NOVEL WEB Chapter 182: Combat Examination [1]
The early morning air was crisp and cool, carrying the faint scent of dew-kissed grass as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the oaks lining the stone path to the Academy.
Brandon, Eira and Ravene are walking together on their way to the Academy.
Eira clung to his left arm, her fingers wrapped tightly around his bicep, her other hand tugging at his cheek with just enough force to make him wince.
Her blonde ponytail bounced with each step, her green eyes sparkling with a mix of irritation and affection as she glared up at him.
"You… enjoyed another weekend with my mom,"
Brandon smiled dryly, his head tilting slightly as he glanced down at her, "You know about Florence. I can't deny her wishes."
Eira's lips twitched in irritation, a soft "Haa…" escaping her as she released his cheek, leaving a faint red mark.
She hugged his arm tighter, her shoulder brushing against his as they walked, "Persuasive, huh?"
"She's got you wrapped around her finger, Brandon. One minute you're with that Dhayun, the next you're playing house with my mom. What's next, a vacation with that Yverine?"
Ravene, walking on Brandon's right couldn't help but chuckle "He's collecting moms and sisters like they're rare loot."
"Florence, Dhayun, Yverine, Elize… He got a whole harem of caretakers."
Brandon couldn't help but chuckle and Eira huffed under her breath.
Ravene leaned forward and pecked his cheek "Anyway, good luck with the combat examination."
Looking at her, he nodded his head "Hm.."
---
Walking through the Academy, Brandon and Eira quickly reached for Academy's Training facility while Ravene had already left to go to her lab.
Walking through the big halls, Brandon glimpsed at the holographic display of different Abberant monsters shown outside.
At this time, he noticed a bracelet in Eira's taking a Bracelet and wearing it in her hand "Eira... the bracelet..."
Hm? She raised her hand and showed it to him "Ah, this is a storage artifact I got from my mom. I heard from Sister Ravene that your Sister gave you one."
With a nod, he took a ring from his pocket and showed it to him "Yeah... it's very handy."
---
They turned a corner, joining a stream of students funneling toward the Ascendant calls combat examination.
As the students reached the training hall entrance, a massive steel door slid open with a low hiss, revealing an expansive chamber.
The room was immense... almost like a coliseum, with observation platforms above where instructors and senior students watched.
The floor was made of advanced combat-resistant material, able to withstand ether attacks and simulated destruction.
At the center, holographic projectors were embedded into the ground.
Large mechanical emitters lined the walls, ready to generate physical constructs that could mimic real-world opponents.
Several instructors stood at the front and one of them, a tall woman with short silver hair and blue eyes, stepped forward.
"Ascendant class, we meet again. My name is Instructor Lee Haeun."
"You already know about today's examination."
"Using high-tech simulation technology, we replicate the appearance and attack patterns of Aberrants through holographic projections."
"It's not just an illusion, though... the system can create physical feedback, meaning the attacks feel real. It's basically a way to simulate combat experience without actually dying."
"Do not underestimate the simulations. They are programmed to respond dynamically, if you fight poorly, you will be punished for it."
At this time, Calistra walked to Eira and looking at her friend, Eira smiled gently "Calistra, come here."
With a nod, Calistra stood beside her and Brandon gave her a look 'Calistra...'
The instructor spoke "There will be both Individual and Team combat examinations."
"This is to measure your aptitude and how well you perform in team battles so you can fight real Aberrants in the future."
"Individual rounds will test your personal skill. Team rounds will assess your ability to coordinate so you can fight real Aberrants in the future as a team."
The arena flickered, and the holographic emitters began to activate, transforming the space into a ravaged urban battlefield.
Crumbling skyscrapers loomed overhead, their facades scorched and pocked with blast marks, while debris-strewn streets stretched.
The instructor's voice crackled through the arena's speakers. "Phase One: Individual Assessment. Scenario: D rank Skitterer Swarms. Neutralize all targets within five minutes. Cadet Eira Bleaufort, you're up first."
Ehhh? Eira blinked in surprise 'I am the first one?'
Eira's heart skipped, but she stepped forward making her way into the Urban holographic city.
