Chapter 55: The Impostor’s Game

Ron’s POV – Ice Forest

The biting chill nipped at his cheeks as Ron trudged through the sparse snow, his makeshift fur coat rustling with every step. The cloak was rough, unevenly stitched, and looked more like rags than proper clothing—but it kept the cold from biting into his bones.

A sudden thunk split the silence—an arrow buried itself into the snow just a few feet from him.

Ron’s eyes narrowed.

Hidden attackers…

He turned his head, scanning the shadows between the frosted trees. Nothing.

The next arrow came from his right. He shifted his stance and let it fly past. Another hissed from the left—dodged again.

By now, his instincts were certain.

Three of them. Archers.

Instead of rushing toward their positions, Ron began weaving erratically through the snow, feigning uncertainty. His footwork was deliberate, making it seem like he couldn’t pinpoint them.

Then, he let his voice crack just enough to sell the act.

“I–I know you’re here! Come out!”

Three figures emerged from behind the rocks and trees, grinning like hyenas.

“Hehehe… hand over your badge and we’ll let you walk away.”

Ron tilted his head as if he was going to negotiate—then in a flash, he bolted forward.

“W–Wait—!” one of them started, but too late.

By the time they turned, Ron was already standing several meters away, their badges in his hand. His body ignited in an orange-red glow as his mana flared.

He leapt into the air, spear aimed downward, and let the heat surge through his weapon.

Inferno Spear – Fourth Technique: Roaring Cascade!

A wave of scorching heat erupted from his strike, sweeping toward the three in a flash of blinding orange. The air shimmered with lethal intensity—more than enough to end them.

But before the flames reached, a glowing circle formed beneath the trio. With a fwoosh, they vanished—teleported outside the barrier with the rest of the eliminated candidates.

Ron exhaled, his breath forming steam.

“Should’ve stayed hidden.”

Ron dusted snow from his fur coat and started walking deeper into the ice forest. The cold wind howled between the trees, but his senses were already tingling—several presences were approaching fast.

They slowed to a stop a few paces away, fanning out into a loose circle around him.

Ron frowned. “What the—?”

A single figure stepped forward, clearly the leader.

“Give back the badge you stole from Young Master Aurelian.”

Ron blinked. “Young Master who now?”

The leader’s brows knitted in fury. “How shameless… playing innocent. I’m talking about Young Master Aurelian Valmont—whose badge you snatched before running into the snow area. The archers we sent after you were eliminated, too. We know via the team-up function of our rings.”

Ron’s expression stayed blank, though his thoughts were less calm.

Well… I did eliminate them. But when did I steal this guy’s badge?

He raised a brow. “Wait, you can team up?”

The leader’s jaw tightened. “Still acting innocent…” He raised his hand and barked,

“Take his badge! Don’t eliminate him—but make sure he can’t walk!”

Ron sighed, glancing at the tightening circle.

“How the hell did I get into this situation?”

.

.

The circle tightened around Ron, weapons drawn.

His voice was calm but edged with irritation.

“You’re accusing the wrong guy. I don’t have your Young Master’s badge.”

The leader sneered. “Save it. We’re not here to negotiate.”

Ron let out a slow sigh. Figures…

He shifted his stance, planting his feet. A wave of orange-red aura surged from his body, the snow beneath him hissing in the sudden heat. Several in the group flinched at the oppressive pressure, but none backed away.

“Fine,” Ron muttered. “Have it your way.”

His spear flared crimson. With a smooth motion, he spun it in a full circle, the air warping from the heat.

Inferno Spear – Fourth Technique: Roaring Cascade!

Instead of the usual downward strike, he swept the weapon in a blistering 360°, unleashing a ring of heat and flame.

“Dodge!” the leader shouted.

Too late—three of them were caught in the wave, their cries cut short as they vanished from the exam grounds, eliminated instantly. The survivors staggered back but recovered quickly, launching their counterattack.

A pair rushed him with swords, while others hurled fireballs and slicing wind blades.

Ron’s grip tightened. His mana churned like a furnace.

Inferno Spear – Fifth Technique: Ember Guard!

The spear became a blazing blur, spinning fast enough to distort the air around him. Superheated wind and sparks formed a blazing shield, deflecting projectiles harmlessly into the snow. The melee attackers recoiled with screams as the heat seared their skin, triggering the elimination mechanism before the flames could kill them outright.

