Entrance Exam (3)

"And finally, I will introduce the top reward for this entrance exam."

The top reward for the entrance exam.

Everyone's attention focused on those words.

It was well known that the reward given to the top scorer in each exam at the Dragon Sword Hall was of such tremendous value that even master-level powerhouses coveted it.

Just what kind of supreme treasure had been prepared as the reward for this entrance exam?

"The top reward for this entrance exam is...."

- Dugu dugu dugu dugu!

Tension rose along with the sound of beating drums.

The host swept his gaze across the sparkling eyes of the crowd and announced in a booming voice.

"It is the Heavenly Blood Pill bestowed by the Heavenly Sword Lord!"

"Huh, wh-what!?"

"H-huh!?"

"What did you say!?"

The announcement left the new cadets and spectators in shock.

"... What?"

Ian was just as taken aback.

'Did he say the reward for the entrance exam is the Heavenly Sword Lord's Heavenly Blood Pill?'

The Heavenly Blood Pill of the Heavenly Sword Lord.

It was an elixir made by condensing the blood and aura of Darkan, the Heavenly Sword Lord.

'Insane....'

Made from the blood and aura of Darkan, the greatest swordsman in the world and one who had reached the realm of a demi-god, it was already a priceless treasure by its very existence. But its effects also far surpassed those of most uppermost-grade elixirs.

'If it was made with the Swordmaster's blood... It isn't just helpful for refining aura cultivation.'

The blood of Hisperion, called 'Heavenly Blood' in the world, had particular efficacy.

'Just having it flow inside you strengthens your body.'

Ordinary people weaken with age.

But the Hisperion bloodline, thanks to that unique blood, instead became tougher with age.

Of course, their strength wasn't limitless—there was a ceiling—but that ceiling was sky-high.

Probably by now, Darkan's bones were harder than adamantium.

And his skin would be as tough as dragon hide.

'And the Swordmaster's Heavenly Blood Pill...'

A supreme treasure made by concentrating the essence of that magnificent, powerful blood into purest magic power.

If you pop one of those pills and completely digest it, you'd gain the effects of Hisperion Heavenly Blood for several years all at once.

'If an ordinary person took it, they could turn into a powerhouse who could easily lift a 500kg boulder in an instant.'

What if Ian took it?

'I'd experience at least double the effect compared to that.'

This was thanks to the [Orc's Strength Lv.15] stored in his Authority of Projection.

Three days before entering the Dragon Sword Hall—

As soon as he reached ealy-stage Expert, Ian had fully manifested [Orc's Strength Lv.15].

Not as 'Temporary Manifestation', which required constant mana expenditure, but 'Full Manifestation', which could be maintained permanently without draining his aura.

Now, even without using any aura, Ian could always utilize [Orc's Strength Lv.15].

Currently, he could exert the strength of five grown men without aura.

If he consumed that elixir made from the demi-god's heavenly blood in that physical state...

'Ha... Vladiark will feel as light as a feather.'

He'd probably be able to kill a troll barehanded, even without aura.

Essentially, he'd become an adult barbarian in the form of a boy.

He'd be able to overpower any new cadet with just his grip strength.

He'd be able to crush human bones like cookies.

'To think such a treasure is offered as a reward right from the start...'

However—

'In my previous life, I heard the entrance exam reward was definitely a fire attribute elixir.'

The top reward Yuria had told him about wasn't the Heavenly Blood Pill.

'There's no way Yuria would've lied about something like this... don't tell me...'

Was it a butterfly effect originating from himself?

'If the reason for the changed reward is because of me... that's the only explanation.'

Most likely—

The Heavenly Sword Lord now wanted to see Ian's full power.

He wanted Ian to engage his genius daughter Yuria in a true contest.

And as fitting payment for that, he would offer his own blood.

'He must be curious.'

Curious to see whether Yuria or Ian possessed greater talent.

Curious whose abilities were superior.

So, he'd incited an all-out clash between the two by dangling the Heavenly Blood Pill made from his blood.

Meanwhile, from the stands, Darkan, the Heavenly Sword Lord, watched Ian.

