Chapter 21

The chilly atmosphere of the second-floor spectator seats didn’t matter; the examination hall was heating up with passionate cheers and fierce excitement, as if symbolizing the gap between the two levels, divided like summer and winter by the railing.

In the middle of the vast hall, eight examinees were paired up, desperately swinging weapons at each other. Greatswords and longswords clashed, aiming for each other’s heads, while a fighter with small shields on both wrists deflected a spear thrust and pressed forward. A man with an axe embedded in his shoulder groaned in pain and dropped his sword. A half-naked woman threw daggers, which a woman with a short sword and shield blocked as she advanced. The dagger-throwing woman, seemingly anxious, cursed under her breath and kept retreating.

To prevent unexpected casualties, the examinees were given wooden weapons. However, it seemed like iron cores were embedded inside, as wood chips flew and heavy cracking sounds echoed with each clash. If it’s a wooden sword with an iron core, wouldn’t a solid hit still cause serious injury?

I looked down at the scene, feeling like I was watching a slightly brutal circus. Are these the regular examinees? They don’t seem as skilled as I thought. It might be arrogant for someone who’s only been learning swordsmanship for half a month, but honestly, I felt like I could crush both of them, weapons and all, in less than five moves. Except for the main characters, everyone seems to be at a similar level.

Calix, perhaps thinking the same, looked bored. Well, with a single punch, it’d all be over. After all, there’s a significant gap in physical ability between humans and dragon-kin. Meanwhile, the dwarf, Asha, sitting to my left, seemed utterly engrossed, finding even this pitiful level of combat fascinating. She seemed to enjoy watching fights, like when she gleefully observed the tension between me and Freide earlier.

Speaking of Freide, I didn’t even glance her way, afraid she might pick another fight. It felt like she was glaring at the back of my head, ready to kill me. Unlike Calix, who I wouldn’t dare fight, Freide seemed like someone I could take on, but I decided to save it for later. I’m not a battle-crazed lunatic, and there’s no need to cause a scene here. Unless she starts something first, I won’t stir up trouble, especially since my standing in the Empire isn’t great.

Besides, even if we fought, Calix would probably step in and take us both down. So, what now? The main characters are nowhere to be seen. Should I try to get closer to these guys while I wait? Freide clearly has no intention of talking to me anymore, so I decided to strike up a conversation with Asha.

The Dwarven Republic of Himmell is southwest of the Empire, so they probably don’t have any beef with Ka`har, right?

“Dwarf, is that really that fun?”

“Half-kin. Call me half-kin. ‘Dwarf’ is a derogatory term. You wouldn’t like being called a savage, would you?” Asha replied without turning, still focused on the exam hall. I awkwardly brushed the side of my head. So, ‘dwarf’ is a slur, huh? In the original work, they were called dwarves, but if it’s derogatory, I should apologize.

“Really? I didn’t know… Well, sorry about that.”

“It’s fine once. Ka`har probably doesn’t know much about us anyway.” Her voice wasn’t cold or angry, so she must not really care. Asha’s eyes were still glued to the exam hall. She responded promptly, so it didn’t seem like she was ignoring me. She must really enjoy watching fights.

“Hmm… Anyway, you heard my name, so what should I call you?”

“Asha. Asha of the Red Copper Clan. Just call me Asha, Halshall.”

She called my name so casually. Come to think of it, half-kin don’t use honorifics in their names, as a sign of equality. A kingless nation. The cultural trait of the Dwarven Republic, Himmell.

“Alright, Asha. So, you find that fun? They all seem weak to me. Do you like watching fights?”

“I do. It’s always new. It gives me a lot of references.”

“References?”

If you want to improve, wouldn’t you usually study the fighting styles of those stronger than you?

“Yes. Actually, the fights of weaker individuals often inspire new ideas for my equipment. Obvious flaws, fresh concepts worth improving and applying.”

“Equipment, like that complicated hunk of metal on your back? The clanking thing? It’s pretty cool, though.”

