After an intense third BDMAT, Kizen let the students take a short break.
Fatigue has built up on students due to the incessant events, so the faculty focuses on progress with textbooks rather than physical training or performance assessments.
Through this, Kizen creates an atmosphere that is conducive to rest, but also a great opportunity to develop individual skills.
Simon takes one-on-one light magic tutoring from Farahann once or twice a week.
He also went to the library after class to study the four curses created by Bahil.
In addition, he increased his efficiency in the hemomancy components needed to form Cloud and the blood golem, while building up stamina to fight against black magic.
Lastly, he also strengthened his basics in summoning. He was now able to control eight undead at once, which made him close to the best of the first years in that regard.
Simon continued to develop his skills diligently day by day. In addition to simply ensuring his survival in Kizen, he would also duel with Commander Magnus in the near future. His determination was more certain than anyone else.
'I somehow managed to complete my daily tasks today.'
Simon stretched as he entered room 409, his dorm room, and sat down at his desk.
Even though the exam pressure was gone and he was given more free time, somehow he felt busier than usual.
He stared out the pitch-black window, then turned to look at the calendar.
'Now has we entered a time like this?'
More than half of the second semester of integration was over. As he looked at the calendar, he took a quill and crossed out the date.
It was his mother Anna's birthday soon. Since he couldn't leave Roke Island, he thought he would send her a letter and a present.
"I'm back!"
The door opened, and Rick walked in with a big smile and humor on his face.
"Welcome back, Rick."
"What are you doing'?"
"Studying the curse. Be right back, to the restroom."
Simon stepped out for a moment,
Seeing what his friend looked like, Rick muttered to himself.
"She's starting to sound more and more like Meilyn. She even studies in the dorms?"
As Rick takes off his robe and is about to hang it up…
"Hmm?"
His gaze turned to Simon's calendar.
* * *
There is a joke among students that Kizen and peace cannot coexist.
In fact, this time the peace did not last long either.
"Okay, everyone. Next week, we have a delivery evaluation schedule."
Jane makes a new announcement during the Beginner Black Magic class.
'Shipping evaluation?'
It was another new system. As Simon and Camibarez tilted their heads in confusion, Rick laughed knowingly from where he sat in the back.
"Mmwahaha, finally, it's time."
"Do you know what that is, Rick?"
"I heard a little about this evaluation from the seniors. He will explain it to us soon."
At that moment, Jane, who was cleaning the table with a blank look, exclaimed,
"Mr. Rick Hayward, after hearing a little about this evaluation…"
'He heard it?!'
Rick jumped to his feet, straightening his back in fear.
"Can you tell us about the difference between mission evaluation and dispatch?"
Meilyn giggled in sweet karma, and Simon and Camibarez quickly followed suit.
"Ah, yes. The difference between mission evaluation and dispatch evaluation, uhm…!"
Thinking about the question, Rick broke out in a cold sweat before finally stuttering,
"You, you went alone in the mission assessment, and you went to the dispatch assessment in a group of four… Isn't that how it is?"
Jane just gestured for him to sit down. Rick did as he was told with a soulless expression on his face as he held his pounding heart.
"That's not the only difference. You'll be visiting professional astrologers who are actively in service, having them as your mentors as you work on real missions with them."
The students began to clamor for the idea of a real mission with a professional.
"Kizen is well aware of how your mission has been assessed up until now."
He then started reading another document he placed on the table.
"Collaborate with the villagers, completing missions on Roke Island that involve things like picking up trash, hunting rats, and planting trees…"
Some students put on guilty faces.
"Or proudly wear the Kizen uniform as you guard a merchant caravan."
Meilyn was shocked.
"Or using the power of the Kizen name to fulfill requests, or even intimidating clients to get their stamp."
Rick looked away and laughed awkwardly.
"If you are a famous student, some nobles will invite you to their homes by appointing you to unnecessary positions, treating you lavishly, and only giving you mission completion forms and commission fees."
Looking at the students with their heads bowed in contemplation, Jane continued,
"I understand."
People in the Dark Land would tremble at the mere mention of Kizen's name. Even first-year students were treated with the utmost respect.
In other words, there will likely never be an equal relationship between a commissioner and the student appointee.
Of course, many students fulfill their missions earnestly, but the fact that there is an easy way to complete the mission by abusing Kizen's name is a problem in itself.
"Initially, there was going to be a warning to those students, but… there was a reason why we let the mission evaluation get messed up like this. Since the integrated second semester was quite heavy, we allowed the students to use it as a form of vacation period."
Jane rolled up a stack of documents and pressed them into her palm.
"But! Things will be different on this delivery evaluation."
Jane explains the delivery evaluation in detail.
* * *
* * *
As Rick mentioned earlier, students are free to organize themselves into groups of four. Then, they will visit a professional astrologer, who acts as a mentor for the group.
Mentors have the right to directly evaluate students as they work with them on real missions.
Simon nodded as he listened to the explanation.
'So this is a mission evaluation with four people plus a leader.'
When he came to that conclusion, a hand went up in the lecture hall.
Before her hand was fully raised, Jane asked,
"Is there anything you want to say, class president?"
Now, even Jane calls Jamie the class president.
