The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound

Chapter 179 Random Defense in the Midterm Exam (1)

It was the season for midterm exams at Colosseo Academy. The academy had two major exams: the final exam and the midterm exam. The final exam consisted of student duels, following a tournament-style no-holds-barred format. However, to consider the skill levels of the students, they introduced the concept of “Tiers,” grouping students with similar abilities to compete against each other.

To assess the skill tiers for the final exam, they needed to verify the students’ abilities from various angles, and this process was the purpose of the midterm exam. The midterm exam was divided into three main parts: Defense and attack, a group test for evaluating “defense,” an individual test for evaluating “attack,” and a regular written exam.

The written exam accounted for only about 10% of the overall score, so its weight was not substantial. However, Defense and Attack had a significant influence, with 50% and 40% weightage, respectively.

Whether it was the Defense or Attack test, students had to engage in combat against simulated creatures, known as “marvels.” These marvels were essentially holographic dummies created by the professors at the Arcane Arts Department to mimic the appearance of actual creatures. The professors controlled these golems to simulate real combat situations with nearly lifelike movements.

In the Defense test, students formed groups of four and entered the arena, where they experienced a landscape that appeared to be a real dungeon or a marvel-infested field, thanks to the extensive holographic magic.

(For the spectators watching the matches from outside the arena, they could only see a circular arena with a diameter of 100 meters.)

Students wore black tights that covered their entire bodies, which served as magical gear. When they received a certain level of impact, it was quantified and displayed on distant scoreboards. Students were assigned “Hit Points (HP),” which were deducted every time they were hit by marvels. The deduction varied depending on the strength of the attack, and even a blow to a vital spot would result in a deduction.

If their HP reached zero, they would automatically be eliminated, so caution was crucial when facing the marvels. Students, in groups of four, had to enter the dungeon and defend against waves of monsters that surged like a tide. Their test scores were determined by how long they could hold the defense during these monster waves.

For instance, this time, Dolores, the 3rd-year student council president, formed a party with three fellow students she got along with and ventured into the virtual reality dungeon to face hordes of “Carnage Ants.” They successfully blocked most of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd phases of the monster wave.

The time they held out was 20 minutes for the 1st phase, 20 minutes for the 2nd phase, and 18 minutes for the 3rd phase. If they had endured just 2 more minutes, they would have achieved a perfect score. Nevertheless, this performance alone was a remarkable achievement, as it marked the longest duration held out among the 3rd-year students.

And the 2nd-year vice president also formed a group of four to face the “Carnage Ants.” They successfully held off the monsters in the 1st and 2nd phases but retired at the beginning of the 3rd phase.

Their recorded times were 20 minutes for the 1st phase, 20 minutes for the 2nd phase, and just 1 minute for the 3rd phase, totaling 41 minutes. This became the best record among the 2nd-year students. Most of the 3rd-year students managed to endure until the 3rd phase, and similarly, most of the 2nd-year students could hold on until the 2nd phase. Now, it was the turn of the 1st-year students.

A large crowd had gathered next to the arena, filled with people buzzing with excitement. The midterm and final exams at Colosseo Academy were like festivals for the general public outside the campus.

“Dolores, you did amazing!”

“Stay strong! Colosseo is our pride!”

“Wow, the Midterm Exams at the other universities all pale in comparison! Colosseo’s Midterm Exam is the best!”

“We have high hopes for this year’s ‘National University League’ too!”

Spectators formed a dense crowd, chanting the names of the students they supported. Meanwhile, the faculty, including the principal, were watching the arena from above. Some of the magic professors from the Arcane Arts Department, who specialized in golem summoning and precise control, stepped forward.

Clang, clang, clang!

Mud-formed golems rose to their feet. They had three rough spheres connected to form the body, with six legs on either side, resembling lumps of earth.

Tss, tss, tss…

These mud lumps were enchanted with illusion magic. What were once crude clumps of the earth now transformed into creatures resembling Carnage Ants, complete with sharp jaws, legs, and stingers.

When the professors moved their fingers, these Carnage Ant-like golems scuttled around, breaking rocks with their jaws or thrusting their stingers into the ground. Each time the fake ants simulated stinger attacks, a small amount of venom was released, making the battle feel like a real combat situation.

“Wow, they look so much like real monsters.”

“So, those are just piles being controlled by the professors, right?”

“All we have to do is block those things. We can do it!”

The 1st-year students were excited about their first experience with a large-scale exam. Having just witnessed the impressive performances of the 3rd and 2nd-year students, they had learned a lot. Soon, a large holographic screen appeared before the 1st-year students.

