01. The Exam Continues for Now
01. The Exam Continues for Now
An illegal act discovered during the entrance exam.
The prospective cadets all began to murmur in hushed voices, and the exam supervisor did not like the sight one bit.
"Quiet, everyone! The exam is not over yet!"
""""..........""""
An incident had occurred, and the exam wasn't over.
It was hypnosis. Someone who could induce 'hypnosis' had appeared—not inflicting physical pain, not artificially boosting abilities.
A power that turned a person into a puppet, making them dance to the opponent's schemes without any chance to resist.
Someone with such power had shown up, and they were still proceeding with the exam.
Though no one voiced it, feelings of anxiety and fear began to take root deep within the hearts of the prospective cadets.
"It hasn't yet been investigated whether that artifact truly is an artifact that casts 'hypnosis.' So don't be needlessly frightened and focus on the exam!"
""""...........""""
He tried to soothe them in his own way, he spoke the words, but no one was listening.
Ultimately, the exam supervisor forced the exam to continue regardless—and my next sparring opponent was me?
"Prospective Cadet Chrono, to your position."
"....Yep."
...
..
.
[Apostle of Cronus][Rank: F (EX)]
-Governs time[Time Limit:10s/10s
-Can raise rank through missions[0/10].
Apostle of Cronus
The ability that appeared before my eyes the moment I opened them, the one that told me I was utterly screwed.
If I had been given even the slightest bit of time, I would have run away immediately, academy or not, but I opened my eyes right before the entrance exam started.
Even so, I racked my brain trying to find a way to escape, and then
[Qualification to Become an Apostle]
-The first step to becoming an apostle of Cronus
-Use your ability to overcome adversity
1. Enroll in NTR Academy(0/1)
Reward: Rank Up Qualification / Cronus's Scythe
"....Fuck that."
No matter how good the carrot they dangle, a person's gotta know when to struggle.
Running away is the answer after all. Running away is the way.
[Mindset of a Prospective Apostle]
-Running away after becoming an apostle of Cronus is unthinkable
-Do you truly wish to abandon your apostleship?
1. Maintain apostleship(0/1)
Reward: Apostleship maintained
Failure: Deprivation of apostleship and permanent time freeze
"So I was the one getting screwed, huh?"
The step I was about to take backward turned forward again.
I couldn't die. I didn't want to die.
Going forward might land me in situations awfully close to death, but if stepping back meant immediate death, did I even have a choice?
And so, I went back toward the academy, and when I registered my name at the reception desk...
"Chrono, it's Chrono."
I changed my name.
I remember the original apostle's name was 'Timeless' or something, but I had no intention of following that.
Let's change the name first. If the precious name my parents gave me became a spear to stab me, I was fully prepared to change it with pride.
"Huh? But your resident registration number is recorded under 'Timeless'..."
"..........."
But it turned out this world's setting wasn't medieval; it was modern.
She wasn't someone who would input it differently just because I said something different.
'What do I do....'
There was a way to just register as Timeless.
But just in case, for any unforeseen situation
Because there might be someone else who was a possesor just like me.
"Yes, then, next—"
"—Stop."
I stopped time.
The time I had was about 10 seconds.
I immediately jumped over the information desk and manipulated the documents.
After changing only the part with my name to 'Chrono,' I returned to my original spot.
"—applicant, please come this way."
".....Hoo."
Fortunately, it seemed I hadn't been caught.
Even if the situation turned strange later and I got caught, that would be a problem for then.
If it really came down to it, I could just file for a legal name change later and be done with it.
"Then, now...."
Hair.
Hair style.
It was best to change whatever I could, as much as I could.
I wondered if there was a hair salon or barbershop nearby, but there was no way such a place would exist on the way into the exam.
"Even as a makeshift measure."
I went into a nearby men's restroom.
I wet my hair with water and roughly cut it off with a knife.
From the shaggy original to a practically half-shaved buzz cut.
"Wow... it really doesn't suit me."
Was it because my body was built like a stick? Once I cut my hair, I looked like a terminally ill bastard who'd blow away the entire unit if you messed with him wrong.
Still, it was at least a much better state than the bum look I had before. Plus, no matter how you looked at it, I didn't look like 'Timeless' at all.
Satisfied, I moved my steps toward the auditorium.
Along the way, whenever a few people glanced at my hair, I felt a tinge of regret—maybe I should have left a little—but—
"Exam Supervisor, that prospective cadet has an unlicensed artifact in their hand."
"Unlicensed artifact?"
—after seeing the Protagonist dance with his sword, I made up my mind.
I have to live low-key as hell.
Quietly, as peacefully as possible.
I aimed for somewhere in the middle at best, and drew the dagger hung at my waist.
"Prospective Cadet Mars, forward!"
"Yes!"
The one chosen as my opponent was Mars.
Mars, is it—ah, wait.
"Prospective cadets, face each other and bow."
"Uh......"
Bow or whatever, hold on.
That's that thing, isn't it. She's a heroine.
Especially with that red ponytail openly described as hot-blooded.
And the small scars visible here and there all over her body.
It was even more certain seeing the giant greatsword strapped to her back.
"Don't go down too easily?"
"...Please spare me."
"Haha! You look weak anyway, so I'll just tap you lightly. Don't be too scared!"
"..........."
That's basically a KO declaration.