'I hope you'll like the reward I've prepared. Ian Greysel.'

Ian's guess was half right, but also half wrong.

'I am looking forward to your duel with my daughter Yuria... but you will likely defeat her quite easily.'

A satisfied smile curled at Darkan's lips as he gazed at Ian.

'Consume my blood, Ian Greysel. Accept my feelings—my wish to think of you as my own blooded child.'

But there was a deeper intention behind Darkan's thoughts than Ian could imagine.

'If the Heavenly Sword Lord wants to see a true match between Yuria and me... then I have no choice but to show him!'

He was fired up to go all out from the beginning anyway, but the Swordmaster had just poured oil on that fire.

'Now, there's no way I can yield the top spot, even if I die.'

I must obtain it!

The Heavenly Blood Pill of the Heavenly Sword Lord!

* * *

"Then, let the entrance exam begin!"

― Kugugugugugu!

With the host's shout, the floor of the training hall shook violently.

Soon, the ground began to move toward the deadline.

The new cadets standing in the arena staggered for a moment, but quickly regained their balance and began to run.

'Now it begins.'

Each drew their sword, wary of one another as they ran.

From this moment on, stopping your feet meant death.

The floor of the training hall was moving relentlessly, driving the new cadets toward the deadline.

"Young master! Don't worry about me! I'll do my best on my own!"

― Nod!

In response to Sophia's declaration, Ian answered with a nod.

Failing early in this exam wouldn't result in expulsion from the Dragon Sword Hall.

It would just disadvantage future grades a little.

Anyway, with Ian's private tutoring, Sophia would grow rapidly over time and end up well within the safe zone for graduation.

So this was a good opportunity for her to experience struggling through on her own.

"Then I'm heading ahead. See you later!"

"Yep! See you later!"

Above all, right now, the examiner mage from Charlotte's faction could potentially target Ian.

If Sophia was with him, she might get caught up in the crossfire, so it was better to separate for now.

― Chae-eng!

― Chang!

At the front, sword fights had already broken out between Yuria and Kargon's group.

"Kargon. Are you really attacking me with numbers, how cowardly?"

"I just chose the way to defeat you!"

"This is interesting. Fine, I'll play with you."

Ian watched that scene quietly, then shifted his gaze.

'Looks like Yuria will win over there without any issues.'

What about Hector Goldhound?

In his previous life, he'd heard Hector targeted Kargon.

"Hm. Sure enough."

Just as expected, he was running at a distance, watching Kargon with his own group.

He was probably planning to strike once Kargon was worn down.

'No need to worry about them for now.'

Just as Ian was about to look for Kuga—

― Kugugugugugu!

The arena shook hard again, and the ground began to rise.

The first obstacle in the magical obstacle course marathon:

The beehive staircase.

A ragged set of stairs full of hole traps rose up.

"Urgh!"

"Ack!"

"Hiiyaah!"

In an instant, some cadets missed a step or lost their balance and were eliminated.

Ian turned hastily to check on Sophia.

"Oof! U-ugh!"

Luckily, Sophia was surviving just fine.

Dodging the falling new cadets with agility proved her two weeks of training hadn't been for nothing.

'Sophia's doing well. As for Kuga the barbarian...'

― Bounce!

― Kwaaaang!

Kuga laid waste to those around him with tremendous jumping power and destructive force.

"....."

― Bounce!

― Kwaaaang!

"Aaaagh!"

"Graaah!!"

'What the heck is that monster?'

Cadets caught in the shockwaves of Kuga's devastating landings were sent tumbling.

'That guy's pure combat strength might be at the Expert level as well.'

His aura rank might be low, but—

With that overwhelming physique, he wouldn't be an easy opponent even for Yuria.

'Hmm... but somehow....'

Kuga, who was bouncing from the back—

Was getting closer and closer.

Seemed to be heading toward Ian.

― Bounce!

"Huh...?"

Suddenly, Kuga leaped over Ian's head.

The sunlight was blotted out by his massive frame.

And then—

― Kwaaaang!

The ground in front of Ian exploded with the landing.

"Ugh!"