[Map: Carnage Ant Horde ‘Unclean Slaughter heap’]

Unite your strength with your comrades to fend off the Carnage Ants surging towards you!

HP: 100/100

Kill Points: ? points

Assist Points: ? points

The practical evaluation of the midterm exam had officially begun.

* * *

Meanwhile, Figgy was diligently taking notes outside the arena. He was jotting down the test scores of the 2nd and 3rd-year students up to the last exam. The 4th-year graduating class didn’t participate in the midterm or final exams, so in reality, the students with the best test scores were the 3rd-year students. Among these 3rd-year students, Dolores, the student council president, held the undisputed top position.

She had formed a well-rounded party with a support role, a defensive-oriented mage, an offensive-oriented mage, and a versatile mage, which resulted in an astounding endurance of 58 minutes throughout the 3rd phase.

Figgy analyzed the seniors’ test data. “Usually, 3rd-year students make it to the 3rd phase, and 2nd-year students make it to the 2nd phase. So, 1st-year students only need to hold out for 20 minutes in the 1st phase. Just surviving for 10 minutes should get them through the midterm.”

Figgy was strong in written exams, having ranked 3rd in the entrance test, but he lacked confidence in practical exams. Additionally, Figgy didn’t have the connections to form a team.

“…What should I do?” Figgy wondered silently.

As Figgy wrestled with his thoughts, someone touched his shoulder. “Hey, why settle for just the midterm? If you’re going to take the test, see it through to the end.”

It was Tudor. Beside him, Sancho was standing with a fist bump.

Figgy responded with a hesitant voice, “Tudor, you’re so talented that you could probably last 20 minutes, but… I can’t. I’m just not good at practical tests. So, I don’t know who to form a team with.”

“What? A team?” Tudor replied with widened eyes. “You already put your name down on our team.”

“Huh?”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? So, were you trying to form a team with someone else, disregarding us?”

Tudor smiled, and Figgy’s bewildered expression wavered for a moment. “I thought no one would want me in their group…”

“Who cares about that? Right, Sancho?”

“Of course. Plus, you’re way smarter than us. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.”

Tudor and Sancho nodded in agreement, and Figgy quickly wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.

Shortly afterward, Tudor turned his head and looked around. “Wait, where did he go? We need to form a team.”

They were looking for Vikir. However, Vikir was in a different location, not too far away.

@@@@@ Seeking Party Members @@@@@ Expert-Level Tank @@@@@

Looking for two mages [Fire, Poison]#####

Current Party Members (2/4)#####

Party Recruitment))) Expert-Level Melee DPS Here~~!! I can carry you~~!!

Need one tank~~!!!! Expert level or higher~~!!! Current Party Members (3/4)

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Vikir strolled through the outer area of the sports field, filled with numerous bulletin boards. Spotting Vikir walking toward the other side of the arena, Tudor, Sancho, and Figgy went in that direction, raising their hands to get his attention.

“Hey, Vikir! Let’s form a team quickly! Registration time is running out!”

However, a similar call came from right next to them.

“Big Brother Vikir! Do you have someone to team up with for the group test?”

The person waving and shaking hands was Sinclaire, the head of the Hot department. Somehow, Bianca was by her side as well.

Tudor, Sancho, Figgy, Sinclaire, and Bianca. Divided into teams, they surrounded Vikir, creating a tense atmosphere. The rivalry between Tudor and Bianca, who had a strained relationship, was particularly strong.

“Vikir decided to be on our team.”

“What are you talking about? He’s been walking alone this whole time. It’s probably you guys who decided on your own.”

“What nonsense! Vikir is, of course, going to be with us. He’s our best friend, and we’ve been friends for a long time. Our synergy is the best!”

“Weaklings don’t match with him. He’s an archer, so he’ll have better chemistry with me.”

“Two archers in one party? Do you even know anything about party composition?”

“You’re just playing around. Two archers of our level would dominate party synergy.”

After bickering for a while, they all turned their heads to Vikir.

“Vikir! Which team are you joining?”

But Vikir’s response was unexpected.

“Sorry, but I’ve already decided on a team. I made an arrangement beforehand.”

Tudor, Sancho, Figgy, Bianca, and Sinclaire, all widened their eyes. They had never seen Vikir go with anyone else since their admission.

Just then, three faces appeared behind Vikir.

“Why, do you have a problem?”

“A problem?”

“Do you have one?”

Three men questioned the group, their tone filled with sarcasm.

Highbro, Middlebro, and Lowbro. They were notoriously known as the “Three Spears of Baskerville” in the Cold Department.

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