The Mithril Golem's Trial
Kuuuung!
"Oh, an incoming student with that level of magic power and skill."
"His stance is excellent too."
"He seems better than last year's top scorer."
The examiners voiced their satisfaction at the mere sight of the magic power cloaking Seo Moon-hyun's sword and the quality of his posture. What he displayed was already on par with most active heroes.
"They said a remarkable genius had emerged from the Seo family. Looks like the rumors were true."
"Impressive. It's not just raw talent—he's clearly put in the effort to hone it."
The examiners recognized that Seo Moon-hyun's performance was the result of repeated effort rather than talent alone, and their reactions remained favorable.
"But the attribute of his magic power is unusual, isn't it?"
"No, I can't sense any attribute at all."
"I… I feel the same."
The examiners soon detected something peculiar about the magic power wrapped around Seo Moon-hyun's blade and began checking with one another, wondering if their senses were mistaken.
Seo Moon-hyun understood their reaction. Most mana awakeners' magic power leaned toward one attribute or another. His younger sister, Seo Moon-min-hye, was closer to water and wind attributes and specialized in swordsmanship for combat. Even Lee Se-na, a healer, belonged to the recovery attribute. Yet his own magic power was uniquely attribute-less—something without precedent.
While attributes sometimes held advantages or disadvantages against one another, an attribute-less magic power like his was different. It lacked specialization in any single area, but conversely, it had no weaknesses either.
'Having no fixed attribute means I can't exploit an opponent's weakness, but it also means I have no weakness of my own.'
With that thought, Seo Moon-hyun swung his sword, pure power infused in the strike, straight at the golem.
Kwaaaaaang!
A massive explosion erupted at the point of impact. Because Seo Moon-hyun's attack carried no attribute, none of the golem's resistances to various attributes could activate. Only its basic defensive power against raw attacks came into play.
'Was that too shallow?'
His strike had failed to leave even a scratch on the mithril golem. Still, the power he had shown earned high marks from the examiners. Even active heroes rarely managed to damage that golem; for a mere student to do so would have been strange.
"Remarkable."
"To display that much power already…"
Just as the examiners' favorable reactions peaked, the chief examiner spoke.
"Seo Moon-hyun, well done. Return to your seat. Next, number 181, Park Woo-hyuk. Step forward."
Seo Moon-hyun sheathed his sword, bowed politely to the examiners, and returned to his place. The next examinee, a young man with a tense expression after witnessing Seo Moon-hyun's performance, stepped up. The examination continued.
'It's a shame…'
What disappointed Seo Moon-hyun was that Seo Moon-min-hye had not come to watch even on the day of his final exam. She had said she would visit for the entrance ceremony, but still, not hearing her direct encouragement here left him feeling a little lonely.
"Both of them passed."
I had been watching Seo Moon-hyun and Lee Se-na take their final entrance exams. Seo Moon-hyun's sword strike was naturally a pass, and its power ranked among the very best even among the academy's students. In fact, if it weren't for me, he would have been number one. Lee Se-na had also demonstrated excellent healing abilities; although she lacked direct combat power, she would likely receive a very high ranking in the non-combat category.
My own exam number was 532, so my turn was still two days away. The numbers were assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and I had deliberately chosen this one. If I had wanted, getting number 1 would have been trivial.
'I've poured quite a lot of money into the National Hero Academy's welfare.'
Over the past two years, I had donated heavily to the academy's facilities. I never interfered with its operations, only gave money, so the academy had gladly upgraded its welfare amenities according to my requests.
'Exam number 533, Yee Eun-chae.'
The real reason I had taken this number was to meet the person right after me—Yee Eun-chae. I had briefly considered whether to approach Yoo Eun-chae or Yee Eun-chae first, but ultimately chose Yee Eun-chae. There would be other chances to get close to Yoo Eun-chae, whereas meeting Yee Eun-chae naturally on the academy's first day felt more appropriate.
"Two more days, then."
My turn was in two days.
'Just wait, Yee Eun-chae.'
Two days later, around 3:30 in the afternoon, I stood at the entrance of Academy Gate C.
"Oppa, good luck. If it's you, you'll definitely get the highest score."
Seo Moon-min-hye, wearing skinny jeans and a white T-shirt, smiled brightly as she spoke. She had come in person to cheer me on for the final entrance exam and was carefully checking my outfit.
"Oppa, you're not wearing a suit today."
She sounded slightly disappointed that I wasn't dressed formally. I gave her a gentle smile.
"This is more comfortable to move in than a suit, obviously."
