‘What should I do…’
Deiker furrowed his brow. Eugene possessed power that did not match his grade level. When he was taught swordsmanship, he could perfectly imitate what he saw once, and he even possessed the sword techniques passed down through the family. Therefore, swordsmanship training was unnecessary. Moreover, when Deiker tried to teach him how to create sword energy, Eugene had already figured it out on his own, so that was also skipped.
“Heh…”
Deiker laughed quietly to himself. Eugene had already surpassed all the lessons that 2nd-year knights were supposed to learn in less than a month. In fact, Eugene should have been promoted to the next grade level when he defeated the Black Steel Golem. However, because he hadn’t yet produced aura, he had to take the test again.
‘But I can’t teach him herbology or monster studies…’
Subjects like herbology, monster studies, metallurgy, geography, and history were taught in other classes, so Deiker couldn’t teach them. If Deiker were to teach him, it would turn into a one-on-one tutoring session, leaving Eugene with nothing to learn during the regular class hours.
‘Having a student this talented is a problem. I can’t teach him what 3rd-year students need to learn either…’
Of course, he could move up a grade, but the problem was that if Eugene advanced alone, there would be no other students at his level.
“What do you want to do? You can move up a grade immediately if you wish.”
Deiker asked Eugene in an unusually gentle voice.
“I’m fine with my current grade. If I move up now, I won’t be able to take classes like herbology, monster studies, and metallurgy that are taught at this level.”
“Hmm… That’s true. But there’s nothing more I can teach you in magic swordsmanship right now. If you decide to stay in your current grade, your magic swordsmanship training will just be self-study time until you reach the 3rd grade.”
“I’ll do that.”
Eugene smiled at Deiker’s words. What he needed most right now wasn’t swordsmanship training. He already possessed supreme sword techniques from his homeland, and the most powerful sword technique in the history of Murim. The swordsmanship used in this world was unnecessary.
“Do you really want to train alone?”
“Yes, that’s sufficient for me.”
“Hmm… Alright.”
Deiker nodded at Eugene’s words. It seemed Eugene preferred self-study time.
“Very well. Use your magic swordsmanship training time for your own practice until you reach the 3rd grade.”
“Thank you.”
Eugene bowed his head slightly in gratitude. He was glad to gain time for his training, which was crucial for him.
“During magic class, it will be the same. I won’t assign you another instructor.”
“Another instructor?”
Eugene tilted his head in confusion. Lina Sephaniel was his magic instructor, so why mention another one?
“Instructor Lina will be disciplined.”
“Oh…”
“Then, see you when you reach the 3rd grade.”
Tap. Tap.
Deiker patted Eugene’s shoulder with an expectant expression. He was curious about Eugene’s growth. Even if Eugene’s progress stopped or regressed, Deiker still had high hopes for him.
Creak.
Thud.
“Hehe… This is great.”
After Deiker left the training room, Eugene couldn’t hide his pleased expression. He had only been able to practice during his sleep time, so he was thrilled to have gained such valuable training time.
“Hmm~”
***
“Do you have some good news?”
Rohen and Ken looked puzzled as they watched Eugene hum a tune. Eugene, who usually didn’t show his emotions, was suddenly humming? Moreover, today was the day of the first exam, so other students were nervous, but Eugene seemed relaxed.
“It’s nothing.”
“It doesn’t seem like nothing…”
Rohen squinted at Eugene. Why was Eugene suddenly humming?
It was because Eugene had reached the 5-star level last night.
‘Finally, the level of an elite warrior.’
Of course, it was still lacking. Compared to his original level, it was nothing, but Eugene was excited to have reached the elite warrior level.
‘I remember the old days. I was also happy when I reached the elite warrior level back then.’
Eugene smiled lightly and looked around. As mentioned before, today was the day of the first exam, so all the 1st-grade students were at the exam entrance, each with a tense expression.
‘And so do my teammates.’
Eugene chuckled at his team members. They stood there with faces even more tense than the other students. It made sense; unlike the others, Team 5 knew what monster would appear in the exam, which naturally made them more nervous.
“Why are you all so tense?”
“How could we not be? It’s a Lizardman…”
“They said the test monsters would be adjusted to our level, but a Lizardman? Are they crazy?”
Each member of Team 5 voiced their complaints.
“If you follow what we practiced, you’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
Arid, who had been quiet, surprisingly spoke up to encourage the team.
‘As long as we have that monster, there’s no way a Lizardman can be scary.’
