NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 4
A single prank blew my chance to get closer to Rodelin.
Some might think it was a really stupid thing to do.
But no, this was the right decision.
I had to stay away from Rodelin at all costs. Why?
'Rodelin is one of the main character's party members.'
While I'm targeting the hidden boss, the main character's party isn't just sitting around.
They too are desperately fighting the main boss to snatch victory.
But should I steal Rodelin, who was an excellent force?
'That would be a fool's errand.'
If the main character's party were to be annihilated, it's game over.
Not only would the portal to where the hidden boss is not open, but wouldn't it also become impossible to progress to the next episode?
A future of being trapped here forever, watching destruction, was not what I wanted.
Well, I do regret a bit about the prank involving Rodelin's skirt.
But that doesn't mean I can indulge in lewd talk.
No matter how many times I rethink it, my actions were justified.
In other words, I am innocent!
"Is that the guy who made Rodelin, the vice student council president, cry with just a look?"
"Come on, there's no way the vice president would cry over something like that."
"I heard someone saw him using his fists."
"Beating up a girl? That, that...! What a cruel and vicious person! He's as bad as he looks!"
But reality was harsh.
After the eyewitness accounts made a few rounds among the people, the recent events were quickly distorted.
'Tch, even though I'm a hidden piece... this is too much.'
No matter what I did, it seemed designed to isolate me.
Wouldn't I have faced a not-so-different situation even if I had saved someone who was dying?
Certainly. It's not like I treated Rodelin that badly.
What if it's just my fault, not because I'm a hidden piece?
If, really if that's the case...
"Keke, I don't even want to think about it. It would make school life so difficult."
Rodelin, currently the vice student council president, will be the student council president in a year.
The forces protecting her would grow accordingly.
'I need to be careful.'
I've decided. From now on, I won't torment characters with simple pranks.
No matter how happy or cute they are, I won't play tricks.
It was the moment I firmly made up my mind.
"From now on, please form groups of 30 and enter in order! Maintain good order, as befits prospective students of Annwood Academy!"
The giant main gate swung open on both sides, and the crowd slowly started to move forward.
At the same time, a few kids muttered.
"Ugh, it's already starting."
"Damn! Only one chance in life. This is too cruel!"
"Goddess, please save me!"
Complaints and grumbles filled with dissatisfaction, along with fervent prayers.
In them lay unmistakable anxiety.
It wasn't strange. In fact, it was to be expected.
One of the traditions of Annwood Academy.
Because of the 'entrance exam.'
About 50-60% of the applicants fail to pass the threshold of the entrance exam and are expelled.
'Even the types of exams change every year.'
What exams will be held, how many rounds there are, how many pass.
Nothing is disclosed.
The reason for such a harsh tradition?
'To find talents who will lead the empire.'
It prevents the appointment of lazy and incompetent noble offspring, while offering a gateway for outstanding commoners and lowborn.
Skill over blood.
An incredible system that makes the empire's power increasingly stronger.
'Well, thanks to that, I can also attend the entrance ceremony.'
No need for a name, status, or noble lineage. Only one thing is needed: 'age.'
The once-in-a-lifetime age of 15.
If this condition is met, anyone can qualify to participate in the entrance exam.
Evidence that I, who possessed the slit-eyed character, am 15 years old?
'The system gave it to me as part of a quest, so... it must be right.'
Imagine if, after struggling through the entrance exam, they say during verification, 'You're not 15 years old, are you?' and expel me.
This game would be a disaster.
'It's a great game, right? So they must have taken care of my identity and age.'
So, it's not this but something else that's the problem.
"What will the exam subject be this time?"
"Maybe it's a duel with a knight. It hasn't been selected as a subject for the past five years."
"It doesn't matter what the subject is. Just run forward without looking back."
"I'm really going to work hard! I've staked everything on being here!"
The reason why Annwood Academy's entrance exam is so vicious.
Not just because it disqualifies more than half the participants, nor because it doesn't disclose the exam subjects.
It's because,
'The design forces every child to give their best.'
A relative evaluation system, not an absolute one.
Therefore, everyone gives their best in the exam. Hiding one's abilities could lead to failure.
The existence of a class system also contributes.
The lowborn strive to survive.
The commoners aim for social mobility.
The offspring of lesser nobles seek to make their family names known.
The scions of prestigious houses strive not to tarnish their family names.
'Everyone has no choice but to give their best.'
Especially the lowborn and commoners, who throw themselves into it with a do-or-die attitude.
With the addition of exceptionally talented individuals, the passing mark inevitably rises.
In summary.
A terrible system that only harms people like me, who purely(?) want to enter the academy.
It's really unfair. I'm just a pure child who wants to enter the advanced class!