"Yeah, I know, but… there are examiners, and it's kind of like an interview, right? It would've been nice if your tie was crooked so I could fix it for you…"
Her cheeks puffed out slightly as she spoke. I chuckled and patted her head.
"Our Min-hye is so thoughtful, cheering me on like this."
"Hehe~ You know I'm the only one who thinks about you this much, right?"
"Yeah, I know."
"Then, Oppa, after your exam today, let's go shopping together at the department store here in the evening."
Seo Moon-min-hye suddenly suggested shopping, but I had expected it. She figured that once I entered the academy, we would naturally spend less time together. Hero Island operated on a dormitory system, and students usually lived on campus or at least nearby. With all the assignments the academy would give, she probably assumed I wouldn't have much free time.
'That won't happen.'
Seo Moon-min-hye needed to stay by my side. Before long, she would become my lover completely. To make that happen, I had to keep her close, and preparations were already underway. Still, this wasn't the time to say it, so I simply smiled and nodded at her request.
"Sure, let's do that. Dinner together too."
"Yeah! Oppa, I'll be waiting here, believing you'll do great!"
"Huhu, got it."
While exchanging light greetings with Seo Moon-min-hye, my gaze briefly caught on a healthy, vibrant beauty with black hair tinged with purple and matching purple eyes. She wore a deep pink blouse and black hot pants, an active outfit, with a sword sheath at her waist and her hand resting on the hilt as if ready to draw. She seemed to be sharpening her senses in preparation for the exam. Even just standing there, she made quite the picture, and the waiting examinees at Gate C kept glancing back and forth between Seo Moon-min-hye and her.
'If there was only one, everyone's eyes would be fixed on her, but with two beauties standing side by side, they probably don't know where to look.'
Seo Moon-min-hye noticed my gaze lingering on Yee Eun-chae and looked at me with a strange expression.
"Oppa, are you interested in that unnie?"
"Yeah, a little. She's the strongest among the examinees here, aside from me."
"Is that really all?"
"Min-hye, I just met her today. What exactly are you expecting?"
"Hehe~ I guess that's true~"
Our exchange was light and teasing, but Seo Moon-min-hye's observation was actually spot-on, even if she didn't realize it. Yee Eun-chae was one of the original heroines, someone I intended to claim as well. She would become one of my women. For today, however, I only planned to create a point of contact.
'She'll play a role in bringing Seo Moon-hyun down.'
Just then, the exam numbers were called.
"Numbers 521 through 540, please enter!"
I placed a hand lightly on Seo Moon-min-hye's shoulder.
"I'll be going then. See you later, Min-hye."
"Yeah! I'll wait for you to come out."
"Thanks."
After our goodbyes, the examinees and I stepped through Gate C into the academy grounds. Ten examiners stood on a vast, open plain, just as I had seen before. I had sent money for welfare improvements and even strengthened the golems, but the number of examiners remained the same as in the original story. The chief examiner addressed us.
"Welcome, examinees from numbers 521 to 540! You are already as good as proud students of the National Hero Academy! However, to accurately gauge your approximate levels, we've prepared this test! Those confident in attack, stand on the left. Those skilled in other areas rather than direct attack, stand on the right!"
At his words, the majority of us—including Yee Eun-chae and myself—moved to the left, while only four students went to the right. Honestly, I could have stood on the right without issue, but the left side was better for creating a connection with Yee Eun-chae.
"We'll start with the students on the left! Who wants to go first?"
I raised my hand.
"I'll go first."
"Alright… hmm?"
The chief examiner, checking my information on his phone, flinched in surprise. It was understandable—my profile clearly stated I was the heir to the Yucheon Group. Every examiner, including the chief, knew the Yucheon Group had poured an enormous amount of money into the academy's welfare, and they were all beneficiaries of that generosity.
"Twenty-two years old, Seo Moon-jin. Quite the distinguished guest. But no matter how distinguished you are, there are no exceptions in the examination."
That fact wouldn't earn me any extra points, and I had already instructed the Yucheon Group not to pull any strings, so I simply nodded.
"Of course."
With that, I retrieved a sword from my dimensional storage.
"Dimensional storage?"
The examiners all looked shocked at the sight of me opening a dimensional space to take out a weapon.
'I should hold back appropriately.'
From now on—starting right here at the academy—I planned to keep my power in check. If I didn't restrain myself to a level that still stood out among the students, none of my revenge plans would be able to proceed.
'Still, Seo Moon-hyun… even so, I'll be stronger than you.'