‘Ugh, the day to I meet that guy day has actually come.’
A fierce man with a face full of scars.
If Elester was my favorite teacher, then this Caron guy was the teacher I disliked the most.
‘Absolutely inflexible, the epitome of taciturnity.’
When playing the game, usually several choices are given when conversing with characters, but with Caron, there were only one or two options.
Sometimes, it was even impossible to have a conversation.
Well, there are other reasons too, but they’re not important right now, so let’s move on.
“The students currently standing will fight in groups of ten. The test won’t end until only one person is left.”
“Wait, I have friends here… Can you change the groups…”
From the kids who came to the city together for the entrance exam to those who had become friends during the exam.
Most were in groups of three or five, so most belonged to a group.
Luna and I were no exception.
“I reject that request. Even family members thrust swords at each other on the battlefield. Don’t talk nonsense.”
“But, but…”
The kids murmured, but Caron didn’t budge.
He was too busy continuing with the explanation of the third exam.
“You can fight alone or form teams. The important thing is to show your abilities. Make sure to do it properly.”
“Does that mean not only one person from each group can pass?”
“I don’t recall saying that. If you want to pass, just do your best. That’s all. The first group, please proceed to the arena.”
“What, already!? No! Rather, tell us clearly what the passing criteria are!”
The kids collectively freaked out, and those in the first group were in an uproar.
Kids, give up. That guy has no flexibility, a real madman.
“Hmm, now that I think about it, I forgot one thing.”
“Right? We need a more detailed explanation and some more time to think…”
“For safety, use only the batons, wooden swords, and clubs available here. The first group, take one each and enter.”
“…”
The kids froze, their mouths agape.
They were probably confused whether what was in front of them was a human or an exam machine.
Well, it wouldn’t be long before they realized while being with Caron.
That the heart of an exam machine was warmer than that of a human.
‘A cold-blooded person, of which even a mechanical heart feels warmer.’
That was the verdict I had reached about Caron.
The kids were shocked, but that wasn’t my concern. The duel was what mattered now.
‘The rules are actually not that complicated.’
Ten people fight.
It’s not about winning or losing, but about showing individual abilities.
The passers could be one out of ten, all ten, or none.
Simple, but somewhat subjective in judgment.
But the kids who didn’t know this were bound to be confused.
‘Well, I have Luna, so no worries.’
The third exam, ‘Duel’.
But not just mere ‘force’ determines passing.
Force, psychological warfare, survival skills, team forming, synergy among team members.
Everything was part of the evaluation.
To share a piece of insider knowledge, the highest scores go to:
‘Overwhelming force’, ‘the ability to strategize’, and ‘dominance’.
‘Forming a team with strong people or building a large alliance is also considered a skill.’
Of course, since the scorecards aren’t public, it’s unknown.
This is just speculation based on various experiments by veterans.
‘Would it kill him to give us a hint? I really hate this, seriously.’
Anyway, I was confident about passing easily.
Luna’s overwhelming force would take down eight, and I would command Luna to do so.
Then, it would be a simple pass.
‘Controlling the strong with a single command. That’s also a skill. Threaten with information as a leverage, and Luna will surrender willingly… Huh?’
It was when I was assessing the members of my group that I noticed a familiar face.
Small stature like a girl, innocent-looking with glasses, a typical model student.
‘…Why are you here?’
The panic was brief. I quickly replayed the early parts of the game in my mind.
Damn, I had forgotten.
There was a second reason Luna hadn’t made it into the advanced class.
‘Raymon…!’
One of the protagonists alongside Rodelin, and one of the five monsters of the Academy.
Well, it’s another guy who cuts off Luna’s arm.
After tapping Luna’s shoulder, I whispered cautiously.
“Keke, I recommend fighting that kid last.”
“That nerd? Why? He looks like the easiest one.”
Yes, you would think so.
Luna is certainly strong, but that’s only compared to average kids.
Raymon, contrary to his appearance, is a master swordsman who can see and deflect any attack.
He’s a bad match for Luna.
In fact, the reason Luna didn’t make it into the advanced class wasn’t just because she wasted her stamina, but largely due to Raymon’s presence.
When you play the game as Raymon’s character, there’s a combat tutorial event.
An extra charges in screaming, and following the tutorial instructions, Raymon calmly counterattacks and strikes.
The extra knocked out by that strike is ‘Luna’.
A humiliating treatment, not even getting a face illustration or a name mentioned.
During multiple playthroughs, the revelation that ‘the extra was actually Luna’ brought great laughter to the players.
Of course, for us now, Raymon is…
‘Nothing less than evil, like the Devil himself.’
Just trying to beat me up when all I want is to enter the Academy.
Such a nasty guy.
‘This is troublesome.’
I don’t care if Luna gets crushed, but it’s a problem if I do.
If I lose miserably here, there goes my chance of getting into the advanced class.
‘Luna and I, just two extras, would be blown away.’
Moreover, there’s no route in the entrance exam where you fight and beat Raymon.
In fact, this situation doesn’t exist in any route.
‘It’s an untraveled path.’
