A Full Net
"First place?" one of the examinees muttered, staring at Sillon. "That guy?" another chimed in.
Grin, grin, grin. That squinty-eyed look, smiling as if he didn't have a care in the world.
"Haha, such passionate attention. I must have truly pulled off something grand, haven't I?"
His demeanor was so light that a stiff breeze might blow him away with a startled, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa~' There wasn't a shred of dignity or majesty to be found in him.
They could swear on it. He was no noble. His presence, his spirit, his posture, his mana—every visible element of strength was utterly pathetic.
They could swear on it. He was not a strongman. He might have lucked his way into passing the Academy entrance exam, but entering with top marks? Impossible.
And not just high marks, but first place? Beating out Kasha Hanahan and Drin Libringer?
"This makes no sense!" someone shouted, speaking for the rest of the examinees.
She was short, but possessed a fierce, fiery presence that matched her blazing orange hair.
It was Aidrin of the Telrn family, a high-ranking noble house that, while not on par with the Libringers or Hanahans, still wielded immense power.
Aidrin had been the next to escape the barrier after Drin in their group. Granted, her time was three minutes and twenty seconds—making it a bit of a stretch to call her "right after" Drin, who had finished in the one-minute range—but that was fine. It was enough.
Even if it was just a meaningless, nominal ranking, the mere fact that she had stood alongside Drin Libringer and Kasha Hanahan in first, second, and third place had filled Aidrin with immense joy.
Ever since escaping the barrier, Aidrin had been drunk on that ecstasy. She had kept stealing glances at Drin and Kasha, thinking that this might be her chance to get closer to them.
But now, what? The one standing alongside Drin and Kasha wasn't her, but that guy?
Heh-heh, grin-grin. That brainless idiot had actually taken first place, beating both Drin Libringer and Kasha Hanahan?
"Examiner! I formally lodge an objection! I can accept Examinee 348 passing, but first place? First place over Lady Drin and Lady Kasha? This is absurd!" Aidrin raised her hand, her voice ringing out.
She recalled the record of Number 348 that Examiner Sinia had just announced. "Under a minute! Fifty-four seconds?!" Her indignation flared even hotter.
The memory of her bloody battle against the Mana Golem inside the barrier flashed through her mind.
It felt neither fear nor pain, and it never tired. It possessed a twisted, humanoid anatomy that made its movements incredibly difficult to predict and counter. It was an opponent truly worthy of the second exam's notorious reputation.
If her battle with the Mana Golem hadn't taken place inside a safe barrier, Aidrin would have surrendered and retreated immediately. In fact, she had sustained significant injuries just trying to read its movements.
In the process of analyzing its patterns and finding a weakness, she had suffered wounds so severe that the sheer pain would have knocked her unconscious outside the barrier. And in the final push to exploit that weakness, she had taken injuries that would have left her completely incapacitated. All of that just to shave off as much time as possible.
"And yet, it still took me three minutes and twenty seconds! Even Lady Kasha and Lady Drin required over a minute. But under a minute?! Fifty-four seconds?! As far as I recall, Examinee 348 didn't show any exceptional results in the first exam like Lady Drin did! His mana sensitivity must be thoroughly mediocre. It is absolutely impossible for someone like him to defeat a Mana Golem in under a minute!"
The other examinees were swept up by her passionate speech.
"She's right!"
"A commoner taking first place over Lady Drin and Lady Kasha? That's ridiculous!"
The Libringers and the Hanahans. If there was a single term to bind these two families, it was the Eight Great Families. Standing at the absolute pinnacle of the continent's nobility, they practically represented the entire aristocracy.
This was why the examinees found the results so impossible to accept. Every single applicant in this group, except for Number 348, was a noble. Even the examiner, Sinia, hailed from high nobility.
"Hmm, that kind of black-and-white thinking isn't very academic..." Sinia Yellai crossed her arms, pondering how to handle the situation.
"It's not ideal, but I do understand how you all feel. Honestly, the picture of our Examinee 348 taking first place over these two—haha! It really does sound absurd, doesn't it?"
"Ah, even the examiner...!"
"See? You really should have watched your behavior. If you have the skills, you should show them off a bit, strike a pose, you know? You're just far too frivolous. Well, I actually like that about you—but it seems the other examinees don't appreciate it at all."
Clap! Sinia clapped her hands, instantly shifting the atmosphere.
"Now then. Examinee 341. Returning to our discussion—shall we get to the point?"
"Pardon?"
"You've made your point that it's absolutely impossible for Examinee 348 to take first place with a fifty-four-second record. So, what comes next? Surely you aren't planning to just stubbornly insist 'No way! It makes no sense!' without anything else?"
"Ah... Yes, of course."
No matter how gentle her demeanor or how tolerant her attitude, she was still the examiner. The control of the room, which had felt on the verge of a riot just moments ago, naturally flowed back to Sinia. The momentum of the other noble examinees, and especially Aidrin, visibly withered.
