"Is that kid looking at us?"
"...I think he is."
"He's even waving at us."
The several academy employees were perplexed. This group of 20 was responsible for determining when students got eliminated and then teleporting them out before they could get injured.
But right now, most of them were focusing on a single screen showing a young boy with long white hair tied into a low ponytail waving cheerfully at them.
One of them suddenly pointed a finger at him and loudly exclaimed.
"Isnt that Raymond Vance?"
"Hey you're right!"
Despite it only having been a few hours ago, the reveal of someone with a potential score so high had almost destroyed the academy.
The academy knowing was one thing, but the academy was also connected to lots and lots of big names.
And people in power liked to talk.
Previous graduates, high rank awakened, the government and private companies. Within a few minutes, Raymond's potential score had essentially become an open secret.
Even then, it was becoming not so secret as the public was slowly starting to gain awareness of it.
If Raymond knew about this, he might have cursed at the principal.
What the hell was this old bastard doing? Couldn't he keep a damn secret?!
What about his peaceful academy life? He had basically become public enemy number one for the demons!
Alas, Raymond wouldn't find out for another few hours until the exam ended.
...
Controlling the spear,I knocked down another two people who were climbing the mountain.
"Hehehe."
Seeing these helpless little pipsqueaks scream and fall from his spear was honestly the most fun he had had in years.
And the best part was there was no danger! Right before his flying spear of doom could cause any danger, the academy would deem then to be eliminated and teleport them out.
If not for me wanting to conserve my mana, I would have done it more.
But life was truly so cruel in times like these.
Saying goodbye to my spear of doom. I dispelled the magic that sustained it, letting it dissolve back into mana.
There was still a lot of people climbing the mountain, a few even had the bright idea to fight and climb.
Naturally they were my first targets.
The border was shrinking in now, previously it encompassed the whole plains around the mountain.
Now it only contained the mountain and an small ring around it.
Every single candidate was now basically forced to climb the mountain.
A few even chose to give up. Making it this far had already guaranteed them a spot in the academy.
That still left around 50 or so people however.
Trying to act as uncaring, I looked at a certain group in the corner of my eye.
In the back was a girl, wearing mage robes and holding a staff that I really wanted.
The problem was, she was no ordinary girl.
She was Audrina Cruentus. While Raymond could probably best her in a fight, it wouldn't be fast enough.
He then turned to look at another 'mage' also climbing the mountain.
The fact that Noelle was so dedicated in her disguise as a mage really impressed me honestly.
But the fact that she could've climb the mountain so easily was aa dead giveaway that she wasn't a mage.
But that didn't matter, none of them were willing to risk fighting while climbing.
Right now, mages essentially ruled supreme in this part!
They could just point and cast long ranged magic, causing others to fall and be eliminated.
But none did, for fear of retaliation.
Which lead to peaceful ascent, as the 50 something candidates arduously climbed up the mountain.
Raymond couldn't help but sigh seeing them all climb the mountain.
Such hard working people!
Hard working people with every little brains unfortunately.
The climb was designed to test your mobility techniques, as was revealed by one of the employees who set it up.
For some reason, many seemed to view it as some sort of metaphorical test showing how hard work was important.
To be fair, not everyone had useful mobility techniques and definitely not everyone could cast a teleport spell at G+ rank like me.
Well, at least it brought me more time to restore my mana.
Sitting patiently with his feet dangling. He just watched as they all climbed.
Every once in a while, a random student would slip or lose their grip and fall.
Each time it happened it brought a slight smile to my face.
'...when have I become such a psychopath...'
Ellen must have rubbed off on him. Despite her innocent look that woman was evil!
And no one else seemed to notice! Probably because she only ever tormented me but still!
What happened to the girl that was my favourite character?
What happened to her carefree, nonchalant attitude?
What happened to her occasional cool badass moments?
No wait, she still had that last one.
Lost in my own rabbit hole of Ellen, I was soon interrupted when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Looking back, I could see Ellen. Holding the same wooden bow she stole from blue haired guy.
"The first few are coming up soon. "
I nodded. This was where the most crucial part of the plan was and the reason why I needed my mana reserves to be full.
Right as she said that, I could see all the way on the other side of the flat mountain top a hand finally reach.
Mantling himself upwards, he laid down on the ground there for a while breathing heavily.
"Can you push him from here?"
"Yes, but it will take too much mana from this distance."
While the flat mountain top wasn't exactly big, it was at least a hundred meters in diameter.
Leaving quite a bit of space between them who were both at opposite sides.
Another hand soon reached the top, grabbing onto the ledge. She pulled herself up and landed with a front flip.
Standing up from where I was sitting, I did a few stretched and cracked my back.
And sat back down cross legged on the floor.
"Ill wait for a few more to gather actually, itll be more efficient that way. "
"Fine."
Sitting down cross legged as well next to him, the two of us simply relaxed a little.
It was the calm before the storm. Even the weather had turned slightly dark, ominously foreshadowing the future.
Although considering it had stayed the exact same for the last few hours before suddenly transitioning into a cloudy grey did raise a few eyebrows.
The number people who had reached the top slowly increased as more and more slowly trickled in.
While most seemed content to rest, a few had already picked up their weapons again.
Looking through the crowd of people who had made it, I didn't recognize any of them.
Which meant I was free to eliminate them all!
Standing up, I slowly approached them. Followed by Ellen soon after.
My calm relaxed expression a stark contrast to their tired huffing and puffing.
A few looked at him. Before slowly backing off when they recognised me.
It was too late for that however, after counting a solid 15 people there. I smiled imagining the scene that I would soon witness.