Meaning, I have to break through this situation with my own strength.
My body shivered slightly.
Am I scared? No way. The reason I’m trembling is because it’s so…
‘Excitingly fun.’
Raymon is the last character I’d want to face as an enemy.
But to fight such a monster…
An event no veteran player has ever or will ever experience!
I can’t help but be thrilled.
“Luna, to what extent have you mastered the secret techniques of your family?”
“What are you babbling about now?”
“I’m asking if you have any other secret techniques you can use, aside from One Flash. Like Moon Shadow or Abyss… You know, those kinds.”
“…”
Luna’s eyes were fierce.
Her gaze seemed to say, ‘How much do you know?’
But then, realizing the seriousness of the situation, she opened up.
“I can use all of them. But considering accuracy and power… One Flash is the best technique I have. The rest aren’t really practical in actual combat.”
So, One Flash is the only useful one.
The situation is more serious than I thought.
“Moreover, with my current condition, even One Flash isn’t perfect. Probably… three times is the limit.”
Luna is unstable due to the damage from illusion magic.
What, you ask if it’s because I made her headbutt the brush?
Uh… No way. My Luna is a very sturdy kid!
“But is that guy really that strong? To the point you’re worried?”
“If we’re talking about talent alone, he’s the best I’ve ever seen. High potential too… A promising friend, I’d say.”
“And what about me? How do you see my talent?”
“Well, at best, a genius, I suppose.”
Luna’s eyes darkened. But this was a fact Luna also knew.
After five years of training, she must have realized something.
‘After all, Luna’s trait isn’t in innate talent.’
She could certainly reach the level of a genius. It just takes a bit more time.
Well, beating Raymon is still impossible though.
But right now, I needed Luna’s help. It was necessary to awaken her a bit.
“Luna.”
“…What?”
“Talent is not as big a deal as you think. With effort, you can catch up someday. Surpassing them is for later.”
“…What are you blabbering about now?”
“Don’t give up. Even the most overwhelming talent has its weaknesses.”
“Hmm… Sounds like you’re saying I can’t win against him now?”
“That’s correct.”
“Hmm…”
“But there’s a way to pass the test.”
Luna’s eyes lit up.
“Then explain quickly. Don’t beat around the bush.”
“First, you and I, excluding that guy, will eliminate the other seven.”
“And then?”
“Save me. That’s how this plan will work.”
Luna nodded.
“So, you’re saying to conserve energy. Alright, what’s next?”
“You’ll find out as we fight.”
“What nonsense is that! Tell me everything!”
Luna grabbed me by the collar and shook me violently.
But I couldn’t help it. Knowing this plan in advance increases the likelihood of failure.
‘Luna isn’t the type to act well.’
So she has to realize it while fighting. My plan.
But right now, it seemed I needed an excuse for survival.
“Luna, I’m not your teacher. You have to realize it yourself. That will spur your growth.”
“Tch… If you can’t talk.”
“Well, if I may give a hint, this is historically proven to be the best strategy…”
Gulp.
Luna swallowed and perked up her ears.
Well, it was indeed a great strategy.
Universal, legendary in any country…
“It could be called a gang-up strategy.”
Luna’s eyes cooled sharply.
A melee unfolded before my eyes. Ten people fighting in chaos.
But from the second or third group onwards, most showed similar patterns.
‘As expected, everyone’s forming teams. Just like the game.’
Ganging up is a historically proven excellent strategy.
It seemed only Luna was unaware of its greatness.
“Next, group 13, enter!”
It was the group with Luna, Raymon, and me.
Each of us held a wooden sword as we entered the arena.
“Start!”
The third test began without any warning.
But no one complained.
We had repeated the same scenario thirteen times already.
“Surround them!”
It was a bit messy but swift.
Four were against us, three against Raymon.
It was expected, and I had anticipated it.
We had been invited to join parties before entering the arena, but we refused.
‘Two for me, two for Luna, then.’
That meant my role was simple.
Just endure. Until Luna deals with those two and comes to help.
“Corner him! He’s out if he falls off the arena!”
“Attack together!”
Two kids approached me with determination.
I am so weak that I couldn’t beat either of them.
But.
“Hehehe, are you sure? I am quite strong, you know.”
“Uh, umm!”
Unfounded confidence.
But it was enough bluff to make the two kids hesitate.
Even though they cornered me, they didn’t dare rush in recklessly.
“Hey, just hit him! I’ll go first!”
“Damn! Alright!”
The bluff only worked for a mere 20 seconds.
They were really about to charge. But there was no need to worry.
“Keke, are you sure? My familiar, feared by all, is coming.”
“Familiar? What are you talking about?”
“It’s a lie! Get him!”
“Yahh!”
Thwack! Smack!
“Kugh!”
“Aaagh!”
Both were quickly knocked out of the arena.
Standing before me, panting, was Luna.
“Hehehe, excellent. My powerful familiar.”
“Shut up! In the end, I did all the cleaning up!”
“That’s right. It went according to the plan.”
Zap-.
A strange sound echoed from Luna’s head.
–TL Notes–
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