Chapter 406

Volume 1 Chapter 406

406.

The spacious auditorium was filled with the lively chatter of the freshman class.

Screeech—

The heavy entrance doors to the main lecture hall swung wide.

Instantly, the collective buzzing of the students died down to absolute silence.

Thud— Thud—

Stepping through the threshold of the room was none other than Professor Mel.

As soon as they recognized Mel, the first-year students relaxed and resumed their noisy conversations.

“What do you think the test will be this time?”

“Could it be another survival challenge like the upperclassmen faced last year?”

“My bet is on a tournament between the different faculties.”

“Oh? If that’s the case, we’ll end up facing each other, right?”

“Just wait and see. I am going to crush you without a shred of pity.”

“Hey, that’s my line!”

The students eagerly threw out theories, thoroughly engrossed in predicting their upcoming task.

The momentary hush that had overcome the crowd when the door first moved had a very straightforward explanation.

The freshmen had suffered a brief moment of sheer panic, assuming that Professor Halind or Professor Artian—the two absolute terrors of the first-year curriculum—had arrived.

Halind was notoriously known across every single year as the ‘Wailing Wall,’ an insurmountable obstacle, while Artian had a reputation for utilizing various spirits to ruthlessly discipline anyone who dared to gossip or day-dream during lectures.

In stark contrast to those intimidating educators, Mel possessed a mild and kind disposition.

To put it positively, the freshmen viewed her as highly approachable; looking at it less favorably, they considered her someone they could push boundaries with.

Under normal circumstances, an instructor might take offense at such a casual reception, but Mel only offered a soft, gentle smile.

After all, it would be quite absurd for a being of her stature as a Dragon Lord to lose her temper over the antics of mere children.

“Quiet down now, everyone, please focus your attention up front.”

Hearing Mel’s request, the assembly shifted their gazes toward her.

The disciples of the magic department, above all, gave her their undivided attention.

Setting everything else aside, to the novice mages, Mel represented the pinnacle of magical instruction.

Paying close heed to her instructions was only natural for them.

On the other hand, the trainees from the Knight and Summoner faculties were still somewhat distracted, murmuring among themselves.

However, this lingering disruption among the freshmen was cut incredibly short.

“Well, look at this. What is all this racket? Do you ungrateful brats think Professor Mel’s instructions are optional?”

Out of nowhere, Artian burst into the room, his tone dripping with pure hostility.

To make matters worse, his physical form made it obvious that a formidable spirit had already taken control of his consciousness.

He had essentially materialized in his terrifying ‘berserk mode.’

“Eeeeeeek!”

A collective shriek erupted from the students who had been whispering.

The moment Artian fixed them with an intimidating, bloodthirsty glare, the first-years hastily looked away, unable to hold his gaze.

“Hehe, there’s no need to worry, Professor Artian, I don’t mind at all.”

Mel offered a serene smile to soothe the enraged instructor, causing Artian to emit a low, disgruntled growl.

“You lot should thank your lucky stars.”

Just as a heavy silence finally blanketed the room, Halind stepped forward from the shadows behind the threshold.

“Any student who disregarded Professor Mel’s appeal and continued to babble will receive an immediate ten-point deduction.”

Upon hearing this harsh penalty, the guilty freshmen didn’t dare utter a single complaint.

“Utterly ridiculous.”

Sasha muttered under her breath, clicking her tongue in disapproval.

In the meantime, Halind made his way up to the main podium.

“The purpose of this assembly today is straightforward: I am here to reveal the specific criteria for your upcoming final examination.”

With that declaration, the previously dejected expressions of the first-years instantly vanished, replaced by gleaming curiosity.

The moment they had all been anticipating had arrived.

Scanning the crowd of eager faces, Halind spoke up.

“It appears many of you are harboring rather foolish hopes.”

A sharp smirk played across his lips.

With a distinctly mocking grin, Halind continued,

“I gather some of you find this state of affairs amusing, considering that the upcoming World Summit coincides perfectly with your final testing period.”

His expression turned ice-cold.

“Pay close attention. Under normal circumstances, close to fifty percent of the individuals sitting in this room right now would have faced expulsion before even getting a chance to sit for this exam.”

Hearing this sudden threat, the students’ expressions immediately froze.

“In plain terms, the only reason a large portion of you are still enrolled is due to a fortunate, temporary adjustment in academic regulations this term. I certainly hope none of you are foolish enough to attribute your survival to actual ‘talent’ or ‘capability’?”

The blunt brutality of his statement brought actual tears to the eyes of several freshmen.

“Of course, a few of you might possess a modicum of average competency.”

Halind, however, was far from finished with his lecture.

“It is an undeniable fact that an array of legendary warriors and influential global leaders will descend upon Lumerne to attend the World Summit. It is equally true that you novices will be showcasing your academic progress throughout this past year right before their eyes during this test. Nevertheless, do not lose sight of one critical detail.”

He narrowed his gaze ominously.

