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The Elton Academy's midterms last for two weeks.
From the third to the fourth week of April.
In the third week, there are written and practical exams for each subject, and in the fourth week, there is an integrated departmental practical evaluation.
Among these, the integrated departmental practical evaluation is none other than the 'Dungeon Exploration.'
It's currently Professor Mateo's common subject class.
"The final part of the midterm, the integrated departmental group project, will take place in three weeks. You must form your groups and submit the list by this Friday. Each group must include one student from the Department of Magic, one from the Department of Swordsmanship, and one from another department. The minimum number of members is three, and the maximum is six."
The classroom began to stir.
A student raised their hand.
"The number of students varies by major, doesn't it? What happens to groups that can't meet the required number of students per department?"
"Good question. If you submit your groups with as many matches as possible by this week, we'll have an adjustment period next week. The professors will meet and allocate students from each department as much as possible to form the groups."
Mateo held up his palm towards the stirring students.
The murmuring lecture hall quieted down again.
"If you're too greedy about the group members and the number of people, someone might be forced to leave the group during the adjustment period. On the other hand, if you can't meet the required number of students per department, you might end up in a group with students you don't want."
As Mateo gestured, an assistant at the back brought the group formation papers and began distributing them to the students.
"Forming an excellent party is also one of the evaluation criteria. You still have three days, so form your groups carefully."
Break time.
"How should we form the groups? It would be nice if we could all do it together. But if we do that, we'll all be torn apart during the adjustment period, right?"
Velum replied.
"Of course, Luna. Otherwise, someone will be forced to join a group that doesn't even meet the required number of members. There's no way there would be talented kids in such a group, right? That would completely ruin the midterm evaluation."
"What should we do then..."
After thinking for a moment, Latia turned to Bonita.
"Bonita."
"Huh?"
"Let's do the midterm group project together. You, me, and one kid from the Department of Archery or the Department of Martial Arts. Three people will be enough. That way, nothing will change during the group adjustment period next week."
Davian looked at Latia.
'She's quick to judge, as expected.'
It was a fast and smart choice.
To secure the top spot in the Department of Magic and the position of female student representative in the midterm evaluation, she needs to form the best group possible.
Bonita is the optimal group member for that.
On the other hand, Bonita is only interested in improving her swordsmanship and doesn't care much about grades or rankings.
"Well, I don't really care. Let's hear what the others think. Davian, what do you think?"
"Everyone's good, so it doesn't matter how we group up. But someone has to take care of Luna, don't you think?"
Luna, who had been sitting without much thought, was surprised and turned to Davian.
"Me, me? Take care of me?"
"Yeah. You're the best healer in the first year, but you can't deal damage. It can get tricky if you're stuck with a group that has weak damage."
"Ah... Is that why? I thought..."
Hearing Davian's words, Bonita replied nonchalantly.
"Then I'll do it with Luna. That'll work, right? Latia will have a line of kids wanting to join her anyway."
Luna, with her eyes wide like a startled rabbit again, turned to Bonita.
"Is that okay? Bonita? You'd get much better grades if you were in the same group as Latia. Just because of me..."
"I don't care about grades. And I can go into those dungeons they've picked out for the evaluation by myself without any problems."
Bonita was right.
The dungeons they would be entering for the midterm evaluation had all been explored and confirmed.
The difficulty level varied slightly from dungeon to dungeon, but all were carefully selected to match the level of the freshmen.
Davian nodded at Bonita's words.
'Things have only gone wrong in the dungeons I've gone to each time, so it doesn't matter how the other kids group up.'
Davian looked at Nubes.
As expected, what's needed in times like this is a sturdy shield... no, a tank.
"Nubes, let's go together. Let's recruit one more kid from the Department of Archery."
"Should we? I'm fine with it. Okay! Let's do it together."
Velum, who was looking around at her friends and counting them off on her fingers.
"What, are you all already pairing up? Only Latia and I are left. Latia, will you do it with me then?"
Latia, after thinking for a moment, replied.
"...Okay. But on the condition that we recruit the best of the rest. You can do that, right, Velum?"
It was a smart decision.
Latia, having lost Bonita, was trying to use Velum to recruit an ace from another department.
"Puhaha. Of course. I accept that condition. Well, I'm off then. Oh, I'll recruit the members for Luna's and Davian's groups too, so you guys wait here. You don't have many friends besides me anyway."
Velum giggled and sprang up from her seat, running towards where the other students were gathered.
Nubes, watching Velum's retreating figure, said.
"What, can we trust Velum? We don't have to look for group members ourselves? Davian."
"Let's wait and see. To be honest, Velum's better at this kind of thing than we are, right?"
Five minutes later.
Velum appeared with three students.
Nubes's mouth dropped open at the sight.
"Already? All three? Amazing, Velum."
"When I said your names, kids lined up to join, you know."
Velum first introduced a male student who was short but had a fairly solid body.
His whole body looked as hard as a rock.
"This is Martin. He's an ace in the Department of Integrated Martial Arts. They say there's no one who can beat him with bare hands. What do you think? Latia. Isn't he good enough for our group member?"
"I am Martin."
Latia nodded, seemingly satisfied.
"I think I've heard the name before. The ace of the Department of Integrated Martial Arts, the rumors are rife? Okay, Martin. Let's do it together."
"It is an honor. Genius girl Latia. I have wanted to mix bodies at least once."
Latia's eyebrows twitched.
"What? This crazy bastard..."
Martin hurriedly brought his thick arm forward and showed his palm.
"Ah! It is the customs of our tribe. I am sorry. I made a mistake again. It means I want to roam the battlefield together. Do not misunderstand."
"What is he? Why is he talking like this? You are the martial arts ace, are you not?"
