On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 74

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 074

 

 

 

 

 

It Was the First Day of Field Training (2)

 

 

 

 

 

Koers Ruins!

 

A place that requires a full day’s walk even from the capital Valhapen to reach.

 

It takes its name from the Koers Forest, which is managed at the Empire level.

 

 

 

“The forest is incredibly dense.”

 

“It wouldn’t be strange if tigers or leopards appeared.”

 

“Idiot, beasts and monsters don’t share territories. That’s common knowledge.”

 

 

 

This place is so dense that it’s questionable whether sunlight reaches it even in broad daylight, and only monsters inhabit it, excluding the existing beasts.

 

The reason is simple.

 

 

 

“Monsters are beings born from sinister mana. The monsters crawling out of Koers Ruins are especially sinister.”

 

 

 

Monsters are not beings that originally existed in this world.

 

They are beings that crawl out from ruins, or from gaps created by distortions in mana or problems with space-time.

 

Where monsters come from is still one of the unsolved mysteries!

 

Fortunately, monsters can only inhabit within the domain of the power that sent them here.

 

In other words, while this Koers Forest is the monsters’ territory, conversely, they don’t venture beyond that territory.

 

 

 

“How does Celia know so much?”

 

 

 

When one of her group members asked, having grown close since they were in the same group, Celia puffed up with pride, thinking this was her moment.

 

 

 

“Well, that Group 1 leader over there doesn’t know much. Except for stealing swordsmanship techniques.”

 

“Hey! I didn’t steal it!”

 

“Oh, is that so?”

 

“If you’re jealous, why don’t you steal some too? What, can’t do it?”

 

 

 

Trembling.

 

 

 

Celia’s fist shook with rage.

 

Someday she was going to smash her Swift Swordsmanship right into that bastard’s face.

 

 

 

“Those two groups are always growling at each other.”

 

“Right, it would be nice if they were friendly like us.”

 

“Haha! Our group won’t have any fights since I’m here!”

 

 

 

Group 3 with Ann as the leader.

 

Then Group 4 handled by Lydia.

 

Finally, Group 5 with Maris as the leader.

 

The Sword School first years were moving deeper into the forest, heading toward Zone 8.

 

Everyone looked clearly tired, but not to the point where they couldn’t move.

 

Most importantly, they were using their stamina efficiently by having other students share the luggage of relatively weaker students, or taking brief rests by groups.

 

 

 

“Rub your calves and ankles. Can you walk more now?”

 

“Ah, no. I keep having this stabbing pain… huh?”

 

 

 

Ziel’s unbelievable healing was a bonus every time they saw it.

 

 

 

“H-how did you do that?”

 

 

 

The student who had been struggling to walk due to calf and ankle pain just moments ago stood up easily.

 

 

 

“I don’t want to tell you.”

 

“A-as expected, it’s a secret technique!”

 

 

 

A treatment whose method was completely incomprehensible.

 

A temporary measure unique to an assassin who perfectly understood body structure.

 

Especially Ziel, who knew perfectly not only structural understanding but also exactly what effect touching which spot would have.

 

 

 

“It’s a temporary measure. When you reach the campsite, apply a splint and get sufficient rest.”

 

“Thank you, Teacher! Wow, it really feels light!”

 

 

 

By channeling mana into his fingertips and pressing specific areas, he could temporarily reactivate muscles like this.

 

Eliminating pain was a bonus.

 

However, since it was closer to treatment than healing, it was important to rest as Ziel said.

 

Of course, even that seemed like an incredible technique to the students’ eyes.

 

 

 

“Teacher Ziel is really amazing. Then you guys have been seeing this since the beginning of the semester, right?”

 

“Why are you calling that amazing? The really amazing stuff is something else.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Everything is just amazing.”

 

“Huh?”

 

 

 

The difference between first years who had experienced Ziel and first years who were just starting to experience him was stark.

