Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Entrance Exam (10)
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While I was lost in thoughts about Alex and Noah, Lu's voice suddenly yanked my mind back to reality.
"Okay, got it."
"Hm?"
"Honestly, I still can't quite believe it. But since the Chairman's gone that far to say so..."
"......"
"I'll give it a try and believe it."
"Is that so."
That was a relief.
It meant Lu wouldn't be hostile toward Noah.
'...Though it looks like it'll get annoying in a different way.'
Well, for that part, I offered my faint condolences to Noah.
At that moment, Lu continued.
"By the way. You're planning to support Noah, right? So, are you thinking of letting the others know about him too?"
"No, I plan to tell only a select few. Since it's top-secret intel, it'll have to be limited to at least the department heads."
If the information leaked too widely, the chances of headaches multiplied just as much.
'It'll spread eventually, but the later the better—for both him and me.'
The fact that Noah was Alex's child would cause ripples far bigger than the news of a Divine Palace disciple arriving here.
You couldn't just blab a bombshell like that to anyone.
Excluding the executives who already knew, I'd leak it only to each department's heads to control the rumors as much as possible.
'The heads should be able to keep their subordinates in line.'
The team members might gripe about favoritism toward Noah, but I trusted the heads to clamp down on that.
'Well, telling Lu first was unexpected for me too.'
In that sense, Lu had sharp instincts about me and Noah's connection.
She'd picked up on my keen interest in him in that short time.
"What? You seriously mean that?"
And when I voiced it, Lu shot me a look of utter disbelief.
......Why?
.
.
.
.
"So, from now on, you're going to support Noah?"
"Yeah. I'll prioritize his growth above all else. I've even set the stage for this terror incident to aid his development."
In that light, Noah having an experience coupon was a huge boon.
'And just yesterday, I confirmed through High Ho that a gate generator's been installed near SKY.'
Which meant the demons' terror plot was playing out as predicted: a monster assault.
'A massive monster swarm plus an experience coupon. Is there any sweeter event than this!'
It might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
So I'd wring every last drop out of it.
'Not a single shred of experience left behind—harvest it all!'
Was this the farmer's thrill, waiting for the harvest?
After years of sowing seeds, the payoff felt gratifying.
"You haven't told the academies, right?"
"No, sorry to say, but in this terror plot, they're just bait."
SKY's prestige was renowned across the continent.
So if the demons targeted the city, they'd hit there for sure.
'Of course, not a single casualty allowed, so I didn't hide it completely.'
Still, only the academy heads and vice-heads knew, with very few others in the loop.
And they'd be ramping up internal security.
'The instructors or students might complain about being used as bait once they find out, but it's no big deal.'
All academies in Academy City aimed to produce top heroes.
And every hero's ultimate goal was slaying the Demon King.
Extending to purging the demons.
So SKY, as a hero-training institution, would welcome this role—no complaints.
The academy heads had approved it anyway.
Tell them the ringleader was likely an executive-level demon, and they'd cheer with both hands raised.
They'd handle any gripes from instructors or students themselves.
"I asked the academy heads for two things."
"Two things?"
"Yeah. First: maintain the precursors."
Don't destroy the gate generators around SKY.
If they got wrecked before the terror kicked off, it'd be a disaster.
Lose the experience, and worse, I'd have to re-predict the demons' moves without it.
That alone would balloon the scenario's risks.
'Thinking ahead, it's time to pull the internal spy now.'
Can't keep babysitting him forever.
Future series bosses ramped up in difficulty—no time for some mid-tier executive.
I explained with that intent, and Lu's eyes sparkled as she nodded.
"Then what's the second? What's the second one?"
"Second: turn the terror into a training exercise."
"Turn terror into a training exercise?"
"Yeah, make the real deal into training."
"Real combat... as training...?"
Lu made a face at the mismatched words.
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
Real combat was real; training was training.
No matter how close, training stayed training.
It could never be real combat.
But the Chairman thought differently.
"To scout exceptional talent, you must always present fresh, creative trials."
"......?"
"A famous saying from the Great Hero."
It was also the founding educational philosophy of the Slane Academy he established.
"Wise words. Sound advice steeped in his experience."
Right—the Great Hero overcame countless trials to fell the Demon King.
However—
"But it's also a phrase that reveals its limits."
Exactly.
Great words, but with clear boundaries.
"You can't always conjure fresh, creative trials out of thin air."
People say human creativity is infinite, but that's only because lifespans are finite.
'And here, not all intelligent beings are human.'
Dwarves living over a century, beastkin too, elves eyeing a millennium, and dragons for whom lifespan meant nothing.
Those outliving humans hit creativity walls too.
And Academy City gathered them all.
