Midterm Retake (4): Crushing the Sparring Test

After the written exam ended, I took a break in the waiting room until the next test. I had no idea what my score was, but it was probably around the same as the main exam. The difficulty had been similar. I leaned back comfortably against the chair.

Even though it was just a written test that didn't tax my body, it still drained my mind. The problems weren't that numerous, but taking four exams in a row was no joke.

"Having to do the practicals too... damn."

I stared at the ceiling and let out a sigh. Just like the written part, the practicals were obviously going to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠be back-to-back. Sure, they'd scale it down out of consideration for me, but it would still be exhausting.

Rather than this, two straight hours of hunting would've been better. That might've been less grueling. Even during a single exam, the knowledge that more were waiting afterward kept scattering my focus, tormenting my mind nonstop. Normally, something like this wouldn't faze me, but the unique pressure of exams wasn't something even I could shake off easily. It kept nagging at me no matter what.

"If only I could conserve my stamina..."

The practical exams left for me were sparring, hunting, and scouting. Hunting would probably be like last time, and scouting would just involve some mission in a suitable field. Sparring went without saying. Honestly, none of them were an issue even back-to-back. But wasting stamina on them felt like such a shame.

Still, after finishing the exams, shouldn't I go out and have some fun like everyone else? Rana had come by yesterday asking to hang out, but I'd turned her down because of the retake. She'd been so disappointed. Today, I had to make it up to her. Even after all the retakes, I'd have plenty of stamina left anyway—thanks to the White Return Pill I'd taken a few weeks ago.

The White Return Pill expanded the mana in my dantian and aided the user's growth; it was a secret Arden family elixir. With that in my system, my physical condition was at its peak. On top of that, my body's unusual talent played a big role. My daily grueling training got amplified several times over by that talent, and the pill boosted that growth even further. But it didn't stop there—the pill's effects activated, backed by my physical talent, turning what should've been a single cycle of growth into 2-3 times the effect.

An unexpected discovery. Kyle Arden's talents paired perfectly with the White Return Pill. Plus, my sparring sessions with Professor Mailon had led to major gains. Thanks to that, my current physical realm was Expert Mid, and I could wield up to 4th Circle magic. Nothing beat getting hit and hitting back for real progress. Of course, if I pushed too hard, I could squeeze out even more power.

What I lacked wasn't mana or physical realm—it was mental stuff like enlightenment.

Getting this far in such a short time is already a huge achievement. Back when I possessed this body, it was such garbage it wasn't even worth recycling.

Still, I need to reach Master by third year somehow. When the hell am I gonna do that...?

The main story kicked off when Evan hit second year. I had to have my martial arts at Master level and magic at 7th Circle by then. Otherwise, I couldn't protect the protagonists safely.

I'll think about that slowly. I turned back to my immediate concerns.

Yeah, finishing fast is still the best bet. With my improved physique, my limits had shifted too. Ending things quickly would save a ton of stamina.

I made up my mind and stood. Right then, the tightly shut door opened, and a professor appeared.

"Next test."

"Yes."

Guided by the professor, I headed to the sparring arena this time. Sparring seemed to be next. After another body search like before, they handed me a training sword and let me in, closing the door behind me.

The arena was indoors, and on the opposite side, I spotted a different door from the one I'd entered through.

"Is there a rest period?"

"Can we skip the rest and go straight through?"

"Got it."

I nodded. Right away, the opposite door opened, and in came the referee professor along with a student.

I knew that student all too well.

"Didn't expect to face me first. Your luck sucks."

A voice dripping with the same arrogance as mine. It was Taylor Kaust, ranked second in the sparring class.

"Yeah, my luck's shit."

Especially since it's you. His entrance gave me a perfect idea to end this test even faster.

"Take your positions."

The professor's voice rang out. We stood at the marked lines. I raised my sword into stance, and he did the same. It was the same training sword as mine.

Just before the match started, Taylor opened his mouth.

"Forfeit now while you can. Unless you wanna get your ass exposed and laughed at."

I snorted in response.

"Exposed? Worry about your own sorry ass. You won't be able to show your face after I beat you."

His face twisted in rage.

"Even after I give you a chance!"

Spouting third-rate villain lines, he fumed. He looked ready to charge the second the professor gave the go-ahead. What a pathetic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠display. I glanced at the professor, who caught on and shouted immediately.

"Begin!"

The moment the word hit, Taylor kicked off the ground. He radiated feral energy, swinging with all his pent-up fury. The blade reached me in an instant. Even the blunt training sword had sword aura making it sharp.

I moved leisurely by comparison. Leaving aside his second-place rank, Taylor Kaust was top-five among second-years. Statistically, the odds of facing someone stronger were slim. And this was my chance to save stamina.

With the professors' announcement of punishment and my clean passage through the written exam without cheating, the students were probably drowning in anxiety. They might even be watching this sparring match trembling, praying to the gods for the spoiled brat to lose.

If I instilled fear in that atmosphere, their morale would shatter—no doubt about it. How? Simple.

My slow-moving sword was suddenly in front of his.

"What the...!"

Shock colored Taylor's face. He hadn't expected my later start to arrive first. Ignoring him, I slid my blade along his. His attack glanced off, completely nullified. I gripped the hilt with both hands.

My forearms bulged in an instant. Two months of training poured into the sword. At the same time, I drew up mana.

Sword aura manifested on my blade—a brilliant, clear glow brimming with power.