 

What he had just shown was only a tiny part of the amazing things Ziel had demonstrated so far!

 

If they had to pick the most amazing thing among them, it would definitely be…

 

 

 

“I just trust everything Teacher Ziel says. When the teacher says something, it feels like it will really happen that way?”

 

“Then will we really get good scores in this field training too?”

 

“Since it’s absolute evaluation, not relative evaluation, couldn’t that be possible?”

 

 

 

Meanwhile.

 

Not far away.

 

 

 

“What’s wrong with this golem? It’s practically junk.”

 

“Didn’t something go wrong when it was pulling the cart earlier?”

 

“Ah, there’s so much luggage! Does anyone know Levitation Magic?”

 

“That’s something you learn in third year.”

 

 

 

The Arcane School first years heading to Zone 9 right next door encountered difficulties once they entered the forest.

 

Several golems had broken down.

 

Since they couldn’t drag the huge cart into the forest, they had the golems carry luggage individually—

 

Since we can’t pull a huge cart into the forest, I had the dolls carry the luggage individually-

 

Of all places, it had to overload right there.

 

 

 

“From here on, everyone pack your own luggage! The sun will set soon. It’ll be difficult to move once it gets dark!”

 

 

 

The first-year professor in charge, Emerick, came up with a desperate measure, but the Arcane School First Years who had comfortably traveled with just their bodies until now expressed their dissatisfaction.

 

 

 

“You want us to carry all this luggage? All of it?”

 

“Professor! We’re all tired right now…”

 

“Can’t you use levitation magic for us?”

 

 

 

Groans erupted from here and there.

 

In fact, they were already exhausted.

 

Unlike Sword School, they had come slowly with just their bodies, taking breaks, yet their lack of exercise was so severe that their stamina was nearly depleted!

 

 

 

“I can’t levitate all this stuff. We’re in a forest, no less.”

 

“Then what about fixing the dolls?”

 

“It’ll take several days to fix them all. We just have to carry everything ourselves.”

 

“Ugh! I really hate this.”

 

 

 

Emerick’s insides were boiling with frustration.

 

First Years were already the most difficult to handle at Arcane School.

 

Students with considerable magical talent were usually pampered by their families and only made to study, so they were often selfish.

 

 

 

“Hey, how the hell do we carry this?”

 

“I can’t carry all this. And why is there so much luggage anyway?”

 

“I don’t know. Ah, why did those damn dolls have to break down now!”

 

 

 

Especially the world of newly enrolled First Years was often still self-centered.

 

They had grown up only in environments that praised them as the best, and they had even managed to enroll in Arcane School where all the nation’s prodigies gathered.

 

Simply put, their egos were far too strong.

 

 

 

‘This is driving me crazy.’

 

 

 

They had already divided into different zones and departed, making it difficult to receive help from other grades.

 

In the end, Emerick decided to move the students to the campsite first.

 

Arriving at the campsite on time was the beginning of grade evaluation.

 

If he made them carry all that stuff, it seemed like trouble would surely arise.

 

 

 

“How long will the repairs take?”

 

“It’ll have to be the next day, Professor.”

 

 

 

When the Golem Technician answered with a troubled expression, the professor in charge had no choice but to shout.

 

 

 

“Everyone take only light luggage and move! Heavy luggage will be transported once the dolls are repaired!”

 

 

 

In the end, the Arcane School First Years moved carrying only luggage light enough to bear on their bodies.

 

They did carry backpacks, but being already exhausted to the limit, there were only a few items inside.

 

 

 

‘The problem will start after we arrive.’

 

 

 

As expected.

 

As soon as they arrived at the campsite, the students were busy sprawling out everywhere.

 

 

 

“Anyone with mana left! My face is cracking. I need some moisture restoration!”

 

“Is there any water left? Damn, I drank it all on the way here.”

 

“My legs are all swollen!”

 

 

 

Complaining murmurs filled the campsite.

 

The problem was just beginning.

