Please, Just Read It

Please, just read it!

Chapter 28

Selection Test (3)

As I stared blankly into the void with a troubled heart…

Someone approached Riley and spoke. It was a familiar voice.

“How are you feeling? I’ve heard that some people experience motion sickness after their first teleport.”

“Oh, Sir Theobalt.”

Riley greeted him with a faint smile.

“I’m not feeling sick at all. I’m just fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

It truly was a relief.

Riley had suffered from severe motion sickness before. During the teleport, she worried whether she’d feel sick, but thankfully that didn’t happen.

Perhaps it was due to her strong mana affinity.

“By the way, how well is your team organized, Sir Theobalt?”

“My team, you ask?”

Garon Theobalt, recalling his team members for a moment, nodded with a satisfied smile.

“I’m pleased. Thanks to the filtration in the first test, they are all first-rate magicians.”

“…….”

[I’m so jealous…!]

It felt like we were the complete opposite.

“By the way, are you okay? I heard that your team has a bit of a problem…”

Garon Theobalt paused as he glanced over Riley’s shoulder.

His expression twisted slightly.

He could see two magicians sulking and muttering to each other.

“I’m really losing it. We’re doomed. It’s all your fault, you know? Why on earth does a fool from Blaze Arcane only know ancient magic come to the Selection Test…?”

“I-I’m sorry! B-but I won’t hold you back!”

Becky sulked as she sat down on the floor, and Olivia next to her fidgeted nervously.

“Ugh.”

Garon Theobalt, who had been watching this scene with a stern face, let out a deep sigh and muttered.

“To have Rebecca Duncan and a magician from Blaze Arcane on the same team… I don’t know whether to call this misfortune or luck.”

[…….]

Yeah.

Just as Garon Theobalt said.

Of all things, I ended up on a team with a crazy, murderous lunatic.

At least it was fortunate that I didn’t meet Becky as an enemy.

Regardless of reputation, Becky was indeed a strong magician.

As long as she was on our side, she’d be a significant force in the exam.

At least it was better than teaming up with someone who could do nothing.

[But…]

Even so, it was too early to make assumptions about the lunatic’s real intentions.

Once the test officially starts, who knows what Becky might do? Betrayal? Sudden outbursts? Perhaps even worse actions might take place.

It meant I had to always be cautious and watch my back.

[And then there’s that ancient magic fanatic on our team.]

I turned my gaze.

I could still see Olivia, fidgeting next to Becky.

Honestly, expecting anything from her was asking too much.

That’s because ancient magic was impractical.

[Haa…]

To make matters worse, Olivia had no combat experience whatsoever.

So if anything happened, it would probably fall to Riley and Becky to handle it.

While others fought as three, we were just two in total.

‘Hearing that really feels hopeless.’

[…….]

What can we do?

This Selection Test was our choice.

We have to grit our teeth and endure.

Even if unfavorable conditions are imposed, we have to bear it.

Simply complaining won’t change the situation.

Think about it.

Are we the only ones dissatisfied?

No.

Absolutely not.

Most of the candidates are likely feeling the same way as we do.

Why is my team such trash?

Why did I end up with these losers?

Yeah.

We must rise above such thoughts. We need to acknowledge our teammates’ strengths one by one. Then we can work together.

As one community.

And as one team.

That was the essence of this second test.

“AAARGH! Seriously! Stop stuttering so much!”

“I-I-I’m sorry…”

“How come it takes you a whole minute to say one sentence? Are you trying to drive me insane? Right?”

“I-I-It’s just a habit… I haven’t talked much with others…”

[…….]

Of course, expecting teamwork from people like them might be wishful thinking…

But, what can we do?

[We have to make it work.]

And at least from my perspective.

Riley had more than enough skills to overcome this.

“Riley.”

At that moment.

With a serious expression, Garon Theobalt continued to speak in a much calmer tone.

“I’ll be on my way. I’m relieved that, contrary to my worries, you don’t seem too nervous.”

“Ah, thank you….”

Riley halted her words.

‘What’s this? He’s just leaving.’

Garon Theobalt turned his back without even waiting for her response.

