Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Endex (3)
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Valhalla Hall's monitoring room. For the first College Board exam, five renowned full professors from the department, including the tenured professor from Edshilla National University, had gathered at Endex today.
It was a luxury only possible at the prestigious Endex.
"Any method is fine. Even the tiniest 'scratch' on the Mana Prism counts as a success."
Chadric, the exam proctor, announced the task for this College Board exam.
Prism destruction. In one line: a 'difficult basic test.'
Success condition: Analyze the prism's mana circulation structure, trace the circuit backward, and shatter the core.
Simply put, even a scratch on the prism is enough.
It didn't require advanced mana nerves, but solid basics executed at a high level.
"Ahem. What do you think, Professor Theia Esil?"
Chadric cleared his throat and glanced sideways after muting the mic. There sat a woman hard to describe in words.
Hair like polished obsidian reaching her shoulders, emerald eyes of unfathomable depth, every line flawless as sculpture—Theia Esil.
A genius who entered the national university at fifteen, graduated top of her class at eighteen, and at twenty-two ascended to a high position in her academic faction, becoming a tenured professor in the mana department.
Her most popular titles: 'Star Knight inheriting Athan's legacy' and 'Mage-scholar pursuing truth.'
Sharing the same space with her was an honor in itself.
"Good. Feels like a proper exam."
Theia responded flatly while observing the students.
Room 17: Gerkken Kal Dun
First up was Gerkken Kal Dun, as expected.
One of the continent's top prospects, a genius who hadn't dropped from A+ since entering Exdex Academy.
"Gerkken's as advertised."
His neatly combed dawn-lit hair gave an intellectual air, and his well-fitted clothes revealed the frame of a knight who never neglected training.
Handsome men were everywhere, but Gerkken was on another level.
He had already analyzed over half the prism.
"Excellent."
Theia said, brushing back her hair. The academic affairs director stepped forward with a big grin.
"Ah, as expected of Gerkken. Such exemplary study habits—"
—I have a question.
Suddenly, an unknown student's voice came through the speakers.
Room 133.
Theia switched the main screen there. A bald-headed guy appeared.
Personal info popped up in the corner like subtitles.
Room 133: Sion Askal
Average Grade: D-
"D-?"
A wrinkle formed between Theia's brows.
"Who's that bald bastard?"
The academic affairs director scowled.
The bald guy spoke.
—May I use tools?
"...Hah."
The director let out a incredulous chuckle. The other observing professors smiled elegantly in their own ways.
Theia sighed softly into Chadric's ear.
"It's fine. Tell him so."
"Tools are allowed?"
Chadric asked back. Theia shrugged nonchalantly.
"If he brought his own equipment. That preparation deserves credit too."
"Understood."
Chadric spoke into the mic.
"Tools are permitted."
And Sion faded from everyone's attention.
No time to waste on a D- slacker.
The professors turned to other candidates on multiple screens. Theia Esil scanned mostly the top performers.
But then, at some point.
"What the hell is that kid doing?"
Someone muttered in disbelief, voice dripping with genuine exasperation.
Curiosity drew the other professors' heads up. Theia glanced at the screen too.
"What is he...?"
Even Theia frowned. Everyone reacted similarly.
——Thwack!
On screen, a golf club slammed down on the prism. The professors blinked involuntarily.
"...Well. Ridiculous."
——Huff!
The bald guy swung the driver with all his might. Sharp angle, smooth form, perfect contact.
Some pro golfer?
Theia pressed her hand to her forehead. It was so absurd, ignoring the exam's intent entirely, just flailing at bare ground.
"What the hell is that idiot doing?"
Theia fully agreed with the professor's words.
Clap-clap-clap.
One even applauded. Zefa, the active knight and national university full professor.
"Wahaha. Didn't know such brutes still existed. Dumb as a rock? Nah, a rock head couldn't get into Endex."
Brief interest, but that was it.
Topic shifted with timely news.
Elapsed Time: 9 min 43 sec
Gerkken Kal Dun
"Oh!"
Gerkken Kal Dun. Switching the main screen showed his impassive face, the crazy golfer vanishing.
The prism lay neatly disassembled on his desk.
"Gerkken! Aspiring knight, right? Missed it 'cause of that weirdo. Wahaha, nine minutes!"
Clap-clap-clap! Zefa clapped with different intent now.
"But Lady Arkne still..."
Elapsed Time: 10 min 03 sec
Soliet Arkne
Zefa nodded.
"As expected!"
Next after Gerkken: Soliet Arkne, just as Theia predicted.
Elapsed Time: 10 min 13 sec
Elise Petra
"Ah, Petra was so close. Thirty seconds from first place."
"At this level, it's just condition variance."
The professors discussed the top ranks amiably.
Room 133's bald idiot was quickly forgotten.
Gerkken was a commoner but with ancient bloodline talent; Petra and Arkne hailed from noble houses the professors itched to connect with.
Elapsed Time: 21 min 57 sec
Rae Hilton
Elapsed Time: 23 min 33 sec
Kain Traksil
Elapsed Time: 25 min 17 sec
Esher Dread
"Rae of the Hilton family, and the heirs of Traksil and Dread houses."
