Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Admission Ceremony (7)
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Noah receiving countless recruitment offers was, in a way, a perfectly natural outcome.
Of course, it wasn't because the scouts highly valued his skills or anything like that.
It was simply because the Chairman had taken an interest in him.
From the very moment the Chairman offered Noah advice, the scouts had been keeping a close eye on him.
Of course, without knowing the aspirant's actual abilities...
Most academies were content to simply observe, but there were always a few that went beyond that.
Especially some G3 academies, which staked everything on talent recruitment, showed unprecedented boldness by making his enlistment their top priority.
Even the scouts renowned as veterans were all fixated on him, paying him exceptional attention.
From the perspective of someone completely in the dark, one might wonder why make such a fuss over just catching the Chairman's eye.
But to the scouts, that alone was more than enough motivation—overflowing, in fact.
In this sense, the Chairman's influence might even be greater than he himself realized.
The Chairman symbolized the absolute pinnacle of Academy City, a position earned through raw power.
Holding it for years meant he had never suffered a single defeat.
This stood in stark contrast to past chairmen, who had naturally yielded their seats after losses—and conversely, it meant no current student had ever surpassed him.
He was, quite literally, the man at the top of Academy City.
That was the Student Council President.
And the first talent to draw the attention of someone in that position was Noah.
That title alone made him mouthwatering bait for the scouts.
Of course, even they hadn't anticipated Noah failing.
But their surprise was short-lived.
The scouts quickly realized the situation had swung in their favor.
Since he'd failed the admission ceremony, they now held the reins in any choice he made.
By Academy City's rules, no one could enter the city until the entrance ceremony without prior contact from a specific academy—so Noah had no choice but to field recruitment offers.
Had he passed the admission ceremony, he'd have controlled his admission options, but as things stood, he couldn't flatly reject the scouts' pitches.
With momentum on their side now...
All that remained was offering better terms than the competition.
"We at Vihite provide the latest medical systems and systematic training from veterans across every field! Join us, and we guarantee you won't regret it!"
"Hmph! Vihite's medical systems? We have those too! Plus, at Hidden Steel, students get access to all sorts of training weapons! We support every aspect of your training needs, so if you want to boost your skills, come to us!"
"Uh... well, you see..."
"Noah! Ignore these low-tier G3s! Come to Solomon School of Magic! We're specialized in magic classes, but as a G2 academy, we promise top-tier support that won't disappoint!"
"Outrageous! Not even worth debating! What's a G2 anyway? Noah, you need to pick a school that fits your talents! Our Maehwa is different. We're a G2 academy specialized in Aura-based Arts, with a systematic curriculum worthy of the name and expert instructors on standby around the clock. We offer dorms, weapon rentals for training, basic martial manuals—you name it. We promise unprecedented support tailored for you."
Caught off guard by the scouts' aggressive pitches, Noah was at a loss.
Even when he failed the exam, it hadn't crossed his mind that he'd get recruitment offers.
And not just one—from this many people, all seeking him out!
But Noah didn't exactly welcome their recruitment with open arms.
"Excuse me, everyone? You say you want to recruit me, but what exactly have you seen in me?"
As if on cue, the scouts clamped their mouths shut.
It was only natural.
He hadn't shown anything at the admission ceremony.
"This is embarrassing to admit, but I'm not as talented as you all seem to think. I failed the admission ceremony—I'm a total washout."
"N-No, that's not true, Noah. You might lack polish now, but with our academy's guidance, you'll surely become an outstanding hero."
"So the place you're recommending is some school that even a washout like me could breeze into?"
"Th-That's..."
"Sorry if I'm being rude. But let me say this: I have no intention of shamelessly riding someone else's coattails to get in."
Noah knew exactly what they saw in him worth recruiting.
How could he not?
With someone that dazzling right by his side, who wouldn't turn their gaze away?
"Noah, we understand your stance, but if you reject our offers now, you'll be eliminated as is."
"I know. But... but this isn't right."
I want to enter an academy through my own strength alone—not someone else's.
The scouts surrounding Noah showed a range of reactions to his resolute voice laced with determination.
Some looked pleased, praising his heroic spirit.
Others scowled, muttering that a talentless nobody was getting ideas above his station.
Even after that, a few persistent scouts tried again, but Noah firmly chased them off, solidifying his refusal.
"...Can't be helped, then. If you change your mind, come visit. Maehwa of Agora is always in bloom."
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
"Heh, let's meet again as proper students next time."
Finally, even the last lingering scout departed, and Noah let out a quiet sigh.
"Hoo..."
