Entrance Exam (2)
Combat Department second-year vice-chief, Gigs Crowell, wore a baffled expression.
…What the hell is this guy doing?
He'd thought this examinee had a good eye since he recognized the Realizer, but ever since it transformed into his master, all he'd heard were bizarre, almost unhinged ramblings.
"How dare you fail to properly manifest my master's sacred form and then impersonate her? Summary execution is the only answer."
Look at that resolute tone and those eyes burning with conviction. Who would guess those were the eyes of someone pissed off because the breasts weren't the right size?
……Is he insane?
It made him seem even crazier. To think someone could make those eyes over something as trivial as the master's breast size being off—or the lack of a mole above them.
Because of it, even Gigs, who had been instantly captivated by his master's beauty at first glance, couldn't appreciate it now. He was far more interested in watching how this deranged examinee's antics would end.
The Realizer that had taken Karin's form moved the instant Seong Hyun-jin drew his sword, its delicate jade fingers flashing out in a draw-cut aimed at slicing him upward.
Kaang—!!
But Seong Hyun-jin blocked it cleanly, startling Gigs a little. Even to Gigs, who wasn't a swordsman, that draw technique had looked impressively advanced.
Considering the Realizer manifested at a level matching its opponent, it gave a rough gauge of the examinee's skill. For it to produce such high-level iaijutsu meant Seong Hyun-jin was on that level himself.
This guy's better than I thought…
And it continued like that. No matter how many advanced strikes the Realizer unleashed, Seong Hyun-jin blocked them all without a single scratch.
Crazy, but the skill is real, huh?
Seong Hyun-jin was already etched in Gigs's mind as unhinged, but he was proving undeniably competent in one thing: swordsmanship.
Chaeaeaeang!!
After parrying the Realizer's blade once more, Seong Hyun-jin let out a light sigh. He shook his head slightly, glaring at the Karin-lookalike as if in lament.
"…My master's sword can't possibly be this light."
"Unthinkable."
If this had been the real Karin before him, Seong Hyun-jin might not have blocked even a single strike properly. Even if he did, her sword would have shattered his outright.
Seong Hyun-jin sighed wistfully.
"As expected, no mere tool can imitate her. Not even a hundredth—or a thousandth—of her essence."
Chaeng!!
He effortlessly shoved the Realizer's sword aside. Then, he began to seriously draw on his spirit power.
"Stop insulting my master and vanish."
Gigs's eyes widened in shock.
"……!"
Spirit power gathered on Seong Hyun-jin's sword. Anyone who learned spirit swordsmanship could manage that much, but what startled Gigs was the color of the manifested power.
Black…?
The hue of spirit power varied wildly but usually matched the spirit's attribute—red for fire, pure white for light, and so on.
Dark shades weren't uncommon, like dark-attribute or poison spirits. But Seong Hyun-jin's was different. Far deeper than any dark spirit power—like inky blackness that devoured all light.
That shade of black… surely…
As Gigs pondered with a mix of suspicion and realization, Seong Hyun-jin eyed the charging Realizer and slid his sword hilt back into its sheath.
Sheathing it now?
Buwoong!
The moment the Realizer's blade descended from above, a sharp click echoed as if Seong Hyun-jin's sword caught in the scabbard.
"…Soul Severing Sword, First Form."
But unlike the sound, his blade drew smoothly—swift as lightning, poised to cleave the foe in one stroke.
(斬魂)
The pitch-black aura sharpened into a razor slash, engulfing the Realizer as it swung.
Jjeeerrreeeeaaak————!!
Gigs, overseeing the exam, muttered in disbelief without thinking.
"…One strike?"
Until now, Seong Hyun-jin had only defended. This was his first real attack—and in one blow, the Realizer was bisected.
Even Gigs, the Combat Department second-year vice-chief, had struggled quite a bit to dispatch a Realizer in his entrance exam. Yet this guy handled it effortlessly, without any tricks.
"Ah, sparring's way more fun. Exams like this aren't even entertaining for spectators…."