Even as I trembled with the impending shock and fear, I thought about it. If I just got hit and collapsed like this, regardless of points or ranking, I could still enroll, right?
'Better this way.'
I spread both arms and prepared my body to accept the greatsword.
If I could get hit and endure it, it was better not to get hurt, but if I was going to get hit and pass out anyway, I'd rather get hit hard enough to go out in one shot.
When I opened my eyes, it'd all be over.
When I closed my eyes and opened them...
[Emergency Mission]
[Apostle of Ares]
-This is an emergency mission issued by Cronus.
1. Defeat Mars(0/1)
Reward: Contribution +10
Failure: Deprivation of apostleship and permanent time freeze
".......Ah shiiit...!"
And then I was dead.
I readjusted my grip on the sword.
The only swordsmanship I knew was a bit of kendo from middle school, but I still had to do my best with what I had.
It wasn't completely impossible, anyway.
It was time.
Time, of all things.
No matter how short, if I could govern 10 seconds...
[Time Limit: 3s/10s]
"Ah....."
I had used up some time manipulating the documents.
Ultimately, I was left with only 3 seconds.
What could I do with just these 3 seconds?
"Sparring—begin!"
"Uraaaah!!"
Before my mental deliberation even ended, Mars dashed toward me and swung her sword down.
I had to dodge this. Blocking, deflecting, whatever—there was no way besides dodging.
"Where do you think you're running!"
"Hee! Heeek!"
If there was a silver lining in this misfortune, it was that the sword was big.
Since the sword was big, its movements were slow, so at least I could manage dodging for the moment.
"Tch... dodging around like a slippery eel!"
"......Sssp."
But the problem was, it was just as hard for me to get close.
Ultimately, I'd have to use my ability, like it or not...
'Is that bastard looking at me?'
I glanced at the spectator seats and got the feeling that the Protagonist was watching me.
Oh shit. That thing. I can't use time stop. I absolutely cannot use the skill of stopping time.
"Stop just dodging and fight me fair and square!!"
My scheming continued, but Mars was getting more irritated, her sword swings growing more violent.
The sword speed increased. But aside from that, the patterns themselves got simpler, making it easier to dod—ge my ass. To an ordinary person, learning patterns or whatever didn't matter when a sword was flying at you right this second.
"Caught you!"
"Hee, heeeeeeek!!!"
A single strike I had ultimately allowed.
If it hit, I'd die. I'd be dead. I'd go out in one shot, right?
Was it because it was time to die? My vision slowly began to slow down.
Not wanting to take the hit with my body, I brought the dagger in my hand up to block.
Kkaang!
'Ah, fuck.'
Blocking with the dagger was fine up to that point, but I couldn't ignore mass and force.
I blocked with the dagger, yet the greatsword pushed through as if asking, "And what are you gonna do about it?"
If this kept going, I would just get hit by the sword and collapse.
'Ah.....'
It pushed in, ignoring even my pitiful resistance.
'Ah, aaaah.......'
Putting strength into it was meaningless.
Before I knew it, the sword was drawing near my shoulder.
"Aaaahhhhhh!!!"
Whatever happens, happens.
I just roughly stopped the time of the dagger in my hand.
As a rule, time and space are interconnected.
I did it thinking that if I could stop time somehow, the greatsword might also stop...
—Kkaaaang!!
"What...?!"
"What the fuck?!"
The greatsword was deflected.
A greatsword bounced off as if it had hit a huge wall and flown away.
"Gh... gugh...!" Mars, who must have put genuine force into it, staggered, unable to overcome the repulsive force.
'Now.'
Now.
This was the only chance I had been given.
I quickly dashed into Mars's embrace.
Quickly.
Too quickly for Mars to recover her stance.
I mustered all my strength and sprinted toward Mars.
"—Ah....?"
"Caught you."
Mars assumed a stance to swing her sword again.
But I was already inside her guard.
"Diiiiieeeee!!!"
"Ugh—?!!"
Getting hit by a dagger hurts like hell too.
I clobbered Mars over the crown of her head with the pommel of my dagger.
A blow with all my strength.
It was a picture-perfect strike, the kind I probably couldn't replicate if you asked me to.
All that remained was to pray that Mars would pass out.
"Ah...... eu, geuggh.......!"
"......Fuck."
Clatter, the sound of the giant greatsword echoing across the floor.
Thankfully, Mars collapsed on the spot.
I slowly turned my head toward the exam supervisor watching from the side.
"I won... right?"
"...Victor, Chrono."
A declaration of victory.
At the same time, the mission window flashed before my eyes and sent a signal.
[Emergency Mission]
[Apostle of Ares—Success]
Reward: Contribution +10
[Mission]
[Qualification to Become an Apostle—Success]
Reward: Rank Up Qualification / Cronus's Scythe
"....It's done."
I lived. I survived.
Overcome with emotion at that fact, I trembled.
-Rank up condition has been satisfied.
-Rank up qualification has been obtained.
-Moving to Cronus's Temple for rank up.
"—Huh?"
My vision blurred in an instant.
My body slumped down, and my vision darkened...
"You have done well, my apostle."
"......Who are you?"
Something, an incredibly something kind of woman, appeared before my eyes.
"My introduction is late. My name is Cronus. I am the god who governs time and, at the same time, the true master of Olympus."
"............"
Cronus is... a woman?