Chapter 51: Chapter 51: End of the Entrance exam (3)

Eastwood Waterfalls

Nestled in the heart of the forest like a secret kept from the deserted isle, the waterfall shimmered in the mid-afternoon light, veils of mist cascading down mossy cliffs. The soft thundering of water drowned out all other sounds, but amidst the beauty, there was also a feeling of danger emanating from it.

Alex crouched on the rocky ridge overlooking Eastwood Waterfalls, the misty cascade thundering below. From his vantage point, he scanned the dense flora—towering moss-covered trees, vines thick enough to strangle a wyvern, and flowers that glowed faintly in the moonlight. The air buzzed with an odd stillness, an eerie sort of peace.

He wasn’t here for sightseeing, though. He peered over a thick branch to get a better look. The vegetation around the waterfall was lush, bordering on overgrown. Towering ferns mixed with bizarre plants—some bioluminescent, others shifting slightly, even in the absence of wind. Magic thrived here.

“Looks like the monster’s sleeping peacefully,” Alex muttered, exhaling as he brushed his silver bangs back. “Would be a shame to wake him up… unless you had a good reason.”

He cracked his neck, muscles taut with anticipation.

“And I do have a reason. After all, I’m the only idiot who knows where the strongest monster of this exam is,” he said, almost smugly. “An Advanced Peak-rank beast—a nightmare for anyone, even someone at the same level.”

His grin widened. His plan was devious in its simplicity.

Step one: Hide. Step two: Let the incoming mobs chasing him stumble in, start fighting, and inevitably stir the sleeping beast. Step three: Watch the chaos unfold.

He reached into his storage ring and pulled out three palm-sized black orbs, etched with glowing silver runes. The moment he held them, they pulsed faintly.

Rune-Bound Detonators—a gift from Jack, his new business partner and the emotionally unstable genius blacksmith.

“Jack, my boy, you absolute lunatic. These things are beautiful,” Alex whispered like he was holding a newborn kitten. “A magical explosive device.”

The Rune-Bound Detonator was an explosive artifact. Each orb, no larger than an apple, shimmered with silver runes pulsing faintly. Created by rogue artificers that sold these in the black market these bombs combined fire, wind, and a hint of chaos magic for unpredictable results.

Two-part system:

Main Bomb: Plantable and remotely activatable.

Trigger Charm: A small talisman he kept close. When infused with mana and torn, it activated all linked detonators.

The bomb and a trigger charm he kept close to his chest. Inject mana, tear the charm—boom.

With practiced precision, he planted one near the waterfall’s edge, another behind a cluster of stones closer to the waterfall, and the last one he threw into the water.

“Perfect triangle,” he said, brushing dirt off his hands. “Not only do I work hard, I even blow stuff up artistically.”

Finally, satisfied with his work, he stretched his arms. “This better work,” he said, then paused. “Who am I kidding? Nothing ever goes according to plan.”

He grumbled, stretching his back. “Why am I so hardworking again? Right, because I like living.”

With his traps set, he retreated to a giant tree a good distance away and climbed it, finding a thick branch with a perfect view of the soon-to-be battlefield. Reclining against the trunk, he finally let himself rest.

—

Somewhere deep within Zenith Academy’s monitoring chamber…

A group of instructors, senior faculty, and evaluation staff stared at a massive floating crystal showing Alex’s every move.

“This guy… is insane, isn’t he?” one of them blurted out.

One of the instructors, a stern-looking woman with gold-rimmed glasses, adjusted her lens. “That’s Alex Dragonheart. Commoner background. Killed an Advanced (low) ranked monster alone without any help. Stole kills from both Princess Charlotte and Princess Lilith. Provoked two powerful factions. Now he’s trying to use an Advanced-ranked beast as a distraction. Insane.”

The instructor beside her chuckled. “No. Not insane. Clever. He knew where the monster was, and he knew it wouldn’t attack unless provoked. So he found a way to do it without lifting a sword.”

“We told the candidates there was an Advanced(peak)-rank beast, but no one was supposed to find it unless they were extremely unlucky. It was supposed to be a passive risk.”

Another instructor leaned forward. “Do you know what this means? If he pulls this off and stays in first place… it’ll be the first time in Zenith’s history that a commoner leads the first-years in Zenith history.”

Silence followed that statement.

Then the head instructor leaned forward, voice low. “Keep watching. This one’s interesting.”

—

Back at Eastwood, Alex was halfway into a dream where he became emperor of snack vendors when he suddenly tensed.

They were coming.

