Surviving as the Third-rate Extra: I Can Plunder Talents
Chapter 49: The Island Exam [3]

Chapter 49: The Island Exam [3]

The Ranaya Island of the Atlan Sea showed its silhouette as the Zoatz harboring hundreds of students from the Hero Academy, nearly fifty professors, and extra facilitators of the Island Exam, and an adept independent crew of the enormous magical ship was gradually nearing the island’s shore of white sands.

From a considerable distance, like a dot getting expounded as the ship approached closer, the curious and anticipating students saw an unknown quantity of towering trees, making up a forest enough to sustain life for its lurking inhabitants.

If there’s one thing that frustrated many of the students, it’s that these trees that their eyes could see were blocking whatever was within the island. However, since Ranaya Island was not exactly an unknown land, some of the students, especially those belonging to the noble circles, already had an idea or two regarding what this place of survival had to offer—after all, a conquered labyrinth resided here.

After an indefinite amount of time, the ginormous ship docked at the nearest port—it was due to the undeniable truth that the Ranaya Island was still a source of resources from the spawning dungeons that such a system was established in the first place.

In addition, adventurers with permission often visited this place to make a living. But with the recent decree from the King of the Kingdom of Grisha, access was temporarily forbidden throughout the month of September due to the Hero Academy students’ presence.

Even if it garnered mixed reactions because some adventurers’ living would be affected, it was already a known annual event. Then, to at least placate their dissatisfaction from the seemingly unfair treatment, the licensed adventurers would eventually receive compensation covering their average net worth a month.

"So we’ll be alone on this island for two weeks, huh? I bet it’ll suck for those who can’t even let a dust touch their noble skin." Morgan mumbled, enough to be heard by other classes nearby.

"..."

It was a logical take, although unwelcome. After all, this place was inevitably to be crawling with bugs and insects—a living nightmare for the nobles who were raised in an environment where a maid’s mistake was tantamount to their own version of blasphemy.

But since the Hero Academy had an ultimatum—that no ’status shall reign under its watchful eye,’ even if they could, they wouldn’t dare to complain against this kind of exam.

Even the two royal children of the Holy Emperor, the Imperial Princess and the Crown Prince, during their first year in the academy, was ultimately warned by His Majesty himself—that any harm or threat to life against each other during their time as students would immediately void them of their rights to the imperial throne.

"Damn it. Is she finding this funny?"

"That bitch Morgan is an unforgivable traitor to the nobility, that’s why she’s disowned by her own family."

"How dare you spout such profanity?"

The murmurs of the nobles, more so from the higher classes, including numerous first-year students nearby, echoed with lingering repulse.

On the other hand, scathing whispers fell into Zion’s deaf ears, his mind occupied by one other thing apart from the nobility’s restrained responses.

’I will show you, Patriarch. I will regain your favor and reclaim my place as an heir of your position!’

Everyone in this land had a purpose. But whether or not that purpose was for simply passing the Island Exam for the sake of having a decent grade or to prove something else entirely depended on the individuals’ circumstances.

"Before we begin, is there anyone here who does not understand everything or maybe still confused about something else? Speak now. This will be the only chance you have to raise your concerns." Sir Ragnar of Cetera faced the hundreds of students as he stood on a makeshift wooden platform to see all of them.

"Sir..."

One student raised his hand, prompting Sir Ragnar to nod in his direction as a gesture for him to continue.

"Do we have initial supplies? Even for just one to two days or-"

"No."

Before the student could finish his question, Sir Ragnar cut him off.

"You will not be given an ounce of food. From the start until the last day of the exam, you will have to strategize and hunt for food. Anything that can help your group keep going. I don’t care what all of you will do as long as you do not break the ultimate rule—no killing."

His cold response caused some students, mostly nobles, to groan.

Then, one noble girl from the first years mustered her courage to raise her hand, leaving a question that seemed to be in everyone’s mind but she refrained from asking due to embarrassment.

"S-Sir Ragnar, where should we take a... You know, w-when..."

"Just say dump." Morgan, who happened to be near the girl, blurted, causing the face of the naive first-year girl to turn crimson.

