Chapter 24 [The End of Exam]

They are walking through the forest in Mt. Alvis. There are trees here and there but it's not that dense. They started their journey at the top of Mt. Alvis at 10:00 am. They are just walking leisurely, taking their sweet time to reach the top. The monsters that appear in Mt. Alvis are not strong. It ranges from F-D rank monsters. Nothing they can't handle.

It's their fourth day out on a journey yet it feels like weeks for them. After all they have experience.

They are just walking, talking about random things like a high school girl walking home. Before they know it, they are already at the top. A strong wind passed by them, brushing their faces and they subconsciously close their eyes and some cover their front with their arms.

When they open their eyes, they were greeted with green grass and a big boulder with Instructor Ezra on top and Instructor Tristan and Aiden beside her. They also see a camp 6 meters away from the boulder and the entire kingdom is visible from up here. They were talking and when they notice someone's presence. They immediately snap their heads towards our direction. They look surprised upon seeing it was us and they relaxed their guard.

Instructor Ezra give us a huge smile and said

「I didn't expect that there are some shrimps that will arrive at the fourth day」

We just smile at them and go towards them and we gave our Loki to Ezra. We squat down in the grass, enjoying the breathtaking view in front of us and feeling the gentle breeze against our skin. While we were relaxing, Ezra was checking our Loki which was showing [368]. Seeing our points, Instructor Ezra whistled and sing praises to us saying.

「I am aware that your group is full of strong members but not this strong」

They rested for the whole day that day. Just talking about their experience with their instructor who is surprised about the enemy the girls fought. What's more surprising is that the girls defeated a B Rank Monster.

—

The next day arrives and students started appearing. All of them are exhausted and have bruises all over their body. Some even collapsed and slumped in the ground, the moment they reach the top.

Darciels Group is no exception, the moment they arrive their face shows relief and exhaustion just like the others. However, unlike the others, they don't have many bruises, just some minor cuts. Fortunately, no one died but unfortunately, some are gravely injured.

Instructor Aiden was tending the injured students with the help of Akane, Fiona, and Koharu. Fumiko and Mayumi just help by giving them water and food. The day went like that until all of the group students arrive.

「All of you have done well. I am proud of your endurance and bravery. May this test serve as a lesson and experience to you all and become the best of the best. Continue to strive harder and be the best version of yourself」

The students cheer when Instructor Tristan finishes his speech. All of them rejoice and feel a sense of accomplishment. Koharu's group was no exception.

—

—Koharu POV—

Yesterday was just our group helping and tending our injured classmate. We also let them take enough rest and savor the top view in Mt. Alvis. All of them passed the exams but some just barely pass.

We take the easiest route on the way back with no monsters that pose threat to us. The instructor also gives us a week to rest as a reward for our hard work.

—

— 3rd Person POV —

The sun rise from the west, gracing the vast land of Arcadia it's light. In a particular dorm, in a particular school lies a maiden with long black hair that flows down into her waist. Everyone can see that the maiden has a beauty that can compare to the goddess. A perfect face with long eyelashes. Along with its perfectly curve jawline and paired with rosy and kissable lips.

The rays of the gentle sun seep through the window basking the maiden's face with its gentle light. The maiden slowly opens her eyes revealing dark blue eyes that will remind you of the night sky.  She slowly rose from the bed and look around her room.

— Koharu POV —

I woke up and look around the room but no one was in sight. There is not even a shadow of the girls. I am still tired from yesterday but my rumbling stomach urges me to get up.

『Ugh, Stupid Stomach』

I get up and went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. After getting something to eat. I decided to roam around the school in the hope to find the girls.

*Boom* *Wham* *Shing* *Clank*

When I pass near the training ground. I hear the sound of the swords clashing and an explosion. Curious, as to who was doing training right after the test.

My feet take me to the training ground and there I saw Fumiko practicing her swordsmanship. She waves her sword and practices her techniques. I just stand there and watch her wave her swords elegantly with power. She seems to focus and in the zone. So, I didn't bother her.

Next, I feel her channeling her mana. Her silver-swords blade is suddenly coated with a black miasma. The katana's blade was blanketed with black-shadow-like mana that is raging and dancing dangerously around the silver blade. However, it didn't last long. It only lasted for 5 seconds and disperse completely.

Dark Magic is a rare magic. You cannot found the Dark Magic book anywhere. The records of the findings of dark magic spells are all sealed and burn. The possibility of finding one was 3%. The Arts of Dark Magic is sealed but not forbidden. The reason was the dark magic is dangerous.

When the black-shadow miasma disperse. Fumiko suddenly loosen the grip of her silver katana causing it to fall into the ground, producing a clanking sound as the blade made contact with the hard ground. Confuse, I saw Fumiko slowly losing consciousness, fainting. Before she could fall to the ground. I immediately use [Teleportation] and appear in front of her to catch her before she could fall.

I catch her just in time and slowly carry her back to the room in princess carry style.

———

In their room, Fiona was reading a book in Koharu's bed while Akane and Mayumi were playing cards. The three of them were just relaxing and having fun in their way.

When they notice someone open the door. They look and saw Koharu and Fumiko who is in her arms. Fiona was the first to react.

「What happen?!」[Fiona]

「She suddenly passes out after trying her Dark Magic out」[Koharu]

「What?! And you didn't stop her?!」[Akane]

「What's wrong with using dark magic?」I ask genuinely confuse, I am aware that dark magic is dangerous if they were to fall in the wrong hands but I don't see why it is dangerous to the caster.

Akane look at me as if searching for something in my face and eyes then she sigh as if giving up when she saw nothing but genuine confusion.

「Do you know why Dark Magic is dangerous and sealed despite being rare magic?」

「Its because dark magic can cause massive destruction if it is own by the wrong hands and has a potential of destroying the city if the caster is filled with negative emotions」[Koharu]

「Yes, well... your right but the dark magic did not only affect its surrounding but the caster itself. It can destroy its caster's mindset and reasoning, it can awaken the demon that lives inside us. If the caster has much negative emotion inside her, it can bring the demon who lives inside us alive and took control of the body. They will rampage and kill everyone on sight. They cannot be stopped unless killed and the caster will not stop unless everything is destroyed and killed. They know 'no limits' and lead the caster's body to destruction. We call them 'Berserker'. They will self-destruct by consuming too much mana than the body can take or the whole skill/technique the demon use while in control of the body will take too much toll of the casters body.」[Akane]

「Using Dark Magic aside, there is also another reason why you should have stop Fumiko」[Mayumi]

I eye Mayumi to continue, she cleared her throat and explain

「Dark Magic is sealed and books about dark magic cannot be found at normal libraries anywhere —which only means that Fumiko don't have enough knowledge regarding dark magic which causes her to use unnecessary mana to conduct the spell she wishes to cast. In other words, she uses too much mana which leads her to "Mana Deficiency"」[Mayumi]

I took my time to process the information given to me.

「Your telling me that Fumiko don't have enough knowledge about the spell that she wishes to cast and she uses too much mana which would have been unnecessary and that lead her to 'Mana Deficiency' which cause her to collapse?」I repeat and affirm to them which they three nodded in unison. I look at Fumiko who look like she was having a high fever. Fiona has been taking care of Fumiko while Mayumi and Akane explain to me the reason behind her condition right now.

「How can we help her then?」 I ask them