Chapter 37


    After another cycle, Group 7s final turn came.


    If they failed again, it would mean that the chances of winning against a real Cyclops in the actual battle next week would be slimmer.


    Everyone was very determined. In particr, Meilyn, the participant, was standing as she seriously warmed up, and got ready.


    Itsing!


    With Ricks shout, the Cyclops appeared through the thick trees and roared. This time too, Simons skeleton was the first to rush out.


    Ill hold it up no matter what!


    While Simons skeletons attracted the attention of Cyclops, Meilyn prepared Dark re and Rick and Camibarez prepared their Exhausts.


    So far, it was the same as the previous battle.


    Crack!


    One skeleton couldnt withstand the Cyclopsbo and was shattered. Immediately, Simon ordered themand to attack by connecting to the thoughts of the skeleton standing behind the Cyclops.


    sh!


    The Cyclops, with its back shed, attacked the skeleton in a fiery rage.


    Dark re is 80%plete!


    Shouted Meilyn.


    My first Exhaust ispleted!


    Me too! Ill get to the next step right away!


    They ced the finished Exhaust in their right hand and started casting a new one with their left.


    This is the main point of their new n.


    The only time Simons skeleton could hold the Cyclops was at the beginning, when the Cyclops recognized the skeleton as the only enemy, before Meilyn and other members started attacking it.


    By extending the first part of the fight, the possible benefits at the start were maximized.


    Even afterpleting the Dark re, Meilyn stood still and waited, and the remaining two were preparing for the second Exhaust.


    Since it was almost their first time doing multi-casting, both of them made many mistakes, but Simon held up miraculously well in controlling the undead enough to cover them.


    Seventh skeleton in. Go!


    Of course, Simons role that sustained the early stage was the most important in this strategy.


    This was because the Cyclops would head straight to Meilyn if Simons concentration faltered even a little.


    Simon! Its done!


    Finally, Rick and Camibarezpleted the four Exhausts.


    Upon hearing that, Simon disassembled the skeleton without hesitation.


    Skeletons scattered on the floor, and the Cyclops, who had lost its opponent, looked around and found Meilyn.


    Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!


    The monster ran while ringing the floor. At the same time, it came within the range of the curse.


    Exhaust!


    Exhaust!


    The magic circles of Rick and Camibarez lit up, and the curses hit the Cyclops body.


    The Cyclops slowed down. Meilyn took this chance and threw the Dark re.


    The ck me began to burn its skin, and a terrifying smell of burning pierced through the nose.


    [Kyaaaaaaaaaaagh!]


    The Cyclops floundered and raised its club. Simon, who was observing this scene, shouted,


    At the front, a smash!


    Meilyn stepped on the jet-ck and jumped away. The club fell where she was and left a dent on the floor.


    Back off! Its going to fold its body as it is and proceed to uppercut!


    Swing!


    The Cyclops, who hit the floor, twisted flexibly and raised the club, but Meilyn avoided even that too.


    Frontal charge!


    Simon, who figured out the movements of the Cyclops, gave instructions, and Meilyn dodged ordingly.


    The opponent was affected by four stacks of Exhaust, so even Meilyn, whocked the athletic ability, could avoid it. The Exhaust curse was very effective for monsters who moved a lot, such as Cyclopes.


    Herees another one!


    Rick and Camibarez added a pair of Exhausts.


    That was the sixth Exhaust in total!


    That violent Cyclops, who swung its club recklessly, looked like it was out of stamina for the first time.


    Ill use blood magic!


    Camibarez drew blood from the tip of her finger, creating a red magic circle.


    Blood magic Blood silk, a carpet woven with blood, rushed forward at a frightening speed and passed in front of the Cyclops face.


    Although it was magic with no lethality, the Cyclops flinched and stopped walking at the strong scent of blood.


    Now! Simon!


    Before anyone knew it, two skeletons hanging on the back of the Cyclops ced a chain around its neck. The chain was borrowed from Ricks subspace.


