Chapter 40 – Another Goblin (1)

The regular exams of the Royal Knight Academy were held once every month.

Every exam provided equal opportunities, and that meant that the group one belonged to could also change.

Being able to go up and go down was also a brake that prevented trainees from challenging the exam without confidence in themselves.

Also, thanks to the fact that they were conducted ‘publicly’ to everyone, a significant number of onlookers always gathered at the exams of the top-tier trainees.

Wondering if they could learn at least one thing.

Or there were cases where admiration was the reason, and simple curiosity was also one of the reasons.

And just like the first exam of this year, this time too, the top-tier trainees began to be assigned tasks.

“I am Mike Oldman of the Royal Knights. As of this moment, I will hand down individual missions. The process as well as the result is included in the evaluation items, and if you face a fatal situation, use the provided horn.”

First were the Class A trainees who applied for the Royal Knights.

Each and every one of them was at a level running at the very top of the academy.

They were skilled people to the extent that they wouldn’t hear complaints even if they acted as a knight somewhere right away.

Tricky missions that had to be performed outside the academy were given to them.

It felt a bit harsh for trainees to handle, but if they could not overcome such walls, the Royal Knights was a place they could not enter.

“Just what on earth are the contents?”

“Whatever it is, it’s probably content far removed from us. Maybe it’s to subjugate an ogre den…”

“Does that make sense? A trainee on their own?”

“It’s the Royal Knights. Didn’t you hear? Sir Mike did that during his trainee days.”

The onlookers chattered at the backs of those leaving the academy.

It was because they felt like people of another world to them.

Soon, the first group left the academy.

They were not the main focus of interest anyway.

There was a limit to how much gap there could be, and it was because they knew that the trainees who applied for the Royal Knights in the first place were not subjects of comparison at all.

The second group was the trainees of Class B.

Up to here was the realm of reality.

Trainees whose basic skills were solid beyond belief and who had accumulated some degree of practical experience through classes.

Those who had received a few recruitment proposals from decent families were the protagonists of this turn.

“To become an outstanding knight, mental armament must surely be achieved. From now on, the opponent you will clash swords with is a fellow human.”

The Royal Knight’s voice was cool.

The meaning was clear, and an overt tension was already revealed on the faces of some applicants.

The only time they had pointed swords at humans was during sparring.

Avoiding fatal attacks, and also avoiding what was called ‘underhanded tricks’.

They had faced monsters to the point of being sick of it, but it was their first time pointing a sword at a human in earnest.

“That is all you need to know. The rest will be left to your discretion, and make sure to know that the process is just as important an evaluation factor as the result.”

Harshly, the examiner’s explanation ended there.

The contents were vastly different for every exam that had existed so far, and the trainees were placed in a situation where they had to trust their own judgment.

“Each of you, enter your assigned space.”

The trainees of Class B opened the door and entered with complex expressions.

One space per person.

Only the person concerned and the examiner could see what was inside.

Because there was no need for other trainees to face sensitive content already.

“Trainees belonging to Class C, this way.”

Again, a new examiner appeared.

It was Melissa.

Just like the previous examiners, she was a 7-Star Knight, and her cool appearance was sufficient to evoke admiration from those who looked.

“The explanation is only once. Focus.”

The twelve applicants listened simultaneously.

Most had clear signs of nervousness. Even the trainees who were watching.

The exam of Class B trainees had its core content hidden, but Class C was not.

Because this exam was not such sensitive content.

“Your task is to face an enemy, and that enemy is not human. A total of five species of monsters will wield teeth and claws at you. You must survive those attacks and end the enemy’s life.”

A very small exclamation rose among the onlookers.

Just enough not to break Melissa’s flow.

“But if we placed real monsters, half of you would lose your lives here. Fortunately, what you will face are illusions created by magic.”

Illusion.

At that expression, the moment tension was about to loosen, Melissa immediately added an explanation.

“However, if you are cut, blood will flow. When you are bitten, you will feel pain as if the affected part were tearing off. It is an illusion, but that does not mean there is no physical damage. Only, you will not suffer fatal attacks that would cause you to lose your life.”

You won’t die.

But for all other attacks, you would suffer the same damage as reality, which was Melissa’s explanation.

Since as long as it wasn’t instant death, the academy’s medical staff could save them, it meant it was practically meaningless unless it was a direct hit to the head or heart.

“The exam will be taken one by one. The remaining applicants, except for trainee Kepling, move to the waiting room.”

Melissa’s explanation was up to there.

In a crowd.

Except for Kepling, who was called, the eleven trainees quietly moved to the waiting room.

Henry and Austin were also included among them.

“Henry.”

As soon as they sat down, Austin spoke in a low whisper. It was a voice that would not be heard by other trainees.

“What.”

“You knew, didn’t you?”

“Knew what?”

“The contents of this exam. You knew in advance that we would have to face monsters. Right? That is why you suddenly started studying yesterday.”

“How would I know that?”

“Well?”

“…”

“Wouldn’t you have found out somehow? If it’s you, Henry.”

As if probing, a strange smile was directed at Henry.

Austin was asking that right now.

Whether Rousseau had told him the contents in advance.

“I think I know what you’re thinking, but no.”

“As expected, right? Since the instructor is not someone who would do that. But if not, how did you know?”

“I didn’t know.”

