Chapter 4:

Chapter 4:

The giant that stood with pride slowly began to bend its body and returned to its original position by lying down horizontally.

Screech-!

The cockpit opened up, revealing Abel.

His whole body was burning red, and his clothes were completely soaked with sweat, yet he had a bright smile on his face.

“Whew!”

Abel took a deep exhale and then an inhale.

When the Giant was upright on the ground, the sheer pleasure he had felt was his first time experiencing such an emotion.

He felt a bit sorry for Rabbit, but this was literally at a different level.

As if the entire world was beneath him.

As if an almighty strength had taken over and was flowing through his body.

‘I think I might get addicted to this.’

Thinking that, Abel began to exit the cockpit.

As Abel was getting off, one of the knights standing in the proximity ran to him in a hurry and helped him get down the Gigant.

“Y-you did well. Really...” The knight’s face was painted with shock. His voice trembled while talking to a boy younger than him because the scene he had just witnessed was astonishing beyond imagination.

“Thank you.” Abel bowed to him and returned to his original spot.

As these events unfolded, Scarlett’s eyes began to light up and slightly started having this piercing glittery gaze which wasn’t there before.

This was because the scene that he had just shown Scarlett shocked her despite the fact that she possessed an inhuman level of talent.

“D-Does that even make sense?”

The knights watching from far away also clamored upon seeing what had just happened.

“How is that possible? It can’t be, can it? Didn’t they say the kids coming today were all orphans who’ve never seen Milles up close?

“Yeah! That’s why it’s even more nonsensical!”

Had Abel heard that, he would’ve smiled and replied. He was confident he would show them even more astonishing things in the future. In the middle of everyone being unable to escape the shock, a boy came forward and said.

“I would like to try this time.”

Brown hair and slanting eyes. Overall, a boy with an appearance that left an impression.

Abel looked at him. Out of everyone there, he was the only person whose name he knew because he was Scarlett’s original choice for the Academy recommendation in the game.

His name was Jet.

‘His talent was passable, but he was kicked out in the middle due to his nasty temperament and the trouble he got into.’

So to speak, you could call him a third-rate villain. The type of role in which he blocked the players in the extreme beginning and then was sent away just as quickly.

Jet got into the cockpit with plenty of grunts and groans, after which a strong tremor reverberated.

“Hm.”

The knights clamoring about Abel’s performance once again had a look of enthusiasm and eagerness on their faces while looking at the scene before them.

It was blatant that they thought, “Maybe, this kid too?”

The mechanical sound didn’t cut off right away and lasted for a few seconds. The anticipation of the observers gradually began to rise. But to turn that anticipation into disappointment, it only took an instant.

Whirring-

The constant robotic sound that continued for around 10 seconds was abruptly interrupted, and the flinching Milles dropped back onto the floor.

The knight monitored the situation for a while before running up to the cockpit, and opening its door, revealing a bone-tired Jet walking out.

With his body drenched in sweat, he seemed to have no strength whatsoever, as if he would collapse any moment now. Jet kept walking to one side in that state with the knight’s support. With that, it was the end for him.

“Next.”

As soon as the knight laid Jet down, he spoke, unaffected by the ordeal he had just gone through.

The remaining candidates also climbed onto Milles one after the other. But far from Abel, they fell short even compared to Jet’s progress in the task.

Hum-

Except for Abel and Jet, the best one managed to get Milles moving, but it then immediately stopped and laid down again. The rest failed to even get Milles started.

‘Jet was definitely a worthy pick.’

Even Jet, who managed to last for 10 seconds, was outstanding compared to the other candidates.

Of course, that’s true only by excluding Abel.N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

It doesn’t matter if you have talent because one is bound to be reduced to an average person in the presence of overwhelming abilities, just like in this situation.

Finally, the last boy to ride Milles was dragged out in a limping state.

“So it’s over.”

Hearing Scarlett’s rigid tone of voice, the fatigued boys who were partially recovered visibly tensed up again.

“I enjoyed watching it.”

“If you follow them, you’ll receive your prescribed compensation.”

The spot to which Scarlett pointed had the attendants standing there who had initially guided them here.

Continuing her words, she looked at Abel and said.

“Abel. you follow me.”

“Okay.”

Those words were meant to imply that the match was over, and the other kids’ expressions showed they weren’t really surprised. That’s how overpowering the scene that Abel had shown today.

Nevertheless, Jet was the sole person there who was clearly frustrated.

Abel’s attention was entirely in the direction of the floating message.

[You’ve completed the “Best of the Bunch” Quest completed]

[You’ve received ‘Demetri’s flame’.]

[The “Best of the Bunch” Quest (2) will continue.]

[You’ve twisted the storyline!]

[You’ve received the “Magic Candle”.]

Immediately after she stopped saying what she had to, Scarlett turned around and stepped away, and Abel followed right after her.

The boys left behind who were staring blankly at their backs, were redirected to a different path by the attendants.

To return them to where they came from.

That sight was indeed in stark contrast.

»————- ★ ————-«

Exactly on arrival, the exam was conducted, and at the same place, even the result was announced upon completion. The high-speed unfolding of events was a clear reflection of Scarlett’s personality.

Scarlett was quite decisive and not vain and disliked unnecessarily complicated procedures. On top of that, she was also highly impatient. It was clear from how she asked Abel to come with her immediately.

‘Her office is flawless too.’

