Chapter 54: The World Witnesses
Third Person POV: Stadium Hall & Professors
The main stadium hall was filled with the light of giant holograms displaying the entire exam field. The audience—the students—stared at the screens without blinking.
But no one spoke. Not because they didn't want to… but because they couldn't.
On the screen, Ren danced amidst blue flames that spun, following his every movement.
Someone finally whispered softly:
"…what… is that technique?"
No one answered.
VIP Professors' Lounge
Five professors from different divisions were standing, no longer sitting. Even Professor Malik—who usually watched exams with a calm, statue-like expression—was now close to breaking his cigarette.
"Flame Breathing…?" he muttered, his eyes glued to the screen. "What kind of technique is that?"
Professor Regus nodded slowly, his voice hoarse.
"I've never seen it either, I think? When he was in the Academy, he rarely exerted his strength. So this is the first time I've seen his fire technique."
"Truly unbelievable," said Professor Lily, holding a trembling hologram tablet. "He's a monster…"
Lily lowered her tablet, sighing softly, "I knew he was strong because he could use magic and the sword simultaneously, but would it be like that when used together?"
The sensor lights showed a wild graph, rising and falling like a panicked heartbeat.
Professor Vairon, an old bearded man wearing a monocle, stroked his beard.
"That boy… he's not just talented. He's like a walking disaster if someone sees him fight without holding back."
Vairon leaned back in his seat, "I am one of them…"
Main Stadium
"Look at Ren! His movements are so beautiful!"
"Tsk… that's not fighting, that's dancing."
"It's… art, art!"
Everyone was mesmerized.
Every swing of Ren's odachi formed a curve of blue light. Every spin created a circle of fire that didn't kill indiscriminately but moved as if following a dance.
"Kyaa! Ren, you're so cool!"
"Make me yours!!"
"I'm getting wet…!"
The shameless girls' cheers made the air even more tense due to the jealousy of the boys.
Meanwhile, Amy was stuck in her seat with her friends.
Although Amy wasn't too surprised to see the technique as she had seen it a few times when fighting her grandfather, that hadn't happened again after she returned home.
Amy only visited her grandfather's house once a year. It had been a long time, so seeing it now displayed widely in front of her, she couldn't help but be amazed.
Leon and Evelyn, who were in the upper seats—where the Student Council members sat—were leaning forward. Leon paused and swallowed.
While Evelyn cheered happily:
"Go, my love, defeat them all!!"
Back to the Professors' Lounge
Maira, Mia, Kyle, Noah, and Abel on the screen already looked exhausted. While Ren… he did something truly shocking.
When the Phoenix slowly began to form in the air, Professor Lily covered her mouth with her hand.
"No… it can't be…"
The fire formed a body, wings, and living eyes. The heat sensors in the studio shook and gave a red warning, even though it was only a projection.
Professor Regus exclaimed:
"This is not a student technique! This is not Academy student level! Even some Royal swordsmen couldn't—oh God!"
The Phoenix flapped its wings.
The room felt like it was shaking, although it wasn't; it was just everyone's imagination being overwhelmed.
Professor Malik finally whispered:
"It's a good thing we didn't broadcast this globally, right?"
Hearing that, the Professors nodded in silence, feeling grateful.
Main Stadium: Audience Starts to Panic
Everyone exclaimed, not out of fear, but out of awe.
"Is that… a real Phoenix?"
"Maybe a technique inherited from a super Elite noble family! Maybe it doesn't even exist!"
"No way a student can produce such a lifelike form of fire!"
"I remember the Phoenix is only a legend!"
The hologram suddenly zoomed in on Ren's face—focusing completely, his blue eyes blinking faintly, his breathing rhythmic, his mouth whispering:
"It's over."
The entire stadium fell silent simultaneously.
Leon, Evelyn, Amy all froze, holding their breath.
Everyone prepared to witness the most powerful attack of this year's exam.
The Professors instinctively leaned forward. And just as the Phoenix and Ren lunged at Noah…
Suddenly—
A thin, almost invisible line appeared on the screen.
The professors simultaneously flinched.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
"Where did that movement come from!?"
"The sensor… didn't catch it!?"
The line cut something.
CLINK! CLINK!
The bell on Ren's waist fell.
All the hologram screens highlighted the small object, rolling on the ground.
The studio fell into total silence.
Professor Malik stared at the screen as if watching sin descend from the sky.
"…Ren's bell string… was cut…? At that moment?"
Professor Lily re-checked the data in a slight rush.
"That was candidate Lia Elamin; she has used it several times before." Professor Lily tapped her tablet. "But now, it was faster and smoother, to the point where people barely noticed it."
Tension peaked.
Someone in the stadium shouted:
"WHO DID THAT!? DON'T TELL ME—"
Suddenly the camera focused on a small girl with slightly messy hair, panting heavily, her hand still raised.
Lia Elamin.
In the studio, everyone could only stare, unable to say anything else.
Just then, a voice echoed:
[The Exam is over!]
Ren's POV:
My vision went white; my body felt like it was being carried by a strong wind—then in an instant, the world changed.
I was back standing in the middle of the academy grounds.
A slight breeze hit my face.
The crowd of students who had long since exited whispered loudly, some calling my name, some just standing transfixed, not daring to approach.
