The target dummy, which had remained intact even against Victor’s powerful magic, had been utterly obliterated.
The students and teachers alike were unable to hide their agitation; the only sound in the training ground was the low, persistent buzz of their voices.
The instructor in charge of the exam finally managed to speak.
"……What… what are we doing about the score?"
"I can’t grade this."
"I suppose not. There’s nothing left to grade……"
Unscorable—that was my result.
Between getting 150 points out of 100 and this, I seemed to be making a habit of breaking the system.
"Hey, Albert, what was the deal with that Lightning Bolt? That level of power is far beyond a beginner-tier spell."
Don’t ask me questions I can’t answer without blowing my cover!
I had to talk my way out of this somehow. Unfortunately, my acting skills were nonexistent—a casualty of my former life as a mediocre salaryman. However, I had learned a reliable coping mechanism during my time in this world.
I would do nothing and leave it to the original "Albert."
"I find it insulting that you would compare the mana of one who inherits the Kronstadt heterochromia to the common fools of this world. What you saw is reality. Accept it."
Wow, I sounded like such a prick!
But in my experience, there were many cases where it was better to make an arrogant, groundless claim than to act suspiciously. It seemed to be effective; the teachers and students accepted the explanation, even if they couldn't quite wrap their heads around it. Though, I suspected more than half of them were just staying quiet because they didn't want the headache of dealing with me.
I brushed back my hair and continued.
"Surely you won't claim I’ve failed simply because your equipment was too fragile to measure me?"
"It’s not a failure, but there is a question of safety……. Victor."
"——!?"
Victor, who had been standing there in a daze, gave a violent flinch.
"Regarding your earlier request… you asked to face Albert in combat. Do you still feel the same way? Do you truly intend to stand against that magic?"
Victor’s face contorted. His mouth moved as if to speak, but no sound came out, leaving only the hollow rasp of his breath. Ragged gasps escaped his throat—hehh, hehh, hehh.
A heavy silence followed as he hesitated.
His bloodshot eyes darted around, desperately searching for an answer that would soothe his panicked heart. The weight of every student and teacher’s gaze fell upon him. Those countless eyes cut off any hope of retreat for a man as prideful as he.
"O-Of course! The dummy exploding… it’s a trick! Just like his 850 points, this has to be some kind of foul play! He won't find me so easy to fool!"
"……There is a significant amount of risk involved, but if you are certain. Ordinarily, I would cancel this, but you declared a formal duel. I cannot override that on my own authority. Are you truly sure?"
"Do not underestimate my defense magic!"
"……Very well. However, I will intervene the moment I judge you can no longer continue. Keep that in mind."
It was decided. Just as Victor had wished, he would face me in a direct confrontation.
But despite getting exactly what he wanted, Victor’s face remained twisted with absolute terror.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
"……Leon, Leon!"
"Hm? Oh, right."
After his classmate called his name several times, Hero Candidate Leon finally snapped out of his trance.
"What is it?"
"What do you mean 'what is it'? Didn't you hear? Congratulations! You’ve been picked for the second half of the exam!"
"Hahaha, that’s great news."
He hadn't heard a single word.
The scene he had just witnessed was burned into his mind. That golden lightning Albert had used to shatter the dummy——
As expected of Albert…… such incredible power!
It was a joyous thing. And yet.
What is this feeling?
Leon couldn't ignore the turbulence in his chest. He should have been happy, but a heavy weight sat in his heart. His earlier daze hadn't been excitement; it was a sense of profound loss.
It felt cold. Frigid. It was a sensation utterly foreign to him, and it made him feel restless—unclean, almost.
While he struggled to regain his focus, the second half of the exam proceeded. Eventually——
"Princess Eliana, Leon—step forward."
The students began to whisper at the instruction.
"……Who’s Leon?"
That was their honest reaction. As long as his status as a Hero Candidate remained a secret, the nobles who made up the majority of the student body had no reason to remember a face like his.
Why was a mere commoner being paired with the Princess? Every noble in the class had been vying for that spot!
Faced with those jealous glares, Leon felt a wave of internal weariness. Unaware of Leon’s mood, Princess Eliana waited in the center of the training ground, a bewitching smile on her lips.
"I look forward to our match, Leon-san."
Unsure of how to respond, Leon simply gave a polite nod and a smile. As Hero Candidates, the two were already acquainted, but they couldn't allow the others to realize that.
Once they were close enough to speak privately, Eliana lowered her voice.
"I apologize. I’m being quite selfish today."
"……I have a general idea of why."
Honestly, Leon wasn't particularly skilled with magic. He was right on the borderline of passing or failing. And yet, here he was, matched against the Princess. There was clearly an ulterior motive.
"I simply wanted to experience the power of a Hero Candidate firsthand."
"I’ll do my best, but magic really isn't my specialty."
"I thought you might say that——"
The Princess held out a short sword she had been holding in her left hand.
"It’s a blunted sword. Please, don’t hold back."
"……? But isn't this exam about trading spells?"
"The faculty has already given their consent, so don't give it a second thought. Call it a Royal Privilege."
With that, Princess Eliana turned to the crowd and raised her voice.
"Thank you for your patience during this long exam. I have prepared a bit of entertainment for you all. Leon-san is a student who excels in swordsmanship, so we shall be changing the rules for a mock battle."
The students had grown bored of the repetitive matches, so a proposal from the Princess was a welcome change. They broke into a thunderous cheer.
"Now then, let us do our best to soothe their boredom."
"……Are you sure about this? I’m going to stand out."
Leon had intended to stay out of the spotlight until he was officially recognized as the Hero—or until the Demon King fully revived.
"It’s fine. You’ll be the center of attention eventually. When that day comes, everyone will just look back at today’s strange events as 'foreshadowing,' won't they?"
It was a debut of sorts.
I guess I'm just dancing in the palm of her hand.
It didn't feel entirely bad. Leon was a good person, not someone given to complex or cynical thoughts. He simply swung his sword for the sake of the weak. He was the type of person who would keep a smile on his face even when things were painful.
I’ll just leave the complicated stuff to the Princess.
He decided to go with the flow. Letting go of his doubts, Leon took his stance.
"Begin!"
At the instructor’s signal, the mock battle commenced.
"Spell: Magic Bullet."
Eliana launched a projectile as a testing blow. Leon infused his blade with mana and sliced the spell clean in half.
"Ohh!"
The students erupted. Cutting through magic was a feat that required immense skill.
"Splendid. Then, how about this? Spell: Magic Bullet."
With a snap of her fingers, over ten Magic Bullets manifested behind the Princess.
"Is this also a breeze for you?"
With those challenging words, the barrage of spells was unleashed all at once.
"Uooooooooh!"
Leon charged into the storm of magic. He cut them down, evaded the others, and closed the distance to the Princess——
What is this? Something is wrong……!
Leon realized his concentration was slipping. He was in a situation where even a second’s distraction could be fatal, yet he couldn't stop.
The image of Albert von Kronstadt's magic was seared into his retinas. That brilliant, overwhelming gold.
Now, he was aware of a dark, frigid emotion surging within him. It wasn't admiration; it was dread. It wasn't the pride he should feel for a friend; it was envy. It was the polar opposite of the emotions a Hero should feel—a Hero who was supposed to fight with a smile for the sake of others.
Damn it, concentrate! What am I thinking!?
The stain that had formed on his heart would not wash away so easily. Trapped in his own hesitation, Leon continued to swing his sword.