Ian immediately dove sideways to avoid the debris.

In a flash, Kuga passed nearby.

― Bounce!

"Damn it."

And again.

― Kwaaaang!

Kuga blew up the ground right in front of Ian.

"Damn."

In the dusty haze, Kuga's fierce eyes gleamed ominously.

Those eyes were fixed directly on Ian.

'He's after me?'

This entrance exam had survival rules, allowing attacks on competitors.

Kuga was definitely trying to eliminate Ian.

'Why?'

The answer came immediately.

'Aris Hisperion. That woman put him up to this.'

Aris Hisperion.

The third child and eldest daughter of the Heavenly Sword Lord.

Barbarian Kuga was a slave purchased by Aris.

She must also have been curious about Ian—who was admitted as a guest by her father, the Heavenly Sword Lord.

So, she was using her slave to test Ian's skills.

'I have no ill will, but if he keeps interfering, I'll just have to retaliate.'

― Bounce!

Sure enough, Kuga lunged at Ian's front again.

But—

'Frenzied Instight Style—Extreme Point!'

― Kwajik!

Kuga couldn't land.

"Kuh, guhk?!"

Ian had smashed his ankle with Vladiark before he could touch down.

― Kudangtang!

Kuga was horribly thrown across the stairs.

― Roll roll roll!

He tumbled down the steps like a boulder.

― Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Gah!"

"Agh!"

The cadets caught up in Kuga's massive frame as he fell were sent crashing down as well.

'Good. That's one less thing to worry about.'

A technique that focused aura at a single extreme point.

Frenzied Instight Style's Extreme Point, used with Vladiark, was far more powerful than Ian had expected.

'I hadn't meant to break his ankle...'

Who would have thought such a thick ankle would snap like a reed.

And he hadn't even struck with his full strength.

'But if they treat him immediately, there should be no aftereffects.'

There were healers on standby below, so there shouldn't be a problem.

That Kuga...

'Such destructive power at age fourteen. I'd like to train him.'

He looked quite useful—it'd be good to keep an eye on him.

'If I raise him well, he'll be a great help when fighting the Grand Dukes of the Demon Realm.'

Felt like he'd met a good warrior.

However—

'Damn.'

Having taken down someone as conspicuous as Kuga in one blow, Ian now found everyone's eyes on him.

'Even Hector is watching me now.'

Originally, Hector's gang was targeting Kargon.

But now, their target seemed to have changed.

To Ian.

― Kugugugugugu!

Then, the terrain shifted again.

The second obstacle of the magical marathon:

Mudslide.

The stairs disappeared, leaving only treacherous slopes.

At the same time—

― Kururururu!

― Fudududududuk!

"Aaagh!"

"Ooof!"

A tsunami of mud swept down the entire slope.

No room to dodge to the side.

'I'll have to jump over it.'

― Bounce!

Ian lightly leaped over the mud tsunami.

― Shweeeek!

Just then, a throwing knife flew toward him.

'Haaa... Hector.'

It was a dagger thrown by Hector Goldhound.

― Chae-eng!!

Ian blocked it with the broad blade of Vladiark.

"Ho!"

Hector, who was suddenly nearby, glinted his eyes maliciously.

"You blocked that? That was supposed to be a perfect sneak attack."

― Srrrng!

Three more daggers appeared on each of his knuckles.

Each one sharp as a razor.

'Wait a minute...'

That Hector jerk—he's carrying a greatsword on his back and even uses daggers?

And his throwing skills aren't bad either.

Not a bad variation.

"Get him!"

Hector moved his lackeys.

'These fools are just looking to shorten their lifespan.'

Well—in the end, anyone aiming for top scorer would have to get through them.

They were attacking first for the same reason Ian would've.

Better to attack while their stamina was higher.

However—

'They've picked the wrong opponent.'

If they'd just behaved, they would've gotten a high ranking.

― Kaang!

"Guh!"

A lackey charging at Ian was struck in the jaw by Vladiark and sent flying.

"All right. Who's next?"

Already, Ian was starting to enjoy life at the Dragon Sword Hall.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Yeah, even the barbarian got one-hit.

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】