Chapter 14: Sweetheart….You just hide your power, didn’t you?

Following the instructor’s guidance, those who passed the written exam moved to the practical exam area.

While the second practical exam changed annually, everyone here knew what the first one entailed.

Called the “Qualification Demonstration” among examinees, this stage tested whether one possessed the minimum qualifications to attend the academy.

“Those applying for combat-oriented Hunter positions, please gather to the left. Those applying for non-combat roles, to the right.”

Combat roles were self-explanatory.

Non-combat roles included blacksmiths, alchemists, and healers who didn’t intend to engage in direct combat.

However, some individuals, despite primarily using non-combat traits and skills, participated directly in party battles, and they too moved to the left.

I had one such person beside me.

Han Shin-woo. A genius craftsman awakened with an S-rank trait related to metallurgy.

Despite his usual frivolous talk and goofy demeanor, he was a recognized expert in his field.

“My ear itches… Is someone talking about me?”

‘Your senses are sharp. You can tell when someone’s badmouthing you.’

Moreover, his S-rank trait amplified his stats, added special effects, and increased his proficiency with weapon skills when using equipment he crafted, making him quite formidable in combat.

“Hey, aren’t you going over there?”

Shin-woo was taking the harder route, even though he’d have a guaranteed pass in the non-combat category.

“You know there’s barely any fighting over there. What kind of Hunter is that?”

“Did you just… disparage non-combat Hunters?”

I couldn’t believe my friend was a support-role hater.

“Good grief. I can’t say anything around you. You’re just messing with me, right?”

Of course I knew. He had already applied for a combat role, so taking the non-combat exam was impossible.

Without exception, we all stood on the left, and soon the instructor planted three flags.

One labeled “Melee,” one “Ranged,” and one “Utility.”

“Please line up again according to what you wrote on your applications.”

This was also straightforward.

Melee Hunters to Melee, Ranged Hunters to Ranged, and Hunters specializing in healing or buffs to Utility.

Very simple.

“Hey hey- That’s the ranged line. You need to come over here.”

Shin-woo grabbed my arm as I joined the ranged line. But he overlooked one thing.

“I am ranged.”

“What…?”

Not just Shin-woo, but others were surprised as well.

“I applied as a ranged Hunter.”

The lightning energy from Ink Lightning Divine Art didn’t dissipate quickly like other internal energies even after leaving my body, so it maintained sufficient power for ranged attacks.

I had no intention of standing out, so I planned to cosplay as a ranged Hunter and pass the exam discreetly.

“Crazy… What if you fail?”

“It’s fine. I can easily demonstrate B-rank or higher proficiency with this.”

B-rank was in the upper percentile for the entrance exam last year.

I heard this year’s applicants were exceptionally talented, but B-rank should still be a safe bet.

“A B-rank Hunter is still in the upper ranks, but you make it sound so easy… Whatever, do what you want.”

“Then I’ll do ranged too.”

Liera, thinking I’d applied for melee, had followed suit.

Proficient in both swordsmanship and magic, she could definitely excel in ranged combat.

“No, you have to go where you applied.”

Liera looked at me, feeling tricked.

‘I never said I applied for melee, so I didn’t trick her.’

It was her assumption. The instructor spoke again.

“We will now move by category! Please follow your instructor closely.”

“See you later.”

I bid farewell to Estelle, who was in Utility, and the other four in Melee, and followed the ranged instructor.

The instructor stopped in front of a machine, and we all halted as well.

The instructor began to explain.

“This is a training tool created with the help of Illusion, an S-rank illusion-type Hunter. Some of you might have used it before.”

Seung-ah’s family had one.

A tool that summoned illusions with real physical properties.

Very expensive.

“This will summon 30 goblins and 3 orcs. The test ends when you defeat them all while minimizing damage.”

A high-C-rank ranged Hunter could easily handle this difficulty. Of course, the process would be scrutinized.

“We’ll start with the person in front.”

The person at the very front looked dismayed.

‘That’s why you shouldn’t stand at the front.’

Being in the middle was always the best.

The exam began, and goblins and orcs projected from the training tool charged towards the examinee.

“Screech… Screech…”

“Grook.”

The realistic footsteps and cries made them feel real, not illusions.

The first examinee did fairly well, but failed to completely block an orc’s approach and took a few hits.

They eventually defeated them, but likely incurred some penalties.

Turns continued, and soon it was my turn.

‘I know how much to show.’

Observing the others, I’d considered how to attract just enough attention without revealing my true strength.

I now had an answer.

“Begin.”

As the instructor gave the signal, goblins and orcs sprang forth.

I first spread lightning energy from Ink Lightning Divine Art around the ground to slow their approach.

I could annihilate them all in one blow, but that would defeat the purpose of choosing ranged.

I launched needles of lightning energy at the immobilized targets, incapacitating them.

Of course, this wouldn’t stop the orcs’ charge, so I threw handcrafted lightning spears at their legs.

They groaned but still tried to approach, their mobility severely hampered.

I systematically finished off the disabled goblins and orcs, and the test concluded.

‘That should be enough to pique their interest without revealing too much.’

Not overwhelmingly powerful, but clean and precise movements, efficiently eliminating enemies without wasting energy.

They would likely see me as a promising A-rank Hunter in the making.

Impressive, but extraordinary individuals always existed.

Like that girl, for example.

Bang!

The blonde woman next in line.

She stretched out her arm and opened her hand, drawing all the goblins and orcs together into a single mass.

Then, she clenched her fist, and the clustered monsters exploded.

Quite grotesque, but since they were illusions, the scattering blood, flesh, and organs vanished instantly.

“That’s Alice, isn’t it…?”

“Yeah. They said she’s the heir to one of the world’s top 10 families, and she’s truly on a different level… We can’t compare.”

‘Ah!’

I remembered.

Since children of Awakened individuals were usually born Awakened, influential families continuously expanded their power.

Among them were the so-called “Top 10 Families.”

The Strauss family in Germany had been the talk of the town, having produced a telekinesis prodigy.

Indeed, displaying A-rank level abilities at her age made her a true prodigy.

After finishing the test, she turned and walked towards me. Did she have something to say?

“You… You held back, didn’t you?”

‘How did she know?’

Even the instructor hadn’t remarked on it. How could a 17-year-old girl discern that? I couldn’t admit it, so I decided to play dumb.

“Why would you think that? What’s the benefit of hiding my strength during an exam?”

Unless one had a goal like mine—a peaceful life—there was no reason to hide one’s power.

It offered no advantage.

“Hmm… I must have been mistaken. Since we’re talking, why don’t we introduce ourselves? I’m Alice Strauss.”

I seemed to have dodged that bullet.

I had set a new goal of getting stronger, but it didn’t mean abandoning my comfortable life.

My plan to earn money as a Hunter, buy a building, and retire quietly was still in progress.

“I’m Kim Yu-won. Nice to meet you.”

I extended my hand. She took it, then suddenly flinched and collapsed to the ground.

“Ugh…!”

A slightly sour smell and a trickling sound.

The ground was turning yellow.

She had wet herself.

‘What’s going on?’

If this continued, she’d be known worldwide as the girl who peed herself.

And I’d be labeled the cause.

‘Absolutely not!’

The man who made the heir to a top 10 family wet herself? A ridiculous title I wanted no part of.

I materialized the energy of Ink Lightning Divine Art, creating a sphere around us, obscuring us from view.

Unless someone of equal strength forcibly dispersed it, no one could see us.

“Are you okay?”

I extended a hand to her as she sat on the ground.

“Eek…!”

She recoiled at the sight of my hand.

‘What did I do?’

Anyone would think a criminal was reaching out to her.