Calamity stage: a stage where the planet faces an extinction level event and the natives were deemed unable to overcome the calamity. Hence the Magus Alliance had the authority to intervene in the matter.
[Magus Academy Mid Test]
[Location – Planet Andora]
[L Type Planet – Lower realm]
[Calamity stage – Level 2]
[Duration – 10 days]
In the middle of the day, a huge construct could be seen flying high in the sky of Andora Planet until it suddenly split up into three. The sky was grumbling with loud noises as the huge tube-like construct descended, bringing everyone – humans and monsters alike – to lift their heads and stare at the sky with rapt attention.
The irksome, grumbling-like sounds became even louder as the construct drew closer, and just as it was about to hit the ground, it suddenly slowed down its speed. The sudden deceleration generated air pressure on the land beneath, even creating a powerful tremor that shook the terrains, until eventually, the construct landed firmly, standing tall on the ground.
A strong turbulence occurred the moment the construct touched the ground, but it quickly receded as if nothing had happened. On the other hand, as soon as it alighted, everyone inside could tell they had arrived at their destination.
The light inside the construct where everyone was at was quickly turned on, and a moment later, a fierce looking silver hair female magus named Bellain who was one of Commander Raynor’s two magus subordinates stepped forward and spoke to the group.
“The mid-test has started. All your actions from now on until the next 10 days will be graded correspondingly.” Bellain said with a stern voice and indifferent look. At the same time, the huge door of the construct that led to the outside was opened.
Emery turned his head around and saw his friends already awake. Regrouping with them, he then made his way towards the opened door and walked out, treading his two feet directly onto the Andora Planet.
“What an awful planet,” commented Annara who was right behind as soon as she saw the view that greeted them once they stepped outside their transport.
A blue sky that had been tainted with gray ashes, stretches of greenfields surrounded by several broken-down and dilapidated buildings that had some part of it being burned or destroyed. It was desolate and grim to look at.
From this, the current Andora Planet was certainly a planet that was on the brink of destruction. However, Emery could tell from the air and some faint traces that it was indeed once a beautiful planet. It was a dear home to its natives.
“Our new home for the next 10 days!” shouted Gerri, who appeared more excited than he normally was.
It didn’t take long for the other acolytes to follow suit and exit the transport. All 300 of them were wearing dark uniforms with several small devices attached to its arms and chest. It was the new outfit that was given by the academy and the participants were told to always wear it during the mission.
“The outfit was given for your own safety. It would help monitor your life sign and also assist you adapting to the planet,” said the female magus Bellain who also had come out.
However, the acolytes were not too excited about these tight suits.
“Yea, yea~ I’m also sure that it’s also a way to monitor our activities, to prevent any possible cheating attempts apparently,” the red-haired girl Annara whispered.
The magus ends her words that she and her team of saints will only be observing the mission and were not allowed to interfere unless a certain condition arrived.
“Remember your lives are more important than any grades”
A few moments later, suddenly the devices that came with the outfit appeared to be activated. A faint light shone from the devices at arm, and several pieces of information appeared in Emery’s mind.
[Commencing Magus Academy’s Mid Test]
[Clear up as many objectives as possible]
[Personal Objectives: Kill Abyss creatures]
[Squad Objectives: Destroy Abyss Nest]
[Platoon Objectives: Save survivors]
[You are a privileged acolyte, your minimum points for passing the test is: 500,000]
[Personal points: 0/500,000]
[Squad accumulated points: 0]
[Scanning numbers of known survivors within the planet]
[Survivors: 14,730,209]
[Time left: 9 days : 23 hours :57 minutes]
All of the information and objectives Emery saw at this time had already been explained in the meeting that Roran had held. However, seeing the last two notifications where the number continued to go down certainly brought tension to the group.
The fact they were still doing nothing, it stimulated them to not idling and start moving.
Before Emery said anything, Julian was already seen shouting and gathering all the acolytes who were included in Platoon 3. However, Arcana’s squad of 30 evidently decided to walk away, and appeared not willing to pay any attention when Julian called out for them.
Realizing the situation, Emery quickly took action himself and tried to stop him. “Wait!.. Even if you don’t want to cooperate, at least tell us what your plan is. That way, we won’t clash on the same target.”
Upon hearing that, the kid-looking acolyte appeared hesitant for a second. However, in the end he decided to ignore Emery and continued to walk away with his squad of 30 without saying a single thing.
To Emery’s surprise, less than a minute later, a notification suddenly came from his device.
[Squad 26 – Arcana – received level one penalty for disrupting the chain of command, all members minus 5000 points]
[Squad 26 captain, Arcana received double penalty – minus 10,000 points]
Emery could faintly hear that the members of Arcana’s group were cursing in the distance. He waited for a few moments in hopes that Arcana would change his mind, but there was still no sign of them returning.
Seeming to notice what was happening, Roran looked proud as he said, “As I said before, getting the role of a commander is very important. You now understand what I mean, right?”
Emery nodded in response. He also realized the meaning behind the word ‘level one’. It seemed that the system would judge the Arcana from now on, and if he continued to disobey his orders, his points would be deducted even more.
This kind of system did benefit those who occupied the role of commander, and Roran was sure it worked the same for an acolyte for not listening to their squad leader. Thanks to this, Emery also became more confident that everyone would follow the plan accordingly.
It was time, for him, to lead the 270 acolytes in front of him.