“First place?”
One of the participants muttered, looking at Ceylon.
“Him?”
Another participant took over.
Rustling, rustling, rustling.
Ceylon looked like he was laughing his ass off.
“Haha, all this attention. I must have made a big deal out of it, huh?”
A light atmosphere as if it could fly away with the wind saying ‘whoosh’.
No sense of dignity or elegance can be felt.
It was obvious.
Ceylon is not a nobleman.
His presence, posture, and mana.
All elents of strength that are outwardly displayed were insignificant.
It was obvious.
Ceylon is not a strong man.
He might be lucky enough to pass the academy entrance exam.
But to enter with high grades?
Impossible.
Not even just high grades but being at the top?
Surpassing Kasha Hanahan and Drin Lebringer?
“No way!”
Soone represented the feelings of other participants.
She was short, but she had a fiery, intense aura, as did her orange hair.
She was Adryn of House Teln, a high noble of her own right, though not as high as Lebringer or Hanahan.
Adryn was the next to last in her group to escape and pass the test.
Her ti was 3 minutes and 20 seconds, just behind Drin’s impressive record in the one-minute range. It wasn’t ideal, but it was enough.
It was good enough.
The fact that she finished side-by-side with Drin Lebringer and Kasha Hanahan, even if it was just a formality that ant nothing to her, brought her imnse joy.
Since escaping from the magic circle, Adryn had been basking in that joy continuously.
She kept stealing glances in the direction of Drin and Kasha.
Maybe this would bring her closer to them.
But wait? Suddenly…
It wasn’t herself who ranked alongside Drin and Kasha?
Confused murmurs filled the air.
That stupid guy is even ranked number one, ahead of Drin Lebringer and Kasha Hanahan?
“Ms. Officer! I formally object! It may be true that participant number 348 passed, but claiming first place? Ahead of both Drin and Kasha? This is absurd!”
Adryn raised her voice in protest.
She recalled Sinia ntioning participant number 348’s record: “Less than one minute! Just 54 seconds!”
Then the protests gained montum.
The battle with the mana golem, the bloodbath, that had taken place within the magic circle just monts before, ca flooding back.
Fearless yet unfeeling pain; tirelessness despite exhaustion.
With its humanoid yet distorted body structure causing great confusion when predicting its movents or responding to them,
it proved to be a formidable opponent fitting the notorious reputation of the second test.
If Adryn’s battle against the Mana Golem hadn’t taken place within the barrier, she would have given up and retreated imdiately.
In fact, she suffered a small injury in the process, barely able to figure out the mana golem’s movents.
In the process of exploiting the movents and finding the loopholes, she sustained serious injuries that would have made her dizzy with pain had she not been inside the circle.
While analyzing its movents and exploiting its vulnerabilities, if it weren’t for the pain caused by those injuries, she might have been incapacitated due to combat ineffectiveness.
It was all in order to minimize test ti.
“It took 3 minutes and 20 seconds! And yet that guy claims zero minutes? Just 54 seconds? As far as I rember, participant number 348 did not achieve outstanding results like Drin did in the first test! The mana sensitivity of number 348 must be at an average level. It is absolutely impossible for him to subdue a Mana Golem within one minute!”
Her passionate speech influenced other participants.
“That’s right!”
“How can that commoner surpass Drin Lebringer and Kasha Hanahan for first place? This is absurd!”
Lebringer. Hanahan.
If there was an expression that could unite these two families, it would be “the Eight Great Families.”
The Eight Great Families stood at the pinnacle of noble society on this continent; they represented all nobles without question.
This made it even more difficult for the participants to accept the results.
Except for participant number 348, all mbers of that group were nobles.
Even Sinia, the officer in charge, was a high-ranking noble.
“Hmm, I don’t think this kind of protest is appropriate in an academy admission test-”
Sinia crossed her arms, unsure of how to handle the situation.
“I understand your feelings even though it’s not ideal. Indeed, it’s ridiculous that the participant number 348 surpasses these two individuals and takes first place with a ti of 54 seconds – hahaha! It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Hehe, even you…!”
“Yeah, well… you should be more careful with your deanor. If you have skills, show them off properly and present yourself well. You’re too casual about it. Well, personally I like it but… seems like other participants don’t appreciate it.”
Clap!
Sinia clapped her hands to lighten the mood.
“Now then. Participant number 341. Let’s get back to what we were discussing earlier – shall we move on to the main point?”
“What?”
“It is absolutely unacceptable for the participant number 348 to take first place with a ti of 54 seconds! That’s what You said before. We need to move forward from there; we can’t just let this slide! Anyway, it simply doesn’t make sense! Even if everyone else agrees…”
“Oh… yeah, right?”
No matter how mild-mannered and tolerant Sinia was, she was still an officer.
If she wanted to cause unrest right now she could do so imdiately; Sinia naturally held control over this place where rebellion seed possible at any mont.
