Chapter 8

8. Entrance Exam (5)

I thought it was nothing special, but I soon changed my mind.

Unlike the game where you could restart at any time, allowing for risky play, this was a world where you only had one life.

It meant that survival was crucial.

"Hehehe, on the contrary, it's good... This situation fits the words perfectly."

The harvest was not just this.

'I know how to use this character... no, this half-asleep character.'

Usually, a normal kid.

Somewhat clumsy, but subtly helpful.

Whenever something happened, they would appear from somewhere to help, and even in dangerous situations, they would maintain a unique calm.

In truly dangerous situations, they would reveal their true strength and crush the enemy.

Isn't that the very essence of a half-asleep character?

Various situations and stories where I could use this skill came to mind.

Just imagining it made me happy. Such play was possible!

"Hehehe... It's fun. Really fun."

"Hey."

Huh?

Come to think of it, Luna was there.

Luna's attitude was similar to the beginning.

Of course, there was a slight sense of caution.

"How do you know my secret?"

Hmm, how should I answer?

I needed to get through this situation while pretending to know something.

Suddenly, I remembered a line often used by half-asleep characters in anime.

"Hehe, that's... a secret."

"...A secret?"

"Yes, how I know your secret is a secret. Isn't it fun? Isn't it?"

"T-This is really...! H...!"

Luna, who thought I was strong, couldn't just swing her fist.

She gradually gathered information while holding back.

That would be the best Luna could do.

'Well, I plan to manipulate her a bit to defeat the final boss... I should help her get revenge.'

Of course, very slowly. First, I need to improve our relationship.

I said with a casual tone,

"Phew, anyway, thanks to you, I'm alive. This is a connection, so let's introduce ourselves..."

"Introduce ourselves? You already know my name and my family's secret!"

"Ah, that's right. I'm Zero."

"Ah, that's right? T-This is really...! Ah!"

Luna clenched her fists and trembled.

Her desperate attempt to hold back her anger was quite cute.

"Heh... So, how do you plan to deal with the instructor's death?"

"Huh? Death? Who did such a cruel thing..."

Zzzt.

The look in her eyes said, "Who else but you?"

But I was really innocent. I hadn't killed the instructor.

"Hehe, I never said I killed anyone. I just said it seemed like someone dealt with it."

"...Why are you smiling?"

"I'm really curious. Leaving the academy's prospective students like this is disappointing, isn't it?"

Luna's face contorted. The muscles in her cheeks twitched.

She even cursed under her breath. I could almost hear it, but it was probably just my imagination.

"Heh... Let's find the exit first. We can ask questions after we enter the academy."

"Good judgment."

Luna glared at me. Why is she doing that when I praised her?

Throb.

As I took a step, a sharp pain shot through my right foot.

"Ouch..."

"What's wrong? Did you sprain it?"

"Hehe, it seems so."

-10 minutes before the end of the first exam!

Luna's expression hardened.

We didn't know the location of the exit, and time was running out. I had sprained my ankle.

It was frustrating, but...

"I know the way very well. I know a secret passage that leads to the exit."

"Tell me quickly! Where is it? Where?"

I gestured to Luna.

A slight motion to sit down.

Luna's expression momentarily froze.

What are you just staring at and sitting there?

Pick me up, Luna.

* * *

The second exam venue for the entrance exam.

Hundreds of children gathered like a cloud.

Elesster, the supervisor of the second exam, smiled as he looked at the children who had successfully passed the first exam.

"Hehe, they're always so cute."

Like chicks chirping.

Their appearances and the way they waited for the exam varied.

'These children will grow up to take responsibility for the empire's future... It's always amazing.'

Graduates of Andwood Academy are spread throughout the empire.

Seeing the children who once cried over failing the exam grow up and work was truly amazing.

A more amazing existence than magic.

That was the definition of children given by the great mage Elesster.

'These chicks will grow up soon.'

Of course, they had to pass the second exam I set.

"Elesster-sama, it's time."

"Hmm... Unfortunately, we must follow the rules. Please close the door."

Creak, thud.

As the door closed, the children's faces turned tense.

They must have realized that the second exam was about to begin.

"Hehe, such cute children..."

Boom!

Crash!

"Whoa!"

"What, what is it!"

"Is it a terrorist attack!?"

It wasn't a terrorist attack.

The bushes next to the door burst open with a loud noise.

And something tumbled forward as the bushes burst.

'A person...?'

A chick... no, a girl with pink twin tails, face down on the ground.

And a boy laughing on top of her.

His most distinctive feature was his very small eyes, almost invisible.

"Hehehe, we've arrived. As expected."

...A strange chick appeared.

