Chapter 7: Entrance Exam (1)

It was common for people to die in Polfoardel, the capital of the Ribera Empire.

Moreover, it wasn’t a big deal that a cadet candidate—who hadn’t even registered at the academy yet—vanished in a back alley without a trace.

The corpse and any trace had been meticulously erased by someone, as if the person had never existed.

Night fell once the sun set.

Despite the darkness, the capital’s streets were still as bright as midday from the lights flickering everywhere.

Carl, having separated from his older brothers and found lodgings outside the academy, leaned on the terrace railing and carefully gazed at the medal in his hand.

“It’s a form I’ve never seen before.”

On the front was incomprehensible writing, and on the back, an image of a snake climbing over a woman’s face.

Who on earth had Demian mistaken him for?

‘Judging from how he spoke, he wasn’t an ordinary person. He must belong to some organization.’

Carl turned the medal in his hand and mulled over what Demian had said.

Serena said that when you go to the capital, you should beware of the person who approaches you first under the guise of coincidence.

‘Serena.’

She must belong to the same organization as Demian.

The name suggested it was a woman.

Demian had come to the capital like him, disguised in status, to become a cadet at the academy.

And he had been wary even though someone approached him, expecting that.

In other words, there must be a rival faction.

‘I will ask your body directly how far The Cult has infiltrated.’

He assumed the hostile faction were those called “The Cult.”

Clink.

Carl filled his nearby glass and forced a bitter smile.

Whether in the Central Plains or in this world, both were unpredictable.

“Master.”

At that moment, the terrace door opened and Queen entered.

She came to his side as he drank alone, slowly leaning against him.

“I’ve investigated that man named Demian.”

“Anything unusual?”

“No. He’s from a baronial household in the northern Blue region, trained in martial combat, made a name for himself there, then applied to Bayern. Family, relationships—everything is utterly normal.”

“Hmm.”

Carl rolled the glass around in his hand.

The medal he’d held was placed on the terrace railing.

“…It doesn’t seem he approached to discover the Master’s identity. If you give me a bit more time, I’ll dig deeper.”

Carl considered for a moment.

Did he deliberately approach him?

If that were the case, it was too clumsy.

If it were him, he’d have ingratiated himself gradually without revealing his true nature.

His combat power and talent were in the extraordinary realm—but his experience was that of a green rookie.

…He reached a conclusion soon.

“That’s enough. Stop there. There are plenty more things to worry about besides this.”

He put the medal from the railing into his pocket.

He had already erased every trace related to this side.

If an investigation came from Demian’s organization, it would actually be good.

It would provide a clue to trace their movements.

Right now, there were more important things.

“How about the capital side?”

“The other organizations are still cautious. They probably didn’t expect our strength to be this much.”

Queen faintly smiled.

Even in the western Third Commercial District on the capital’s outskirts, in one night they pushed out Merbo and Birterso.

Organizations of similar size kept their heads down to avoid NOX, while larger ones began watching their moves.

“I’ve already told the surrounding groups that we have no intention of stirring further conflict.”

Carl nodded.

In fact, NOX had the strength to easily overpower several groups.

Even in the capital, how impressive could these outskirts organizations be?

But the problem was their backers.

‘Even if we fight head-on, we wouldn’t lose. But they certainly won’t fight honestly.’

Whether political or covert machinations—they would use all kinds of underhanded and dirty methods.

So he intended to prepare until he was 100% certain of victory like now.

“Have you prepared for the entrance exam? It’s tomorrow.”

“That side is no problem. I plan to pass with decent grades anyway.”

He continued to play the part of the frail Youngest Master before Leipzig.

It would be unnatural if suddenly he appeared robust at Bayern Academy.

Then Queen tactfully moved closer and said,

“Since you’re doing it, why not show a bit of sincerity? I want to see you succeed, Master.”

“Do I have to?”

“If you want to do something at the academy in future, wouldn’t that be easier?”

“Hmm.”

It was reasonable.

At the very least, it would be good to build a reputation with the instructors.

“I’ll consider it.”

Carl nodded and finished his remaining drink.

***

The day of the entrance exam arrived.

Beatrice’s streets were filled with Bayern Academy cadet candidates.

Each walked stiffly, faces tense or excited.

“Do your best. It won’t be difficult.”

“Yeah. I’m a bit worried about the practical and training parts, but the theory side has always been your forte.”

Carius and Darius had come early to meet their youngest brother in front of the academy.

Particularly Carius, as the eldest, personally checked everything—from clothes and health to the admission ticket—to ensure Carl’s condition.

“Once the exams are over, keep your time open today. I’ve reserved a table at a restaurant.”

“All right. I’ll be back then.”

Carl bowed lightly and turned.

“Do your best!”

“Stand tall!”

With a wry smile, Carl left his brothers’ encouragement behind and walked into the exam hall.

The Bayern entrance exam was divided into three stages.

In the morning, there was a theory exam, followed by practical and training tests in the afternoon.

