After the Entrance Exam (1)
After finishing my interview, the sun had already dipped below the horizon outside. Iri was waiting for me, apparently done before I was.
"Ah, Shion."
Iri swept her hair back before greeting me. She couldn't quite meet my eyes, so she'd probably gotten an earful just like I had.
I left the main building with Iri. She'd heard she hadn't gotten any penalty points. Good thing—I was example enough. Iri de Sugamond was a solid ally who joined the protagonist early on. She couldn't afford to get held back by penalties.
The early game had some major events, and getting dragged around for points would've been a headache.
"Where are you headed, Shion?"
"Guest house that way."
"Huh? Isn't the guest house inside Arsen?"
"No decent places to stay outside."
With the tension gone, Iri started peppering me with questions. It felt good seeing the Iri I knew.
The entrance exam had wrapped up well. Kyle took first, I got second, and Iri third. We'd returned our cadet uniforms, so we were in casual clothes—baggy training wear, easy and comfy.
Figured the system would pop up soon.
Rewards available for collection.
Half relieved, half empty. Glad it went smooth, but thinking ahead, we'd barely started. Still, my steps felt light. As the saying goes, a good start is half the battle. We'd cleared the first hurdle, one step closer to my comfy retirement.
"That mage was surprisingly good up close, huh."
"Lara Steelhiden?"
"Yeah! She held back her strength, but her reflexes and instincts were better than mine."
"Not bad for a mage."
I'd asked Iri to take out Lara Steelhiden—the biggest wildcard in the exam. More like distract her long enough to drop out. That would've sufficed.
Lara was key too, but making Kyle first place came first. Because of the top prize.
Plan half succeeded. I'd aimed for a clean snipe, but she threw up a mana barrier in time. Forced me into close quarters.
If Camille Esperand hadn't slipped me that dagger beforehand, things would've gotten messy. Lucky it worked out.
Iri was puzzled how Lara blocked her strike. She didn't know—Lara wasn't melee-trained; she sensed the attack via mana resonance. Thanks to her trait Mana Resonance and her unawakened Unique-grade talent, Archmage. Plus budding Spirit Affinity.
Lara basically had a barrier up 24/7, synced with ambient mana. Any anomaly, instant reaction. Quick adaptation, like a warrior's Sense trait.
Not every mage could do it—only Lara with those traits. To a newbie, it'd look insane. Normal mages panic at a swinging greatsword, don't block.
But Lara did. Even I was surprised knowing ahead; Iri, clashing blades, more so.
"Dunno details, but she's got talent."
Sharper eye than she lets on. Lara's Archmage talent was dormant, but Iri sensed it sparring her.
Of course, Iri didn't know her own hidden talent. It awakened way later in the original.
Step step—we'd reached the fork. I stopped at the signpost.
"Anyway, good work."
"You too, Shion! See you when classes start!"
"Yeah, yeah."
I headed to the guest house; Iri went opposite. The breeze was chillier than expected. I watched her trot off, then hurried on.
Classes started day after tomorrow. By then, the failures would pack sadly. Not my problem—second place.
Tomorrow, results announced big. News of Arsen's exam end, villains approach protagonists.
Last night in the guest house. Tomorrow, acceptance letters out; dorms from then.
Entering the guest house hall, I ran into someone unexpected.
"…Sion Illeionhart."
"President Rebecca."
Figured she'd left once dorms finished. No chat, so I moved to pass.
"…You used a gun."
Her words drifted by. Seemed she had business; I stopped.
Voice cold, but no hostility—unlike before.
"Unexpected. I remember you using a dagger."
"Just found a better fit."
Post-interview greetings done; figured no more talk. But she acted fast—progress on her end. Good sign. I'd rattled her; she wouldn't underestimate me now.
"How'd you know about Raknia Cave?"
"Heard through the grapevine."
"Not sharing, then."
"No reason to. It was just a deal."
I drew the line sharp; she furrowed her brow. Always stoic, but more expressive than thought.
Rebecca wore a ruby necklace—Raknia Cave hidden piece. Mental boost, useful for mages, vital for her. Buys time before villain awakening.
"You got my gift."
"Yes."
Thought she'd just scouted; she'd excavated during exam. Didn't expect student council power used like that—desperate.
"This is yours. Deals need mutual gain."
She pulled a worn wooden box from subspace. Inside, a dagger; she eyed it puzzled.
"Yet you used a gun. My memory: you dazzled with a small dagger."
"Ancient history. Water under the bridge."
"Water under… fair enough."
Pre-possession Shion used daggers, apparently. No calluses, but no rule saying stick to it. Didn't expect Camille's gift to tie in.
Made sense now.
"Useless to me. Suits you better. Can't snipe forever."
She bit her lip, reverse-gripped, offered hilt.
"No."
I refused politely, shaking head.
"That dagger's my gift too."
"Useless to me."
"Nothing's useless. Even old swords decorate."
Worn dagger, but artifact. Priceless. Symbolized Grander-Esperand deal sealed. No more pawn play; greetings done, no more meetings.
"Anyway, deal closed clean. Looking forward to it, President Rebecca."
"Yes."
She took it. Unknowingly, that dagger saves her.
My room felt cooler than before. Prepped for dorm move, cleaned pre-exam. Floor dust bugged me—curse of sharp eyes.
Grabbed broom, swept. Maids handled at home; now DIY. Missed Esperand days a bit.
Done packing, finally checked system.
Main quest completed. Additional perk unlocked.
Status window now accessible.
"Hoo…"
Deep breath, calmed, opened status.
• Watcher's Eye
• Sense
• [???]
"Whoa…"
As expected, bottom-tier stats. Most hover over 2. Even with +1 achievement bonus. Freshmen average 3-4—dizzying.
Vitality and endurance decent enough to scrap. Agility stands out—Esperand training.
Mana ~2,300. Not much; most over 3,000 unless trash-tier.
"But this…"
That [???] trait from talent awakening. Still unknown. Probably dormant.
Focusing, another panel popped.
Conditions met. Unknown trait [???] unlocked.
Acquired trait - Magic Bullet Shooter.
Focusing, details expanded.
Magic Bullet Shooter [Rare]
▷ Weave magic bullets from mana. Min. mana (500)
▷ 20% recoil reduction on firearms.
*Magic bullet power scales with mana spent.
Magic Bullet Shooter existed in original. Nabbed it during cowboy meta. Main effect: craft mana bullets. No more ammo woes. Mana drain hurts, but ring helps… wait, gave ring to Lara. Need new one.
Esperand cash plus exam points convertible to funds—no biggie.
More messages.
Hell difficulty, but hey, they toss a bone.