Kill The Extra-Chapter 49: Midterm Examination [2]

A soft haze of morning mist clung to the grounds of Nexus Academy as dawn's first light spilled across Main Field. The metal spires of the faculty towers glinted with dew and the grass underfoot shimmered in the early rays. A crisp breeze carried the tang of wet earth and promising a clear, cool day perfect for a test of endurance and skill.

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By 7:00 AM, six hundred students had already gathered and all of them were lining the perimeter of the vast circular arena. Clusters of uniformed boys and girls buzzed with nervous excitement, voices rising and falling in waves.

Everyone who has been selected to participate in this year's Midterm Examination was here. First year novices talking with their known third and fourth year veterans. Strangers forming uneasy alliances under the watchful eyes of supervising professors and amidst them. Ryker stood alone as he was scanning the crowd.

He tucked a lock of dark hair behind his ear and inhaled deeply, letting the chill morning air settle his mind. He thought back to what he had spent the past six months preparing for. His gaze drifting from one group to another, evaluating potential threats and allies.

This will be different from the novel.

Ryker's internal monologue flickered through a cascade of scenarios. In the very original story, this Midterm was supposed to be a mere side event for an entertaining display of magic and swordplay, nothing more than a distraction. But he knew better. The Demonic Cult's plans to infiltrate this very examination, using the Abyss Gate as their Trojan horse. They intended to seize control of the gate's mana currents and summon a mid raking demon from the Purgatory and announce their resurgence to the world.

Ryker has a plan on making sure they will not succeed in their plan.

He thought of Lucas, who was in the novel had been mostly a bystander, almost a footnote during this mission. But, this time, here Lucas would play a crucial role. Now to clear his suspicion and eager to reclaim his reputation, Lucas would be at the heart of a confrontation with the Cult.

Ryker planned to use this mission to accelerate Lucas's growth. He plans to push him until he became a true force in his own right.

He must learn that this world isn't bound by the author's script and everything present here are not some words in a novel.

Ryker's pulse quickened as he settled on a plan. He would be the unseen catalyst and he would pull strings from the shadows, guiding Lucas toward decisive moments and manipulating lesser students through Sasha and intercepting Cult agents before they could strike. He would ensure that Lucas emerged the hero but only after being tempered in the crucible of real danger.

As these thoughts coalesced, two familiar figures approached Ryker. Dean and Lia. Dean with his signature easy grin, strode up with hands shoved in his pockets. Lia followed behind him with her relaxed posture, eyes glowing brightly with excitement.

"Ah, Ryker! You are here early," Dean called, clapping him on the shoulder. "Ready to face the Abyss?"

"Morning, Dean," Ryker replied, offering a polite nod. "Couldn't sleep, so I came early to get a lay of the land."

Lia gave him a playful smile. "I bet you were practicing those healing chants in your head all night." She winked.

Ryker rolled his eyes, but Dean laughed. "That's our Sanctorum always thinking ahead. But hey, don't run out of mana in there today, remember?" He ruffled Ryker's hair like an older brother.

Lia glanced around then cocked her head. "Where's Arthur? I figured you two would be side by side for this. You guys have spent every night training together for the last six months. You guys were going to your rooms at late hours. Though, Dean doesn't that strike you as... interesting?" She smirked.

At her words, Dean nearly doubled over with laughter. "Oh, come on, Lia! You are not seriously suggesting....." He wiped tears from his eyes.

Ryker cut in, his face flushing slightly. "What are you talking about? Arthur gets to his room late because I have to heal his sore muscles before I go back to my room. There is nothing romantic about that." He nudged Lia's shoulder playfully. "But wait, how do you even know my schedule? Are you watching me from the windows?"

Lia feigned innocently as a rosy shade blossoming on her cheeks. "Maybe I just noticed... and maybe I have my own reasons for waking up at odd hours." She gave a coy shrug as her visible crush on Arthur evident to any who cared would notice.

Ryker and Dean exchanged sly grins. "You have a crush on Arthur, don't you?" Dean teased Lia, planting a playful jab.

"Shut up!" Lia hissed, scowling but her lips twitched into a reluctant smile.

Just then, Arthur strode up and looking curious. "What's so funny?"

Dean clapped him on the back. "Ah, our champion arrives! We were just discussing your late night heroics with Ryker here. It was quite the dedicated duo, eh?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Late nights? Heroic sessions?" He glanced at Ryker.

Ryker shrugged. "You know, training... practice..."