"Let's clarify this first. Examinee 341. You said there was an issue with Examinee 348's record. Does that mean... you believe there was a problem with the examination process itself?"
"..." Aidrin's eyes wavered.
Sinia hadn't done anything aggressive. She had merely summarized the point and presented it to Aidrin in her usual gentle, soft-spoken manner. Yet, that alone was enough to make Aidrin shrink.
Examiner Sinia Yellai. Professor and instructor of the Academy's Swordsmanship Department, the 'Iron Wall Sword' Sinia. The weight of her reputation, etched deeply into the minds of all who walked the path of the sword, belatedly pressed down on Aidrin.
To claim that a problem had occurred in an exam overseen by her—wasn't that directly challenging her authority?
No. Even so, Aidrin felt she couldn't back down now. Protecting the honor of Lady Drin Libringer and Lady Kasha Hanahan is my duty! she thought.
Having spoken at the center of attention, backed by the enthusiastic support of the crowd in front of her idols, she had become far too swept up in the moment.
Those two are watching me...! To Aidrin, the quiet, observant stances of Drin and Kasha felt like silent endorsements of her cause.
"Yes! I am certain there was an issue with the examination process. Otherwise, Examinee 348's record is simply inexplicable!"
"Examinee 349, I agree with Examinee 341!"
"Examinee 343, I agree as well!"
"I agree!"
Moved by the noble representative's resolute determination, the other aristocrats eagerly threw their support behind her. Some even went so far as to shout their family names instead of their examinee numbers. With every voice, the flush of triumph on Aidrin's face grew deeper.
Sinia found the situation both baffling and highly amusing.
"My, this is turning into quite an amus—no, complicated situation. I understand your opinions, everyone. To be honest, I'm quite curious myself. Just how did our Number 348 pass in first place? However, to verify that..." Sinia looked toward 'our Number 348' as she continued.
"We would need to project the recording of Number 348's exam from that magic tool right here. Would that be alright, Number 348? Do you mind if we show the footage of your exam inside the barrier to the other examinees?"
"Hmm..." He let out a low hum, scanning the examinees—particularly Aidrin.
Huh...? Was it just her imagination? He looked somewhat... amused. Extremely so, even. It must be my imagination. Of course, there was no way anyone would feel amused in a situation like this, so she dismissed it as a trick of her mind.
"My skills are far too lacking to proudly boast about to others... so it is a bit embarrassing..."
"Oh, by the way, Number 348? You do have the right to refuse. After all, these people are neither examiners nor exam officials—they aren't even students yet, just mere applicants taking the Academy entrance exam."
"Oh, is that so?" he asked, his face brightening as he stole a glance at Aidrin.
At that, as if a switch had been flipped, Aidrin immediately reacted.
"You took first place! And with a record that surpassed both Lady Drin and Lady Kasha! That's not something to be embarrassed about; you should be proud! If you are innocent, then show us proudly!"
That reluctant attitude! It was obvious! Aidrin spoke with the absolute certainty of an investigator who had just uncovered a smoking gun.
"Hm? Number 347? What is it?" At that moment, Examinee 347, Drin Libringer, raised her hand. The attention of the entire room instantly shifted to her.
Believing Drin was about to speak up in her defense, Aidrin beamed. "Yes, Lady Drin! Please, say a word as well!"
"I believe you are being far too hasty."
"...Pardon?"
"There is no evidence yet that any issue occurred during Examinee 348's exam, yet you are cornering him excessively. I suggest you retract your statement demanding he prove his innocence."
"..." Everyone in the hall was stunned by Drin's words. No one had expected her to defend Number 348.
After all, Drin should have been the star of this stage. Or at the very least, Kasha. Yet some brainless, squinty-eyed nobody had appeared and stolen the spotlight. On top of that, she had even lost second place to Kasha. Part of the examinees' outrage stemmed from projecting themselves onto Drin. If a mere bystander like me feels this indignant, how much worse must the actual victim, Drin, feel! Yet, Drin remained perfectly composed.
"Oh... Does Examinee 347 accept Examinee 348's record?" Sinia asked, looking thoroughly intrigued.
"..." After a brief, careful silence, Drin replied, "I do not believe it is my place to comment."
"Oho. If the person who was pushed down in rank by our Number 348 shouldn't comment, then who on earth should?"
"If there is deemed to be an issue, wouldn't the hosting side initiate an investigation, rather than us examinees?"
It was an impeccable argument. Combined with Drin's dignified aura, the heated atmosphere that had felt ready to lynch Number 348 cooled down significantly.
"Drin Libringer. I saw you speaking with that guy earlier. It seems the two of you are already acquainted. Is that why you are defending him?" Kasha Hanahan reignited the dying embers.
