The Exams Begin
In Heiden Academy, the exam period lasted a mere three days. During that time, the academy permitted outsiders to enter its grounds. Heroes came to gauge the current caliber of the students, while heads of great families arrived to inspect the institution where their own children studied. All sorts of renowned figures made the journey. Most were probably alumni, yet the past and the present were two very different things.
Among those distinguished guests were two particularly important individuals. Two men had just arrived at the academy’s main gate.
“It’s been a while since I last set foot in the academy.”
“You can say that again.”
The moment the pair stopped before the entrance, countless eyes locked onto them.
“Doesn’t that man look like Lord Daren?”
“Who… gasp!”
When the student turned to look, he saw a middle-aged man with light brown hair wearing a white uniform. The student’s eyes widened on their own.
“T-that’s the head of the Gaud family!”
“What?! Then the person beside him is…”
The student, whose attention had been stolen by the Gaud family head, turned his head a little farther and found a middle-aged man with blazing red hair dressed in a black uniform. His eyes burned with Battle Qi.
“I-it’s the Krakt family head!”
The VIPs among VIPs were none other than the heads of the Krakt and Gaud families—Veren Gaud and Shan Krakt.
They lived in the east and west respectively, so distance separated them, but they were famous across the continent for their unusually good relationship.
Feeling the students’ stares, Veren muttered under his breath.
“Looks like we’re pretty famous after all.”
“You think so?”
“Let’s get moving.”
“Yeah, let’s.”
Both men were patriarchs of major houses; even trivial moments had to be spent meaningfully. In truth, they had barely managed to clear their schedules for these three days. That was how high their expectations were.
“I wonder if that rascal Daren is doing all right.”
“I imagine he’s doing better than Shane.”
Shan wasn’t doubting his daughter. He simply felt that the family’s strict educational policies made it difficult for her to adapt to academy life.
“Hmph. You say that so easily.”
Veren, who knew Shane’s talent well, could only snort in disbelief.
“Where should we go first? Daren? Shane?”
“We ought to greet the president first.”
Shan shook his head. Outsider access required permission from President Elena. Unless the visitor was a dangerous criminal, identity verification was enough for approval. The two had already received permission, but given their positions, a formal meeting with the president was necessary.
Meet the president, observe the students taking their exams, then return to their families—all within three days. To use that limited time as efficiently and effectively as possible, they first needed to save every spare minute.
“Mm. That sounds right.”
Step. Step.
Veren and Shan entered the academy.
Although Heiden Academy’s exams were said to be one hundred percent practical, written tests still existed. What did that mean?
It meant the written portion was ridiculously easy.
Even without studying, anyone with a functioning human mind could score well above passing. I glanced at the clock.
Five minutes left.
The written exam wasn’t especially long to begin with. Even though only five minutes remained of the original ten, I felt no pressure at all.
I lowered my gaze to the test paper.
Question 1. Choose the correct heroic action.
1. Upon seeing a demon, shout “Please spare me!” and run away.
2. Upon seeing blood, panic and faint.
3. If a fight breaks out, rush in first and kill whoever is closest.
4. Upon meeting a hero, raise your mana without a word and start a quarrel.
5. None of the above are correct.
Question 2. Choose the option that correctly pairs facts about martial arts or magic.
A. Mana must exist.
B. A form or incantation must exist.
C. To become a mage, one must enter the Magic Tower without exception.
D. Without a teacher, nothing can ever be used.
1. A 2. B 3. A, B 4. A, B, C 5. A, B, C, D
This is number five.
The difficulty was so low it bordered on comedy. Even the fact that five was the answer felt absurd. Just in case, I looked at the second question.
It’s three.
Any academy student could solve them. There were ten questions total, all at a similar level. I finished every one in under three minutes and waited for the first of the three practical exams scheduled for today.
After the written test ended, I looked around while waiting for the practical exams. That was when I noticed faces I had never seen before.
Heroes, I suppose.
During exam season, Heiden Academy opened its gates. This was the time when ordinary heroes, knight-order members, and people from prestigious families visited in droves.
It feels strange.
Seeing heroes inside the academy gave me an oddly fresh feeling.
Still, no one I recognize.
None of the heroes whose faces I remembered from the game were present. They might have been busy elsewhere.
“Next. Adel Ifrit.”
An instructor called my name.
Already my turn?
The first practical exam was about raising one’s aura. It was considered basic in the early stages of the Demon Realm, so it made sense to test it. Since the students were here to become heroes, the academy would naturally teach useful skills.
Even if they didn’t, it’s still good practice.
I could achieve what I wanted without saying a word. With that trivial thought, I stepped onto the platform.
“I will now explain the details.”
Despite those words, the explanation wouldn’t be long. The shortest previous exam had taken only two minutes.
“In the early stages of the Demon Realm, raising your aura is the most important skill. For beginners like you, it is absolutely essential.”
The instructor released a formless pressure. He had adjusted it so it caused no harm; I felt no dizziness or pain. He took out a fist-sized orb from his coat.
“A perfect score is achieved when this crystal turns completely black. Fill it with your aura. You may use the same method as raising mana. Begin whenever you are ready.”
I accepted the crystal and slowly raised my Battle Qi. I imagined pouring mana into the orb, but only inside its boundaries.
Is this the right feeling?
A strange sense of exhaustion washed over me, yet at the same time I felt invigorated. When I looked at the crystal, it had turned pitch black.
“……Adel Ifrit. One hundred points.”
The instructor in front of me murmured.
Already? Not even ten seconds have passed.
I had received a perfect score in less than ten seconds. It should have been a good feeling, yet suspicion came first. Even though the crystal had turned completely black to indicate full marks.
I handed the orb back and asked, “Why a perfect score?”
The instructor took the crystal.
“Watch closely.”
Ooooooh!
He violently raised his aura, but no harm came to us. An even deeper darkness that seemed capable of swallowing light itself filled the fist-sized orb.
“Between yours and mine, which do you think is better?”
“……”
I compared them carefully. His was indeed superior, but strangely, I didn’t feel like I had lost.
That was when I understood why I had received full marks.
“Next.”
Listening to the rather curt instructor, I left the practical exam area.
All the exams scheduled for today had ended.
Which means I’m free.
In other words, I had nothing to do. The timing felt awkward for training, yet doing nothing also felt strange.
Nothing’s happening.
It was a day when something should have occurred, yet it felt empty.
What should I do…?
I thought the first day would pass without incident. That was when it happened while I was walking through the academy, lost in thought.
Thud.
I bumped shoulders with a tall man.
“……My apologies.”
“It’s fine.”
The sudden casual tone made me lift my head slightly, and I saw a middle-aged man with flaming red hair looking down at me.
……He’s huge.
I was by no means short. I would probably measure around 185 centimeters. Yet this middle-aged man towered over me.
He looks familiar…
I wouldn’t have forgotten someone this tall, middle-aged, and still strikingly handsome. I must have seen him at least once before.
A glint of interest flashed in his eyes.
“You’re Adel Ifrit?”
“……”
I didn’t wonder how he knew me. After what Avalin had done at the Magic Tower last time, it was only natural others could do the same.
“May I ask who you are?”
That was why I asked for his identity.
“Hmm……”
He made an intrigued expression before answering.
“My name is Shan. I am the patriarch of the Krakt family.”
The Krakt family where Shane was born and raised. The family that valued struggle above all and believed fists spoke louder than words. I had just met its patriarch.
“Huh? Adel?”
The day that was supposed to be uneventful began to twist little by little—starting with my encounter with Shan, and because of Shane who came running up behind me with a bright, sunny smile.