After the evaluation performances of both the morning and afternoon teams had concluded, the entirety of Class A gathered once again inside the Elementary Black Magic classroom.
The tension that had dominated the dungeon earlier had finally faded, replaced with the familiar atmosphere of the classroom. Yet traces of excitement still lingered among the students.
Jane stood at the front of the room, holding the evaluation documents in her hand.
"You all did well today."
Her calm voice filled the classroom.
"Regardless of the results and scores, as your professor, I am satisfied that every member of Class A completed the live evaluation without any accidents."
"Thank you, Professor!"
Finally freed from the pressure that had weighed on them throughout the day, the students responded loudly.
Relief spread across the room.
However—
Jane's next words quickly cooled the mood.
"But at Kizen, results are what matter most."
The class instantly fell silent.
A few students chuckled awkwardly.
After all, everyone was already used to this by now. Jane had a habit of setting a warm tone before immediately cutting through it with cold reality.
Jane glanced down at the documents in her hand.
"I will begin the evaluations with Group 1."
She lifted her head.
"Group 1, step forward."
Knox remained seated calmly, listening to the evaluations as they continued.
It was exactly like Jane to analyze each group with an almost unsettling level of precision. She pointed out strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement with flawless logic.
Even students who barely knew the members of other groups found themselves nodding unconsciously as they listened.
And then something unexpected happened.
"Karell Oxara. Yona Kasumi."
"Yes!"
The two students stepped forward immediately.
"Shake hands."
For a moment, the classroom froze.
A handshake?
The two students blinked in confusion.
The assistant standing nearby nudged them gently.
They awkwardly extended their hands and shook.
Jane watched them calmly.
"You did not ruin your teamwork like amateurs," she said.
Then her eyes sharpened slightly.
"But if there are unresolved feelings between you two, it would be better to settle them sooner rather than later."
"...!"
The two stiffened immediately.
Jane turned the page as if nothing had happened.
"Next group."
Knox couldn't help feeling impressed.
Jane had not only evaluated their combat performance, she had also seen straight through their relationships and emotions.
It was almost frightening how perceptive she was.
As the evaluations continued, another detail became more clear to Knox.
The number of groups that had successfully defeated their Cyclops was surprisingly high.
During the initial simulations, only slightly over forty percent of the teams had succeeded.
But in the real live evaluation, thirteen out of sixteen groups had managed to defeat their Cyclops.
Even accounting for additional practice time, it was still remarkable.
It showed just how resilient the students of Kizen were when facing real combat.
At this point, the question was no longer whether the Cyclops had been defeated.
What mattered now was the score.
Jane looked at the next page.
"Group 3's final score is A+."
Cheers erupted throughout the classroom.
Group 3, led by Hector, had performed overwhelmingly well.
Applause and envious murmurs filled the room.
"Group 3 showed very few weaknesses," Jane continued.
She listed their achievements calmly.
Hector's outstanding combat ability and leadership. The clear role distribution within the group. Excellent teamwork.
They completed the hunt in under three minutes, the second-fastest time among all the groups.
Even their barrier gauges had remained above ninety percent, showing incredible stability.
It would not have been an exaggeration to call them one of the flagship team.
"Each of you possesses strong potential for further growth," Jane concluded.
"Well done."
"Thank you!"
After a while, one group after another was called forward.
Then, Jane turned the page. "Group 7, step forward."
The classroom immediately grew quiet.
Even though Group 3 had received the highest score so far, the group that had generated the most excitement throughout the day—aside from the strongest group, Group 8—was undoubtedly Group 7.
Their chaotic yet overwhelming performance had left a strong impression on everyone.
Simon and his teammates stepped forward.
Jane rustled the grading sheet. The room became completely silent.
"Group 7 is…"
The sound of paper turning echoed loudly.
Then Jane spoke. "Terrible."
Thud.
Simon felt his heart sink. Meilyn shut her eyes tightly. Camibarez's lips trembled.
Jane continued reading without changing her expression.
"Total time: 13 minutes and 58 seconds."
"The barrier gauge of the participating members dropped to a miserable seven percent."
"And none of the originally planned tactics were properly executed. The battle was largely impulsive and uncoordinated."
She lowered the document and looked directly at them.
Her expression remained completely blank.
"Do you have anything to say?"
No one answered. Faced with such precise data, there was nothing they could argue with. Even if they had ten mouths.
Jane closed the document. "Group 7 receives a D."
Among the teams that had defeated their Cyclops, this was the lowest possible score.
Group 7 quietly turned around to return to their seats.
Then Jane spoke again.
