Chapter 236
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 236
Chapter Title: Standout Prospects
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The world thinks I'm talented.
They have no idea how many times I had to vacate my body just to uncover every single thing those failing cadets were up to.
He rattled on in detail about how much effort the failing cadets had put in.
He wasn't even their assigned instructor.
Yet here he was, paying such close attention—it was impressive, to say the least.
I leaned back against the chair in silence, watching the new cadets' potential unfold.
Overall, they all seemed to have the skills to make it into the academy.
Of course, anyone below the bar had already been weeded out earlier, so it was only natural.
That said, quite a few stood out with exceptional talent even among them.
If they worked hard, they could make a name for themselves.
Of course, that didn't mean they could take on the teaching assistants.
The combat instructors, associate professors, and their assistants were all established figures with reputations—or top-year cadets on the verge of graduation.
Those upperclassmen, the newbies' seniors, had entered the academy at a similar level and received specialized training here.
And the ones handpicked by the professors to serve as assistants were clearly beyond what freshmen could handle.
"Cadet 37. Your test is over."
"Huff... huff... I can do more!"
"No. Time's up. Step down."
"Damn it..."
Frustrated cadets who couldn't show their full potential vented their disappointment here and there.
"Cadet 83. Excellent work. You've got a bright future ahead."
"Thank you, sir."
Some earned rave reviews for displaying impressive prowess.
As I watched the new cadets go through their tests like a steady stream, Luna started yawning from boredom and tugged at my collar.
"Leon, this is getting boring."
"Want to head back?"
Truth be told, I felt the same way.
I'd come to gauge their levels, but nothing particularly noteworthy had caught my eye.
Just as I started to stand...
Boom!!!
A massive explosion rocked one of the sparring arenas, smoke billowing out.
"Hm?"
The one who'd stepped up was none other than the Spear Saint's disciple, Basara Crevad.
True to his massive build, he wielded a long, hefty spear. He caught his breath and bowed his head.
"Thank you for the match."
"Ugh... You're a real monster..."
The assistant he'd faced muttered in disbelief from the ground.
Exclamations rippled through the crowd.
Few cadets in the academy could match that level of skill, so the surprise was warranted.
"Oh? First time I've seen a cadet beat an assistant."
Assistants could tire out like anyone else, but even at full strength, this one probably wouldn't have turned the tables.
Examiners rarely lost when evaluating cadet levels, making this a bizarre turn of events.
"Sorry about that, Professor."
"No need. You've earned a rest—go recover."
His supervising professor helped him down from the arena.
"Impressive. A display worthy of the Spear Saint's disciple."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Beating the examiner means top marks already. No wasted movements, perfect power distribution, and masterful aura control. Outstanding."
He smiled modestly at the professor's praise.
"You're too kind, Professor."
Unlike the effusive professor, Luna's assessment was coolly critical.
"He's skilled, but his biggest flaw is hiding bad habits to impress others. Wasted motions, aura control, power distribution—all still immature."
"Shh. That's normal for most people."
"Mmph."
I hushed her, but Basara seemed to have overheard.
His gaze landed on Luna.
He looked displeased with her hooded figure but said nothing.
Afterward, the professor himself stepped into the arena for a duel. After several exchanges, Basara earned more praise and stepped down.
But his expression held a hint of dissatisfaction.
Directed at Luna, no doubt.
Given the setting, he didn't act on it openly.
Next, the youngest son of the mage family Hontail dazzled the magic professor with remarkable skill before stepping down.
All the promising newcomers at the entrance exam showed similar flair.
The flames from young Hontail's heir were remarkably systematic and precise for his age.
Seemed like rivals. If Crevad and Hontail clashed, Rubas Hontail might have the edge.
Another prospect, Liscia Hevilion—granddaughter of the Golem School's dean—crafted intricate golems and maneuvered them with efficiency, earning effusive praise from her evaluator.
Her combat prowess lagged behind the other two, but alchemists were supporters by trade, not frontline fighters.
It reminded me of the promising youths from the Bata Kingdom I'd met at the border. Compared to these, they still had a ways to go.
