Entrance Exam (1)
Was "majestic" the word for this? As he lifted his head, a colossal building came into view. Unlike a single uniform structure, it was a harmonious blend of diverse and unique architectures maintaining perfect balance. Guard posts, reinforced outer walls, mana detection devices—every expensive piece of equipment imaginable hung from it, surpassing mere extravagance to form a natural fortress.
Of course, even this meant little when monsters and villains treated it like their own backyard.
Prunel Academy. The main stage of the original novel, serving as a steady backdrop until the mid-game before the Demon God's descent. As with any academy story.
By setting, it was the ultra-ultra-ultra prestigious academy that naturally topped not just the domestic ones but all academies worldwide. He'd felt it in his previous life too—the status was almost excessively grand.
It's not like this place is overflowing with national pride or anything...
True to the hype, there were plenty of cadets who looked like they came from abroad. Most were probably here to graduate and return to their home countries. A Prunel diploma was recognized everywhere.
Or maybe snag a better contract offer.
This cramped country being an awakener powerhouse... Well, that all became meaningless the moment the Demon God bared its fangs for real.
Time to head in.
Inside, an unmanned kiosk was set up. Having done this once before, he breezed through the authentication and ID check with practiced ease. Finally, he shoved his hand into the grotesque statue nearby.
Still ugly as hell, even on second look.
The statue extended its long tongue, licking his forearm with meticulous care. The shitty sensation didn't get any less repulsive the second time around.
Cadet Choi Siwoo. We sincerely congratulate you on your admission to Prunel Academy.
We have completed the measurement of your stats. We promise strict confidentiality—please verify the values.
He pulled out the printed exam sheet. It listed the stats he'd grinded out over seven intense days of training.
Nice gains.
Strength and Agility had jumped 1.9 each to 5. Vitality rose by 0.9, Technique by a full 1. Focusing on stamina, strength, and explosive power had paid off.
If opportunities come my way, maybe I'll hit my previous life's realm in four years.
As a side note, the elixir from Erina was already swallowed. It was too much to fully absorb yet, so it lingered in his body, dissolving bit by bit. Normally he'd need dedicated mana cultivation, but Irelua's Blessing minimized side effects—no issues there.
Time will handle the absorption naturally.
Bonus: It satisfied the conditions to acquire it too.
Anyway, he was about to head to the exam hall when he spotted a girl in the corner kiosk, grunting and frowning. Bright brown bob hair to her neck, a bit shorter than average—she was gesturing frantically at her backside, screaming frustration.
No need to explain at this point; he knew the face.
Five years, huh.
Ohana. Academy classmate, comrade-in-arms through life and death, direct subordinate. And the infuriating woman who'd died before her captain—him.
...
Hiding his tangled emotions, he approached slowly.
"Argh! Why the hell won't this thing work?!"
Ohana was sweating bullets, fumbling desperately. Such a simple button press, yet she couldn't get it—made him chuckle involuntarily.
Still hopeless with electronics, even from the start.
He recalled the mission failure because she couldn't activate the timed bomb.
He stepped up and reached for the screen.
"Huh, what?"
Her startled voice followed as he boldly pressed away. With a [Registered] message, the exam sheet spat out.
[Registered]
"Ah! Thanks a ton!"
Ohana beamed brightly, bowing. Her signature green eyes caught his gaze. Familiarity mixed with a thorn-like stab deep in his chest.
He forced a casual smile.
"Fellow freshman, right? We gotta help each other out."
"Oh! You're a newbie too? Nice to meet ya! I'm Ohana, 17 years old!"
He shook her proffered hand as she grinned ear to ear.
"Choi Siwoo. Same age, 17. Nice to meet you."
* * *
"So get this! Right around here, there's this pro-ranked spot in the top 50 eats..."
"...lately in the back alleys, cats going missing..."
"Gotta hit that shop after enrollment..."
"......"
He'd forgotten after so long. Ohana was insanely talkative. Her bright, cute looks faded under the torrent—earning her the nickname "beauty if she'd shut up."
Not that it's bad.
This lively vibe. Memories of the four of them together flooded back fresh.
Adding occasional nods, they reached a plaza packed with at least a hundred cadets.
"Siwoo! Look over there!"
He turned. Three figures soaked up all the attention.
Glimpses through the crowd told him exactly who.
The Hero Party...
From enrollment to graduation, unmatched in popularity, fame, skill, ranking. Three of the so-called "Big Four."
Naturally, the platinum blonde girl drew the most hype. Hero Erina Yulis.
She greeted each approaching cadet with a smile. Considering her shy true nature, she was clearly forcing it.
