Entrance Exam (2)

The academy was in full festival mode. Fireworks and celebratory spells burst everywhere, announcing the day's big event. Students snatched up food from the stalls set up just for today and staked out the best spots. They bloomed with laughter, eagerly awaiting the start of the entrance exam.

Plus, the academy had opened its doors to outsiders today, so lines formed at the gates from early morning. Some had even traveled from foreign lands to the capital for this. It was a day everyone looked forward to.

But not everyone. The second-years who had to face off against the freshmen certainly weren't thrilled.

"...Ah."

"...Ugh."

"Why is everyone so damn listless! You're supposed to be the stars here!"

A professor barked at the zoned-out students, but it did no good. The tension hanging over them wasn't going anywhere fast. Even talented kids brimming with confidence couldn't help but shrink under the gaze of countless spectators.

Of course, there were cocky ones and total wrecks too. But with all 600 of them in the same boat, they bonded quick. Knights and mages—bitter rivals since forever—were comrades now, understanding each other in this moment. The vibe was warm and friendly.

But I couldn't join in. A lonely wind whistled through the empty space around me. It felt like an invisible line separated me from them.

'Why? 'Cause I'm the asshole, duh.'

Kyle Arden's bullying didn't discriminate by department. Magic students had victims too. No way a little party mood softened their hatred.

Then one person barreled through, oblivious to the atmosphere.

"Kyle~!"

Brown hair flying, she came sprinting up—Rana Heytald. Waving her hand like I'd miss her otherwise. So damn friendly. Calling my name loud enough to draw every eye.

'Told her not to act like we know each other.'

I pinched my forehead against the headache. Why did ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠she always make my head throb...?

'Idiot me for trusting her.'

Forgetting all the crap she'd pulled so far and buying her act straight-up? Yeah, that was on me. I sighed deep and tried to slip away.

Weaving through the crowd, I hid as best I could.

"Huh?! Where'd Kyle go!"

She yelped in surprise and chased after. Mage or not, she moved fast, senses sharp—found me without even looking.

Got caught in the end.

"Hey, Kyle!"

"...Yeah."

Poor me. I lamented for a sec, then spotted the bird on her head. My eyes met Nene's. We nodded silently. No words needed—we hated each other, but our goals aligned. The bird made its move. I figured it'd get through to her as a summon.

Yeah, right.

"Huh? Sorry... I'll do it next time for sure~!"

Chirp!

Betrayed by one cutesy line... Stupid me for thinking a love-struck critter was on my side.

"Why're you here today?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"'Cause I didn't see you yesterday?"

"Please, just... stay away."

I shoved at her face, which popped up uninvited way too often. I always called her out, but she never fixed it. At least she didn't whine as much when pushed away anymore.

"Hey, you eat breakfast?"

"Nah, no time."

"Wanna have this then?"

She pulled a sandwich from somewhere. Student cafeteria wrapping.

"Sure, thanks."

I took it. Rejected once, and her summons threw a fit that day—wilted her mood bad. Been ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠taking 'em since.

Owner and summons alike, annoying others ran in the family.

Munch munch.

As I ate, stares of shock bored into us. Everyone here couldn't peel their eyes away. One side: the magic department darling loved by guys, girls, students, profs, staff alike. Other side: the devil-masked villain, despised scum with a rotten personality.

Total mismatch. Maybe 'cause she fussed over me, or I accepted it un-villain-like.

Hated the looks, so I warped my mana aura and spread it. They finally felt the creep and looked away.

Finishing the sandwich, some students approached. Worried what I'd do to Rana, probably.

"R-Rana..."

"Yeah? What's up?"

"W-We gotta go now..."

Two girls mustered courage to reach us. Trembling hands, fear in their eyes—they tried pulling her away. Even after my fall from grace, the terror lingered.

"I wanna stay longer..."

"Still..."

Rana resisted, but they persuaded in scared voices. When their eyes met mine mid-plea, they flinched—voices down to mumbles.

Sighed inwardly, then helped out. "Go on. It's starting soon."

Front rows were getting rowdy. Crowd thinning too.

"Okay! See ya later!"

"Don't come. Not seeing you."

She beamed, dragged off by them. Hated myself for knowing that grin meant the opposite of "no."

Seriously considered bombing out early and hiding somewhere. I joined the line too.

Short wait, but a third of the students vanished. My turn came.

"Channel mana here."

Prof handed a magic stone—not plain, engraved with spells. Short-range teleport, random coords in range, one-use. Using pricey stones for a show? Top academy on the continent—money overflowed.