 

A few relatively intact dolls had come in carrying tents, but their numbers were woefully insufficient.

 

 

 

“Everyone, let’s start with the tents…”

 

 

 

As if they would set them up.

 

There was no choice.

 

Even the professor had to step in.

 

Of course, it wasn’t easy.

 

The dolls were now useless.

 

Unless tent-pitching motions had been programmed in advance.

 

While Emerick struggled to set up tents, a few students helped and they managed to pitch some tents with difficulty, but there was still a mountain of them left.

 

 

 

“Let’s start a fire first.”

 

“I don’t have any mana left!”

 

“We have flint.”

 

“That hurts your hands. You know how important hands are when casting magic.”

 

 

 

The First Years were difficult to control.

 

 

 

“It gets cold at night! Even though the campsite is protected as a safe zone, it can’t block the cold!”

 

 

 

All the campsites in Koers Forest were protected by magic.

 

So the risk of magical beasts intruding was low, but as Emerick said, it couldn’t block the cold.

 

 

 

“Wouldn’t it be better to dig the ground and light a campfire?”

 

“Professor, we don’t have firewood. We all only brought personal luggage.”

 

“Oh my goodness…”

 

 

 

The professor’s authority was useless at times like this.

 

Like Sword School, he was the youngest professor.

 

 

 

‘No wait, Sword School has a Liberal Arts Instructor. That Ziel Steelheart, was it?’

 

 

 

Then suddenly, he listened to sounds coming from not far away.

 

After hesitating briefly and going to look, an amazing sight entered his eyes.

 

 

 

“How on earth…?”

 

 

 

Not far away in Zone 8.

 

The Sword School First Years’ campsite.

 

There, tents were already set up densely in perfect order, and campfires were rising here and there.

 

A savory aroma wafted over from whatever they were preparing there.

 

 

 

“Should we add more salt?”

 

“It’ll be too salty if we add more!”

 

“Try tasting this. How is it?”

 

“Ugh. What did you put in it?”

 

 

 

The sight of them gathering in small groups to prepare their meals.

 

It was such a stark contrast to the First Years on this side.

 

Just then, one person caught his eye.

 

 

 

“Everyone finish eating within an hour and patrol according to the assigned night watch schedule. The itinerary starts tomorrow, so manage your stamina accordingly.”

 

 

 

One person at the center of these orderly instructions.

 

It was none other than Ziel.

 

 

 

‘That bastard…’

 

 

 

The very guy who had humiliated Arcane School!

 

He had been planning to humiliate them back just as Professor Titus had said.

 

But…

 

They had already set up a proper campsite, lit fires, and were even cooking meals.

 

At this rate, he felt more envious than scheming to humiliate them.

 

The First Years on this side, who had relied solely on Magic Golems to get here, were busy sprawled out resting.

 

 

 

“Re-drive the stakes on this side. They’re not secured properly. The ground is soft, so find something to anchor them with.”

 

“Yes! Teacher!”

 

“Don’t throw away the wet wood, place it near the campfire to dry so we can use it. We’ll be short on firewood by tomorrow.”

 

“Huh, why?”

 

“There’s a rule to avoid damaging the forest if possible. We have to make do with what we brought.”

 

“Ah, I see!”

 

 

 

He was truly curious.

 

 

 

‘How do they listen to him so well?’

 

 

 

To a Liberal Arts Instructor, not even a professor?

 

Those bastards don’t even properly listen to professors!

 

Of course, he had just recently become a professor and lacked influence, but still, he was a ‘professor’…

 

Envious!

 

He was so envious it made him jealous!

 

 

 

‘Damn it.’

 

 

 

Should he ask to borrow some firewood?

 

The cold would set in once night deepened.

 

They had few tents, and even if the golems made round trips to the forest entrance, he doubted they’d bring back even half the needed supplies after working through the night.

 

But his pride wouldn’t allow it!

 

 

 

“Um, Professor.”

