Chapter 4

4. Entrance Exam (1)

To lose the chance to get close to the main character, Rodelin, due to a single prank.

Some might think it was a really stupid move.

But no, this is the right decision.

I have to stay as far away from Rodelin as possible. Why?

‘Because Rodelin is one of the main character’s party members.’

While I’m tackling the hidden boss, the main character’s party isn’t just sitting around.

They also have to fight the main boss desperately to secure victory.

And if I take away an excellent asset like Rodelin?

‘That would be a foolish move.’

If the main character’s party is wiped out, it’s game over.

Not only will the portal to the hidden boss’s location not open, but it might also make it impossible to progress to the next episode.

The future of being trapped here forever, watching the world’s destruction, is something I want to avoid.

Well, I do feel a bit regretful about the prank where I put Rodelin’s skirt over my mouth.

But I can’t just start making lewd comments, can I?

No matter how many times I think about it, my actions were justified.

In other words, I am innocent!

“Is that the guy who made the vice president cry just with his gaze?”

“Oh, the vice president wouldn’t shed tears over something like that.”

“I heard someone saw him use his fists.”

“To hit a girl? That, that...! What a heinous brute! He’s just playing around!”

But reality was harsh.

After the story circulated a few times, the truth was quickly distorted.

‘Tsk, even if it’s a hidden piece... this is going too far.’

It was estimated that the algorithm was designed to isolate me no matter what I did.

Even if I had saved a dying person, wouldn’t the situation have been much the same?

No doubt. I didn’t treat Rodelin that badly.

What if it wasn’t a hidden piece, but just my mistake?

If, really if that were the case...

“Huh, I don’t even want to think about it. I’ll have a tough school life.”

Rodelin, who is currently the vice president, will become the president in a year.

This means the forces supporting her will also grow.

‘I need to be careful.’

I resolved that from now on, I wouldn’t torment characters with simple pranks.

No matter how cute and adorable they are, I won’t prank them.

I was just about to make this firm decision.

“From now on, we will enter in groups of 30! Please maintain excellent order as befitting a prospective student of Andwood Academy!”

The massive gates opened wide, and the crowd began to move forward gradually.

At the same time, some children muttered.

“Ugh, it’s already starting?”

“Damn! Only one chance in life. This is too harsh!”

“Oh goddess! Save me!”

Complaints and grumbling, along with earnest prayers.

They were filled with undeniable anxiety.

This isn’t strange. In fact, it’s quite natural.

One of the traditions of Andwood Academy.

‘The entrance exam’ is the reason.

About 50-60% of applicants.

A staggering number of children fail the entrance exam and are dismissed.

‘And the type of exam changes every year.’

They don’t tell you what kind of exam it is, how many stages there are, or how many will pass.

Why does such a harsh tradition exist?

‘To find the talent that will lead the empire.’

To prevent the promotion of lazy, incompetent noble children.

And to serve as a gateway for talented commoners and peasants.

Skill over blood.

It’s an incredible system that makes the empire’s power grow stronger.

‘Well, thanks to this, I can participate in the entrance ceremony.’

No name, status, or noble lineage is needed. The only requirement is ‘age’.

The age of 15, a one-time occurrence in life.

If this condition is met, anyone can participate in the entrance exam.

Proof that I, possessed by a half-blind character, am 15?

‘The system gave it to me as a quest, so... it must be right.’

What if, after struggling to pass the entrance exam, they say, “You’re not 15, are you?” and kick me out during the inspection process?

This game is broken.

‘It’s a great game, right? So, they must have taken care of my identity and age.’

So, the problem isn’t this.

“What will the test be this time?”

“It might be a duel with a knight. It hasn’t been used as a test for five years.”

“It doesn’t matter what the test is. I’ll just run forward with all my might.”

“I’ll really try my best! I’ve put everything on the line here!”

The reason the entrance exam at Andwood Academy is so ruthless.

It’s not just because it fails more than half the applicants or because they don’t tell you what the test is.

It’s because.

‘It’s designed so that every child has to give their all.’

A relative evaluation system, not an absolute one.

Therefore, everyone gives their all in the exam. If they hide their abilities, they might be eliminated.

The existence of the class system also plays a role.

Peasants to survive.

Commoners to rise in status.

Children of low-ranking nobles to make their family name known.

Children of prestigious families to avoid tarnishing their family name.

‘Everyone has to give their all.’

Especially, peasants and commoners put everything on the line.

With so many talented people joining, the passing cut-off is forced to be high.

In summary.

It’s a very bad system that only harms people like me, who purely (and innocently) want to enter the academy.

