After Leon's match against Lysandra, the examination continued with the other main applicants.
Perhaps because this differed from the original story—where the sole examiner should have been Ragna—three members of the Student Council had now joined the evaluation. Not all of the main characters managed to win narrowly like Leon did. Even though the Student Council members were holding back, they were people with real combat experience.
This became especially evident during Tania's turn.
Her examiner was Ragna himself.
The Dragon race was not only superior in magic but also possessed overwhelming physical strength. Even though their power was greatly reduced when using a human form, their strength was still something that could not be underestimated. Ragna was truly terrifying—he fought Tania while holding back and using only his bare hands.
Tania's victory was extremely narrow. Although she was strong, she lacked real combat experience.
After the fierce battle between Tania and Ragna, the next applicant was announced.
"Next applicant, Isaac. Please step forward."
"Yes," Isaac replied briefly.
He entered the arena and immediately chose his weapon—a sword.
"Is there anyone who wishes to test Applicant Isaac?" Ragna asked.
Lysandra stood up and walked toward the center of the arena. Isaac was startled. Though it didn't show on his face, I caught a faint tremor in his eyes.
'So this is a match between siblings, huh.'
Isaac and Lysandra were biological siblings. Although they appeared cold on the outside, they were actually a very harmonious family—especially Lysandra, who deeply cared for Isaac. In the game's story, it was even told that when Isaac was kidnapped as a child, Lysandra caused an uproar by mobilizing all of her family's knights to search for him.
'Siscon,' I thought.
"Are both sides ready?" Ragna asked.
"Yes."
"Yes."
They answered simultaneously.
"Begin!"
Isaac moved first.
The arena floor froze as he stepped forward, his sword wrapped in shimmering ice. He released his first slash without hesitation, sending a cold trajectory that forced Lysandra to retreat.
Clang!
Lysandra blocked. The collision caused the ice to spread, creeping along her blade.
Isaac continued pressing forward.
Cracks of ice erupted from the ground, forcing Lysandra to constantly reposition herself. The temperature in the arena dropped sharply, and the spectators' breath became visible.
"Still the same," Lysandra murmured softly.
She stopped retreating.
With a short step, Lysandra entered Isaac's range. Her movements were small and efficient, almost without any openings.
Clang! Clang!
A close-range exchange erupted. Their swords clashed rapidly, but little by little, Isaac's rhythm began to falter.
'She's… cutting off my mana flow,' Isaac thought.
He tried to retreat, but the frozen ground beneath his feet hindered his movement instead.
Tap.
Before Isaac could adjust his stance, the tip of Lysandra's sword stopped right in front of his neck.
Only a few inches away.
The arena froze in silence.
Isaac held his breath, then gave a small smile.
"…I lose."
Ragna raised his hand.
"The winner, Lysandra Northern!"
Cheers erupted, though this time they were more restrained.
Lysandra withdrew her sword and stepped back.
"Your elemental power is remarkable," she said calmly. "But the battlefield you create also binds you."
Isaac nodded.
"Thank you for the lesson… Sister."
Lysandra turned her face slightly away, hiding a faint smile that was almost invisible.
'Is that what they call a tsundere?'
"Next participant, Applicant Luminelle."
"Yes!" Luminelle replied nervously.
Luminelle was famous for her illness, which everyone believed to be beyond saving. When she was ten years old, she formed a contract with Nyx, the Star Fairy. After that contract, she became frail, and it was even said that she only had a few years left to live. Everyone assumed this was because the Star Fairy had demanded something dangerous in exchange for the contract.
But the truth was the opposite.
'Nyx continuously provides Luminelle with periodic healing, but she cannot remove the curse itself. And because of the nature of that curse, Luminelle cannot tell anyone about her condition.'
When I learned the truth about Luminelle's condition in the game, I was so angry that I quit playing for an entire month. Even after learning about the curse, I tried every possible way to save her—but failed every time.
"Do you think she's really cured?"
"But if she uses star magic, won't her illness flare up again?"
Murmurs spread among the crowd. People believed her illness would return if she used her magic.
I smiled gently as she stepped into the arena with steady—though slightly nervous—steps. I was sure everyone would be shocked by her growth.
'Now, show them how brightly you shine, my star.'
But then Luminelle surprised me.
"Excuse me, Instructor."
"Hm? What is it? Have you chosen your weapon?" Ragna asked.
"N-no, I haven't," Luminelle replied nervously.
"Then why haven't you chosen one?" Ragna asked curiously.
"B-because my weapon isn't there."
"What is your main weapon, Applicant Luminelle?"
