Chapter 5: Entrance Ceremony 3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 5: Entrance Ceremony 3
With a clean slice of my hand, the final monster split in two.
"Just who the hell are you?"
Lucas had approached me before I even realized it, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. He wasn't the only one; the other students were staring at me with the exact same expression.
It wasn't the kind of look you gave someone just because they were handsome.
Were they shocked by how easily I’d handled the monsters? Or was it because I stood there as if nothing had happened, while even Lucas was panting and drenched in sweat? Perhaps it was both.
"· · · · · · ·."
Lucas and the others waited for my answer, but I couldn't squeeze out a single word.
Because I was absolutely exhausted!
I feel like I’m going to die!
My arms and legs were trembling so violently I wanted to collapse right there. Inside the mask, my face was dripping with sweat.
The only reason the other students thought I was fine was because of my trait, Poker Face.
I desperately wanted to just lie down and rest, but with everyone’s eyes fixed on me, my Clown trait was working overtime.
I walked to a spot where as many students as possible could see me.
"It seems you are all curious about my identity."
Feeling the weight of every gaze, I bowed deeply and placed my right hand over my heart. It was the theatrical gesture of an actor taking a bow after a grand performance.
"My apologies for the late introduction. I am a student, just like you. My name is Loki—just an ordinary clown."
As soon as I finished speaking, a rift tore open in the air behind me, followed by a heavy thoom. I didn't even need to look to know what was there. It was undoubtedly a Golem, accompanied by dozens of monsters.
It was a 'defeat event' from Croaka. A stage that wasn't meant to be cleared, but one where defeat was scripted.
But who am I?
A hardcore veteran who played Croaka for ten years, a man of stunning looks, every woman's ideal, and every man's enemy—the handsome clown. That’s me. That’s why I was able to take down the Golem in the game's defeat event.
Even now, with the game having become reality, nothing had changed. We could easily take down a single Golem if we worked together.
Or so I thought—until I saw that there were two Golems.
What the hell? I didn't expect two of them to show up.
"This is impossible."
"How are we supposed to kill that?"
The other students either slumped to the ground or backed away, clearly giving up on the fight.
Yet, why was I smiling? Whether it was because of the Clown trait or my pride as a gamer, I didn't hate this sudden turn of events.
The Golems and the monsters remained still. Perhaps because they weren't attacking yet, a flicker of hope began to stir among the students.
"They're just standing there?"
"We've done enough already."
"Does that mean we don't have to fight them?"
The students were reaching a consensus: they didn't want to fight anymore. And honestly, their judgment was correct.
In reality, the professors had already finished grading the students. Whether they defeated the Golems or not wouldn't change their evaluations. Nevertheless, the reason I defeated the Golem in Croaka, and the reason I intended to defeat them now, was simple.
Because it’s fun.
As if possessed, I stepped forward. There were two other people making the same foolish decision.
Lucas Leonhart and Clara Adelian.
"Loki, it doesn't seem like we're required to fight them. Why are you stepping forward?"
"You're asking me that, Lucas, and yet you're walking right beside me?"
"Both of you, shut up. We're all going for the Golems anyway."
Just as Clara Adelian said, the three of us were moving forward for one reason: to take down the Golems. However, our motivations were different.
Lucas wanted to test himself as a warrior.
Clara wanted to satisfy her curiosity as a mage.
And me? I wanted to take on a new challenge as a gamer.
But before we could tackle the Golems, there was something we had to do first. We had to clear out the monsters surrounding them.
"I think we should clear the small fry around the Golems first. Who wants them?"
When I spoke up, the three of us glanced at each other, gauging the situation. I was the first to break the silence.
"Lucas, you look quite exhausted. Why don't you rest while taking care of the trash? I'll handle the Golems as a special favor."
"Exhausted? I'm perfectly fine. Besides, with that many monsters, shouldn't a mage be the one to handle them?"
"What are you talking about? Who do you think killed the most monsters so far?"
If someone was going to fight the Golems, someone else had to hold off the horde. All three of us wanted the Golems; none of us wanted the grunt work. As I pondered how to handle this, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.
"I have a plan. Could you lend me your ears for a moment?"