The arena shifted, isolating her in a smaller section as D rank Skitterers, spider-like Aberrants with jagged limbs and glowing red eyes materialized.
The crowd watched from the observation platforms and Brandon's gaze was fixed on her.
She used her bracelete and the artifact released her Lazara Mk.II pistol into her hand.
She gripped it firmly, her thumbs aligning as Brandon had taught her, her fingers settling into the textured grip.
She raised it and her eyes darted across the swarm now converging from multiple directions... alleys, rooftops, and the shadows of a collapsed storefront.
She sprinted toward a rusted delivery truck, its side crumpled from a simulated blast, and leaped onto its hood.
With that she vaulted onto a nearby ledge of a shattered building and the elevated position gave her a clearer view of the dozens of Skitterers, at least thirty, weaving through the debris, some climbing walls, others darting along the ground.
"Breathe in… aim… exhale," she whispered as she steadied the Lazara, her eyes tracking the nearest Skitterer, scrambling up a pile of rubble.
Bang!
The shot rang out and the Lazara's plasma searing through the air, striking the Skitterer's central node with a burst of red sparks.
The construct staggered before dissolving into static.
Eira didn't pause and leaped to a higher ledge, her ponytail whipping behind as she landed in a crouch.
Two more Skitterers lunged from an alley, their claws slashing at the air.
Eira pivoted, using a broken streetlamp as a pivot point, swinging her body around to a perch on a fallen billboard.
Her Lazara flashed... Bang! Bang!
She rolled off the billboard, landing on a pile of debris, and fired again.
Bang!... downing another Skitterer with a direct hit, its red eyes dimming as it dissolved.
She leaped onto a dangling fire escape as she hauled herself up and from the elevated vantage point, she spotted a cluster of five Skitterers converging below.
She aimed and fired a rapid volley
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Her eyes darted to the rooftops, where more Skitterers were crawling.
She vaulted onto a nearby rooftop, using a collapsed satellite dish as a springboard.
She crouched behind a shattered chimney and tracked a Skitterer leaping between buildings.
Bang!
The shot was perfect and the node exploded in a shower of sparks.
Pivoting, she fired at another.
Bang!
Another hit, her impact radius tightening with each shot.
The swarm's numbers were thinning, but the remaining Skitterers grew bolder as their AI adapted to her tactics.
A group of six charged from a side alley while three more dropped from a rooftop above.
The nine Aberrants converged, a coordinated assault designed to overwhelm her.
Her gaze narrowed and as the nine skitterers charged toward her, a blue glint passed through her eyes.
'Gravity Vortex.'
*WOOSH* A large blue rune appeared on teh ground and the nine aberrants fell to the floor crushed by the gravity.
'I won't even if they are moving.. now you are all stuck in place, how would I miss.'
She raised her gun, pointing at the aberrants.
Bang!
Bang! Bang!
The remaining Skitterers twitched helplessly, their claws scraping futilely against the concrete, and Eira's lips curved into a smile.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Four shots, four hits!
Looking at this, Brandon standing up in the platform was impressed 'Damn Eira, good use of your skill. Immobilize the target with her skill and shoot it with her gun.'
'So if she could practice and increase the range of her skill, she can use power sniper rifles and kill Aberrants from distance by locking them down.'
Calistra's gaze quivered to see Eira 'I see.. you have improved yourself for someone.'
As she thought, she turned to glance at Brandon, who is looking at Eira with a proud smile.
The arena fell silent as Eira quickly killed all of the remaining aberrants.
Eira jogged back to the group, her boots kicking up holographic dust, her ponytail bouncing with each step.
She stored her Lazara in her bracelet with a soft click and the blue light faded as she walked to Brandon, "Told you I'd surprise you, Idiot. How's that for keeping up?"
Brandon laughed, his hand ruffling her hair "You were unreal out there, Eira. Genius use of your skill."
She smiled proudly and happiness fluttered her heart hearing his praise "Thank you, thank you."
With that, she leaned forward and whispered "Now I want a reward. How about a night date after today's exam."
Glancing down at her, he gave a nod "Sure."
Looking at them, Calista's gaze condensed slightly before she turned her eyes to the Holographic arena.