Chapter 3
"Huff, huff...!"
Heavy breathing echoes through the spacious room.Â
As if holding their breath for a long time, the breathing desperately seeks oxygen.
The previously calm air becomes turbulent.
At the center of this chaos, a woman has collapsed.
"Cough, hack...!"
She even starts coughing.
Her name is Selena Drunkard.
She holds the position of Chief Professor and is currently in charge of overseeing the entrance exam.
Her red eyes tremble.
Her long purple hair spreads across the floor.
Selena, who had suddenly fallen, had to catch her breath for a while before she could get up.
A groan escapes her lips.
"What on earth is this..."
The sentence scatters without completion.
Only a lingering aftershock remains.
The purple-haired woman, touching her brow, recalled the scene she had just witnessed.
<Surely by target, you don't mean... that very small, precious, and adorable doll standing in front?>
The exam of the boy named Judah Snakers.
Selena had linked her consciousness to the target of that exam.
It was a unique mental magic she had developed.
For a certain period, she could possess designated inanimate objects.
Her examination method was unique.
She would directly experience the opponent's attack in the doll state, then grade based on that.
In other words, she would directly take the hit.
-You're going to directly take the students' attacks?
-Haha... Selena. I knew you were eccentric, but I didn't know to this extent.
-Professor Selena... Are you not feeling well?
-Perhaps your mind has gone strange from excessive drinking...
-Sigh.
-I should have known.
-You've been drinking so much, you've finally lost your mind.
Despite her colleagues' attempts to dissuade her, Selena paid no attention.
She knew it was safe.
She had already experimented with this magic thousands of times.
Noisy worries could be proven wrong with results.
In fact, for the past 5 years, Selena had conducted entrance exams without any problems.
She even secured the position of Chief Professor for her efforts.
It had certainly been that way, but...
'This can't be.'
She felt the fear of death.
When the boy's magic struck the doll, for a moment, an unknown pressure crushed the woman.
A survival-linked sense rang alarm bells.
<Bang.>
Why was it?
It wasn't even that strong of a blow.
The output of the magic itself was about average for the Academy.
But there was something.
Like a viper hidden in the shadows, an eerie sense of discomfort flicks its tongue.
It felt as if a snake was licking the nape of her neck.
It was the intuition possessed by superhumans.
'No. I'll die.'
It felt like if the boy applied just a little more force, not only the doll but her head would split open too.
She hurriedly cancels the link.
In the doll's fading vision...
<Whew~ Controlling power is really difficult after all.>
There was a slit-eyed boy muttering with a lecherous smile.
Power control? What could that mean?
Without time to think, Selena collapsed.
After taking time to calm down like that, we return to the current situation.
"Ugh, urgh..."
Her forehead felt like it was about to split open.
Selena, staggering to her feet, roughly grabbed the bottle of alcohol on the desk and drank.
The harsh alcohol scent dilutes the pain.
However, even so, the trembling in her fingertips doesn't disappear.
"Ha."
Suddenly, a bitter laugh escapes.
Is she really going crazy from alcohol?
How could she be so frightened by a kid who hasn't even had his coming-of-age ceremony yet?
She couldn't understand herself.
[Magic Power Measurement]
Name: Judah Snakers
Attribute: Darkness
Power: C+
[Predicted Entrance Rank: 607th]
(Top 53%)
"......"
The measurement value reflected in the crystal ball.
Selena remains silent.
It was a value derived from a thoroughly objective viewpoint based on numerous data.
In fact, it felt the same to her as well.
The Empire's First Imperial Princess entering with this batch.
The twin siblings from the 'Beniti Ducal Family' known for swordsmanship.
Other geniuses called promising talents.
Compared to them, his output was incomparably lower.
So ordinary and simple that it would be embarrassing to even compare.
'But.'
Selena was hesitating to record it.
It was a difficult reason to explain.
If forced to elaborate, it was a kind of intuition.
The wariness a strong person has towards an incomprehensible existence.
"...This is crazy."
Even while thinking that, the woman picked up her pen.
She wanted to test it.
What she had seen.
The pen tip, sliding like that of a drunk person, leaves letters on the paper.
[Entrance Class Valedictorian - Judah Snakers]
She fills in the spot where the First Imperial Princess should have been with the boy's name.
If he's really just chaff, he'll be filtered out anyway.
Selena just wanted to know.
About the identity of 'that' which had briefly appeared beyond the meaningless smile.
"If he finds out about this... the Dean will throw another fit."
That's how an unexpected valedictorian was born.
Meanwhile, the person who was about to be caught up in this sudden storm...
"It seems my acting was quite convincing, don't you think?"
=Damn, the villain hiding his power. Sick.
Apparently, he was just muttering some incomprehensible self-talk, completely unaware.
