The next morning.
Class A students stood outside the building, excitement written clearly across their faces.
"Today's finally the day!"
"Can't wait."
Today was Professor Jane's Elementary Black Magic class.
More specifically—the long-awaited Cyclops Simulation Day.
Instead of their usual school uniforms, everyone wore special training suits designed for combat evaluation.
"As expected of Professor Jane," Claudia said.
"Normally, you don't even get a taste of simulation until the second semester. But here we are, doing it before the protection period is even over."
"Ugh, I couldn't sleep a wink last night," Cindy muttered.
Merida let out a rare soft laugh. "Couldn't sleep?... Amateur," she said in a smug tone.
A vein throbbed on Cindy's forehead. "That is not something to be proud of!"
Knox chuckled lightly.
"Don't forget, guys. This is just a virtual battle. At least adapt to the pressure. Even though it'll be different from a real one, you can still get the gist of it."
"Alright, Class A! Please line up in your assigned groups!"
Jane's teaching assistants began organizing the students. They formed their lines and entered the building in order.
The hallway inside looked newly polished and pristine. Conversations buzzed with anticipation.
"Groups 1 through 8, this way."
"Groups 9 through 16, this way."
They boarded a magical elevator that descended smoothly underground.
When the doors opened, a vast open space unfolded before them.
"Wow…!"
Kizen's virtual battle simulation system—
Avalon.
A system unique to Kizen across the entire continent, capable of replicating any monster as a mana-based lifeform for realistic combat training.
It had been constructed by relocating and repeatedly modifying the ancient ruins known as the Fortress of Illusion and Hallucination—Hallucina.
"Welcome, Class A."
From another magical elevator, Jane and her assistants arrived.
The students immediately bowed.
"We're short on time, so I'll get straight to the explanation."
Very much her style.
Without wasting a second, Jane pressed a button on the control device in her hand. The mana projector installed in the ceiling activated, and a massive screen materialized above them.
"Groups 1 to 4 will go left. Groups 5 to 8 to the right for the simulation. The rules are exactly the same as the performance evaluation. One main combatant, three support members. Support members cannot leave their designated positions, and only the main combatant may use direct attacks. The Cyclops will recognize and attack only the main combatant as its enemy."
Jane gestured toward the vest held by her assistant and tapped it lightly.
"That said, there's no need to worry. The attacks from the virtual Cyclops will be absorbed by the barrier magic embedded in this vest. As you take damage, the barrier gauge shown on the screen will decrease. If it reaches zero, the training ends. You will be returned to the waiting room immediately."
The students nodded, tension visible on their faces.
"You will be allowed up to three rounds of virtual combat. Use this opportunity to assess how well your strategy holds up and get as close to real battle conditions as possible."
With the explanation finished, the simulation began immediately. Groups 1 and 5 entered the training room first, while the others were guided to the waiting area.
The waiting room was unexpectedly comfortable—spacious sofas, refreshment stands, and a large mana projection screen showing the live feed of ongoing battles.
Before reviewing their own strategy again, Simon's team decided to observe the other teams.
Then it was Group 5's turn.
The main combatant was a Necromancer specializing in Necromancy (Spiritology). Her teammates came from Katarology, Darkness Dynamics, and Toxicology.
From Simon's perspective, it was a fairly balanced lineup.
—"We will now begin the simulation battle".
Jane's voice echoed through the speakers.
Wooooooong!
Mana filled the room, and the training space transformed into a dense forest.
It felt real.
Trees surrounded them. Birds chirped. The wind rustled through leaves. Even the atmosphere shifted.
The watching students murmured in awe.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Heavy footsteps shook the ground.
Birds burst from the trees in panic.
The sound grew closer—
Until a massive, over-two-meter-tall, turquoise-skinned monster crashed through the undergrowth.
Its body was built of grotesque muscle. One eye was crushed and caved inward, while the remaining eye rolled wildly.
—KRUAAAAAAAH!
The roar froze the expressions of everyone inside the training room.
With a thunderous impact—
The battle began.
And then—
[Simulation Failed]
Elapsed Time: 1 minute 16 seconds
Damage Dealt: 22%
Barrier Gauge: 0%
Overall Evaluation: F
The result appeared on the mana screen.