"No way that's...!"

Taylor frantically pulled back to defend. But I ignored it, slashing horizontally with full force.

BAM!

A crashing sound echoed like something had collided, and the obstacle blocking my view vanished. Dust billowed from the source of the noise.

Nothing more to see. I sheathed my sword at my waist and looked at the magic broadcasting device.

"Next."

Just overwhelm them with raw power until they couldn't even dream of challenging me. They'd bow their heads on their own.

Behind me, Taylor Kaust emerged from the wall where he'd been embedded.

"......"

Silence blanketed the room. Everyone was speechless. Some gaped with drool trickling down, others just blinked in a daze.

Until moments ago, no one had really believed Taylor Kaust—dirty personality but solid skills—would lose. It was hard to call them hopeful; they'd been resigned.

The spoiled brat's calm voice leaked out, making the students flinch. That utterly nonchalant tone—like they weren't even minor obstacles—sent fresh shivers through them.

They snapped back to reality late, blurting out bewildered reactions to the impossible scene.

"What the hell just happened...?"

"He flew—Taylor flew."

"I saw that! But how?!"

No one had answers. At least, no one here understood what technique the brat had used or how the power had flowed. Everyone acknowledged Taylor's skill. In a fair match with no cheating possible, the brat should've been an easy win.

But he lost. That alone was a shockwave. Even more staggering was how quick it ended. Had it even been a minute? Taylor hadn't landed a single counter before slamming into the wall.

"Is that his real strength...?"

A trembling whisper. The students gulped involuntarily. It was leagues beyond his main exam performance. No way he'd grown that much in days. He'd been hiding his power.

And now it was certain: the brat had earned that A+ on pure merit, no magic or gear cheats. They still didn't know how he'd gotten so strong so fast, but that power was real.

Gloom settled over their eyes. With proof like this, punishment was inevitable. Some even started sniffling at the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thought of what awaited them.

Maybe beg for mercy now, get the professors to lighten it... But it felt way too late. They'd just wanted to mess with the brat a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠little. How had it come to this? Who the hell had they messed with?

Despair filled the space.

"Ah, we should've just stayed quiet..."

"What do we do now? We're all gonna end up like Taylor..."

"We're screwed..."

The ones who still had to face Kyle Arden felt the same.

Three forfeits.

After Taylor and the next guy went flying, the rest surrendered before even starting. The one after Taylor was so terrified it was a cakewalk. Saved me a bunch of stamina.

Sparring test over. As I prepped to leave, the referee professor spoke up.

"Impressive. Just like Mailon said, you've got a bright future."

That was it. He slipped out the opposite door without another word. His tone was gruff, but he seemed to like me well enough. Still a bit awkward, I scratched my head and headed back to the waiting room.

The rest of the tests went smoothly without a hitch. Passed hunting and scouting no problem. All seven retakes done.

I collected my stored gear and clothes, then headed to the professors' room.

"Hahaha! Come on in!"

"Professor Mailon, I get you're happy, but tone it down. My eardrums are gonna burst."

"Haha! Gotta celebrate the star of the day!"

The noise hit me the second I entered. The other professors were quiet, but Mailon was hyped solo. It was just a wrap-up anyway; I wanted out quick.

"I'm pretty beat, so if we can keep it short, I'd appreciate it."

No proper lunch since morning, and I'd been testing nonstop—energy was low.

"Oh, right. My bad, should've considered that."

He cut straight to it.

"Long story short, the 15 professors here will vouch for your innocence as witnesses. Compensation as per Professor Naelra's report, and we just approved warehouse access in conference—unanimous."

"I see."

"Feel free to be happier. Warehouse opens for fewer than 10 people a year."

I knew that. The stuff stored there was too precious to hand out lightly. Last time was entrance exam prizes.

"What about their punishments?"

"Was just about to get to that. Suspension minimum, expulsions for the worst offenders."

"Isn't that too harsh?"

"Nope."

Mailon shook his head and pointed at the glass toward the wall. Students were visible beyond it.

"Do those faces look remorseful? Not a bit."

"......"

They didn't even seem to have room for regret. Faces like the world had ended—how could they reflect?

"Even if I don't want it, you'll still punish them?"

A few professors' eyes lit up at that.

"Why?"

"Even a guy like me didn't get expelled, so it feels excessive."

"Yours was a special case."

"Can't deny that."

Almost no one in the empire could ignore an Arden family request. With the princess directly involved, that was that.

"Plus, it'll just make things annoying for me later. They won't dare now, but resentment builds. Might even plot revenge or try to kill me."

"We can handle that much."

"After my case? I don't trust it."

"......"

All the professors turned serious. Even Mailon shut up.

"So no expulsions needed—just punish them appropriately."

No matter how much I advocated, I couldn't block punishment entirely. It was their crime. But I could lighten the sentence.

"Got it. We'll take your view into account and discuss."

"Yes."

I bowed and left. Their reactions suggested it'd go my way.

Didn't go far before spotting the students in the distance. Heads down, shuffling aimlessly. Our eyes met.

"Ah..."

"H-Hey, um..."

Some flinched in fear; others who'd never spoken to me before tried to now. Ignored them and passed by.

Then Rana came running from the opposite side.

"Kyle~!"

As she approached, a lively vibe swirled around me, but the students—still dazed—were steeped in gloom.

That day, my tumultuous first exam came to an end.