Lia piped up, pointing at Arthur. "He is in love with you! Isn't that right, Arthur?" She batted her eyelashes teasingly.

Arthur's face turned a slight shade of pink. He opened his mouth to protest but Dean burst out laughing again.

"Alright, enough!" Arthur insisted, though his amused expression betrayed him. "You three better focus on the exam. Head to the field soon."

Before any more teasing could ensue, a hush fell over the crowd as ten figures strode into view atop the raised dais at the center of Main Field. Professors from various departments like Mana Studies, Martial Disciplines, Monster Classification and more radiated authority. Their auras flared in brilliant hues, drawing the eyes of every student.

Professor Aria raised her hand. "Students. Welcome to your Midterm Practical Examination."

A tremor of excitement and fear rippled through the assembled six hundred.

Another professor, clad in ebony robes, continued, "You will be entering the academy Abyss Gate. Beyond lies a fragment of the Purgatory realm, a place of untold danger. Fire scarred plains, shadowed forests where beasts hunt by sound and hunger, crystalline caverns alive with mana currents. You must consider every step with caution."

Professor Matsuo, her robes trimmed in silver, added, "Monsters here vary in rank. From low level Wraithlings to mid tier Void Beasts. Most of you have fought training dummies but nothing can fully prepare you for true combat. You will be graded on teamwork, individual performance and survival."

A hush settled.

A third professor booming his voice said, "Let it be known that any who fail to return will be marked as casualties. This examination carries lethal risk. Proceed at your own will."

Ryker's heart beat faster.

Professor Galen, who specialized in demonology, stepped forward. "Furthermore, we have confirmed the presence of a B-Rank monster boss within the Gate. Defeating it will earn extra credit but is not mandatory. The risk is extreme and many never emerge when facing such horrors unprepared."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"You will not enter as a single unit," Professor Aria resumed, "You have each been assigned to random teams. Upon entering the Gate, you all will be scattered across different sections. Only your team members share a beacon link. Use it sparingly."

She paused, "The purpose of randomization is to test adaptability under unpredictable conditions. Do not rely on pre formed alliances."

With a final nod, the professors signaled the end of the speech. A soft chime sounded across the field.

Professor Aria held up a small, rune carved tablet. "Your team assignments have been sent to your smartwatches. Check now. You have thirty minutes to assemble and receive a briefing. Gate activation follows shortly after that." frёewebηovel.cѳm

A chorus of soft electronic chimes pulsed through the crowd.

Ryker, Arthur, Dean and Lia each raised their wrists.

Dean whistled. "Let's see... Team Delta-7. Hey Lia, that's ours!" He grinned.

Lia scanned her watch, then beamed. "Yes! You and I together, Dean! Finally." She squeezed his arm jubilantly.

Arthur frowned. "Team Gamma-4. Hmm. I am on a separate team"

Ryker's pulse stuttered when he read his assignment: Team Omega-2.

Omega-2.

He swallowed.

No Lia. No Dean. No Arthur. Completely separated. This is good news for his plans.

Lia pouted. "They couldn't put me with Sasha or any of my regular pals in the same team..... but at least Dean's there." She glanced at Arthur. "You okay?"

Arthur forced a grin on his face, "I will be fine. We will meet at the exit point after the exam."

Ryker cleared his throat. "I should go find my team. Briefing starts... soon." His voice was steady but his heart pounded in his chest.

Dean and Lia both gave him encouraging waves. "Good luck, Ryker!" Lia called.

Dean nodded. "Show them what you can do."

Ryker allowed himself a small smile. "Thanks. Good luck to both of you."

He turned and wove through the milling students, his mind racing.

Finding the cluster of Omega-2 members wasn't difficult as they gathered near the Gate's activation platform. Since each team was assigned a color in the team announcement. So finding them was easy. Omega-2's was deep indigo. As Ryker approached them, he noticed the tense expressions of his new teammates, a stoic Reaver, two Etherweaver whose glare suggested rivalry and a brash Spectral Marksman girl whose laughter rang hollow.

At the edge of the group, Lucas stood apart. His posture was rigid, shoulders squared as he attempted to assert authority. Yet the other students barely acknowledged him, whispering among themselves with smirks. Ryker could almost hear their thoughts.

A wave of amusement and something like fondness tugged at Ryker's confidence. He stepped forward.

"Ryker?" Lucas said as he spotted Ryker. Relief washed over his face.

"You are here."

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[A/N: There won't be any Chapters tomorrow and the day after that. I'm preparing for going premium. So I need to stack some privilege Chapter. Thank you for reading!!!]