“The distinguished guests in attendance will not look at your abilities in a vacuum; instead, they will measure your worth directly against your assigned mentors—the second-year students who stand precisely one step above you.”

The weight of his words caused the room’s tension to skyrocket.

“The preceding class accomplished feats that can only be categorized as legendary during their own opening-term examinations last year. When an unprecedented assault by dark fiends and monstrous legions struck, leaving them utterly cut off from external reinforcement, they did not falter. Even as raw, inexperienced freshmen, they navigated that catastrophic disaster successfully. To crown their achievement, they managed to conquer an actual Gigantes. It was that monumental event that definitively earned the current sophomore class the title of the Golden Generation.”

Sweeping his gaze over the intimidated audience once more, Halind remarked,

“The international community is well aware that you operate under the guidance of those very second-years. Under such intense scrutiny, do you truly believe you can prove your worth when weighed against their legacy? While the mentorship framework undeniably granted you unprecedented advantages, it simultaneously introduced a harsh drawback: you are being evaluated using the exact same standard as your predecessors. Do you honestly believe the visiting dignitaries will praise you, exclaiming how marvelous the new freshmen are? Or will they comment that while the sophomores are brilliant, the first-years are entirely underwhelming?”

His glare grew even more chilling.

“You are setting yourselves up for romantic illusions when, in reality, you are on the verge of turning into permanent laughingstocks. Let us not forget that more than fifty percent of the students in this hall are slated for expulsion once this evaluation concludes. Has that reality slipped your minds entirely?”

As Halind’s grim monologue concluded, the complexions of the assembled freshmen completely drained of color.

They had completely blinded themselves to the reality.

They had forgotten that their specific cohort was operating under unique circumstances.

They had simply grown overconfident, drunk on the rapid development of their personal abilities.

However, realizing that their performance would be directly contrasted against the legendary upperclassmen of the Golden Generation left them entirely demoralized.

Observing the crestfallen students slump forward in absolute silence, Artian, whose demeanor had shifted back to normal, looked somewhat uneasy.

“Was it truly required to shatter their confidence to such an extreme degree?”

“I believe it was entirely called for. There has been a distinct absence of urgency among the first-year ranks lately.”

Mel offered a subtle, knowing smile.

Without question, the collective mood in the auditorium had undergone a drastic transformation.

‘We are being measured against the sophomores?’

‘A single misstep means immediate expulsion.’

‘Oh man, I’m suddenly feeling sick to my stomach.’

‘What on earth is this test going to demand from us?’

The novice students, who had previously focused only on the glamorous side of their situation, were now face-to-face with the grim realities.

Naturally, a select few among them would undoubtedly secure immense prestige.

Yet, they would represent only a tiny fraction of the whole.

The vast majority would find themselves struggling immensely.

Compounding that was the overwhelming anxiety of potentially being thrown out of the academy.

Their entire perspective regarding the upcoming examination had fundamentally shifted.

Consequentially, a thick, palpable anxiety replaced the previously carefree environment.

Fixing the freshmen with his piercing gaze, Halind announced,

“I shall now officially disclose the nature of the final practical examination.”

Hearing this, the anxious students locked their attention onto the massive front board.

Scritch— Scratch—

Grasping a piece of chalk, he scrawled the testing parameters in large, sweeping letters across the dark surface.

A wave of quiet whispers rippled through the rows of seats.

Clack—

Tossing the writing utensil aside, Halind turned back to confront his audience.

“For this academic year, your final practical evaluation will consist of a one-on-one single-elimination tournament.”

“A one-on-one bracket? Man, that is exceptionally brutal, isn’t it?”

Kyle remarked, shaking his head as he absorbed the update within the confines of his private study room inside the archive building following the freshman announcement.

Hearing Kyle’s reaction, Ju-en, who had arrived specifically to relay the details, appeared perplexed.

“What makes you say that?”

“It means the faculty is stripping away everything except raw individual talent. There is no way to ride someone else’s coattails, and fortune won’t save you.”

“Shouldn’t an exam naturally be that way?”

“Hey, I’ve managed to navigate this entire academy by coasting on the efforts of others.”

Kyle let out a dramatic sigh.

“This completely ruins my plans to profit off my strategies.”

“…You honestly intended to market a scheme like that?”

“Naturally.”

Ju-en offered a heavy, exhausted sigh as she watched Kyle casually shrug off his lack of shame.

Shifting gears, Kyle spoke up again.

“Well then, are we ready to get to work?”

“Work on what exactly?”

“Information processing.”

Activating a specialized magical device, Kyle manifested a localized pocket dimension.

Immediately following its opening, a massive avalanche of documents tumbled out onto the desk.

Thud!

Ju-en stared at the mountain of paper, her jaw dropping in surprise.

“Did you really believe I reserved an isolated study alcove for no reason?”

Kyle flashed a sly smirk.

“It was specifically to handle these highly sensitive records.”

Intrigued by Kyle’s statement, Ju-en leaned forward to examine the materials he had assembled.

