Rebirth: The Universe's Hidden Heiress-Chapter 58: Mid-term Test

The midterm exam arrived as scheduled.

Ayoi, wearing her school uniform, turned to Yuka and said, "Yuka, today Instructor Yonda didn’t ask us to change into our combat or cross-country uniforms. He’s not planning to make us do cross-country in skirts, is he?"

Yuka replied, "I don’t think so."

They arrived at the training ground where Yonda, hands behind his back, watched them with a smile. After counting everyone and ensuring all were present, he spoke, "Today, we’re going to do something different."

Everyone tensed up, listening as Yonda continued, "Up until now, we’ve been doing offline, real-world training. I know it’s been tough, so for the midterm, I’ve arranged a special simulation training for everyone! Head to the white classroom where you had your mecha operation classes. Once everyone is in the virtual training field, I’ll announce the rules for today’s exam."

On their way to the white classroom, Ayoi grumbled, "I doubt that he will let us pass the exam easily. He must be up to some trick."

Yuka nodded in agreement.

Though a virtual exam would indeed be easier, everyone looked cautious and serious as they entered the holographic pods.

"Remember to select the exam mode," reminded Instructor Yonda.

Yuka once again entered darkness, clicked on the exam mode, and found herself in a forest. Her virtual avatar was now in a black combat suit.

She pinched her arm and noted the pain was halved.

[Everyone, you should be able to see my words on the screen in front of you.]

A transparent screen suddenly popped out in front of Yuka, displaying line after line of white text.

[Our midterm exam consists of infantry combat, a simulated match exam. You’ll operate in a virtual map. I’ve randomly placed everyone in different locations within the exam area. Since it’s infantry combat, each of you must complete your tasks independently.]

[In this exam arena, I’ve placed twenty Oniyons. Getting an Oniyon earns full marks, but it doesn’t count if someone takes it from you midway. You must possess an Oniyon until the end of the match to score. Those who don’t have an Oniyon can attack others, and each elimination is worth sixty points. Eliminate two or more of your classmates for a full score.]

[I said you have to complete your tasks independently, but I know some of you would secretly team up with your already good friends. I won’t do anything about it, but remember, in this match, everyone is a competitor. Whether your teammates will stab you in the back, ha-ha, depends on the depth of your bonds.] novelbuddy.cσ๓

Yuka thought to herself, ’Wow, someone’s going to be cut deep.’

[Do you see the health bar floating beside you? Only you can see it. The system will deduct health based on the attacks you receive. Once your health reaches zero, you’ll be considered dead and eliminated.]

Yuka glanced at her health bar on the right side of her vision; it was still at the full value of one hundred.

’It feels like playing a game,’ Yuka thought to herself.

[The exam time is only one hour, so please make good use of it. The exam starts now.]

The screen disappeared, and Yuka quickly turned around to survey her surroundings. There was no one around.

She lightened her footsteps and started moving slowly through the forest.

Without a complete map, Yuka could only move forward to gauge the size of the forest.

About five minutes later, she spotted a figure.

It was the tall boy who Fred had sent to stop her last time, only to be used by her as a lever. He was hitting a giant tree with a long stick. After a loud noise, an Oniyon fell from the gap in the tree branches.

The tall boy bent down, pocketing the spherical Oniyon in his coat.

Just then, he suddenly turned his head, saw Yuka behind him, and, gripping his long stick, adopted an attacking stance.

Yuka quickly raised her hands to show she had no intention of taking his prize. She then stepped back, ready to leave.

At the beginning of the match, everyone was cautious, moving around while searching for Oniyons and guarding against others. Almost no one formed teams.

Yuka kept looking for Alex and Ayoi but didn’t find them. Whenever she saw someone, she immediately took a detour to avoid them. Apart from a minor scratch from a tree bark, reducing her health a bit, she hadn’t engaged in any combat.

In the control room, Yonda, overseeing all the students, exclaimed with hands on hips, telling Kenji, "Sir, Yuka is always so passive in the competition. She shows no spirit of competition or ambition!"

While others were engaged in fierce battles, Yuka seemed to be on a spring outing.

"So why do you think highly of her?!" he asked.

Kenji, watching Yuka playing with water by a creek on the screen, remained silent.

Yuka had reached a creek. The holographic technology was highly advanced; she could even feel the coldness of the water flowing over her fingers.

’Sigh,’ Yuka mused, resting her chin on her hand. ’It’s a pity there’s nothing poisonous in this forest. It would have been convenient to use as a hidden weapon.’

By this time, half of the exam time had already passed.

A rustling sound came from the forest behind her. Though faint, Yuka noticed it and swiftly stood up, dodging a stone thrown at her.

She then took off running. Her attacker, having been previously engaged in battle with others and thus depleted in energy, couldn’t catch up to Yuka and turned away.

After running a distance and confirming she had evaded her attacker, Yuka slowed down.

The forest floor, covered with fallen leaves, crunched softly under her feet. Suddenly, she felt something off underfoot.

The next second, the leaves gave way, and Yuka found herself falling into a three-meter-deep pit.

As she fell, Yuka instinctively tried to kick against the side of the pit and jump out, but she suddenly remembered her current weak persona and let herself fall, watching her health bar drop by half.

’Who the heck have set this trap?’ she wondered.