***
The entrance exam ended anticlimactically.
I was sitting quietly, waiting for Regia's turn to end.
"......"
I pout my lips slightly.
If it looks like I have some complaints, you're seeing it right.
I was full of grievances right now.
-Please attack the target here.
It felt like I had been scammed.
I had certainly expected something amazing, but I didn't know it would be this disappointing.
It's like biting into what you thought was chicken only to find out it's fried tofu.
Anyway, I felt let down.
'Still, it was kind of the first event...'
In fact, I knew nothing about the entrance exam.
The original work always started from the point after entering the Academy.
It was an unknown world.
How much had I waited with anticipation.
"Sigh."
I've calmed down now, but I was really disheartened in the exam room.
It was hard to suppress the rising sense of betrayal.
Naturally, I might have released a bit of killing intent...
"Well, it seems no one noticed."
Even the teaching assistant supervising the exam didn't notice.
They probably just felt a slight chill.
Unless they were an extremely perceptive person, they would have just passed it off.
Everything was going according to plan.
I guess class really is eternal.
Although it's faded a bit, I'm still a veteran who has memorized the walkthrough guide by heart.
'I even became a content creator after my walkthrough videos went viral...'
Memories resurface vividly.
I once hit 3 million subscribers with my specialized videos on 'The World the Little Prince Sees'.
You could say I was the best gamer.
If only I hadn't suddenly been possessed, I would have become a legend as the only player to find the hidden ending.
It was a bit frustrating.
"Ah, my departed glory."
A ridiculous lament scatters.
As I'm lost in thought like that, a large screen projected in the sky enters my view.
It was a screen showing the situation in the exam room.
Light from a magic tool creates a screen in the air.
<Screeeech!!!>
A fierce cry pierces the eardrums.
In the scene shown, a large lizard with wings is roaring.
Beautiful deep red scales.
A presence exuding dense mana.
It was a Wyvern, a rare fantasy species.
There are embers remaining around its mouth, as if it had breathed fire.
Exclamations of admiration burst out among the applicants watching the exam.
<Well done, Efri!>
<This flame was the best too!>
Following that, a fresh voice is heard.
Following the camera's angle, a pink-haired girl comes into view.
She was riding on the back of the monster.
Her appearance wearing worn goggles was just like in the game.
<Good boy, good boy~ Our cute little Efri~!>
Hands fearlessly petting that ferocious-looking creature.
She was exactly the protagonist I remembered.
Confirming that the exam was almost over, I stood up to greet the girl.
Wyvern Rider.
It was the alias used for Regia in the game.
While summoners are common, those who handle such rare creatures are few.
It was truly a protagonist-worthy ability.
"Oh? Young Master Snakers...?"
"Miss Regia."
I lightly raise my hand to greet the girl.
I move my feet alongside her steps heading towards the back gate.
"That was a splendid performance. I was truly amazed."
"Hehe... so you were watching."
"Of course."
"It's a bit embarrassing."
Cheeks turning red as if unused to praise.
Just a moment ago she looked like a gallant rider, but now she's unmistakably a young girl.
I smirked.
"You should be confident. Miss Regia, you have a truly shining talent."
"Ugh, uuu......"
Her pale face quickly heats up.
It looked as if steam was rising.
Finding her reaction amusing, I ended up teasing the girl several more times.
Until her pretty lips pouted out.
"Hey~ Miss Regia?"
"......"
"Are you perhaps upset?"
"...I'm not."
She is.
I giggled while enjoying her innocent reaction.
She could have gotten angry at least once, but the fact that she didn't shows she's truly our protagonist.
Not swaying even to the whispers of a wicked snake.
"How adorable."
"Uuuugh......"
As we were having such an enjoyable time, before we knew it, our steps had taken us outside the Academy.
Regrettably, it was time for us to return to our respective lodgings.
Until the admission process is complete, entry to the dormitories is restricted, so we have to stay somewhere nearby.
I had a separate inn reserved, and Regia probably did too.
I clap my hands lightly and say:
"Well then! Shall we part ways here?"
"Ah... that's right. We're already outside."
The girl nods belatedly.
There seemed to be a hint of regret in her green eyes.
Perhaps I was the first person she had gotten close to.
She had been wandering alone across the continent until now, so maybe she was feeling a bit lonely.
I winked to reassure her.
"Let's meet again. My friend."
Given that my eyes are always slitted, my wink probably just looks like furrowing my brow.
Well, it's the thought that counts, right?
"Friend......"
Regia chews on the word in place.
It was as if she hadn't expected to hear such words.
The girl who had been frozen still soon clenched her fist and her eyes sparkled.
"Yes...! Let's definitely meet again after we're admitted!"
"Huhu, then I'll be going."
With that, I turn my back.
