Chapter 91: Balmung: Phantasmal Greatsword - Felling of the Sky Demon
[And just like that, the exam is about to begin...]
[You quickly analyze the current situation.]
[Oberon is your reliable ally; he has given you a cheating phone and can also help cover for you during the exam.]
[Since you are not a Servant with the dragon trait, Siegfried-sensei does not pose too great a threat.]
[What truly worries you, however, is the Caster with a gentle, approachable face — Merlin.]
"Merlin..."
Oberon spoke with a serious expression:
"This guy in particular, you must be extra careful of. His level of danger far surpasses Siegfried-sensei."
"I think so too."
Eikou nodded in agreement.
Merlin gave off a light, harmless aura, to the point that people often forgot one truth.
Merlin — is a Grand-class Caster!
And what made him even more deadly was that he possessed Clairvoyance that could see through the present.
In other words, Merlin could observe anything happening — including acts of cheating during the exam.
Furthermore, Merlin had the skill Illusion Arts – which made any cheater live in constant fear, never knowing when they might fall into a sophisticated trap he had set.
Grand-class, Illusion, Clairvoyance...
If judged solely by professional compatibility as a proctor, Merlin might actually be more terrifying than Arjuna Alter.
He was practically a humanoid surveillance device!
"But will Merlin really take his duty as proctor seriously? He doesn't look all that interested in this."
Eikou secretly observed the smiling magus.
"That guy is a voyeur who enjoys watching chaos, so maybe he'll go easy on us?"
"Don't entertain such naive delusions,"
Oberon, who rarely showed seriousness, now looked as if he were facing a formidable enemy when talking about Merlin,
"Beneath the facade of a guy who loves to watch drama, there's another clear trait — sorry, but I think the word 'scum' describes him most accurately. Don't expect even the slightest mercy from scum."
Damn, that's actually true — Merlin really is scum.
"But this is rare, Oberon. You're usually polite to everyone, I didn't expect you to speak so lowly of Merlin…"
Eikou asked curiously,
"Do you hate him that much? Did he screw you over or something?"
"Ha ha, not at all."
Oberon smiled brightly and gracefully adjusted the crown on his head.
[Please perform a check ???.]
[Check successful.]
[Oberon genuinely despises Merlin — both physically and mentally, he finds him utterly intolerable.]
[This exam is truly a stressful battle for him — with the dragon-slaying knight Siegfried in front, and Merlin behind, everything about this situation makes him feel uncomfortable.]
"..."
Ah, it seemed everyone in this exam room had their own schemes.
Whatever, let them settle their grudges. I just need to focus on finding a way to get a high score.
...
When the bell signaling the start of the exam rang, Merlin, seated in the proctor's chair, clapped his hands once.
"Alright, examinees, from this moment on, stop talking,"
The "Dick wizard" gave a faintly mocking smile and said,
"From here on, the proctoring will be handled by me — the Magus of Flower — and the great hero of Nibelungen. Ha ha, don't let us catch anyone cheating, because we've got Siegfried-sensei guarding this side."
"Oh no, I wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare."
Siegfried modestly shook his head.
Although his physique was tall and robust, his overly humble demeanor completely suppressed his aura — his slightly hunched back made him look as though he was always ready to bow and apologize, sasuga Sumanai-sensei.
There really wasn't any sense of pressure at all…
Eikou thought inwardly.
But then Merlin suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"Ha ha ha, I think they should be worried, because the school has specially arranged a powerful support for Siegfried-sensei. With this person, Siegfried-sensei will be able to unleash his full potential!
"Please give a warm round of applause to welcome Saint George-sensei!"
"!"
Every student present was stunned at the mention of that name.
Eikou, in particular, was utterly shocked.
"No… no way!"
A European man with long hair, clad in heavy armor and bearing the air of a knight, stepped inside. Grasping his sword, he solemnly declared:
"Everyone here — is a dragon!"
[You have been forcibly granted the dragon trait by Rider — Saint George.]
[Please perform a Magic Resistance check.]
A die rolled.
[Magic Resistance check failed. You have been granted the "dragon" trait by Saint George's Noble Phantasm.]
[You have temporarily acquired the "dragon" trait.]
[Your body is slightly enhanced thanks to this trait, but in exchange...]
[You have also become a target for Siegfried's special attack!]
Nooooooo!!!
Eikou slammed his hand hard on the desk.
What the hell kind of "forced love" is this? Why the hell am I being branded as a "dragon"?!
"It's over! Just dealing with Merlin was bad enough, and now with Siegfried having double special attack, how the hell am I supposed to cheat now?"
Eikou cursed inwardly — the school administration was truly ruthless; they said cheating was legally allowed, but clearly from the very start they never intended to let us survive!
"!"
At that moment, Siegfried's gaze suddenly sharpened.
Seeing that the entire exam room was now filled with Servants possessing the dragon trait, he completely cast off his earlier weariness, straightened his strong, broad back, and stood tall with pride.
In an instant, he exuded a fierce and overwhelming aura.
As though Saint George had granted him "Mad Enhancement" EX, his whole being radiated the killing intent of a Berserker!
"Now witness me slay you vile dragons!"
Kill! Kill! Kill!
Immediately after, Siegfried valiantly raised the Balmung high in his hands.
The shadow of the massive blade instantly loomed over all the examinees, pressing down like a heavy thundercloud that suffocated the air.
The students broke into cold sweat and took deep, shaky breaths.
Their bodies trembled uncontrollably, as though facing a natural predator.
This was bad — he wasn't the usual "sorry" or "sincerely sorry" type anymore...
He was now the true Dragon Slayer — Siegfried!
[Siegfried activates the skill "Dragon Slayer."]
[He enters a state of special attack offense and defense against those with the dragon trait; all checks related to Dragons will gain advantage.]
[Siegfried releases the true name of his Noble Phantasm — "Balmung: Phantasmal Greatsword - Felling of the Sky Demon."]
[Siegfried's Noble Phantasm possesses tremendous power against Servants with the dragon trait. If you attempt to cheat, there's a chance it will trigger his judgment. Furthermore, this Noble Phantasm has special attack effects against Dragons, greatly increasing check difficulty.]
[Because both his Noble Phantasm and skill have special attack effects against Dragons, the check difficulty rises by two ranks.]
[If you attempt any act of cheating, you will face a very-hard level check.]
"Damn it, how the hell am I supposed to cheat now?"
Eikou shouted in frustration.
"That's wonderful!" Melusine said cheerfully, "Eikou, you're a dragon now too, so that means we share even more in common — as lovers!"
"You're way too optimistic!"
Eikou snapped back in anger.
[Before you stands the Grand Caster Merlin, behind you the dragon-slaying hero Siegfried,]
[Your final exam officially begins.]
...