Such a stubborn woman.
As if sensing him, she turned. Their eyes met naturally. Her face lit up, hand rising in wave.
He ignored it, scanning elsewhere.
A silver-haired girl smiled wordlessly. Even suppressed, her vast holy power cast a faint halo behind her.
Yurika Heinrich.
Prunel uniform topped with a nun's veil and priestess robe—an odd fashion clash. Pale skin that screamed "pale," bloodshot red eyes. More vampire than Saintess.
Yurika chatted occasionally with cadets, smiling. It pissed him off.
Pulling that two-faced act...
"Please just fuck off already."
"...!"
Shit, stared too long. Her inscrutable gaze made him turn away on reflex.
Habits die hard. She's a stranger—no connection, just coincidence.
Finally, his eyes landed on a girl in a luxurious fur coat over her uniform despite the mild weather. Childish imitation of adult style, but her innate charisma and elegance sold it.
Wien Joun.
Jo-un family's second daughter. True to her lineage, unbelievable strength from her slender frame.
Already shed the fledgling stage.
Refined breathing, controlled power flow. Amateurish by his standards, but far beyond a mere cadet's aura.
No Seol Garam, huh.
She'd probably rush in a minute before the exam. Girl had zero time sense.
As he mused, the plaza speakers crackled louder with static. A man stepped onto the platform. Prunel nameplate, recognition tag on his chest—clearly an instructor.
He raised the mic.
"Greetings, cadets. I'm Instructor Kang Hanseong, in charge of your exam briefing and guidance."
Murmurs erupted at the name.
"Kang Hanseong... No way, that White Wolf?"
"Heard he retired recently—why here...?"
"Prunel must've thrown big money at him."
"Nah, an A-rank hero—what's he lacking to teach?"
He tuned it out, watching silently.
Kang Hanseong. Hero codename White Wolf. A-rank hero respected even in powerhouse Korea, infamous in many ways.
Zero tolerance for injustice—screw the Association or government, villains or demons get zero mercy, killed on sight. Yet he clings strictly to justice.
Online darling: guard dog or crowd-pleaser. Huge fanbase.
Thus, plenty of haters.
Defied orders, so brass hated him. Kill-first policy bred enemies. Without top-tier skill, he'd be long gone.
From his view, though, the guy was a benefactor. Spotted his sword talent when he had nothing, taught basics and skills.
He listened quietly to the rest. Long-winded, but summed up:
"Thanks for coming. Now, class assignment exam: survival test."
Divide into groups, teleport somewhere, shine for bonus points. Identical to his previous life.
"Kill lots, kill strong ones, survive to backstab—rack up high scores however."
Simple, perfect for gauging overall ability.
"Finally, for morale boost, our academy provides prizes."
Here it comes.
Kang Hanseong pulled out a silver case. Inside gleamed a golden apple, radiant.
"No way... that? Golden Apple?"
"Real deal?"
"Nah, probably fake. Modern replicas ain't bad though."
No, pure real.
Idun's Golden Apple. Legend says the goddess of youth grew it herself.
Below nectar or amrita, but North European myth theme packed potent elixir power. Priceless.
Mouths gaped at its aura.
"Focus. Top performer per group gets one."
Noise exploded louder. Fair—50 per group meant over 10 apples given out.
"Prunel got real balls. That rarity..."
"Heard new chairman took over—his doing?"
"Doesn't matter. No such prize last year. Why now...?"
Obvious.
Spotlight.
Key cadets like Big Four seeded one or two per group. They'd shine for the apple, feats spreading organically.
Ultimately, broadcast Prunel prestige worldwide.
What showoffs.
Showmanship mattered, but overkill. Fitting stage for protag and supports, though.
"Group assignments now."
Moments later, a G-group badge pinned to his chest.
G Group...
Same as before. Same opponents too.
"Siwoo's G, huh?"
Ohana, now casual, flashed her I tag.
"Good we won't clash. Ah! It's really starting."
Cadets vanished one by one, as she said. Their turn: pick weapons.
He scanned, grabbed the sturdiest training longsword. Mass-produced crap, but...
Good enough for the exam.
Won't snap after a few swings, right?
Glancing over, Ohana eyed a rubber-bullet pistol lovingly, then hesitated and picked her usual twin daggers.
Instinct told him: same dilemmas this life too.
"Good luck on the exam, Siwoo!"
"Yeah."
His turn first. He nodded farewell and followed the guide.
Teleportation commencing. Brace for impact.
He closed his eyes at the voice. Thus began his second life's first entrance exam.