TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 105
Admissions examiner Kairan.
With her arrival, the children’s chatter ceased in an instant.
“It’s the examiner! The examiner!”
Except, of course, for Balak, who stood beside Kraush.
“The entrance exam consists of three parts.”
Kraush faintly recalled the entrance exam from before his regression.
‘One more has been added since then.’
Back then, there were only two tests.
“The first test is a check of your Aura level.”
Kraush remembered narrowly avoiding disqualification at this stage.
Yet, back then, he bought every elixir he could afford and trained relentlessly, determined to grow stronger no matter what.
He barely made it in by the skin of his teeth.
“The second test is a duel among the applicants. Based on the pre-checked Aura level, you will engage in three duels: one against someone above your level, one of a similar level, and one below your level.”
Up to this point, it was the same as last time.
“Lastly, the third test is a mock battle against me, the examiner. For reference, those who pass the first and second tests will already be considered admitted students.”
The students murmured among themselves.
Their reaction suggested they wondered if taking the third test was even necessary.
“There is only one reason to take the third test: it is the exam for the newly established Special Class.”
The Special Class.
Kraush, having never heard of it, found his interest piqued.
It was undoubtedly a new addition created due to the changes in this iteration.
“The Special Class will operate independently of the departments you applied for. It is designed as an accelerated training program for exceptional students. Recruitment will continue, and additional placements may occur even after admission, depending on circumstances.”
With this brief explanation, Kairan slowly smiled.
“Of course, if the Special Class fills up completely during the entrance exam, there will be no additional recruitment.”
That alone instantly transformed the students’ attitudes.
Everyone trying to enter Rahelrn Academy had their own goals.
But they quickly realized that entering the Special Class could change their lives forever.
For nobles, it would be unparalleled honor.
For commoners, it would be an unparalleled opportunity.
And for those aspiring to master martial arts, they all shared one common trait.
They wanted to prove they were the strongest here.
That combative nature of theirs.
‘So this is what happens when too much talent gathers in one place.’
Kraush understood the reason the Special Class had been established.
At the same time, he realized he, too, needed to enter it.
The Skyborne Generation would inevitably gather there.
“The condition for the third test is simple: defeat the examiner. I expect many of you will succeed.”
Even as she said this, Kairan clearly didn’t believe it.
Her demeanor exuded the malice typical of an admissions examiner.
“Then, let’s begin the first test.”
At her words, other prepared examiners came forward.
They quickly set up dozens of single-person tents, as though they had been ready in advance.
Simultaneously, mages affiliated with Rahelrn Academy displayed text in the sky.
“Enter the tent with your name displayed above it and place your hand on the Aurora Stone inside.”
It was a straightforward test, as the instructions suggested.
However, about half the students would fail at this stage.
‘The number of admitted students is ultimately fixed.’
Meanwhile, the students’ names appeared one by one.
Those whose names were called entered the tents with tense expressions.
With thousands of martial arts applicants alone,
even with dozens of tents set up, the first test took quite a long time.
“Kraush, you’re aiming for the Special Class too, right? Let’s aim for the same class together!”
Thanks to this, Kraush had to endure Balak’s incessant chatter.
“If you get into the Special Class, you might even meet Aniks and Elfin!”
Aniks Graiza, the Wooden Bow.
And Elfin Emilia.
Two of the Three Prodigies of Starlon were First Year Students.
As the examiner mentioned earlier, the Special Class, being an accelerated training program, seemed to involve living alongside the First Year Students at the academy.
“I wonder how strong the examiner is. I’m looking forward to it.”
Kraush glanced back at Kairan.
‘I wonder if anyone can actually beat her.’
Although it wasn’t widely known,
outside the city walls, in the Great Sea—practically a forbidden zone—
her name was legendary.
The Pirate Empress.
Kairan.
The number of Erosion Species she captured in the Great Sea alone likely numbered in the thousands.
‘And the only associate professor whose skills rival those of a full professor.’
She remained an associate professor only because she believed directly running classes was not her forte.
In other words, she was effectively on the same level as the professors.
‘How malicious.’
Assigning Kairan, someone with the power of a professor, as an examiner reeked of intent.
‘It seems like they don’t want anyone passing the Special Class exam.’
Kraush let out a faint chuckle.
Just how far could his current self go against someone of her caliber?
His curiosity was piqued.
* * *
The Pirate Empress, Kairan.
She considered the grandiose title embarrassing, but her skills were undeniably worthy of such a moniker.
Today, she was observing the first test as an examiner.
“Associate Professor Kairan.”
At that moment, she noticed an exam assistant approaching.
The first test was still in full swing.
Did something happen?
When Kairan glanced at him, he hesitated, looking troubled.
As her gaze questioned him, the assistant finally spoke up.
“Well, um, one of the Aurora Stones has cracked.”
“An Aurora Stone cracked?”
Kairan’s eyes widened.
Aurora Stones were the most suitable tools for measuring total Aura.
When one infused Aura into the stone, it displayed the Aura level through its glow, showing the total amount.
As such, Aurora Stones were designed to withstand considerable Aura output without breaking.
But a cracked Aurora Stone?
“It’s not as though the applicants used it excessively.”
Kairan narrowed her eyes.
“So someone with an Aura level beyond what the stone can handle is here.”
“Yes, exactly. It’s clearly beyond the standard range.”
He nodded and revealed the name of the person responsible for cracking the stone.
“…Mary Diana.”
Kairan swallowed briefly.
A former candidate for the Empire’s spearhead, she was the lunatic who attempted regicide against the royal family.
‘I heard she was born with the talent of a Heavenly Martial Body.’
Could she truly possess an Aura powerful enough to crack the Aurora Stone?
Now I understand why the Empire revoked her execution.
