Protagonist (3)

The grueling Arsen entrance exam had finally concluded.

I sat in the waiting room, inspecting my Glock. I'd used a total of four magic bullets during the test—three on other cadets I encountered along the way, and one lightning-attribute round on Serin Anette.

Honestly, I was a bit worried whether a magic bullet would even work on Serin Anette, but fortunately, even she couldn't fully block a fully charged shot. The buff I had active and the surprise attack from behind probably helped too.

That confirmed the magic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bullets' power. By using different attribute rounds, I could counter most cadets without issue. Good thing I went with that weird concept play. My tricky build from my previous world seemed to work pretty well here too—including against the top-ranked Serin Anette.

"Let's see... so now I have..."

Out of the twenty magic bullets I'd prepared, sixteen remained. Esperand could make more if I asked, but I wasn't keen on it. I'd come to Arsen precisely to avoid drawing Duke Esperand's attention, and ordering magic bullets might put me on his radar unnecessarily.

If I could weave magic bullets directly from mana like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠frontline hunters, that'd be different, but at my current level, it was impossible.

I sat in the waiting room like the other cadets. My score was second place, and the looks directed my way weren't ordinary.

"That's him? The Sion Illeionhart kid or whatever?"

"Yeah. That pistol he's got makes it obvious..."

"Second place, huh? Thought he'd get all his points revoked for voluntarily dropping out."

Curious stares, envious glances—various eyes crossed paths.

"So that's what hit me?"

"A pistol... hmm."

A few were openly frowning and glaring. Probably cadets I'd sniped. I got it. I'd fought right on the edge of the rules. No big deal for me, but from their perspective, it'd sting. They probably had a lot to say. From their expressions, they seemed to think they'd have won in a fair one-on-one.

With my unique talent, we'd only know for sure if we tried, but whatever. Making Kyle first place was for their future good too. Even top scores at Arsen meant nothing if the world ended.

So for this world's future, my comfy retirement, and a peaceful life at Arsen, you'd all better keep getting your feelings hurt from now on.

An annoyingly smug bastard—that's the image I preferred to leave.

The techniques I'd learned from my family were all dirty tricks like this anyway; no way I'd leave a good impression regardless.

Fortunately, no pointless harassment would come my way. I'd made an example in this entrance exam of what happened if you messed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with me.

"Phew..."

Of course, there were other examples too. As the saying goes, the thief gets nervous at his own footsteps. I sat there feeling like I was under interrogation.

The reason was obvious: my voluntary withdrawal.

The exam was over, and now came one-on-one interviews with the faculty. Something like career counseling, from what I'd heard. But I doubted it'd be pleasant.

Rumors said I'd already fallen out of favor with the professors. They wouldn't nitpick my tricky plays, but the problem was me tripping at the finish line after doing so well. I'd done it for the world's sake, but to the watching faculty, it must've looked incomprehensible.

I couldn't exactly explain my full situation either. Dropping to Kyle's hand might've been better in hindsight. These thoughts always come too late.

What do I do...

I felt burdened enough, but the faculty who'd watched live must be even more so for this interview. And that pressure would lead to some action.

Especially concerning was Reina, the archery department professor and one of the exam overseers. In the original story, she was essential for the archery master path, and as the archery instructor, she took immense pride in her archers.

Reina had likely watched my entire fight. I'd thought I'd be a great example for archers, but then second-place Sion Illeionhart threw the game at the end. Bet I'd hear an earful.

"But why second? He could've taken first."

"He's an archer. Against two swordsmen, maybe he just thought he couldn't win?"

"Nah, we'd have to see him fight to know. He didn't climb to second on luck."

All sorts of speculation flew around. They were debating me now. Those who'd watched live probably imagined some noble, heroic final duel over the flag. Sorry to disappoint, but no helping it. For Kyle and the main cast to grow strong, they needed to thrive—and that meant I did too.

My number was called soon after. The consulting room doors parting on both sides felt like the maw of a massive beast.

I opened the consulting room door to find a slender elf standing there. Pointed ears that stood out even from afar, platinum hair, and green eyes reminiscent of Esperand's forests—she was the epitome of a living elf.