Everyone's jaws dropped.
Simon felt the same shock.
This is no joke.
Team 1 had ended even faster than Team 5.
The reason was identical. The main combatants froze under the Cyclops's relentless assault and failed to respond properly. A single direct hit reduced the barrier gauge to below half.
Both teams had planned to restrain the Cyclops using curses, but the main combatants were eliminated before the supports could even complete a cast.
"The ones who went out there… they all froze up," Rick commented.
Simon nodded.
"There's probably a psychological factor."
Even with three teammates behind them, facing a Cyclops alone was overwhelming—both in fear and tension.
Simon turned.
"Meilyn. Are you sure you're okay?"
"Huh? Huh?"
Her face was pale.
"Of course I'm fine!"
Her voice trembled.
She was clearly not fine.
Eventually, she muttered something about going to the bathroom and stepped away. She wasn't alone. Several students headed toward the bathroom, unable to hide their nerves.
Then came Teams 2 and 6.
Again, the main combatants were struck head-on and fell quickly.
—Teams 3 and 7, please enter the training room.
Sooner than expected, it was already Team 7's turn.
As Simon stood, he noticed the group heading to the opposite training room.
Team 3.
Hector's team.
At the center stood Hector Moore, with A-Class's summoning ace Pierre Buckley and two other members whose scores in Darkness Dynamics and Spiritology exceeded ninety points.
They were widely regarded as the second strongest team in Class A. Below Knox's team.
Hector's gaze met Simon's midair.
A smirk curved his lips.
"You're the main combatant for Team 7, right?"
Simon shook his head.
"It's not me. It's Meilyn."
"That naïve little lady's taking the lead? You stepped aside to protect her pride?"
"She's simply the most capable person for the role."
"Don't act so boring, Simon Polentia."
A sharp glint flashed in Hector's eyes.
"Clash with everything you've got. This time, I'll break you for real."
—Teams 3 and 7! Please enter the training room immediately.
The assistant urged them forward.
Simon entered.
Rick and Kamibarez were already inside, stretching nervously.
A teaching assistant holding a clipboard looked around.
"Where is the last member?"
"Sorry I'm late!"
Meilyn rushed in, slightly out of breath.
The assistant pressed the controller. Mana signal lights ignited across the walls. The door sealed shut.
"Main combatant, step forward."
"Yes."
Meilyn stepped forward, visibly tense.
"I will now designate the support positions."
Lights flickered overhead, and three circles of mana formed on the floor.
Kamibarez moved to the left. Simon stood in the center. Rick took the right.
Meilyn stood in front of them.
"The Cyclops cannot see the support members. However, stepping even one foot outside the designated circle will result in immediate disqualification."
"Yes!"
"Main combatant. Are you ready?"
"Ah—yes!"
She snapped back to focus.
"Meilyn, get a grip. Are you sure you're okay?" Rick asked.
"I told you, I'm fine!"
"Don't get too nervous! It's just a virtual battle! You've got this!" Kamibarez encouraged.
"Yeah… thanks."
The assistant stepped back.
"Team 7's first simulation battle will now begin."
The assistant's body dissolved into particles of mana.
A fierce wind swept through the room.
Simon's eyes sharpened.
Wind inside a sealed room? This isn't just an illusion.
The floor turned green. Trees erupted around them. A swamp spread across the terrain.
Leaves brushed against Simon's arm.
When he touched them, he felt texture.
Watching from outside and experiencing it firsthand were completely different things.
The realism was overwhelming.
He could not afford to think about anything else.
Thud. Thud.
The ground trembled.
"Everyone, get ready! It's coming!" Rick shouted.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The Cyclops burst through the foliage.
—KRUUAAAAAAHH!
Every hair on Simon's body stood on end.
Even from within the support circle, the pressure was crushing.
For Meilyn, who had to face it directly—
"Phewuuuh."
She exhaled deeply.
Her expression hardened.
"Alright. Just like we practiced."
The trembling in her body faded.
Simon smiled slightly.
She was adapting faster than he expected.
Right. Who am I to worry? There's no one here who needs worrying over.
Simon pulled the virtual lever.
I'll give 200% focus to my role.