If she had targeted a different member of the royal family rather than the 4th Princess, who had virtually no claim to the throne, she would have been executed immediately.
It must have been because she was the 4th Princess that they compromised and decided to use her as the Empire’s hound.
‘A monster has appeared.’
She clicked her tongue briefly and instructed him to replace the Aurora Stone.
‘The Second Exam is the real problem.’
Could there truly be someone as strong as the person who cracked the Aurora Stone?
For Mary Diana, the Second Exam might pit her against those weaker than herself.
Just as she was grappling with thoughts of the Second Exam.
Flash!
Suddenly, a powerful burst of light erupted from the tent where the test assistant had gone to replace the Aurora Stone earlier.
While the shocked students murmured at the sudden burst of light.
Crash!
The sound of something shattering echoed distinctly.
Hearing that sound, Kairan felt momentarily dazed.
Then, snapping back to her senses belatedly, she rushed toward the tent, forgetting her position as the Chief Examiner.
As she hurriedly entered the tent, the test assistant she had seen earlier stood frozen in a daze.
When their eyes met, the assistant’s lips began to quiver.
“P-Professor Kairan, I swear I replaced the Aurora Stone.”
Hearing his words, Kairan shifted her gaze.
What lay before her was the shattered remains of the Aurora Stone.
‘Replaced, he says.’
The newly brought Aurora Stone couldn’t withstand the sheer Aura Output and was shattered.
Kairan’s eyes wavered.
Given her own skill, she could manage to crack an Aurora Stone.
But to shatter it outright?
Even she couldn’t confidently guarantee such a feat.
Who in the world could have done this?
The moment she lifted her head, there stood someone with black hair streaked with blue.
That hair color.
She remembered it clearly.
It made sense, as it belonged to the most troublesome figure in Rahelrn Academy.
It was the same hair color as Charlotte Balheim’s.
The boy with sharp eyes, who had raised his hand moments ago, lowered it slowly.
“Shall we do it again?”
Then, looking at the shattered Aurora Stone, he seemed regretful.
At the sight of his arrogant attitude, she realized.
‘Kraush Balheim.’
One of the key figures to watch and the youngest direct heir of Balheim.
It was undoubtedly him.
“…The applicant may leave now.”
“Good. I felt like I’d break another one if I kept going.”
Hearing those words, Kairan froze.
He was implying that shattering the Aurora Stone wasn’t an accident.
Watching him casually walk away, Kairan swallowed hard.
She owed Mary Diana an apology for calling her a monster.
The real monster was right here.
* * *
Leaving the stunned Kairan behind, Kraush walked outside and looked down at his own hand.
‘Honestly, I didn’t expect it to break.’
The moment he saw the Aurora Stone, Kraush recalled an old memory.
The faint Aurora glow had struck him as pitifully inadequate.
Seeing the test assistant silently judging it had only worsened his mood.
Perhaps that was why.
He became somewhat intrigued by the Aurora Stone.
He wondered if the Aurora Stone could recognize even World Erosion through Aura.
‘If I’m going to do it anyway.’
Go all out.
With that thought, Kraush drew upon his Annihilation Erosion to the fullest.
Thanks to the Heavenly Slaughter Star, its output was far higher than before.
Then Kraush infused the Aurora Stone with as much power as possible without harming himself.
The result.
Crash!
Along with a flash, the Aurora Stone shattered.
In terms of instantaneous output, Kraush was unmatched.
With such overwhelming force channeled into the Aurora Stone.
It had no chance of enduring.
The moment Kraush, having inadvertently shattered the Aurora Stone, raised his head outside the tent.
Amidst the silence.
Everyone, from applicants to current students, was staring at Kraush.
They had all seen the light and heard the shattering sound from the tent.
[What a mess you’ve made.]
Hearing Crimson Garden’s voice from the brooch tucked in his pocket, Kraush slowly scratched the back of his head.
Then, breaking the silence, he spoke.
“What are you looking at?”
A statement quintessentially Balheim.
While everyone remained speechless, Kraush, unconcerned, returned to his original spot.
“Wow, Kraush! Just how strong have you gotten?”
At that, Balak jumped in place, reacting enthusiastically.
Unlike the others, he wasn’t one to read the room, making him easier to deal with.
At the moment Kraush paused his steps and turned his body.
Halt.
Kraush suddenly froze.
The reason was simple.
Above the dozens of tents set up.
One name had changed to Arthur Gramalte.
‘Arthur.’
Kraush quickly turned to look in that direction.
But Arthur Gramalte’s name gradually faded and was replaced by another.
While Kraush was shattering the Aurora Stone.
Arthur had completed the First Exam almost simultaneously.
Their timing had been off.
Realizing this, Kraush hastily scanned his surroundings.
But with so many people around, he couldn’t spot Arthur.
‘He didn’t enroll earlier than me.’
For some reason, Arthur had joined at the same time as him.
Kraush furrowed his brow.
The Arthur of now was not the Arthur that Kraush knew.
Arthur had not undergone regression.
Thus, the current Arthur was an unpredictable variable.
Kraush raised his head to search for Sigrid.
However, unlike earlier, only Sigrid’s group was present; she herself was nowhere to be seen.
Kraush realized that Sigrid must have gone to meet Arthur after seeing his name.
Earlier, Kraush had also spotted Mary, her robe pulled tightly over her head, taking the exam.
When Kraush looked around in search of Arthur, Mary was also nowhere to be found.
‘Fine.’
Kraush decided to stop searching.
It was only natural for them to gather together in one way or another.
Therefore, there was no reason to be in a hurry.
‘I’ll follow my own path.’
Without even dreaming that Kraush might have also regressed with the same memories as them.
While they were busy chasing after Arthur alone.
Kraush merely began to bare his fangs at their throats, inch by inch.