In fact, Arid believed in Eugene. Based on Eugene’s past performance, Arid was certain their team would easily pass the first exam as long as Eugene was with them.
‘Besides, even if the Lizardman is a 5-tier monster, there are ten of us… It’s not an unreasonable test.’
Arid assessed the situation, thinking it through. Despite his reckless and unruly behavior, he was quick-witted and perceptive, as expected from the Sabe family.
Thump. Thump.
The students in the examination hall turned their attention to the source of the sudden noise.
“We will now begin the first exam.”
Deiker’s voice rang out from the platform.
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
‘Finally, it’s starting.’
Eugene’s eyes sparkled. If he passed this exam, he could obtain the elixir.
“Teams 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 will enter the exam hall in order. From the moment you enter until you leave, you must protect yourselves.”
Deiker’s words made the students’ faces grow even more tense. They were already nervous, and his words only made them freeze up.
“Make sure you all come out alive.”
Thud.
Creak!
Deiker opened the door to the exam hall. The current exam would take place inside the hall. The interior was enchanted with spatial magic, automatically summoning monsters when students entered.
Summoning the monsters was simple. The space ball, a magical device made of yellow material, connected the space to the area where the Lizardmen were. Once a certain number of Lizardmen appeared, the space ball would be turned off, cutting off the connection. Even though it was a monster extermination exam, they couldn’t just throw the students into a monster den, so they used a magical device to summon them artificially.
“The monster for this exam is the Lizardman.”
Murmurs of surprise spread among the students when Deiker announced the exam monster.
“Commander?”
“What is it?”
“I thought Lizardmen were 5-tier monsters?”
“And?”
“We’re only first-year students. Isn’t this too much for us?”
“If you have trained yourselves during your education, you will pass this exam. If not, it will be difficult. Besides, there are ten of you, so it’s not an excessive test.”
“It’s just the first exam, but it seems too dangerous.”
“Just the first exam?”
Deiker’s face contorted at the student’s words.
“If this were not an academy but a real battle, what would you do? Run away because it’s dangerous?”
“N-No, that’s not what I meant…”
“Monsters might attack the academy while you’re here. If that happens, you must fight them as students. If that situation arises, would you run away? The world is not safe from monsters. In some kingdoms, academy students are taking up arms to fight. Yet, you think this test is too much?”
Deiker’s angry words silenced the students. His point was valid. Currently, the Kingdom of Bultman was troubled by monster invasions, and academy students there were fighting with weapons in real battles.
“Don’t be mistaken. Monsters will show you no mercy. They won’t ignore you just because you’re young; they will skin you and drink your blood. To survive in this world, you must become ruthless and thorough starting now.”
Thud.
Deiker looked around at all the students, offering sincere advice. The world wasn’t all fairies and sunshine; there were many dangerous places due to monsters.
“Male Team 1 and Female Team 1, enter.”
At Deiker’s command, the male and female students of Team 1 stepped forward through the respective doors. The exam proceeded quickly.
The first team had one member seriously injured but nine passed the test, while all ten members of the female team passed safely.
“Next.”
Next was Team 2.
The male side of Team 2 was nearly decimated. Out of 10 members, 4 were injured and unable to fight, and only 6 passed the exam. The female side of Team 2 had 5 members unable to fight, leaving 5 who passed.
“You idiots…”
Deiker shook his head and sighed. If they had just maintained their formation, they could have passed easily, but seeing so many get injured was disheartening and frustrating.
“Next!”
Then came Team 3.
Team 3 performed relatively well. Under the leadership of Antonio, only 2 members were unable to fight, and 8 passed. Sophia’s team saw all 10 members pass safely.
The following team, Team 4, had slightly worse results than Team 3. Both the male and female sides of Team 4 had 7 members pass the exam.
“Now for the final team. Enter.”
Step by step, the members of Team 5 followed Eugene, walking with tense expressions.
“Don’t worry, we’ll all come out alive.”
“Phew… I’m nervous.”
“Don’t let your body freeze up from the tension.”
“Hey, Arid.”
“W-What?”
“You’re the second strongest here. If you see anyone in danger, look out for them.”
“O-Okay, got it.”
Arid smiled at Eugene’s tone, which seemed to acknowledge his strength.
“We’re here.”
Eugene arrived at the artificially created forest and drew his sword. The Space Ball would soon appear to summon the Lizardmen.
“Everyone, take formation A.”
Swish.
At Eugene’s command, the members of Team 5 quickly moved into position. They had practiced so much that their bodies responded automatically.
Cliche Novel 