Chapter 77 – Even Heroes Must Take Exams

“President? Did you hear the news, by any chance?”

Taking advantage of a brief lull in dispatch duty, Luciel tossed the question to Neferti.

“What news are you referring to?”

“I heard that Deus-hoobae, along with Teacher Smith, are in charge of the practical training exam.”

“Ah… yes. I heard it yesterday.”

Upon hearing this, Neferti couldn’t help but feel a deep concern for the Cradle students.

After all, she and Luciel had been through this before. Or, no, no. They had training, so they should be fine, but would the other students be alright? That seemed entirely impossible.

“I heard… that Deus-hoobae can now officially work as an esper, no matter what. So, whether or not he graduates from the Cradle doesn’t really matter.”

“Still, graduating from the Cradle or not could lead to troublesome issues. Custom is important, after all, isn’t it, Luciel-sunbae?”

That was true. Often, things that needed to be done couldn’t be, and things that shouldn’t be done were, all because of those customs.

Looking at it that way, Deus’s Cradle graduation didn’t seem to cause any problems from any angle. Rather, it was a good thing, as the students could receive even a bit of his know-how.

“Thanks to that, the Master keeps wanting to come to the Cradle,” Luciel added.

“Eek. Shabel-nim visiting would be… a bit much, perhaps.”

If Deus was a quiet monster, Shabel was a lively one. She was certain that if she came, something would collapse or break, just like last time. One of the two would happen.

As Neferti’s term as president still had time left, her small wish was that no more major incidents would occur in the Cradle. The appearance of Deus and the demons was already tiring enough.

“Come to think of it, today is the day of the second-year hoobae’s practical training exam, isn’t it?” Neferti said.

“Yes. Would you like to go see it?” Luciel asked.

“I was just about to suggest that to you, President.”

She was curious. In what manner was Deus supervising the exam?

Was he being as merciless as he had been to them? Or was he lowering the bar somewhat, considering that they were, after all, just ordinary students?

A sly part of her wished it was the former, but honestly, she thought the latter was more likely. From the very start, they had been trained to deal with demons, thanks to that damned Hell Diver or whatever it was.

And they were trying to approach things with a new concept, not just esper control, which was what made it so difficult and challenging.

In contrast, ordinary students focused mainly on fighting against the gate and monsters.

There was no reason to treat them as harshly as they had been treated. It was like using a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken—excessive.

So thought the two female students, but upon entering the exam hall, they couldn’t help but gasp.

‘No… Hoobae-nim…!’

‘I had a feeling, but still, I never thought it would be like this…!’

Was this really the training ground where the exam was being held? Or was it a disposal site where half-dead people were being tossed?

“Everyone, pay attention.”

“….”

“If you don’t give the proper response, today’s exam won’t end. Attention!”

“Attteeeennnnntion!!”

The second-year students sprawled all over the place, speaking in voices filled with utter injustice.

“Let me repeat myself. Sunbae-nims. Today’s exam isn’t about passing or failing. It’s a place to draw out everything you have. And all of you will receive a ‘pass’.”

Pass? He was going to give everyone a pass? In a practical training exam, where passing and failing were supposed to be clearly defined, was that even possible? Luciel and Neferti looked around in bewildered confusion, searching for Teacher Smith.

Teacher Smith, the supervisor of today’s exam, was currently sitting in his seat, nodding enthusiastically at Deus’s words.

“….”

What’s this all about. Since when did you become such an ardent supporter of Deus? While the two of them stood there, dumbfounded, Deus began to pace, continuing his spiel.

“But to achieve that acceptance, everyone gathered here. Without a single exception, they will all need to pour out everything they have, to the point of utter exhaustion, to the point of nausea. The method, as I said earlier, is very simple. Just snatch this piece of cloth wrapped around my wrist.”

The cloth around junior’s wrist? Luciel and Nefertiti had the same thought, almost simultaneously.

Is that really a wrist, or is it a thigh? Looks more like the latter to me. If you try to remove that and even graze against it, something’s going to crack, or chip, or break. One of those three for sure.