"Hope you show well."

"Got it."

Said that, but no high hopes from him. I replied casually, infused mana.

Spell triggered. Body floated. Closed and opened eyes—forest greeted me.

Not Contract Land—artificial feel hit hard. Profs made it for the test. Probably slaved all dawn.

"Now wait, I guess."

A window took over the corner of my vision. 30 minutes till protagonist meet. I leaned against a tree, waiting. Looking forward to it.

But honestly...

"Fuck it, maybe smash it all."

Mood was shit right now.

Exam waiting room. Pre-admitted freshmen gathered there. Outside, profs prepped for the event.

"Annual thing, but this year's got me hyped."

"Right? Twice the talent from last year. Why I can't quit teaching."

The two department profs buzzed with excitement. Last year had some, but this batch? Prime teaching material.

One magic prof eyed jealously. "Knight dept's lucky. Arden's second son enrolling."

His gaze flicked to someone in the room. Talented mages aplenty this year, but none matched that sword kid. Had to pull from 2nd/3rd years or grads for comparison.

"Veil Arden's a genius, yeah. Expert Mid at 15. Personality worlds apart too."

Neighboring prof shifted uncomfortably. 'That guy's the knight dept's shame.

"Heard there's another besides Veil. Comparable genius."

"Evan left an impression. Veil-level."

Evan Felix. Kid handled the sword shockingly well. Free, fast, pacing perfect. Heard he'd picked it up less than two months ago... Unrivaled genius fit him.

Knight profs agonized: Top spot to Veil, beyond student level? Or Evan, lower realm but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠infinite potential—better with a sword than most vets? Age/realm gap gave it to Veil, but razor-thin, two votes.

Profs figured early start or sword affinity, and it'd flip.

"Thought we'd win this year..."

"Haha, don't say that. Last exchange meet..."

"Enough. Prep time. It's starting."

Head prof wrapped it. Exam imminent. Profs led freshmen to zones.

At Gate 7 pre-start...

"I'm Evan Felix. Nice to meet you."

"Veil Arden."

Protagonist and co-lead exchanged greetings.

Down to three minutes. I stood, checked my condition.

"All good. Might as well stretch."

Loosened stiff muscles and joints while at it.

One minute left. Senses maxed, waiting.

Protagonist Evan would emerge from somewhere soon.

But one distraction post-prep: shaking hands.

"Fuck, this is hilarious..."

Hollow laugh. Not body tension. My soul shaking.

That pissed me off more. Affected by some shitty window.

"Too late to let this get to me, right?"

Tried brainwashing myself. Didn't work—shakes persisted.

If it was Kyle Arden's body, fine. Guy couldn't handle spars, let alone events.

"Haa..."

3 seconds.

2 seconds.

1... 0 seconds.

Presence ahead. Student pushed through bushes.

I knew he was the protagonist instantly. No special reason. I'd seen that face too damn much.

Text cluttered my vision.

Status window? Barely deserved the name—just info scraps. More windows followed.

No more after that.

"...Hoo."

Long sigh steamed out. Truth? Possession bored me—too lazy to dwell. Waste of time and effort. Not my interest anyway.

Didn't care who did it—author, god, mystery force. I'd accept flatly. Even knowing wouldn't make me ask why.

But one thing: perks trying to puppet me? No.

Other possessors? Cheer and use blindly. Me? Knew the risk—never touch.

Quests twist fate their way. No clue where they'd steer my end.

This one's obvious: boost me from extra for some reason.

'I don't get dragged.'

Possession or not, this body's mine. My life. My fate. Extra life and death—my choice.

Not some lurker's.

So quit while ahead if you wanna mess with me.

'And you misread hard.'

Think I'd roll over from future fears? Dumbass. I repay in kind. Not some pushover saint.

"Nice to meet you, senpai. I'm freshman Evan."

"...Kyle Arden."

"Oh, met an Arden freshman earlier."

"My brother, huh."

"Yeah, senpai. Haha, meeting sword family bros today. Lucky."

"How many tokens?"

"11."

"Mine makes first for sure."

Average exam: 0-2 tokens. 5+? Top ranks. 11? Lock for first. Academy history: 9+ rare as hell.

Shing.

Protagonist drew sword, grinning. "Thanks, I'll take it."

"If you can."

Pure vent. Pissed at the fate-fucker. Hope he lasts—let the bastard rage.

I drew mine.