Chapter 112
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Captain-Level Exam (5)
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- Hey, crazy... did you see that?
- Ah, no. I couldn't see it properly...
- Didn't they say he's an E-Class adventurer? What the hell was that?
- Oh my god.
- With that kind of skill, applying for captain is only natural.
- Overwhelming Sir Thomas like that...
Murmurs rose from all around.
After Genitz's shout echoed through the arena, the audience seats—frozen in shock—began to thaw, and the whispers grew steadily louder.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on me and Thomas.
The elite knight captain and one of the Black Dragon Knights' top powerhouses had crumbled in a single instant.
No one had expected it to end so anticlimactically, and shock still lingered on the knights' faces.
No one was hurling insults at me like they had at the beginning.
Their mutterings came through clearly via my detection.
The knights in the stands speculated about my identity, reacted positively to the monster wave preparations, or shared their battle impressions.
Some even compared me to Ray, saying I wasn't quite on Arthur's level—but to their eyes, I seemed similar enough.
"Quiet! Everyone disperse! The captain-level exam is over as of now! Return to your regular duties!"
Genitz bellowed at the murmuring knights.
They snapped to attention at his command and began filing out of the arena one by one.
I watched the flow for a moment before heading toward the center—to Genitz, the Black Dragon Knights' vice-captain judging the match and who had seemed to harbor plenty of resentment toward me.
"I passed the exam, right?"
"......"
When I spoke, Genitz met my eyes.
He just opened and closed his mouth, unable to respond.
Still dissatisfied?
I figured I'd shown more than enough captain-level power.
"If you're not convinced, you can be next. As you can see, I'm perfectly fine."
I laced my words with a hint of provocation, but Genitz still had no reply.
He stared at my hand—the one that had crumpled Thomas's sword and left a gash on his throat without a single scratch on it.
His gaze shifted to my face. His eyes wavered. But soon enough, Genitz regained his usual composure.
He bowed deeply to me.
"No, that's not necessary. You've passed—no need for more. Please forgive my rudeness up to now."
Huh?
What?
Sudden attitude shift?
When he lifted his head again, there was no trace of resentment over the elite captain's defeat or anger at my casual speech—not even if you scoured his eyes.
If anything, his gaze felt burdensome.
Curious about the abrupt change, I asked my question.
"Um, so what now?"
"Follow Captain Ray. You'll receive your uniform, complete a brief preparation, and then have an audience with His Excellency."
"Preparation?"
"Yes. You must observe proper etiquette when meeting His Excellency, so you'll need makeup. It won't take long—no trouble at all."
"Ah, um... alright."
Genitz spoke with utmost politeness in every word. The sudden decorum threw me off. Who knew attitudes could flip so fast?
As Genitz and I talked, another figure stepped into the arena.
"Yu-jin."
"Ray."
It was Ray. She glanced at my hand like Genitz had, then addressed me.
"I saw it well. Hm. I told you not to go too rough, but that was a bit much."
"Sorry. I held back, in my own way."
I scratched my head awkwardly, and Ray slowly shook her head.
"No. As you said, that level of injury can be healed quickly without the holy order. If anything, you've impressed your strength on everyone intensely—it's not bad. No complaints will arise. Right, Genitz?"
"Yes! None at all!"
Genitz responded with a booming voice. He glanced at me before turning back to Ray.
"Then I'll return to training oversight."
"Hm."
"See you next, Yu-jin."
He bowed politely to me and headed out of the arena.
I knew he worshipped strength, but I hadn't expected such a total personality switch.
Now, only Ray, me, and Thomas—who still looked shell-shocked—remained in the central arena.
Thomas had stood ramrod straight with perfect etiquette the moment Ray appeared, but his expression remained rigid.
His eyes wavered as he clutched the wound on his neck with one hand.
"Thomas."
"Yes, yes! Captain!"
"No need to take it so hard. He wasn't a match for you from the start."
"Ah. Y-yes, ma'am..."
"Your talent is exceptional. Just becoming an elite captain proves it. I believe you're knight captain material someday. Shake this off and keep striving like before."
"Yes, sir! Understood!"
Thomas nodded stiffly at Ray's encouragement.
