Chapter 42: The Entrance Exam
Third Person POV:
The Saintess, or Abel, stared at the man with a flushed face and licked her lips. She was like that not just because the man was handsome, but for more than that.
"Ah... Ren... We finally meet again...!" Abel's voice was tempting and slightly nasal.
She bit her lip a little harder, but before she could say anything else, another voice interrupted her. The Hero, or Noah, asked Abel.
"Abel, what are you doing?" Noah asked, his eyebrow furrowed.
That made Abel flinch and wake up from her reverie. Her expression immediately returned to its original state. She coughed softly and said.
"Nothing, my lip is just itchy," she said flatly.
Noah was silent for a moment, then smiled softly at her. Teasingly, he said, "Did you like him?"
He asked gently, but if looked at closely, his eyes flashed with a hint of anger.
Abel glanced briefly, and said in a slightly softer tone, "If I did, why are you asking?"
That answer made Noah stiffen slightly. He coughed softly, then smiled a bit awkwardly. "Haha... Your joke is funny, Abel."
Abel didn't say anything and just stared ahead—at Ren with a gentle expression. She glanced at Noah next to her, her expression becoming slightly gloomy.
Actually, Abel hasn't liked Noah being near her since two years ago, but she gave in because she was forced. Luna wasn't around at the moment, so Abel was only with Noah.
"Leon, it's my turn to talk, okay?"
Then a voice echoed across the yard. Ren—he stepped forward and slightly pushed Prince Leon aside with his hip.
That made Leon's brow furrow, but he didn't say anything. Several participants also held back their laughter to remain silent.
Then Ren spoke in a relaxed tone, "Hello everyone, my name is Ren Ozawa, the Vice Student Council President and also the Head of the Disciplinary Committee in this Academy."
Silence for a moment.
"As the Student Council President said, inside the Virtual World, there will be second-year students hunting you."
Ren looked towards all the participants to build a little tension. Then with a small smile, he said again.
"I am one of them," he raised his hand casually, "but don't worry, I won't chase you; you will chase me."
Silence~
People looked at each other out of curiosity and nervousness. In their hearts, "Who would want to chase that monster? That's just suicide."
Prince Leon, who was beside him, sighed, then pushed Ren with his hand.
"? Hey?" Ren asked with a confused face, but Leon didn't answer and rubbed his nose.
Leon looked at the participants, raising his hand, he said. "You will find out once you are there. So be prepared, now the exam will start in... 1... 2... and..."
The magic circle shone above their heads, and with Leon's final word.
"... 3."
They disappeared.
Then Leon stared sharply at Ren. If looks could injure, Ren would have been injured hundreds of times.
"..."
"..."
They stared at each other for a moment, then with a quick movement, Leon kicked Ren's stomach. Ren instinctively crossed his arms. But the kick was blocked by an invisible wall.
Ren and Leon looked at each other again, then Leon clicked his tongue, "Tsk! That annoying wall again."
Ren lowered his arms casually, then with a teasing motion, he said, "Try harder, Leon!"
Leon's lips twitched upon hearing that, he said sharply, "You almost gave away the surprise, you bastard!"
His tone was nothing like the Imperial Prince the participants had seen earlier, but merely someone angry at his friend.
Ren sighed, "Oh come on, Leon, isn't it fun to keep them curious? That's all I was doing."
He waved his hand, "Now, now, move me to that Virtual World."
"Oho? Are you ordering me, you asshole?" Leon asked.
"If I am, then what? You turd-head."
The two of them stared at each other on the stage, clenching their fists about to fight. However, they were alerted by a girl's voice.
"You two! Don't fight like children! And Ren, hurry up and go!"
Before anyone could react, a hand shot towards Leon's face at a blurring speed.
Smack!
"Ouch! What are you doing, Amy!?"
Amy crossed her arms and said in a firm tone, "Because you were fighting!"
Hearing that, Leon pointed at Amy and Ren alternately, "Why me?? He started it!"
"Look, look, Sir Leon, can Amy even touch me?" Ren pointed to himself. "Of course not, right, Amy?"
Hearing him, Amy nodded her head quickly in agreement, still crossing her arms. Leon's mouth twitched violently.
He sighed heavily, and with a final word, "Hah, whatever. Since this old guy and this shorty are stubborn, it's hard to talk sense into them..."
"What did you say!?" Amy asked angrily.
"What did—" Ren said, annoyed. But before he could finish his sentence, he disappeared. Leaving only Amy, and Leon who had already run off the stage.
"Say what you said one more time, Leon!" Amy yelled from behind him, "and I'll finish you off!"
POV Abel Montain:
One minute earlier...
The light of the magic circle above my head made me close my eyes for a moment. Then when I opened them again—I was in a dense forest.
I looked around, several students had also been teleported to this forest.
The wind in this virtual world felt real, even the smell of damp soil and leaves seemed authentic. This reinforced the sense of realism in their magical technology.
As I was still standing, someone's voice echoed throughout the Virtual World.
[Listen, there is no cheating during the exam, and participants were teleported randomly]
[Participants must survive and defeat their enemies using strategy and strength]
[The point stone is at your waist, have you seen it? Good]
[Every time a Participant gets one stone from someone, they will receive 10 points]
[And also, if the participants defeat or seize the bell held by a second-year student, they will get 50 points]
Hearing that, I looked around again, preparing to cast magic and fight. Other participants were also getting ready.
[The rank is determined by how many points are obtained. Points can be seen on the device on your hand]
Right then, I looked at my wrist; there was a watch-like device showing my current points:
[Abel Montain]
Points: 0
[If you have heard, the exam is about to begin...]
[Oh! I almost forgot, you can also cooperate to fight the second-year students. But as for who gets the bell, the point is, first come, first served.]
[And if you want to immediately get the first rank without having to fight anyone else, defeat that person.]
[Well, Now the exam will begin...]
'Defeat that person? What does that mean?' I wondered internally.
I quickly shook my head to regain focus, and slowly ten light magic circles appeared behind me—my own magic.
'More importantly, I must win this exam and meet him!' I affirmed.
[Now!!]
Boom!
I threw balls of light in all directions through my magic circles as I heard the exam begin. The participants around me shielded themselves with their own magic.
"Uuhh!" my magic hit someone.
But that was not enough. Right then, I raised my hands high and said softly.
[Circle Magic ★: Light Explosion!]
A large golden magic circle appeared above me, slowly emitting an increasingly bright light, then with a snap of my fingers, the magic circle exploded.
Booomm!!