Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Entrance Exam (3)
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The instructor stood there with his mouth agape, utterly speechless.
Aren looked down at him arrogantly from above, but the man's heart had frozen solid long ago.
"H-How...?"
"Did you ask how it was done?"
The instructor blankly alternated his gaze between Aren and the spot where the protective magic and combat power gauge had been just moments before.
"How did you do it...?"
"May I go down now?"
"Th-this is impossible... No, but this just happened right now..."
"...Haa."
The instructor kept mumbling to himself in a daze, as if he'd lost his mind.
And it was understandable. What was that measurement device Aren had just destroyed?
It was one of the hardest objects in the world, forged by layering mithril—one of the toughest metals known—and slathering it with protective spells.
It was shaped like a shield on the outside and had withstood countless attacks from examinees over the past several decades.
Some had managed to scratch or dent its surface, but no one had ever outright destroyed it like that.
Which meant Aren was the first.
Of course, Aren couldn't care less about being first or whatever; he just let out a small sigh, feeling awkwardly alone as he stood there.
"Impossible..."
The instructor kept denying reality, glancing back and forth between Aren and the ruined device.
In the end, Aren just left the exam area on his own. They'd call him back later if there was a problem.
"......"
"...Whoa."
"......What the hell is that guy...?"
"Crazy..."
"Was that just now... magic...?"
"............"
"Who the hell is that guy...?"
"...The mithril gauge got destroyed?"
"N-no way... Even the Sword Saint's disciple, the genius prince leading the throne race, or the Next Northern Grand Duke couldn't touch it..."
"Hah..."
"Shit... Didn't you hear them mocking the bet just now—gasp!"
"...H-he made eye contact..."
As Aren approached from the exam area, the examinees stopped whispering and backed away, creating distance. The crowd parting before him looked almost like the sea splitting.
The emotions in their eyes were clear: awe, fear, jealousy, and envy.
No one compared him to that Bertan Young-sik noble from earlier and sneered in contempt.
Because they had witnessed it.
If only for a brief moment, they had distinctly felt it—an enormous mana, like an endless ocean.
And the inexplicable magic that followed.
Swordsmen, boxers, archers, mages—regardless of their specialties, none had ever heard of magic like what Aren had just unleashed.
The mages in particular stared at him with overwhelming fascination mixed with awe and envy at this unprecedented sight.
Only after Aren passed did they speak up.
"...Does anyone know what that magic was?"
"No clue."
"How the hell did it deploy? I couldn't read it at all..."
"To me, it looked like it operated in a completely different way from any existing magic."
"...A monster."
"Yeah."
Meanwhile, Aren pushed through the crowd and headed straight for the most eye-catching bob-cut girl.
"Lydia. Been waiting?"
She was stamping her feet anxiously by herself.
"A-Aren...! That was amazing!"
Lydia never could have imagined it.
That this guy who didn't even know the way to the academy, who spouted weird stuff about going there to find a wife—her first friend, Aren—would be this strong.
"You're really, really amazing, Aren! How are you so strong?"
"Hm... Well. This is pretty average for me."
"Av-average...?"
...If that's average, wouldn't the world have ended already?
"Th-then, what was that magic just now!?"
"Curious?"
"Yes...!"
Should he tell her? Or not?
'Hmm...'
"It's a secret."
"Ah!"
Lydia puffed out her cheeks, having gotten her hopes up.
"You're mean, Aren!"
"Mean? Nah."
He chuckled and gently pressed her cheek to deflate it.
For a man and woman who'd only just met, it was a surprisingly casual touch, making Lydia flinch and look at him.
But his next words blew away any such feelings.
"Well, if Lydia passes too, I'll tell you later."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Got it! I'll definitely pass and go to the academy with you, Aren...!"
"You got this."
"Yeah!"
He'd tell her the magic's secret if she passed!
Whether she liked it or not, as a mage herself, she couldn't help being curious about whatever that was Aren had used.
Anyway...
"See that?"
Aren smirked as he stared down Bertan Young-sik.
This was just returning the favor exactly as that guy had done earlier. Of course, the damage output was on a whole different level.
He'd strutted around so arrogantly, flashing his pride everywhere, but he never imagined it'd be like grabbing the reins in front of a tiger.
So maybe he should've watched his mouth.
Then at least he wouldn't feel this humiliated.
Tsk tsk.
"You bastard...!"
Bertan Young-sik's face twisted in rage. But he couldn't do anything more.
The overwhelming scene from earlier was still vividly burned into his mind, so it was only natural.
In the end, he tucked tail and fled with his followers.
