Chapter 13

13. Entrance Exam (10)

The entrance exam at Andwood Academy changes its subjects every year.

However, this is not done without careful consideration.

Each subject has its own purpose.

The first stage, the 'Labyrinth Test.'

It evaluates the minimum level of reasoning, judgment, and patience.

Ordinary children, or those with average abilities, are all eliminated here.

The second stage, the 'Illusion Test.'

It determines whether one can rise above past pain and face the harsh realities of life.

It assesses whether one possesses an unyielding spirit.

Even if a child has talent, those with weak hearts and minds are all eliminated here.

The third stage, the 'Sparring Test.'

It evaluates the minimum level of combat ability and potential for growth.

There are many students with excellent administrative skills, calculation, and knowledge.

With Andwood Empire now ruling the continent, this era of peace requires many civil servants.

However, they must also have a certain level of physical fitness.

This means that even if they are protected by knights, they should not hinder them.

Therefore, it checks the minimum level of combat ability and whether one can fight without giving up in unfavorable situations, giving their best.

The yet-to-be-seen fourth stage, the 'Written Test.'

It evaluates the current level of knowledge. Almost no one fails this stage.

It is merely a process for class division to provide tailored education.

'So, most of them won't know about the secret test.'

Indeed, it is a system known only to a few within the empire.

The 'Secret Test' is exactly that.

'No matter how much security is checked, there will always be rats.'

Even at Andwood Academy, not everyone is the best.

Honor, money, status, or something else.

It means that even academy officials have their own deficiencies and needs.

Because of this, there are sometimes rats who sell exam information to large noble families.

The secret test system is one of the measures to prevent this.

'Since the principal changed... I've been getting that feeling a lot.'

It was the same in the labyrinth and the illusion test.

Not only did they pass the path too easily, but they even possessed artifacts to counter illusion magic.

Elesster had to use stronger magic than usual.

'Hmm... This is frustrating.'

If this continues, Andwood Academy will gradually decline.

After all, the graduates will all be mediocre.

There may be several culprits, but the principal is definitely the main culprit.

'He kept pestering me about the secret test. He even threatened me.'

Will I still be here next year?

Karoon sighed in frustration.

"All the injured are fine."

"Is that so?"

"We can start now."

"...Wait. I'm checking the timing."

"O-Okay. Sorry!"

Karoon turned his head to the path in the forest but saw nothing.

It's not for Luna. I'm waiting to ensure all the children take the test fairly.

If you ask why I've been conducting the tests without consideration or rest so far,

'...It's a misunderstanding.'

That's right. It's a simple misunderstanding.

I've been trying to conduct the tests fairly, and I'm still doing the same.

"Ah... What's the next test? I'm going crazy."

"When are we going to the fourth test site?"

"Yeah, we need instructions to move..."

The students' gazes are intense.

It's a result of their high morale.

As Karoon tried to ignore their gazes,

"Hey! I really didn't cry, okay? Something just got in my eye!"

"Hehe, must have been a big one, then."

"This is the truth!"

Thud!

Luna's fist hit Zero's side.

Zero's body bent like a crescent moon.

But his lips were still curled upward.

'...They seem close.'

For some reason, it bothers me. A part of my heart feels very uneasy.

Maybe it's because they're being noisy in the test area.

"Students, line up quickly. We'll move to the fourth test site after checking the numbers."

Luna and Zero ran over quickly.

Karoon's gaze turned to Zero, a child so small it was hard to see if he could see.

'Now that I think about it... He was here too.'

Zero was suspicious not just for his eyes.

He was suspiciously 'good' at everything.

'Using psychological tactics. What a cocky kid.'

Karoon recalled the sparring match of Group 13, where Zero, Luna, and Raymond fought.

In fact, when Zero imitated a one-handed sword technique, it wasn't just Luna and Raymond whose eyes widened.

Karoon's eyes also widened.

It meant he had been fooled too.

Knowing that Luna's technique was not a common sword technique but a secret skill of the Lester family, Karoon was even more surprised.

'Using psychological tactics. It means he has a lot of practical experience.'

To have a lot of practical experience at his age?

He seems to have experienced many bad things.

But why is such a kid by Luna's side?

It seems he knows Luna's secrets too.

"Um... Mr. Karoon?"

"I'm focused. Wait."

"Yes, sir!"

Karoon shook his head slightly to clear his mind.

Now is the time to focus on the task at hand: the secret test.

'I'll emit a killing aura and observe the reaction.'

What I want to see is their survival instinct and the level they have reached.

A 3-star knight should be able to distinguish the gems.

The moment he emitted the killing aura,

Karoon involuntarily shuddered.

Because he made eye contact with Zero.

'When did he start looking this way?'

The first to react... No, he reacted before that?

As if he knew I would emit a killing aura in advance?

Karoon continued to make eye contact with Zero.

He looked at him indifferently. Or rather, it was hard to tell if he even had eyes.

But he was definitely watching.

'...What a ridiculous kid.'

A hidden expert? A spy from the enemy country? A demon?

Or maybe,

He's even worse than that.

A completely unknown and terrifying kid has entered.

* * *

'It seems to have worked well.'

He subtly turned his head.

Karoon was looking at him with a scary expression.

The exam information is leaking.