"A pistol."
"..."
Wait—did I hear that right? Wasn't her weapon supposed to be a magic staff? Why a pistol?
A memory surfaced in my mind.
'Masked Sir, what will you use that pistol for?'
'This? This is my main weapon, miss.'
'But isn't a pistol a useless weapon?'
'There is no useless weapon. It all depends on the user.'
'Then I want to use a pistol too!'
'Hahaha, that's fine.'
"..."
This wasn't because of me, right?
…..
The entire room was shocked by Luminelle's declaration.
Pistols in this world were different from those in my previous one. They were closer to shotguns—usable at both long and close range. At a glance, they seemed versatile, but their fatal flaw was ammunition. The power of a bullet depended entirely on its material. The strongest bullets required magic stones, which were extremely expensive. Using other materials drastically reduced their power—sometimes to the point where they couldn't even penetrate armor.
'Using mana dramatically increases firepower, but it consumes enormous amounts of mana—especially bad for mages,' I thought.
"We apologize, Applicant Luminelle," Ragna said. "The academy does not provide pistols, as they are rarely used nowadays."
"I see…"
"But did you bring your own pistol?"
"Yes, I did, but…"
"I understand."
Ragna immediately grasped what she was about to say.
An artifact.
Unlike ordinary weapons, artifacts provided buffs to their users—like my Crossveil.
"Very well. Then your test will be slightly different. Instructor Vale, could you create a small barrier?"
"Yes."
A small barrier formed.
"Your test is to attack this barrier, Applicant Luminelle."
"But what if the barrier breaks?"
The room fell silent, followed by laughter.
"Hahaha. If you can destroy it, I'll give you a perfect score," Ragna said.
"All right!!"
For some reason, Luminelle looked extremely excited.
"Nyx, please."
"Of course, my dear Elle," Nyx replied cheerfully.
Suddenly, a cat appeared—it was Nyx, the Star Fairy's physical form. She climbed onto Luminelle's shoulder as Luminelle summoned her weapon from subspace. A beautifully shaped deep-purple pistol appeared.
"Huff…"
With a deep breath, a dark-purple magic circle formed beneath Luminelle's feet. Her eyes shone like a galaxy as she held the pistol with both hands, aimed at the barrier, and pulled the trigger.
Bang—!
A gunshot rang out. A purple bullet shot forward and struck the barrier.
BOOM—!
The explosion made even the protective barrier around the spectator seats creak. It was terrifying—a single small bullet had caused such devastation. The barrier was nearly obliterated, barely remaining intact. Even the instructors were shocked by the power.
On the other hand, Luminelle was panting heavily, having poured all of her mana into that single attack.
"We did it, Nyx!!"
"…Yes, we did, miss. But how are you going to deal with all this trouble?" Nyx asked.
"Ah."
Luminelle realized the situation and looked at Ragna nervously.
"E-excuse me, Instructor Ragna."
Ragna, still stunned, turned toward her.
"A-am I going to be punished for destroying the barrier?" Luminelle asked timidly.
"N-no, you won't be punished."
"Really!?"
Her face instantly relaxed.
But the most shocked person here was me.
I never imagined she would imitate my method of manifesting mana into magic bullets. Not everyone could manifest mana into a weapon—it was extremely complex and consumed enormous mana unless you had vast reserves. I could do it easily thanks to my skills, but Luminelle had replicated it after seeing it just once—and now she could even manifest it as bullets.
'Have I unknowingly created another monster besides the protagonist?'
….
Fortunately, the explosion caused by Luminelle didn't force the exam to be postponed. The test continued without further issues. Since my turn was last, I even dozed off a few times while waiting.
Then—
"Final applicant, Shion. Please step forward."
"Yes."
I replied sleepily and entered the arena.
'Now, how should I pretend to lose?'
There were many ways to act weak, but I wasn't very good at acting.
'Should I pretend to get hit and collapse? No… at least I need to put up some resistance to get a decent score.'
With that, I took a practice sword and stepped forward—but—
'Why is Instructor Ragna standing across from me? Shouldn't my opponent be a Student Council member?'
As I wondered, Ragna spoke.
"Applicant Shion, based on our discussion this morning, you will be facing me in this examination."
"Well, I don't mind, but…"
'Why is he holding a weapon?'
Even when he fought Tania, he used only his bare hands. Why was he using a weapon against me?
"Both sides, prepare."
Lysandra replaced Ragna as the referee. At her signal, I raised my sword.
"Begin!"
The moment Lysandra gave the signal, Ragna dashed forward with terrifying speed.