I pointed to the large mechanical device covering Asha’s back.

Every man is naturally drawn to the intricate gears and sophisticated machinery.

I was no different.

In the center of the device, which wrapped around my back like thick armor, was a massive nozzle, with two smaller nozzles sticking out on either side below it.

A metal frame connected to the side of the device enveloped my arm like a sleeve, reaching all the way to my elbow.

Through the gaps in the steel frame, hundreds of gears rotated, moving the cylinders.

From a short pipe protruding upward, faint steam occasionally hissed out.

So that’s Asha’s combat equipment, the Charging Jetpack. Seeing it in person, it radiated an overwhelming sense of romance and power.

“See? It’s my masterpiece!”

Asha suddenly turned her head toward me. Her voice rose with a strong sense of pride.

“It’s made with a chrome frame that has high pressure and corrosion resistance, utilizing compressed cylinders for high-pressure engine output, which is then expelled through hydraulic pistons and gears—”

“Uh, yeah. Impressive…”

I brushed it off, sensing that her explanation could go on forever.

It seemed like some kind of engine structure using gears and pistons.

I could roughly understand it, but it would be strange if a Ka`har tribesman, considered a barbarian race, could comprehend all that.

“Ah, I got carried away with the explanation. Anyway, this is my weapon. Since we’re both special admission students, I’ll have a chance to show it to you later.”

Asha chuckled, as if used to such reactions, and turned her head back toward the exam hall.

So that’s her personality.

I felt exhausted after just a few words.

The three of us weren’t talking to each other, probably because engaging in conversation would just tire us out.

“Oh? That young lad looks pretty good, doesn’t he?”

Calix, who had been boredly watching the exam hall, suddenly spoke to me, clearly uninterested in my conversation with Asha.

Unlike before, he seemed quite intrigued, so I turned my gaze to the exam hall to see who he was talking about.

A handsome blonde man with a large sword slung over his shoulder stood with his legs spread and his upper body slightly bent, as if ready to charge at any moment.

Ah.

It’s the protagonist.

The Chosen One. The Hero of the Holy Sword. Humanity’s Savior. The Demigod’s Egg.

Damien.

The playable character I once controlled in the game was right there.

—

The entrance exam, equivalent to the prologue scene in the original game, meant Damien’s equipment was still quite modest.

A black quilted armor, leather gloves, and leather boots were all he wore.

The greatsword in his right hand was also plain, without any decorations.

Ah, the greatsword must have been provided by the academy.

“That blonde guy? His sword is pretty big.”

It was much larger than a typical greatsword.

Not quite to the point of being called oversized, but it was nearly as tall as a person, with a blade width close to a handspan.

If this weren’t a game world, it would be a completely impractical weapon, fit only for decoration.

“That lad and the young man across from him both seem quite impressive, don’t you think?”

Across from him?

Following Calix’s words, I looked at Damien’s opponent.

A man over 180cm tall with a sturdy build. A heavy chainmail armor pressed down on his massive frame.

His dull blonde hair was tied back into a braid, and a thick beard covered his jawline.

The man stood solemnly, gripping a large two-handed axe planted on the ground like a staff.

Who is that? I don’t recognize this character.

“Judging by his weapon and attire, he’s a Dane. It’s rare for a Dane to take the general admission exam. Interesting, isn’t it?”

“A Dane? If he’s from the Dane Kingdom, shouldn’t he be a special admission student?”

“Not all Danes are citizens of the Dane Kingdom. The Dane region was once part of the Empire, so there are still Danes living within the Empire. That young man must be one of them.”

A Dane, huh. Not exactly pleasant.

As if sensing my gaze, the Dane man turned his head and looked at me.

Our eyes met.

His indifferent, icy blue eyes flared with a piercing light the moment they found me.

A hatred so intense, it felt like all the resentment in the world had been condensed into a single gaze.

A chilling sensation ran down my spine, and the corners of my eyes twitched slightly.