Strongest Minor Villain: The Exiled Prince Is Actually A Genius!? Chapter 18: Despite All My Efforts [1]

....Two days later

"You look goofy."

Arthur comnted as he glanced at Lucien’s outfit.

"That’s rich coming from you, young master."

Lucien replied without looking up.

"Well, let’s just say both of us look the sa."

Before the both of them was a shimring oval of silver light.

Arthur jumped into it.

Lucien followed after him.

As soon as his foot made contact with the portal, it felt like it sucked him in from there.

The pressure hit him all at once.

Then vanished altogether, like it had never been there to begin with.

The world spun in a spiral, eating itself and rebuilding. Then, it was done.

Art found himself in a wide coliseum. A very wide one.

It was either that or his head was exaggerating it....

Even though the exams decided who would be given admission into Lavender Academy, the exams weren’t held at the academy.

They were held up.

Higher.

No one knew how high up it was as not even the Central Monarchy could pinpoint its location.

So of course, the only way to get here was through the portals—world chanisms that allowed anything to be transported from Point A to Point B, and during its rare malfunctions, to Point C.

Using the portals was the only way to reach a place so high and hidden.

"So this is what higher education feels like."

He said, his body swaying around like a drunk.

Lucien, on the other hand, walked through the portal unfazed.

"Are you alright, young master?"

Art didn’t answer imdiately, it was only after he regained his bearings that he turned around to look at Lucien.

"Lucien, you might just be blind."

Arthur replied snarkily.

The first thing he noticed after regaining his bearings was the ground—solid concrete.

Not the usual tiles he was used to seeing.

’It’s like taking a trip back in ti.’

Arthur mused.

’Strange enough I’ve lived through it.’

Compared to the modern architectural styles, this one felt ancient, with the weathered stone giving a sense of warmth rather than grandeur.

’It makes feel old now.’

Arthur shook his head at the thought.

"Please take a seat, the headmaster will be with us shortly."

A voice bood through the space.

But.... there was a slight problem with his words.

There were no seats in the coliseum, just endless concrete.

"I think he ans we should sit on the ground."

The applicants who had already arrived were even more confused due to the voice, making whispered conversations as they waited for the event to start.

Both he and Lucien moved to the side, due to the influx of people still coming through the portal and waited.

....

It took a while for all the applicants to co through the portal, after which the instructors made them form orderly lines after realizing that there were no chairs.

’Finally, the mont of truth.’

Arthur couldn’t help but think.

Of course, he was waiting for the headmaster to arrive.

It wasn’t just the anticipation of the upcoming physical exam, or the wait for the headmaster to arrive, it was sothing else entirely....

Then, the air changed.

A soft hum filled the air—it was calm at first, then it turned chaotic in an instant.

Every low murmur stopped.

And from the podium, light erupted outwards, splitting into thirteen beams that shot upwards before fading.

When the lights dimd, thirteen figures stood.

"Strong people really love their flashy entrances."

Arthur muttered under his breath, he was amazed by their entrance though.

"Good morning, aspirants."

One of the thirteen people said, his voice reaching every corner of the room like it had its own in-built speaker.

He took so steps forwards until he was near the edge of the podium.

He wore a black robe with white undergarnts under a white jacket as well as black pleated trousers.

The man was old—in normal years he seed to be nearing his 80s, but in awakened years he had lived far far much longer.

"Welco to the arena where you all will take your physical examination here."

He continued.

"Here we will test your physical capabilities, your mind and your resolve. Only those who perform well enough will be accepted, that is the minority of you, the majority of you will return through that portal and never step foot neither here or the Academy grounds today."

The silence that followed felt real and heavy as the applicants waited for the old man to continue.

He never did.

Instead his figure blurred out of existence.

’He’s faster than the ga presented him.’

Arthur couldn’t help but think.

"Well...."

One of the old man’s associates moved forward.

The man that stepped forward wore the exact sa clothes as the old man.

"....since that’s over, I’d like to call Vivian Sevyn to co forward."

He said.

There was shuffling as soone stepped out of the line and made her way to the podium.

"Your written exam results were.... extraordinary. You achieved the top score."

He congratulated, then he turned towards the crowd of applicants.

"Everyone, a round of applause for Vivian Sevyn, a girl who achieved more at this mont than most of you ever will in your lifespan."

There was silence.

Soone tried to clap but quickly stopped after realizing that no one wanted to join in with him.

"Now, as the reward for being the top scorer, you will receive an extra life."

He smiled.

"....Oh wait, I haven’t explained the rules yet."