"Whoa... First time I've seen a noble run away first."
Meanwhile, a woman who had watched the entire spectacle covered her mouth with a fan.
"......A unique character has entered the academy."
It took longer than expected to sort out the situation.
The academy hadn't anticipated the unprecedented disaster of the gauge and exam area being destroyed, and since some examinees' records had vanished along with it, retests were necessary.
And as might be expected, the academy began paying attention to Aren because of this incident.
For better or worse.
Oh.
For reference, Lydia's delayed first exam resulted in a pass.
...
Anyway,
The only thing left on the schedule was a random 1v1 duel, essentially a ranking match for the prospective students.
"Huaa... I'm so nervous, Aren..."
"Deep breaths help in times like that."
"R-really? Okay... Hoo... haa... hoo... haa..."
With each inhale and exhale, her large, ample chest rose and fell grandly.
Naturally, eyes from around gathered on her bosom, but they quickly averted when they met Aren's gaze, as if nothing had happened.
'Looks like the rumor that Lydia's my girlfriend spread in that short time.'
...Was it his imagination, or could he feel their resolve not to mess with the monster?
Aren felt a strange mix of emotions.
"Eek... Still nervous though. D-do you think I can do well in the duel...?"
"Yeah. You'll be fine. From the first exam, it looked like you at least gave the mithril a tiny shock."
"Even sooo... I'm too nervous. I've never dueled anyone except Master..."
"Master, huh... What kind of person was Lydia's master?"
He was a bit curious.
Not about the bob-cut, but...
Lydia had solid magic skills for a country girl. Talent aside, she had the refined finesse and knowledge that seemed hard to pick up self-studying.
"My master was a mage who retired from the Magic Tower and went back to farming. I met her by chance while playing in the fields, and she noticed my mana capacity—"
Lydia's story cut off unfinished.
Because Aren's turn for the duel came up mid-conversation.
"Eek... Your turn already, Aren...? Good luck! Don't get hurt."
"I won't, so don't worry, Lydia."
"I know. Still, don't get hurt!"
—Ajaja!
Lydia cutely clenched her fist.
He waved to her and stepped into the arena, instantly drawing all eyes.
The academy professors, imperial officials, and spectators wondered with lazy eyes who would face this drowsy-eyed Aren.
The Sword Saint's disciple, the genius prince leading the throne race, the Next Northern Grand Duke, the Magic Tower Lord's disciple, the princess of the knight kingdom, etc.
There were so many from the Golden Generation.
No matter who came up against Aren, it wouldn't be surprising.
The first exam had been Aren's overwhelming solo run, but the Golden Generation earned their name for a reason—they figured meaningful competition was possible.
And then.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Veronica Adel Adler."
The young lady with light purple hair and green eyes greeted elegantly.
"Whoa!"
"As expected, his opponent is Lady Adler..."
"They're both mages, right."
"Hm... She's in the Golden Generation, but as fellow mages, it feels a bit iffy..."
"Yeah. Adler... She's skilled, sure, but..."
"Heard some bad rumors lately."
Regardless of the crowd's chatter, Aren stared steadily at Veronica.
'Hm.'
He finished some mental calculations.
"Nice to meet you too, Lady Adler. I'm Aren."
After the brief greeting, the two exchanged gazes until the duel began.
Veronica with sharp eyes whose meaning he couldn't grasp, Aren with eyes burning with desire for his academy goal.
"Lady Adler."
"Yes?"
"I find myself not wanting to fight you."
"I see. You don't want to fight me... Yes?"
...
".........?"
The spectators, who had perked up their ears at the pre-duel conversation, looked dumbfounded.
What were they talking about right before the duel...?
Didn't want to fight? At this timing?
"...Did you suddenly get cold feet?"
"As if."
...Then why?
"...Are you looking down on me?"
"As if."
"Then what did you mean by that? If there's no reason, I'll have to assume you're belittling me."
Her tone sharpened. But he firmly shook his head.
"Not belittling. It's just... you're my type."
"T-type?"
"Yes. My type. You."
"““““““““............????””””””””
"Wh-what do you...!"
Her face flushed red in an instant.
But soon after, convinced he was mocking her, her expression twisted.
However, his next words shattered her expression again.
"I'd love for a woman like you to bear my children."
"...What did you just say?"
The spectators and all onlookers gasped.
What the hell had they just heard?
But Aren followed up as if to confirm their ears weren't broken.
"Be my mate."
"......Are you serious?"
"Yes."
An immediate answer without a hint of hesitation.
Only then did Veronica realize he wasn't joking, and her face went blank.
"......"
