Chapter 7. First Exam
Ji-hyuk claimed another easy victory in his second match. Gwint, Elizabeth, and Kraktool had also breezed through to this point. Now, with two rounds of eliminations behind them, the remaining sixteen were the top dogs from their respective brackets. From the third match onward, things got seriously tough. Winning this one would secure a spot in the final eight, earning the right to choose their mission. Everyone was bloodthirsty for victory.
Ji-hyuk was called fifth and drew number 3. Everyone wondered who would get 4. Then Kraktool, called tenth, strode up to the platform and snatched number 4. He held it up confidently, then blatantly pointed at Ji-hyuk with a thick finger before unleashing a massive roar.
Roooaaarrr—!!!
The crowd buzzed with anticipation. Would the orc Kraktool, Arhobent Academy's star prospect, prevail? Opinions were split.
Match time arrived. Contestants headed to their assigned arenas based on numbers. Naturally, the biggest crowd swarmed Ji-hyuk and Kraktool's venue.
This time, Ji-hyuk drew his sword for the first time. He could've handled it barehanded, but he had no desire to keep pounding that stupidly tough orc body. He'd already shown enough skill; now it was time for pure pragmatism.
Kraktool glared at Ji-hyuk across from him like he wanted to kill him on the spot. He gripped a massive double-headed axe, swinging its immense weight effortlessly. Even a graze would cause serious damage.
Clang—.
The starting bell rang, and the orc charged like a madman. He swung the axe with intent to cleave Ji-hyuk in half. But of course, it never touched him.
This rat bastard...!
Kraktool already knew Ji-hyuk's specialty: that blinding speed. Smartly, he herded Ji-hyuk toward a corner to limit his evasion space. He poured everything into landing just one hit.
Ji-hyuk dodged the whistling axe blades with a crooked grin. Not as dumb as he looks. No wonder he was the academy's top hope. Pure skill-wise, he was already hero material.
...But he'd drawn the short straw against Ji-hyuk.
Having drawn his sword, Ji-hyuk planned a flashy finale. His aura shifted abruptly.
Grraaah—!
The orc sensed it too and braced for the counter. Yeah, come on, you fucking mutt—.
Kraktool didn't shy from a head-on clash. Speed wasn't his game, but raw power? He had confidence. That flimsy sword won't dent my axe!
A tremendous energy erupted from Ji-hyuk—overwhelming enough that even contestants in other arenas felt it.
Kraktool poured all his strength into this strike. Snake-like veins writhed on his mana-reinforced arms. It wasn't a weak blow by any means.
Of course, to Ji-hyuk, it was just a child's tantrum.
Slash—.
Ji-hyuk's eyes flashed. His body moved like a beam of light.
Ah—.
Even Fairy Eizel lost sight of him for a moment, shuddering in awe.
Kraktool swung late, but his axe was already split clean in two.
...Ah....
The orc stared at his broken weapon, forgetting his rage. He couldn't comprehend it. That sword was half as thick as his massive axe—yet it cleaved through solid iron like butter.
"Be grateful this is just a test. Otherwise, your head would've been rolling."
Ji-hyuk sneered. Kraktool exploded in fury, wildly swinging the ruined axe. But it shattered under Ji-hyuk's blade, piece by piece, until only the handle remained.
Staring at his empty grip, the orc felt utter defeat. His body trembled—not just from rage, but despair. He couldn't win.
Aaaarrrrggghhh—!!!
Kraktool roared madly on the spot, bellowing until his throat gave out. Then he turned and stormed out of the arena, still howling.
Ji-hyuk watched his retreating back with cold indifference. Talent, sure—but zero character to back it up. Even as a hero, he'd top out at B-rank. Without self-awareness, growth stalled.
Ding dong—.
The bell finally rang, signaling the end. Ji-hyuk turned and left.
The fairy patted his back: "Well done."
Thus, Ji-hyuk joined the final eight, while the academy's golden boy Kraktool crashed out spectacularly.
Elizabeth and Gwint scraped through tight matches to advance as hero candidates. Elizabeth, hearing Ji-hyuk had drawn his sword, was curious about the bout.
"That Kraktool got utterly toyed with. Who could've guessed that giant axe would get chopped to bits?"
Her tutor shook his head in disbelief. He'd already become a Ji-hyuk fanboy. As a fellow swordsman, how could he not get excited over such overwhelming talent?
Elizabeth didn't love her tutor's fawning, but she let it slide. She acknowledged Ji-hyuk's prowess too.
"Anyway, congratulations, Lady Elizabeth."
"...Pfft, like this was ever in doubt?"
