Chapter 28: Entrance Exam (2)

Chapter 28: Entrance Exam (2) "Now, the results." The tension in the air lingered longer than expected because Lysandra refused to reveal the outcome immediately. "Changed my mind," she said, sticking her tongue out playfully. "What?!!!" "Relax, kids," she said with a flick of her finger. "I didn’t mean I would never tell you. I just mean I’ll tell you later." She levitated gently into the air. "First, I’ll announce the rules of the next test and explain why I chose who I did in the last exam." ’This lady and her antics again.’ Lysandra was essentially a quirkier Janet. She had this regal elegance to her, yet at the same time, she was a little... unhinged. ’Well, an awakened being not being crazy would be even weirder.’ The rules of the exam matched those in Arthur’s memory. Normally, in Magic Academy’s Genius Scholars, the students, after stopping attacks in each of their cities, were meant to be transported into a sealed world and face off against a senior. But apparently, his actions had caused a butterfly effect that introduced a new test. However, after that, Lysandra explained the exam he already knew. All applicants were to battle an upperclassman. If the seniors acknowledged them, they would proceed to the next test: a battle royale that would be broadcasted live through magical... broadcasting. Once she finished, the results of the exam appeared in thick, swirling ink. Arthur hadn’t expected it... No, he fully expected to be in the top three. And in the top three, he was. First place went to a boy named Naza, son of the Western Dwarf Chief. But he looked nothing like a dwarf, so he was often shunned by others. He was tall—even taller than Arthur, who stood at six feet, probably around 190 cm or more. His dark skin resembled smooth, polished chocolate. Thin, long braids were tied into a half-up ponytail, and his hazel eyes looked like they had seen far too much. Second place was no surprise. The girl who had already been crowned the most beautiful applicant: The Saintess of the Holy Empire, Cecilia Von Bernadette. Just like in the game, she stood beside Ha-joon. Lastly, third place: Arthur. ’I want to know what the others wrote, but that’ll have to wait.’ He had a goal today—that’s why he hadn’t come with Isabella and Seraph. According to the intel they sent him that morning, the daughter of the former Sword God was at the academy. Arthur didn’t know exactly who it was, but he could already guess. Cassie—the future sword genius. In the game, Ha-joon had helped her obtain her father’s legacy, making her completely loyal to him. But Arthur wasn’t going to sit back and let that happen. He didn’t know anything about her father besides the name Isabella gave him. But her swordsmanship? He knew it inside out. Yes, all the heroines had killed him at some point—except Amelia. And even when they didn’t kill him, he had seen their abilities. So he knew the Sword God’s technique like the back of his hand. And with the help of his body’s constitution, he could perform it. "Okay, applicants, since I’ve called the results..." Lysandra grinned. "Let’s make things more dramatic." The students whose names weren’t announced started screaming, but after a moment, they blinked. Nothing. "Huh?" one student muttered. Lysandra waved her hand dismissively. "I told you, didn’t I? Even if you’re not clever, show me you’re strong." The students stared at her as though she were a goddess. "Now, without further ado." She snapped her fingers. And just like before, dark shadows enveloped Arthur. Then he vanished. ------ The moment Arthur reappeared, a stern voice called out. "Stop there, junior." A young woman with brown hair and blue eyes rushed forward as Arthur materialized. "As your soon-to-be senior," she began, "I’ll give you sincere advice. Surrender now." ’Do I have good luck or bad luck?’ He rubbed his temples. ’One moment I have the worst luck in the world, the next, the best.’ Cassie—the daughter of the former Sword God. The man who created the Formless Sword Technique. By this point in the story, she hadn’t yet learned her father’s technique. And while Arthur could let her learn it on her own... Where would the fun be in that? Arthur stepped forward at a leisurely pace. "Pleasure to meet you, Senior Cassie." Cassie drew her katana. "Take another step and I’ll cut you in half." ’Isn’t this supposed to be a match for acknowledgement?’ he asked himself, visibly confused. But he knew why she was acting like this. It seemed she was injured. And since she wasn’t on good terms with her classmates, they had chosen her to fight so she’d be humiliated. However— Arthur wasn’t a saint. There was no way he’d say, "I forfeit, I see you’re hurt, so we don’t need to fight." Though, he was curious to see how she’d react if he did say that. It always seemed to work in anime. Maybe fantasy girls were easier to impress than Earth girls, who would just stare at you in disgust. Without hesitation, Arthur took another step forward. Cassie was a woman of her word. So, of course, she attacked. Cassie lowered her stance, sheathed her blade, then, at blinding speed—unsheathed it and slashed. Arthur remained motionless, unfazed. 『 Your Authority: Godspell Has Activated 』 As if the attack hadn’t even grazed him, he continued walking with measured steps, a faint smile still curving his lips. "That’s not how you do it," he said, voice tinged with disappointment. "Master would be furious seeing you like this from the afterlife." Cassie frowned. "What?" Arthur took another step. "Bruce Springsteen, I mean." He tilted his head. "That’s your father, isn’t it?" Cassie’s expression twisted. "You bastard, how do you know that name?" She unsheathed her katana and lunged at him. 『 Bruce Sword Art: First Form 』 Arthur shook his head, raised his blade, and pointed the tip at her oncoming figure. "That’s still not it, my lady." As soon as he spoke, a subtle force hit Cassie square in the chest. It wasn’t mana, nor was it some strange energy. Just a perfectly timed, ordinary thrust. 『 Bruce Sword Art: Seventh Form – Invisible Arm 』 ’How...’ she thought. ’How can he use the Formless Sword?’ Arthur could read the thoughts flashing across her face. Truthfully, he had never seen Bruce, not in either of his lives. Even in the game, his identity remained a mystery. "Who is Bruce?" That was one of the game’s countless secrets. Still, he had watched the sword technique countless times through player replays. For someone who had died repeatedly and played every route, her final move was child’s play to replicate. Arthur walked up to the tree she had slammed into. "How was that, senior?" Cassie’s eyes flickered with rage—then softened into something else. Hope. A feeling Arthur was all too familiar with. Something that clings to your emotions, your thoughts, your logic. He extended his hand. "Do you want to learn it?" Cassie lowered her gaze, trying to conceal her expression, then nodded. "Okay," Arthur said with a smile. "Be my wife." Cassie stared up at him, stunned. "What?" "There are things I can only share with family." Cassie clenched her jaw. "But I don’t like you, and you don’t like me either." "We’ll work on that somehow," he replied. Cassie didn’t know how to respond. But if marrying him meant inheriting her father’s legacy, she’d gladly do it. She clasped his hand firmly. "Alright. But don’t blame me if you grow tired of me." Arthur smirked. "I never get tired of pretty girls." She turned away, her cheeks reddening. "Who are you calling pretty, idiot?" Arthur looked at her intently. "What?" He stared a bit longer, then said: "First lesson, wifey... In your clan’s language, ’Baka’ means idiot." Her eyes widened with excitement. "Is that true?" Arthur nodded. "Absolutely. Trust me." ’That’s a lie,’ he thought. ’But it’ll be adorable seeing a tsundere say "Baka!"’ He grinned at the very thought. She looked at him skeptically, opened her mouth, then shut it again "...Baka," she muttered under her breath. "What?!" he asked, pretending not to hear. She fidgeted with her fingers. "Baka..." Arthur frowned. "Can’t hear you." She clenched her fists and shouted, "Baka! Alright?!" He smiled and patted her on the head. "Good girl." She slapped his hand away. "Hey, I’m your senior." "But you’re also my wife." Cassie sighed. "You had another reason for finding me, didn’t you?" "I thought I hid my motives well." She was right. Arthur needed more than her hand in marriage. He needed her to reveal the location of the Rune of Life. A high-grade rune Ha-joon would obtain in the future after getting engaged to Cassie. But Arthur couldn’t wait for that to happen. He leaned in and whispered, "The shining crystal in the cave." Cassie narrowed her eyes. "How do you know about that?" She added, "And don’t lie—I’m your wife and family now." Arthur sighed. "Someone close to you at the academy told me." He placed a hand on his chin. "Let’s just say they didn’t realize I was listening." Cassie couldn’t believe him right away, but he didn’t seem to be lying. "Come with me," she said. "But after this, you have to teach me another one of my father’s techniques." He nodded and followed behind her. ’It’s been months since I last checked my stats window.’ He raised his hand and swiped upward. 『 Initializing Status Interface... 』 ─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───