The leader stared wide-eyed. “What is this? You never used that when you were with the Young Master!”

He thrust his hand forward, mana swirling.

“Second Circle Magic—Aqua Jet!”

A high-pressure stream of water shot toward Ron—only to hiss into steam before it came within reach, vaporized by the intense heat of the Ember Guard.

Ron tilted his head. “That wasn’t very smart.” He stepped forward, spear lowering for the strike—

“Stop! That’s enough!”

A commanding voice cut through the chaos.

The voice came from behind the group—calm, smooth, and carrying a natural authority.

A boy stepped forward, every inch the image of a privileged heir. His platinum-blonde hair was styled to perfection, glinting in the pale light. Sharp cerulean eyes studied the scene with a mix of intelligence and pride.

“Young Master Aurelian!” the leader exclaimed, relief washing over his face.

Ron’s gaze flicked over him. So this is their ’Young Master Aurelian.’

The newcomer wore a deep-blue tunic trimmed in silver, the Valmont crest embroidered proudly over his chest. Every movement was deliberate, refined—like someone who’d never once questioned his own place in the world.

“Lower your weapons,” Aurelian said coolly.

Then his eyes locked with Ron’s. “I am Aurelian Valmont.”

The leader hesitated. “But, Young Master, look at him! His appearance—”

Aurelian shook his head slightly. “The appearance may match, but the movement… no. The one we’re hunting fought swift as lightning. This one fights with heat and overwhelming force. They’re nothing alike.”

He turned to Ron, meeting his eyes. “Commoner, it seems someone is impersonating you. During a fight with monsters, that man stole my badge—and some of my subordinates’ badges as well.”

Ron’s expression darkened. His aura, which had faded after the fight, flared back to life—red and searing, the air rippling around him. “Whoever that guy is…” His voice was low, dangerous. “He’s gonna pay.”

Aurelian felt the weight of that killing intent and instinctively swallowed. He’s stronger than me, he realized, a bead of sweat tracing his temple.

Then the ground trembled. Both turned as the massive barrier wall in the distance began to shrink, its shimmering surface pulling inward.

The barrier’s closing, Aurelian thought quickly. Better to make him an ally than an enemy.

“What’s your name, commoner?”

“…Ron.”

“Then, Ron—since you’re part of this now—let’s team up and hunt this imposter together.”

Ron hesitated, narrowing his eyes.

Aurelian smirked faintly. “Don’t worry. In the last hour of the exam, the team-up dissolves automatically.”

After a moment, Ron sighed and gave a small nod.

Aurelian extended his hand, his exam ring glinting in the cold light. “Touch rings.”

Ron mirrored the gesture. Their fists met, rings pressing together—both glowing bright blue.

Aurelian’s lips curved upward. “We’re teamed up. Now—let’s move. The barrier won’t wait.”

Without another word, the two broke into a run, their footsteps crunching over frost as the shrinking wall loomed ahead.

—

Far from the icy expanse, the forest near its border was alive with the whisper of leaves and the crunch of frost-dusted soil. A figure darted between the trees, each step kicking up faint sparks that danced briefly before fading into the cold air.

He slowed to a halt, glancing over his shoulder as if checking for pursuers. The boy looked exactly like Ron—same height, same sharp eyes, same confident gait.

But then he unfastened the flap of a side pouch. Inside, a pile of badges clinked together—fifteen in total. A slow smile spread across his face.

“Well,” he murmured, voice low and amused. “That was productive.”

His hand went to his face. A subtle shimmer passed over it as he peeled away a thin, skin-like mask. Ron’s likeness vanished, replaced by a different young man—slightly leaner, with tousled tawny brown hair and sharp, leaf-green eyes glinting with mischief.

Arin Blake.

“Hahaha!” Arin’s laugh rang through the forest, unrestrained and cruel. “That was fun. I almost pity the poor bastard I copied… almost. He’s probably neck-deep in trouble with that pompous young master by now.”

He crouched by a mossy root, idly rolling a badge between his fingers. “The exam’s about survival. No need to waste my strength brawling with every idiot who crosses my path—not until the very end.”

His grin sharpened. “Snatching badges is cleaner. Faster. Better.”

Tucking the badges away, he adjusted his cloak and melted deeper into the forest shadows, the faint sparks under his boots flaring briefly before vanishing entirely.

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