Chapter 4: Overkill
Mime contemplated deeply for a second before turning toward his vanguard. Their proposition was a bad omen. His toes were stepped on as the leader and the best move was to ignore it especially if he wanted to get good marks. Unnecessary rivalry in times of war can lead to callousness that does more harm than good, which even the non-military-trained Mime understood.
"Let's head on you two there's no need to- "
"Riné? So that was your name…you wouldn't happen to remember me? I suppose it has been a bit of time. Three or four years?"
'Huh?'
Riné's previously blank demeanor shattered in an instant. He was caught completely off guard as a concoction of fear, questions, and murderous intent mixed. Someone who knew of his previous history and alignment was a critical threat.
"I look forward to seeing your performance as I couldn't the last time we met. 'Friend'"
Shutting his eyes attempting to calm himself down to no avail Riné's chest began to tighten as he glared toward Holless with a piercing stare. Holless seemed unfazed as he met his gaze.
"I don't know who you are, but-"
Lightning blasted out of the saber as Riné pointed the tip toward the sniper.
"Not another word. We'll talk later."
The sniper's warm smile similar to one a person gave an old acquaintance faded into a dismissive demeanor as he ignored Mime and his own teammates.
"I'll take that as accepting the bet then."
Keth gulped from shock while Mime was left in a worse position even he couldn't help but feel shut up by the series of occurrences.
'This was the same guy who slipped over his words? He just clearly threatened that guy!'
This thought appeared in both Mime and Keth's mind in two different tones while far from the group Kairi was unaware of the situation feeling left out as he solved the logistic puzzles sighing from nervousness.
"I'll look forward to our reunion then."
Holless's grin became warm as the two, Riné and Holless, turned their backs toward each other each with a contrasting expression and emotion. Riné's head and heart raced as he felt dread.
'Who the hell is he. He knows me? No he's aware of my history but I don't remember anyone like that I don't-I don't even want to…'
Riné's history in the Kapsuet Dominion was blurry at times except for his most precious memories with his dear master. His master had taught him memories most thought of recalled best. Hence Riné would try to never look back only doing so when he recalled his master. His mission was already in danger of being exposed and even though the Daelk Empire and Kapsuet Dominion were on amicable terms even after the Daelk defeat and surrender in the Glass War a half century ago, the support of the Kapsuet earned their alliance yet both sent in spies and surveilled on the other. An ally one day is an enemy the next day that was just how international affairs work. If he were caught and detained Riné would simply be an unlucky sort whose fate would be sealed as a loose end is better gone than exposed.
''I just have to get through this exam. Forward. That's how I must act. That's how I've survived so far. If he's a threat to my exposure I'll have to figure something out...'
Regaining composure Riné stepped forward grabbing hold of Keth's shoulder with a sharper behavior. If his demeanor before was aloof then this demeanor was someone focused and confident.
"Mine, I'll be taking Keth with me and moving up. The leader will be taken quickly."
'If I can take out the leader swiftly the quicker I can question the sniper.'
Feeling conflicted Mime quickly warned Riné.
"Are you sure about this? Even though this is a test, there's still a non-zero chance you could get hurt out there. Just stick with the army and following this 'bet' is more reckless and less detrimental ignoring rather than listening to his idea. Passing is an inevitability for you."
Mime was against this bet as a whole and even more against them going alone toward that huge army. Seeing Riné's confidence made his reasoning waiver though.
"I want this over quickly. I'll take care of Keth you have my word."
Their eyes met as Mime couldn't help but sigh relenting with a nod. Their eyes yelled a message even Mime could understand nonverbally. He'll act as a carry for the group to pass.
"Hey, don't I have a say?"
Keth raised an eyebrow and his concern as he flung his arms around in confusion before he was muzzled with a quick clap of Mime'd hands.
"Keth go with Riné, that's your say~"
Instantly shutdown Keth felt emasculated as he was just a side cast member toward these two. He had to do something either way and if sticking to Riné to steal some of the spotlight was the path to passing he'd gladly lap up some light for himself.
"Urg-fine Riné don't you dare sacrifice me!"
"If being sacrificed is what's on your mind then you shouldn't worry. I'll keep you by my side."
With a serious tone, Riné began to draw mana toward his feet as lightning shot out. His voice was cold and honed as he focused solely on the enemy ahead.
A promiscuous whistle could be heard from Mime as he commented comically.
"Wow, what a smooth talker I can't tell whether I find this serious side more entertaining or the bumbling Riné."
Riné didn't quite understand Mime's comment as Keth gave Mime a dirty look the commanders chatty mouth was quickly shut by a transmitted voice bursting out.
"I'd prefer it if y'all head out now! I finished the logic puzzle and a circuit puzzle in how short a time I've been given!"
Kairi's mental exhaustion was evident from their appearance as sweat pooled down their forehead which he wiped shortly and the amount of calculations drawn on the dirt ground of complex equations and graphs. The puzzles which varied in difficulty depending on the magician and upgrade levels could be skipped at this stage which meant that those aiming for lower-level upgrades could do lesser difficulty problems at a higher frequency while those at a more advanced level could do the harder problems which was what Kairi had completed just in time to Riné's approval.