"Good work out there, Noah."
"Ah, Camelia!"
Noah turned toward the voice that rang out as if she'd been waiting.
She brushed back her fiery red hair that fell to her waist with one hand and gazed at him with a gentle smile.
"I watched the whole thing from back there. Quite the ordeal, huh?"
"Tell me about it. I was shocked so many people showed up."
"Still, they came specifically to see you, so don't hold it against them."
"No way! I'm grateful, actually. They gave a half-baked nobody like me the benefit of the doubt, even without seeing my skills."
"So, do you have a plan?"
She must have overheard everything.
She seemed to already know he'd failed the admission ceremony.
"...Did you pass, Camelia?"
"Yes, thankfully I made it through safe and sound."
"Congratulations! Meanwhile, I bombed out."
"I heard the gist. The Gate of Lamentations, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Don't get too down. The Gate of Lamentations has a notorious reputation as one of the toughest warrior-class exams. Even the dropouts probably aren't that bad."
It was obvious consolation, but Noah appreciated it all the same.
"Thanks. Hearing that from you makes me feel a bit better."
"Well, there was that monster who flung it wide open, but even opening just one counts as excellent. Don't beat yourself up."
I couldn't even open that one...
Noah muttered inwardly, sighed, and stared at the exam grounds.
With so many participants, the tests were still ongoing.
Noisy clamor echoed from everywhere, along with the bustling voices of busy instructors.
"...What now?"
Noah murmured blankly, watching the people hustle about.
She'd chased off the scouts in a huff just moments ago, but honestly, catching a scout's eye on her own merits would be incredibly tough.
There were tons of aspirants at her skill level.
And after failing the admission ceremony, she couldn't exactly cut loose to show off without repercussions.
That was when Camelia spoke up.
"Noah, have you heard of the supplementary exam?"
To Noah, who had been desperately seeking a chance to prove himself, it was like rain in a drought.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Supplementary Exam
Also called the additional exam, this was a lifeline for aspirants who failed the admission ceremony.
Not an official city-hosted test, but run by scouts evaluating candidates for numerous academies—it was even stricter than the admission exam.
Naturally aimed at desperate aspirants with no other options, the overall quality wasn't sky-high, but hidden gems occasionally emerged, making it a yearly event scouts rarely missed.
"The supplementary exam is truly the last resort for admission ceremony dropouts."
"I had no idea..."
"You wouldn't need to, if you passed the admission ceremony. But some students shine here after failing there, so even the instructors take an interest."
Not just scouts—even official academy instructors paid attention.
"How do you join the supplementary exam? Do you submit an application...?"
"Heh, no need. There's a designated venue—just show up on time, and you're in."
There was a way!
A ray of hope pierced Noah's despair, drawing a sigh of relief.
"Thank you so much, Camelia. I was really at a loss."
She'd nearly backtracked and called back those scouts.
"Still, be careful. It's the final bastion, so the aspirants will be fighting tooth and nail."
"Got it. I'll give it my all."
She was backed into the same corner, after all.
With everything on the line, the one hungriest for it would rise.
A faint smile tugged at Noah's lips at the thought.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, in the men's restroom at the admission ceremony grounds.
One aspirant sat on the toilet, eyes brimming with anxiety.
"Th-This is really it. If I fail this too, I'll be buried in debt."
Early in the admission ceremony.
Blown away by the Chairman's aura, he muttered endlessly with uneasy eyes.
"No, no... How could this happen to the money I scraped together? The hard-earned savings from Mom and Dad, wasted like this..."
Tears streaming as he vented his rage, he soon slumped, sobbing openly.
"No choice now. I-I have to risk the side effects and boost my power!"
Staring at the pill in his hand, he squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed it whole.
It was from that guy calling himself his "teacher," but he had no backing left.
Bracing for agony, eyes clenched, body tense—but no pain came, so he cautiously peeked.
"Wh-What? It doesn't hurt? Is it a dud?"
The thought had barely formed.
"...!"
He trembled, feeling mana surging wildly within him.
"Incredible!"
An overwhelming mana he'd never felt in his life.
With this, I can not only pass—but maybe aim even higher!
Drunk on omnipotence, his happy delusions spun until one face crossed his mind, twisting his expression into a scowl.
Yeah, with this power, I can crush that Chairman bastard too!
Revenge on the one who'd humiliated him.
"Kuhahaha!"
Soon, he burst into mad laughter, intoxicated by the surging power in his chest.
Bam!
"Keep it down! You don't own the restroom!"
"S-Sorry!"
He deflated instantly at the pounding on the door.