Chapter 10

10th Chapter. Entrance Exam (7)

‘Ugh, the day has finally come to meet that guy.’

A man with a face full of scars and a menacing appearance.

If Elleseter’s favorite teacher was the one, then this man named Caron was the one I disliked the most.

‘Zero flexibility, the epitome of sternness.’

During gameplay, when the character has conversations, there are usually three or four choices, but with Caron, there are only one or two.

Sometimes, conversation is impossible.

Well, there are other reasons, but let’s skip over them for now.

“Form groups of ten based on the order you’re standing in and fight. The exam doesn’t end until one person remains.”

“Wait a moment. I have friends… Can you change the groups…?”

From the children who came up to the capital together for the entrance exam to those who became friends during the exam, most of them were already grouped together.

Luna and I were no exception.

“I reject that. The battlefield is where even family members stab each other. Don’t whine.”

“B-But… that’s…”

The children murmured, but Caron didn’t budge.

He was busy continuing the explanation of the third exam.

“You can fight alone or as a team. The important thing is to show your own abilities. Make sure to perform well.”

“S-So, does that mean only one person from the group can pass?”

“I don’t recall saying that. If you want to pass, do your best. That’s all. The first group, please proceed to the arena.”

“R-Right now!? No! Before that, please tell us the exact conditions for passing!”

The children collectively freaked out, and those in the first group were in an uproar.

Kids, give up. That’s a crazy guy with no flexibility.

“Hmm, I seem to have forgotten one thing.”

“Y-Yes? A more detailed explanation and more time to think….”

“For safety, use the sticks, wooden swords, and wooden poles provided here. The first group, please take one each and enter the arena.”

“…”

The children stood frozen with their mouths agape.

They must be confused whether the person in front of them is human or a testing machine.

Well, if you spend time with Caron, you’ll soon realize that the heart of a testing machine is warmer than his.

‘A cold-blooded person whose heart feels colder than a machine.’

That was my definition of Caron.

The children were in shock, but it wasn’t my concern. What mattered now was the sparring match.

‘Actually, the rules aren’t that difficult.’

Ten people fight.

It’s not about winning or losing, but showing the abilities each person possesses.

The number of passers can be one out of ten, all ten, or none at all.

It’s simple but involves a somewhat subjective judgment.

But children who don’t know this can’t help but be confused.

‘Well, I have Luna, so I don’t have to worry.’

The third exam, ‘sparring match’.

However, passing isn’t determined by mere ‘strength’ alone.

Strength, psychological warfare, survival skills, teamwork, and synergy between team members.

All of these are evaluation criteria.

Let me share a piece of information known only to veterans: the highest score is given for.

‘Overwhelming strength’, ‘ability to manipulate the situation’, and ‘dominance’.

‘Forming a team with a strong person or building a majority alliance is also considered a skill.’

Of course, the scoring criteria are not disclosed, so we don’t know.

This is just a guess based on various experiments by veterans.

‘Would it help to tell them? I really don’t want to, really.’

Anyway, I was confident I could pass easily.

Luna would knock out eight people with her overwhelming strength, and I would order her to come down.

Then, it would be a simple pass.

‘Controlling a strong person with a single command is also a skill. Threatening Luna with information, she would surrender… huh?’

While checking the faces of the children in the same group, I saw a familiar face.

A small build, almost like a girl, wearing glasses, and having a typical model student appearance.

‘…Why are you here?’

The shock was brief. I quickly replayed the early part of the game in my mind.

Damn, I forgot.

There was a second reason why Luna couldn’t join the top class.

‘Raymond…!’

One of the main characters accompanying Rodelin and one of the five monsters of the academy.

Well, the one who cuts Luna’s arm is someone else.

After tapping Luna’s shoulder, I whispered carefully.

“Hehe, I recommend fighting that kid last.”

“…That model student? Why? He looks the easiest.”

Yes, that’s what you think.

Luna is definitely strong, but that’s only by the standards of ordinary children.

Raymond, despite his appearance, is a master swordsman who can see and deflect all attacks.

He doesn’t have good synergy with Luna.

In fact, Luna couldn’t join the top class partly because of her wasted stamina, but mainly because of Raymond’s existence.

In the game, when playing as the Raymond character, there is a battle tutorial event.

An extra rushes in, shouting, and the player calmly counters and delivers a single blow.

The extra who falls from that blow is ‘Luna’.

The humiliation of being treated as an extra without even a name or face.

This fact was revealed in a later playthrough, causing great amusement among players.

Of course, for us now, Raymond is.

‘A villain as evil as a demon.’

Trying to beat me just because I want to enter the academy.

He’s a real bad guy.

‘This is troublesome.’

I don’t care if Luna fails, but I can’t afford to fail.

If I fail miserably here, it’s obvious I won’t get into the top class.

‘Luna and I will become two extras flying away.’

Moreover, there is no route in the entrance exam where Luna wins against Raymond.

No, such a situation doesn’t even exist.

‘No one has ever tried this path.’

