Chapter 8
'With the power of Predation, you acquire the [Rapid Regeneration] skill. Its grade is lowered to F.'
At first, I thought it was nothing special, but then I changed my mind.
Unlike the game where I could restart anytime and take risks, in this world, I only have one life.
Survivability is key.
[Rapid Regeneration] is a skill classified as top-tier in survival.
"Haha, this is actually good... It's the perfect situation for this."
But the harvest didn't end there.
'Slit-eyed character... No, I see how to use this character now.'
Usually, just an ordinary kid.
A bit of a klutz, but unexpectedly helpful.
Whenever something happens, he appears out of nowhere to help, and in crises, maintains his unique composure.
In truly dangerous situations, he reveals his real strength and crushes the enemy.
Isn't that the very essence of a slit-eyed character?
The 'Eye Opening' skill was made for this very purpose.
I thought of various situations and stories where I could use this skill.
Just imagining it made me excited. Such gameplay was possible!
"Kekeke... This is fun. Really fun."
"Hey."
Huh?
Right, Luna was here.
Was it because I deactivated the 'Eye Opening' skill, or had she just gotten used to it?
Luna's attitude seemed to have returned to how it was initially.
Still, there was a hint of caution.
"How do you know my secret?"
Hmm, how should I respond?
I needed to maintain some mystery while getting past this situation.
Suddenly, I remembered a line often used by slit-eyed characters in anime.
"Haha, that is... a secret."
"...A secret?"
"Yes, how I know your secret is a secret. It's interesting, isn't it?"
"This, this is real...! Ha...!"
Luna's fists trembled as she raised them.
Knowing that I'm a strong opponent, she couldn't just swing at me recklessly.
She's trying to glean information while barely holding back.
That's probably the best she can do.
'Well, I'm planning to manipulate things for the final boss's strategy... I should at least help with her revenge.'
Of course, very slowly. For now, start with improving our relationship.
I said with a bit of slyness,
"Phew, thanks to you I survived. Since we're here due to fate, let's introduce ourselves..."
"You should be the only one introducing! You know my name and even the secrets of my family!"
"Ah, right. I am Zero."
"Ah, right? This, this is real! Ah!"
Luna clenched her fists, trembling.
Her desperate attempt to control her anger was quite adorable.
"Hmm... So, how are you going to deal with killing the instructor?"
"What? Killing? Who would do such a cruel thing..."
Luna glared at me.
Her eyes seemed to say, who else but you?
But I was really wronged here. I never killed the instructor.
"Haha, I never said I killed him. Just that someone seems to have done it."
"...Why the laughter?"
"I genuinely laughed out of curiosity. Leaving a prospective academy student like this... It's really disappointing. Don't you think?"
Luna's face twisted in various directions. The flesh on her cheeks spasmed.
It seemed like she was swearing at me with her eyes. It felt like I could hear it, but it must be my imagination.
"Hmm... Let's find the exit for now. Questions can wait until we enter the academy."
"That's a wise decision."
Luna glared at me even more.
I praised her, so why is she acting like this?
Ouch-.
It was when I took a step. A sharp pain shot through my right foot.
"Umm..."
"What? Did you twist it?"
"Haha, seems like I might have."
- 10 minutes until the end of the first test!
Luna's expression hardened.
Not knowing where the exit is, time is running short, and here I am, full of secrets, with a twisted ankle.
It's frustrating, but...
"I know the way very well. I even know a secret passage that leads to the exit."
"Then say that sooner! Where is it? Where?"
I gestured towards Luna.
A slight gesture to sit down.
Seeing the gesture, Luna's expression momentarily blanked.
What are you staring at? Sit down quickly, Luna.
* * *
The second phase of the entrance exam.
Hundreds of kids were gathered like a cloud.
Elester, the supervisor of the second exam, smiled as he looked at them, as they passed the first phase brilliantly.
'Haha, they're always so cute.'
The kids, chirping like chicks.
Their appearances and postures while waiting for the exam were all so diverse.
'These kids will grow up to shoulder the future of the empire... It's always amazing to think about.'
Graduates from Annwood Academy are spread throughout the empire.
It's astounding to see kids who were once crying over a failed exam now grown up and working.
More astonishing than magic itself.
That was the definition given to the children by Archmage Elester.
'These chicks will grow up soon.'
Of course, they'll have to pass the second exam he prepared.
"Master Elester, it's time."
"Hmm... It's a shame, but rules must be followed. Please close the door."
Creak- Clang-.
As the door closed, the children's faces were filled with tension.
They must have realized that the second exam was about to begin.
"Haha, such adorable kids..."
Boom!
Crash-!
"Uwah!"
"What, what is it!"
"Is it a terrorist attack?"
It wasn't a terrorist attack.
Just a loud noise and a bush beside the door bursting open.
And at the same moment the bush exploded, something sprang out and fell forward.
'A person...?'
A girl with pink twin tails, face planted on the ground, lay sprawled out... not a chick, but a girl.
