Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Entrance Exam (2)
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Did I hear that wrong?
Saying "get lost" to someone he'd just met? That definitely pointed to some serious personality issues.
But since getting close to the Hero was the only way to avoid the bad ending, I swallowed my pride and greeted him once more.
"I'm Rowen. Arien Cravel, right?"
He must have been surprised that I knew his name. His shocked expression didn't last long before he scowled and replied.
"You must have come because you heard I'm the Hero. Don't bother me and get lost."
Was he used to situations like this?
Looking at the snarling Hero, I felt more pity than annoyance.
The illegitimate child of a count's family.
When Arien, who had endured a life of scorn, pulled out the holy sword.
He would never forget the moment those looks of disgust turned to greed.
In the game, the Hero eventually left the count's family and got his revenge later on.
But without a player here now, he probably had no hope at all.
"Ahaha... Got it. Still, we're both in the Knight Department—let's try to get along."
As I extended my hand, Arien sighed and responded.
"There's nothing good about getting close to me. You seem like a commoner, so it'll be even worse for you."
So that's why those stinging glares had been coming my way earlier.
With that, the Hero closed his eyes again and fell silent.
'What a fragile soul full of wounds... How tough must his life have been?'
Events that were just fleeting text in the game...
Must have been endlessly painful times for Arien.
As the situation unfolded differently from what I'd expected, I sighed inwardly and made a vow.
I'd stick with that fragile soul somehow and turn him into a normal person.
How much time had passed?
The first exam ended, and a leaderboard appeared on the screen in front of us.
1. Arien Cravel
2. Estelle Lumeria
3. Serena
...
300. Rowen
'Dead last, as expected...'
My name sat at the bottom, true to my early-game "weakest" nickname.
If I didn't shine in the upcoming second exam, I'd definitely be eliminated.
"Attention! The next exam is Golem Hunting. Form groups of five and advance through as many stages as possible!"
While I was checking the leaderboard, the examiner appeared and announced the next test.
"Current rankings don't matter! We'll judge based on your contributions in the second exam!"
In other words, they were weeding out the bus-riders.
But who am I? As a veteran of [Avillon Academy], I knew the Golems' hidden weaknesses.
Still, standing out too much might draw suspicion from the examiners, so I decided to perform moderately.
'Let's see, my group is Team 11.'
Two names stood out.
Dores Balmont, whom I'd met during the first exam.
And Estelle Lumeria, one of the main heroines.
The sheltered jewel of a magical noble house who takes an interest in the protagonist—a fellow genius—and begins their bond.
She wasn't my favorite, but her cool demeanor paired with endearing clumsiness gave her a charming twist.
'Wow... Finally meeting Estelle, whom I've only seen in illustrations.'
My heart raced at the thought of encountering a character from the game in the flesh, but it was short-lived.
The examiner's voice announced the start of the second exam.
"Teams, gather and plan your roles and strategies!"
With that, all the students headed to their waiting rooms, and I made my way to Team 11's.
Opening the door to the waiting room, the first thing—no, person—to catch my eye was naturally Estelle.
Her skin was like white jade, her eyes like amethysts carved to perfection.
Her brows were slightly furrowed in displeasure, but even that looked beautiful.
Beside her, Dores was fawning like a sleazy sycophant.
"Lady Estelle, you're as stunning as ever, hehe... We'll support you from the side, so just show off your skills, hehe..."
"......"
What a blatant bus-riding declaration.
The others' expressions were souring by the second.
To lighten the mood, I smiled and greeted them.
"Hey everyone, nice to meet you. I'm Rowen. Let's ace this exam together."
But maybe because of my first-exam dead-last label, no one responded. They just stared.
"Hah! A commoner and dead last, yet so full of yourself!"
Just as Dores's mockery rang out,
"...I'm Estelle. Let's do well."
"Lian Hartmann here. I'll take the front line."
"I'm Marian. I can handle healing magic."
Estelle's response, after eyeing me steadily, prompted the others to chime in one after another.
Their gazes shifted from wary to friendly, as if they'd been testing me.
'Estelle hates people approaching her with ulterior motives. Good thing I treated her normally.'