A week passed seamlessly, faster than expected.

Meanwhile, Abel had first-hand experience with a schedule that made him feel that even having a clone wouldn’t suffice. He was trained in basic etiquette that he needed to follow for his words, actions, and attitude, along with certain acts that must be avoided and so on, as a cadet at the Academy.

These included fundamental mannerisms like his walking and table manners. Rather than training, it was more of a time of transformation for Abel, from a guy from the streets into a noble gentleman.

‘It’s not like I’m actually becoming a noble, but most of my competitors will be nobles. So...’

It was a pain, but it was necessary. No matter his confidence in his abilities, it didn’t mean he could afford to lose points because of external factors.

Also, this was an unavoidable process if he were to go mainstream.

Even at that moment, Abel was walking around in his room while observing himself in the mirror to correct his posture.

“Hm.”

After practicing his walk in the mirror for a while, he walked up to it and stood there. His reflection in the mirror was completely different from a week ago.

His dark black hair falling down in a clean cut and clear, healthier skin, along with custom-tailored clothes made just for him, made him look like a young prince from a wealthy family of merchants.

Abel tidied up his clothes and carefully removed an object from the inside.

‘Demetri’s Flame’

It was a reward from the quest.

But that doesn’t mean it appeared out of thin air. Scarlett ordered someone to deliver it to Abel. Since Jet originally wore this in the game, its function was clear to him.

‘It creates a defensive barrier to protect the wearer from flames.’

One might say that’d be useless for a Giogant Rider, but that shows how little knowledge can be dangerous. Though Gigants of higher grades than Midget possess protection parts for the rider, they’re not almighty.

Unlike a Gigant made of metal, human bodies are not as sturdy.

‘It was common to see a Rider faint from shock while the Gigant stays unaffected.’

This item was meant to strengthen one’s defensive power that was lacking. Since p items were usually Gigant-related, self-protection items were extremely valuable.

Abel had already used it once when he played the game as Jet and got the necklace from Scarlett. Thanks to that, he knew of its ability.

Abel checked the back of the necklace.

‘It’s here, huh.’

There was an empty hole in the back.

There was no way of knowing what was originally in that hole, but that wasn’t important. The crucial point was that he could strengthen the necklace’s power by inserting another ‘object’ there.

And, of course, Abel knew where he could get that ‘object’. After examining the necklace, Abel smiled and put it back on. That wasn’t the only thing he received from Scarlett, but the other one was gone because it was in his stomach.

‘Who knew I would get the mana plant so early.’

The ‘mana plant’ was a miraculous medicine that increased the level of mana in one’s body. And because he had just started sensing mana, it was highly precious for Abel, whose mana level was close to zero.

[Abel]

[Species: Human]

[Physical grade: E]

[Synchronization rate: S]

[Magical ability:E]

[Gigant in possession: N/A]

[Skill: Beginner level Gigant Production, Intermediate level Gigant repair, Mana Sensitivity]

Eating the mana plant had increased his magic ability from F to E grade in just a week.

‘If I just keep doing well, I can quickly raise it to a D grade.’

Abel closed the stat window with a satisfied expression. He could look at it with pride all day, but it was about time. Today, he had no annoying etiquette classes Because it was ‘that day’.

Knock, knock-

While he was fixing his outfit and cleaning up his look in the mirror, someone knocked on the door.

“Yes.”

“Young Master, it’s time.”

It was Marigold, the maid’s voice.

Abel immediately walked in that direction and opened up the door. Marigold, who was waiting outside the door, bowed her head, and Abel smiled while responding.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Today was the end of the week Scarlett had mentioned.

Initially, he was taken to Scarlett’s office, but Marigold guided him through the staircase to the lower floor, not the upper one.

Soon after following Marigold, he reached the mansion’s main gate.

A bigger carriage than the last time was parked there with the Klein family’s symbolic flag hanging on its side.

Scarlett was standing right in front of the carriage.

“You’re here.”

“Yes.”

“Today, you’ll go to the Del Modor Academy. Do you have any questions?”

“Am I taking the exam today?”

“No. You will only register your application today, and the exam will be conducted a month later. So, after you complete the registration and return, we’ll continue the training in full swing.”

“Okay.”

It was expected that Abel would register by submitting Scarlett’s recommendation. However, it was Scarlett’s goodwill to send him on a carriage with the family’s flag hanging on it.

“Get on now. A knight will escort you.”

Scarlett looked to the side and called the knight who was to accompany Abel.

“Diron.”

“Yes.” A knight waiting on the side approached them and paid his respects. It was the same stiff knight who had accompanied Abel to the mansion a week ago.

“Please board the carriage.” His voice was extremely polite. And not just his voice, even his demeanor was tremendously courteous.

There was a world’s difference compared to his attitude the first time they met. At that time, Abel was a mere candidate, but presently he was an official guest of the family.

“Yes. Thank you.” Abel responded politely and got on the carriage.

He was just going to register today, yet his heart was racing. The Academy was the game’s main stage, and most primary events unfolded there. That is why it was the ultimate place with plenty of growth opportunities for the players.

‘So, the hidden piece won’t be easily found.’

Abel was already well aware of that, obviously.

‘It’s already decided what I have to get.’

Abel secured himself in his seat in the carriage in an upright position, and when he did, his pupils were glimmering.

It was a gaze full of anticipation.

[To be continued.]