"Y-Yes...! T-that!"

"..."

Everybody was momentarily speechless at such a mundane yet crucial question. However, the cruelty of the exam would not dwindle just because of their hesitation.

"Are you asking if labyrinths have bathrooms?" Sir Ragnar said seemingly in a sarcastic tone, but his serious expression didn’t waver.

"S-sorry...?"

"Have you ever heard of anything about anyone finding a bathroom in a labyrinth during an expedition?"

"N-no...?"

"Then don’t ask such a useless question. This is merely an exam, a stepping stone to the real world if you want to truly become heroes, whether independent or those who will walk down the path with Hero Bloodlines."

"..."

"Remember, the demonkind wouldn’t bat an eye at your business, especially in times of war."

The first-year girl had her head hung low, though she was not alone as some of the nobles gritted their teeth and clenched their fists. It was absolutely mortifying considering their status.

Not that they could do anything about it.

"Now, since you don’t have a question-" Sir Ragnar was about to wrap up the assembly when an unexpected person raised her hand among the crowd.

It was the Hero Candidate, Alana Sol Astraea.

"...Alana? Do you have something you’re confused about? Or didn’t understand?" Sir Ragnar asked.

"No, Professor. But I would like to ask something that concerns the ultimate rule of the exam—which is no killing."

"...?"

Her words sounded ominous, but what’s more surprising than the fact that she talked this much was her next words.

"What if it happens inside the dungeon? It’s a place that cannot be monitored, after all."

Maya, standing some distance away from her, smirked, her thoughts only known to herself. But if there’s one thing in her eyes, it’s the paint of ecstasy in anticipation of what’s going to transpire in these fourteen days of nigh-unrestricted exam.

"Are you suggesting that murder might happen inside the dungeon? Among the students?" Sir Ragnar was conflicted by Alana’s rational question.

There’s a saying, ’Whatever happens inside the dungeon stays in the dungeon.’

It’s a perfect place for murder since any surveillance artifacts couldn’t penetrate the dungeon to monitor the movements of the students.

"Yes, that’s exactly what I am pointing out, sir."

For some reason, many students noticed Alana’s mood—as if it had shifted from being usually cold to unusually chilling.

"Hmm..."

Sir Ragnar pondered.

Not before long, someone interjected—a man with golden eyes, a well-built body, and shoulder-length blonde hair.

It was the Hero Academy Counselor, the same person who half-assedly consulted Lugh regarding his withdrawal from the academy—Caelen Sol Caelthorn, a renowned individual from the Seven Hero Bloodlines, and an [older brother] of one of the Hero Candidates who would compete against Alana for the position of the True Hero three months from this day.

"Ah, don’t you worry about it, my cousin. If by the end of the exam, someone is missing or found dead, we will conduct a thorough investigation."

"Investigation? I can’t help but laugh."

"...?"

Her words sparked murmurs from almost everybody—the students, professors, and other extra personnel.

"Don’t you think prevention is better than finding out the cause after it occurs?" Alana voiced strongly.

Caelan chuckled at Alana’s remarks.

"My cousin, I don’t know why you’re being so bold and talkative right now... Are you perhaps concerned... that you might be found out if you get rid of nuisances in your way?"

"What?"

"The two of you, stop!" Sir Ragnar cut them off.

They were aware that the Seven Hero Bloodlines were anything but genuinely amicable with each other.

’But to think that they would openly test each other...’ Sir Ragnar thought before he added,

"We have high-level mages on standby, and just as the Head Counselor said, since we’re blind to whatever would happen in the dungeon, and that we cannot interfere unless we detect real danger, we will scan all of your memories if any of you dies. And that’s final, Alana. Understood?"

Alana clenched her fist, but stopped from rebutting, feeling that it would lead to nowhere.

As the assembly was being concluded, marking the beginning of the fourteen-day Island Exam, Alana stared at the [Divine Guide]—something she possessed due to having an Eye-related Talent: [Eye That Pierces #######].

[The disgusting scent of demons lingers in this island.]

[Find and destroy their purpose.]