    The monster roared and tried to charge at Meilyn, but the chain pulled tight and stopped it from moving. Both ends of the chain had already been anchored to a tree by the skeletons.


    [Kyaaaaaaaaaaaagh]


    The Cyclops struggled from the pain from the remaining fires of Dark re. Meilyn got around to speeding up her preparations for the next Dark re.


    H-He actually pulled it off?


    A strategy formed in that short time that used the terrain.


    When she first heard Simons n, she thought he was overying it, but Simon carried the n into practice too easily.


    Meilyn shot her second Dark re while being astonished by Simons n.


    Roar!


    The me that had been extinguished over time zed fiercely once more.


    Small veins on Cyclops eyes burst open and it screamed madly. It looked like a prisoner in hell struggling with brimstone fire.


    Here goes the seventh one!


    Rick continued to stack up the Exhausts. Now, followed by Camibarez, Simon also joined stacking Exhausts.


    Creak! Creeaaak!


    The Cyclops violently struggled. The two trees chained ended up being uprooted.


    It began to approach while dragging the chains and trees.


    Leave it to me!


    When Rick saw that, he cleverly enchanted the chain with jet-ck.


    Ricks main specialty was enchantment-based jet-ck usage.


    All the jet-ck in the chain was substituted as weight. It was like the Cyclops was crawling with heavy tools.


    And


    Just die alreadyyyyyyyyyyyy!


    With a shout unlike her usual self, Meilyns third Dark re exploded on the Cyclops body.


    Thud!


    Only then did it kneel on the floor. The Cyclops was swallowed whole in the zing mes, and a disgusting smell of something burning spread throughout the forest.


    Soon, a pile of ashes was seen falling to the floor.


    [Simtion seeded]


    * * *


    * * *


    Time Spent: 6 minutes and 48 seconds


    Damage Inflicted: 100%


    Barrier Gauge: 97%


    Overall Rating: B


    It wooorked!


    Meilyn clenched her fists and shouted.


    Woah, woah! We actually hunted it! Wahahaha!


    You guys are the best!


    The other three came running.


    Everything went just as nned! On that, everyone pulled off their roles well. Group 7 embraced each other and ran all over the ce, savoring the joy.


    [Congrattions on clearing, Group 7.]


    Janesments continued.


    She pointed out that there was a strong tendency to rely on the ability of one summoner, and the length of hunting time was too long, but overall, it was favorablements.


    They decided to raise the mastery of Dark re and Curses as much as possible during the rest of the time and the weekend.


    Thank you, Professor!


    As they walked out of the training room, some students apuded them. There were a lot of envious stares too.


    It took quite a while, but at least they hunted the Cyclops.


    Wooh, Simon! As expected from my rival! Well done!


    Cindy Vivace came over and raised her hand. As Simon also spread his fingers with a smiling face, she high-fived him loudly.


    That hurts.


    Simon asked while shaking his hands off,


    Did your group make it?


    Of course! It was easy after I got the feeling of ghosting!


    If Group 7 was to the extent where Meilyn was the core, Group 5 was really all-in on Cindy Vivace.


    She turned into a ghosting state that was immune to any physical attacks, dodging the Cyclops attacks, and then returned and repeated shing with the jet-ck scythe that her teammates had made.


    They seeded in hunting the Cyclops without difficulty.


    By the way, Simon, werent you a Necromancy aspirant?


    I said Im not.


    While everyone was exchanging stories in a friendly atmosphere, only Hector, who was taking a break after finishing the simtion, had a turbulent glow light up in his eyes.


    * * *


    Contrary to the popr notoriety about Kizen, Simon was enjoying the best days in his life at Kizen.


    The sses of Kizens professors were tough, but it was without a doubt fun.


    Talking about performance assessment while chatting with friends during break time, running to eat the limited menu Rick found during lunch break, going to the library in spare time, and getting tutored by Pier about undead management was all just fun.