"You two, Mime and Kairi, determine the upgrades. Keth, are you ready?"
"If I get a single injury you're not gonna hear the end of it."
"I'll keep an eye on you then."
"No need to act cool bastard."
Mime pointed his finger forward as the two burst forward rapidly leaving dust in their steps leaving their commander alone to direct the troops.
"Brief me on the choices Kairi. Let's make this quick we're the backbone here."
——
The two competing groups began to approach the opposing Notus horde as the clockwork soldiers marched in file.
Gael's group of five consisted of him as commander, Holless as vanguard, and three logistics members who were clearly distressed as they consulted with each other on the questions highlighting their inexperience and lack of knowledge.
Moving at a rapid pace Riné and Keth sprinted forward as they saw above their heads a volley of projectiles both magic and non-magic as
balls of earth and rock rained down toward them at great velocity.
"Keth your job is to absolutely prevent the sniper's arrow. He's probably watching us now as we speak."
Riné's saber swept the air leaving a trail of lightning as the volley became debris no longer a threat.
Finishing this sentence a loud explosion burst as Riné and Keth turned their head toward the noise coming from Holless's group as a single bolt flew through the sky from a vast distance.
'It's heading toward the leader already not to mention the range.!'
'This guy is a monster.'
The bolt flew past the foot soldier Notus above their heads as the Brutes were unable to react in time the bolt seemed to vibrate in the air slipping past an elite's head making a beeline for the leader before the magician Notus lifted their staffs.
"[Slow. Slow. Slow.]"
The bolt which seemed to be imbued with a great amount of clear white mana began to lose velocity as it reached a short distance before the leader the loud sound of glass shattering was heard as the bolt slammed into an invisible barrier before piercing through and landing short near the leader's foot.
"He broke the barrier even after the bolt was slowed? What kind of magic is he using! To even land it he would have to be using some kind of aiming magic but to have that power after being slowed is it just an enhancement..?"
"It's piercing magic. The pinpoint aim is a lineage trait that's why his eyes look like that."
"Uh-huh. How the hell am I supposed to block that!?"
Riné thought of lineage traits. The skills one develops in their lifetime and practices through continued use are able to be passed down and eventually become a lineage trait. A family of blacksmiths that continues with each generation marrying in talented and experienced blacksmiths will eventually pass down accumulated traits that take the form of a lineage trait and that sniper has one he pairs with a piercing magic. However, not every child has the chance to wield a lineage trait as it is a chance. Riné was an example of that.
'No wonder he was able to take out the leader instantly before. He has his bases covered in precision and force.'
"But it's ultimately suited for ambush, Keth the shields down warn me on the next bolt. You can try to lure the Notus to impede the bolts by getting in their way
Keth lulled over it for a second before nodding as he watched Riné closely along with the way the mana flowed. The two were seekers who specialized in speed, and watching the way a peer handled themselves is an important step in growth.
"I'll try to but easier said than done."
Seekers have a unique system of manipulating mana. One main center in the chest and two sub-centers in the head and stomach that revolve mana through each point allowing for a large output and coverage. What separated them from Sentinels was the fact that they augment mana from their centers around their body to strengthen it with mana while Sentinels infuse mana into their body.
Riné's lightning spells that he could use were limited by the fact that he never had a use for a wide variety of spells. Having three to five mastered spells was the norm for seekers as focusing on a large amount without mastery was essentially asking to be beaten down by a one-trick pony.
The line of Notus brutes charged toward Riné and Keith as three attempted to slam their arms down to flatten them with a great force as Keth slapped Riné's back.
"Dash: Forward!"
Riné flung forward his acceleration multiplying from dual augmentation leaping a far distance past Notus soldiers while Keth rolled to the side narrowly avoiding getting slammed only to land next to clockwork soldiers who were already moving in.
"Go ahead and take out the leader I'll keep lookout!"
Keth's broadsword swung through the air at breakneck speeds taking the heads of the soldiers in front of him as he ordered Riné with a wavering confidence as he saw the number of Notus around him.
As Riné disappeared from his view clouded by the Notus surrounding him Keth dodged and weaved past their ranks taking plenty out as each swing caused their parts to break apart and collapse.
"Even someone like me understands the place I'm in compared to others."
Unable to even catch more than a couple of seconds breath taking down the clockwork soldiers in succession their numbers seemed to fill as they surrounded Keth from all directions. A bolt fired out heading toward Keth's direction.
"There's a difference between those of us fighting from nothing and the geniuses and golden spooned!"
A brute began to step toward Keth wielding a hammer that to any average student seemed like an unstoppable tank. Keth hearing the noise of the bolt began to draw cyan mana from the center of his chest before revolving it throughout his entire body. He was going to stop the bolt he repeated to himself.
"It's real hard work!"
Determination burst out from his eyes as he began to recite under his breath a spell. Mana flooded out from his body.
"Dash Magic: Terminal Damn Velocity!"