And a boy laughing atop her, with eyes so small that his pupils were hardly visible.
"Keke, we've arrived. Just as expected."
...A strange chick appeared.
* * *
Just before the end of the first phase of the entrance exam.
"Haha, to the left."
Run-run-run-run-.
"This time, to the right."
Run-run-run-run-.
The scenery of the labyrinth swiftly passed by.
It wasn't hard. Luna was carrying me as she ran.
'The power of a well-trained body is great.'
I could feel the extent of Luna's effort and the depth of her desire for revenge.
"Keke, we're almost there. Just turn right, and we'll be at the entrance of the second exam area."
"Haa, haa... Right... Wait! The, the door is closing!?"
Luna was right. The door was nearly closed.
The problem was, the gap was too narrow for us to enter.
Clunk-.
"Oh, no!"
Luna sped up, but we couldn't stop the door from closing.
But it's okay. There's a way.
"Don't give up. The moment you give up, the competition... no, the exam is over."
"But how can we... the door's closed!"
"Isn't there a bush beside it? We can just break through it."
"...!"
Right. This place is a labyrinth made of bushes and trees.
The doors of the second exam area were flanked by bushes.
The issue? The bushes were meticulously groomed by the gardener, giving off an almost antique vibe.
"Is, is it really okay to do that?"
Luna asked, turning her head slightly.
Her eyes seemed to say, 'Haha, tell me it's okay to do it.'
To Luna, my response was...
"Keke, maybe."
"This, this crazy bastard!"
But Luna had to get admitted no matter what.
In the end, she started charging as I suggested.
Go, Luna! Body slam!
Though I didn't hear a 'Luna, Luna!' in response, Luna faithfully executed my command.
Boom!
Crash-!
"Uwah!"
"What, what is it!"
"Is it a terrorist attack?"
As a result, this is the situation we're in now.
Luna, exhausted, collapsed on the ground, but so what.
I safely (?) guided her to the second exam area.
"Why aren't you coming down? You jerk!"
"You worked hard. Luna... no, Miss Luna."
I dusted off the grass leaves stuck in her hair and clothes.
The gardener who comes to work tomorrow will probably cry, but... it was Luna who caused this mess, not me.
She'll be the one to get the penalty points.
"Haa, haa... Jerk. What kind of secret passage is this."
"A passage isn't a secret passage until it's made. Now we can call this a secret passage."
"...What kind of secret passage is it if everyone can see it!!!!!"
Why is a secret passage called a secret passage? Because...
It's a secret passage.
Nod.
Luna's head trembled as she desperately tried to contain her anger.
"Is this... really allowed?"
"Honestly, it's a failure. The door closed, didn't it."
"Yeah. The time is already up. It should be treated as a failure."
Whisper-whisper-.
Luna's eyes changed.
The word 'failure' started from one child's mouth.
It spread like wildfire because of that.
'It's started.'
The politicking to eliminate competitors.
Politicking is not just for politicians or adults.
Children, especially those entering adolescence, can do it too.
An age where they enjoy putting down someone they don't like and forming cliques.
In an entrance exam that happens only once in a lifetime, it's natural to start politicking to eliminate competitors.
Clap-clap-.
Suddenly, a clear clapping sound echoed in the exam hall.
But it was not an ordinary applause.
A noise created by hundreds of children.
It resonated in everyone's ears, cutting through the noise.
'...Is this magic? Impressive.'
As the surroundings quieted, it was clear that everyone heard it.
Everyone's gaze turned towards an old man on the stage.
"Glad to meet you all. I am Elester, in charge of supervising the second exam."
"Elester?"
"Watch your words! He's an Archmage! He used to be the chief sorcerer of the royal palace!"
"I heard he retired last year... I never imagined meeting him here."
"Wow..."
Archmage Elester.
He achieved the 9th Circle, the highest realm attainable by a human body.
One of the eight pillars of the Annwood Empire, elevating it to the top position on the continent.
'...That's the setting of 'Hero of the Academy'.'
But contrary to popular belief, he hadn't retired from the front line.
'The official reason is to nurture successors. The real reason is to investigate an unfortunate incident that occurred within the academy.'
A key character in the game.
Of course, he wasn't playable.
"Hmm..."
His gaze turned towards Luna and me.
I quickly hid behind Luna's back.
After all, I am a poor person who was carried on Luna's back and forced (?) to break through the bush.
If anyone should fail, it should be Luna alone.
"The two students who just entered are passed in the first exam. It was an innovative way to break through the labyrinth, so I will acknowledge it."
In that moment, the pass necklaces were given to us.
It was the perfect situation to show off.
"Haha, just as expected."
"You weren't planning to leave me behind and pass alone, were you?"
"What an absurd thing to say. It's a misunderstanding."
"...I suppose so."
Luna's eyes cooled sharply.
At the same time, one of the children timidly raised a hand.
"Um... Master Elester?"
"Please speak."
"Isn't that not innovative but rather foolish? Anyone could do that..."
It's begun.
The politicking to eliminate competitors.
--TL Notes--
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