'Killing intent?'
I dodged his attack.
"Instructor."
My voice turned cold and emotionless.
"Are you trying to kill me?"
….
The entire arena fell silent.
Ragna turned and spoke.
"Applicant Shion, why are you hiding your affinity?"
My eyes widened.
'Does someone know about my affinity?'
That couldn't be. I was sure I hadn't released my second affinity.
Then I remembered someone and turned my gaze.
Instructor Selene stood there, her eyes filled with suspicion.
"Applicant Shion, you may deceive everyone else, but you cannot deceive me."
"Your affinity is fire and…"
"Darkness."
!!!
The entire room was shocked.
"At first, I wasn't certain when you placed your hand on the affinity orb," Selene continued. "I only faintly saw a black color. But after what happened with the barrier, everything became clear."
"Applicant Shion, are you contracted with a demon?"
A demon contract was taboo throughout the world. Especially in a holy kingdom, such a person would be executed on the spot.
I never expected them to act so openly—especially Ragna, who clearly intended to kill me.
All eyes were on me.
I looked at everyone and answered.
"I am not contracted with a demon."
"I have a reason for hiding my affinity. I do possess the darkness affinity, but I am not contracted with a demon."
My words only worsened the atmosphere, but I was telling the truth.
"Hah, stop lying, Applicant Shio—no, Shion. With evidence this clear, you can't deny it."
"That's enough. I will execute you here, criminal," Ragna said.
He attacked immediately, his killing intent intensifying, his strikes wild and relentless.
"Hah…"
I sighed.
Clang—!
!!!
I blocked his attack and pushed him back. He looked shocked as I deflected him so easily.
"It seems you have no intention of listening," I said. "Since we have a disciple of the Saint here, how about letting her examine me?"
Narea was startled by my suggestion.
"If I truly bear a demon mark, I will submit quietly," I continued. "But…"
!!
'The atmosphere changed,' Ragna thought.
"If it turns out that I do not possess a demon mark…"
"I hope you are prepared for the consequences."
!!!
'What is this killing intent!?' Selene thought.
I released my killing intent toward Selene and Ragna. Ragna remained mostly unaffected.
"Very well. We will examine you," Ragna said. "But…"
"Only if you survive me."
He prepared to strike again, but before he could move, I stepped forward—
Tap—!
I was suddenly behind him, my sword at his neck, ready to behead him.
'Since when—!?' Ragna thought.
"I advise you not to do anything foolish that might cost you your life," I said calmly.
Gulp—!
Ragna swallowed and froze. One wrong move, and he would die.
Then, something strange happened.
Everyone stopped moving.
No—time had stopped.
Only I could move freely.
A voice suddenly spoke behind me.
"Please forgive my subordinate's behavior, young man."
!!!
I turned around and saw an old man with white hair and a beard, wearing purple robes and a wizard's hat.
"The Headmaster?"
"Ho ho ho, so you already know who I am."
Of course I did.
He was an eighth-circle mage, only one step below an Archmage.
Status
Name: Aldric Valen
Level: 198
MP: SSS+
Strength: A
Agility: S
Stamina: SS
Intelligence: SSS+
Luck: SS
A terrifying status. He might even be stronger than me at this moment.
But how had I failed to sense his presence at all?
"Ho ho ho, no need to be so wary, my boy," he said. "I'm here to help you."
"Help me?"
"Yes. It seems they accused you unfairly. I have stopped time around us, but it will only last five minutes. As an apology, I will grant you a wish."
"…Really?"
He seemed a little untrustworthy, but—
"Then erase everyone's memory of my dual affinity."
!!
He looked surprised, but quickly nodded.
"Very well, I will erase—"
"And also, I want to enroll in this academy. If possible, place me in a class—but not as a top student."
He looked at me again. He should understand that his subordinates had overreacted, and fighting me was not a wise decision.
"Very well."
"Thank you."
"I don't know your purpose for attending this academy," he said, "but allow me to confirm one thing."
Suddenly, mana surged, pressing down on me. But this level of pressure meant nothing to me.
He looked surprised, but only for a moment.
"Do you intend to harm everyone here?"
It seemed he was a good headmaster.
I nodded.
"I have no such intention. On the contrary, my goal is to protect them."
He was surprised again. When I said 'them', he finally understood.
"I see. Then forgive my previous actions."
"It's fine. I understand why you acted that way."
"Thank you for your understanding."
He smiled and raised his staff.
"Then I will fulfill all your requests."
"Though it's still early—welcome to the academy, Student Shion."
"Yes."
A brilliant light enveloped the entire room.