"It is. No one can beat me with bare hands."
"Haa... well, okay. Let's do it together. I do not care about the way you talk, but if you spew any more of that strange tribal talk, you are immediately kicked out."
"I am sorry. I hope my heart of apology reaches your chest."
Latia's eyebrows twitching once again.
"...Velum, I cannot work with this bastard. Bring another one."
"Ah! I am sorry. I am truly sorry. That meant I sincerely apologize. Give me one more chance. I, Martin, want to mix bodies with the genius girl Latia... no. I certainly want to do the group assignment together."
Velum grabbed Latia's shoulder and said.
"He is from the Western Battle Tribe. Latia, you understand. But his skills are second to none. The rumors are rife. You have heard his name too, have you not?"
"Haa..."
"That is right. I, Martin, will truly never use strange words again."
Latia shook her head and crossed her arms.
"Okay. It is truly your last chance. If you spew out any more strange words... no. You, just do not talk. Throughout the dungeon exploration. That is the condition."
"Understood. I, Martin, am taciturn."
Velum clapped her hands together.
"Okay. Our group is done. Here, this is Litus Kobi. He is from the Department of Archery. It would be a good fit to go into Luna and Bonita's group, which does not have a ranged dealer. His ranged wide-area attacks, which shoot about six arrows at a time, are exquisite."
"Nice to meet you. I am Litus. I have heard Bonita's name often, you are the ace of the Department of Swordsmanship? Please take care of me, also the female student representative Luna."
"Yeah, please take care of us, Litus."
Unlike with Martin, the group formation was completed smoothly.
"Finally, here is Samantha Codis. She is also from the Department of Archery, and she will fit well in Davian's group. Her power in a single arrow she pours everything into is unmatched in the Department of Archery."
Samantha, with her neat, short brown hair, stepped forward.
A female student with sharp eyes like an archer, radiating a subtle charm.
"Hello, I am Samantha. I have heard a lot about you, Davian. You are the male student representative and you are double majoring, amazing. Nubes, nice to meet you too. Wow, you have a great physique."
"Yes, it is nice to meet you. Please take care of me."
Thus, Davian and his five friends finished forming their groups with the three students Velum had brought.
Latia, Velum, Martin.
Bonita, Luna, Litus.
Davian, Nubes, Samantha.
Velum had done a good job of getting additional members, considering the compatibility of the parties.
Infirmary.
"Davian, is that you?"
"Yes, Professor."
"Sit down somewhere. Let us see the wound."
Davian took off his jacket and lifted the hem of his shirt.
"Hoo."
Medium narrowed her eyes and looked at Davian's wound.
"The wound has healed. Is it just three days?"
Medium reached out and touched the scar.
"The scar will disappear soon too."
"Thank you."
Medium, who had been examining the wound closely to the side, raised her head and looked at Davian.
"What are you thanking me for. You know it all. Why I have you come to the infirmary every day."
"You are curious that my wound heals on its own, right."
"That is right. If I had my way..."
Medium got up and picked up the knife for treating wounds placed on the table.
"I might even want to inflict another wound. No, it would be even better to lock you up and make you a research subject."
Davian jumped up.
"I should call the Academy Guard."
"I am sorry, that was a joke."
"I am also joking."
Davian naturally sat back down on the treatment bed.
"Tsk, you slippery snake. You look delicate, but you talk like an old man. You are completely an old soul."
It was natural.
Davian had lived for a total of 37 years, 27 years in Korea and 10 years experiencing his 4th life here in the Alkancia Kingdom.
In terms of years lived, Davian was older than Medium.
"Now, this is the third time I am asking today. How did you get this kind of body, Davian?"
"This is the third time I am telling you. It was originally like this."
"That is a lie. I treated you last month when you were beaten to a pulp? Your wound did not heal this quickly back then."
"You said back then that my healing power was extraordinary."
"It was, but it is definitely different from then now."
"I am still growing, am I not. I must be getting healthier. I am training hard, and also practicing Exertion."
"Wounds do not regenerate on their own just by practicing Exertion. If you keep avoiding the answer, I will really catch you and lock you up for research."
"That will not be easy."
"Ha, you are not joking this time, are you."
"No."
Medium opened her mouth wide and laughed.
"Kalkalkal. I cannot stop you, slippery snake. Okay, go. Come again tomorrow."
"Yes, Professor."
Davian got up and was about to leave the infirmary when he heard Medium's voice.
"Davian."
"Yes?"
"I am not saying that I want you to come because you are hurt or anything."
"I know."
"Tsk, slippery snake. Go quickly. You are busy because it is almost exam season."
Davian, after closing the infirmary door, thought.
'It will be difficult if she is this bothersome every time I get hurt.'
The difficulty of the quests will increase, so there is no choice but to have small and large wounds.
It would be difficult if she gets this curious every time.
Besides, the level of the Healing Skill will continue to rise.
"I have to try not to get hurt as much as possible. Truly, the more times I reincarnate, the more things I have to worry about."
Meanwhile, inside the infirmary, Medium took out a large book from the bookshelf.
An old book with anti-corrosion magic cast on it, but the paper was worn out here and there.
It was an old thesis that she had gone to the capital's Magic Tower Library by Warp Magic yesterday to get.
It was a very long thesis, with 500 pages.
The thesis that Medium found most interesting when she was an intern at a professional magic medical institution.
The title on the thesis cover read, 'Methods of Manufacturing and Clinical Trial Reports of Human Constitution Changing Drugs Based on Troll Regeneration Cell Research.'
Medium slowly turned the pages.
"This... maybe it will work on Davian."
Is there a reason he can't learn healing magic if he doesnt want others to know about this?
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