Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Entrance Exam (5)
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Ricardo was a demon.
Moreover, he was an executive-level demon who had personally faced one of the Four Heavenly Kings, the Demon of Terror.
Due to his specialization in disguise and infiltration, his direct combat prowess might seem somewhat lacking, but his ability to transform into any race made him more dangerous than the other executives.
Not only appearances, speech patterns, expressions, and behaviors, but even the mana unique to each race.
Excluding the dragonkin, known as the lords of mana, he could mimic the mana of every race on the continent.
And this 'mana distortion' was Ricardo's unique skill alone—even doppelgangers specialized in transformation couldn't replicate his intricate mana imitation.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Was that why?
He had been entrusted with the monumental task of infiltrating Academy City by the Four Heavenly Kings' Demon of Terror.
It had been three years since he infiltrated the city.
Not only the students around him but even the dimwitted instructors hadn't suspected his true identity.
And now, thanks to his relentless friendly overtures, he had earned the reputation of a trusted professor.
"Oh! Professor Ricardo, you've arrived."
"It's been a while, Professor Raymond."
"Here's the gate generator you requested."
Yes, trusted enough to borrow devices classified as dangerous materials from the person in charge.
Ricardo lightly bowed after receiving the three devices from Raymond.
"Haha, thank you, Professor Raymond."
"But why do you need something like this?"
"It's for personal research. I'm studying the correlation between gates and portals this time."
"I see. Well, since it's you, Professor Ricardo, I'm sure you'll handle it well, but please strictly adhere to the regulations. If an accident happens, it can't be undone."
"Of course."
"Not that lifting all restrictions would let you do more than create a gate the size of a small window anyway."
Raymond chuckled as he said that, then tilted his head while seeing Ricardo off as he walked away.
"Huh? But if he wants to research the correlation between gates and portals, why not just study portals directly? There's one in Acropolis, after all."
And he borrowed three of the exact same devices, no less.
"Hmm. Maybe he just wants to experiment with a smaller scale."
A twinge of unease lingered, but his deep trust in Ricardo soon made him brush it off as he returned to his duties.
He had no inkling that the item he handed over would become the spark of disaster.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Heh heh heh, what an idiot."
Ricardo let out a sinister chuckle.
"Now all preparations are complete."
Gripping the received devices, Ricardo headed to his lab.
"Thanks to that moron Raymond, things got a lot easier."
The gate generator.
A device used in practical training for upperclassmen in the high school division and above.
As the name implied, it generated gates to summon magical beasts, a dangerous tool meant to teach students real combat.
Of course, as a training device, it had safety features.
Not only did it limit the gate's size, but it also severely restricted the strength of summoned beasts, with output caps to ensure students wouldn't suffer major injuries even if it went berserk.
Nevertheless, it remained a hazardous item, permitted only to authorized faculty—and Ricardo, backed by Raymond's trust, had obtained it easily.
And Ricardo was a demon, a race unmatched in mana manipulation except by dragonkin.
Disabling the safety features on the device took him mere moments.
But he didn't stop there. He amplified the output, infused it with demonic mana to attract powerful beasts, and transformed it.
The device, once glowing blue, now emanated an ominous red aura.
"Perfect. I can't wait to hear the screams echoing across the entire city."
Foolish humans.
Berserk or not, just a small window?
How naive. That's the limit of inferior humans.
With superior mana control, one could create far larger gates.
Smiling in satisfaction at the three devices, Ricardo turned to the assistants in the lab.
The assistants stared at him blankly with glazed eyes and approached at his gesture.
"Here, take these."
"Yes."
"..."
"Understood."
"Install them where I told you."
Where would be best?
For this rare game, he wanted to make it as grand as possible...
Yes.
"SKY will do nicely."
A gate outbreak at the three premier schools representing Academy City.
It would make for a splendid scenario.
"Yeoncheol, Geumseong, and Slaine."
Spread terror from there.
Chaos erupting from the three major schools.
The prestigious SKY students would surely stand in the beasts' way.
Against beasts far stronger than anticipated!
Empowered by demonic mana, these beasts would overwhelm mere students.
Instructors would respond, but they couldn't react swiftly to sudden gates.
Even if someone foresaw and blocked the plan early, it would take time to escalate to the student council or board of directors.
They'd only move after the plan began.
And he had no intention of sitting idle, so even if instructors intervened, it wouldn't settle easily.
Especially since gates had the property of chaining smaller gates around a large one.
With simultaneous outbreaks, even a few elites couldn't buy much time.
To handle beasts scattered everywhere, even top-tier heroes wouldn't suffice—probably need at least three ranker-level heroes, right?
"Kuhahat! Even I think it's ridiculous!"
Ranker-level heroes!
Absurd.
Why would those at the front lines come here?
Maybe after exams for the entrance ceremony, but during an unrelated entrance exam? Probability approaches zero.
And multiple? When even one becomes huge news?
"Nonsense!"
Scoffing like that, Ricardo gazed at the clear sky, drunk on victory.
The plan was flawless.
Impossible to fail.
"Unless they glimpse the future, victory is mine!"
Foolish humans.
Enjoy your happiness while it lasts.
Starting with SKY, Academy City will be engulfed in terror!
