Chapter 30: Battle Royale (1)

(In the area for spectators)

"Over there."

"Yeah... they’re hot as fuck." A voice muttered, eyes locked on the group that just walked in.

Three young ladies walked side by side and sat at the far end of the descending seats.

"It’s husband, Unnie."

A blonde-haired woman with red eyes turned to her companion. "Yes, good thing we didn’t arrive late."

"So Unnie, is it true you applied to be a teacher?"

"I can’t possibly leave husband alone in this school full of girls. You and Amelia might stand by as he’s stolen."

Isabella had learned through the years never to take Nathira’s words at surface level.

"Unnie, you won’t try to kill someone, will you?"

Nathira stared at her. Without saying a word, she turned away.

"No way, right? You already made the bookstore owner regret ever living."

Nathira sighed. "Isabella, as someone who will stay with Arthur in his dorm, let me give you some advice," her eyes turned cold, "Kill any girl that comes close to him. It’s all for his own good, after all."

Seraph, who was quietly watching the start of the match, said, "As Master’s shadow, I shall try my best."

Isabella glanced at Seraph. "Not you too."

She exhaled deeply, fixing her gaze on the screen.

The moment the commentators announced the start of the test, the crowd cheered.

It seemed as though the spectators had already split into fan groups based on the noble houses they supported.

Seraph stood from her seat and used all the money she had in her storage ring to bet on Arthur.

After that, she bought light sticks and started yelling too.

"Master, make sure you defeat all your enemies!"

Everyone around her turned their heads, and as if inspired, raised their voices too.

"That’s Eric Daemon!" one voice shouted.

A young boy with long black hair that covered his eyes and a nonchalant expression.

He leaned a katana on his shoulder and walked like he didn’t have a care in the world.

"This is such a drag." The speaker echoed his words. "Isn’t sleeping for two days, or not eating for a day because I’m lazy, a talent?"

He collapsed to the ground. "The sun sure is bright."

The crowd’s cheers grew even louder. Then, as if just noticing the drones, he stood to his feet.

"Is that geezer watching me?" He gripped his katana and shifted from his slouched stance. "I better act the part then."

["Isn’t Eric Daemon an SS-rank awakened, who has already reached low-level Graduator?"]

("Yes, a real prodigy.")

The two commentators continued to chat as the main screen zoomed in on another candidate.

"That’s the sexy Countess, Karma Karmis."

The crowd of men roared at the sight of the fox-like princess.

Then one brave man screamed—

"My LOVE! I’ll be your SUGAR any day!"

Everyone around him went silent before bursting into another cheer.

The young lady turned to the camera and blew a kiss.

"My HEART!!!" an old man moaned loudly.

The guards standing watch couldn’t even do anything, as multiple people began screaming.

The screen flickered and changed again, this time showing the image of two beautiful girls.

On one side was the Princess of the Empire—

Melissa Von Agres.

The crowd cheered, but it seemed either she didn’t have many fans or wasn’t well-liked.

But the response for Cecilia Von Bernadette?

It was explosive.

"My eyes!!" the old man shouted.

"This is true beauty."

A woman stood to her feet and screamed, "Saintess, I’m a sinner! Take me to your quarters so I can confess my sins!"

The men began hyping up the woman.

They looked at Cecilia with reverence.

After that, many other prodigies were shown on screen.

And from the pattern, it was easy to see that only those who had SS-rank talent were shown individually.

While those with S-rank talent were grouped on a single screen.

At last, a name people had been waiting for—especially the students—was called out.

"That’s the Ice Princess’s younger brother: Ravian Roderick Valtor."

"And beside him is the one who came in first place in the One-Answer Quiz, Naza El Salvador."

The two young men were advancing through the forest and cutting down the lower-ranked enemies.

The only ones among them who were actively helping others were Emily Snowviel and Cecilia Von Bernadette, who were starting to gain supporters.

["The wait has been long, and it is finally time to reveal the ones you’ve all been waiting for!!"]

Janica took a dramatic pause.

["The two young men who took the world by storm, and the young lady who rose in popularity two years ago!!"]

She took another pause.

["The three SSS-ranks of the modern generation—the geniuses who will lead the future."]

All the screens across the arena grew brighter as the images of three figures appeared.

The three were stunning beyond belief.

The prince charming and chosen one of the Goddess—

Kim Ha-joon.

The girls screamed at the mere sight of him.

His purple eyes were mesmerizing, and his black hair swaying in the wind made all the girls’ breath hitch.

On the other screen was a beauty comparable to Cecilia Von Bernadette—the Princess of the Dragons of the East.

The one whose SSS-rank status was confirmed a year later, and one of the geniuses no one had any information about:

Princess Ayla Val Archaian.

White hair, moonlight gray eyes, and a no-nonsense expression.

But once a certain boy appeared on screen, everyone’s gazes left the other two and turned to him.

A loud cheer echoed through the arena.

Even those who had remained silent before couldn’t help but scream too.

All the prodigies and geniuses had a cold, untouchable aura about them.

But the man on the screen felt like nothing... and everything at the same time.

And his face—

It felt like something crafted purely to tempt.

Many guys covered the eyes of their female partners.

One man shouted,

"Boo!! Guys like that are the kind who make other guys commit suicide."

Another said,

"If you’re gay, then I’m gay too."

It seemed as though the spectators were only interested in his looks—unlike the remaining applicants.

("Okay, that’s enough of that.")

Daniel said with a slightly annoyed tone.

Janica laughed to reduce the tension and overhype from the crowd.

["Looks like things are getting interest—"]

As if her words caught in her throat, the eyes of the spectators all turned to a certain screen.

"Huh?" one voice muttered.

On the ground was a well-known figure, bloodied and disfigured.

An SS-rank.

But what stunned people was the one standing above him.

Not that they recognized the person—

That was exactly the problem.

An S-rank, low-level Expert had just defeated an SS-rank, high-level Expert.

─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───

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