1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

39. Entrance Exam (1)

The white castle, Frost Heart, hidden in the unfrozen snow-capped mountains.

The scarcity of information spread among the public could be due to the fact that there were as many as five academies, but it’s also likely because of its geographically remote location.

Moreover, the school itself preferred not to disclose details about its daily life, making it nearly impossible to obtain credible information in an era without TV or social media.

However, having played Asares countless times, I knew very well.

This place was an institution that specialized solely in training demon boundary scouts, far removed from academic achievements like those of a mage tower, or the official positions of the empire’s knights, and it was the academy where the highest number of students and graduates died.

If this fact were to be exposed, no one would come, so it had been hushed up in cooperation with the empire.

After all, it was a job that someone had to do.

“The winter I felt outside was like spring…”

Having come to take the test, I clutched the thick robe that covered me from head to toe at the prepared entrance examination site at the foot of the mountain.

“It’s c-cold, young master.”

“At least you’re warm thanks to me. Just look at them. Aren’t we the lucky ones?”

I pointed to the group huddled together in the harsh cold, warming themselves by the bonfire.

Their proximity to the flames was such that they looked pitiful, as if their flesh might cook.

Selly frowned, wrapping her face with the hood of her robe.

“But, young master. What you said earlier seems quite different, doesn’t it?”

“What’s that.”

“If it’s a prestigious academy, why are we taking the entrance exam in such a cold place?”

“Well, it’s winter, so it’s cold everywhere. I told you to dress warmly.”

Brushing it off, Selly chattered her teeth in the cold but still voiced her doubts.

“So, what about them? Who are those people over there?”

Selly pointed to a group of unsavory characters, blowing bugles and puffing on pipe tobacco.

At a glance, they were clearly unruly scions who seemed to never listen to a word said.

I shook my head as I watched them loudly making lewd comments about the passing women or picking fights with some of the weaker-looking men.

“Life’s the same everywhere. Wherever you go, if there are good people, there are also those filled with malice.”

Celly seemed to agree, nodding her head as she looked up at me.

“That’s true…”

“Not me.”

“Ahem, anyway, it’s not just one or two of them. Look over there. It’s like a third of the whole place is filled with similar types.”

The gang of ruffians was large enough to create grey clouds with their cigarette smoke.

When the stench of alcohol mixed with the smoke wafted over on the breeze, it became hard to breathe.

“Cough! Ack! Wasn’t the Academy supposed to be a place for the cultured offspring of noble families?”

Well, it wouldn’t hurt to tell the truth just this once.

“Cough. They’re all donation admissions. All of them. Ugh, such a foul stench.”

I was about to explain further when someone tapped me on the shoulder. Turning around, it was Erusel.

Shivering in the cold, Erusel spoke in a voice close to begging.

“Brother, if you have any more clothes, please lend me some. I’m freezing to death here.”

“As if I would lend you anything…”

I was about to reflexively refuse but then sighed deeply.

“No, that’s not right. Fine, I’ll give you a set.”

“Eh? You’re lending it to me?”

While Erusel’s eyes widened in surprise, Celly grimaced and handed over a thick coat she had taken out of her bag.

She seemed reluctant, but eager to get rid of us quickly.

“Ahem, thank you.”

He nodded his head slightly in gratitude.

Such a pitiful fellow, almost enough to bring tears to one’s eyes.

He must have planned to just pop in, finish his business, and leave right away.

Unaware of what was to come.

Crack!

Click!

Just then, figures clad in thick coats adorned with crow feathers approached, drawing everyone’s attention.

Adorned with sheaths and staffs fastened to their belts, they were the faculty of Frost Heart, here to oversee the entrance examination.

Even the rowdy troublemakers fell silent, subdued by the elegant aura of the black-clad crowd amidst the snow-covered white.

At the forefront, a man with wavy black hair parted his lips.

“Attention.”

His voice was rough yet resonant.

His name was Rockefeller.

He was one of the influential professors of magic at Frost Heart.

“Those here for the donation-based admission, follow this way.”