“No, Henry. It seems it is time to reveal my secret! Actually, I’m only telling you, but my eyes are a bit unique.”

“…?”

Henry looked at Austin as if looking at a crazy guy.

Austin nodded vigorously.

“Right, there is a secret to my eyes. It is an ability that everyone possesses if they received the blood of the Roderick Ducal House.”

“It seems your mind has gone due to excessive tension.”

“No, Henry. I’m serious.”

“That is why I am saying this. Blabbing about a family secret in this kind of situation, to someone like me. You’ve clearly gone out of your mind.”

In the first place, as soon as Austin brought it up, Henry could tell that it was sincere.

Because it was rare for a crazy guy to have serious eyes.

And naturally, Henry also intuited that this fact was a top secret of the Roderick Ducal House.

“That is what friends are, Henry. A relationship that reveals everything without hiding.”

“Did you get permission?”

“I have no interest in that sort of thing. There is no one in the family I need to impress. More than that, aren’t you curious? What kind of ability it is.”

“I’m not curious.”

“Why?”

“Because that is what a friend is. A relationship that avoids situations that would cause harm to each other as much as possible.”

“I guarantee it, Henry. Even if this fact is revealed, no harm will come to me.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t consider that as harm.”

Henry was lost for words.

To think he had such a purely crazed personality.

But he could not stay stiff like this.

[A real psycho lolol]

[The atmosphere is like if he asks, he’ll tell him lolol]

[Can’t he ask this?? I feel like I won’t be able to sleep because I’m curious today lol]

Because the response of the viewers was immense.

From the moment he entered this exam venue.

Henry had kept the broadcast turned on with a moderately stimulating title.

Class B Promotion Exam.

It was even the moment of facing a monster for the first time.

It would be stranger if he did not turn on the broadcast.

‘It cannot be helped.’

He must ask this.

It was not simply because of the response in the chat window.

Because from this moment on, this question held a value of 200,000 won.

“……So what is it?”

“I can see through lies.”

“In all cases?”

“There are complex prerequisite conditions. This is annoying, so let’s explain it later.”

“The principle?”

“I can see the flow of mana. Mana is not something that only moves when swinging a weapon. Even when spitting out words like this right now, mana is fluctuating. Though it seems only the people of our family can see this.”

Seeing the flow of mana.

At that expression, Henry ended up freezing.

“……You are saying you can always see the flow of mana?”

“It is natural to be surprised. But it’s not that I can always see it. I cannot explain the reason, but there are cases where mana fluctuates when someone tells a lie. Visually seeing it is only at those times.”

“…”

“Once my father also spoke like that. That the biggest reason the Roderick Ducal House was able to reach this position is our eyes.”

The promised reward was given.

Henry was also feeling the same way as Oop Oop.

This was sincere, and Henry had learned at this moment the secret of the Roderick Ducal House that had been handed down from generation to generation.

“……Okay. So you noticed that my words were a lie?”

“It was a very massive reaction, Henry. Ah, to add one thing, the more important a secret is to the opponent, the larger the range of reaction becomes. It must be something truly precious to you, right?”

It was true.

The broadcast had now become an existence that could not be exchanged for anything for Henry.

Austin shrugged his shoulders.

“I won’t ask you anymore. Since I’ve learned that it is that important. Actually, that is also why I brought up my secret. I felt like at least this much was needed to confirm that it was sincere.”

“I should pay you back. It’s true it was a lie. I knew it, and it has nothing to do with anyone inside or outside the academy. I figured it out myself.”

“As expected!”

Austin nodded as if genuinely admiring.

Since it meant it was information dug up solely by Henry’s own ability without receiving anyone’s help.

By that point, rather than cheating, it was more correct to see that Henry had some special ability.

“That would be your… hidden card, wouldn’t it? Just like my eyes. Though I don’t know exactly what kind of ability it is.”

“What I can say is only up to here.”

“It’s enough.”

Austin nodded as if savoring it.

It was already interesting enough, and he had a personality that loved something that departed from his common sense.

If he were to find out Henry’s ability in this place?

It would only amount to consuming at once a pleasure that could be tasted multiple times.

Just then, the second applicant was called.

Waiting until the trainee left, Austin spoke to Henry in a whisper once again.

“Actually, there is one more secret, Henry. I will tell you this one if you want.”

“I’m not curi…”

“I’m curious. What is it?”

“You are not the first one I saw this with today.”

“Look at how many people there are. Of course you wouldn’t be.”

Lying was a more common action than one would think.

For instance, excuses saying it’s no big deal were also included in that.

But what Austin was trying to say was not that kind.

“I told you, right? The stronger the intention to hide is, the larger the fluctuation of mana becomes. And I’m not talking about the small fry filling up the surroundings. It was someone who could influence me in some way.”

“……Who is it?”

Now, frankly, Henry was also in a curious state of mind.

He said it was someone who could influence Austin.

If it was someone met today, didn’t it mean they had a clear relationship with this exam?

“Dame Melissa. A 7-Star Knight belonging to the Royal Knights, and the person presiding over our exam this time.”

The moment Austin spoke with a broad smile.

An explosive reaction returned in the chat window, and subsequently, the action Henry had to take was determined.

“At exactly which moment?”

“The moment she said they were illusions. The monsters we have to face, I mean.”

BJ Swordmaster