Plus, the Realizer manifested one's deepest fear, yet Seong Hyun-jin hadn't shown a hint of terror. Calling it "master" suggested reverence rather than fear—though awe stemmed from fear, so it might have manifested in that sense. Meaning, perhaps he feared nothing else.
No fears at all?
He already knew the guy was nuts, but a psychopath incapable of fear? Gigs chuckled dryly, watching Seong Hyun-jin make a bored face as if the exam was a letdown.
"…What a lunatic just enrolled."
#
"Yaaawn."
Seong Hyun-jin yawned, sprawled on his bed. The room had a decently cushy mattress, a simple but tidy desk and chair, and a table for meals or snacks—a dorm provided to successful examinees.
No way he'd fail after cleaving the Realizer in one go. As expected, his name topped the pass list easily.
But seeing the list, Seong Hyun-jin was a bit surprised. Someone else had claimed top spot—not him.
Rankings were based on exam completion speed, so he'd assumed one-shotting the Realizer made him first. Yet someone beat him to it.
His plan to honor his master by taking first under Dean Eleonora's words? Bubbled away.
He felt a twinge of annoyance at first, but accepted it upon seeing the top name.
"…Figured she'd be strong. Would've been fun to fight."
Serena Eldark.
The Dragon Star's daughter had proudly claimed first place. Seong Hyun-jin followed in second.
She must have dispatched her Realizer without even gauging its sword—matching his initial sense of her power.
Losing first stung, but to a worthy opponent? No hard feelings. If anything, it excited him. A chance to fight her properly and reclaim the spot? Perfect.
Beat the top entrant, and I'll get famous, right?
His competitive drive aside, it was mostly to elevate his master's fame. He'd meddle in every big and small academy event going forward—and rack up fame opportunities.
Positive involvement would naturally boost his profile… and hers by extension.
Seong Hyun-jin pondered ways to insert himself everywhere—even half-joking about starting a consulting booth.
…Plenty of time. I'll figure it out slowly.
His thoughts halted. After zoning out briefly, he decided to plan the rest of his day first.
Entrance ceremony's tomorrow…
Today was essentially a free holiday. Wondering how to spend it, he closed his eyes briefly.
….
…….
…….
"……Huh?"
When he opened them again, the sunlight streaming through the window had changed hue. Seeing the sunset, Seong Hyun-jin panicked a little.
Fell asleep without noticing…
Sleeping till sunset? With the exam ending mid-morning, that was one hell of a nap. His master would've scolded him for oversleeping.
"Slept too long…."
He'd planned to scout the academy layout, but now? Barely any time left. Staying out late would work, but…
Curfew…
Violating it didn't dock points, but past curfew, the dorms locked. Per the dorm supervisor, to prevent issues.
"Curfew? Master never set one."
Sure, she'd yell if he came back late—out of worry—but that was loving discipline, not this freedom-crushing rule. Life in society sucked sometimes. With that thought, Seong Hyun-jin stepped out.
Leaving the drab dorm—full of guys everywhere—he decided to explore nearby first.
"Whoa, this place is huge!"
Even just outside, the vast grounds stretched out. Per Dean Eleonora's emphasis on student relaxation, the dorm area boasted a massive park. It gave Terastial Academy students a sense of freedom despite dorm life.
Its size meant occasional incidents, but pros outweighed cons.
First thought upon seeing it?
Wouldn't running the mountains feel better?
With money for this park, why flatten the back hills for training? Most folks preferred leisurely strolls over tough hikes, but Seong Hyun-jin's twenty mountain years wired him differently.
"Air would've been way fresher too."
The paths and flowerbeds were nice, but no match for a mountain's trees. And flat ground? Boring for a lifelong mountaineer.
Should bring it up with the dean next time.
As he wandered aimlessly, a deep sigh pierced the air.
"Haaaahhh…."
Someone sat slumped on a bench, sighing like the world was ending. Seong Hyun-jin knew who without seeing her face. The prominent dragon horns and shimmering platinum hair were unforgettable from behind.
"The dragon girl who submitted late."
"…?"