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Gilbert was staring at the phrase with a serious expression, but his options were extremely limited. The announcement that the Main Scenario had begun meant that the internal enemy within the Academy had started some kind of activity, but for now, all he could do was take the Practical Assessment.

Telling Seraphina or Briana beforehand wasn’t even an option for Gilbert.

It couldn’t be helped.

He had raised suspicions before but failed to uncover the mole. In such a situation, stopping mid-Final Assessment to announce that there was a mole and a terrorist attack would look suspicious to anyone.

Gilbert never forgot the premise laid out before him.

He was a transmigrator, had enjoyed this world as a virtual game, and knew what would happen in the future—but he couldn’t reveal this.

This absolute premise was the rule he set for himself after waking up in this world.

In this world, where his purpose and the way back were unknown, if this truth reached anyone else’s ears, he couldn’t predict what kind of chaos would ensue.

Honestly, he was also scared.

For these reasons, he had established this rule and decided not to bring it up with those two this time.

Another improvisation, huh?

A sigh escaped Gilbert’s lips.

The Practical Assessment venue was already filled with first-year cadets. The thought that there might be a traitor among the cadets collaborating with the Resistance briefly crossed his mind. He had been too focused on professors, but he had to consider that there could be cadets hiding their true identities.

“The Practical Assessment will proceed in random order. Don’t assume everyone will receive the same task. Since the order is random, the tasks will also be assigned randomly.”

The cadets fell silent at the professor’s words. The point was clear: luck is also a skill, so deal with it.

Gilbert thought it wasn’t a bad task. Battlefields never go as planned, so it was necessary to develop a flexible mindset.

“Then, I’ll call the first cadet. Cadet Patrick, step forward.”

Patrick, the heir of the Herman Count Family and a combat power gauge in the game like Cook Ian Scott, was the first. He was given the task of passing through obstacles without any equipment. His slightly furrowed expression suggested it wasn’t the task he wanted.

From what Gilbert knew, Patrick excelled in Colossal Mech Piloting but wasn’t used to physical tasks. His Physical Ability Stat was below average, unlike Gilbert’s Tactical Combat character, so it made sense.

But this wasn’t a place for complaints. Patrick seemed to be controlling his emotions as he closed his eyes and waited for the start signal.

Soon, the start signal was given, and he left to complete his task under the guidance of another examiner.

After Patrick left, many cadets received their tasks and followed the examiners. Among Gilbert’s group, Brynhild and Camilla were the first to leave to complete their tasks, and the rest were assigned tasks one by one.

Now, only Gilbert remained. Even though the order was random, it seemed he was last. With only two cadets left, it was Ian and Gilbert.

“Cadet Ian!”

Ian received his task with determination. He had to pilot a Colossal Mech through obstacles. Like Patrick, Ian preferred piloting over physical tasks, so he eagerly followed the examiner.

“Cadet Gilbert!”

Finally, it was Gilbert’s turn. Coincidentally, his task was also Colossal Mech Piloting, but instead of obstacles, he had to face a monster.

He could conserve his strength.

The task wasn’t as hard as he thought. Having already defeated a Monster Ogre and earned a title, fighting a monster was no challenge.

Gilbert followed the examiner.

***

Bandike was prostrating himself before the old man in the communication Magic Circle. Having recently learned of his true identity, Bandike didn’t dare lift his head.

The thought of how a third-rate actor like him ended up entangled with such a figure sent shivers down his spine. Of course, quitting was out of the question.

The only reason he became the leader of the Resistance, a position far beyond his capabilities, was the old man’s whim. Having lived for so long, he needed entertainment.

Bandike was just the one chosen.

If Bandike strayed from his intentions, he would be disposed of immediately.

“Bandike. Are you prepared?”

“I’ve already completed all preparations.”

“With the Final Assessment underway, breaching the security system shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Understood.”

“Your straightforward answers are pleasing.”

The old man in the communication Magic Circle, Horizon, smiled kindly.

Of course, Bandike knew better than anyone that this was just a facade. He had been shocked when he first learned of Horizon’s true identity.

Horizon had been prominent for over a century. Revered as a sage since the time of the previous or even earlier emperors, he had suddenly appeared and lived to this day, a living witness to history.

With his vast knowledge and exploration of unknown realms, he was more than deserving of the title “sage.”

At least, that’s how it seemed.

This ancient being, whose age was unfathomable, had deceived countless people, hiding his true nature while being praised as a sage.

Bandike could never forget the sight of him turning a subordinate who failed to carry out his orders into a pool of blood. Horizon, who could kill in the blink of an eye with his power and cruelty, deserved to be called a monster.

The reason Bandike didn’t run, despite wanting to, was that the continent was under Horizon’s control. The unsavory incidents at the Academy and various events across the continent were all part of Horizon’s plans.

In this situation, running away wouldn’t change anything.

It would only hasten his death.

“Bandike. You seem deep in thought.”

“Not at all. I was just trying to understand why you changed your mind about leaving Gilbert alone.”

“Ah, yes. I did say that. But Bandike, you know this too, don’t you? Without crisis, there’s no growth.”

“Growth…? Are you saying you want Gilbert to grow?”

“Indeed. Since that reckless friend of his showed promise, a path I couldn’t see before has appeared. That boy casually presented what I’ve been searching for all this time. So, I’ve decided to place my hopes on him. To do that, I need to keep shaking him up.”

“You’re saying he needs a crisis.”

“Haha. This is why I like you, Bandike. You grasp exactly what I want!”

Horizon’s crescent-shaped eyes gleamed with a sharp light. Bandike, who prided himself on being quick-witted, immediately prostrated himself further upon seeing that look.

It was a signal that continuing this topic would cost him his life. Having seen that look before, Bandike quickly changed the subject.

“Then, how intense should this Academy raid be?”

“Indeed. If we do it like before, they’ll easily block it again, so we need to think carefully.”

Horizon stroked his long, white beard, deep in thought. Given that they had blocked even monsterized creatures without any damage, a regular raid might not even make them feel threatened.

Especially since the Resistance, having grown by accepting members regardless of background, had a wide range of skill levels. In contrast, the Academy cadets, having faced numerous crises, had significantly improved their average skill level.

After stroking his beard a few more times, Horizon opened his eyes, having made a decision.

“Deploy all Resistance members with the resolve to bring down the Academy.”

“Excuse me?”

“Haha. Why so surprised? Did you think I said something strange? Let me repeat it clearly.”

Bandike slightly raised his head, his trembling eyes looking at the communication circle.

On the other side, Horizon, with his long beard, casually dropped the words as if suggesting a light outing.

“Destroy the Academy.”

“…Understood.”

It was a shocking statement, but Bandike had only one thing to say.

A monster who might have lived for centuries wanted the Academy’s destruction.

As his pawn, Bandike had no choice but to obey.

 

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