It’s really unfair. I’m just a pure child who wants to enter the excellent class!

“Hey, let’s go over there.”

“...Yeah. He looks like he’s thinking of something unpleasant.”

“It might be a scheme to eliminate competitors early.”

“Everyone, run away!”

The children slowly moved away from me.

A world that oppresses a pure child.

‘Information window.’

Muttering this, a blue window appeared before my eyes.

It’s my information window.

Lv: 1

Strength: 10

Agility: 10

Intelligence: 10

Health: 10

Magic: 10

Potential: 0

Owned Points: 0

Owned Skills: [Translation S], [Interpretation S], [Mental Defense S], [Information Window S], [Condescending Tone S], [Sinister Aura B], [Opening Eyes F]

Owned Titles: None

“Huh, as expected.”

Yes, as expected. Perfectly as I expected.

The stats that would lead to my immediate disqualification and becoming ‘Unnamed Extra 1’ are exactly as I predicted.

It’s so sad that it’s exactly as I predicted.

From experience, the cut-off level for the Andwood Academy entrance exam is around 10.

Since you get 10 points as a bonus for each level, you need to use at least 100 points to have a chance of passing.

My current level is 1, but since I can level up during the entrance exam, it’s not a problem.

‘No combat skills, so level 10 is a stretch.’

But I should be able to reach level 5 easily.

Using the knowledge of a veteran, I can overcome the stat gap to some extent.

I plan to break through the 2nd and 3rd stages in a different way, so it’s not a big problem...

‘The 1st stage is the problem.’

A test to break through a forest filled with slimes.

A test that requires basic combat skills, health, and judgment.

‘I know the maze inside out, so it’s not a problem.’

I’ll level up by killing slimes and use the points to break through the maze.

It should be an easy test. But.

‘The problem is that I can’t use stat points for a while.’

The hidden piece in the stat window.

The minimum points required to use it are 100.

I can’t waste precious points on the entrance exam, especially the 1st stage.

I checked the skills I have again.

Hmm, they’re really the best.

A collection of skills that can’t be broken even with the knowledge of a veteran.

‘I need to find another way.’

In reality, I’m as incompetent as a slime.

I need to find someone to help me.

Preferably a very kind person!

“Next group, please enter!”

I scanned the surroundings using the information window, but I didn’t see anyone suitable.

The people around me were all the same.

‘Damn. Should I just find someone with good stats and drag them along? Hmm...?’

Then, a girl entered my field of vision.

Light pink hair. Twin tails on both sides, eyes with slightly upturned corners.

A typical cat-like appearance, but her small stature made her overall impression ‘cute’.

Lv: 13

Strength: 30

Agility: 25

Intelligence: 15

Health: 30

Magic: 20

Potential: 0

Owned Skills: [Fighting Spirit A], [Competitive Spirit C], [Swordsmanship C], [Rester Family Style E]

Owned Title: One Who Seeks Revenge

(Living a life solely for revenge. Struggles to control anger. When angry, cannot make rational judgments. When angry, receives a -20 penalty to intelligence.)

‘Luna?’

Why is she here?

If Rodelin, whom I met earlier, is a genius in swordsmanship, then this girl is a prodigy.

The academy professors evaluated her like this.

If she had the time, she might have surpassed Rodelin.

‘Of course, only in swordsmanship... but that’s still impressive.’

But Luna can’t defeat Rodelin. Why?

‘Because she dies before that.’

In the academy, she loses an arm in an incident, wanders, and ultimately meets her end.

Well, that’s not important right now.

‘Luna is a supporting character.’

A supporting character among supporting characters.

I know her story because there’s an episode where she duels one of the academy’s five monsters.

‘Even though she’s a supporting character, I know Luna’s secret from multiple playthroughs.’

A suitable... no, the best person to get some help from.

But there are things to worry about.

From what I know, Luna’s personality is quite dirty.

She’s not a kind enough person to help an incompetent like me.

And although she has a tragic backstory, getting involved with her now might affect the story later...

At that moment.

Luna’s eyes darted and focused on me.

“What are you staring at?”

Her gaze and words were both hostile.

There were only two types of people who would take such a kid as a companion.

A pervert or a serious pervert.

I’m not a pervert, so I smiled and answered Luna’s question.

“Huh, I’m looking at you. As you can see.”

“Crazy bastard. Get lost, or I’ll kill you.”

Luna’s words ended there. She shifted her gaze forward and focused.

Ah, look at that attitude. Really, a brat who’s just asking for it.

Now, my resolve is finally firm.

Luna, that girl.

Is the perfect companion for me.