Creative trials? Long exhausted, now just remixed into oblivion—that was modern Academy City.
'New trials in that state? Impossible.'
Of course, the Great Hero's era was the series' start, smack in the Mythic Age of God-Demon Wars—trials came unbidden.
'And they did.'
But post-Mythic Age, in the Demon King and Hero era now...
Fresh, creative trials? A fantasy, hard to come by.
Hence.
The need for a new form of trial like this.
"Heroes are forged in adversity, after all."
In the heart of war.
Against brutal tyrants.
Chasing off corrupt officials preying on the people.
Or in desperate scrambles as the home base burns.
"The students will each face their limits tested."
Did their training hold up in real combat?
How would top students act when crisis hit?
Who showed the most heroic steps?
The most hero-like?
From the moment they confronted it, the students would be judged on hero potential.
"Of course, with instructors alongside, basic safety's assured."
But real combat's mental strain dwarfed training.
Adapting to extremes would sort the qualified from the rest.
"Plus, to gauge their potential, instructor intervention must be minimized."
"True......"
Obviously.
Couldn't have instructors jumping in and ending it before properly assessing student potential.
Students up front, instructors in support.
Of course, if monsters overrun expectations, instructors charge in regardless.
Even without that, instructors thinking it "real combat" might step up anyway.
'Key is, instructors will be watching student actions.'
Could be frontline fighters or designated observers from the heads.
'Either way, no academy in SKY or Academy City would miss this golden chance.'
Prime opportunity to scout talent.
Those relentless trial-masters wouldn't pass it up.
'Still, called in reinforcements for any what-ifs.'
When it hit, he'd handle it, plus city powerhouses would mobilize—minimizing damage.
......
'But could be a feint.'
Distract inside, hit the city from outside with main force.
Exaggerated? Not impossible.
Anyway, the conclusion was clear.
"Student Council, Board of Directors, Central Control Tower—all on full alert. Plenty of capacity for any scenario."
'And if my stats Noah described are real, I could solo unless all Four Heavenly Kings show.'
99 might not be max level, but no cakewalk either.
Among Seven Great Powers, only Demon God and War God topped it.
'Huh? If I'm 99, shouldn't I be on the Power Stone rankings?'
The thought hit; the Chairman's brow twitched.
If Noah's stat readout was legit, he qualified for the Powers elite.
'But no soul-engraving sensation from the Power Stone so far.'
As revealed in Failure Hero 2, the Power Stone ranked all continent souls in real-time.
Not periodic—constant measurement, auto-updates if stronger.
Wherever you were, you'd feel it etch your soul.
Yet 99-level Chairman, unranked?
'Two possibilities.'
'One: at least seven stronger than my 99.'
'Two: some bug keeping me off the Stone.'
Both unrealistic.
Levels didn't rise on breaths alone; couldn't have that many 99s.
Stone flawless for millennia—no random bug on him.
'If anything, bug's slightly more plausible......'
The variable? Himself from another dimension.
Different soul dimension, Stone can't register—
'But then my soul crossing over makes no sense.'
Stone made by Goddess of Light.
If she summoned him here, same power's Stone would detect him.
'Hmm......'
After brief pondering, he sighed and dropped it.
'Fine, let it go. Power rank boosts fame and feats, but not essential.'
Seven Great Powers was a natural scenario unlock—meager feat rewards.
Fame was juicy, but not must-have.
Better to recruit existing Powers.
'Ask Master later.'
She might know.
Sorting his thoughts, he pulled out Plue at the buzz from his pocket.
"What is it?"
[Chairman, it's Tatiana.]
Holding Plue to his ear, a soft woman's voice emerged.
Under Lu's curious gaze, he nodded leisurely—until her words widened his eyes in shock.
"Wha... what? Say that again, one more time?"
[Yes, Chairman.]
[Vice Chairman just returned.]
"Hm? Back sooner than expected."
[Yes, and Lightning came with him.]
"...The Lightning I know?"
[Yes, 'that' Lightning.]
"......"
The Chairman's mouth clamped shut.
His trembling eyes spoke volumes.
Then, a hesitant voice from Plue followed.
[...And replies came for the invites you sent your acquaintances.]
"Oh? They all declined for being busy, I assume?"
He forced calm despite the shock.
'Alensia's here; one more would be nice. Old student bonds—they wouldn't all bail for schedules, right?'
[Actually, they're all accepting the invites.]
"......What?"
[All 23 you invited replied yes.]
"......"
What, alumni reunion this year?
No—they did one last year.
Venue always the front lines too.
They'd gathered there forever—why swarm here now?
A torrent of thoughts flashed; he struggled to speak...
"......"
[Chairman? Chairman?!]
...and dropped Plue without a word.