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“Wow… this is insane?”

The scarecrow, strengthened by magic, had been smashed to bits without a trace left behind.

A single, definitive blow had created a gaping hole right in the middle of the scarecrow.

‘Wait, was it really this easy?’

This was a reward I had saved just for today, the prize I earned from defeating that squinting brat last time.

It’s a pity it can only be used temporarily once a day, but with this level of power, it’s certainly worth considering.

In the game, this scarecrow is typically impossible to break; any attempt would only leave scratches. The goal of this test is literally to measure strength.

It was never made to be destroyed.

No sooner had I thought that then I noticed the incredulous expressions of several people, including the examiner, directed at me.

Turning my gaze to the bewildered examiners, I felt the curiosity of one of them directed my way.

The blue-haired female overseer approached me with a look of intrigue.

“What’s your name?”

Hmm, that’s not a bad reaction; seems I’ve made quite the impression.

“I’m Nova.”

“Nova… I see.”

The examiner smiled, raising one corner of her mouth slightly.

“Congratulations on passing the first test! Please enter the waiting room.”

“Thank you!”

With the astonished gazes of my fellow candidates behind me, I stepped into the waiting room.

*

“Well, well, isn’t this remarkable!”

“To think you could penetrate that scarecrow.”

After the boy left, the examiners began chatting among themselves.

“This year, quite a good candidate has emerged among the commoners. With skills like that, the second test should pose no problem.”

Listening quietly, the blue-haired overseer, Amelia, turned to the examiner sitting next to her.

“Hey, weren’t you supposed to have the candidates in the 300s for the next test?”

“Ah, yes, Senpai, but why… surely you’re not suggesting?”

“Switch them out.”

At that, the examiner in the center raised his voice.

“Amelia-sensei!”

“What’s wrong? It shouldn’t be a big deal.”

“I don’t mind, but you know that favoritism won’t fly, Amelia-senpai?”

“Of course! All students taking the test must be treated fairly! Just… fairly in terms of the testing process.”

Seeing Amelia giggling with excitement, the other two examiners prayed for the candidates in the 300s.

*

As I left the first examination room and reached the waiting area, a familiar figure caught my eye.

“Oh, Nova! You passed the first test!”

“Yeah, I expected you to pass too, Shia.”

After all, she’s one of the heroines. There’s no way she’d fail at something like this.

When Shia approached me, beaming with a bright smile, I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine.

“? What’s wrong, Nova? Is something the matter?”

“Oh… no, it’s nothing.”

“By the way, I wonder what the next test will be about.”

“Hmm, well, I’ve heard that the contents of the test change each time.”

But I do know what the next test is. The second test involves a deathmatch where candidates band together to fight against an overseer in a virtual space.

Given that it bears the name of the continent’s top educational institution, the academy’s exam supervisors are incredibly skilled.

If they set their minds to it, they could toy with candidates like us using just a single finger.

Although the academy is operated for educational purposes, another goal is to develop talents worthy of becoming heroes.

That’s why the first hero, Aegis, established this academy.

To become part of a hero party, one must possess overwhelming strength and the ability to work collaboratively with teammates.

Thus, the theme of the second test is centered around cooperation with nearby individuals.

–Candidates in the 300s, please proceed to the second examination room.

“One Touch to Break Armor— no matter what enemies come, I’ll just separate their bodies!”

But why such an obsession with arms and legs? I thought, glancing at Shia’s blank expression, realizing she always had this quirky personality.

While I silently watched her, she noticed my gaze and quickly turned away.

“…that’s the teaching of my clan.”

“Ah… yeah, that’s quite the spirited lesson.”

They even tell you to sever limbs? That’s intense.

*

As I entered the examination room, the blue-haired overseer who welcomed us before did so with a hearty laugh.

“Nice to see you; I’m Exam Supervisor Amelia. This second test will be a deathmatch held in a space created by illusion magic. In that space, even if you die, you won’t actually die.

So don’t be afraid; unleash your maximum capabilities!”

With that said, she invited any questions.

“Is the condition for clearing the test to kill the supervisor?”

With a smirk, the overseer responded.

“Of course, if you can kill me in that space, you pass. However…”

Suddenly, an overwhelming presence radiated from the overseer.

“If you can kill me, that is.”

[Status Window]

Name: Amelia (Lv.60)

Strength: SS-

Speed: S

Durability: S-

Magic Power: A+

…What the heck is this crazy imbalance?

