’ and each one must at least clear one dungeon.]

[3] Monsters Subjugation

Description: [The Ranaya Island is a vast place of possibilities. It contains dangers aside from entities within the dungeons.]

Objective: [Subjugate monsters. Depending on the danger level, every successful subjugation will grant the raid group corresponding ’points.’]

[4] Materials Gathering

Description: [The Ranaya Island, apart from being a habitat of unknown beasts and dungeon spawns, contained an abundant amount of natural resources that can help the raid group throughout the exam duration.]

Objective: [For additional points, acquire any of the following materials: (a) Swordmouth; (b) Blood Root; (c) Sandhead’s Horn; (d) Gorunga’s Heart; or (e) Koatz’ Blood.

[5] Mark of Hunt

Description: [Every raid group must assign a leader within their respective groups. Only the said raid group must know their chosen leader.]

Objective: [Eliminating the anonymous assigned leader of a raid group by any means necessary, aside from killing, will disqualify the entire corresponding raid group.]

Reminder: [This exam has four divisions, and raid groups within the same division cannot attack each other.]

Assigned Division:

Year II, Division A: Class Mu & Class Zenith

Year II, Division B: Class Alpha & Class Omega

Year I, Division C: Class Sakai & Class Lumen

Year I, Division D: Class An & Class En

Additional Reminder: [Year I and Year II can attack each other—only if a certain condition is fulfilled.]

Exam Verdict:

Description: [Depending on the amount of collected points and completed mandatory objectives, corresponding rewards independent of the students’ grades will be provided after the exam.]

Exam Safety Net: ...

...

Everybody’s gaze was fixated on the projection presented through an artifact as if they were hypnotized due to the grueling reminder of the Island Exam’s details.

Sir Ragnar’s eyes swept past every student.

"Any questions?"