Chapter 8: The Principal's Hidden Card
Having watched Zien's swordsmanship on the screen, Irel let out a short gasp of admiration.
"Ooh~ Not bad at all?"
The reason for her surprise wasn't just that Zien had taken down a Rank 3 monster. A One-Number specialized in combat could handle even Rank 4s, so that alone wouldn't shock her.
No, it was the method.
A polished foundation, not some innate power from his Stigma. The scouts who recognized its value took note of Zien.
"That student's got solid basics."
The woman who spoke up was named Irel, a scout from the Broom of Extermination guild. They specialized in what was colloquially called "cleaning"—taking down monsters that manifested when gates appeared.
"Cleaning" jobs usually ran on a daily rate basis. They paid top coin for the danger, but the grueling work made Sabers shy away from them.
"Yeah, call him in for some part-time gigs later."
Jackson, her senior in the guild, squinted and pointed at Zien with his chin.
"Off-campus activities? Senior, you're out of touch with the trends~ These days, rack up results and your market value skyrockets."
"True, daily rates are getting insane. Government commissions never go up, but cleaners' pay just keeps climbing."
Jackson grumbled, and Irel's eyes lit up.
"Senior! Let me draft an offer for that guy and pitch a guild invite."
"What's the signing bonus?"
"How about 100 million coin per year for a two-year exclusive?"
"That's basically passion pay."
"When these young underclassmen are clueless about the world, you lowball 'em and slam that exclusive contract—it's the industry bible, right?"
Irel grinned wickedly at Jackson.
Meanwhile, someone watching the exam beside Selphis had a stoic expression, but he seemed pleased by the students' high caliber.
"The students in Gate 1 are quite skilled."
Flanked by three active Rank 5 Sabers for protection, he was none other than Yubel, chairman of the Mage Tower and a board member of Arcana Academy.
Selphis inwardly sighed in relief at Yubel's satisfaction.
'Het het het, arms bend inward after all. Can't take his eyes off the gate with his daughter in it.'
Selphis chuckled at Yubel's comment.
"It's all thanks to the Mage Tower's support. With the new training facilities, the students' physical conditioning has noticeably improved."
The reason Selphis was buttering him up was simple: Yubel was one of the top authorities even the Arcana principal acknowledged.
"Even so, taking down a Rank 3 with pure martial arts is impressive."
When even the stingy-with-praise Yubel said that, Selphis—who'd been waiting for a chance to score points—replied swiftly.
"Het het het! Fundamentals are key to everything, aren't they?"
"Intriguing. But the list you sent yesterday... his name isn't on it?"
'Of course not.'
Selphis felt his mouth go dry.
'That dead last is this strong?'
Selphis had never imagined Zien was hiding such skill. But he was the principal, after all.
To impress Yubel.
To secure extra funding.
Forgetting all past grudges, Selphis gazed wistfully into the distance and spoke.
"A hidden card. Zien Russel is... one of my most cherished students."
The observers nearby, who had been listening, let out impressed "Ooh!"s, and Yubel nodded.
"Keeping him from me too? You must value him greatly."
"Het het het, I planned to show him off once he grew into a mighty tree! But he's already bloomed too soon!"
The mood warmed with Selphis's banter. But far off, Romina groaned.
"That old geezer... not a flicker on his face. But is that really a big deal? Doesn't seem worth all the fuss."
Romina pointed at Gate 3, packed with One-Numbers, as she glanced at Karsen.
"To me, those guys! Aren't they the real monsters? They look like low Rank 4 Sabers."
"Sure, Zien's physical specs fall short compared to the One-Numbers chugging elixirs like water... but."
Zien had something the others didn't: a sword path as perfect as a model answer sheet.
'If his charge had been slower or his slash weaker, he'd have gotten wrapped in the Iron Chain Serpent's tail. But Zien channeled mana into his feet and sword separately.'
And he'd struck a spot not even taught in school as the serpent's weak point. Watching Zien felt like observing a veteran Saber to Karsen.
'His growth is too explosive.'
Romina impatiently called to Karsen, lost in thought.
"Karsen? But what."
"Annoying. You wouldn't get it even if I explained."
Karsen snarked as he pulled out a cigarette. Romina, veins bulging on her forehead, snatched it away.
"Hey, smoking indoors...? Spill it already!"
Karsen and Romina.
Together they were pushing sixty, but their relationship hadn't changed since their student days.
"Tch. What I meant was, mana and physical prowess aren't everything in combat."
"Pfft. You saying that kid could beat One-Numbers?"
"Maybe. You know gates are full of variables."
As Karsen stared pointedly, dredging up old stories, Romina shoved him away in disgust.
"Eww, why are you being so creepy?"
Romina cleared her throat with a "Ahem."
"Fine, you're right. Gates are unpredictable."
At this pace, could he actually win? Objectively, the odds were less than one in a million.
'If he does, Karsen would love that.'
Romina spoke to Karsen, focused on the screen.
"Wanna bet on dinner? Who you picking?"
"Zien."