Reina of the archery department. She called my name.

"A-839, Sion Illeionhart."

"Yes, Professor Reina."

She flinched slightly at my response, clearly not expecting me to know her name.

"Do you know me?"

It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was a natural question. Reina's past was shrouded in mystery. She'd been high nobility in some elven kingdom but hid it to become an Arsen professor, rarely showing her face publicly. A newcomer from outside Arsen not knowing her would be normal.

That was just the setting, though.

"Yes, I do."

She was one of the reliable backers in the original story—impossible not to know. Reina was a prime good-aligned named character. The typical mentor who falls in the final boss fight, which was a shame.

Her gaze on me was sharp, though not on par with my Telescopic Vision. As an elf, she had considerable insight.

"I'd heard a bit about you before."

Her face filled with doubt, but it wasn't a lie. Her name was on the hit list in my room, marked as elven nobility worth watching.

"The people behind you are waiting, so let's cut to the chase."

Dismissing small talk, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her expression was solemn.

"The entire entrance exam is recorded. The faculty, including me, watched live and assigned scores in real time."

That matched the briefing.

"We all saw your final fight. The cadets waiting in here did too. No one dreamed you'd hand over a sure first place like that."

As archery department head, Reina was a leader who trained archers. As mentioned, she held strong pride in her role. I felt deep disappointment from her. She'd expected a lot, and I'd shattered it.

As I swallowed hard, she let out a small chuckle.

"I'm curious why, but I won't ask. You must have your reasons."

Her words were the opposite of what I'd expected. I'd braced for criticism, but she was smiling instead.

"Just reaching second as an archer is impressive enough. Archers usually get targeted first by mages and swordsmen. Showing such a good fight satisfied me plenty."

I wasn't sure whether to thank her or what. I stayed silent for now. This wasn't just for praise.

"But the other professors think differently."

There it is.

I'd prepared for this.

"All incoming cadets saw an Arsen student, who should set a diligent example, voluntarily withdraw."

"Some faculty say it could set a bad precedent. We need to make an example to prevent repeats—for Arsen's dignity."

"So, we're giving you demerit points. It's been decided by the administration. Given the circumstances, no helping it."

Reina aimed her index finger at me, shaping it like a pistol—probably mimicking my Glock. A simple gesture, but as an archer, she could fire a mana bullet with just that. Not that she'd do it, but it still sent a chill down my spine.

She lowered her hand and declared sternly on behalf of the academy.

"Sion Illeionhart, 5 demerit points."

Figured it wouldn't slide. I'd expected demerits, and they were manageable. But five at once was no joke. Normally it'd be one or two max in this situation.

Hit twenty demerits, and you're forcibly expelled from Arsen. Shops could offset them, but to nobles, demerits were a major disgrace. Accumulate enough for expulsion? Most families disown you. Even returning to Esperand, no guarantee they'd take me back. Dian couldn't intervene at that point.

The faculty wanted a strong example this time.

...Five was way too much, no matter how I sliced it. Maybe this world's hellish difficulty at play. Still left a bad taste.

"However, I judge you showed a good fight for the archers, so I'll award you merit points."

An unexpected follow-up. I looked up, caught off guard.

"Few archers score high in entrance exams. Especially you, Sion Illeionhart—you reached second using methods no prior Arsen archer ever has."

I could guess what she meant. Good or bad, expect new disguise rules next exam.

"First, for the excellent fight."

"For the tenacity and grit to reach second despite disadvantages."

"And finally, for being a good example to archers."

"I value that highly."

"My merit points: 5. Net zero with your demerits."

Relief washed over me. Without a precedent like me, maybe. But even accounting for that, was this okay? Good and bad examples at once didn't seem merit-worthy.

Reina added briefly.

"Per academy rules, exceptional performance or pioneering new ground earns special points. Mine are fully legit—no worries."

"Ah, yes..."

I just stood there awkwardly. Special points or not, five was excessive. Meant I'd caught her eye big time. She'd pushed hard for it.

"Formalities done. Now, can I hear your story? Your career plan says you aspire to be a hunter post-graduation..."

As I wondered if merits and demerits should balance so neatly, Reina smiled gently.