Chapter 54: Assessment(Part 1)
Spatial manipulation seemed to be a recurring theme in this university. Because the assessment zone was a box with a door where at most only one person could fit in.
Inside, however, was another massive space because, of course, it was. There were multitudes of tamers milling about around an enormous amphitheater with a giant field in the center where monster girls were performing all kinds of activities pertaining to combat in one form or another.
Their seating area had most of the seats removed for shop-like sections with one type of monster girl or another sitting behind a counter having conversations with tamers. The number of things inside this hut-like structure ranged from barebones to absolutely stacked with knick-knacks.
There were three variants here all put up on sign boards. 'MEAL!' ones that looked the most empty, 'TAME!' ones that looked pretty stacked, and 'SANCTIONED!' which was somewhere in the middle.
"Come on, one of the sanctioned monster girls will do your assessment!"
"Alright..."
Both boys approached the closest sanctioned 'shop' which was a monster girl sitting behind a counter filled with stuff, mostly spherical gems but things like horns or teeth were also on display.
"Hello! How may I help you?"
The monster girl behind the desk had four defining traits. Menacing, had muscles on muscles, chest only second to cow aunt and completely green. She inspired fear with her visage. Her demeanor, however, was very at odds with her looks which was very prim and proper.
"My friend is new and would like to be assessed!"
This whole thing felt like Daniel was the one running the ship but being in a new environment Simon was okay with him taking the lead while he spent his time trying to take as much of it in. Also, it enabled him to pet both cat and dog with more vigor which was a plus. Especially in the case of Stella whose reaction was always exaggerated in some cute way.
They got a small nod as she got out from behind her desk and said.
"Come with me."
After a small trek behind the woman which only further solidified her image as some sort of powerful warrior. With her broad shoulders that matched her broad hips and her minimal leather clothing that only covered her gargantuan chest, groin, and ass making her powerful back visible for all to see.
The field was somehow far far more significant than it looked from the sitting arrangement, another spatial anomaly that Simon was getting more and more accustomed to. They were standing hard stone floor and it felt like they were the only ones there with the others being in the far distance whereas when he was up above they seemed much closer together.
Simon was still being very neutral about the whole thing, Daniel was far more excited.
"Do you know the tier of your tames?"
"Tier 5!"
Again Daniel was first to act and shouted the answer at the top of his lungs.
"Is he going to take this assessment? Or are you?"
The green monster girl looked at the gaunt boy beside Simon with a raised eyebrow. The raw physicality of her presence was enough to make even that benign question seem like a threat.
It was enough to make Daniel look visibly chastised as he backed off.
"Now. Quiet one. Is he correct?" Her attention shifted from Daniel to Simon and he could see why Daniel was easily cowed. However, he had spent his life next to cow aunt who was easily this monster girl's superior.
"Yes."
She gave an amused smile as she crossed her arms underneath her prominent pillows as her eyes started to glow.
"I am now going to subject you to a series of tests to assign you an initial ranking. Is that alright?"
Simon's inquisitive hackles were raised. But even he did not want to challenge the physically imposing green monster girl. The questions could wait till after his assessment.
There was a buzz and a pop. With it, a gigantic cage popped out next to them, with a humongous boar inside. Its size was not its only claim to prominence as its tusks were also arcing with lightning. It was smashing against the metal beams of its prison trying to get out, lightning bursting every which way
"Shock charge boar. An average tier 5 monster you may face on a dungeon delve."
Monsters, something Simon only read about in books. The bane of all living things, purpose-built for only two things that go hand and hand, destruction and murder.
Where monster girls were a part of the natural ecosystem of this world, monsters were the antithesis of all creation.
Simon was taught to do one of two things upon sighting one, kill it if you can otherwise flee the scene as fast as possible. Seeing one caged was never mentioned. However, those instincts cultivated by his father still kicked in as he tried to consider the best course of action. Amy and Stella both felt it.
However, his decision was cut short when the green monster girl continued.
"Now choose one of your monster girls to take this boar on. And do not try to argue to have a team fight, currently, the average strength of your monster girls is being judged. As a new tamer, you are reminded that your monster girls cannot die and will merely stay dormant in gear form for a while, and as such it is perfectly safe. I am also present in case things go awry."
Before he even properly took in what he was supposed to do, Amy stepped forward snarling at the caged monster her normal puppy-like behavior was gone, replaced by the feral beast that slept beneath. Her form enlarged to be as large as a horse, her stance hostile and ready to commit great violence.
"Is this your choice?"
"Yes," Simon answered instinctively as his focus was currently divided between the monster and Amy. Only the knowledge that she was in no danger of dying gave him confidence in this unknown set of circumstances.
"Begin!"