More than half an hour had passed since the exam began. Professors monitored entrants from a certain room filled with screens reflecting the entrants, coordinating with the academy's retinue for rescue operations.
Surprisingly, Carmillia wasn't the only one experiencing threats to her life. Plenty of households and powers schemed in their own way to take down their rival's potential heir, especially if they showed promise.
…
Atop the academy's spire, a large man chuckled as he looked at the display before him.
"That was thrilling!"
"…" Vica sighed at the old mans exclaim. What they had just witnessed was an entrant narrowly escaping death at the hands of an unexpected assailant. From a well known family who sponsored them with a lot of funds.
The daughter of Montagne's current Duke, Carmillia and his only daughter.
The academy had a list of known threats they intended to intercept, but exceptions still appeared from time to time, like the one targeting the duke's precious daughter.
"Whoever his family is, give them double the reparations." He spoke, with a smile still plastered in his face. "Tell them that he's a secret agent who served the academy honorably and died in service."
Vica nodded silently at his side, continuing to observe the exam unfold.
She is well aware that giving the entrants something to ensure their safety was more than within the academy's capabilities. However the headmaster stubbornly refused to do so.
'In our world, threats are always lurking, whether they come from monsters or the people around us. Let the entrants experience it firsthand, and if they fall, they fall. We cannot condone their weakness, nor be blamed when they die. After all, it is already lenient to let such a presumptuous bunch step into my academy.'
As an institute dedicated to raising humanity's overall capabilities, Vica despised her father's methods, but she could not deny their effectiveness and necessity. The academy was renowned for nurturing and producing the finest talent across the continent and had a reputation to uphold.
After all, what was the academy truly fighting against? What was the purpose of existences far beyond ordinary human capability?
It was to fight against ignoble threats far beyond human understanding and capability. Not to mention, there was still the ever-present war among races that could ignite any moment. They wrestled against one another for territory and resources, alongside the many minor races that also vied for power amidst the chaos.
"That kid's got some obsessive protectiveness. How did he find out that his master was in danger?" He somewhat understood why Renedon wanted that butler to be by Carmillia's side.
To the point of pushing his admission into the same class as Carmillia, the Royal Class, where only students who met high standards in factors such as descent, background, and talent could step in.
"Was this your plan from the start? A greater outrage to conceal a lesser one?" Vica remarked as she habitually nudged her glasses.
"What are you talking about? I had no idea he was that guy! Hahaha!" the headmaster spoke as he brushed off Vica's question with a laugh and unconcealed delight.
At the time of her conversation with the headmaster, she had not expected Xian to be assigned to the Royal Class, but at the very least to be placed in one of the two other sections, the Elite Class or the Common Class.
He had been listed as a special individual at Duke Renedon's request, thanks to his 'donations' to the academy, which her father had readily accepted without even verifying Xian's identity.
"Right, all of their attention will be directed at that poor butler. He kind of fits the role too, just look at his face, hahaha!" He laughed heartily imagining the trouble coming for the student.
"He need's to show results if he's planning to stay in that class though." A dangerous glint with anticipation briefly flashed in his eyes as he uttered those words.
Astor Vitorre Ellios. The headmaster of the academy, and like his predecessors, a legendary figure in the world who led the academy where the greatest talents gathered.
He was now leisurely living his life as the headmaster of Rozenfall, an axis of humanity dedicated to realizing the potential of young blood in order to face threats to mankind and lead their respective nations. They were not here to be pretentious heroes, but to be powerful individuals capable of leading people and protecting themselves and their lands against outside threats.
There was a reason behind his hearty laugh. He enjoyed watching students struggle with the challenges presented before them, as if witnessing a heroic story unfold.
"Ohhh! The orange girl is heading towards the mimic minotaur alone, Vica! Do you think she'll be sliced in half before her rapier pierces the monster's skin?" he exclaimed like a child and leaned forward from his seat, as if about to see something amazing.
The Mimic Minotaur was the product of an Agrind Beast's fragment, one capable of copying appearances and even combat abilities. Still in its infancy when it was killed, the Agrind's core was extracted and processed into one of Rozenfall's top training instruments. It could now create as many mimicked species as needed, according to controlled standards.