"Yes, Jamie Victoria, ma'am! I was wondering what kind of specific missions we'll be doing with the professionals!"
"Just think of it as doing the same job that professional astrologers would normally do."
"I-I'm sorry, but can you give us an example?"
"For example…"
Jane's cold voice filled the room.
"Murder of a key figure."
Jamie's eyes trembled.
"Fighting against priests, spying on the Holy Federation, transporting heinous criminals, exterminating gangs."
Faces around the room turned pale as Jane continued.
"I will warn you in advance that more than 90% of the dispatch evaluation will be done in neutral areas. And the missions you usually do, the missions where you only hunt monsters…"
Pausing for a moment to make sure he had the nervous students' full attention, he stated,
"…will not be available."
Hurried whispers filled the room.
Of course, I believe the professionals will take care of it for you. However, if the situation is urgent and the professionals give you orders, I hope you will obey them unconditionally."
Jane looked around at the students with serious eyes.
"If you disobey their instructions, if you leave a bad enough impression on them that they give you a score of 0, or if you fail to fulfill your mission, you will be expelled. If you cannot defend yourself properly before the attack occurs." The disciplinary committee on why meeting these criteria is unreasonable for your mission, you will be expelled immediately. Any other questions?"
Several students' hands immediately went up.
"Scott Snyder, Ma'am! I believe the most important part of this evaluation is who our mentors will be. How will they be selected?"
Of course, we consider the students' background and family and try our best to choose as many unaffiliated astrologers as possible as mentors. Next."
"Cindi Vivace, Ma'am. What if the mentor deliberately gives us a 0? Will we be expelled helplessly?"
"First, it is the student's responsibility to behave to ensure that this does not happen, and second, you have to prove your innocence in front of the disciplinary committee. Next."
Since this is such an important matter, there are a lot of questions. But Jane, as usual, has no trouble answering them.
After a few more questions, the bell rang signaling the end of class.
"Tomorrow is our school's anniversary, so I hope you use the holiday wisely. See you the day after tomorrow."
"Thank You!"
Jane and her teaching assistant left the lecture hall.
As they left, the room filled with voices.
"They give students professional jobs?"
"Just when we think we've got one difficult thing down, we get another one…"
As the students who remained in the room became increasingly anxious, one of the teaching assistants who had followed Jane stuck her head back in and checked on the students.
Then, he walked towards the stage with short, quick steps.
"Now, now, students. There's no need to worry too much."
He smiled kindly as he caught everyone's attention.
She is Jane's assistant head teacher, and her friendly personality and kind attitude towards students makes her very popular.
"Teacher!!"
"Are we really going to fight the priest or kill someone?"
Questions and concerns poured out from the students after feeling pressured by Jane's revelation of her concerns. The assistant teacher smiled.
"Well, Professor Jane said it in such a scary way that it made you all think about this seriously. As long as you listen to your mentors and do what they say, you'll be fine. You already know that you have to greet them properly, answer clearly, and be polite to them as your seniors, right?"
"Yes!!"
"Then it's not a big deal. Just think of it as you doing a mission evaluation in a group of four with a guardian."
The warmth coming from the assistant principal is a stark contrast to Jane's coldness. They work well as a combo.
Meanwhile, the members of Group 7 were talking to each other.
"I wonder which necromancer will be our mentor!"
Camibarez said.
Rick stroked his chin.
"Hmmm, I can't get a feeling since he's a necromancer from a neutral area. Simon, is there anyone you're expecting?"
"I?"
Simon thought for a moment, then replied,
"I wonder if the people from Vanilla would like to have us. I want to learn more about the summoning circle."
"Impossible."
Meilyn firmly shut him down.
"Professor Jane said that 90% of the mentors would come from neutral areas. The chances of getting a craftsman mentor from the remaining 10% are almost impossible."
Still taking in the announcement, Cami muttered,
"…Haha, the thought of going to a neutral area scares me a little. Have the three of you ever been to a neutral area?"
Meilyn and Rick shook their heads, and Simon nodded without thinking.
The three of them immediately looked at him.
"Huh, what? Have you been there?"
"Wow! When? When did you get there?"
"Is it true that priests are free to roam the streets?"
Simon realized his mistake too late.
He stopped by while crossing the border into the Holy Federation, but he couldn't say that.
"It's just that when I was very young… I dropped by with my parents. I barely remember anything now."
"Ah~ Okay."
Meilyn laughed at her previous curiosity.
"So, this will be your first neutral area experience?"
"I'm scared but also a little excited! I've heard that this is a vast desert where very few plants grow. Except for a lot of cacti!"
"Oh, but that's a lawless area. Did you know? If you make eye contact with anyone there, you have to cast a spell before..."
Seeing the conversation turn again, Simon smiled too.
* * *
The central cathedral in Efnel.
During mass.
"And now, the location of your Visit has been decided."
Rahul, professor of Divine Mechanics, stood on stage and spoke to the many Efnel students sitting in front of him.
"Rete, pay attention."
"Okay."
Rete answered, sitting in front with her legs crossed. Rahul put his hand on his throbbing head and looked at the other students.
"This Visitation Center is a neutral area, and you only have one main mission."
Reta's eyes widened.
"To secure the next Saint candidate."