Chapter 48
Anna’s entitled attitude, as if she had every right to use others, was infuriating.
She couldn’t even respond out of sheer shock. But it didn’t take her long to realize she had no justification to argue, and that Ranje wasn’t someone who’d reverse a decision once made.
A rational mind would see that Ranje had nothing to gain by sticking with this group. And as for emotional appeal? They hadn’t even exchanged a single word before this.
“Don’t make me laugh! I’m the one leaving!”
Veronica shouted furiously at Ranje, knowing all of this already.
“You think I’ll just sit back and let you hog all the points for yourself?”
Her tone was aggressive, but Veronica believed this was the most logical move.
None of the group members wanted Ranje to leave, and Ranje clearly didn’t want to be grouped with Veronica. She also showed little will to participate in group activities.
If Ranje left on her own accord, Veronica would be left behind to face the group’s resentment or would have to compete against Ranje during the hunt.
So it was better to push Ranje into the team and remove herself from the equation.
Ranje stared blankly at her, offering no opinion.
She simply found it absurd that they were making decisions about her without her input—but Veronica took her silence as acceptance.
‘She didn’t object, so she must be okay with it. She probably thinks she can take the exam more comfortably now. Well, we’ll see about that. I’ll get a better score than you without needing a stupid map…’
Gripping her shoulder strap tightly, Veronica turned and stormed off.
Ranje watched her retreating figure with mild disinterest. She had no intention of staying in the group just because that was what Veronica wanted.
‘If I move now, she’ll come back to yell again. I’ll just wait a bit and then go in the opposite direction.’
As she thought about how everyone would probably be mad if she said this out loud, her gaze caught something on Veronica’s back.
It was the rifle she carried—emblazoned with a strange insignia.
A pointed star encircled by a snake biting its own tail.
“Wait a second!”
Ranje chased after Veronica. Caught off guard, Veronica turned with a sharp glare.
“What the hell are you doing?!”
“This rifle… You didn’t get it through standard issue, did you?”
Unbothered by her reaction, Ranje asked the question. Instead of responding with more anger, Veronica flinched. A clear sign of guilt.
Ranje narrowed her eyes.
Why did the symbol of the mysterious organization that had tampered with the entrance exam appear on Veronica’s weapon? There was no way this could be a coincidence.
‘Is she part of that group?’
Ranje doubted it. Veronica was too sloppy to be a covert operative from some secret society.
Her hostility was childish and overt. She lacked the composure required for secret missions, acting out over petty things and resorting to bullying tactics.
‘Then what is this?’
She tugged on the strap attached to the rifle.
“Let me see it for a second.”
Before Veronica could stop her, Ranje had the rifle in hand.
The medal left behind by the beast had previously carried such a symbol, but it wasn’t something easily detected. Yet this one had it out in the open.
Were they really operating this carelessly? As Ranje examined the weapon, she realized the symbol wasn’t just decorative.
Though she couldn’t dismantle it fully, the interior held complex magical circuits. This wasn’t a standard-issue item.
The emblem was part of a spell—linked to runes hidden inside the rifle.
“Give it back!”
Veronica yanked the rifle from her, misinterpreting the situation as Ranje trying to steal it. Not entirely inaccurate, but still.
Ranje clicked her tongue and made an offer.
“…Wanna trade with mine?”
“What the hell are you babbling about?!”
That voice came from behind.
Doris had unconsciously spoken aloud. Anna simply shook her head, silently urging Ranje to stop this nonsense and let Veronica go.
But Ranje waited for Veronica’s answer, wearing the softest expression she could manage.
The response came:
“Get lost…”
Veronica, looking truly disgusted, tried to flee again. A hint of fear flickered on her face.
Ranje grabbed her by the collar and dragged her back to the group.
—Guys, I was wrong. We shouldn’t be fighting each other like this.
—What are you talking about? Baer, pull yourself together…
—There’s probably a reason we’re taking the practical exam like this. I’m sure teamwork matters too.
Though really, it was more likely the academy wanted to save time and resources.
Ignoring the group’s stares and what she herself knew to be true, Ranje pressed on.
—Let’s finish the assignment together. Veronica agrees, too.
—I did NOT!
Veronica struggled to break free, but her bent-over position made it difficult.
Despite being barely taller, Ranje pinned her down with one arm, preventing her from standing upright.