By the time most cadets had finished, the executives gathered for a meeting.
The professors nearby had all moved off as well.
Looked like nearly everyone had tested—except one missing face.
Come to think of it... one was absent.
The girl who, despite being a freshman, already outshone the professors.
Ashuria Abelgard, disciple of the reclusive archmage Luteon Abelgard, was nowhere in sight.
She'd quietly dominated the mana measurement with overwhelming top scores, so plenty must have been watching for her.
With their top prospect vanished, confusion spread, and murmurs grew among the upperclassmen in the stands.
They searched for a while longer.
Then someone approached us.
"You're Leon Cascadia, aren't you?"
"Hm?"
Turning, I saw a hulking boy looming over me—Basara Crevad, the Spear Saint's disciple who'd just faced Luna's harsh critique.
"Basara Crevad of House Crevad."
"Pleased to meet you, Young Master Crevad."
"Likewise. I've heard whispers about you, Leon—the Kraken subjugator, the one who single-handedly held off the Holy Knights."
He chuckled lightly.
"And savior of countless academy cadets, no less."
"Just got lucky."
I replied evenly, and he offered a handshake.
Gripping his hand, I felt pressure building in his grip.
Clearly, he'd come after hearing Luna—testing me with that squeeze.
Who wouldn't bristle at criticism when their ego was riding high?
Especially since he knew she'd said it.
As I didn't budge under his force, his face twitched briefly.
"Did you... hear what Luna said?"
"Ah, so that's her name. The hood hid your face—I apologize for not greeting you properly."
"What did you think of my words?"
Luna stared up at him with an icy gaze.
Her face emerged from the hood, and Basara's eyes widened for a split second.
"Ahem..."
"What did you think?"
She pressed on without a hint of hesitation.
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. Your pride is undermining your talent."
"What would you know..."
His face twisted. She'd struck a nerve.
Luna's critique went beyond mere flaws.
"I've been up at dawn swinging this spear for years. You barely know me—do you think you have the right to say that? Especially someone weaker than me."
He scowled, visibly annoyed.
I got it, but unless you were a high elf like Luna, spotting her true power was tough.
Who'd guess those slender arms could uproot a massive tree with ease?
The arena entrance grew rowdy amid the tension.
A girl in a mage robe and oversized hat shuffled in, yawning widely.
Her black cadet uniform paired with a worn, oversized wizard's hat. Long hazelnut hair cascaded down, her face utterly devoid of enthusiasm for the world.
So that's where she'd been—curled up sleeping somewhere.
She slouched her way up to the arena under the executives' guidance.
Evaluating her combat skills was a senior magic professor.
After a brief exchange, he stood ready, inviting her to strike first.
Then—
Rubbing sleepy eyes mid-yawn, she thrust her hand up in an instant.
At the same moment—
Crack!!!
Ignoring Basara mid-conversation with us, I rushed her and seized her arm. Luna yanked the magic professor back by the nape just as he began channeling mana.
Sizzle!
A faint spark popped weakly where the professor had stood.
She'd interfered with the colorless, formless mana surging around her, collapsing its structure in a flash.
< Dispel >
Her mana resisted, but I severed it easily enough. Her spell fizzled before it could take shape.
Hence the tiny spark at the professor's feet.
"Dispel? How in the world...?"
Ashuria Abelgard stared up at me wide-eyed, arm still in my grip.
A split-second later, and that professor would've been dead.
From her blank expression, she had no clue her magic could've killed.
Other professors caught the lingering mana overflow from her and swarmed the arena.
The magic professors quelled the raging mana remnants across the area without a word.
Slow on the uptake, but professors were pros—they instantly grasped how lethal her spell had been.
"No idea how you train, but that would've killed him."
She gazed up at me vacantly with lifeless eyes.
"That's enough. Duel's canceled."
The magic professor approached, face pale as realization dawned.
The cadets buzzed at our sudden intervention alongside the staff.
But the professors simply escorted her away.
Even as she was led off, she alternated bewildered stares between her hand and me.
And there was Basara, our conversation partner, gaping in shock.
"When did she get that strong?"