 

 

 

Just then, he turned to see his Teaching Assistant standing there with a restless expression.

 

 

 

“Ahem, kuhum. I was just looking around to see if there was any firewood.”

 

 

 

Emeric answered without being asked.

 

The Teaching Assistant looked puzzled but quickly spoke up.

 

 

 

“The kids are complaining about the cold. Did you happen to find anything we could burn?”

 

“Hey you, what are you going to do if you can’t even control that properly, huh?”

 

“I’m sorry… But I think some kids might actually run away at this rate. The ones with some mana left are managing to create fire…”

 

 

 

Creating fire was all they could do.

 

With nothing to burn and their mana running low, it wouldn’t last long.

 

Emeric sighed.

 

 

 

‘The golem repairs won’t be until tomorrow… At least tomorrow morning we start ruins exploration so that’ll be fine, but tonight is the problem.’

 

 

 

Emeric racked his brains.

 

 

 

‘If I adjust the humidity a bit to make it relatively less cold… No, that’s not it. This won’t be enough. There’s no warmth to begin with. Should we burn some leaves? But then the evaluation committee members hiding…”

 

 

 

Do not damage the forest except for the campsite area.

 

Magic had never felt so useless.

 

 

 

‘Damn it. Should we just burn a tent?’

 

 

 

Just then.

 

 

 

‘Huh?’

 

 

 

That teacher, Ziel, who had been moving among the students giving various advice, was nowhere to be seen.

 

And.

 

 

 

“Are you from Arcane School?”

 

 

 

An unfamiliar voice came from beside him.

 

Emeric was startled when he turned his head.

 

He was surprised, but also-

 

 

 

‘What’s with these sharp features?’

 

 

 

Insane looks that caught the eye even in this situation!

 

Who would have thought the shadows would be so distinct even in the darkness with dim lighting.

 

 

 

“Kuhum. Ahem. You must be Teacher Ziel.”

 

“You know my name before I even introduced myself.”

 

 

 

He felt a pang of guilt.

 

 

 

“Ahem. I’m Professor Emeric Kent, in charge of Arcane School First Years. This is my Teaching Assistant.”

 

“Yes. What brings you here?”

 

 

 

By the way, how did he know I was here?

 

 

 

‘I definitely hid myself.’

 

 

 

As Mages, they had no way of knowing how good Ziel’s Enhanced Hearing was, or that he had installed a device that would make noise when someone approached.

 

Anyway.

 

 

 

‘I can’t say I came to spy.’

 

 

 

“I just came to take a look. Just to say hello…”

 

 

 

Emeric made a vague excuse and glanced at the Firewood Pile, asking casually.

 

 

 

“Ahem. You have abundant Supplies. Sword School seems to have prepared well.”

 

“Yes. We prepared well. We have to stay for 3 days.”

 

“Hmm… that… looks like quite a lot, wouldn’t it be awkward if too much is left over?”

 

“There won’t be any left over. Even if there is, it’s for making torches.”

 

“…”

 

 

 

It didn’t work at all.

 

He thought if he spoke indirectly, Ziel would understand.

 

But his pride absolutely wouldn’t let him directly ask for some Firewood to be shared.

 

There was no way someone like Ziel would understand indirect speech, but unfortunately Emeric had no way of knowing that fact.

 

 

 

“Do you have any other questions?”

 

“Uh… no.”

 

“Understood. Oh, and.”

 

 

 

Thump!

 

 

 

Did he understand?

 

Emeric waited for Ziel’s next words with an expectant expression.

 

 

 

“Starting tomorrow, we’ll be installing Traps This Way to prepare for magical beasts. Be careful as you’ll get hurt if you approach.”

 

 

 

Ziel left with his kind warning.

 

 

 

“…”

 

“…Professor. The Firewood is…”

 

“…Let’s go back.”

 

 

 

That night.

 

The Arcane School First Years had to shiver through the entire night.

 

It was the first day of field training.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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