Ch.3Gallimar (3)

“Huh, huh…!”

The sound of breathing echoes through the spacious room.

As if having held her breath for a long time, her breathing desperately craves oxygen.

The once-calm air becomes restlessly tainted.

At the center of this chaos lies a collapsed woman.

“Cough, hack…!”

She even coughs violently.

Her name is Selena Drunkard.

She holds the position of Chief Professor and is currently the person in charge of overseeing the entrance examination.

Her red eyes tremble.

Her long purple hair spreads across the floor.

Suddenly collapsed, Selena had to remain down for a while, struggling to catch her breath.

A moan escapes her lips.

“What on earth is this…?”

Her sentence scatters without completion.

Only a lingering aftershock remains.

The purple-haired woman, pressing her brow, recalled the scene she had just witnessed.

<Are you saying the target is… that very small, precious, and adorable doll standing right there?>

The examination of a boy named Judas Snakus.

Selena had linked her consciousness to the target of that exam.

It was a unique mental magic she had developed.

For a certain period, she could possess a designated inanimate object.

Her examination method was unusual.

It involved directly experiencing the opponent’s attack as a doll, then assigning a score.

In other words, she would take the hit herself.

-You’re going to directly take the students’ attacks?

-Heh… Selena. I knew you were eccentric, but I didn’t realize to this extent.

-Professor Selena… you’re not ill, are you?

-Perhaps your excessive drinking has affected your mind…

-Sigh.

-I should have known.

-After drinking so much, you’ve finally lost your mind.

Despite her colleagues’ attempts to dissuade her, Selena paid no attention.

She knew it was safe.

This was a magic she had experimented with thousands of times.

All those noisy concerns could be disproven with results.

In fact, for the past five years, Selena had conducted entrance exams without any issues.

She even secured the position of Chief Professor for her contributions.

It had always been that way, but…

‘Impossible.’

She felt the fear of death.

When the boy’s magic struck the doll, for a brief moment, an unknown pressure crushed the woman.

Her survival instinct sounded the alarm.

<Bang.>

Why was that?

It wasn’t even a particularly strong blow.

The magical output was just around the academy’s average.

But there was something.

Like a viper hiding in the shadows, an eerie sense of dissonance flickered its tongue.

Like the feeling of a snake licking the nape of her neck.

It was the intuition that superhumans possess.

‘No. I’ll die.’

She felt that if the boy applied just a little more force, not only would the doll split, but her head would too.

She hastily severed the link.

In the doll’s fading vision…

<Wow~ Controlling my power is really difficult, isn’t it?>

There was a squinting face muttering with a sinister smile.

Power control? What did that mean?

Without time to think, Selena collapsed.

After taking time to calm down, she was now in her current situation.

“Ugh, urgh…”

Her forehead felt like it was about to crack.

Staggering to her feet, Selena roughly grabbed the bottle of alcohol on her desk and took a swig.

The intense alcoholic scent diluted her pain.

However, the trembling in her fingertips wouldn’t disappear.

“Ha.”

A bitter laugh escapes her.

Was she really going mad from alcohol?

The boy hadn’t even gone through his coming-of-age ceremony yet, and she was so frightened of him.

She couldn’t understand herself.

[Magic Power Measurement]

Name: Judas Snakus

Attribute: Darkness

Power: C+

[Predicted Entrance Rank: 607th]

(Top 53%)

“…”

The measurement values reflected in the crystal ball.

Selena remains silent.

It was a value derived from a strictly objective perspective, based on numerous data points.

In fact, she felt the same way.

The First Imperial Princess entering with this batch.

The twins from the “Venatti Ducal Family,” known for their swordsmanship.

Other prodigies called promising talents.

Compared to them, his output was significantly lower.

So ordinary and simple that it would be embarrassing to even make a comparison.

‘But.’

Selena was hesitating to record it.

It was a difficult reason to explain.

If she had to put it into words, it was a kind of intuition.

A wariness that a strong individual holds towards an incomprehensible being.

“…This is crazy.”

Even while thinking that, the woman picked up her pen.

She wanted to test it.

What she had seen.

The pen tip, slipping like that of a drunk person, leaves letters on the paper.

[Entrance Top Student – Judas Snakus]

She fills in the spot that should have gone to the First Imperial Princess with the boy’s name.

If he’s just chaff, he’ll be filtered out anyway.

Selena just wanted to know.

About the identity of “that” which had briefly appeared beyond that insincere smile.

“If they find out about this… the Dean will throw a fit again.”

And that’s how an unexpected top student was born.

Meanwhile, the person about to be caught in this sudden storm…

“It seems my act was quite convincing, don’t you think?”

=Whoa, the villain hiding his power. Impressive.

…was just muttering some incomprehensible monologue, completely unaware.