Ray had earned the title of the county's strongest knight at an age far younger than his. I wasn't sure if that comforted him. Then again, acknowledgment from a genius like her might help.
"Then I'll return to my duties."
"Go."
Thomas gave Ray a formal salute, then looked at me and bowed politely.
I sensed no anger from him toward me. He'd accepted his defeat cleanly.
But perhaps due to the overwhelming gap? I caught faint traces of fear and emptiness in his eyes as he bowed.
Not my problem, though. Mental care for a guy in his forties wasn't my hobby, so I just nodded back in response.
"You're strong, as expected."
Once Thomas left and the knights had cleared out, the arena fell quiet.
Ray stated it matter-of-factly—not so much praise as quiet conviction.
"Cute compared to you, Ray."
"No."
She shook her head.
"Just having someone like you volunteer for this wave is a stroke of great luck. I'm looking forward to what's ahead."
I shrugged lightly at her words. Yeah, me too—wondering how I'd strip Ray down.
"First, the uniform."
Ray finished speaking and walked ahead. I followed her out of the arena.
The annex near the official arena was even more lavish than I'd imagined.
This was the castle's 7th special annex. Just how many annexes did they have? Nobles really had money rotting away.
The exterior alone could pass for a palace.
Marble floors. Warm sunlight filtering through glass windows. Luxurious red carpets lining the halls.
Issuing the uniform didn't take long.
In a room lined with clothes, maids lined up to take my measurements, then handed over combat gear, training clothes, and casual wear right away.
"Wear the issued clothes freely. No need to always. You're not a regular knight, so think of them as a gift. But change now for meeting the count, and wear them on wave operation day. Also, always pin the badge when moving around the castle."
"Got it."
The uniform was quite refined.
The overall design closely matched what the Black Dragon, White Dragon, and Blue Dragon Knights wore.
The difference was the color: theirs mixed white or blue into a black base, while mine blended gold into black.
The badge read "Golden Dragon." It featured a massive roaring dragon with six pairs of wings and six falling shooting stars.
I changed in the dressing room, and Ray nodded.
"It suits you."
She led me down the corridor again. She stopped casually in front of a door and knocked lightly.
"Excuse me."
Ray flung the door open without waiting for permission.
"Oh my! Sir Ray! Come on in~!"
A sweet, cheerful woman's voice rang out from inside. A blonde middle-aged woman in a vibrant dress welcomed us.
The room reeked of perfume and powder. Mirrors and chairs lined up, shelves packed with cosmetics.
Makeup room, huh.
"I told you not to call me 'sir.'"
"Haha, it's a habit. Oh, and who's that behind you?"
She eyed me.
"Yu-jin. Passed the captain-level exam for wave prep."
"Oh, that Yu-jin? The one who beat Sir Thomas?"
"Rumors spread already?"
Ray arched one eyebrow.
"Of course! It's all over the castle. The knights said it ended in a flash?"
Ray nodded slightly without a word. She smiled with interest, met my eyes, and gestured to a chair.
"Must be incredibly strong. Have a seat here first. Oh my goodness, what a handsome face. Nothing for me to do!"
The middle-aged woman chattered on, and I sat without a word. The mirror lights flicked on.
"How long for makeup?"
Ray asked, and the woman replied.
"The base is perfect~. Just a light touch-up. Twenty minutes tops."
She picked up a brush, eyed me, then continued with a playful grin.
"A face like that would steal all the ladies' eyes at a ball, not on the battlefield."
"......"
What was with this woman?
If she were someone worth bedding, I'd humor her—but not her. I told her I was tired and closed my eyes quietly.
"Oh, so cool too. Handsome, strong, and cool. I'm smitten~."
She seemed used to such reactions, chattering to herself as she skillfully began the makeup.
While she worked, I pushed my detection to map out as much of the count's castle as possible—structure, people inside and out.
More intel was always better.
Nothing noteworthy, though. Knights were as expected, and the one upside was plenty of pretty maids.
Twenty minutes later, makeup done. Ray and I left the annex for the central main building.
We ascended to the top floor: the count's chambers.
Ray knocked carefully.
Knock-knock—
"Your Excellency. It's Ray. I've brought the captain-level applicant for this recruitment."
"Enter."
With permission granted, Ray opened the door. I followed her inside.