14 - Exam Preparation
Saturday, Clarice Academy student council room.
“Hngh… ha… ahh, you mongrel underclassman… underclassman…”
Even a full day later, the fury of Lilith Larosel, the second-year magic division student council president, had yet to subside. Her hands trembled uncontrollably, her emotions barely contained—she felt like she might just let out a piercing wail.
“Lilith… calm down… calm down.”
Worshipping demons had never been easy. In an academy dedicated solely to exterminating evil, walking a path no one else dared was bound to bring trials like this. Lilith believed it was only natural. Clutching her face in her hands, she sobbed softly.
“Hoo… hngh… Lev underclassman… I want to rip out those eyes…”
Had she underestimated him too much? Once he'd seized her weakness, unexpected costs had piled up. She'd danced in the palm of his hand. And so, Lev Denek—that bastard—had to die. Die in the most agonizing way possible, his final words a scream and a plea for mercy, transformed into a Main and detonated from within. Then offer his soul as sacrifice. That would bring her one step closer to Satan's will. With that thought, Lilith clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms.
“Just wait a little longer… you pathetic underclassman…”
The first-years' selection exam was on Monday. That day would be perfect to demonize him.
Sunday, academy physical training room.
With two days of solid muscle-building behind me, I headed to the archery practice range.
“Ugh, ughhh…”
The black market fatigue recovery potion was definitely effective; the stuff sold inside the academy barely made a dent. This was game mechanics at work—my body must be under close beta judgment, exempt from item normalization. In the early days of Reincarnated Hero, consumable efficiency varied by region, forcing tedious travel just to stock the best potions. It wasn't a flawless cheat passive, that much was clear.
Archery range entrance.
-Flash.
The crystal orb lit up briefly, granting me entry. What greeted me was…
-Whoosh!
-Boom!
-Whoosh!
-Kaboom!
Remote magic, javelins, throwing weapons, bows… In each transparent yet distinctly partitioned space, cadets in training gear were practicing with the intensity of Olympic athletes at a national camp.
Problem is… no spots open.
The archery practice range had private booths and communal areas. The privates were all booked by upperclassmen, thanks to my late start—too wiped out to wake up early. No choice but to hit the communal. Luckily, B communal was empty.
……
A circular domed space. I took the lane at the far end, pulling out my crossbow. Dried properly after yesterday's session, it felt perfect in my grip.
Target distance: 50 meters. Shorter than Olympic recurve, but still no cakewalk for me.
First shot…
-Whoosh!
-Thud!
Near the edge, but hitting the target itself felt routine now. I shook out my hand and loaded the second bolt.
-Whoosh!
-Thud!
In the target again. Farther from center, though. Fine by me. My goal was pure accuracy. Power came from the crossbow; hits were priority one.
As I nocked the third bolt, someone took the lane next to mine.
“?”
Pale—but not ghostly—skin, matching platinum hair… A familiar face. Selena Windforce, heroine from around Main Episode 2.
Here for archery too? Cynical personality, sure, but no slacker. She could've booked a private booth, so why… here… in this empty space… right next to me?! It was like picking the urinal beside mine in a empty bathroom.
Despite my silent scream, she just stood there, eyes closed, bow undrawn—like she had no intention of training.
“……”
I watched her quietly in return. She cracked open just her left eye to glance at me, then closed it again.
“…Hey, what the hell?”
“…”
No answer. Come to think of it, in the novel, her world was archery, self-care, training, more training, mindset, meditation. That glare last time fit too.
She checking if I'm gunning for top archer or something? Come to see how good I am?
Even as a stranger, I had to ask.
“…Hey, you’re not here to spy on me, are you?”
To my gruff question, she replied haughtily.
“……Just do what you’re gonna do.”
Sweat slicked my palms.
Leave me alone!
By academy archer hopeful standards, I sucked. Total beginner… Like hitting the gym and only benching the bar—embarrassing with onlookers. No newb sympathy?
“Staring like that makes it awkward…”
“……”
“Fine, whatever.”
Lev Denek's rep meant no reasoning with her. I loaded the third bolt and took aim.
And in that instant—
…Selena had already left the lane.
“Jeez.”
Talent freaks could judge form at a glance, huh? Left alone, I threw myself into solitary practice.
-Rustle…
Thankfully, the day of the ranking selection exam dawned bright and clear. Held in Lint Forest—the academy's largest grounds, ideal for personal barriers—it was past 4 p.m., the first event of the day. Towering trees cast deep shadows, but cadets hyped outdoors made it lively chatter.
“Yo, see that? Someone cleared Chamber 1 in third place.”
“Yeah, took over six hours, right?”
“Brutal. Cheat maybe? They added the three-hour limit for a reason.”
“Anon too, super sus…”
“Admin's an honorary prof, though. Collusion?”
Ahem. Cough. Awkward as hell. Good thing I stayed anonymous. Didn't expect this much buzz.
Sheepish, I pulled up my status window.
▶ STATUS
[Strength]: 1.75
[Vitality]: 2.0
[Agility]: 1.4
[Mana Power]: 1.0
[Mana]: 1.0
[Mental Strength]: 1.25
[Perception]: 1.0
[Specialty]
Circle Magic (1)
Crossbow - Proficiency (3)
Weekend crash course paid off. Crossbow proficiency hit 3.
[3]
[At 70% of max range, minimum accuracy boosted to 95%]
[Critical hit chance +2%]
Crit chance aside, misses were off the table now. Stats still laughably low compared to mains, but enough to pass this exam smoothly, I figured.
Then, a familiar chime rang out again.
-Ding!
[Main Event 2]
Mission: Help a supporting character. Get the alchemist 'Hazel the Wonder' through the selection exam.
Reward: Supporting Character Points +100
Time Remaining: 11 hours 59 minutes
What the…
Hazel the Wonder. So minor I barely remembered her. Droopy voice, passive vibe, glasses, bland face, vague stats. Not a main—pure catalyst for events, like all extras and supports. Lev originally fused with demon scraps to trigger Edwin's awakening; Hazel was baggage to amp tension for the hero party.
System makes sense now.
These supporting quests popped right before main events.
Then, chatter from nearby female cadets.
-Our party's screwed… One short.
-What about her?
-Who?
A chill glance my way.
-You wanna die?!
-Shh, she'll hear…
Dogshit…
Getting the “your boyfriend just passed” treatment live was weirdly stinging. Always hits deep when you catch it. Yeah, all Lev's karma.
Exam results set rankings, perks, even gems. No one wants to team with a guy like me and risk drama. Hazel probably same.
Guess I ditch the supporting quest.
That’s when Aria started walking slowly toward me from afar.
I whipped my gaze away fast. Melissa might nitpick; didn’t need misunderstandings.
Just start the damn exam already…
“Excuse me.”
“…”
“Lev Denek?”
“Uh, me?”
I panicked, but surrounding cadets—including Melissa—froze in shock, area going dead silent.
An impossible delusion come true: the beauty talking to the class loner.
Nothing like this in the novel.
But Aria addressed me directly.
“Party with me.”
Her tone was curt, stripped to bare essentials.