At Rockefeller’s command, the unruly crowd hesitantly gathered in one place.

Several professors roamed around them, repeating the same question.

“Is there anyone among you wishing to apply for the entrance exam?”

Why bother with the hassle of an exam after making such a hefty donation?

Most scoffed, but a few raised their hands.

I smirked at them.

They either knew about this or were quick-witted.

“Those aspiring to join the knight division, this way.”

Now, it was the turn of the knight division hopefuls.

“It’s our turn. Let’s go, brother.”

“Uh… You go ahead.”

As I waved my hand dismissively, Erusel looked at me with a skeptical eye. I gazed back at him with a profound look and said,

“Erusel.”

“What is it?”

“Good luck.”

“?”

Confused, Erusel had no choice but to follow the procession as the professor began to lead.

And after Erusel disappeared, I walked towards the magic department’s examination hall.

* * *

I was handing over my entrance examination documents at the reception.

But the professor in charge of registration stared at the papers before cautiously glancing at another professor nearby.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Are you really Hershel Ben Tenest?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Hmm, it seems you’ve taken a wrong turn. Follow me, I’ll show you the way.”

He rose from his seat and spoke to the professor beside him.

“I’ll take him to the Knight’s Department for a moment, you carry on with your work.”

It seemed there was a misunderstanding due to his family background.

“I wish to join the Magic Department. Is there a law against Knight families applying?”

As he made his intentions clear, the admissions professor blinked in confusion.

“The Magic Department?”

“Yes, the Magic Department.”

Scratching his head, the professor then narrowed his eyes sharply.

“Present your identification. And take off your robe.”

“Well, if you insist.”

Even after complying with the request, the professor’s suspicion did not wane.

“This is peculiar, the features match and the ID isn’t fake… Something’s definitely off here.”

“Off? How so?”

“Lately, there have been quite a few cases of people taking exams on behalf of others.”

The situation was turning out to be quite a headache from the start.

Was this the prejudice the landlady had spoken of?

-Hershel and magic… The bias is not to be underestimated, hmm.

He was lost in thought about how to handle this.

But surprisingly, his identity was proven without much fuss.

“Wait, that person over there.”

“Huh, Hershel… Why is he here?”

The surrounding examinees murmured among themselves.

The whispers were all about the wrongs they had suffered at his hands, and the tales of his misdeeds were the main topic of conversation.

…It was a familiar situation by now.

The fact that he was such a global troublemaker was, in some sense, quite remarkable.

“This should suffice as proof, shouldn’t it?”

“Sure, you may enter.”

After saying that, the professor furrowed his brow and hurriedly walked somewhere.

I was curious about his reaction, but I didn’t dwell on it and headed towards the written exam hall.

“Hmm.”

The place I arrived at looked like a lecture hall made of marble.

There, I sat alone, isolated like a petal in the middle of a pond, surrounded by people.

“Hey, isn’t that the guy who was making noise outside?”

“Definitely. The scoundrel from the Tenest family.”

“Why is he here? His family is known for knights, not this.”

The chatter became so loud that I put on my robe’s hood, and Donatan began to rant.

‘The looks you’re getting are a mix of fear and disgust. It’s as if they’re looking at a plague.’

‘Let them keep staring.’

Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching, and when I looked up, a man was walking towards me with a broad smile.

He was a young lord, evidently of some standing.

“It’s really Lord Hershel himself. To see Lord Hershel here, what a pleasant surprise.”

He seemed to know Hershel.

Not sure how to react and feeling awkward, I watched as the professor entered the written exam hall.

“Well then, I’ll greet you properly later. Anyway, do make sure to pass, hehe.”

He laughed slyly and returned to his seat.

But that guy, I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.

If he were a playable character, I would know, but I dismissed it as a feeling and paid attention to the professor’s words.

“The exam is divided into three stages. The first is the written test. The second is to demonstrate the given magic to prove you’re a mage. And the third is a practical test with the knight division’s passers.”

After the explanation, the professor waved his wand, and the test papers flew through the air, landing at each seated person.