They were all just so densely packed together!
Raising his wand at them, he heard a few shouts of panic as he casted his magic.
"Almighty Push!"
A name that Ihad shamelessly stolen from a show I watched while on Earth.
This time, I actually yelled out loud the name of the spell. Just for the dramatic effect.
The air hummed with an invisible power as my magic roared to life.
To make sure everyone went flying, I had put in a lot more mana then was necessary.
It clearly worked.
The ground cracked and heaved, sending waves of dust and stone tumbling forward.
But that was just the foreplay, the real highlight was naturally the 'Almighty Push'!
A cone shaped blast of invisible force burst out of the wand, shredding the ground and everything in its way even more.
A few tried to block or cast counter spells. But how could my magic be countered by such weaklings?
The end result?
15 people sent flying off the mountain top, after a while of flying through the air. They all quickly disappeared one by one as they were teleported away.
An entire cone shaped segment of the ground had been completely removed by my spell.
Dust and dirt kicked up into the air. Making me cough a little bit.
Cocking my head back to look at Ellen, I asked.
"How many people left are there? Not including the three."
The three, naturally referring to Thomas, Noelle and Audrina.
"49 but you just removed 15 so 34."
"You think I can get 20 of them in one blast? "
"I'll treat you to more ice cream if you do. "
That sealed the deal. If I wanted to do it before, then I needed to do it now.
Even though I knew she was just tricking me, even though I knew I was stepping into a damn rat trap everytime.
The cheese was just too damn good.
...
19.
Seeing the last guy holding a shield and smiling triumphantly, I immediately realized I had lost.
That was the last 'batch' meaning there would be no more left.
Well except for the three but Ellen had told him that they purposefully slowed down their ascent to avoid meeting his 'Almighty Push'.
I unfortunately could not get the ice cream. The last twenty had tried to team up all against me. Naturally, I eliminated them al.
But due to concerns for my mana, I had reduced the amount of mana in this last blast.
Leaving one singular bastard, holding his tower shield like his life depended on it.
Which it did.
Seeing how he had managed to survive, I just straight up launched a freeze ray at him, eliminating him instantly the moment it hit him.
Although it left me with only around forty percent of my mana.
Still, although the three were pretty big threats. I could still probably take them all solo right now?
At least he eliminated them all in time. Seeing an arm climb up and onto the now semi destroyed flat mountain top arena.
It was Noelle Asteria, seeing that it was just the five of them left. She discarded her mage robe and disguise.
Holding a spear in her hand, her long flowy blue hair and her gold eyes that matched Zachary's.
I could almost see the future Dazzling Spear of the Stars already.
Looking around the destruction, she looked at Ellen and then at me.
"What a damn monster. "
"Hahaha, youre definitely right about that miss. "
A voice that Raymond recognized very well appeared from his left.
Having reached the top as well, his silver white hair and handsome face-which was saying a lot considering everyone in the main group was exceptionally handsome.
In his hands was a different sword, longer and shinier then the one he held previously.
"I know you said let's meet up soon but isn't this a bit too soon?"
"Well I didn't expect to be able to reach so far. Is the woman standing next to you your master?"
"My name's Ellen Grace, it's nice to meet you Thomas Incane."
"Just Thomas is fine, and it's nice to meet you too. "
Although they all exchanged pleasantries, an underlying tension caused the each of them to stay where they were.
"I must say, having a shadow in an exam like this should be considered cheating. Especially a shadow like Raymond here. You basically get a free teammate!"
Noelle leaned on her spear as she said that, while it seemed like she was just joking around.
Her message was clear to all of them there.
Lets team up against Ellen and Raymond.
"Hmmm, you're right Noelle. But how about we get a third opinion on this matter first?"
Thomas replied to Noelle, smiling slightly as he flourished his sword.
Lets wait for the last person first and see.
Just in time as well, as another pair of hands grabbed the ledge of the arena to Raymond's right.
With a pull, they jumped up into air. Landing on the ground quietly without a noise.
Standing up, she revealed herself to the four of them.
Standing there with her long dark magenta hair which blended into a purple and fiery eyes underneath her hood, the amount of bloodlust she had was scary for someone her age.
Having fully discarded her earlier disguise, she was now wearing a tight assassin outfit. With a cloak and hood to match.
With the hood blocking most of her face, she looked the most menacing out of everyone there.
Although the bloodlust didn't come from her killing. Rather it was her natural ability.
Her natural ability as a demon from the clan of Wrath.
That's right, while Thomas was a newly born angel descended from heaven. Audrina was a demon who had betrayed demonkind in order to join the human side.
Similar to however humans would be try humanity and join the demon side. The vice versa also occured, albeit much much less.
Still it happened occasionally, and Audrina was one such example.
Given humanity's... less then positive views on demons however. She was forced to wear a disguise similar to the one that I used in order to hide her horns and tail.
Looking back on it. Zachary's full group was definitely colourful to say the least.
An angel and a demon both hiding their identities.
A future guild master of the best guild in the world.
A disgraced daughter of a martial sect clan.
This wasn't even including Ellen, Arthur and Zachary himself. A regressor, the comedic relief and a system wielder.
The fact that Arthur who would become infamous soon for his doings was the most normal was rather sad.
"Hello miss, if you dont mind me asking. We were just discussing about how having a shadow accompanying you into an exam such as this may be considered cheating. What is your opinion on this?"
Her lips pursed as Audrina carefully digested the hidden message.
'Please please please.'
"Well i think it's unfair after all, I had to go in completely alone for this exam. I think a shadow should be considered as external help."
....damn.