Vica could only sigh. Ever since her old man had retired from the frontlines, he had been like this during every examination, competition, and school event, filling the curriculum with frequent duels, tournament-style trials, and expensive facilities designed to present bizarre and often theatrical challenges.
But it was not without purpose. Dealing with Agrind Beasts required the rare and invaluable ability to observe and analyze their 'habitats.' For that, a calm and analytical mind was a requirement.
Each Agrind Beast shaped its environment to its advantage. The longer they remained in an area, the stronger they became, and the more unpredictable and hostile the terrain around them grew. This made certain parts of the world entirely unsuitable for civilization, unless reclaimed and restored by humanity.
Furthermore, they contaminated the native monster species within their territory, infecting them with their unique traits and turning them into even greater threats. That was when a real disaster began, when Agrind Beasts started hoarding the monsters they had infected and established a lair.
Because once their lair grew large enough, they would almost always try to expand it, almost as if by instinct, due to the influx of monsters. This gave rise to disaster-class lairs that could potentially wipe out a city, a region, or even a country off the map.
Vica turned her attention to the display, almost half blocked by her father's large figure.
'They've made contact.'
The Mimic Minotaur was not an existence designed to be defeated by the entrants alone. However, one girl stood her ground with astonishing speed and a simple rapier in her hands. It could be seen that she carried two extra rapiers, likely loot from encounters or other entrants.
While killing is prohibited, it wasn't explicitly stated that looting and fighting each other is not allowed. The headmaster had deliberately withheld protective restrictions, allowing a degree of conflict and scheming to take place, an experience he deemed essential for the entrants' growth even if they fail the exam.
The student they're watching was of special descent, scouted by the academy and headmaster himself.
Fahnaela del Alinde, descendant of a legendary figure known as the Sword Saintess, Lorean del Alinde. An orange-haired girl who always kept a confident smile and a clear gaze. According to her profile, she got along well with almost everyone, enjoyed helping others, and always appeared fresh and full of energy.
Multiple proposal letters from various suitors were sent daily to their elusive 'clan' because of the beauty and personality she possessed. Vica's eyes twitched as she could almost see her shining through the display, jumping around with a tightened expression, sneaking stabs and cuts on the minotaur's body.
But then, two other entrants arrived.
Carmillia and Xian had reached the mimic minotaur. Fahna showed a startled expression, but was quick on her feet as she headed toward them. This led the minotaur, which had been chasing her, to charge toward the new arrivals.
"Hey! You two, let's work together!" Her voice could be heard through the room's display, her smiling face reflected as she proposed cooperation with Xian and Carmillia. It was so casual, as if she were inviting a friend over for some food.
"Oh! What a shameless girl, she's not giving them a chance to refuse!" Exclaimed the headmaster with a big smile on his face, excitedly hitting his legs with his fists.
The minotaur silently followed Fahna.
Carmillia waved her hand as vines protruded in the ground around her and Xian raised a longsword.
…
Xian used a longsword this time, knowing the golems would be cleared out. Fahna had cleared the way better than he expected. They hardly encountered golems and even if they did, he dispatched it with ease.
There was also the reason that he wanted to practice using a longsword. Once he felt that his movements are good enough, he planned to spar with Lucinelle. Xian haven't forgotten the clean and cold slice he felt on his neck that caused him two regressions.
'Besides, it might pave the way for her route.' Serika was already on the [Green] level and it wasn't increasing yet, likely due to need of event's to advance her affection level. But Lucinelle stayed at consistent [Gray] level of affection.
Spending time with a heroine was one of the fundamental strategies to encounter events and raise affection, after all, so he should participate in activities that would interest a heroine.
In this case, since Xian knew nothing about Serika and Lucinelle's activities or routes, he needed to pay closer attention compared to other heroines, with whom he already knew how to handle.
"Tsk, what a two-faced bitch." Carmillia cursed Fahna, who came at them with a smile as she prepared her magic.
Xian silently took a stance. He felt heat rush into his head and whole body, excited to finally face the minotaur that he could not fight before.