***

The entrance exam ended anticlimactically.

I sat quietly, waiting for Lezia’s turn to finish.

“…”

I pout my lips timidly.

If I appear to have some complaint, you’re seeing it correctly.

I was full of petulance right now.

-Please attack the target here.

I felt like I’d been scammed.

I had expected something amazing, but I didn’t anticipate such disappointment.

It’s like biting into what you thought was chicken, only to find it’s fried tofu.

Anyway, I felt let down.

‘Still, it was my first event…’

In truth, I knew nothing about the entrance exam.

The original story always began after entering the academy.

It was an unknown world to me.

How eagerly I had waited for it.

“Sigh.”

I’m calmer now, but at the exam site, my disappointment was immense.

I could barely suppress the rising sense of betrayal.

As a result, I naturally released a bit of killing intent…

“Well, it seems no one noticed.”

Even the proctor supervising the exam didn’t notice.

They probably just felt a slight chill.

Unless someone was extremely perceptive, they would have missed it.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

I guess class is eternal.

Though slightly faded, I was still a veteran who had memorized the strategy guide by heart.

‘I became famous for posting strategy guide videos… even debuted as a creator.’

Memories resurface.

I had my own channel called “The World Through the Little Prince’s Eyes” with 3 million subscribers.

I was the best gamer, you could say.

If I hadn’t suddenly been possessed, I would have been the only player to find the hidden ending and become a legend.

It was a bit frustrating.

“Ah, my departed glory.”

A humorous lament scatters.

As I was lost in thought, a large screen displayed in the sky catches my eye.

It was a screen showing the situation in the exam area.

Light from a magical device creates a screen in the air.

<Screeeech!!!>

A fierce cry pierces the eardrums.

In the scene displayed, a large lizard with wings is roaring.

Beautiful deep red scales.

A presence exuding dense mana.

A rare fantasy creature. A wyvern.

Embers remain around its mouth, as if it had just breathed fire.

Admiration erupts among the candidates watching the exam.

<Well done, Efri!>

<That flame was the best!>

Following this, a refreshing voice is heard.

Following the camera’s angle, a girl with pink hair appears on screen.

She was riding on the back of the monster.

Wearing worn goggles, she looked exactly as she did in the game.

<Good, good~ Well done, our cute Efri~!>

Fearlessly stroking that fierce-looking creature.

She was exactly as I remembered the protagonist.

Confirming that the exam was ending, I stood up to greet the girl.

Wyvern Rider.

That was Lezia’s epithet in the game.

While summoners are common, those who handle such rare creatures are scarce.

Truly a protagonist-worthy ability.

“Oh? Lord Snakus…?”

“Miss Lezia.”

I raise my hand lightly to greet the girl.

I followed her steps as she headed towards the back door.

“That was an impressive performance. I was truly amazed.”

“Hehe… so you were watching.”

“Of course.”

“I feel a bit shy.”

Cheeks turning red as if unaccustomed to praise.

Just moments ago she was a gallant rider, but looking at her now, she was unmistakably a young girl.

I smiled slightly.

“You should be confident. Miss Lezia, you possess a brilliantly shining talent.”

“Uh, uuu…”

Her pale face quickly flushes with heat.

It was as if smoke was rising from her.

Finding her reaction amusing, I teased the girl several more times.

Eventually, her delicate lips protruded in a pout.

“Excuse me~ Miss Lezia?”

“…”

“Are you perhaps upset?”

“…No, I’m not.”

She is upset.

I giggled, enjoying her innocent reaction.

She could have gotten angry at least once, but the fact that she didn’t shows she’s truly our protagonist.

Not swayed by the whispers of a wicked snake.

“How adorable.”

“Uuubrr…”

After enjoying this fun time for a while.

Before we knew it, our steps had taken us outside the academy.

Regrettably, it was time to return to our respective lodgings.

Until the enrollment process is complete, access to the dormitories is restricted, so we need to stay somewhere nearby.

I had a designated inn, and Lezia probably did too.

Clapping my hands lightly, I say:

“Well then! Shall we part ways here?”

“Ah… that’s right. We’re already outside.”

The girl nods belatedly.

There seemed to be a hint of regret in her green eyes.

Perhaps I was the first person she had become friends with.

Having wandered the continent alone until now, she might be feeling a bit lonely.

I winked to reassure her.

“See you next time. My friend.”

Given that my eyes are always squinting, my wink probably just looked like furrowing my eyebrows.

Well, it’s the feeling that counts.

“Friend…”

Lezia repeats the word in place.

It was as if she hadn’t expected to hear such words.

The girl, who had been frozen still, soon clenched her fist and her eyes sparkled.

“Yes…! Let’s definitely meet after enrollment!”

“Hehe, see you then.”

With that, I turn my back.

