Chapter 4
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Episode 1 - Holy Academy [4]
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When the blind man she had bumped into not long ago appeared, Clementine was surprised for a moment.
'Can a blind man really be a swordsman?'
That was her first thought. However, she did not pay it much attention.
'He probably won't even be able to raise his sword before losing immediately.'
As much as she hated to admit it, the evaluator was quite strong. Of course, if Clementine used her sword art, she could exchange a few more moves.
But honestly, she was not confident she could injure him.
Even so, she looked at the blind man with a mocking grin.
'Let's see what kind of joke he makes of himself.'
To her, this was entertaining. Watching others make fools of themselves was one of the few amusements she had.
When the blind man stood in front of the evaluator, the evaluator spoke to him. However, the blind man did not respond.
If she had not heard his apology earlier, she would probably think he was deaf or mute as well.
Then, the evaluator counted to one and, just like before, disappeared.
Even Clementine had trouble reacting to that incredibly fast movement.
'Let's see how—'
However, contrary to what she expected, the blind man easily blocked the evaluator's sword.
'What…? How did he do that?'
Stunned, she could not help but stare at him. Then, she looked at the others around her.
Everyone present was equally shocked.
It was already impressive that Lumina had managed to injure the evaluator a few times.
But for a blind man to block something that most people could barely react to was a complete shock.
Right afterward, the blind man counterattacked, and what Clementine saw next left her speechless.
Not only did he counterattack, but he attacked with such force that the evaluator, even while using his sword art, was pushed backward.
The rose petals filling the platform were sliced in half by invisible movements.
The blind man's movements were even more overwhelming, and Clementine could not react at all.
'What the hell is that?'
She wasn't the only one thinking it. The others couldn't help but blink several times, as if trying to confirm it wasn't just their imagination.
In the end, the evaluator declared the match a draw, since neither side managed to tip the balance.
But Clementine was certain that, if the blind man had continued, he would have eventually defeated the evaluator.
'Who is he?'
That was the last thought that crossed her mind when the evaluator's voice rang out.
"Ah, ah… someone even more monstrous showed up, huh… 10 out of 10. A perfect score."
The blind man sheathed his sword and stepped down from the platform.
Clementine stared at him without looking away.
'Who the hell is he?'
***
Honestly, I didn't expect to end up in a draw against the evaluator.
The traits I gave Adel are truly absurd.
'Well, I was about to test what the gameplay with Adel would be like, but since I suddenly woke up in this world out of nowhere…'
I never got the chance to figure out how his abilities were supposed to be used.
Experiencing them firsthand was even more surprising, but I couldn't deny that Adel is strong enough right from the start, just as I had planned.
'Even so, it wasn't too bad. It seems the evaluator stopped the fight and declared a draw in order to preserve his dignity or honor.'
He was aware that I could defeat him, and that was probably why the evaluator decided to end the match.
Anyway, for my first confrontation, it wasn't bad at all.
After some time, all the candidates left Building A-6 and gathered with the guide.
At that moment, I felt dozens of gazes directed at me, except for the protagonist, who, strangely enough, wasn't looking at me.
Aside from her, the other main characters were staring at me intently.
"Alright, now we will head to Building A-1 for the attribute evaluation. Follow me."
At last, the attribute evaluation had arrived.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.
'When I created Adel, it was already late, so I asked my assistant to take care of his traits and attribute. Since "he" was the one who decided that, I never got to read what attribute Adel had.'
But I wasn't worried that he might not have one. I was certain Adel possessed an attribute.
'The problem is that I don't know which one it is.'
In Holy Land, attributes are classified as follows:
Elemental, Unique, and Rare.
The elemental attributes are: water, earth, fire, wind, lightning, ice, wood, and metal.
The unique attributes are: light and darkness.
And the rare attributes are: lunar, void, blood, solar, and stellar.
In reality, rare attributes can awaken, but the chances are below 1%.
For example, the five great houses are known for awakening only rare attributes.
House Lunovar awakens the Void attribute.
House Arsene awakens the Blood attribute.
House Starlight awakens the Stellar attribute.
House Moonlight awakens the Lunar attribute.
And House Reinhard awakens the Solar attribute.
Meanwhile, the imperial Ordeal family awakens the Light attribute, just like the members of the Holy Church.
On the other hand, elemental attributes can be awakened by anyone, with a probability of 10%.