He adjusted his vision slightly using his mana-enhanced senses and spotted multiple presences approaching. Humans and vampires.

Leading the human group was a tall, elegant girl in royal armor, her white hair like snow even in the dusk light—Princess Charlotte Evans Avaloria. By her side was the ever-composed Seraphina Starlight.

From the other direction, wreathed in cold elegance and menace, came Lilith Noctis Bloodrose, floating like a nightmare with her brown-haired maid, Isadora Vale, trailing her silently.

Alex whistled silently. “Looks like both vampires and humans have talented trackers.”

He activated Veil of Faint Steps, a skill that dimmed his presence almost completely, hiding him even from enhanced senses. He blended into the shadows of the tree like a phantom.

Still, his gut churned.

“Everything’s going according to plan,” he reassured himself.

Which was precisely why he didn’t trust it.

Then—

Boom.

Two fast, powerful auras burst into the area, racing toward him. He cursed under his breath.

“Why do things never go smoothly?”

He recognized them instantly.

Ethan Williams and Alden von Crestvale.

’Of course. Of freaking course. Why wouldn’t the two most overpowered idiots I know show up here?’

He clenched his teeth, still hidden, watching as the two landed side by side like protagonists in a drama.

Two powerful auras converge at the clearing. The sound of boots on stone echoed as two figures appeared from opposite directions—one bathed in a faint golden glow, the other walking with the calm precision of a swordsman.

Ethan Williams, heir to House Williams, stands beside a massive tree, his eyes calmly scanning the terrain. His aura is composed but sharp, like a drawn bowstring.

Alden von Crestvale, the golden boy of House Crestvale, arrives moments later, stepping onto a rock across from him. The moment their eyes meet, tension flickers between them—not hostility, but the weight of history, rivalry, and pride.

They locked eyes.

Smirks formed.

“Well, well, Mr. Smug Face,” Ethan said, casually brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder. “I wasn’t expecting you here. Lost again?”

“Oh please, Mr. Hero,” Alden retorted. “You’re the only one my age I’ve ever lost to. This time, it’s different.”

“We’ll see about that,” Ethan grinned, cracking his knuckles.

They both knew this was no time for conversation; it was time for action before they get teleported back to the academy.

The air around them crackled. Swords slightly unsheathed.

Then Ethan raised a hand.

“Before we start trying to beat each other up, how about we call out the guy in the tree enjoying the show with popcorn?”

He flicked a beam of light magic into a tree branch.

Boom!

The branch exploded. Alex plummeted.

“Goddamn it!” he yelped, adjusting midair with an annoyed backflip and landing gracefully.

He smirked. “How the hell did you figure it out?”

Ethan crossed his arms. “When you train with a Master-ranked magic swordsman since you’re five, you pick up on shadows twitching in trees.”

Alex grumbled, brushing off leaves. “You people need hobbies.”

All three stood silently.

Swords slightly out.

Tension sharp enough to slice steel.

Then—

Multiple presences flooded the area. Leaves rustled. Footsteps echoed.

Humans and vampires emerged from the trees, staring at the vampires with narrowed eyes.

First, the golden glow of Charlotte Evans Avaloria emerged through the trees. The heir to House Avaloria walked with the grace and poise of a royal, yet her eyes, sharp and calculating, betrayed the untold strength that lay beneath.

Beside her, Seraphina Starlight glided into the scene, her presence soft yet unyielding. She was the embodiment of serenity, her blue hair cascading like a waterfall of moonlight down her back. The very air seemed to freeze around her, her affinity with ice magic subtly weaving a chill into the breeze.

And then from a little distance away from them came Lilith Noctis Bloodrose. The very shadows seemed to deepen and coil as Lilith Noctis Bloodrose emerged.

Her attire, dark as midnight, rippled with an aura of power that seemed to pull the surrounding light into the depths of its folds. The faintest hint of crimson gleamed in her eyes, a reflection of her lineage and the blood magic that coursed through her veins.

Her footsteps were measured, almost regal, as the shadows around her seemed to bend.

Lilith spotted Alden. Charlotte’s gaze locked with Ethan’s.

Then both their eyes landed on Alex.

Who, for the record, was inching back toward a rock with one hand on his rune charm.

Charlotte spotted him. “You!”

Alex sighed. “And here we go.”

Alex smirked. “Ladies. Lovely to see you all again. Sorry I couldn’t greet you properly last time—I was busy.”

Alex whispered, “They’re all here.”

All at once.

“Perfect timing,” he muttered sarcastically.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep