CH 110

1st place: Natalie

The placement test was over. Most of the freshmen were frustrated with the results. Some looked at the scoreboard and nodded. Some didn’t even check as they knew their performance. Everything could be on the Academy’s leaderboards. Those below had placed targets on higher students, and those on top could keep an eye on those climbing.

“…Ouch. I’m screwed.”

“What kind of placement test is this? Are they fucking around with us?”

It was clear which students had talent. One test broke their confidence and showed the gap they had to overcome to reach the top. A group of freshmen gathered near the scoreboard.

“What the hell did they grade us on? Did they let us loose in a forest and test who lived the longest? What type of shit is that!”

“Maybe they don’t even have one. Why else do you think we’re this low?”

Their frustration grew as they shared their inability to accept the reality in front of them.

“Do you know who that rank 1 is? Did they hide their last name or something? Maybe they’re an orphan adopted by a noble.

“I can understand the Graysons and the Foyths, but this? The Academy has really fallen.”

Their jealousy was directed at those they couldn’t reach. It was natural for the sons and daughters of prestigious families to be at the top, but above them was a no name? One by one, the new students nodded in agreement.

“You don’t recognize rank 1? Haven’t you heard of her name?”

At the sound of a new voice, some turned with confusion.

“No. I don’t really care. She’s just a flunky who’ll be exposed sooner or later.”

“…You should look behind you.”

The freshmen froze and slowly looked to turn behind them. A group slowly approached them, with a man and woman standing side by side and a dark-haired girl walking in front of them. The nobles quickly realized who the two at the back were.

“Uh…Eugene Grayson and Cora Foyth?”

Eugene, who wasn’t very tall, frowned as he stopped before the group. He didn’t look a day over 15. Cora was about the same height as him. She flicked her hair, which was tied back into a ponytail.

“How long are you going to look at the board for? Surely you’ve seen it plenty.”

Eugene spoke harshly, and the freshmen scattered at the sound of his high-pitched voice. He stared at the leaderboard for a long time, exhaled lightly, and looked at the person before him. He was around half a foot shorter than he was, with black hair. Natalie’s expression was dry as she stared at the leaderboard.

“How do you feel about beating the two of us, Natalie? You can pat yourself on the back for that.”

“Not much. This is just the first step to my goal.”

Her name was nailed to the top of the leaderboard. Lined up below it, the best and brightest from the most prestigious families in the Kingdom. Natalie looked at the list indifferently. Eugene walked before her, and a smile crept up his face.

“So, what’s your goal, then? You have a very unique understanding of magic. It doesn’t seem like you are limited to conventional magic.”

“If she answered those questions, we wouldn’t need to follow her around.”

Cora, who had been watching, said to Eugene sharply. He nodded in agreement and took a step back. Cora, the genius of House Grayson. Someone who, once inducted, would reach the top of the tower. A young wizard who had already forged her Fourth Circle.

Eugene had an objective view of his talents and stats. He was more than capable of facing anyone on the continent. He also knew that no eighteen-year-olds on the continent could beat him.

But this girl in front of him was far beyond him.

“So let me ask you a question. I don’t really care what your goal is. I’ll find out one day, anyways. How many Circles have you formed?”

Natalie finally stopped staring at the leaderboard and faced Eugene. Eugene and Cora reflexively sucked in a breath as they met the girl’s eyes. They were as black as her hair, and her face was so pure and beautiful you’d think it had been sculpted.

“More than you realize.”

It was a simple, straightforward, to-the-point answer. Eugene smiled, satisfied. ‘She knows how to raise her stock.’ This girl was much brighter than Eugene realized.

“I can see very well that you’re stronger than me, so I guess that’s true.”

Eugene studied Natalie’s actions very carefully. She had only used one type of magic to slaughter monsters. But that wasn’t where her strengths lie. Her movements weren’t something a noble would have. Her efficiency and precision could only be learned on the battlefield.

“You were very impressive. I would’ve been surprised if you didn’t take first.”

Eugene understood that she didn’t need to go to the Academy. Natalie was literally a once-in-a-thousand-year talent. He stared at her as he imagined it.