Glancing at a baffled Dores, I continued with a smile.
"I'm dead last, sure, but I'm confident in slicing Golem joints.
I've done this entrance exam hundreds of times over.
And with all patterns memorized, sealing their movements is a piece of cake.
Rian grinned, clearly liking my confidence.
"Then I'll tank the Golem's attacks, and you seal its movements, Rowen."
"If anyone gets hurt, I'll heal them!"
"...Then I'll destroy the core."
"Kuh... In that case, this humble body will assist Lady Estelle."
Roles assigned, the examiner's voice soon kicked off the second exam.
"Second exam, start! Enter the magic circle ahead to begin!"
We stepped into the circle at his command, and a flash of light teleported us to the test site.
Coming to, I found myself in a cave.
Dim cavern lit by glowing luminescent stones here and there.
A chill breeze whispered from somewhere, enough to send shivers.
'First real fight... Tense.'
No matter how much of a veteran I was, this was reality now, not a game—tension was inevitable.
Plus, this was a first for Team 11, ramping up the nerves.
As Dores finally shook off his daze, the examiner's voice echoed.
"This is an illusion spell. When the Golem appears and you're ready, fight. Even if you're incapacitated or injured, no real harm in reality."
Shortly after, the first Golem appeared.
Stage 1 meant small size and weak mana.
As we prepared to face the exact Golem from the game,
"Hah! I'll handle this! Fireball!"
Acting on his own already.
And Golems weren't monsters you could kill like that.
"Huff... huff... See that, commoner? You protect me now!"
I sighed at the panting fool and pointed at the Golem again.
"Sigh... Golems don't die unless you destroy the core. And you need to chant for spells."
"He's right. And Dores, no more solo acts."
Unlike his expectations, getting scolded made Dores's face flush red again.
Barely holding back laughter at the sight, I turned to Estelle, who'd been watching quietly.
"Alright, Estelle, destroy the core like we planned."
She nodded and began casting.
No words, but intricate magic circles bloomed behind her.
Before I could admire the precision, a beam shot out instantly.
'Chantless magic...'
The team stared in awe.
Normally, chanting guided mana flow for spells.
But master mages could do it silently, or so I'd heard...
'Not second place for nothing...'
She'd earned that freshman rank. Overwhelmed, I marveled again.
Her casual stance, waiting for the next foe, exuded magnetic allure.
'Ugh, focus. Passing the exam comes first.'
Snapping out of it, I awaited the next Golem, which soon lumbered in.
Bigger than the last.
Spotting us, it charged murderously—Rian intercepted.
"Rowen! Now!"
Blocking the overhead smash, Rian signaled.
I dashed to the side, slashing not the sturdy armor but the joints.
Fluid, natural motions.
'No wonder he's the Hero's rival—body moves on instinct.'
Perfectly responsive. No time to savor it—I yelled at Dores.
"Hit its left chest with a spell! That's where it protects the core!"
Caught off-guard by our swift combo, he flailed and cast.
"Raaagh!!!"
It screamed in agony.
As its left chest exposed from the hit, Estelle's spell pierced the core.
The Golem crumbled to ash, tension easing.
"Phew... Nice work, everyone. Our teamwork's better than expected."
"You sealed that Golem's movements perfectly, Rowen."
Rian, surprised I'd pulled it off.
Even if true, not trusting me stung a bit...
But recognition from the in-game "national tank" Rian? Thrilling.
First real validation in this world.
Short-lived—the next appeared, and we kept smashing Golems.
The exam progressed smoothly, reaching stage 7.
'But at this rate, we might not pass.'
Dead last in round one meant I needed to prove myself here.
And no clue how game-Rowen performed.
'In-game Team 11 cleared up to stage 9.'
Only the Hero's Team 1 cleared stage 10.
Round two scored individual and team performance combined—clearing 10 would guarantee passing.
'Of course, make it look like Estelle destroyed the core.'
Doing it openly would raise examiner suspicions.
No point inviting scrutiny.
Time it with her spells, and it'd look natural.
'No suspicions that way.'
Smirking inwardly at my perfect plan, I moved again.
Oblivious to Estelle's wary gaze...