“Of course, there are no penalties for failing to take it. As I said, everyone will pass. But in order for that to happen, everyone, down to the very last person, must pour out their all.”

So rise and shine. There’s still more than half the day left before today is over.

It wasn’t a loud shout. He just spoke in his usual, very low tone.

But to the second-year students, it probably sounded like the devil himself was threatening them to get up. I’m certain of it.

“If you dislike this method, you can go straight to Professor Smith and tell him that this isn’t quite right and request a new test. However, if you do that, I will be the one deciding who passes and fails there.”

“…!!”

The moment Deus finished speaking, the second-year students rose from their seats as if struck by some kind of magic.

The exam. In any case, it was an important juncture for graduation. Whether you passed or failed there would determine whether you spent the remaining days in the Cradle with some ease, or whether you’d be toiling away even more frantically.

Somehow, up until now, there had been no worry about passing or failing, but if things went as Deus said, that unreasonable junior would be deciding that too. Then they had even less confidence.

“Look at you. You have the strength to stand up, but not the strength to take this?”

Come on, let’s see more. Quickly. Deus provoked the second-year students while shaking the cloth wrapped around his thigh. No, the cloth wrapped around his wrist.

Whether it worked or not was uncertain. However, it was certain that the students were screaming and charging towards Deus.

And exactly seven hours had passed.

“Haa…haa…”

“Hwaaa…”

“Ughh…”

Groaning and pained moans emanated from all directions.

The sun, which had been high in the sky, had long since set, and darkness had fallen. Above the second-year students’ heads now were the soft moonlight and the magical lamps within the Cradle.

“Hmm. This should be enough. Everyone has worked hard. Seniors. As for everyone properly doing their best, I will strongly advocate to the professors that the practical training exam be graded as a pass for everyone.”

Normally, this welcome news should have been met with shouts of joy.

But no one could do that. Right now, they were too exhausted to even lift a finger, let alone shout.

It was only natural, as they had used every last bit of strength from their bodies.

“Lastly. I have something to say for a moment. Ah, there’s no need to get up. Seniors. You can just lie down and listen, or sit, if you prefer.”

There were a few who managed to raise their bodies, but such students were in the extreme minority. The rest were just making dying sounds and becoming one with the floor.

“You were very lucky this time. Both me, and this place. If the beings called devils had moved a little more earnestly and come several decades later, I wouldn’t have been here, and conversely, even stronger creatures would have crossed over.”

Yes. They were lucky. If that had really happened, the Empire would have collapsed in just three days.

The Cradle would have been engulfed in flames, and different hells would have unfolded in the east, west, south, and north.

“Our seniors have been fighting devils for decades. We call them monsters now, but back then, those creatures were the devils themselves. And now in this era, real devils have appeared, and they may return someday.”

“….”

“This won’t be the end. If you stop these devils, something completely new. Then another being called a devil might appear.”

It’s always like this. A world to defend, and a world to pierce through. Peace never lasts.

“Therefore. We must all become angels.”

Angels? The students looked at Deus at those words.

“Ah. I think I know what you want to say. The angels I speak of, are by no means mere creatures that scatter pretty flowers or something.”

Real angels are those who fight for those who are suffering. Like the heroes of the past, and us of the present. And our descendants who will inherit all our will and protect the future someday.

“….”

“….”

Those sprawled on the floor, of course, and even Luciel and Nefertiti, who had come to check if they were still there, could only listen blankly to Deus’s words.

“Ah. One more thing. It is said that demons must tempt and lead everything in the world to ruin, therefore they are said to be, above all, beautiful. Conversely, angels, who must fight against such demons, are said to be, above all, fearsome in appearance. So, I also want to say that you shouldn’t be swayed by appearances, just in case.”

“…?”

For a moment, the second-year students could only tilt their heads, looking at Deus.

That last remark… it felt like a little personal feeling slipped in there. Or was it? It looks like he’s trying to say, ‘I’m not a demon, I’m an angel! So you don’t have to be afraid of me!’, doesn’t it?