Veronica had no choice but to glare at the ground and shout.
—Don’t lie! I’m going to hunt the sea beasts and earn my points!
—Completing the map is the more reliable method. And there’s no guarantee you can hunt one on your own.
She couldn’t let someone with a magical tool marked by that snake-star symbol out of sight.
But instead of revealing her true reasoning, Ranje spoke gently.
—If you’re planning to hunt, even more reason to stick together. The difference in magic power works in your favor. Just being with us makes you bait.
Ordinary animals would avoid human groups, but the sea beasts behaved abnormally.
It was sound advice, but Veronica eyed her with suspicion.
—Then why did you want to leave? Weren’t you just saying you’d go solo?
—I can find them alone.
She didn’t need to say more—it was obvious she thought Veronica couldn’t do the same.
Ranje relaxed her grip a little. Freed, Veronica glared at her, face flushed.
—You… I won’t let this go.
But she didn’t attack, nor did she run away again.
Despite her crushed pride and wounded ego, she stayed.
Completing the map was the better choice. And none of the group opposed Ranje’s sudden change of heart.
Sticking with the group was more bearable than being cast out alone—and Ranje wasn’t likely to let go easily. That made for a convenient excuse.
And so, Team 3 finally began the exam in earnest—with all five members intact.
Only then did Ranje begin to calmly evaluate her teammates.
Veronica? Let’s skip that.
Anna Maben, who pretended to take sides but always prioritized her own gain—at least she seemed smarter than average.
Doris Eje, who, like Anna, abandoned Veronica.
And a quiet boy whose name Ranje didn’t even remember.
If they could hear her thoughts, they would’ve all hated her.
Still, the others began introducing themselves with awkward politeness.
“Bit late, but I’m Anna. This is Doris.”
“I know your names.”
“What about him? Do you remember him?”
“Nope.”
“…That’s Karel. Let’s work well together. I’m glad you changed your mind.”
Veronica scoffed like it wasn’t her business, but Karel simply nodded. He didn’t seem offended that Ranje didn’t recognize him at all.
“You’ve got no pride, huh?”
Veronica lashed out.
Karel replied in a quiet voice.
“Don’t make her take interest in me.”
The forest was thick—hard to walk through. But Ranje cut through the brush with ease, spotting animal tracks quickly.
“Hoofprints. Almost no residual magic. This is from over two days ago. Nothing’s triggering the detection spells either. There’s a small den at 2 o’clock—it’s clear. Still, worth checking later if we hunt.”
Far from destroying clues in her rush, Ranje moved with surprising diligence.
Even Veronica, who had initially opposed the idea, agreed that the academy probably didn’t expect detailed tracking work from first-years. The goal was to map the area.
Acting like she’d never thrown a fit, Veronica calmly recorded Ranje’s observations.
Meanwhile, Doris looked a little unnerved.
“What is HQ thinking? We’ve moved fast and still only covered half. The other teams must be slower.”
“That’s why the exam lasts half a day,” Anna replied coldly. “If they’re lucky, maybe they’ll get one shot at a kill.”
Expanding her detection spell, Ranje added,
“Given nothing’s showing up in our area, they’re probably wandering elsewhere.”
“But didn’t you just say being with you guarantees a hunt?”
“I never promised. Still, don’t worry—we’re making good map progress.”
After that, Ranje ignored Veronica’s grumbling. Veronica didn’t press further.
If the sea beasts were beyond their zone, there wasn’t much she could do. And beating Ranje in this test was looking less and less likely anyway.
While Veronica hugged her rifle, regaining composure, Ranje swept her gaze across the eerily silent forest.
‘Something’s wrong.’
There should have been plenty of sea beasts hiding in the forest.
They were dangerous for first-years, and because they weren’t used to magic, battles usually ended with the beasts fleeing after a few clashes.
‘So we should’ve entered a zone with signs of battle by now.’
Or at least picked up on some disturbance. But the silence meant only one thing—they were hiding on purpose. Waiting for something.
At that moment, dozens of signals appeared on Ranje’s detection spell.
Yet the forest in front of them was still calm.
“What’s wrong?”
The teammates trailing behind looked at Ranje curiously.
Without replying, Ranje stared straight ahead.
And then, the bushes rustled slightly.
A long neck rose, revealing a face just above the undergrowth.
