Chapter 4: The Final Trial – Brains Over Brawn?

Sylvie groaned as she stretched, her body still aching from the second stage of the exam. Her magic endurance had been thoroughly tested, and her pride had suffered just as much as her muscles.

"I really need to work on my magic resistance," she muttered, rubbing her shoulder. "And my ability to not get thrown into the dirt every five minutes."

"Sounds like a personal problem," Rosaline said, standing beside her with her arms crossed. Despite her usual stoic demeanor, there was a clear hint of amusement in her golden eyes.

Sylvie huffed. "Laugh it up, oh undefeated knight. Just wait until I win the next round."

Rosaline raised an eyebrow. "This isn't a battle. The final stage is a test of strategy."

Sylvie blinked. "…Wait, what?"

Before Rosaline could elaborate, Instructor Garret's booming voice filled the arena once again.

"The final stage of the entrance exam will now commence! This is a test of strategy, teamwork, and leadership. You will be placed in groups and assigned a scenario. Your performance will determine whether you pass or fail!"

Sylvie's stomach dropped.

Strategy? Teamwork? Leadership? She had been too busy focusing on the combat aspects of the exam to think about anything else.

"This… might be a problem," she muttered under her breath.

Rosaline smirked. "What's wrong? Your perversion doesn't help with tactics?"

Sylvie pouted. "Rude. I'll have you know I was a top-ranked player in my past life."

Rosaline gave her a skeptical look. "And that means?"

"…That I might be slightly better at making plans than dodging fireballs."

Rosaline rolled her eyes. "We'll see."

The Third Stage – A Battle of Wits!

Sylvie was assigned to a team of four other students, including Rosaline. The others were a scrawny-looking mage, a brawny ax-wielder, and a nervous archer who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.

Instructor Garret stood before them, arms behind his back. "Your scenario is simple: defend a key position from an incoming enemy force. You will have limited resources and must use strategy to succeed. If your defenses fall within the time limit, you fail."

Sylvie exhaled, already thinking. "Alright, first thing's first—what do we have to work with?"

The instructor gestured toward a large, open field with a few scattered barriers. "You have access to these fortifications, a small supply of traps, and your own personal skills. The enemy will be attacking in five minutes."

The mage adjusted his glasses. "We should set up a defensive perimeter. Focus on chokepoints."

The ax-wielder crossed his arms. "No point hiding behind defenses if we can crush the enemy outright."

The archer fidgeted. "I… I can cover long-range attacks, but if they get too close, I'm done for."

Rosaline looked at Sylvie expectantly. "You're oddly quiet. Any ideas?"

Sylvie grinned. "Oh, I have plenty."

The Defense Plan – A Perv's Genius Unleashed!

Sylvie took charge, much to everyone's surprise. "Alright, listen up! We're going to turn this battlefield into a nightmare for our enemies."

She pointed at the archer. "You, take high ground and focus on picking off priority targets."

She turned to the mage. "Set up area-denial spells—ice and earth barriers to control movement."

She grinned at the ax-wielder. "You want to crush them? Fine. You'll be our counterattack force. But wait until they're in the kill zone."

Rosaline smirked. "And what about me?"

Sylvie's grin widened. "You and I? We're going to make absolute chaos."

Rosaline sighed. "I don't like the way you said that."

Too late.

The Battle Begins!

The enemy forces—a group of advanced students playing the role of attackers—charged in.

The moment they stepped into the designated kill zone, the traps were triggered. Ice slicks sent enemies slipping, earth spikes forced them into vulnerable positions, and chaos erupted.

The archer picked off key targets, disrupting their formations. The ax-wielder and Rosaline launched powerful counterattacks, cutting down those who made it past the defenses.

And Sylvie?

She darted through the battlefield like a demon, using her speed and unpredictability to confuse the attackers. At one point, she grabbed an enemy by the waist and whispered in her ear:

"Your thighs look amazing in that armor."

The enemy student screeched, flailed, and knocked over three of her own allies in her panic.

Rosaline groaned. "I hate that this is actually working."

The attackers were thrown into disarray, unable to properly coordinate under Sylvie's aggressive psychological warfare.

After what felt like an eternity, a horn sounded.

"TIME'S UP! DEFENDERS WIN!"

The exhausted students slumped to the ground. The exam was finally over.

Final Results! Did She Pass?!

The students gathered as the instructors reviewed the results. One by one, names were called—those who passed, those who didn't.

Then—

"Sylvaine Ardent… passes."

Sylvie grinned. "Hell yeah!"

Rosaline sighed. "Somehow, despite your… everything, you actually did well."

Sylvie waggled her eyebrows. "Admit it, you're impressed."

Rosaline rolled her eyes. "I'm concerned."

Instructor Garret approached, nodding at Sylvie. "You lack discipline, but your combat instincts and tactical adaptability are undeniable. Keep improving."

Sylvie saluted. "Sir, yes sir!"

Garret sighed. "Don't push your luck."

The exam was over.

But Sylvie's chaotic academy life was just beginning.