Chapter 10:

Chapter 10:

However, her being a boss in the middle of the 1st chapter wasn’t about to happen soon because, in the game, one click could skip a few days, but this was reality.

‘I just thought of a rough plan right now as well.’

Basically, it wasn’t a matter of great urgency. It’s not like Hannah was a spy or a monster. It’d be best to follow a step-by-step plan. Abel slightly moved his head and glanced through the other people.

‘Now that I think about it, it’s really just the outstanding guys here.’

The upper class wasn’t simply a name. They chose only the elite amongst the elite. Among the upper class, the only distinction was that of who was more remarkable than the other.

Considering that Abel’s goal was to be the ‘overwhelming no.1 among the top 40’, it was only apparent he’d have to struggle a lot for it because he’d be left behind in an instant if he became complacent after getting the 1st rank in the entrance test.

“Okay, it seems it went a bit long, so I’ll end it with one last thing!”

As Abel finished checking out his surroundings, the Prince stressed the word last and spoke further. Though no one believed him because this was the 5th time he’d said the word ‘last.’ But it wasn’t fake this time, and after a few blabbering about a few bigoted snippets, he smiled and said.

“Then. May you all become the swords of this great kingdom. That’s it from me.”

Nobody showed it on the outside, but inside their hearts, they were all genuinely shouting cheers of joy. With that, the Prince stepped aside and Magnus came forward, raising his hand over the magic tool.

“We’ll pick up the pace for the next section. Announcing the first and second rankers of the entrance test.”

The Prince’s boring speech lasted for nearly two hours straight, which is probably why Magnus’s calm and to-the-point progress stood out even more. Even the faces of the special guests participating in the ceremony brightened up.

Rather than dragging it out, Magnus spoke, looking straight at the front of the ranked cadets, to be exact, at Abel.

“Top rank, Abel Klein. Come onto the podium.”

Having been trained separately on how to do this, Abel immediately got up on the platform from the staircase on the left. Soon he stood in front of Magnus, who then smiled and said,

“Abel Klein. I present the aforementioned candidate with this award for showing the most outstanding performance among all the applicants in this entrance test. The aforementioned candidate will be granted a full scholarship and supported with a Gigant periodically throughout the curriculum, so continue to be diligent in your efforts.”

Magnus handed him the certificate and patted his shoulder with his hands that resembled an iron cauldron lid. Abel expressed his gratitude by greeting the Prince standing in the back and Magnus in the front and was about to get down the platform.

“Abel Klein.” The Prince in the back called his name. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I’ll look forward to your achievements.”

Abel was hesitant for a moment.

‘Heard about me?’

Under the circumstances, it was highly likely that these words were just compliments out of formality, but when his eyes met the Prince’s, Abel sensed something strange. As if the words he spoke were intentional. Regardless, Abel quickly concealed his shock and replied to him politely.

“Thank you.”

He gave off a chatty and sloppy image during his speech, yet when their eyes met, he felt a chill down his spine.

‘...As expected. It’s blatantly obvious.’

If he were clueless, he would be doubtful, but Abel could see that the Prince was no ordinary man. He had another face hidden under his gentle-faced mask. However, while Abel greeted him in gratitude, the prince smiled as if he’d never made that face before and said to Magnus,

“Go ahead.”

“Yes.”

Magnus signaled him to go down the platform, and only then could Abel start to move. By the time Abel got down the stairs, Magnus had continued his speech,

“Now! Next is the runner-up! In second place is Evelyn Cephyr. Come onto the platform.”

Upon hearing those words, Evelyn came forward and walked up the staircase. While Abel was returning to his spot, his eyes met hers. Like her gaze towards him after the test the other day, Evelyn looked at him and went ahead as if brushing past him.

‘Annoyed, the 1st rank was taken, huh?’ Abel thought as he returned to his original spot.

The last time too, it didn’t seem like she was looking for no reason, but it was difficult to ascertain the exact cause. Even if he tried, there needed to be more skill to meticulously judge the inner thoughts of others. On top of that, it wasn’t just her. The Prince’s words bothered him, too, turning his brain into a complete mess.

“...so continue to be diligent in your efforts.”

During the time he was thinking of other stuff, the announcement of the runner-up wrapped up, and Magnus announced the end of the entrance ceremony.

“With that, the entrance ceremony is over.”

As per the original program, the ceremony was meant to continue for longer, but the Prince’s unusually long speech might be why it was cut short so drastically.

[Please give a real-life lesson to the arrogant and immature Luke Paltaine!]

[If you succeed, you will receive 5 low grade magic spell boosters!]

After a while, they reached the training grounds inside the dormitory. To be precise, the spaces were prepared for individual training, so Abel was inwardly surprised at Luke’s choice of location.

‘Are guys like them born with an instinct to run off to secluded places?’

In that time, their visual memory must be excellent for them to find a suitable place. However, it was pathetic of them to choose such a place. Abel looked at them and spoke as they kept quiet even after getting there and were picking up weights.

“So what’d you want to talk about? Let’s be friends from now on, huh? Something like that?”

“Are you just slow or are you pretending to be slow-witted?”

“Of course, it’s the latter. Do I really have to say it out loud for you to know? Huh?”

“Wh-what?”

“Why are you stammering now? Is it because you hurt your head last time?”

Abel’s constant taunting turned Luke’s face burning red. At the same time, the facial expression of the two punks standing behind Luke became sour. The atmosphere there was a menace.

‘How cute.’

But, of course, Abel was completely unaffected by that. He might have been in a boy’s body, but originally he’d even served in the military. At best, they were 15 or 16 year olds, yet seeing those kids lifting weights could only seem cute to Abel.

Abel thought that those guys would run for him in their excited state. However, instead of running to him, Luke spoke with trembling cheeks.

“What, just because you got into the Klein family, you think you’re a wolf or something? You son of a bitch from the streets. It looks like the Kleins have lowered their standards.”

Those were extremely harsh, biting remarks. As soon as the punk stopped talking, Abel turned off the magic tool in his pocket and said.

“Then what about you, who was rolling on the floor after being beaten by a son of a bitch, huh?”

“I’m...”

“Even right now, you’re just running that mouth because you’re scared, right? Isn’t it?”

“You bastard!”

That was the extent of that punk’s patience. He ran in Abel’s direction with his fist clenched. But he wasn’t wholly reckless and maintained the proper posture.

Swish!

However, Abel dodged his fist like it was nothing. Not just once, either. He easily avoided the fist flying at him the second and the third time too.

“Are you letting me dodge it on purpose? Hm?”

Along with sarcastic remarks in the spare moments, he clenched his teeth and swung his fists. Luke’s face slowly turned redder and redder.

All of a sudden.

Whirring-!

Blue haze started rising from his body. He was starting to raise his mana level. Considering Luke’s background, he’d likely use one of his family’s secrets. Using mana, even bare fists could break bones and damage organs. That was why those behind him stood with panicked expressions on their faces.

Abel’s eyes sank into a cold gaze after trying to dodge the attacks and end them in a few blows.

“Now you’re crossing the line.”

Luke, who was too immersed in the heat of the moment, didn’t understand the warning he was given, and Abel did not give the warning for the second time.

Luke’s fist came in at a speed many times faster than before.

Whoong-!

Seeing that, Abel recited to himself in his mind.

‘Shadow step.’

Instantly, Abel’s new form became blurry and then disappeared.

[To be continued.]