Chapter 11

11. Entrance Exam (8)

“Ugh, ughhhh!!!”

Luna's face was grotesquely distorted. It was terrifying.

I didn't know such a face was possible. If it appeared in a dream, it might cause a seizure.

It went according to plan, so why is she reacting like this?

“Come now, calm down and focus. It seems the other side is finished too.”

“...What? That bookworm actually won?”

Raimon had also taken care of three opponents.

Yet, not a single drop of sweat or a wrinkle on his clothes.

He was trembling, but that was only because of his gentle nature.

Don't be fooled by appearances.

He's a predator in the guise of a herbivore.

“Miss Luna, use your secret technique.”

“...Are you sure it's okay?”

It was natural for Luna to hesitate.

Using her secret technique might reveal that she is from the Lester family.

But it's fine.

“Yes, it's fine. Your technique is so poor that no one would ever think you're from the Lester family. So, use it freely!”

“...Damn you! We'll settle this after!”

Bowing, Luna assumed the unique stance of the Lester family.

Her feet were also in position.

The technique called "Isshin" is a secret move that compresses air by swiftly drawing the sword from this stance and sends it to the opponent.

It's a unique technique of the Lester family, famous for leaving sword marks on the opponent due to the compression of air.

“I’m going!”

Bowing slightly, she charged forward.

When the opponent was within range, she took a large step forward to accelerate.

Her left knee slightly bent, the sheath stood at a right angle.

The angle of her wrist as she drew the sword.

That was it.

The first secret technique of the Lester family style.

Isshin (一閃).

A flash of light, tearing through the air, headed toward Raimon.

But.

Thud!

“!?”

Luna's eyes widened.

Raimon had blocked the Isshin by standing his sword vertically.

Even though Luna's Isshin was poor, it was still a secret technique.

It was impossible not to be surprised. But it seemed Raimon was also surprised.

“R-remarkable. Such a sword strike...”

“Praising me after blocking it so easily? Do you want to die!?”

“Huh? But you can't die just because of that... Would you do that?”

“Y-you?”

“Ah... I'm sorry. Then, what should I call you? Auntie, perhaps?”

“A, Aunt...!”

Luna's expression turned demonic.

The reason Raimon was popular.

Despite his small stature, he had insane sword technique sense, cheat-like stats, the appearance of a model student, and a cute look like a younger brother. And.

‘Pure evil.’

His actions were so pure that he didn't know if they were good or evil, but when others saw him, they saw evil.

Yes, the problem was that all his words and actions were filled with purity.

‘But his skills are undeniable.’

Even as a demonic Luna charged with all her might, Raimon easily deflected her sword strike.

Not just blocking, but deflecting.

It was truly insane talent.

“Damn!”

About two minutes had passed.

Luna was swearing and catching her breath.

Taking a few leisurely steps, the opportunity had arrived.

Raimon was between me and Luna, right at this moment.

“Haha, I have no choice. I must step in.”

“S-scary. I-I'll be looking forward to it.”

But it didn't take long for Raimon's face to stiffen.

I had used the [Open Eyes] skill.

At the same time, I placed my right hand on the hilt of my sword.

Bowing slightly, I charged forward.

When I reached about ten steps away from Raimon, I took a large step forward to slightly accelerate and assumed the ready stance.

My left knee slightly bent, the sheath stood at a right angle.

The angle of my wrist as I drew the sword.

Luna's and Raimon's eyes widened.

“Can’t be...!”

Raimon hastily raised his sword to defend.

Yes, this is it.

The first secret technique of the Lester family style.

Isshin (一閃).

“...This is impossible.”

“...!!”

Yes, I was just imitating Luna's Isshin.

But this is enough. Because the 'real' one is coming from behind.

By the time he realized he was deceived, it was too late.

“Go, Miss Luna.”

Luna's hand moved like lightning.

The first secret technique of the Lester family style.

Isshin (一閃).

Perhaps because she used all her strength, I felt the air around Raimon split.

Crack!

The ground of the arena shattered, sending fragments flying.

Quickly ducking, a cool breeze passed over my head.

It was the air wave created by Luna's Isshin.

‘Phew... What incredible power. This is still an E-rank Isshin. How amazing would it be at S-rank... Wait?’

A figure standing in the dust.

I didn't need to think about who it was.

“No way...”

Luna, who had suddenly appeared by my side, muttered.

Yes, it was unbelievable.

But the unbelievable was unfolding right before our eyes.

“Ow, that really surprised me.”

Raimon was standing on both feet.

He had withstood Luna's best strike.

Of course, he wasn't normal.

His clothes and skin were torn in places.

Blood was dripping from his limp right arm.