Lucas and Clara leaned in, curious. I pointed toward the students who were standing idly behind us. Many had already fainted after being attacked by monsters, so there weren't many left.
"How about we use the people over there?"
"I doubt those cowards will be willing to fight," Clara said, dismissing the idea immediately.
I looked at Lucas.
"Wouldn't it work if one of us was persuasive enough?"
Hearing my words, Clara also turned her gaze toward Lucas. Honestly, to make use of them, we needed the status of the Crown Prince.
"Are you telling me to go persuade them?"
"I didn't say that specifically, did I?"
I said it while staring intently at Lucas. Yes, I'm telling you to do it.
"Sigh."
Lucas let out a short sigh and walked toward the students. His voice, unlike the one he used with us just moments ago, was incredibly cold.
"What is everyone doing? Do you intend to just stand there and watch when the enemy is right before you?"
"B-but..."
"Why did you come to the Academy? I came here to test myself. Unlike the world outside, I knew that here, I could find out how far I could go with nothing but my spear."
His voice had a strange power that drew people in. It was the trait held only by the Imperial Family: [Domination].
"That is why I wish to test myself. If you also wish to test yourselves, then stop this foolishness of giving up and fight!"
As I watched the scene, Clara spoke to me. While not as much as Johanna, Clara was a character I liked, so I listened.
"Where did you learn your sword—no, never mind. There's no way."
I knew what she was going to ask. She probably wanted to know where I learned my swordsmanship. There would be time to talk to her about that later.
"What's this? Are you two having a nice chat without me?"
"Clara seemed quite interested in me, so she struck up a conversation," I replied.
Behind Lucas, who had returned, stood the students who were still capable of fighting, weapons in hand.
"Tsk, I didn't say anything. Anyway, can they actually fight? It looks like some of them just got swept up in the mood."
"Hehe, don't worry. I know a spell that will give them strength."
I hadn't planned on using this method, but it seemed I had no choice.
"Hello, everyone! As I introduced myself earlier, I am Loki."
Lucas and Clara stared at me, curious about what I was going to say.
"Are you guys scared?"
The students' eyes widened in disbelief. I didn't give them a chance to process the insult before I kept talking.
"I'm not even asking you to kill the Golems, just to hold back the small fry. If you're too terrified, feel free to just sit back and rest. I'll handle everything myself."
"What did you say?!"
"You think we're scared of a few measly monsters?"
"That's right! We'll block them so perfectly that not a single one gets past us!"
I gave a V-sign to Lucas and Clara as the energized students rallied behind us.
"How was it? My 'strength-giving spell'?"
"Haha, you really are something."
Lucas laughed as if he couldn't help himself, while Clara turned her head away, ignoring me.
"Hey, Clara! Don't ignore me. Tell me what you thought of my spell!"
"Shut up. Are you going to fight the Golems or not?"
"Of course I am. If I don't hurry, the cold-hearted Clara might take all the credit."
"You...!"
Lucas, Clara, and I sprinted toward the Golems.
Monsters lunged at us, but we didn't pay them any mind.
A monster charging at us was suddenly sent flying by a massive fist.
A man with bronze skin and a giant frame stepped forward. The heir of the Isar tribe.
Kuran Isar.
"I, Kuran Isar, a proud warrior of the Isar tribe, shall protect you from these beasts! I'll leave that oversized prey in front to you!"
"Thank you, Kuran! Let's work out together sometime!"
Thanks to him, I didn't have to stop.
"Watch your heads!"
At the voice from behind, I ducked.
A gust of wind tore through the air above me, shredding the monsters in my path.
A woman with fluttering pink hair who commanded spirits. The adopted daughter of the Rivayden family.
Sepia Rivayden.
"I'm not like those other losers! I wasn't scared like a coward; I was just resting to prepare for the Golems!"
"Haha! Such strength! Your words are truly reliable!"
With the help of a few others, we were able to ignore the monsters and keep running.
Finally, we arrived before the Golems.
Seeing them up close, their size was staggering. I had run all the way here, but I hadn't actually thought of a specific plan to take them down.
However, my mouth, aided by the Clown trait, spat out more nonsense.
"Well then, for the sake of the students who supported us this far, let's put on the ultimate performance."