“I’m joking! Just landing a single effective hit on me will count as a pass.”

The tense atmosphere among the candidates shifted; they all jumped in shock at Amelia’s overwhelming presence.

“Approach your supervisor as if I were an enemy you need to slay, not just a supervising teacher. Anyone who hides behind the others and tries to pass will be eliminated, so be prepared! Now let’s begin!”

Finishing her explanation, Amelia activated the magic circle on the floor.

Light began to emanate from the ground, engulfing Shia and a dozen other candidates.

Gradually, my consciousness faded.

*

I jerked awake wide-eyed, taking in my surroundings.

An area filled with lush greenery stretched before me.

“Whoa… this is pretty realistic…”

The sounds of insects and the fresh scent of grass tickled my nose.

“So, this is what an illusionary space looks like?”

Touching the rough texture of a nearby tree made it feel as though I was right in reality.

The chilly breeze rustled through my hair.

“Now, where’s the overseer?”

Just then, I heard the sound of metal clashing not far away.

“Has it already begun?”

I crept toward the noise, hiding in nearby bushes, and saw Amelia walking calmly in an open area.

‘So it’s okay to ambush her, huh?’

No matter how skilled an academy supervisor is, getting so brazenly exposed like that must mean she has an incredible level of confidence in her abilities.

Considering the blood on her sword, it seems a few candidates have already been eliminated.

“Hm, hey, are you all just going to stand there gawking?”

Clearly, I sensed many others hiding nearby, just like me.

With Amelia’s commanding presence, everyone seemed reluctant to initiate an attack.

“Is nobody coming out? Fine, then I’ll just have to go to you.”

In an instant, her doll vanished.

“Whoa!”

Turning to the direction of the sound, I saw Amelia appearing behind an unknown candidate.

“Your technique at hiding is lacking; it’s hard to pretend not to notice, isn’t it?”

“Ugh, Fire Ball!”

Startled by her sudden appearance, the candidate hurriedly leaped forward and launched the Tier 2 magic fireball.

Boom!

The fiery arrow rained down towards her, but with a simple slash, she extinguished it as easily as snuffing a match.

“No way…”

Attempting to chant again, before I could blink, Amelia closed the distance in a flash and pierced the candidate’s chest with a thrust.

“Ugh… cough!”

“Great job~ you can go home now~”

The candidate, stabbed right near the heart, coughed up blood and was soon enveloped in light, disappearing.

‘What absurd speed!’

The swiftness of her attack was incomprehensible.

Moreover, to extinguish a fire spell merely with the pressure generated by a sword swing is not a skill anyone can easily achieve.

“If you keep dragging this out, everyone will fail, you know? Are you okay with that?”

It seemed I had to step up first; gathering my resolve, I prepared to move forward, but someone stepped out in front of Amelia.

“Oh? Who’s this?”

“I can’t just stand here doing nothing.”

With a holy aura radiating from her golden pupils, the shaman Shia stepped forward.

“No Retreat in Battle! I have a mission to fulfill!”

“Now this is interesting~ you’re much better than the others.”

“Please lend me your assistance.”

With that, a divine aura began to emanate from Shia.

[O great avatar of fire, my wish and admiration, revealed within the lament of the unachievable…]

As Shia cast her spell, the swirling mist around her ignited into a roaring heat, gradually rising and distorting the air.

[Symbol of all my wishes, may your wrath manifest through this vassal’s body…]

A swirling ring of intense flames wrapped around Shia, emanating a threatening atmosphere as if it would explode at the slightest touch.

“Awesome! Absolutely awesome!”

In response, frosty energy gathered around Amelia’s blade.

“Let’s clash with everything you have!”

“If you can extinguish this flame, then do try, Hino Kagu Tsuchi no Kami!!”

Boom!

As the condensed fire erupted, an icy cutting wave shot forth.

Puffff!

Fire and ice mixed, filling the forest with steam and blocking my view of Shia.

“If this attack hits…”

Shia was convinced it would be enough to take her down, grinning confidently.

However, she was suddenly taken aback by a sword flying through the haze.

Sleeeong!

“Wow! That was an incredible attack~”

Just before Amelia’s blade reached Shia’s neck—

Clang!

“Not yet; you’re not out of the game.”

I couldn’t let her lose just yet without even getting a chance to shine!

 

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