Entrance Exam (3)
The best way to ruin someone's plan is to make it look like it's succeeding, only for it to fail at the last moment. This quest was no different.
Show everyone your victory over the protagonist Evan in the entrance exam.
Reward: Slight fame gain.
*If conditions are not met, this quest will be marked as failed.
Show the victory. To everyone. If it were just the first condition, it might be tricky. But with "everyone" added, sabotaging this quest becomes ridiculously simple. Just don't satisfy that one condition.
'Everyone' means the people watching the entrance exam.
In other words, even if I beat the protagonist black and blue, as long as no one else sees it, I'm good.
Before facing Evan, I set up the environment.
Curtain of Illusion—magic manifested from my hand. Despite the grandiose name, the spell simply spread into the air and permeated it. Now, our images being broadcast would come out blurry. With this, the quest completion condition was blocked.
If it had been a quest like [Defeat Evan] without the latter condition, I would've dropped the idea of venting my anger. A quiet life is far more important than beating the guy up and causing a fuss.
That's when a voice came from across the way.
"Is that magic?"
Evan stared blankly at the empty air, forgetting to charge. As expected of the protagonist, he'd awakened his mana-sight ability. His eyes sparkled with excitement at the magic blooming from my hand.
"First time hearing a knight uses magic."
"Curious?"
"Yeah, super curious."
"Beat me, and I'll tell you."
I deliberately didn't satisfy his curiosity. His trigger for awakening magic comes from attending the academy, not me. It's during first-year break, too. So, no spilling it now.
Gulp. Evan swallowed hard, his body trembling with excitement.
"For sure, Senior, you're different from the others I've fought so far."
"Quit yapping. Come at me."
Our eyes met. Clear, pristine pupils—unlike my murky ones.
"Here I go...!"
Evan kicked off the ground with gusto. And clang!—swords clashed. Sparks flew vividly.
The attack didn't stop there. A second strike followed. Evan's sword slipped out smoothly, slicing low.
His speed's impressive.
I stepped back and swung horizontally. Evan ducked in surprise. Not panic in his eyes—he gleamed like he'd seized an opportunity.
Evan pulled his sword to chest level. His arm muscles bulged.
Whoosh! A half-beat faster, it cleaved the air like lightning, thrusting straight at me.
Clang! But I'd read it—I deflected easily. His sword hand flew weakly into empty space.
Evan didn't stop. He quickly bent his elbow for another thrust. But I'd read that too—his attack went for naught.
I peered into the protagonist's eyes. He should've regulated his breath and aimed for the next opening, but even in failure, his gaze burned with fighting spirit. I liked that fierce will.
Now that's protagonist material.
A brief appreciation. In reward, I dove into his guard and swung.
Evan reacted instantly. His feet pushed off, leaping up. He spun mid-air. Centrifugal force and his full-body power focused into the sword.
Then he brought it down.
This'll hurt...
I whipped my sword overhead. Boom! A thrilling jolt spread from my fingertips. A numbing shock through my body. Impressive power for someone without mana reinforcement.
Gritting my teeth, I endured and flicked my sword down briefly. A line slashing his torso. But Evan's descending sword blocked fluidly, like flowing water.
"Hup!"
"Hah!"
We fed oxygen to our lungs. Power surged through our bodies. As if by agreement, we thrust.
Swords clashed dozens of times. Sharp tips grazed arms, legs, sides. As his wounds multiplied, so did mine.
Boom! With that final clash, we leaped apart.
"Hoo..."
I caught my breath. Sweat poured from that brief, fierce exchange. My gaze turned to him. He grinned like he was enjoying the fight.
"Everyone else tapped out around now. You're way stronger than expected, Senior."
"Guess you only fought scrubs."
"And yet you're panting pretty hard for it?"
Sharp observation. I was still regulating my breath, but his had steadied. Not that I wanted to explain—this body's just entering normal human range. That's why I'm starting sword spars with Elraim next week. Strength and stamina improved, but not spar-ready yet.
No need to spell it out.
Let him misunderstand. No corrections here.
"Which dorm you in, Senior Kyle? Upper? Top-tier?"
"Why ask?"
"Why? So I can get my answers after the exam. How you used magic."
Evan acted like he'd already won. The flow favored him, too. In this short bout, his innate talent shone, letting him grow. Me? Fatigue was obvious. Ask anyone to predict the winner—they'd pick Evan a hundred times out of a hundred.
"Arrogant brat."
Evan was arrogant. Geniuses usually are.
'Why can't you do this easy thing?'
'Just put in effort.'
The crap they always spout. They wrap it nicely, subtly putting down others. That's why mediocrity hates genius, and genius can't grasp mediocrity. Even naturally kind souls like him end up a bit arrogant from the gap.
Protagonist Evan was the same. After exams, surrounded by envy and admiration, he realizes his superiority. His gaze toward others inevitably shifts.
"How long you been wielding a sword?"
"A bit over two months."
"Makes sense. Everyone else looks like bugs by now."
"Nah, not that bad. Just a little disappointing."