"Gasp!" Sinia's reaction spoke for everyone else. Such a blunt accusation. It wouldn't have been surprising if Drin Libringer took it as a direct insult.
"Hmm..." Yet, instead of taking offense or showing displeasure, Drin fell into thought once more.
"You make a fair point. I am indeed acquainted with Examinee 348. It is reasonable to question the objectivity of my opinion in this situation."
Just when it seemed she was backing down, she cast a brief glance at Number 348 before continuing. "In that case, since things have come to this, I will state my subjective opinion. I believe Examinee 348's record is entirely possible."
Kasha felt something hot welling up in her chest. Drin's attitude toward Number 348 right now—it was unmistakable recognition. The very thing Kasha had yearned for. Drin had never granted it to her, despite how desperately she wanted it, yet she freely gave it to that brainless idiot. Why? What on earth was he?
"Can you take responsibility for those words?" Kasha's gaze, locked onto Drin's eyes, held a cold, razor-sharp edge.
"..." Drin simply met that gaze with calm composure.
"Now, now, now! That's enough! That's enough~" At the explosive standoff, Sinia intervened, stepping right between their clashing gazes. As if standing there for even a second was agonizing, she immediately rushed over to Number 348.
"Examinee 348, what should we do? A clash between a Hanahan and a Libringer...! This is growing into a problem far too big for me to handle. It seems you'll have to save this poor examiner, Examinee 348."
"Hmm... Does that mean if I reveal my record here, you will owe me a favor, Examiner?"
What's the worst that could happen if I owe this guy a favor? With that lighthearted thought, Sinia nodded vigorously. "Of course! I'll owe our Number 348 a massive favor!"
He nodded, letting out a bitter smile. "Understood." As if he had no choice but to comply for the sake of his beloved examiner, despite his reluctance. Could anyone be more selfless?
"...!" Yet, the moment Sinia saw his bitter smile, an inexplicable chill ran down her spine.
"Hm? Is something the matter?"
"Pardon? Oh, it's nothing. Just a moment—yes. Anyway, thank you, Number 348. I truly owe you a big one. I will definitely repay this debt! You can look forward to it!"
"A reward from our dear Examiner! Of course I'll look forward to it!"
Shiver!Ugh, what is wrong with me? Anyway. "Alright, everyone! Our generous Examinee 348 has agreed to reveal his record! Now then—shall we check the record of our Number 348, who currently holds an overwhelming first place across all examinees in the second exam with a time of fifty-four seconds?"
"Ah, just a moment, Examiner," he said, looking at Kasha. "Does Lady Kasha also wish for me to reveal my record?"
"What is the point of that question?"
"I was just curious if you also believe my record was achieved through unfair means, Lady Kasha."
"Of course," Kasha replied without a shred of hesitation. There was no way the mysterious first-place achiever she had been so curious about—and had highly anticipated—could be this brainless man.
"Haha, is that so? My, this is truly heartbreaking. To be so disliked by both of you." He smiled bitterly, looking at Aidrin and Kasha in turn. It was as if he were telling them to remember his face—the face of the man they had doubted and tormented.
Soon, Sinia operated the cube-shaped magic tool, and a beam of light projected a video into the air. It showed Examinee 348 just as he entered the barrier.
"..." Aidrin held her breath, focusing on his figure in the video.
The Mana Golem, which took an average of four minutes for everyone except Drin Libringer and Kasha Hanahan to defeat. The Mana Golem, which even Drin Libringer and Kasha Hanahan had taken an average of one minute and thirty seconds to destroy. Just what had happened for that Mana Golem to crumble in a ridiculously short fifty-four seconds?
Since the time was so absurdly short, the answer was revealed almost instantly.
"Huh?" "What?" "What is that?"
The man had stood facing the golem for a short while. The moment he finally lunged forward, the golem swung wildly, lost its balance, and completely exposed the mana core on the back of its head—its critical weakness.
"Wait, is that thing broken?" At someone's remark, everyone nodded in agreement. Its movements were so clumsy and sluggish that they doubted it was even the same model of Mana Golem they had fought. Unless it was malfunctioning, there was no other explanation.
"That's it, it was broken." "No wonder..." "I knew it."
Just like that, Aidrin concluded that a malfunctioning Mana Golem was the sole reason he had achieved the record time. I knew it! Recalling how Drin had defended him instead of her, Aidrin immediately checked Drin's reaction.
"Huh?" But the reactions of Drin—and Kasha—were strange.
While the ordinary examinees, including Aidrin, scoffed at the footage, those two had the exact opposite reaction. Their expressions were dead serious, as if they had just encountered an unsolvable riddle.
And Sinia. For the first time since the exam began, her eyes gleamed with a brilliant light. "..." Without a word, she rewound the footage. With those sharp, sparkling eyes, she scrutinized the man's movements.
Once. Twice. Three times. Four times. Over and over, without stopping. As if she were appreciating a highly complex, profound work of art.