"He's clashing it head-on?" Fahna somersaulted out of the minotaur's way. The minotaur, blindly charging toward its newly found target, let out a silent huff.
'[Defiance] and forty-two strength. That should work… No, it must!' Although Xian was excited, he still had lacking endurance, but with enough strength, he was confident he could stop the charging minotaur.
'A level 20 at best and a mimic with reduced stats…' If he didn't know, he'd never dare to try at all, evading instead and scooping Carmillia out of the way.
As for the reason… He didn't have particularly good one. He just wanted to exert his strength and enjoy the moment. Xian himself did not expect to be like this when it came to battle. He had hardly fought anyone as a normal human back in his world.
Now, he got to fight as someone beyond that normalcy, relishing in the rush and thrill of combat.
He ran forward, swinging his weapon in an arc, meeting the minotaur's charge.
Clang!
A sharp metallic sound rang out upon collision and Xian's foot left a trail in the ground beneath him. The sword had stopped the minotaur, striking the sturdy blade of its axe, but not before pushing him several meters back.
Xian let himself step back, using the force the minotaur exerted to push himself further. Then he raised his sword in preparation to exchange blows with the enemy.
Although Xian planned to exchange blows, as the mimic minotaur swung its axe, he found his hands numbing from each strikes, reminding him of his sparring days with Serika. However, it was lacking compared to her.
'I've had worse, you fucking cow!' He redirected another strike to the ground. Luckily, the monster only used brute strength and he redirected it with ease.
While Xian was helpless to counter, Carmillia did not idle. Although she was used to ordering subordinates at her behest, she had her own means to employ.
Thorned vines restricted the monster's movements, and darkness rained down upon it as it seemed to let out a roar. But as mimics were unable to produce any sound of whatever they copied, it only resulted in a silent scream of agony.
Fahna took the opportunity, swiftly piercing its joints in quick succession, narrowly avoiding a counterstrike as the minotaur back-swept its axe. Xian did not miss the opening, and he delivered a clean slash, slicing through one of its legs.
The monster fell to one knee, locking gazes with Xian.
Empty orbs of blue flames were reflected in Xian's blood-red eyes. Without hesitation, he swung again, this time severing the minotaur's dominant arm, its axe crashing to the ground with a heavy clang.
He could've beheaded the monster right then and there but instead, he looked at Carmillia and gave her a faint smile. She frowned at first but soon realized the hidden meaning beneath that smile.
Suddenly, Xian thrust his sword towards the minotaur. But instead of killing the monster, his longsword parried a rapier.
"I'm gonna have to ask you to back off." Xian spoke, without holding back his rough and somewhat raspy voice.
He knew that Fahna, would take this opportunity to kill the minotaur. That couldn't happen, since it was a rare starting enemies with exp as a reward.
"Hey, ever heard of finders keepers?" Fahna quipped, her smile twitching slightly.
"No," Xian replied coldly. "I've only heard of winner takes all."
Fahna did not expect this dangerous-looking stranger to predict and even block her rapier. But because of that, she realized that both of them had the same intention to secure the first kill.
She took her rapier back and distanced herself from Xian.
"Well... It's two against one." Dealing with a mage was not an issue, since her speed was the very counter to them, but this other guy seemed capable of keeping up with her, not to mention being a whole lot stronger.
"I guess I'm just going to take first place then." Realizing her disadvantage, her eyes turned toward the passage before her. However, she found it sealed with vines instead.
"Ugh… What's the deal with you two?" Frustrated, her smile turned into a pout as she lightly stomped the ground.
Thorned vines suddenly sprouted from where she stood, making her flinch as she narrowly avoided their lethal spikes.
'That gloomy girl!' Fahna stared at the mage, anger concealed in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Xian was thinking to himself. Although he made the decision to not let Fahna get the kill...
'What now?' He was torn between giving it to Carmillia to perhaps gain affection level or killing it... But then, she might get angry if he took it for himself.
While rivalry is one of the ways to start Fahna's route... He's not the protagonist, but instead, a butler bound to a villainess.
And that villainess had other plans compared to him it seems.