“Is that all you have to say?”

Natalie asked emotionlessly. Eugene looked at Cora beside him, holding out his hand casually, but she merely crossed her arms. She didn’t seem interested in the mysterious girl who had come in first.

“Let’s go together. We’ll have to sign up for classes sooner or later, and we can talk about what kind of people are on the faculty.”

No family has taken in this girl yet. She would be a great addition to the Grayson family, or more accurately, to Eugene Grayson’s family in the event of a succession contest. Eugene followed Natalie, not wanting to be humiliated by the girl’s disdain for him, only thinking of his plans.

“They’ve gone out of their way to hire amazing professors this year. I hear they’ve gotten someone special as well.”

Natalie’s pace slowed, and Eugene hurriedly walked to her side.

“Do you know who it is? Well, I don’t think it’s public information anywhere but….”

“You have a big mouth, Eugene.”

“…Why are you like this, Cora?”

Eugene scowled at Cora’s remark. He cleared his throat again and turned to Natalie. She looked at him impatiently. Eugene laughed as Natalie’s curiosity couldn’t be hidden.

“The Hero.”

Natalie’s stopped in place. Her dark eyes somehow turned even darker, and the two felt a chill down their neck. But Natalie quickly regained her composure.

“Quite impressive if they got him as a lecturer.”

“None of this would be possible without the Hero’s will, though I do not know why he accepted a teaching position. I wonder if it’s a political deal.”

Cora frowned at Eugene’s suspicions.

“He isn’t even a wizard in the first place. I know it’s common practice to doubt people’s intentions, but defeating Disasters isn’t because of a political deal.”

“Perhaps, but I can never trust blindly.”

“Does it even matter in this situation? The Disasters are dead, so we can enjoy another day.”

The two were bickering, more like a playful banter between friends than a serious argument. Natalie glanced at them, then shrugged and turned her attention elsewhere.

“Anyway. It’s not like we must listen to the Hero’s lecture.”

“Even if it wasn’t, everyone would want to hear it. Where did Natalie go, anyway?”

“…”

Eugene and Cora looked at Natalie’s empty seat with a blank expression.

***

“So this is the result.”

Laura read the paper I gave and nodded as she went through it. It was my list of freshmen who could be a part of the doomsday cult.

“You’ve been thorough with your selection. It’s brutal, but better safe than sorry. I knew we would have a good time working with each other…”

Laura put the paper down and smiled.

“I’ve also been researching, and our suspicions are quite similar…”

Laura turned the paper around and pointed at three different people.

“But why are these three people red-flagged?”

It was the people I prioritized keeping a watch over. I glanced at Natalie’s profile, which Laura had her finger on.

“The placement test.”

Laura nodded and stared at me. I sighed and continued.

“They were the three people who were able to deal with the first attack after the monsters appeared.”

“Perhaps they were lucky or had enough skill for a single monster? After that, they didn’t have much chance, so nothing seems out of the ordinary for me.”

Isn’t luck enough to stop them once?

Laura’s face told me she couldn’t understand my reasoning.

“It would be stupid to rule it out as luck.”

I scolded her to get it right, and only then did she resume her serious demeanor.

“Very well. Then these three. Have you done any research on them?”

I nodded with a sigh.

“Javel Hash. She’s twenty, older than the average enrollee. Nothing special about her. She’s from…Arid in the south. She has a family but not a sponsor. Most importantly, we have no information on what she did before the Academy. I think it’s only right to keep an eye on her.”

I pointed a finger at the next.

“Ivan Valko. Eighteen years old, from Teitri. He seems to have a sponsor, but the source of their money is unknown. With such a big lack of information, it’s only natural he’s a priority. Finally…”

I took out another paper.

“Natalie. Full scholarship student, no last name, unknown origins. And she’s already close to perfection. I’m sure you’d have her on your watch list even if I didn’t tell you.”

Laura shook her head in disbelief. She seemed to be mulling over my explanation.

“…So, which of these seedlings do you think is the mole the Doomsday Cult sent?”