Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Enrollment (3)
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“The entrance ceremony test is a spar with the instructor!”
In front of Trina, the instructor shouted to the gathered freshmen.
His fierce expression was plain to see.
A spar with the instructor.
Some were flustered by this, while others burned with competitive fire in their eyes.
However.
No student remained unsurprised.
The Iliad Academy's tests kept changing, making it impossible to predict.
It wasn't surprising that the students were shocked, as the test determined their grades: A, B, C, or D.
'Of course, I knew already.'
I knew that this year's cohort would select the upper class through spars, as the instructor proposed.
It was straight out of the novel...
“Hyaah!”
It was because of that girl.
Her unyielding will to charge forward despite her attacks being repeatedly blocked and countered by the instructor.
The embodiment of relentless effort.
Sword Saint, Erina Philstein.
She would later become the protagonist's reliable ally.
Her exploits in the novel left a deep impression.
A sword forged not by innate talent, but through pure effort alone.
That brave momentum and swordsmanship must have been honed through consistent training.
“That's enough.”
As the spar dragged on too long, the instructor called it.
“Thank you for the lesson!”
“Good spar.”
Only then did she lower her sword and bow her head deeply.
Her body was covered in wounds, sweat dripping from her face.
Impressed by her courage, the instructor rarely offered words of encouragement.
This was just like the original.
The Iliad Academy didn't expect students to defeat the instructors in spars.
What mattered was fighting spirit and courage.
They wanted those who rose and charged again, even after repeated defeats.
'That's the point of this test.'
Getting into Iliad Academy meant you already met the talent requirement.
Even with talent, some were gripped by fear, gave up, or didn't even try.
This test filtered them out.
“Gah!”
“Next!”
Extra Number One suffered a crushing defeat, and finally, it was my turn.
I wanted to keep a low profile at the academy, but at least B Class would save face.
And as the family head's son, I could keep getting elixirs from him.
I pulled a black bead from my pocket.
The elixir Petra gifted me. I was stunned when I Observed it.
Fragment of Black Dragon's Inner Core (200 days worth)
200 days worth.
The Azure Jade Pill was 60 days. Most elixirs didn't exceed 20.
Yet this inner core fragment surpassed that easily.
If it weren't the Black Dragon's inner core, I'd have doubted the observation.
'It's that Black Dragon, after all.'
Ferocious and vicious.
Known as the most evil among dragons.
The Black Dragon with its jet-black scales.
Countless knights rushed to slay this monster, also called the Black Dragon.
They barely managed to take down one.
That dragon's name was...
'Arxius.'
A fragment of that dragon's inner core.
This was worth a whole house. Maybe more.
I had no idea why Petra had it.
But refusing a gift wasn't polite.
I'd quietly ask about its origin later.
Gulp.
Swallowing the inner core, vitality surged through my body.
For the first time, my always-heavy body felt light.
My mind cleared, the sensation refreshing.
I cautiously climbed the steps.
To test this normal body.
The spar would make me lose it again soon.
So I should enjoy it while it lasted.
*Cough.*
“Hoo.”
I coughed up blood, but the amount was negligible compared to before.
I felt like dancing.
As I inwardly rejoiced, the instructor spoke.
“Ready to start?”
Hm? Did he usually ask that?
I nodded.
The instructor took his stance.
I stepped forward once, then froze.
For a proper strike, I'd need lifespan.
With 200 days, I could afford 50.
This body had the Genius trait, too.
If I used 50 days to move properly and land one hit on the instructor...
'But why isn't he coming?'
Fists clenched, waiting for him to attack, but he didn't.
Did I need to strike first? Was that it?
Murmurs rose from behind.
No one said anything about striking first, right?
Step.
Fortunately, the instructor moved.
Approaching with the academy's basic footwork.
I inwardly sighed in relief.
I thought I had to move first.
But...
'Is he always this slow?'
The instructor's movements were off.
From the platform, he'd subdued students quickly. Why so slow now?
'Is he going easy on me?'
Because I'm sickly?
Because I'm Deron Phillasia, the Phillasia heir?
It irritated me a bit.
The instructor punched toward my abdomen.
Pure fist, no mana. I understood his intent.
'Gonna knock me out gently.'
Irritating, but a clean judgment.
Even that weak punch would make me vomit blood and pass out.
But.
I infused mana into my fist.
Thanks to the Black Dragon's inner core, black mana enveloped it.
I slammed it into the instructor's abdomen.
Controlled not to kill.
Right now, I...
Bam!
A drum-like thud.
The instructor groaned and collapsed.
“Tch.”
He's not someone to go easy on.
Iliad Academy's gone to ruin.
Passing out from a 50-day strike?
Thinking that, I glanced at the referee.
He looked incredulous at the instructor, then declared toward me.
“Deron... Phillasia, victory.”
Only then did I descend the platform.
Chairs were set for those who'd finished.
I sat in an empty spot and checked my trait window.
It should be down from 292 to 242 days.
120 days
What the fuck?
I craned my neck, glaring at the trait window.
System glitch? Where'd my 172 days go?
[Trait: You have acquired Black Dragon's Mana.]
Mana? That stuff on my hand?
I checked the trait details.
→ Trait: Black Dragon's Mana
Usable by those who consume the Black Dragon's inner core.
Can be used when needed, but cursed against humans due to being hunted by them.
(Random lifespan reduction on use)
You fucking asshole!!!!
You should've warned me about this!
How was I supposed to handle mana forming on my fist mid-punch?
Damn gods, damn traits, damn Black Dragon.
[Lifespan reduced by 12 hours due to extreme anger. (119 days 12 hours)]
I barely regained my senses.
I nearly lost it, but Unyielding Spirit held me back.
A few deep breaths, then I looked up at the platform.
The test continued despite my little scene.
Another instructor had replaced the one I knocked out.
Wild mane like a beast, perked wolf ears.
I knew from the back alone.
'Blue Mane Azban.'
Werewolf who claimed top spot through talent alone.
As he took the instructor role, the commoners' eyes lit up.
He was practically an idol to them.
His opponent was...
“P-please go easy on meee.”
Slightly drawn-out speech. Hesitant posture. Obviously scared face.
If not for her delicate features and beautiful curves, I'd have grimaced.
Azban seemed to sense her hidden power.
“Grrr.”
Emitting a wolf's growl, not human.
Meaning Azban intended a real fight.
The girl looked terrified, but to me, it rang false.
Why?
“Match start!”
“Kwap!”
Azban charged. Wind gathered on his sword. His unique swordsmanship, swift blade only a werewolf's speed could achieve.
Clang!
But the girl parried.
Holy power on her hand, light but precise.
Azban, as if expecting it, swung the repelled sword again.
“Got it.”
The girl caught the blade barehanded. Unscathed.
Insane durability. Holy power plus natural physique.
Azban's face filled with panic.
I leaned back in my chair, watching.
This student, who would have been the first to defeat an instructor alone if not for me.
Now the second.
Saintess, Rebecca von Katrell.
Hiding her God-given name, she took the test as commoner Adel.
A saintess couldn't get a fair test.
Bam!
Grabbing the sword, her thrust fist struck Azban's abdomen dead-on.
He collapsed without a sound. Cleaner than mine.
“W-Winner. Adel.”
The referee's eyes darted, flustered by two instructors down.
But my gaze was on the saintess.
Maybe she could cure my illness.
“Um...”
But as I tried to speak to her.
I saw it.
“...”
A gaze toward me, filled with hatred and contempt.
Unlike the fear or pity I'd always gotten.
I couldn't fathom the reason.