She played it cool, but inwardly she was pleased. Ranking matches remained, but she'd cleared a major hurdle.
"And it's not over yet."
"You'll claim a high rank, my lady."
Elizabeth wasn't lacking confidence. Avoid that damn guy by luck, and second place was within reach. Yeah, second. Just dodge him until the finals. Just him...
...But two days later, in the first ranking match, she drew him.
This fucking... goddamn—!
Elizabeth hesitated at the arena entrance. She wanted to scream and jump in frustration. Of all the rotten luck—!
She knew she couldn't beat him. She'd just get humiliated amid the spectators' jeers. Losing here meant fifth place at best, even sweeping the rest. Second exam missions would ramp up in difficulty too.
But what choice did she have? No point fighting a sure loss.
She dithered, then forfeited.
Her fragile pride shattered anew.
"I... forfeit."
Ji-hyuk, already inside waiting, smirked at the announcement. No grit. She'd sworn to kill him before, but now she knew her place.
Gwint, facing Ji-hyuk in the semis, forfeited too. Better to conserve strength for third-fourth place. Logical choice.
Ji-hyuk cruised to first in the finals.
He and the fairy saw it as inevitable. His skill had outgrown the candidate cage long ago.
Two days after the first exam ended, the second began. Candidates scrambled to form teams even before rankings finalized.
The flashiest was Elizabeth's: money and power drew top talent in droves, including mercenaries Ji-hyuk recognized by name.
Attention now shifted to the missions. Historically, not all eight candidates ever passed—max was six, min one. Even first place wasn't guaranteed. Leadership, skill, and luck all mattered beyond raw power.
"You'll do great."
Fairy Eizel trusted him. From the second exam, she couldn't accompany openly—though she'd shadow discreetly if needed. Pride wouldn't allow overt cheating. She'd return to their Crescent Lake nest and wait quietly.
"Don't worry. I'll complete it safely."
"Good...."
Tomorrow decided missions. Eizel packed that evening to leave post-ceremony.
Ji-hyuk quietly visited her room.
"Master."
"What is it?"
"Nothing... just, thank you. For looking out for me."
He meant it. She'd seemed prickly at first, but he'd revised his view. Her sincere care earned his gratitude.
The fairy smiled brightly. A beautiful smile.
"No need to thank me. Just doing my duty as master."
"Still... I'll never forget your grace."
"...Fine, then I'm grateful."
Ji-hyuk approached slowly. She blushed shyly. They embraced tightly.
In his grown arms, she felt something subtle. Yeah, she'll leave someday. It's natural. Natural....
Memories flashed: from their first meeting to now. ...Truly happy. First real happiness since crashing into this weird world.
Eizel hugged him tighter. ...Don't want to leave. Don't want to let go. Want to watch him grow to the end. See it with my own eyes....
But she released him. It was natural. He must become a hero. She was just baggage now.
That was a master's role: send off the fledged disciple without regret.
"Go rest well."
"You too... have a peaceful night, Master."
"Yeah, you too."
The decisive day dawned. The eight gathered early at Arhobent Academy. An imperial figure arrived: the 15th Prince, a mysterious silver-haired youth.
Candidates knelt on one knee in respect. He smiled kindly, praising them.
"You've worked hard to reach here. The exam isn't over, but I believe you'll all complete your missions brilliantly and become heroes."
"We are honored, Your Highness."
"Now... it's time. Let's begin."
Ji-hyuk stood first. The prince's eyes widened slightly. A human taking first?
"You are?"
"Kang Ji-hyuk, Your Highness."
"Very well, Candidate Kang Ji-hyuk. Choose wisely."
On the wide table lay stacked scrolls detailing missions and contribution points. Points tallied for promotions—100 needed for D to C-rank.
Completing any second-exam mission guaranteed hero status, so most picked easy ones.
...Not Ji-hyuk. For rapid S-rank climb, he needed max points—not just completion.
He ignored the 10-pointers. Ten of those for C-rank? No thanks.
He skipped 20s and 30s. Murmurs grew. Usually, low-ranks took 30s for glory; highest historical pass was 50 points (now an S-rank hero).
Ji-hyuk passed 40, 50, 60. Gasps erupted. The prince's smile faded.
70, 80, 90... He stopped.
He snatched the scroll. A showpiece—no one expected it. C-ranks had failed it repeatedly, inflating points.
"...You're serious?"
The prince asked gravely. Ji-hyuk nodded firmly.
"Yes. I'll take this one."
!!!
Shocked outrage. Insanity.
Ji-hyuk held the 100-point mission.