The content laid out before her consisted of comprehensive intelligence detailing Aina Vaydena.

She carefully scanned the lines of information.

Furthermore, the pile included a recording crystal containing visual documentation.

“How on earth did you manage to compile all of this?”

“Let’s just say I maintain excellent relations with the campus support personnel,” Kyle replied with a mischievous chuckle.

Aside from the actual instructional staff, the institution employed countless individuals, including maintenance crews and property repair specialists.

Thanks to Kyle’s inherently amiable and outgoing demeanor, he had cultivated strong bonds with these workers since his initial arrival at the school.

“I simply requested that they keep an eye out and record the training sessions of the various freshmen.”

Kyle’s absolute greatest asset was his unparalleled talent for intelligence procurement.

He had thrown the full weight of that capability into preparing for this specific freshman examination.

“Practitioners of magic are fundamentally less equipped to manage spontaneous disruptions when contrasted with combatants from the knight or summoner paths.”

Kyle’s demeanor shifted to one of profound gravity.

“When it comes to Chelsea, sure, she excels specifically in managing chaos, so she won’t falter easily. However, even high-achievers like Abard and Chloe are notably deficient in adapting to sudden tactical shifts when measured against the elite elites of the competing faculties.”

This vulnerability was a built-in reality of the arcane disciplines.

Spellcasters were naturally hindered by a lack of rapid movement.

In order to discharge high-level magic, they were required to remain stationary for extended intervals to focus their mental energies.

Consequently, while they were capable of altering the entire course of a conflict, this structural reliance meant they were simultaneously fragile when confronted with immediate, close-quarters surprises.

The specific edge Kyle wanted to provide for Ju-en was a meticulous breakdown of their primary rivals, minimizing any potential for sudden surprises during combat.

“When did you find the time to gather all of this? Half of these wouldn’t even be relevant under a standard testing format.”

Kyle offered a broad grin as he noted Ju-en’s utterly stunned reaction.

“Ju-en, you possess immense magical talent. Under normal testing conditions, you would easily contend for the position of class representative. However, the exact scenario I feared would place you at a severe disadvantage was a direct, one-on-one confrontation. Speed and positioning dictate the flow of a single duel, and your physical agility simply falls short when matched against adversaries like Aina, Habiden, or Sasha. While concealment spells can typically patch up that vulnerability, utilizing such covert techniques becomes exceptionally complicated within the confines of an official arena match.”

Kyle crossed his arms over his chest.

“Because of that, I went ahead and organized this data specifically to prepare for the absolute worst-case scenario where your weaknesses would be targeted.”

“Did you truly have to exert this much effort on my behalf?”

“Let’s be realistic, I haven’t exactly been the most effective mentor up to this point, have I?”

In all honesty, Kyle was significantly outmatched by Ju-en regarding raw mana capacity and the intricate manipulation of spell matrixes.

Ju-en was undeniably an exceptional prodigy whose innate talents bordered on genius.

When measured against her standard, Kyle’s capabilities were entirely average.

“Even so, you selected me to guide you because you believed I possessed unique insights worth acquiring.”

Kyle fixed his gaze on Ju-en with absolute earnestness.

“Given that you placed your faith in me, I am going to exert every ounce of my effort to secure that class representative title for you. Think of me as your personal Kingmaker.”

“Senior Kyle…”

Ju-en’s expression filled with deep emotion.

“You really are the absolute greatest mentor anyone could ask for!”

As Ju-en bounded forward to wrap him in a joyful embrace with a radiant grin, Kyle chuckled.

“Exactly. Make sure to spread the word about how incredible ‘Senior Kyle’ is to everyone. And if I manage to avoid getting kicked out by next term, be sure to keep buying my inventory.”

Clearing his throat, Kyle steered the conversation back to business.

“Now, let’s dive into our primary threats. Just so we’re clear: Fritz, who is studying under Abard, and Jane, who is paired with Chen Sia, warrant just as much caution as Aina, Habiden, and Sasha.”

While their official academic rankings didn’t match the absolute peak of the class, their actual combat efficiency was highly irregular.

To complicate matters, concrete intelligence regarding their specific fighting styles was severely lacking.

‘They have to be the hidden contenders.’

Kyle had previously learned through Leo that a select few hidden contenders were operating within the freshman ranks this year.

Secret anomalies.

Frankly speaking, they remained a total mystery even to someone with Kyle’s network.

“It is certain that those two pose a significant threat. However, we can afford to place them lower on our immediate focus list for the moment.”

“Oh? What makes you say that?”

“Because the opening match-up has already been established.”

“Established already?”

“Correct. A lottery drawing took place right during the official briefing.”

“Then who are you slated to face in the opening match?”

Kyle looked visibly anxious.

Faced with his frantic question, Ju-en drew a slow, deliberate breath and rotated the document she was holding to reveal the name at the top.

“You’ve got to be kidding… Aina Vaydena?”

Ju-en simply offered a solemn nod in response to Kyle’s completely dumbfounded expression.