The theory exam was just a written test, and the practical test was to demonstrate skill in front of the proctors.

The main stage was the training exam.

‘To form parties among cadet candidates and carry out operations.’

It was a pattern similar to the Killing Veil’s assassin exam.

Is the selection process wherever one goes always the same?

When moving to the designated exam hall, most seats were already full.

There were around fifty people and not a single voice—only the sound of flipping books or notes was heard.

“……”

Carl discreetly glanced around inside.

This was because among the cadet candidates assigned to the same exam hall, he noticed a few faces designated by NOX as persons of interest this year.

The Ducal family of Hoffenheim, ‘Nerian’, famed for the power of frost.

The Count’s Household of Schneider, ‘Mahert’, inheriting a venerable knightly lineage.

Originating from the Euclid Count’s family, heir of the Gray Magic Tower Lord, ‘Yuria’.

And also ‘Raysis’, a princess of the Kingdom of Alforam.

There were about four well‑known figures you could count on one hand inside the exam hall.

Meanwhile, Carlos Leipzig, aside from being of a Count’s Household, was just the son of an ordinary aristocratic family.

‘In that case, it seems wise to follow Queen’s advice.’

It seemed necessary to have at least one special trait to approach and build rapport with them.

The academy itself was a society.

Cadets’ positions were determined by status, origin, talents, and accomplishments.

Though the academy’s ideology pursued equality in education, how freely could that actually be?

The academy was a place that grouped together those with vast disparities under the name of cadets.

Thus, forming respective factions within it was unavoidable.

‘For now, let’s lightly aim for theory top scorer.’

Those in high positions always hunger for outstanding talent.

Luring someone in then tightening the bond was no difficult task.

Soon seated, Carl put on his glasses and pretended to prepare by rifling through books.

The Master of NOX, Black Label, and Carlos Leipzig had entirely different atmospheres.

The current Carl was plainly a gentle, soft, and ordinary young man by anyone’s view.

Click.

At that moment, the front door of the exam hall opened and the proctor entered.

“All right, please be seated. The theory exam will begin in five minutes.”

The somewhat chaotic atmosphere calming as the exam was announced to start.

Simultaneously, the wide‑open windows closed and thick blackout screens unfolded.

“Then, we will begin the theory exam of the Bayern Academy entrance test.”

The exam papers were distributed, and a timer showing the remaining time appeared right above each desk.

【50:00】

The theory exam ran for a total of four hours, from 8 AM to 12 PM.

The structure allowed four cycles of 50 minutes exam followed by 10 minutes rest to prepare for the next test.

Beep.

【49:59】

With the beep, cadet candidates began furiously working on their exam papers.

Cheating was out of the question.

Bayern was the empire’s top‑tier academy, so it was strict on such matters.

‘The first subject is administration.’

Looking at the questions, a competitive drive rose from the depths of his chest.

Since he was impersonating the frail prince, his practical score would likely suffer.

So if he scored perfectly here, it wouldn’t be a problem.

Scratch, scratch.

Carl moved his pen without hesitation.

Though difficulty was high as befitted the empire’s top academy, it was nothing for Carl, who had already completed advanced courses.

Thus, four hours passed.

Bayern Academy adopted automated grading to prevent cheating even during the examination process.

That meant the moment exam papers were submitted and processed by the academy’s system, results were generated.

“The theory exam results have been announced. Cadet candidates, please check the notice board located in the corridor.”

As the announcement played, they all rushed toward the notice board.

This year, a total of 5,000 cadet candidates applied to Bayern.

More than half of them were expected to fail the theory exam.

“Hmm.”

Carl got up from his seat leisurely, unlike the others.

Walking through the crowd filling the corridor, he came into view of the posted announcement.

【Top Theory Exam Scorers】

Carlos

Yuria

Nerian

Raysis

Luis

It was the expected result.

Just as Carl was about to give a faint smile, he heard something fall beside him.

Clatter.

Looking down curiously, there lay a small wand on the floor by itself.

Next to it stood a silver‑white‑haired woman, presumably the wand’s owner, frozen in expression from immense shock.

‘Could that be Yuria, the heir of the Gray Magic Tower Lord?’

Her face showed disbelief at the reality confronting her.

Perhaps struck hard, her eyes trembled mercilessly and fingertips twitched in small convulsions.

“Who is first place? Carlos?”

“Yuria is second? I thought she would obviously be first.”

“Then the record she held since middle and high school at the academy is broken?”

“Does the six‑year legend end here? I thought she’d naturally be top at university level too.”

The cadet candidates murmured in surprise, glancing at Yuria, who was frozen like a statue.

‘Hm.’

The smile vanished from Carl’s face.

The method of increasing favor through topping theory seemed to have unexpected repercussions.

For now, before it becomes known he is Carlos, he decided to leave swiftly.

As he thought that and turned his body.

“Carl!”

At the end of that corridor.

Amid the chaotic atmosphere, only that shout calling his name resonated clearly.

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