Chapter 218 Chapter 48.2 - Unmovable Mountain
?218 Chapter 48.2 - Unmovable Mountain
Late in the evening, Professor Eleanor sat in her cluttered office, surrounded by stacks of reports submitted by students for the recent test. Her desk lamp cast a warm glow over the papers as she sighed, preparing for the seemingly endless task of grading.
The grading criteria were clear:
-Demonstration of Formula Principles: Showcase an understanding of the core principles discussed in class for 1 point.
-Practical Application: Apply the principles to a real-world scenario in the report for 1.5 points.
-Creativity: Inject original ideas or innovative approaches for 1 point.
-Clarity and Structure: Ensure the report is well-
organized and easy to follow for 0.5 points.
-Adherence to Submission Guidelines: Follow the specified format and length requirements for 1 point.
Each report had to be meticulously evaluated, but Professor Eleanor prided herself on her efficiency.
She swiftly skimmed through the first batch of reports submitted by Lila Thornheart and Victor Blackthorn, the top students in the class.
"Lilia Thornheart's Group│ Alchemical Principles: 1 │ Practical Application: 1.5 │ Creativity: 1 │ Clarity and Structure: 0.5 │ Adherence: 1 │ Total: 5"
"Victor Blackthorn's Group │ Alchemical Principles: 1 │ Practical Application: 1.5 │ Creativity: 1 │ Clarity and Structure: 0.5 │ Adherence: 1 │ Total: 5"
Professor Eleanor observed the subtle differences in their approaches and noted them with precision. As she reached the second batch of reports, she couldn't help but admire the students' dedication to their craft.
However, there was one group that she wasn't able to check. A student that was possibly the best when it came to mana manipulation, and the other two students that she needed to pay attention to.
"Irina Emberheart's group │ Alchemical Principles: 1 │ Practical Application: 1 │ Creativity: 0.5 │ Clarity and Structure: 0.5 │ Adherence: 1 │ Total: 5"
Just as she graded the papers, she suddenly noticed a paragraph written in there.
'This magic formula's purpose is to find the location represented when each of them is combined. Even though individually none of them seems to hold any knowledge, in fact, all of them are part of a picture showing us the map of a special place.'
Intrigued by this unexpected depth, Professor Eleanor pondered the implications of the paragraph as she unknowingly smiled.
'To think someone would find what we hid for the second test.'
After all, the Phantom's Land was the location of the new test, and the students were going to travel there themselves. The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.
"Interesting."
She mumbled as she grabbed her pen and put a tick on the rear of the row.
"Irina Emberheart's group │ Alchemical Principles: 1 │ Practical Application: 1 │ Creativity: 0.5 │ Clarity and Structure: 0.5 │ Adherence: 1 │ Bonus: 2 Total: 6"
"Let's see what the principal will say about this."
After all, even though she had given them bonus points, it wasn't enough to satisfy herself. None of the people in the academy expected such results from a group of students; thus, there was no distinct price for that.
[Eleanor: Sir, may I please take your time.]
She sent the message.
********
"Another day again."
"Yeah....We had been trying to write the report the whole weekend."
"Same....Man....why was it even that hard to begin with...."
As the students lamented the challenges of their weekend tasks, the academy bell rang, signaling the beginning of a new week. The hallways filled with the shuffle of students heading to their first classes.
"Ugh, and it's Monday," groaned one of them.
"At least it's a fresh start, right?" replied another optimistically.
"True, but I wish it started with a bit more sleep and a lot less homework," someone chimed in.
TOK!
Just at that moment, the door of the classroom opened as the instructor entered the room.
"Hmm?"
"How I looked?"
"Yeah. You look weak, but he said you are the complete opposite."
Carl's admission that he knew about me, coupled with Ethan's description, made me curious about what kind of reputation I had among my fellow main cast of the game.
Nevertheless, I didn't dwell on it for too long.
"I am flattered that you think of me that way," I responded, attempting to diffuse the seriousness in the air.
"It's not flattery," Carl asserted with a stern expression. "That is why I will take this sparring seriously."
I nodded, appreciating the commitment to a focused training session even though he was one of the strongest students in the academy.
'This will be hard.'
Carl was a student who had ranked in the first 100 in the academy; thus, it was a little concerning spar. But even then, I knew for a fact that this was going to become a useful one.
As he retrieved his hammer and shield, I mirrored his actions by unsheathing my daggers, as well as readying my bow. After all, this spar was going to be an important one.
The weight of the weapons felt familiar in my hands, and I assumed a defensive stance, ready for the impending clash.
"Start."
With the signal, I immediately started the fight with my bow.
'Let me test the waters a little bit.'
I maintained a calculated distance, my bowstring taut as I rained arrows upon him.
-SWOOSH!
The projectiles whizzed through the air, each aimed with precision, testing Carl's defensive capabilities.
Carl, true to his reputation, activated his aura, a visible manifestation of his defensive prowess. The ethereal shield surrounded him, deflecting the arrows with ease. His stoic expression remained unchanged as he weathered the storm of projectiles, determined to showcase the strength he possessed.
'This doesn't even push him to the maximum.'
Despite the relentless assault, I could sense that Carl wasn't exerting himself to the fullest.
'Of course, it was expected a little, but....'
Even though I knew for a fact that a tank like Carl with his aura activated was a force that I wouldn't face with such sloppy attacks, it scratched my pride a little.
I wasn't even using Celestalith, but I at least wanted to damage him.
I decided to escalate the challenge. With a subtle infusion of energy, I channeled my focus into a single arrow.
The air crackled with the intensity of the impending attack as I drew back the bowstring.
"Ho?"
I could hear him making a surprised face as he also lowered his body a little, infusing more energy into the hammer. The hammer started to shake a little, sending resonances to the circle around it.
'He is using it.'
It was one of his defensive skills. It seemed he also realized that this attack wasn't something to ignore.
SWOOSH!
I released the string of the bow, releasing the arrow charged with explosive blue moon energy.
BOOM!
The projectile streaked through the air, leaving a fiery trail in its wake. The explosive force upon impact created a burst of flames, testing the limits of Carl's defensive aura.
"Impressive."
Just as I had expected, Carl skillfully adjusted his defensive stance. The aura around him absorbed the fiery impact, leaving him relatively unscathed.
His disciplined demeanor remained unwavering as he quelled the flames with a wave of his shield.
'Not bad.'
I thought to myself.
'If it is him, then it should be okay.'
"Should we start real this time?"
I guess Carl thought the same.