"That rotten mindset's about to change."
"Honestly, not expecting much. Looking at you now, Senior."
I ignored him, assumed position, and drew out my hoarded mana.
"Then let me tell you why you have to lose."
Words done, I kicked off and closed in instantly. That moment, Evan's lip twitched up slyly. I could read his every thought. That expression was so predictable—I muttered low.
"First. No foundation."
The protagonist Evan's strength is freedom unbound by form. His upbringing and talent forged that unique edge. But right now? Not even close. It looks free at a glance, but it's superficial imitation. In a word, sloppy swordplay not worth calling technique.
To fight me evenly, he'd need his own style leveraging strengths—a sword perfectly embodying principles. Not this baseless crap.
A downward cleave from above.
"Wh-what...?"
Overwhelmed by the oppressive momentum from all sides, Evan floundered. Completely dominated, his movements slowed unlike before. He barely raised his sword to defend.
"Urk!"
Evan clenched his teeth and held. A pained groan escaped—clearly struggling. Pitiful yet amusing. I pressed without pause.
Evan's eyes darted, predicting my next path. Tension and urgency filled them.
"Second. Poor comprehension."
Farmer family—no formal training. All motion and sense rely on talent, limiting concepts. Even geniuses starting from bottom can't leap realms recklessly. Makes him easy prey. Deny time to overcome walls, and he stalls.
"Gah!"
Evan flew back far. I'd just adapted his own technique a bit. He scowled bitterly.
"Pathetic. Just two strikes."
"......"
No reply from Evan. I gave a moment to breathe. Unlike his earlier cockiness, bewilderment covered him.
"Final third."
This time, big motion charge. He assumed stance—better than before. Genius is genius.
Whispering as I watched: "Lack of experience."
Weakness glaring. One hit, and he'd be badly hurt. But I didn't hide it.
"Senior, your mistake?"
Evan smirked. Thinking my flaw caused this. He wouldn't grasp my intent till attacking.
At inevitable timing, I swung.
"No. Not a mistake."
Clang! Swords met. I twisted my wrist. Force vectored outward. Stuck close, released the sword.
"What the—"
Sudden weight—Evan's sword dipped. Not enough to fell him, though. He withdrew, tracing optimal path for counter.
Thwack! Blocked his rising blade with my shoe. Slammed full leg force, pinning his sword to ground.
"Huh?"
Sword dropped—torso exposed. Panic burst from Evan.
Weight, speed, power converged in my fist.
Splat—!!
Mana-infused punch to gut.
"Gack!"
Evan clutched belly, retching, face beet-red like a ripe apple. Barely, he rasped:
"Ch-cheap..."
That drew laughs.
"Cheap? Don't shove your flaws on others."
Inexperience leaves him vulnerable to mid-fight changes. That's why cheap tricks work. Who'd expect a swordsman dropping his blade, though.
"......"
Brief silence. Evan seemed deep in thought.
Soon: "Ha, yeah, you're right."
Acknowledging his flaw with self-deprecating smile. But fleeting—arrogance gone, eyes filled with passion and hunger.
"Senior."
"What."
"Next time..."
Trailing off, forcing words through strain. Unhidden thrill leaked out.
"One more... round..."
Couldn't finish—drool spilled. Eyes lost focus.
Five seconds? Tough kid.
Should've dropped instantly, yet held consciousness long. Protagonist vibes even this early.
"Sleep now. Exam's over."
Cast sleep magic deep. No more pain groans while out.
Laid him gently. Picked up his fallen token from the fight, pocketed it for him.
"Oh right. This too."
Pulled my token from inner pocket, slipped into his. Entrance exam has prizes for rookies—academy gifts top 3 token collectors. With mine, Evan's first.
Could withhold to screw him more, but no—story'd derail. That elixir's key to endgame growth. First vs second prize gap's huge; can't risk it.
Plus...
This is enough. I'm satisfied.
Venting on protagonist cooled my rage. Never planned crippling him.
What, beat a junior to death? Protagonist, even? I got a conscience.
Anything more just spotlights me.
And where else you find a guy like me? Fixing his attitude too.
Year-cross event episode—he gets humbled, grows. I did it early. No issues.
Just a fleeting side ep for his growth. Minor side char only there briefly.
Me doing it? No snags.
"Yawn~ Time to sleep."
Not showing the takedown? But awake, suspicions rise.
"Two hours enough?"
Checked watch: 11 a.m. Entrance ceremony at 2 p.m., per memory. Sleep till then, wake perfect.
Combined sleep and alarm magic.
...Or tried.
Rustle.
Sound from behind. Whirled around.
Per knowledge, no one else shows when Evan and I meet. Except one.
Blond like me, golden eyes like mine. Not my sharp vibe or eyeshape, but facial structure similar. Sword at hip, Tianis Academy uniform—newbie confirmed.
I know this guy. Better than anyone. Too well. Body reacted instinctively.
"Long time no see, Brother Kyle."
"...Yeah, long time."
Right, little bro... why're you showing up here?