The Angel Who Fell into the Exam (2)
With that question, the illusion shattered, revealing the true form of the butcher shop owner. Rusa was an elf with long ears. True to her kind, she possessed an otherworldly beauty, and as a martial artist, she stood over 170 cm tall with perfect proportions. If one had to nitpick a flaw, it would be the dark circles under her eyes and her icy demeanor.
"How did you see through it? Answer me!"
Her hand clamped down on his shoulder. She hadn't even applied any real force, but Refri couldn't budge an inch.
"Uh... well..."
Refri panicked. Why was Rusa acting so impulsively? She'd set the test herself, and now she couldn't believe he'd passed? If that was the case, she shouldn't have made such a test to begin with.
He wanted to argue that point, but he held his tongue. Her expression looked too desperate. Honestly, she scared him a little, too.
"Just a guess..."
"Bullshit."
Rusa's face darkened ominously. Her already cold features grew even chillier. Refri quickly spoke up.
"The examiner was devouring that meat like there was no tomorrow. Way more focused on it than I was. No one would ever think an elf—who forbids meat-eating—could chow down like that."
"Right."
Refri flashed a slight smile. He was well aware of his own cuteness. Sure, exploiting it felt a bit gross, but was this the time to be picky about hot or cold rice? It seemed to work—Rusa's grip softened, and she released his shoulder.
"But I'd heard there was an elf professor at Central Academy who eats meat. I figured if it was her, she'd show off her meat-munching to fool people and make them hesitate to guess 'elf' when asked about her race."
Refri marveled at his own logic. From today onward, he was Logic Angel Refri.
"You expect me to buy that?"
Rusa growled, her voice low and menacing.
"It's true... really."
What incredible talent, Rusa thought. To uncover her perfectly hidden identity so quickly, then pinpoint her race based on scant clues. For such a young kid to have this kind of gift... It had been ages since she'd felt this greedy.
And besides... those trembling hands, the brave front hiding real fear, the steadfast posture. And... that truly angelic face. The combination of it all was... like...
Rusa spaced out for a moment. Then she was startled. Pitying him? Wanting to help? It had been nearly a century since she'd harbored such weak thoughts.
Regaining her composure, she said, "Fine. You pass. Here's your application form."
"...Really?"
His face bloomed into a radiant smile at those words. Rusa barely suppressed a twitch at the corner of her mouth.
"And since you passed the bonus round... you deserve a fitting reward."
"A reward...?"
A fitting reward? Refri couldn't hide his joy. Seeing that, Rusa had to expend even more effort to maintain her icy facade.
"What's your name, kid?"
"Refri."
"Alright, Refri. I'll write you a recommendation letter."
She added, almost defensively, "Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not doing this out of any personal fondness. Spotting me right at the start of registration, then nailing my race from those clues—it's all top-tier stuff. That's why you're getting the letter."
With a gold-trimmed antique fountain pen, Rusa dashed off the recommendation in one fluid motion. In truth, she held Refri in high regard. Incredible talent. She wanted him. He was cute, too...
"Don't misunderstand. Got it?"
"Thank you so much...!"
Clutching the recommendation and application, Refri bowed deeply, hands clasped at his navel.
"I'll definitely pass!"
Seeing the boy's beaming smile, Rusa nearly said, Yeah, I'll be expecting great things... She couldn't fathom why she was so flustered. She'd lived over a century longer than most humans, never once toyed with by any man... and now this brat had her rattled? No matter how talented he was... impossible.
Regretfully watching his retreating back? Absolutely impossible.
* * *
Refri clutched the application and recommendation letter. Naturally, he felt great.
Yes. My memories of the future still hold up. I might actually make it into Central Academy. And this is a recommendation from Rusa, who oversees the whole exam—way more valuable than others...
To enroll in the Central Academy he'd longed for. Refri couldn't stop imagining it. Once in, he'd be called a cadet, right? Leaping from jobless orphan to elite cadet at Central Superhuman Academy, acknowledged by all. A truly exhilarating jump.
If that happens... I won't live like my past life ever again, right?