Romina smirked at Karsen's words. That canceled the bet.
"Me too."
For Karsen's sake—though she hadn't realized it—Romina was rooting for Zien.
My Previous Life was the Strongest Sword God
In the lake's misty fog, Chris's excited voice echoed.
"That's 10 Rank 3 orbs! 20 Rank 2s! You weren't bluffing!"
Chris stared at the pouch in Zien's hand, but his expression suddenly darkened.
'Right. Money.'
Chris's voice cooled.
"...That's only if you block the enemy team's attacks."
"You'll definitely hold them off. We've got Aria."
"Dude, she's Rank 44. Their team—"
Chris cut himself off and glanced up. Zien Russel. Rank 162 in the year. The guy who'd beaten the bully Daven in sparring class and now casually dispatched Rank 3 monsters.
'With a guy like this up front, rankings mean nothing.'
Then Zien shoved Chris aside.
"Eek!"
The small-statured Chris flew back easily.
Whiiiiiish!
A mana-charged arrow pierced where Chris had stood.
"Whoa! An arrow?!"
A split-second later, and Chris would've taken one to the heart and been eliminated. Zien yelled urgently at the dazed Chris.
"Did you drop your clairvoyance?"
"Duh! Mana drain's insane."
"Reactivate it, now!"
"O-okay."
Chris gathered mana in his eyes and peered toward the forest.
"Found 'em! Third big tree in my line of sight!"
As soon as Chris spoke, Zien bolted.
Tat tat tat.
Zien channeled mana into his feet and scaled the tree. Chris was floored by the impossible sight.
"You're a real monster... Huh? Another one's coming! Sword? You hear that too?"
But Zien was faster. He climbed in a flash and kicked Rita, bow at the ready, right off the branch.
"Kyaa!"
Rita plummeted with a sharp cry.
"Rita, over here!"
Thud.
"Nice, good catch!"
Lake, who'd rushed over, caught her.
"Hey! Even if you're hopeless, kicking a girl like a ball?!"
Lake snarked despite the surprise. Zien fired back cheerfully.
"Ladies first. Sent her off like a gentleman."
"What?! Ladies first? You call that mercy... Unbelievable!"
Fuming, Rita ground her teeth and nocked an arrow at Zien. Her Magic Tool was a bow. Its Stigma name: Zephyros. True to its grand name, Rita's arrows were rays of light itself.
Whish.
A breeze stirred.
Rita's Stigma glowed pale green.
Bang.
The mana-loaded arrow rocketed toward Zien's heart at bullet speed. This was a virtual gate anyway—death just meant exam failure and portal ejection.
'Better than expected, but not enough.'
So Rita poured everything into the shot. Missing wasn't an option in her mind. She focused solely on how to cook this scrappy kid.
But.
Zien had a technique he'd drilled daily in the image room.
'Didn't expect to use it this soon...'
A skill stored in his Stigma.
Sensory Maximization
The pattern on the back of Zien's hand glowed. His heartbeat slowed, thoughts accelerated, and the arrow looked like slow motion.
'I see it.'
The arrow was already a meter away.
Whish!
Zien dodged.
The arrow streaked past his afterimage with a vicious whine.
"No way! From that range?!"
Rita shrieked. A once-per-day ultimate Magic Art.
One-shot ultimate Magic Art
Dodging it with dynamic vision? Rita's face fell, but Lake laughed, "Ha ha ha!"
"Perfect! Thought it was too easy. Gotta have some surprises like that."
"A surprise now? Your brain's all muscle, huh?"
Rita snapped, narrowing her eyes, but Lake just shrugged.
"Doesn't matter. The witch is coming soon anyway."
'Witch? No way.'
If anyone, Chris's clairvoyance didn't lie.
Amplifying his mana further, veins bulged around his eyes, zooming in even more.
'Damn.'
Chris despaired.
Head half-bowed. Listless expression, trudging steps. A pouch of score orbs at her waist. A striking red-haired beauty.
"I... Isabel Blitz."
Gulp.
Chris swallowed hard. He'd missed it at the portal, but now with clairvoyance, he saw.
Explosive mana swirled around Isabel's body.
"Zien, no time! We gotta run!"
Seeing her like that, Chris instantly got why even a head-turning beauty was called a witch.
Overwhelming mana.
Overwhelming dread.
Step step.
Her mana shield cratered the ground with every footfall.
"Run? Who said?!"
Lake swung his greatsword down at Zien.
"Zien!"
Chris bolted toward him instinctively.
'If Zien gets eliminated like this...'
He could naturally collect from Daven.
'Then...'
Chris bit his lip and shook his head.
Boom!
"No matter how fast you are, you can't beat my power!"
Lake's Stigma shone, the greatsword's weight surging. Zien parried with his sword, but the ground beneath him cratered deeper.
"Damn it!"
Chris cursed and hurled his prepared chains. They wrapped Lake's right arm, toppling his stance.
"Guh! You brat!"
"Nice one, Chris."
Zien kicked off the ground and scooped up Chris.
"Wha?! What the—?!"