Keth vanished from his position as the ground beneath him crumbled into pieces leaving nothing but wind as the sound of something slashing through the air was preceded by a wide slash clean through the Brute's head as it slid off the brute's body stepped backwards without a head supporting it the body tipped backward as it moved to block the trajectory of the bolt. The noise of the bolt piercing the Brute sounded like a metallic slam as the bolt came through the other end, and as it continued moving, its direction shifted.
Spectators in the stands gave amused expressions and some cheered on their effort as Keth projected his voice transmitted from the screen. In a certain hall where the monitoring and evaluation were occurring several rows of professors were writing notes as some wrote positive affirmations on Keth's application praising his magic and quick thinking.
'Damn, I'm already this tired just from one cast? I'll have to wait a couple of minutes to regather the mana from that until then I'll just have to fight conserving mana.'
Picking up his blade which now more than ever in his great exhaustion as beads of sweat became drops was a great task as his chest heaved in and out Keth raised it as a clockwork elite emerged from the side of the brute's corpse and charged. Unable to react in time, he closed his eyes.
'Shit too late!-'
Contrary to his expectations nothing happened.
'Huh..?'
The sound of metallic scraping cracked as the elite's blade made contact.
"Riné?"
The blade of the elite was blocked in its path as it was lodged in Riné's arm stuck less than an inch in his skin breaking it as blood began to leak staining his shirt crimson. His arm was extended out as Riné faced away from the soldier with his back pointing toward them.
"What the hell are you doing here shouldn't you be going for the leader?!"
"I promised you wouldn't get hurt."
Riné clenched his teeth as the mana he sent to his arm expelled the blade before he retaliated with a downward cleave taking the elite down with a downward slash with his saber. If the blades the soldiers had weren't dulled to the extent that the only threat they had was being blunt weapons with a bit of sharpness then perhaps Riné wouldn't have blocked with his body but his judgement was clouded.
"Besides you're a friend…"
Riné's voice flowed away from being serious to slightly embarrassed as he explained his actions. Keth and Mime had outmaneuvered Riné and shocked him not to mention their brief conversations had left a deep impression on Riné who for the large majority of his life rarely spoke to others in depth meaning he only knew friends as those who challenged the other from what he had been told.
Keth felt astonishment, confusion, and mostly embarrassment.
'What is this guy's deal? Friend I just met him and have done or said nothing pointing to anything but being rivals?!'
"If I promised I wouldn't let you get hurt then- As a friend, I should make sure to make sure of that besides it's all in our favor now."
A meager portion of the Notus mages around the leader froze in place. The leader Notus's stomach exploded as smoke rose from the hole where its stomach used to be. One of the mages fired a bolt toward its commander?
"The Notus are turning on each other..! Who was it? Mime or that Gael guy?"
"It was me."
Kairi stepped forward from the side wielding the tablet in their hand turning it over revealing a set of words.
-Espionage-
"It took a while to crack the function behind this upgrade requiring its own question to even use but it was completely worth it with the help of new friends. We logistics members formed a union to unlock this upgrade."
Gael was in disbelief as Mime next to him pumped his fist in excitement with a wide grin.
"How is that fair? Isn't that treason-insubordination!"
"Hell yeah, logistics I love you guys! If I could I'd give you all raises!"
Holless was nowhere to be seen, and the next moment he appeared next to Keth looking over his shoulder.
"It seems like you guys are having fun here so I'll join in."
Riné had a thousand questions in his head toward the sniper but the fact that his voice was being transmitted and every movement observers he could only force them down frustratingly.
"Close combat for a sniper, isn't that usually what rangers avoid?"
"Maybe third rates and although it isn't my strong suit against a competitor like you guys I kind of want to- "
"Show off."
"Next one will be the deciding one since it was neither of us who took the head of the commander."
As Holless finished his sentence the former Notus began to move toward the ally ranks forming a large number of clockwork soldiers as the walls in front of them crumbled down. Rapidly swiping on the tablet Mime imbued a large quantity of pure mana emitting a cyan light from his index finger. A commander's ability appeared as a red wave shot out toward the allied army.
[Rallying Cry!]
"Advance, crush, just go crazy!"
——
"And that's their fourth section cleared! The test is nearing its finale as two different groups are forming headed by the young prince Niccoló and the mysterious Mime!"
The pink-haired female announcer stood from her seat moving a screen highlighting the two scenes of the groups. Riné along with Holless cleared Notus groups with ease along with the clockwork armies' number and strength from the number of examinees connecting with them all came together as a cohesive force of separate units.
In contrast, Niccoló's group was all under one absolutist monarch who crushed the Notus under their advance.
The rapid shaking of a knee caused the table to shake as Dr. Platt began to ruffle his crimson hair, and a mortified expression stained his face.
"PLEASE STOP!"
Watching the Prince walk in a straight line toward the enemy commander as his troops and teammates cleared a path yawning as the Notus were mere pushovers.
"I lost so many hours of sleep thinking it would be a great exam but this-this isn't what I wanted…"
Holless fired a bolt as it took out three brutes and Riné took out elites as if they were basic soldiers.
"This is just fucking overkill!"