* * *

Just before the end of the first entrance exam.

"Hehe, to the left."

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

"This time, to the right."

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

The maze scenery flashed by.

It wasn't tiring. Luna was carrying me while running.

'The power of a well-trained body is great.'

It was a part where I could feel Luna's effort and the size of her desire for revenge.

"Hehe, we're here. Now, turn right, and it's the entrance to the second exam venue."

"Haa, haa... Right... Wait! The door is almost closed!?"

As Luna said, the door was almost closed.

The problem was that the gap was too narrow for us to enter.

Thud.

"A, no!"

Luna increased her speed, but she couldn't stop the door from closing.

But it was fine. We had a way.

"Don't give up. The moment you give up, the exam... or the match, is over."

"But the door is closed, how...!"

"Isn't there a bush next to it? We can break through it with our bodies."

"..."

That's right. This was a maze made of bushes and trees.

The sides of the second exam venue's door were made of grass.

The problem was that the bushes were meticulously trimmed by the gardener?

It felt quite elegant.

"Is it really okay?"

Luna slightly turned her head and asked.

Her eyes were saying,

'Hehe, it's okay, right?'

To such Luna, what I said was...

"Hehe, probably."

"You, you crazy bird!"

But Luna was in a situation where she had to enter the academy.

In the end, she started to charge as I said.

Go, Luna! Body slam!

Although I didn't hear a "Luna, Luna!" in response, Luna faithfully followed my command.

Boom!

Crash!

"Whoa!"

"What, what is it!"

"Is it a terrorist attack!?"

As a result, we ended up in this situation.

Luna, exhausted, fell to the ground, but so what.

I safely (?) led her to the second exam venue.

"Don't get down and do what! You damn...!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Luna... I mean, Miss Luna."

I brushed off the leaves and grass from my hair and clothes.

The gardener who would come to work tomorrow would cry, but... it wasn't me who did it, it was Luna.

Luna would get the penalty points.

"Haa, haa... Damn. What kind of secret passage is this?"

"A secret passage isn't a secret passage until it's made. From now on, we'll call this a secret passage."

"...It's not a secret passage if it's visible!!!!!"

Why is a secret passage a secret passage? Because...

It's a secret passage.

Nod.

Luna's head trembled.

Her desperate attempt to hold back her anger was pitiful.

"What... Is this allowed?"

"To be honest, you're disqualified. The door is closed."

"That's right. The time has already passed. You should be disqualified."

Murmur, murmur.

Luna's eyes changed.

The word "disqualified" started from one child's mouth.

It spread like wildfire.

'It's starting.'

The politics to eliminate competitors.

Politics isn't exclusive to politicians or adults.

Children can do it too, especially those entering adolescence.

The age when they enjoy putting down those they don't like and forming cliques.

Since this was the only entrance exam in their lives, it was natural for the politics to eliminate competitors to start.

Clap, clap.

A clear clapping sound suddenly echoed through the exam venue.

But it wasn't an ordinary clap.

The noise made by hundreds of children.

It pierced through the noise and reached everyone's ears.

'...Is this magic? Impressive.'

The surroundings became quiet, so it was clear that everyone heard it.

Everyone's gaze turned to an old man on the stage.

"Hehe, nice to meet you all. I'm Elesster, the supervisor of the second exam."

"Elesster?"

"Be careful! He's a great mage! He was the chief magician of the royal palace!"

"I heard he retired last year... I didn't expect to meet him here."

"Wow..."

Great Mage Elesster.

Achieved the highest level a human can reach, the 9th Circle.

One of the eight pillars of the Andwood Empire, which he helped make the best in the continent.

'...That was the setting of "The Hero of the Academy."'

But contrary to what was known, he hadn't retired from the front lines.

'The official reason is to train the next generation. The real reason is to investigate the unpleasant incidents happening inside the academy.'

He is one of the key characters in the game, though not playable.

"Hmm..."

His gaze turned to Luna and me.

I quickly hid behind Luna.

I was the poor person who was carried by Luna and forced (?) to break through the bushes.

If I fell, it would be right for Luna to fall too.

"The two who just entered have passed the first exam. They broke through the maze in a novel way, so let's acknowledge it."

At that moment, we were given the passing necklaces.

A perfect situation to show off.

"Hehe, as expected."

"...You weren't trying to pass without me, were you?"

"What are you saying? It's a misunderstanding."

"...I see."

Luna's eyes turned cold.

At the same time, one of the children raised their hand hesitantly.

"Um... Elesster-sama?"

"Speak."

"Isn't that novel way just reckless? Anyone could do it..."

It started.

The politics to eliminate competitors.