"However."
The assistant handed her another document. Jane placed it on top of the evaluation sheet.
"This result does not yet reflect additional information."
Group 7 stopped mid-step. They turned around with puzzled expressions.
Jane raised the report.
"After conducting an autopsy on the Cyclops defeated by Group 7, we discovered abnormal side effects caused by curses and drugs used during its capture. Of course, the same abnormalities were also found in the Cyclops defeated by Group 8."
Hearing this, Group 7 was visibly shaken, unlike Group 8, which remained calm. They had already realized that something was wrong with their Cyclops, partly because Knox had warned them beforehand.
The classroom immediately filled with murmurs.
There was more suspicious information in the report, but that portion had been classified as Kizen Level-2 Confidential. Only this much could be shared with the students.
Jane continued calmly.
"The Cyclops displayed extreme aggression. Once the controlling curse wore off, it entered a berserk state and temporarily enhanced its physical abilities."
"In other words, Kizen's administration has determined that the difficulty faced by Groups 7 and 8 was significantly greater than that faced by the other teams."
The classroom erupted with surprised voices.
Jane raised the report, showing the official seal of Kizen Headquarters.
"Taking into account the Cyclops's aggression, strength, and resistance to curses, the administration has concluded that Group 7 effectively fought a higher-grade monster equivalent to a Red Cyclops."
Her gaze shifted toward Hector. "We will therefore apply a revised score."
Jane tilted her head slightly. "That seems fair, wouldn't you agree?"
Hector's expression stiffened. He remained silent.
If the decision came directly from Kizen's administration, students had no grounds to object.
And truthfully—
many students had already wondered the same thing.
The Cyclops Simon's group fought had been far too strong. Of course, the Cyclops Knox's group—Group 8—faced had also been abnormally powerful, at least on the same level as the one Simon's group encountered. However, because Group 8 was much stronger than Group 7, the Cyclops they defeated did not seem all that different from a normal one.
Jane continued. "I will now announce the revised results."
She read from the new document.
"Meilyn Villene."
Meilyn jumped.
"Yes, Professor!"
"With Darkness Elemental Magic far exceeding the average level of Kizen's first-year students, you played a key role in protecting your team."
"I award you 80 points."
Excited reactions spread across the classroom.
Considering that Hector, the top scorer, had received 90 out of 100, Meilyn's 80 was an excellent result.
Meilyn trembled with emotion. Camibarez immediately hugged her.
"Though injuring yourself due to excessive training and poor self-care was clearly a mistake," Jane added calmly.
Her gaze dropped to Meilyn's bandaged leg.
"Your determination to continue fighting despite the injury was impressive."
Meilyn's shoulders trembled. She couldn't respond.
Jane continued. "Next. Rick Hayward."
"Yup!" Rick raised his hand casually.
"Your skilled use of high-grade Darkness enchants at crucial moments allowed you to act as the lubricating force of Group 7's strategy."
"I award you 80 points as well."
More impressed reactions echoed through the room.
Rick raised both arms triumphantly.
"Camibarez Ursula."
"Ah—yes!"
"As a student of Haematology, you fulfilled the role of primary damage dealer."
Jane smiled slightly. "Even among active necromancers, that level of blood magic is rare."
"I award you 85 points."
Camibarez froze. Her eyes quickly filled with tears.
"Cami!"
"As expected!"
Meilyn and Rick hugged her tightly.
Jane turned to the final name.
"Lastly."
"Simon Polentia."
The classroom fell completely silent.
Hector's face turned pale. He leaned slightly forward in his chair.
Jane read from the document.
"As a participating member, you fulfilled your role completely."
"Despite unexpected variables, you protected your teammates, evaded attacks to buy time, and used your summons to create the conditions necessary for Bleeding Overflow."
"Your use of Restoration magic was also notable."
She paused briefly.
"And finally, you delivered the killing blow."
Jane exhaled softly. Then she concluded.
"Flawless."
"I award you a personal score of 100."
For a moment—
the room froze.
Then the classroom exploded with cheers. Even the other students of Class A could not deny Simon's performance.
Group 7's battle had been that impressive. With the revised evaluation, Group 7's total score rose dramatically.
Their final result became A+, the highest possible score for now.
They now stood shoulder to shoulder with Group 3.
Jane closed the report.
"It's unfortunate that there is no score higher than A+."
Hector leaned back deeply into his chair and closed his eyes.
"Hector…"
One of his teammates tried to speak.
"Don't talk to me," Hector muttered coldly.
"Unless you want your mouth torn open."
The members of Group 3 immediately fell silent.