Entrance Exam (2): Elena Hates Kiren

Elena hated Kiren.

She had poured her all into that spell, her masterpiece, and executed it perfectly. Elena was convinced she was top of the class, certain no student in this intake could surpass her level. But the moment she sat down, the first words she heard were:

'Trash.'

Elena glanced sideways at the guy who'd sat next to her. Pale skin, striking blonde hair. A boy slouching arrogantly, arms folded, staring off into space.

'Name was probably Kiren Montella, right?' It was the name she'd overheard him muttering in front of the bulletin ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠board earlier.

'He talks like he's pretty strong...'

Elena had memorized the names of everyone with real talent and skill. But she'd never heard of this Kiren before. Hidden disciple of some grand archmage? Secret son? '...Who knows.'

No point overthinking it. Elena decided to just watch the rest of the exams. He was probably just some bluffing nobody full of hot air anyway.

"Phew, that should do it."

I'd sorted out my plan in my head. It was a hasty one I'd thrown together right after pulling that skill, but it was arrogant enough to rack up plenty of Arrogance Points.

I checked my Status Window.

The skill I'd just gacha'd. I'd figured an F-rank was total garbage, but the name alone screamed cheat. Lets me copy someone else's skill. Max two slots and costs Arrogance Points, which sucks a bit, but since it can evolve, higher grades probably mean more ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slots and stronger copies.

I pulled my eyes from the Status Window and glanced at the seat next to me. Elena, watching the exam takers in the Training Ground. She'd already been marked as my first skill target.

Why? 'She's the most useful right now.'

I closed my eyes briefly, recalling Elena's exam. Firing two blades in different directions to trisect the straw dummy—a spell she'd devised herself. Wind Blade, incomplete version.

'It's only natural it's incomplete.'

In the story, she perfects Wind Blade late-game. Comparing then to now? Like comparing the old Hwang from my computer-shop days in Yongsan to the current one.

Anyway. I needed an attack skill now. But I wasn't some masochistic grinder who'd memorized every extra's skills, so I picked Elena. Copying hers at this point shouldn't cost too many points. Sure, I could hunt for someone better, but our group was up next—no time. Plus, no guarantee I could copy it anyway. So, quick copy it is.

'Copy target: Elena.'

Yes, of course. -Flash!

A new blue window popped up in front of me.

It worked just like that? Too easy.'

For an F-rank skill, it's ridiculously broken. Costs Arrogance Points, sure, but the pros outweigh that. ...Anyway, total honey!

And so time passed.

"Next, final group! Prepare for your exam!"

My turn. Hands in pockets, I struck the most arrogant pose possible as I headed to the Training Ground.

"Elena."

"...Me?"

"Watch closely."

I dropped that line for Elena and took my position in the Training Ground. Deep breath, then opened the Status Window.

'All-in on Magic stat.'

Short by exactly 50. Whatever, one pull fixes that.

"Elena!"

Right before the exam start, I called out to her glaring at me from the stands. Her eyes went wide—she clearly hadn't expected me to address her. Ignoring it, I bellowed again.

"I'll show you real magic, not that trash!"

More than I'd expected—100 extra—but no time to celebrate. The Examiner watching my antics was about to signal the start.

'Magic to D-rank!!'

The instant my Magic stat hit D...

"Guh...!"

Pain unlike anything I'd felt exploded through my body. From my toes up my legs, torso, arms, to my head. Mana surged wildly, instinctively engraving Mana Circuits into my flesh.

The circuits every mage needs to cast spells. But damn.

'This... hurts... way more... than expected...!!'

No! It fucking hurts!! Feels like my limbs are gonna snap off!!

But I had to endure. If I rolled on the ground like a loser...

[Pathetic, unarrogant beta-male bullshit!] [-999999 Arrogance Points]

Obvious. So all I could do was grit my teeth with pure grit. I, Kiren, am a man! Got confidence in my endurance!

How long passed? My overheated body finally cooled. I felt the Mana Circuits perfectly settled in me... and hundreds of eyes staring.

Everyone else had apparently finished their exams already.

"Examinee Kiren, if you're not confident, you can forfeit."

The Examiner approached, patting my shoulder.

"Nah, I'll show you right now."

"...".

Don't look at me like that. I'm not saying this cuz I want to!

Anyway. Eyes closed, deep breath. Recall Elena's stance. Mimic her exact pose for Wind Blade. Right leg back, arm pulled behind.

"W-Wait!!"

Elena's voice from the stands. She'd figured out what I was doing. Whatever her reaction, I ignored it and focused. Activate my fresh-out-the-box Mana Circuits. Deploy the copied Wind Blade.

Even a basic cast would pass the exam. But where's the fun in that?

I pictured Elena casting Wind Blade again—not here, but late-game, final battle. Sharper, denser blades. Her at the vanguard, massacring monsters.

Perfect. Like swinging an invisible sword, I swept my right arm wide.

"... Wind Blade."

First came the sound. Air tearing with a thin, sharp screech. Then, the straw dummy collapsed.

Not collapsed— it was no longer in a form that could stand.

Diced like cube steak, base and all. Only perfect hexa-cubes remained on the ground.

"...Kiren Montella. Pass."

"Unnecessary words. It was obvious."

Hands in pockets, heading back to the stands. I felt every eye on me.

'Well, duh.'

Those dummies weren't made to be sliced. Minor damage passes, slicing marks genius. And I'd cubed the damn thing.

'...Honestly, didn't expect this much myself.'

Why didn't you tell me high comprehension ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠buffs skills, Status Window? That sweet ability. Not permanent S-rank, though.

Anyway. Sat down, and a piercing glare hit from the right. Elena, face screaming she had words.

"How the hell did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Wind Blade! That's my spell... Years to make it, how...!"

"Obviously?"

I slicked back my hair with my left hand.

"No spell in this world I can't wield."

"...What?"

"Anyway. Thoughts on my magic?"

"Fucking... strong."

"Hmph, credit where due— you've got an eye."

. . .

'Holy shit, this is insane?'

One big show and points explode. Probably thanks to that embarrassing pre-exam line I endured for. At this rate, munchkin status in no time. Grinning like at a red-stocked chart...

"Hey."

"...What."

Familiar voice from behind. Turned my head lazily instead of fully—too nice otherwise. Saw silver hair, blue eyes.

...Silver-haired blue-eyes? By genre rules, those are always trouble.

...But who? Voice rings a bell, face doesn't.

"...Who're you?"

"That thing earlier. How?"

"How what."

"That. The magic that pulverized the dummy."

"What about i—"

Snap to—and I'm airborne. Flying? Nearly splatted on the wall, but Wind Blade saved my spine.

Silver-hair girl staring openly.

"...The hell?"

"Spar with me."

"What?"

"Spar."

She said ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it straight-faced, expressionless as ever.

...Hah.

"Hilarious. A pup that knows no fear of tigers."