As if suddenly remembering, I add one last thing.
"Be careful on your way back."
There seem to be some rats scurrying about.
I took steps in that direction.
The direction my toes were pointing was a side street.
The liar moved in the exact opposite direction from the inn he had reserved.
***
A street a little ways from the Academy.
It was an alley where darkness gathered more easily than light due to the complexly tangled buildings.
Although it wasn't a particularly pleasant atmosphere, traces of people could still be found here.
Mostly beggars asking for alms.
Occasionally drunkards who appear to be intoxicated can also be seen.
Originally, it's a place where only a terrible silence falls.
But now it was different.
Because there was noise coming from a corner.
Thud, thump-!
Sounds like something being beaten.
Following that, an anger-soaked voice continues.
"Fuck! Fuck! Die...!"
The owner of the voice was Dexter Holint.
The second son of the Baron Holint family, and a noble carrying noble blood.
He was violently moving his fists.
On the ground was a young beggar.
Judging by how his face had turned into a bloody pulp, it seemed he had been beaten for quite some time.
"Fuck! You bastard! I'll kill you!"
Thump, thud-!
The violence shows no sign of stopping.
Although he was swinging his hands with killing intent, there wasn't really a reason.
It was just venting.
-How amusing.
-Seeing you act so freely... I can't help but laugh.
The voice lingering in his ears.
Dexter gritted his teeth even harder at that.
If he didn't pour out his anger like this, the slit-eyed boy who had mocked him kept coming to mind.
"......"
A young beggar who looked about ten years old.
The child didn't move an inch despite the unreasonable violence raining down.
Or rather, he couldn't move.
Because corpses can't resist.
"Fuuuuck!!!"
"Young Master, it's about time we should leave."
"Shut up!!"
"...Yes."
Seeing Dexter who had completely lost his reason, the guard knight inwardly sighed.
What on earth was he doing?
Crawling into the slums just to vent his anger, and beating up a beggar.
It was a pathetic situation that left him speechless.
If anything, it was fortunate that this wasn't happening at the mansion.
After all, it would be much better to inflict violence on beggars than on the servants.
After a short wait like that.
Dexter threw the tattered child to the ground.
"Haa, haa......"
His body was drenched in sweat, but he still wasn't satisfied.
After being mocked so much.
Dexter gnashed his teeth.
"This is all because of that bitch. Damn it."
Regia Philertz.
That commoner mongrel bitch who bumped into him.
If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't have encountered the snake's son, and wouldn't have suffered such humiliation.
Dexter shouted at the guard knight.
"You there!"
"Yes, Young Master."
"Find out where that commoner bitch... Regia Philertz is staying."
"Are you planning revenge?"
"What do you need to know for?! Shut up and just find out!"
The guard knight nods, unable to resist the shouting.
Seeing this, Dexter clicks his tongue and then mutters viciously.
"To make me suffer such shame... I'll teach her a lesson."
Come to think of it, I think her breasts were quite large.
Her face was pretty decent too.
The pig's mouth curves into an ominous smile.
"It would be nice to use her as a plaything for a night. I'll torment her until she begs for her life."
Dexter snickers while harboring such horrific fantasies.
Just as he was about to leave the alley with his guards, a blurry figure catches his eye.
"...Ha."
As if blocking the way, a man standing at the opposite end of the alley.
Dexter furrowed his brow and let out a scornful laugh.
Now it seemed all sorts of trash were getting in his way.
"Can't you move right away? Do you know whose path you're blocking...!"
"Well well~"
A voice cutting off the pig's words.
Normally this would be a moment to get angry, but Dexter could only freeze.
It was a familiar tone.
One that had been echoing in his ears until just now.
"I wonder if all third-rate villains are the same? You really seem to love losing your minds."
Judah Snakers.
"Not knowing your place."
The blonde boy stands in the alley.
With his characteristic lecherous smile on his lips.
A sudden chill spreading throughout his body, Dexter unknowingly froze.
Why?
He couldn't move his body.
As if being crushed by an enormous pressure.
The guard walking beside him was in the same situation.
"How sad~ Joint Yeongshik! Or is it Whore Yeongshik? Oriental Yeongshik?"
The correct name was Holint Yeongshik, but.
The snake didn't seem to particularly care about such things.
An inexplicable fear descends.
The shoulders of the two people who had turned to stone tremble pitifully.
As if finding such a reaction amusing, the golden viper lets out a terrible sneer.
It wasn't just a smile that gave a lecherous impression.
It was a strange smile that evoked terror, as if something was about to happen at any moment.
"I clearly gave you a chance."
The snake flicks its tongue.
"It was you who threw it away."
White eyes shine emptily.
Eyes now fully open.
The next moment, a swirling darkness swallowed the entire street.