"Familiar names dominating the top ranks, as expected."
Elapsed Time: 34 min 33 sec
Delric Sian
Elapsed Time: 35 min 17 sec
Benhur Gundo
Elapsed Time: 37 min 30 sec
Kielli Berquenta
......Thud!
Passes kept coming, but then a faint vibration echoed somewhere. The evaluation room floor trembled slightly.
"Hmm."
Theia frowned. Cold sweat beaded on the director's back.
One professor spoke.
"That guy from earlier's still messing around. Shouldn't we make him stop?"
......Thud!
The sound and echo grew louder, defiantly.
"It'll disturb the other students."
"That's grounds for failure at this point."
—Thud!
"Jeez..."
Theia rubbed her temple. What did he think a golf club could do?
No, did he even think it'd work...?
Thud——!
But on the fourth, resounding vibration.
"...Wait."
Theia sensed something off.
Bang——!
One obvious fact, overlooked because it was too basic.
Well-made prisms 'absorb' both mana and physical force.
Which is why no matter how hard you hit with a golf club, it shouldn't produce...
Bang———!
...such vibrations.
Elapsed Time: 58 min 22 sec
Zeken
Elapsed Time: 60 min 57 sec
Arang...
Passes poured in from various rooms, but Theia's focus was elsewhere.
Solely on one— the dimwit senior who missed the point.
The bald guy gripping the driver, pounding the prism with everything he had.
Thud——!
"Damn! Should've checked that guy out. I'll go stop him!"
"Shh."
Theia stopped the flushed director from rushing out. The other professors, sensing the oddity late, fell silent in thought.
They watched the senior on screen.
Thud——!
Thunderous boom from the prism.
Breath laced with heat.
Golf club soaring up again.
Sweat trickling down.
Tautly tensed body.
Fierce swing downward.
Finally.
Kaboom———!
The prism shook violently. A tiny 'fragment' flew off.
Theia's eyes widened.
—...Hoo.
The bald head exhaled shallowly. He wiped sweat from his brow, picked up the prism, and smiled.
Holding it to the ceiling, he said.
—You said a scratch is enough to pass.
Front of the prism. A faint but definite crack etched there.
"Ha."
Theia chuckled in disbelief.
This bald guy had damaged the prism, even if minutely, using just a golf club and his own physical force...
"63 minutes 43 seconds."
Chadric and the others were speechless, but she alone spoke into the mic.
"Sion Askal. Pass."
Valhalla Hall's rear garden.
Under clear spring sun, the teaching assistant dispatched from Edshilla National University waited for passers, betting with group chat classmates on first place.
Obviously Gerkken? Guy's a 7-star prospect, not 6.
Still Arkne; Starbone Council family.
Pfft lol Soliet had that incident. Mental rehab probably not done. Betting Petra.
Odds 4:3:2 favored Gerkken first, Elise and Soliet next.
The TA fiddled with his nose, waiting.
Curious who took first. As an Endex alum, and this year's batch rated highest potential in a decade.
Bzzz-
Phone buzzed with a text.
"Ah."
Elapsed Time: 9 min 43 sec
Gerkken Kal Dun
The TA nodded at the name and texted the group.
Gerkken 1st. 9-min cut. Pay up, losers.
Holy shit;
Lmao nice
9-min cut? No way. Proof pic.
Footsteps approached from Valhalla Hall's back door. The TA's droopy eyes perked up at the sight.
"Elapsed time 9 minutes 43 seconds. Congratulations, Gerkken Kal Dun."
Gerkken was perfect in every way. Impeccable looks. Even rumors spotless—no nightlife, just volunteering.
"Thank you."
A commoner, yet his nod exuded elegance.
The TA pointed to stone steps in the garden rear.
"Sit anywhere."
As Gerkken sat, another celebrity arrived.
Fiery red hair blazing like under spotlights—the Arkne family symbol.
"Elapsed time 10 minutes 03 seconds. Soliet Arkne. Sit anywhere."
"Yes."
She sat opposite Gerkken.
These two were all-time prospects admired across the academy and continent, yet exchanged no words.
Gender aside, perhaps instinct. Alphas bred from birth, dominant breeds.
Bzzz—
Another buzz. The TA chuckled at the name.
Elite trio or what?
"Elapsed time 10 minutes 13 seconds. Elise Petra."
Elise arrived promptly, sitting between Gerkken and Soliet. Naturally forming a triangle.
Passes slowed after her.
"Elapsed time 21 minutes 57 seconds. Rae Hilton."
Nearly eleven minutes later, the fourth. Healthy knightly build yet doll-like fresh beauty—Hilton's only daughter, Rae.
"Whew, that was tough~"
In heels, she approached with sneaker-like steps.
"As expected of Soliet and Gerk! Hi~"
She waved to Soliet and Gerkken, then plopped right next to Elise.
"Elapsed time 23 minutes 33 seconds. Kain Traksil..."
The TA continued announcing passers.