He folded the application and tucked it into his pocket. Then he eyed the recommendation. Simple contents: Martial Arts Professor Rusa Sherinen recommends Refri.
Was Rusa Sherinen always this kind?
Of course, this was Refri's first time meeting her. But he knew plenty about her. Info on Rusa Sherinen was all over Saemak Wiki, Awakener databases, even Itube.
So he knew who she was, what she'd done... and what awaited her in the future. That's why this felt off.
Rusa Sherinen wasn't known for writing recommendations. She was stingy with praise, harsh in evaluations—nicknamed "Seeding Master" for her brutal C-grade handouts. She only showed passion for teaching students she liked, which had caused issues.
Yet here she was, praising a low-stat awakener like him and writing a letter despite the hassle?
Wikis really can't be trusted.
Unease crept in. He'd challenged the entrance exam solely on future knowledge, and already a discrepancy? But quitting now was out of the question.
* * *
Central Superhuman Academy's entrance exam was practically an international event. A chance to glimpse the hope closing dungeons and slaying monsters.
So it made sense that even mere application submission drew such crowds.
Central Academy's application center wasn't just drop-off—it was the preliminary exam.
Inside the academy, the "center" was a laughably simple tent. But with media from around the world, the name fit perfectly.
Among them, two reporters from Superhuman Newspaper—a paper dedicated to superhuman news—huffed warm breath as they chatted.
"Honestly... waiting's pointless now."
"What do you mean, sunbae?"
February, winter's fury unrelenting. The senior fiddled with his hot pack dismissively.
"No one's coming today. Even active detection or tracking superhumans would need over ten hours to find those professors. Academy entrants are geniuses, sure, but no way in a few hours."
"But..."
"But finding's just step one. Gotta snag the application from those picky profs too. Factoring that in... no one else today. They can't."
"Still..."
The junior glanced around. Most reporters zoned out; some scrolled phones boredly. Others ditched cameras for coffee.
"No helping it..."
"Exactly. Let's warm up and take it easy."
"B-but."
"But what?! You my little sister or something?!"
The senior barked, but the junior ignored him, pointing instead.
"Someone's coming over there."
"...What?"
A boy approached from afar. The center erupted in chaos—shutter clicks, waking cameramen, scrambling gear.
"Wait, who's that? Never seen him."
"Some guild? Or family?"
They stared. Golden hair, angelic beauty. Vulgar term, but it fit perfectly. Yet mismatched: worn jacket, shy face amid sudden attention, awkward posture screaming discomfort.
Veteran reporters clocked it instantly. With looks like that, they'd know him. Not an elite from a major faction. Probably freshly awakened—or not at all.
Then the application emerged from his pocket.
"My god."
"Already?"
Reporters swarmed. Over ten mics thrust forward; the boy stumbled, flustered.
"Reporters. Pressuring examinees could spark diplomatic issues. You know that, right?"
A professor watching spoke up. Short-cropped hair like a soldier—Park Jinho, top-ten Korea in close combat, a powerhouse superhuman. To see such a legend in person, serving as professor no less. Refri's heart raced anew.
"Get in here quick. No need to deal with them one by one."
"Ah... thank you."
Park Jinho took the application, muttering, "Hm, real deal. Refri? Foreigner?"
"No, Korean citizen."
"No superhuman family... no guild affiliation?"
"Yes."
The professor grinned, intrigued. "A rookie ignoring guild offers snags Rusa's form. Weird. No special power I can sense. Unless..."
His eyes sharpened. Refri tensed.
"Hah, no way Rusa got duped. My bad."
"No problem."
"...Two already, huh."
The professor led him down a hall. Wait... hall? Wasn't this a shabby tent? Why a long brick corridor inside? And two? Someone beat him?
Honestly, Refri thought he'd be first. He'd basically cheated with the answers—full marks or bust, right? Someone outscoring a cheater? What kind of monster?
"Rest here."
The hall ended in a grand Western-style chamber—French palace chandelier, marble floors, antique furniture. One oddity: tons of doors.
And amid them stood a woman with long hair. Refri recognized her instantly.
"No way... no way...?"
A chill ran through him.