"Hey, let's go over there."
"...Okay. He seems to be thinking something unpleasant."
"He might be plotting to eliminate competitors early on."
"Everyone, run away!"
The children slowly moved away from me.
Such a cruel world, persecuting a pure child.
'Information window.'
As I muttered inwardly, a blue window appeared in front of me.
My information window.
[Zero]
Lv: 1
Strength: 10 Agility: 10
Intelligence: 10
Stamina: 10
Magic Power: 10
Potential: 0
Owned pt: 0
Owned Skills: [Translation S], [Interpretation S], [Mental Defense S], [Information Window S], [Twisted Speech S], [Ominous Aura B], [Eye Opening F]
Titles: None
"Keke, just as I expected."
Yes, just as expected. Perfectly as I had anticipated.
Destined to be rapidly eliminated from the academy entrance, becoming 'Unnamed Extra 1' with my despairingly low stats.
It was precisely as I had predicted, and it was too sad.
From the experience of a veteran player, the cut-off level for Annwood Academy's entrance exam is about 10.
With a bonus of 10pt given each time the level increases, at least 100pt would be needed to have a chance of passing.
My current level is 1, but I can level up during the entrance exam, so it's not an insurmountable problem.
'Without combat-related skills, reaching level 10 is impossible.'
But reaching at least level 5 should be doable.
Using the knowledge of a veteran, I can overcome some differences in stats.
Though the second and third exams can be passed in other ways, it's not a big problem...
'The first exam is the issue.'
An exam of navigating a forest maze filled with slimes.
Basic combat ability, stamina, and judgment are crucial.
'I know the maze inside out, so that's not an issue.'
Level up by defeating slimes and use the points invested to get through the maze.
It would be an easy exam under normal circumstances. However.
'The problem is I can't use stat points for a while.'
The hidden piece in the stat window.
The minimum points needed to utilize it are 100pt.
I couldn't afford to waste precious points on the entrance exam, especially not on the first stage.
I reviewed the skills I possessed once more.
Hmm, as expected, they're the worst.
A collection of skills that even the knowledge of a veteran player can't find a way through.
'I need to find another way.'
In reality, I am as powerless as a slime.
I need to find someone to help me.
Preferably a very kind person!
"Next group, please enter!"
I scanned the surroundings using the information window, but no suitable person was in sight.
All the guys around here were the same.
'Damn it. Should I just find someone with good stats and drag them along? Hmm...?'
That's when a girl caught my eye.
Pink hair. Twintails braided on both sides, eyes slightly upturned at the corners.
Typically a cat-like appearance, but due to her small stature, she looked like 'a cute child.'
[Luna]
Lv: 13
Strength: 30
Agility: 25
Intelligence: 15
Stamina: 30
Magic Power: 20
Potential: 0
Owned Skills: [Fighting Spirit A], [Competitive Spirit C], [Swordsmanship C], [Lester Family Style E]
Titles: One Who Desires Revenge
(She lives a life solely for revenge. Struggles with controlling anger. When angry, logical judgment is impossible. Receives a penalty of Intelligence –20 when angry.)
'Luna?'
Why is she here?
If Rodelin, whom I met earlier, is a genius in swordsmanship, then this child is a prodigy.
The academy professors evaluated her as such.
Given enough time, she might have surpassed Rodelin.
'Of course, only in swordsmanship... But that's impressive in itself.'
However, Luna cannot defeat Rodelin. Why?
'She dies before that can happen.'
After losing one arm in a certain incident at the academy, she wanders and ultimately meets death.
Well, that's not what's important right now.
'Luna is a supporting character.'
A supporting character among supporting characters.
I knew Luna's story because there's an episode where she duels one of the academy's five monsters.
'Although a supporting character, I know Luna's secret, discovered through multiple playthroughs.'
Adequate for a momentary aid... no, the best partner.
But there's a concerning part.
As far as I know, Luna's personality is quite foul.
She's not kind enough to help someone as powerless as me.
And though she's a character with a tragic story, getting involved with her here could cause problems in the story later...
That's when it happened.
Luna's eyes flickered and then focused on me.
"What are you staring at?"
Her words were as fierce as her gaze.
Anyone who would welcome such a person as an ally was clearly one of two things.
A pervert or, well, a serious pervert.
Since I wasn't a pervert, I answered Luna's question with a full smile.
"Keke, I'm looking at you, as you can see."
"Crazy bastard. Scram, if you don't want to die."
That was the end of Luna's words. She shifted her gaze forward and concentrated again.
Ah, look at that nasty attitude. Truly incorrigible.
It was then that my decision solidified.
Luna, that child.
She was perfect as my ally.
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading