Admission Examination [2]

Chapter 6

───────────

Episode 2 - Admission Examination [2]

─────────────────────────────────

"Ah..."

Ashly groaned tiredly and collapsed onto one of the nearby benches.

Wiping away sweat and drinking water in the shade, I didn't pay attention.

"She's holding up well."

Modern knights like Ashly can't endure the training of ancient knights.

A pesar de que los caballeros modernos son fuertes, se debilitan en el aspecto físico.

Ashly dragged herself and sat down beside me.

She barely had the strength to stand.

She had an indomitable mentality.

After all, she was an exceptional talent, recognized internationally for her potential.

Grey, watching from afar, approached the training field during the break.

Gently stroking Ashly's head, he offered his trembling niece a reassuring smile.

"Grey is quite protective."

Although he didn't show it, I could tell he was constantly watching.

"He thinks I might do something to Ashly."

Even though I'm Ashly's twin brother, distrust between people still lingers somewhere.

However, it wasn't a fully reserved distrust.

"Anyway, if she wants to train with me, then they must accept my terms."

***

"This is a valuable lesson for Ashly."

Having witnessed her unparalleled dedication to training since childhood, Grey had never seen anyone her age take her down like that.

Although he admired her pride, he worried it might become her downfall if she didn't control it.

Ashly stood by the fence between them.

'There's nothing wrong with facing a good challenge before entering the Sanctuary of Heroes.'

She understood that merely being a Sephir didn't guarantee success in the Sanctuary, not to mention the dangers within the Fragmented Dimension.

Besides her family, there were other heroic bloodlines in the world, and even greater heroes who would emerge from across the globe.

Even looking now at the Radren Empire, there was a lot of potential.

"You can't always be the best."

Before her confidence became her downfall, it wasn't a bad idea to go through the routine at least once.

These two... Lucius and Ashly.

Evaluating them objectively, they excelled in different areas.

'Lucius is no match for Ashly when it comes to Aura, but he surpasses her in physical prowess.'

Grey believed Ashly's weakness lay in her physical abilities.

However, he didn't think Ashly lacked physical strength.

Given her role as a swordswoman, physical conditioning was imperative.

By general standards, Ashly possessed remarkable strength and muscle power.

"But she never pushed herself beyond her limits, especially in swordsmanship."

Thus, Lucius's sword skills fueled her competitive spirit.

For Ashly, it was something new to encounter someone her age with such exceptional swordsmanship.

'However, Lucius seems to have the advantage in swordsmanship, according to my sister's observations.'

In Grey's opinion, Lucius was the first major challenge Ashly had faced.

"Lucius."

Grey turned to Lucius with a more serious expression.

"Yes, Uncle?"

"I intend to see if arrangements can be made to teach you Black Aura."

Ashly was surprised by Grey's sudden statement.

'Black Aura?'

One of the aura techniques that only members recognized by the family could learn.

"Doesn't that mean Lucius will become even stronger?"

She looked at Lucius cautiously.

"They wouldn't approve of something this grand so easily, right?"

Lucius looked at Grey.

"No, that's why there's a condition."

Grey made it clear.

"And what would that be?"

"You must pass the entrance exam for the Sanctuary of Heroes."

Concerned for Lucius's safety, Ashly voiced her thoughts.

"But the entrance exam is dangerous, especially for someone as inexperienced as Lucius."

Lucius turned to Ashly with a smile.

"Are you really worried about me?"

Ashly responded dryly to Lucius's question.

"I'm just stating the truth."

The conditions in duels were not the same as those in real-life battles.

"Because, Lucius, you have no real combat experience, do you?"

Most Sanctuary of Heroes candidates already had practical experience by this point.

Even Ashly had participated in numerous dungeon raids and had defeated real monsters with her own hands.

Practical experience made an unimaginable difference.

For Lucius, Ashly's words were amusing no one in this world could imagine that the first hero was among them.

"So, Lucius, what do you think?"

Lucius asked seriously.

"Have you already asked my mother?"

"She said she would support any decision you made."

Nodding, Lucius said,

"Then I'll do it."

Anyway, Lucius had already planned to attempt the entrance exam this year.

Grey smiled, impressed by Lucius's determination.

"You were planning to take the exam anyway, weren't you?"

Lucius smiled at Grey.

With satisfaction reflected on his face, he finally said.

"Then let's not waste any time."

***

During the entire week, the Royal Academy of Raventhal was closed.

Due to the preparations for the entrance exam to the Sanctuary of Heroes, all the professors were in motion.

Closing the academy for this was the most important thing for them and for the capital of Raventhal.

"Completing the mission will be quite easy; I just have to pass the exam and enter the Fragmented Dimension."

Anyway, it was the first mission granted to me by the Hero's Window.

The reward was quite exquisite.

A +90% experience boost I could reach level 1 after completing the mission.

In the Era of the Three Heroes, the maximum level achieved was level 8.

In my past life, I reached level 10, which was the highest power without growth limits.

Every two levels had a specific rank, starting from:

Level 1 to 2, Apprentice rank.

Level 3 to 4, Warrior rank.

Level 5 to 6, Knight rank.

Level 7 to 8, Hero rank.

Level 9 to 10, Monarch rank.

"It will take a long time to return to level 10, but completing these missions will be much faster."

Although it depended on when a mission appeared.

Besides, I wasn't sure if it would always reward me with more than 90% experience to advance to the next level.

Knock. knock.

"Come in."

Ashly entered the room as I handed her a blue-colored potion.

"What's that?"

Asked Ashly, looking at the potion in my hand.

"It's a potion."

"Didn't you say you don't use potions?"

The training wouldn't have been as tough for her if she had been able to use recovery potions.

Though I told her that I couldn't use potions, or else I wouldn't get results after training.