In other words, I have to break through this situation with my own strength.

My body trembled slightly.

Scared? No way. I’m trembling because it’s so…

‘Freakishly exciting.’

The character I absolutely don’t want to face as an enemy is Raymond.

Yet, I have to fight such a monster.

An event that no veteran has ever experienced and will never experience again!

I can’t help but be excited.

“Miss Luna, how far have you mastered your family’s secret techniques?”

“What the hell are you talking about now?”

“I’m asking if you can use any secret techniques other than Ichizan. Like Gaebyeong or Narak… you know, those kinds of things?”

“…”

Luna’s eyes are fierce.

Her gaze seems to say, ‘How much do you know?’

But she must have realized the seriousness of the situation, as she spoke frankly.

“I can use all of them, but considering accuracy and power… Ichizan is the best technique I have. The others are not yet ready for practical use.”

Only Ichizan is usable.

The situation is more serious than I thought.

“Moreover, in my current state, Ichizan won’t be perfect. I can probably use it a maximum of three times.”

Luna is in an unstable state due to the damage from the illusion magic.

Oh, did I make her do a body slam?

No, that’s not it. Our Luna is a very sturdy kid!

“But is that guy really that strong? Strong enough for you to worry?”

“If we’re talking about talent, he’s the best I’ve ever seen. He has high potential… a promising friend, you could say.”

“What about me? How does my talent look?”

“Well, if I’m generous, you’re a genius.”

Luna’s eyes became gloomy. But this is a fact she already knows.

She must have felt it during her five years of training.

‘Luna’s characteristic isn’t innate talent, to begin with.’

She can certainly reach the level of a genius. It just takes a little more time.

Well, even then, beating Raymond is impossible.

But now, I need Luna’s help. I need to remind her.

“Miss Luna.”

“…Why?”

“Talent isn’t everything. With effort, you can catch up someday. Surpassing comes later.”

“…What the hell are you talking about again?”

“I’m telling you not to give up. Even the most overwhelming talent has its weaknesses.”

“Hmm… It sounds like you’re saying I can’t beat him no matter what.”

“You’re right.”

“Hmm…”

“But there is a way to pass the exam.”

Luna’s eyes lit up.

“Then explain quickly. Don’t keep me waiting.”

“First, we take down the other seven, excluding that friend.”

“And then?”

“Save me. This plan will only work if you do.”

Luna nodded.

“You’re trying to conserve stamina. Fine, what’s next?”

“You’ll figure it out as we fight.”

“Why are you talking like that again! Finish your sentence!”

Luna grabbed my collar and shook me.

But I can’t. If she knows the plan in advance, it’s more likely to fail.

‘Luna isn’t good at acting, after all.’

She has to realize it during the fight. My plan.

But now, I need an excuse to survive.

“Miss Luna, I’m not your teacher. Figure it out yourself. It will help your growth.”

“Shut up… if you can’t even talk.”

“Well, if I give you a hint, this is a historically proven and the best strategy….”

Swallow.

Luna swallowed and perked up her ears.

It’s indeed a great strategy.

Universal. A legendary strategy used everywhere…

“The ganging up strategy, you could say.”

Luna’s eyes turned cold.

* * *

A chaotic scene unfolded before me. A free-for-all with ten people.

But after the second or third group, most of them showed a similar pattern.

‘As expected, everyone forms teams. Just like in the game.’

Ganging up is a historically proven excellent strategy.

It seems only Luna doesn’t know the power of this strategy.

“Next, Group 13, enter!”

Our group, with me, Luna, and Raymond.

Each of us held a wooden sword and entered the arena.

“Start!”

The third exam began without any preparation signal.

But no one complained.

We had already repeated the same situation thirteen times.

“Surround them!”

It was somewhat noisy but quick.

Four of us, and three for Raymond.

It was natural and expected.

We had received party invitations before entering the arena but refused them.

‘Two for me, two for Luna, it seems.’

Then, my job is simple.

I just need to hold out until Luna takes care of those two.

“Corner them! If you fall out of the arena, you’re out!”

“Attack together!”

Two children approached me with determined faces.

I’m so weak that I can’t beat either of them.

But.

“Hehehe, will that be okay? I’m quite strong, you know.”

“U-Uh!”

Baseless confidence.

But it’s enough to make the two children hesitate.

They can’t rush in even after cornering me.

“Hey, just attack! I’ll go first!”

“Damn! Alright!”

The bluff only lasted 20 seconds.

They’re really coming at me. But I’m not worried.

“Hehe, will that be okay? My familiar is coming, and everyone fears it.”

“F-Familiar?”

“It’s a lie! Attack!”

“Y-Yah!”

Smack! Bang!

“Cough!”

“Y-Yah!”

The two were instantly thrown out of the arena.

In front of me stood Luna, panting.

“Hehehe, excellent. My familiar.”

“Shut up! I ended up cleaning everything up!”

“You’re right. It’s according to the plan.”

Snap.

A strange sound came from Luna’s head.