“The difficulty of the exam is random. Everyone gets a different test paper. So, don’t even think about copying from your neighbor.”

The test paper that landed in front of me seemed to be of the lowest difficulty.

I smirked, thinking I could solve it quickly.

But then, the school gates opened suddenly, and five professors entered and took the stage.

Among the group was the esteemed Professor Rockefeller, who scanned the examinees and then spoke.

“I am Rockefeller Den Harman, and I will be monitoring the exam. There have been many cases of cheating recently, using various methods. For example.”

As Rockefeller waved his wand, my eyelids twitched.

A single note flew towards his hand.

It was an item that had come out of another student’s pocket.

“Ah, a note with the solutions written on it.”

The culprit was a stern one, but when he swung his wand, I wondered why he had glared at me.

I had sensed the professors’ animosity from the start, and there must have been something I didn’t know.

“Hmm.”

The people around seemed to think that the man who was about to cheat on the exam would naturally fail, as they looked at Professor Rockefeller and swallowed hard.

But he smiled gently and said nonchalantly,

“Having lost your means, you won’t be able to do any more mischief. Now, try to solve it earnestly.”

“Does that mean… I can take the exam?”

“Of course.”

A few of the examinees sent sharp glances, but the majority heaved a sigh of relief.

They must have thought he had a more amiable personality than his prickly appearance suggested.

Well, they would soon find out that it was all a facade after the exam…

It was the moment I was about to grasp the pen and start solving the problems.

I lifted my head at the cast shadow and asked,

“Professor, have I made some mistake?”

“No, nothing of the sort. Just focus on your work.”

Professor Rockefeller watched the exam paper intently, as if he was solely dedicated to me, without so much as a twitch.

…How am I supposed to solve it with him staring so blatantly?

Shh-shh.

Still, I quickly figured it out.

Because the problem was too easy.

“Hmm, I can’t quite understand the symbols, but it seems you got the answer right.”

“If I’ve passed, then please step aside. I need to catch some z’s.”

“The written exam is fine. Very good, but there’s still one more hurdle, isn’t there?”

It was obvious without explanation.

“How will you handle the implementation of magic? From what I’ve heard, you have no experience in that area.”

My patience reached its limit, and I lowered my voice.

“I’ll handle it, so don’t worry about it.”

Rockefeller whispered into my ear.

“Join the Knights’ Order now. This is no place for you. If you do, I guarantee you’ll pass, on my honor.”

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh upon hearing his true intentions.

This man wants to send me away because I’m a child of Aiol and survived the breath of a monster.

It’s not just about having the qualities of a knight, of course.

“So, my professor doesn’t want to acknowledge me as a magician?”

“That’s right. Frankly, your mere presence here is irritating. So, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave quickly.”

Magicians are indeed a peculiar breed.

His continuous provocation was enough to stir my anger, and I decided to be a bit reckless.

“Then, let’s have the second exam right here and now.”

Rockefeller looked at me blankly before curling his lips into a smirk.

“Do you want to be humiliated in front of everyone? Fine. I’ll make sure you understand your place.”

He stopped whispering and, with a gentle smile, addressed the examinees.

“Attention. We’ll pause the written exam for a moment. Don’t worry; you’ll have plenty of time.”

The examinees put down their pens.

“The truth is, there’s someone here who wishes to take the second exam on the spot. And they’ve asked me to personally supervise it.”

All eyes in the lecture hall turned to me.

Amidst the snickers and whispers, I felt like a true outsider here.

They must be expecting me to fall, given my past deeds.

And to them, it must be laughable that someone once called an illiterate could prove their magic in such a short time.

But they should know this.

Even if it was only for six months, I’ve bled through my nose night after night reading books, learned even though I knew I’d be half-dead if caught, and swung my wand until blisters turned to calluses.

So, I will prove it.

That I am a magician, right here, right now.

“What’s the subject of the second exam?”

“Light a different colored flame on each of the five fingers. That’s the challenge of this test, the proof.”

I pulled out the magic wand I had taken from an assassin.