Those who were still standing here meant they passed the practical exam. The maximum number of students to pass the exam was 200, and it could even be less if the points did not meet the requirements.
But I didn't hear them.
I just stood there silently.
"…Seriously?"
I tilted my head slowly, trying to process what had just happened with a blank expression.
"I lost in… a way like that?"
My voice came out flat, even sounding dull to my own ears. From inside my body, Noll's voice appeared—calm and emotionless as usual.
[It appears so, Host.]
I ran my hand through my hair, which was slightly damp from the virtual sweat carried out as a body sensation.
Then I clicked my tongue.
"…Unbelievable."
I had just unleashed a quite powerful technique today. The Fire Phoenix, a technique I created with my imagination. And suddenly…
Clink! Clink!
The bell string was cut by that girl's technique, damn it. I covered my face with one hand, letting out a long sigh.
"What was her name again, I wonder?"
I muttered softly to myself, my eyes half-closed.
There were two possibilities:
Either the girl was a genius, or I was too busy dancing like an idiot and got too engrossed in fighting that I forgot about her technique that could cut from afar.
If it were up to me, I'd choose the former.
[I suggest the latter option, Host.]
"Shut up, Noll."
I lifted my head, looking towards where the other participants were appearing one by one. Noah looked shocked. Kyle rubbed his temples.
Abel smiled faintly, like someone who had surrendered to fate. Mia and Maira were still staring at me as if I was about to blow up the world.
Then…
Lia appeared.
He was panting, his hair a mess, his face pale—but his green eyes shone with pride.
When her gaze met mine… she immediately flinched.
"Huh... ah humm... sorry?"
I didn't answer. I just walked slowly toward her. The crowd spontaneously opened a path. Lia swallowed, nervous and slightly afraid.
I stopped one meter from her. Then raised my hand… And patted her head.
Tap.
Lia froze.
"Well done, little lady!" I said with a small smile, patting her head several times.
Her eyes widened.
"That was a very clean attack. Fast. Calm. Accurate."
I pulled my hand away from her head and continued, "Even though it's annoying, I like it."
Lia immediately turned beet red, as if she wanted to explode.
"S-so… you're not angry?"
"Angry?"
I smiled teasingly, "If I were angry, could you take responsibility?"
Lia's face instantly went pale again. That made me chuckle softly. I leaned in. "Relax, little lady, I'm not angry."
I extended my hand for a handshake.
"You won. So, enjoy it."
Lia was stunned for a few seconds before finally smiling back.
"…T-thank you…"
Noll muttered cynically inside my head.
[The Host is too kind. In most cases, humans would be enraged.]
I rolled my eyes.
'In most cases, yes. But not me. I am the kindest person in the world.'
[And a playboy.]
'Shut up! But wait? Who said I'm a playboy?' I asked with slight annoyance and curiosity.
[Everyone can see it right now, you know?]
'Tsk, tsk, that's just your imagination.'
I shifted my attention to the small brown-haired girl. She was slowly extending her hand too, but—
"Stop."
A voice sounded behind the girl. She and I turned around simultaneously. There, Abel was walking toward us.
Her steps were slightly tense, though I didn't know why. Upon reaching us, she stood between the girl and me.
Looking at her, I raised an eyebrow slightly, curious.
Abel turned to look at the girl—glaring? I couldn't tell, but I subtly backed away from her, watching her with interested eyes.
"…Saintess?" the girl, or Lia, asked nervously.
Abel didn't answer and just stared intensely. In my eyes, I saw her emitting a strange emotion, like nervousness, slight anger, and jealousy? I don't know.
Lia's fingers moved uncomfortably under Abel's gaze. She was nervous, very nervous.
"You... What is your name?" Abel finally opened her mouth.
"Ah! Right," Lia blinked slightly, then bowed her head, "My name is Lia Elamin, an ordinary person."
Hearing the girl, or Lia, speak, I became even more interested in her. How could I not? She was strong without any support. And that was amazing.
Abel widened her eyes in disbelief. She was genuinely surprised how strong this girl was even though she had no backing.
Slowly, her initially sharp eyes softened. She smiled and approached to hug her.
"You worked hard," Abel said while hugging her.
I leaned on one leg and placed one hand on my hip. Just to be clear why Abel hugged her: it's because that girl, Lia—her body size is small!
Her height is about 150 cm. And that's why I called her 'little lady' when I first saw her. Plus, her cute, doll-like face added to her innocent impression.
Lia froze when Abel hugged her gently, and she wanted to hug back but...
"Don't get close to my Ren," Abel said softly, only for Lia to hear.
Lia flinched slightly and immediately screamed internally.
'Oh my god! I forgot that in the game, Abel was portrayed as being very obsessed with Ren!'
Lia's body trembled slightly. I leaned forward and said to Abel, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Abel, I think... You're hugging her too tightly, right?"
Hearing my words, Abel slowly released Lia from her embrace. I looked at Lia, and tilted my head... Lia, she looked a little afraid?
I glanced at Abel; she smiled gently like a goddess of kindness.
Then a voice echoed in the grounds.
"Congratulations on completing the exam, Cadets."
The Headmaster arrived with heavy yet elegant steps.
....
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