That's why I created the special admission process, the 'Secret Test.'

The subject is free, the time is free, and the qualifiers are free.

However,

'There are no failures.'

What does that mean?

Only the qualifiers get bonus points.

But these bonus points play a decisive role in selecting the top class.

'Only the qualifiers get +points.'

Currently, I have a perfect score in the first and second stages, and a high score in the third stage.

The next fourth stage is a written test, but even if I score low, adding the secret test bonus points will likely get me into the top class.

How did I react to the killing aura?

The examiner and Karoon were on the stage.

As soon as I returned, I positioned myself where I could see Karoon from the side.

Then I turned my eyes to the side to watch him.

My eyes are so small that it's hard to see if they're even there.

They're the best for surveillance!

'Karoon doesn't wait if he has something to do. He'll probably start right away.'

I didn't take my eyes off Karoon for a moment, and it hit the mark.

Luna also looked at Karoon once and tilted her head, saying, "That's strange?"

"Everyone, move to the fourth test site."

The words that came out of Karoon's mouth.

That's how we moved to the final test site.

* * *

The fourth and final test,

The written test.

While Andwood Academy has various types of tests, the final test is always a written test.

That's why all the children were in a state of intense concentration.

I also have the test paper in my hands.

Swordsmanship, magic, history, and ten other subjects.

The test paper is densely packed with numbers, letters, and shapes.

"Hehe, as expected."

Damn, I don't know anything.

How would I know if the counterattack plan that stopped the Schultz Kingdom's assault in the 89th year of the Empire was 'Powerful Morning Assault' or 'Fierce Afternoon Assault'?

To begin with, what kind of plan name is that? I suspect the [Translation] skill might be malfunctioning.

But since it's an S-rank skill given as a special benefit of the game incarnation, it shouldn't be wrong.

'The only good thing is that it's multiple choice.'

I checked 'Powerful Morning Assault' and moved on to the next question.

One page, two pages, three pages.

No, I don't know anything.

I solved the ones I had a rough idea about and boldly filled in the rest with a single line.

If I get 0 points for guessing wrong, it would be terrifying.

But,

"Huh?"

There was a subject that was easy to solve.

Why is this?

Q1. What is the following magic circle?

1. 5th Rank Demon Summoning Circle

2. Forbidden Contract with a Goat

3. Oath of Extreme Poison

4. Path of Glory

'There's 5th Rank Demon Summoning written in the magic circle? What is this...?'

I flipped through, but the other questions were the same.

It was too easy. The answers were all in the questions.

I flipped forward to check the subject name.

At the top of the first page, in the center, it read:

「Demon Archaeology」.

...What?

Why can I read this?

* * *

"The test is over! Everyone, don't move!"

The written test was over.

All the children who took the test fell asleep on the spot.

From the labyrinth, illusion, sparring, to the final written test.

It was the aftermath of the continuous tests from morning.

"Quickly to the staff room!"

But the teachers' work was just beginning.

From the test to the announcement of results, class division, and the opening ceremony.

It's a long-standing tradition of Andwood Academy to complete all of this in one day.

241 children survived after the third test.

Their test papers needed to be graded, so the teachers in charge of grading were very busy.

"History, all here!"

"Magic, this way!"

There were as many as ten subjects.

Twenty teachers paired up and took charge of one subject each.

Swish, swish.

Rustle, rustle.

The sound of grading quietly echoed in the staff room.

But as time passed, voices gradually began to be heard.

It was just repetitive work.

A multiple-choice test with only 20 questions.

It means you only need to memorize 20 correct numbers.

In the end, the busy part was not the brain but the hands and mouth, leading to chatter.

"Who will be the top student this year?"

"Probably Teron from the Bueren Viscount's family, right?"

"There's also Yuridia from the Rowentor Count's family. She's rumored to be a genius."

"I don't know. But she's not as good as Rodelin from last year, right?"

"Come on, Rodelin should be excluded. She's in a different league."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Rodelin, who took over the position of vice-student council president this year.

From the opening ceremony, she stood out.

Her charming appearance that captivated everyone.

Her swordsmanship skills that even the examiners admired.

When a noble's child bullied a commoner, she said, "The one who insulted the nobility is you!" and slapped the noble's face.

She passed the final test while carrying the injured, despite the tight time.

Needless to say, her written test was perfect in all subjects.

"Good family, good skills, perfect appearance and personality. The world is so unfair, isn't it?"

"That's what makes her even more impressive. If I were Rodelin, I would have used the family's prestige and appearance to do all sorts of things."

"All sorts of things? I'm curious."

"Hehehe... Just all sorts of things."

Last year's top student was Rodelin, and no one objected.

But this year was different. There were many outstanding talents.

In swordsmanship, magic, physical strength, and cuteness (?).

They excelled in various fields, making it hard to predict who would take the top spot.

"Oh, there's that kid too, right?"

"Who?"

"The kid who can't see. The one who... looks like a portrait of a black mage..."

"Oh, I know who you mean. His name is... Zero, right?"

Not just a black mage.

The appearance of those who committed notorious crimes in the continent's history was similar to his.

Therefore, Zero was quite a hot topic among the teachers.

Some of them had seen Zero's face directly.

The common opinion of those who faced him was.