As if suddenly remembering, I add one more thing.

“Be careful on your way back.”

Because it seems like some rats are scurrying about.

I continued walking.

The direction of my footsteps was towards an alley.

The liar moved in the exact opposite direction from the inn he had reserved.

***

In a street slightly away from the academy.

It was an alley where darkness prevailed over light due to the complexly entangled buildings.

It wasn’t a particularly pleasant atmosphere, but human traces were evident here too.

Mostly beggars asking for alms.

Occasionally, there were also drunkards who appeared intoxicated.

Originally, it was a place of terrible silence.

But now it was different.

Because there was noise coming from a secluded spot.

Thud, thump-!

Sounds like something being beaten.

Following this, an angry voice continues.

“Fuck! Fuck! Die…!”

The owner of the voice was Dexter Hollint.

The second son of Baron Hollint and a nobleman of noble lineage.

He was violently throwing punches.

On the ground lay a young beggar.

Judging by his face being a bloody mess, he seemed to have been beaten for quite some time.

“Fuck! You piece of shit! I’ll kill you!”

Thump, thud-!

The violence shows no sign of stopping.

He was swinging his fists with killing intent, but there was no particular reason.

It was just a way to vent his anger.

-How amusing.

-Seeing you act so recklessly… I can’t help but laugh.

The voice lingering in his ears.

Dexter gritted his teeth all the more.

If he didn’t vent his anger like this, he would keep remembering the squinting eyes that had mocked him.

“…”

A young beggar who appeared to be about ten years old.

The child didn’t move an inch despite the unreasonable violence pouring down.

Or rather, he couldn’t.

Because corpses don’t resist.

“Fuuuuck!!!”

“Young master, it’s about time we leave.”

“Shut up!!”

“…Yes.”

Seeing Dexter completely lose his mind, the guard knight inwardly sighed.

What on earth was he doing?

Crawling into the slums just to vent his anger, beating up a beggar.

It was a pathetic situation that left him speechless.

At least he wasn’t doing this at the mansion.

After all, it would be much better to inflict violence on beggars than on the servants.

After a brief wait.

Dexter threw the tattered child to the ground.

“Haa, haa…”

His body was drenched in sweat, but his anger wasn’t fully vented yet.

After being mocked so much.

Dexter gritted his teeth.

“This is all because of that bitch. Damn it.”

Lezia Pillots.

That commoner mongrel who had bumped into him.

If it hadn’t been for her, he wouldn’t have encountered the son of the snake, and he wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation.

Dexter shouted at the guard knight.

“You there!”

“Yes, young master.”

“Find out where that commoner bitch… Lezia Pillots lives.”

“Are you planning revenge?”

“What do you need to know for?! Shut up and find out!”

The guard knight nodded, unable to resist the shouting.

Seeing this, Dexter clicked his tongue and then muttered vilely.

“Making me suffer such shame… I’ll teach her a lesson.”

Come to think of it, she had quite large breasts.

And her face was quite pretty too.

The pig’s lips curved ominously.

“It would be good to use her as a toy for one night. I’ll torment her until she begs for her life.”

Dexter snickered, harboring vicious thoughts.

Just as he was about to leave the alley with his guards, a dim figure appeared in his sight.

“…Ha.”

Like someone blocking the way, a man standing at the opposite end of the alley.

Dexter furrowed his brow and let out a hollow laugh.

It seemed all sorts of vermin were getting in his way now.

“Can’t you move aside right now? Do you know who you’re blocking…!”

“Well, well~”

A voice cutting off the pig’s words.

In normal circumstances, this would have been a moment for outrage, but Dexter could only freeze.

It was a familiar tone.

One that had been echoing in his ears until just now.

“I wonder if all third-rate villains are the same? They really love to lose their minds.”

Judas Snakus.

“Not knowing their place.”

The blonde boy stands in the alley.

With his characteristic sinister smile on his lips.

Suddenly overcome by a chill that colored his entire body, Dexter involuntarily froze.

Why?

He couldn’t move his body.

As if being crushed by an enormous pressure.

The guard walking beside him was in the same situation.

“How unfortunate~ Joint Youngsik! Or is it Horo Youngsik? Oriental Youngsik?”

The correct term was Hollint Youngsik.

But the snake didn’t seem to care much about that.

An inexplicable fear descends.

The shoulders of the two men, frozen like stones, tremble pathetically.

As if finding their reaction amusing, the golden viper lets out a terrible sneer.

It wasn’t just a sinister laugh.

It was an eerie laugh that evoked fear, as if something was about to happen.

“I clearly gave you a chance.”

The snake flickers its tongue.

“It was you who rejected it.”

White eyes glow emptily.

Eyes now fully open.

The next moment, swirling darkness engulfed the entire street.