'As for the Dark attribute…'
Right at that moment, the guide spoke.
"We have arrived at Building A-1. The attribute evaluation will take place here."
The candidates entered the building, and once everyone was inside, I noticed it was not very different from Building A-6. However, this time there was only a single sphere and an old man standing beside it.
The rest of the place consisted of tiered seating.
Shortly afterward, the old man's voice echoed throughout the hall once the candidates had finally taken their seats.
"The top ten from the individual combat evaluation, please form a line."
For the record, before leaving Building A-6, the evaluator ranked the ten strongest as follows:
1. Adel.
2. Lumina Moonlight.
3. Clana Ordeal.
4. Julián Reinhard.
5. Clementine Lunovar.
6. Leon Starlight.
7. Charlotte Starlight.
8. Diana Arsene.
9. Rinna.
10. Salomon.
Number nine is the next Saintess, and tenth place belongs to the best student in the summoning specialty.
In front of me was the sphere that reveals each person's attribute.
Naturally, since I had placed first in the previous evaluation, I would be the first to be evaluated this time.
"Please place your hand on the sphere and channel your mana."
As I placed my hand on the sphere, I let my mana flow into it.
It was a strange sensation. Because I had Mana Sense at its maximum level, channeling mana and performing any action related to it felt as natural as breathing.
Once I stopped channeling mana into the sphere, it reacted and a color appeared inside it.
And that color was…
"...."
Absolute silence took over the entire room.
The attribute I possessed was, naturally, the Dark attribute.
A color as deep as the abyss covered the entire sphere.
'Damn… this is really bad.'
When the third Saintess appeared, a major change occurred that no one liked.
And that change was the situation of Dark attribute users.
Before the third Saintess modified the Empire's laws, the rule was simple:
Any user of the Dark attribute would be beheaded without hesitation.
However, that changed after her appearance.
She considered it unfair for innocent people to die solely because of their attribute.
'Technically, it's a foolish idea, since the Dark attribute is always used by villains, and people directly associate it with evil.'
Although, after the law changed, they were no longer executed immediately…
Honestly, the situation was worse.
They were considered the trash of humanity: despised and trampled upon. No matter where they went, they were driven out without hesitation.
People looked at them with disgust or fear, worried that they might kill innocent people.
They became victims of ostracism and all kinds of discrimination.
'And here I am, with a Dark attribute… damn it.'
The old man beside me clicked his tongue, his expression filled with pure disgust as he muttered:
"A piece of human trash has appeared. The golden generation of this era will be ruined by a Dark attribute."
'I heard you clearly, old man.'
He wasn't the only one muttering.
"A Dark attribute… a calamity has appeared in the Holy Academy."
"Tsk, tsk… not only is he blind, but he also has a Dark attribute. The Holy Academy isn't what it used to be anymore."
"Letting someone with a Dark attribute in… disgusting. I just hope he behaves himself and doesn't cause trouble."
Seriously… are they really talking to a blind person like that?
'Sigh… I have no choice. It looks like my days at this academy are going to be difficult.'
I stepped back and moved away from the platform while looks of disgust, hatred, and contempt pierced into me.
Before, they had looked at me with surprise and even admiration for taking first place and nearly defeating the evaluator.
However, all of that changed because of a single attribute.
As I observed the main characters, their expressions varied.
Some showed pity; others simply avoided looking at me or clicked their tongues.
'What a change… and most of the main characters are supposed to be neutral.'
Especially Clementine. Even though I couldn't see her, I instantly sensed a trace of disappointment, irritation, and other emotions that were hard to describe.
'Disappointment…?'
I shook my head. Maybe it was just my imagination.
"...?"
At that moment, as I passed by the Saint, she glanced at me briefly… but immediately looked forward again, as if ignoring me.
'And she's supposed to be a Saint.'
In any case, since this had never happened in the game, I wasn't expecting different reactions.
I knew perfectly well how Dark attribute users were treated.
But throughout the entire history of the game, there had never been a cadet with that attribute in the academy.
'Well, whatever. I'm stronger than them, and that's the only thing that matters. I don't need to get close to anyone.'
For now, my only goal is to find a way back to my world.
And that path is probably connected to the game's story.
'With a Dark attribute, it's inevitable that everyone will avoid me… or even bully me.'
Finally, the opening ceremony for the new cadets came to an end.