He blocked that?

‘Even with his excellent skills and high evasion rate... This is too much!’

But this was an undeniable reality.

I quickly assessed our strength.

Luna, who couldn't use advanced sword techniques, and me, who was unharmed.

And Raimon, who had lost at least 70% of his strength.

If we faced him again...

“This is what you meant. Good, it worked perfectly. What's the next plan?”

“...There isn't one.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

We can't win. Raimon, with 30% of his strength, is still stronger than us.

I, currently at level 9, have 80 stat points.

If I allocated them to strength and agility, I might have a chance. But.

‘I can't waste stat points just for that.’

I need to tackle the final boss of this game.

Wasting points on just the entrance exam?

That's impossible.

“What's the plan?”

“If I say there isn't one, what will you do?”

“I'll kill him with my own hands before he kills me.”

Wow, that's a comforting statement.

I thought about fighting recklessly, but I couldn't.

‘I don't know any sword techniques.’

Pretending to be good would be difficult.

In a world where even extras are better at sword techniques than me.

Everyone would realize I'm a beginner just from how I hold the sword.

Not only the children's gazes, but I need to get into the top class.

If I swing the sword clumsily, that cold-blooded Charon will give me a zero.

So, it's best to.

“Surrender.”

“What?”

“It's time to retreat. We've shown enough.”

“...”

I raised my arms in a defensive stance.

I thought Luna would charge and tear my head off.

But she didn't. She bowed her head and muttered.

“...Doing your best.”

“Huh?”

“Charon said doing your best means passing. But you want to surrender. I can't agree.”

“...”

I couldn't say anything.

What Charon's subjective criteria were.

Many people had tried, but no one had figured it out.

“Ah, you're not coming? Then, I'll go...”

Raimon was already prepared.

The wooden sword in his left hand.

That was why I gave up.

‘He’s left-handed.’

Why did he fight with his right hand? The reason is shocking.

‘Because others use their right hand.’

Note: Raimon uses his left hand in the latter part of Episode 3.

‘But showing his full strength in the tutorial? Really, this is insane.’

Luna was burning with enthusiasm, oblivious to my thoughts.

Maybe because she was called an aunt, or because of Charon's words about doing your best.

“...I have no choice.”

I placed the tip of the wooden sword on the ground and dragged it slightly.

Rattle, rattle.

Raimon's eyes were filled with curiosity.

I needed to unsettle him.

To complicate his mind and gain a slight advantage.

“Alright, I’m going!”

Luna's bold charge... didn't happen.

Someone blocked her with their body.

Luna was thrown back and fell on her butt.

“Everyone, stay still.”

It was Charon, the supervisor of the third exam.

He had suddenly appeared between us.

“That's enough. The exam for Group 13 is over. You pass, and the two of you are on hold.”

The one who passed was Raimon. And.

The ones on hold were me and Luna.

“W-why!?”

“Who said to use such a powerful technique? I said to do your best, not to use techniques that could kill someone.”

“B-but...! It's also your fault for setting such rules...”

Luna couldn't finish her sentence.

Charon's eyes were too cold.

To have such eyes with a face full of scars. There was no way to argue.

Well, I'm an exception with the [Mental Defense] skill.

“Haha, why am I on hold?”

“Because you didn't do your best. Why did you want to give up? If it was out of consideration for the injured, I would be very disappointed.”

Damn.

It wasn't consideration as a strong person, but avoidance as a weak one!

I was genuinely frustrated.

“What's your name?”

“I-I'm Raimon.”

“Go over there and get treated.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Raimon kept glancing this way, looking disappointed.

Look at him. A predator disappointed at not being able to catch its prey!

To keep trying to beat such a weak, pure, and kind person.

He's a real jerk.

“I will conduct an additional exam for the ones on hold. Follow me.”

An additional exam for the ones on hold?

This is an unprecedented development in the game.

Did a hidden feature activate? For what reason?

“You will continue the exam in my place. I'll leave the judgment to you.”

“...Understood! We'll get Group 14 up quickly!”

“Move faster!”

The enthusiastic instructors urged the students.

For the usually skeptical and distrustful Charon to delegate authority, especially the pass/fail decision, to them.

They must be thrilled.

Walking behind Charon with Luna, I was lost in thought.

‘Something’s off.’

To my knowledge, Charon is not this kind of character.

A man who spent most of his life as a spy.

That's why he didn't trust people easily.

His life was stained with betrayal after betrayal.

Most of the scars on his face and body were from torture.

‘For him to delegate authority to instructors? What's going on?’

But there was nothing I could do.

I could only.

Follow the man known as the ‘Bad Ending Maker.’