"It's necessary to ensure you're in optimal condition before the exam."

Ashly had already pushed past her limits to keep up with me.

Moreover, she had refrained from using potions throughout her training week.

I was proud of her determination, of the fact that she never gave up despite how tough the week had been. That's why I thought she deserved a recovery potion.

"That's true."

Said Ashly as I stood up and said,

"Take a seat. I'll apply the potion."

I stood next to the chair so she could use it.

"I have my own potions."

Ashly sighed, refusing.

"This one will be more effective than anything your family has."

"Hmm. I doubt it, but I'll accept it anyway."

Reluctantly, Ashly obeyed, rolled up the sleeve of her shirt, revealing bruises, and sat down.

After that, I grabbed a small cloth and soaked it with the potion's liquid.

I rubbed it over all the bruises on Ashly's arm.

As soon as I applied it, the purple and red hues of her bruises disappeared instantly.

Ashly looked at her arm and then turned to me.

"A fairy potion..."

Her eyes were wide open.

"Yes, I was lucky to get it."

She was astonished.

A fairy potion?

A specialty, classified as the highest grade among all circulating potions.

Only fairies had access to the recipe; other races couldn't even attempt to replicate it.

Ashly never would have imagined that the son of a noble family in a small rural kingdom would have one.

"I bought it in a small shop."

A small shop? Where?

Smiling, I said,

"It's no longer available. I bought everything they had."

"Well... what if I need one again to heal my wounds?"

"Then look for me. Besides, I don't sell them."

Even though I made it myself.

Sophia was the one who gave me the recipe to create these potions.

"You're stingy. Anyway, thanks."

She sank deeper into the seat as I applied the potion to the rest of her bruises.

"Brother."

I looked up at Ashly.

"What?"

She turned to me and said,

"I will defeat you; it won't be like last time when I let my guard down."

Wow, this sister is quite persistent.

As I wiped her leg with the cloth, I grabbed her calf firmly.

"Ah! Hey! That hurts!"

"Oh, does it?"

A mocking smile appeared on my face.

"You'll see tomorrow! I'll show you what I'm made of!"

This was really funny.

"Ouch! Stop! I take it back, okay? I said I take it back! Agh!"

Ashly's screams echoed throughout the mansion.

***

The next morning.

Large crowds gathered in the central training field of the Royal Academy of Raventhal.

The spectators were there to watch the entrance exam.

Among them was the hero of Raventhal.

"Is that Ashly Sephir?"

"I heard she's one of the top contenders in the western region, but she looks quite relaxed."

"Want to place a bet? Who will rank higher, the Ares or the Sephir?"

Lucius couldn't help but smile at the murmurs of the other candidates.

"You're quite well-known."

"Obviously."

However, Lucius smirked.

"Then, the way you talk…"

"What about it?"

"It's become a habit!"

She blushed and covered her mouth when…

"Miss Ashly!"

Someone called out to Ashly from the crowd.

"Heh, Lucius Behringer, why are you here?"

Evan frowned as he approached.

"I'm here to take the entrance exam. What else would I be here for?"

Evan widened his eyes and quickly sneered.

"What? You're trying to take the entrance exam? Hahaha!"

Evan burst into laughter.

"You must be crazy. Challenging the Sanctuary of Heroes exam when you can't even use Aura? I just hope you don't embarrass our empire."

Shaking his hands dismissively, Evan walked past Lucius and headed toward Ashly.

"Miss Ashly, let's give it our all today!"

Ashly frowned at his words.

"Do I know you?"

"H-huh…"

Evan widened his eyes, clearly surprised.

"I'm not very good at remembering faces."

"Hey, we met at the Royal School last week, remember? I'm the genius from that day, Evan Trowman."

"Oh, right. That happened. Yes, let's do our best."

Ashly said indifferently.

"What? Ah... yeah."

Ashly offered a polite, yet distant and forced smile.

Evan stared at her, puzzled by her expression.

...

After returning to Lucius's side, Ashly noticed the commotion of a group.

Ashly glanced sideways and then gestured.

"Lucius, come with me."

"Why should I?"

Lucius frowned.

"Just come with me, okay?"

Ashly grabbed Lucius's wrist and pulled him toward the commotion.

"Look at him, acting like he's Ashly's friend!"

Jealousy flared in Evan's eyes.

The connection between the Sephir and Behringer families was now well known.

But the fact that Lucius and Ashly were siblings had to remain a secret.

That was something Evan was unaware of.

"I'll prove it… I'll impress everyone with my performance in the exam!"

...

Lucius was dragged by his sister Ashly into a crowd of Royal Academy students.

Two people were drawing attention.

It was a woman and a man by the color of their hair and eyes, they were siblings, and Ashly was leading Lucius toward them.

Seeing Ashly, the black-haired, violet-eyed man said,

"What do we have here? Ashly Sephir, huh?"

Ashly smiled.

"It's been a while, Franz Ares."

Noticing Franz Ares's smile, Lucius quickly picked up on it.

"A forced and indifferent smile."

It seemed like a rivalry between the two something Lucius wasn't interested in.

"Ashly, have you prepared for the exam?"

Asked Franz.

"Of course! Aiming for first place won't be a problem for me."

At Ashly's words, Franz covered his mouth, smiling, and said,

"Really? But what if I end up taking that spot?"

"Oh, you're welcome to dream. Haha!"

The tension was palpable a rivalry spanning centuries for the title of the empire's most prestigious families.

"Let's go, Charlotte."

Behind Franz, a black-haired, violet-eyed woman followed him.

Watching the whole scene, Lucius laughed.

"That was so cheesy both you and those two."

"....."

Ashly said nothing. Of course, it was a joke from Lucius, but just like before, his sister ignored him.

"Come on, that was funny,"

Lucius thought as he clicked his tongue.