Adryn’s montum visibly weakened, not to ntion the other noble participants.
“First, let’s address this. Participant number 341. You ntioned that there is an issue with participant number 348’s record. Does that an there was a problem during the examination process?”
“…”
Adryn’s eyes flickered.
Sinia did nothing.
She simply summarized and conveyed the story to Adryn in her gentle voice and understanding expression.
But that alone was enough to make Adryn shudder.
Officer Sinia Yelai.
Professor and Instructor of the Academy’s Swordsmanship Departnt, Ironwall Sword Sinia.
The status of Sinia, which had been engraved in the minds of those who walked the path of the sword, suddenly pressed down on Adryn belatedly.
If soone were to raise objections about problems occurring during her current role as officer in charge, wouldn’t that be a challenge to her authority?
‘No.’
Still, Adryn felt she shouldn’t bend now.
‘Protecting Drin Lebringer and Kasha Hanahan’s honor is what I must do!’
That was what Adryn thought.
As she stood at the center of attention with fervent support from the crowd while speaking before admired figures like Drin Lebringer and Kasha Hanahan herself…
‘Those two are watching …!’
Adryn realized that Drin and Kasha were watching her carefully, as if they were supporting her.
“Yes! I am certain that there was a problem during the examination process. Otherwise, participant number 348’s record cannot be explained!”
“Participant number 349 agrees with participant numbers 341!”
“Participant number 343 also agrees!”
“I agree too!”
Impressed by their noble representative’s determination (?), the nobles willingly added their voices to hers.
So of them even shouted out their family nas instead of their entry numbers.
The more they did so, the more Adryn’s all-encompassing sense of exaltation intensified.
Sinia found the situation both embarrassing and amusing.
“Well, this is… quite an interesting – no, complex situation, isn’t it? I understand your opinions, participants. Actually, I’m curious too. How did the participant number 348 manage to pass in first place? But to confirm that…”
Sinia looked at them and spoke.
“I need to capture the test content of Participant number 348 that is recorded in the magic device and turn it into a video right here. Is that okay? Number 348? Can I show the other participants the recording of your test situation?”
“Hmm…”
Ceylon cleared his throat, watching the participants’ reactions – mainly Adryn’s.
‘Hmm…?’
Maybe it was just Ceylon’s mood.
Ceylon seed sowhat pleased with himself.
Very much so.
‘It must be because of his mood.’
Of course, there was no way he could be amused at this point, so Adryn assud it was simply an illusion.
“I’m afraid my skills are far from being sothing I’d be proud to show off to others- I’m ashad to say…”
“Oh, by the way. You have the right to refuse, Number 348. Well, those people aren’t officials or examiners – they’re just participants in an academy entrance exam who aren’t even students yet.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Ceylon asked, amused.
He glanced over at Adryn.
Then, as if sothing had been activated within Adryn’s mind, a reaction erged from her.
“You’ve achieved first place! And not only that but with a record surpassing Drin and Kasha’s! Instead of feeling ashad about it, shouldn’t you feel proud? If you’re innocent, then confidently reveal it!”
That surprised expression! It’s clear!
Adryn said with conviction as if she had discovered evidence like an investigator would have done so.
“Huh? Participant number 347, what’s going on?”
At that mont, everyone’s attention shifted instantly towards Drin who was participant number 347.
Adryn’s face lit up as she realized that Drin had co to her defense.
“Yes Drin-ssi! Please say sothing too!”
“I think you’re being too hasty.”
“…What?”
“It seems like you’re pushing Number 348 too hard without any evidence of problems in his test process. Perhaps it would be better for you to correct your statent about confidently revealing the truth if he is innocent.”
“…”
Drin’s words startled everyone in the examination hall.
They hadn’t expected her to defend Number 348 here.
Drin should have been the main highlight.
Or at the very least, it should have been Kasha.
But then a stupid narrow eyed guy showed up and stole her spot.
Even the second place was taken by Kasha.
Part of the participants’ frustration with the current protest ca from trying to empathize with Drin.
As a third party, they can’t help but feel frustrated. How must Drin feel as the person involved?
But Drin remained calm and composed.
“Oh… Participant number 347, are you recognizing the record of Participant number 348?”
Sinia asked excitedly.
“…”
After a mont of thoughtful silence, Drin replied.
“I don’t think it’s my place to decide.”
“Ohoho, if it’s not your place to decide whether or not to acknowledge participant number 348’s ranking being surpassed by soone else, then who should decide?”
“If there’s a problem, why don’t the organizers investigate, not us?”
That was indeed a valid argunt.
With Drin’s presence adding to the atmosphere, the intense mood in that place quickly subsided as if they were about to hang participant number 348 any mont now.
“Drin Lebringer. I saw you talking with him just now. It seed like you two already have so kind of relationship. So are you defending him?”
Kasha reignited the tense atmosphere.
“Ahem!”
Sinia’s reaction echoed the sentints of the others.
Such a blunt statent.
Even if Drin took it as an insult, she was just kept silent.
“Hmm…”
Instead of taking it as an insult and showing her displeasure, Drin thought again.
“Well… that makes sense. I definitely have personal bias towards participant number 348. It would be reasonable for doubts about my objectivity in this situation.”
Just when it seed like Drin was stepping back, she glanced at Ceylon briefly before speaking again,
“In that case, since things have co to this, I will express my subjective opinion. I believe that participant number 348’s record is more than possible.”
Kasha felt sothing stir and rise in her chest.
Drin’s attitude towards Ceylon.
It was recognition.
It was what Kasha had wanted so badly.
Sothing she’d wanted so badly and refused to give, and yet she was willing to give it to a fool like him.
Why?
Who the hell was he?
“Can you take responsibility for those words?”
Kasha’s gaze, staring at Drin with coldness and sharpness, contained a threatening undertone.
“…”
Drin simply accepted that gaze calmly.
“Wait! Hold on!”
As if on cue, Sinia stepped into the middle of the gaze.
And then she rushed straight towards Ceylon as if unable to bear another second of their conflicting gazes.
“Participant number 348, what am I supposed to do? The friction between Hanahan and Lebringer…! This is about to beco more than I can handle, so I’m afraid that you have to save !”
“Hmph… Does that an that if I reveal my records here, Ms. Officer will owe a favor?”
What’s the harm in owing this man a debt?
Sinia shrugged off the lighthearted thought and nodded.
“Of course, I owe you one big debt!”
Ceylon shook his head and laughed bitterly.
“I understand.
Reluctantly but for the sake of his respected superior, Ceylon had no choice but to agree. Could he really hesitate like this?
“…!”
Sinia felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine at the sight of Ceylon’s bitter smile.
“Hmm? Is sothing wrong?”
“Oh? Ah. It’s nothing. Just- yes. Anyway, yes. Thank you, participant number 348. I owe you a great debt. I will definitely repay it! You can count on !”
“A favor from our officer, of course I should expect it!”
“Uh, why is this happening? Anyway. Alright everyone! Our generous participant number 348 has agreed to reveal their record! Now- with a record of 54 seconds, currently surpassing all participants in the second round and taking an overwhelming first place- let’s finally see what everyone has been so curious about: participant number 348’s record.”
“Oh, just a mont, Officer.”
Ceylon said, looking at Kasha.
“Do you also want to reveal my record?”
“What is the intention behind that question?”
“I’m curious if you think my records were made in an unjust manner.”
“Of course.”
Kasha answered without hesitation.
There was no way that the mystery man whose identity she had been so curious about-but also looking forward to-was this silly man.
“Haha, is that so? Well, well, well. It breaks my heart to be hated by you two.”
Ceylon looked at Adryn and Kasha in turn and smiled bitterly.
As if to tell them to rember the look of doubt and anguish on his face.
Sinia then manipulated a hexahedron-shaped tool, and a light burst forth, projecting an image into thin air.
There, the appearance of participant number 348 entering the circle was reflected.
“…”
Adryn focused on his image in the video while holding her breath.
A mana golem that took an average of four minutes to defeat, with the exception of Drin Lebringer and Kasha Hanahan.
A mana golem that took an average of one and a half minutes to kill, even with the Drin Lebringer and Kasha Hanahan.
What could have happened for that mana golem to collapse within such an unbelievably short ti fra of just 50 seconds?
The answer ca quickly, as it should.
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“What the hell?”
Ceylon stood toe-to-toe with the golem for a while.
When he finally charged, the golem fumbled and lost its center, revealing its weakness: the mana core on its back.
“That thing… isn’t it broken?”
Soone spoke up, and everyone nodded.
Its movents were so clumsy and sluggish that they wondered if it was the sa model as the Mana golem they had faced.
Unless it was broken there couldn’t be any other explanation.
“Right, it’s broken.”
“No wonder-”
“That makes sense.”
And with that, Adryn concluded that the mana golem he’d fought was broken, and that was the reason for the shortest ti.
“I knew it!
Adryn rembered that Drin had stood up for Ceylon, not her, and looked to her for a reaction first.
“Huh?”
But there was sothing odd about Drin’s and Kasha’s reaction.
While ordinary participants showed a dismissive reaction after checking the records,
The two of them showed a completely opposite serious reaction.
As if they were facing an unsolvable puzzle.
And then there’s Sinia.
Her eyes were shining for the first ti since she’d supervise the test as an officer.
“…”
She silently rewound the record without saying a word.
With those eyes full of curiosity, she carefully observed his movents.
Once.
Twice.
Three tis.
Four tis.
Over and over again.
It’s like looking at an esoteric work of art.
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