    In Curses, the frequency of Professor Bahil amodating Simon increased significantly. Meilyn now had second thoughts about what Rick said.


    Is Professor Bahil actually in favor of Simon?


    Of course, Simon shook his head.


    He had poor grades in Curses, and he fell behind in practical activities because he had no prior learning. He couldnt find any reason why a person like Bahil, a fan of meritocracy, would favor him.


    Todays ss ends here. Have a great weekend.


    Thank you for your work!


    With Erics Mechanics of Jet-ck as theirst ss, another week ended safely.


    <strong><em>PR/n:</em></strong><em> Weve changed Epidemiology of Jet-ck to Mechanics of Jet-ck after learning more about the ss and finding thetter name more fitting.</em>


    Tomorrow was finally the weekend!


    The students were making ns to hang out at Rochest with excited faces.


    How pathetic.


    Seeing the students in a cheerful atmosphere, Meilyn grumbled while packing her things.


    How can they think of hanging out in Rochest when the Cyclops performance assessment is next week? Theyre hopeless idiots.


    Oh, is that so?


    Rick, who was sitting down in a chair, giggled as he supported the back of his head with his hands.


    Arent you actually just being petnt because Cami got asked out, but no ones asking the ace of the Ivory tower to hang out?


    Hey!!


    The two started arguing today too, and as Rick said, Camibarez was asked to go out of the ssroom by a male student.


    Even Simon thought she deserved a lot of poprity.


    A cute appearance, a gentle personality, being kind, and smiling at everyone. Theres no way that male students would just leave her be.


    Just then, Camibarez, who had just been asked out, ran back into the ssroom.


    Cami! How did it go?


    Quickly asked Rick.


    Uhm


    She spoke in a faint voice with her face flushed red.


    Im sorry for him But I refused


    As expected!


    Meilyns agitated face became 200% brighter.


    Cami is thoughtful after all! Youll stay with us on weekends to practice, right?


    Ah, yes! I realized that I fell short during the simtion, so I want to practice with you all.


    After answering like that, Camibarez moved her eyes and looked at Simon''s face.


    Then, when she met Simons eyes, she was startled and quickly looked down.


    Im sorry but~ Ill pass. Quite busy with my business schedule.


    Said Rick while shrugging.


    Meilyn red at him, but she didnt say anything more than that. For Rick, who aimed to be a merchant, the weekend schedule was as important as a ss.


    Meilyn, with her arms folded, turned toward Simon this time.


    Simon, dont tell me that you also have ns on your weekend like that idiot there?


    Simon felt a prick of conscience with Meilyns question. He nned to go to the ruins to see Pier on the weekend.


    Tomorrow might be hard, but Ill participate in the training the day after tomorrow.


    Oh, gee! Even you? Dont you know that your role is the most important in this performance assessment?


    Simon quickly waved his hand in denial.


    Im not just going there to y. Im gonna do my personal training.


    Personal training?


    Yeah. Theres someone in Rochest who looks after my Summoning studies.


    Meilyn blinked in surprise.


    Oh, you got a weekend tutor? So you were aware that yourecking in prior learning, huh?


    W-Well, yeah.


    Camibarez, who had been lowering her head sullenly, suddenly raised her head.


    St-Still, youll see us at Kizen the day after tomorrow, right?


    Yeah. I still have to sync with you guys.


    What a relief!


    Hey, Rick! At leaste that night too.


    I dont know how itll turn out, but I''ll try.


    You really act so busy.


    Youre a sad woman for being so free on the weekend, Meilyn.


    Just die!


    Seeing the two of them fighting, Simonughed out loud. At the same time, he was contemting the weekend ns in his head.


    There are only a few days left until the actual battle.


    Simon was going to train really hard with Pier this weekend.


    Actually, he didnt tell the other members of the group, but Simons goal this time wasnt at the level of buying time with the undead.


    Defeat the Cyclops with a skeleton.


    Simon was nning something that none of the Summoning aspirants of ss A could even dare to do.