"Kuhuhu, kuhehehe, kahahahaha!"
With a classic villainous laugh, Ricardo began moving in anticipation of that day.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, at that time.
"Heyyy~ Are we still far~?"
"...Not much longer."
A gray-haired woman crossed the Imperial Empire's border, accompanied by a green-haired girl.
"For real~? You said the same yesterday~?"
"This time it's true. We've entered the Imperial Empire, so Academy City isn't far now."
"Hmm? Then I'll wait a bit more~"
The gentle-faced elf said that, and the woman let out a small sigh.
Escorting a VIP among VIPs was mentally draining in real-time, but they were almost there now.
"I hope the president is doing well."
She's surely fine, but worry was inevitable.
If only the secretary and accountant were supporting her properly...
"I hope we arrive soon."
Academy City Student Council Vice President.
Member of the Golden Generation.
Hero Ranking 11th.
And holder of various other credentials, but her most famous moniker was different.
【Sword Ghost】
A legendary figure who rose from top-tier to ranker with just a sword.
Sena Lierre headed toward Academy City, hiding her anticipation behind an expressionless face.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, at that time, on the front lines.
Near the border of the Dongriam Kingdom occupied by demons.
Lightning struck repeatedly in the dry sky.
"Gaaah!"
"Damn it! Block that girl—!"
"Can you handle it?"
Countless demons advanced, but bizarrely plunging lightning charred them to cinders before they could advance an inch.
"M-monster girl!"
"Think you've won with this? You're mistaken!"
Soon, a massive boulder formed in the demon ranks and hurtled toward them.
"Gasp! Everyone, evade!"
"Retreat! Fall back!"
As the earth-mana-infused boulder flew at the allied forces' lines, the watching commander bellowed in alarm.
Soldiers slicing demons, knights and heroes facing groups alone—all widened their eyes and hastily pulled back.
As the lines shook and defeat loomed,
A golden flash blazed.
A sentient bolt pierced the boulder, veered, and shattered it to pieces.
"My god!"
"Block it! Block that thing!"
"Too fast!"
Frustrated as their labored attack crumbled, demons unleashed magic at the lightning.
But it dodged leisurely with its signature speed.
After pulverizing the boulder, it fired bolt clusters everywhere, turning the area into a pockmarked wasteland as demons dissolved to ash en masse.
"...That's a hero?"
One hero muttered in dismay, staring blankly at the lightning's path.
Everyone heard, but none dared refute.
Her prowess was incomparable to them, mere low-tier heroes.
Before long, the tide turned completely, demons retreating in droves.
"That's... Thunderlight."
A knight's absentminded mutter echoed through the air.
.
.
.
.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ──Great work, Master!
After the battle.
Praise poured toward her as she entered the tent.
"That was incredible!"
"How are you so fast?!"
"Another brilliant performance today!"
She was entirely yellow-toned.
Yellow hair matching her ears and tail.
A cat beastkin, judging by her vertically slit pupils that amplified her haughty aura.
Wearing a yellow coat over her slender yet voluptuous frame, brazenly exposing her midriff, she slowly crossed her legs.
"So, no particular news today, right?"
From the Wild Hunt clan of beastkin heroes.
At their master's words, a nearby beastkin hesitated before approaching.
"Um, Master. There's a letter for you..."
The clan members' expressions hardened instantly.
"Wait, newbie!"
"S-sorry, Master! The newbie doesn't know better!"
"I'll train him properly, Master!"
"...It's fine. Hey, bring it here."
Whimsical, perhaps.
She usually loathed tedious tasks, delegating all trivial matters to subordinates.
Naturally, letters—mostly spam-like—were among her pet peeves; she ignored them unless verbally relayed.
Some even joked to use video magic instead for her memory.
But today, she forgave the subordinate's blunder.
'Hmm. Nice.'
Her freshly manicured nails looked great.
And that simple whim changed her future.
"Hm?"
The letter from the trembling subordinate.
Plain paper held electrifying contents.
Her bored, half-reclined pose vanished; tail stiffening straight up, she bolted upright and began packing.
The stunned subordinate gaped at her rigidly erect tail, eyes shaking.
"M-Master?"
"I'm on vacation for a while. Don't look for me."
"Y-Yes?!"
"See you."
"W-Wait! Master? Master!!"
Ignoring the bewildered cries, she left the tent and departed the battlefield at lightning speed befitting her moniker.
'The president reaching out first—unbelievable!'
A smile curved her lips as her speed increased.
'Demons are driven off, won't come soon. With Frey there, a short break's fine.'
Shaking off inner anxieties,
Golden Generation member, Hero Ranking 21st.
【Thunderlight】
Allensia Trauzen headed to Academy City in high spirits.
And beyond her, many graduates flocked there too—
"Huh? An invitation from the president?"
33rd, top-tier hero.
Starting with Gale's Izela.
"Ho."
45th, Flash's Janas.
"Seeing faces after so long isn't bad."
79th, Formless Irena.
"My, an invitation from the president? Something must be up."
121st, Mercy’s Ludmilla, and more.
Numerous lower-ranked heroes responded to the president's call, heading to Academy City.
And tales of the surprised president at the influx,
and Ricardo abandoning thought in disbelief,
would come later.