His actions seemed intentionally distant.

For some reason, that retreating figure felt strange.

As Riley quietly looked at Garon Theobalt’s disappearing back, she spoke softly.

‘Oh.’

It was as if she had realized something.

‘Now, Sir Theobalt has become our competitor too.’

[Yeah.]

Of course, there was no need to worry.

We were well-prepared.

The training we had for half a year in the lich’s hideout had paid off.

I felt confident.

I was certain that we could achieve the results we wanted through this Selection Test.

“Haa…”

Then I heard Becky let out a deep sigh.

Turning to look, I saw her sitting on the floor.

“I’m really gonna die of frustration. I didn’t think it would be so uncomfortable to be on a team with someone who can’t communicate quickly.”

Muttering, Becky glanced at Riley.

“Tsk… Well, at least there’s one person I can talk to.”

“Are you talking to me?”

“Yeah.”

Becky nodded and said.

“At least you don’t take your sweet time to say a word like that idiot…”

“I-I-I see, Ms. Becky.”

“Aah, damn it.”

Yeah.

Teamwork, my foot.

As long as they don’t tear each other apart, that’s a miracle.

[Do you have to poke at Becky like that?]

‘I told you. At the very least, she has to pay for deceiving me.’

Riley still wore a playful smile on her lips. She continued her words nonchalantly.

‘Being on the same team and unable to fight, I have to tease her like this instead.’

[…….]

Yeah.

You do you.

I can’t deal with this.

*

The second test was team-based.

No further information had been provided yet.

But considering that candidates gathered at the ruins, we could roughly guess what kind of test it would be.

[It’s likely some kind of dungeon exploration or something similar…]

Muttering to myself, I looked straight ahead.

Goohhh─.

‘It really is massive.’

[Indeed.]

A huge open gate.

Behind the dark, swirling vibes of the gate was an endlessly dark corridor.

This was the entrance to the ruins.

Also, the place where the second test would take place.

“I will now explain the test rules.”

In front of the entrance, resembling the mouth of a massive beast, the registrar began to explain the test.

“The layout of the ruins is a labyrinth.”

“…….”

“Your objective is to find the treasures hidden throughout this labyrinth.”

Labyrinth.

One of the typical forms of ruins.

It was a dangerous dungeon with a complex internal structure from which it’s not easy to escape once you step inside, filled with various traps, monsters, and guardians.

The candidates’ goal was to find the “treasure” hidden within this labyrinth.

“The form of the treasures you need to find is as follows.”

Tap, tap.

The registrar tapped a transparent crystal ball at her side twice.

As a result, the crystal emitted light and projected an image into the air like a beam projector.

“What’s that?”

Becky, who was nearby, asked with curiosity.

There stood a golden golem.

This quadruped walking golem resembled the Egyptian sphinx.

It didn’t seem too large.

At a rough glance, it appeared to be about the size of a large dog.

Whisper, whisper─.

With the sudden appearance of the golden golem, the candidates started to murmur.

The registrar continued her explanation.

“The test lasts for 24 hours. And there are two conditions for passing.”

She took something out from her pocket.

It was a small golden orb, radiating very distinctive magical energy—the core of the golden golem.

“First, you must locate the golden golem and possess its core until the end of the test.”

“…….”

“And the second.”

The registrar put the core into her pocket and turned her gaze back to the candidates.

“By that time, all team members must remain alive together.”

“…….”

Summarizing, it was like this.

1. Find the Golden Golem.

2. Acquire its core.

3. Go through all these processes with your teammates.

4. And above all, survive for 24 hours without dying.

Well, it was a simple test format.

To put it simply, it was like a treasure hunt in the ruins.

As long as we were careful of the traps and guardians, there didn’t seem to be many other dangers.

Realizing that fact, the candidates looked somewhat relieved.

“Considering the background of the test being the ruins, the difficulty seems easier than expected.”

“Yeah. I thought that only teams who could conquer the boss of the ruins would pass.”

Of course.

Their delusion wouldn’t last long.

“Ah, just for your reference, there are only THREE golden golems.”

“…….”

“……….”

The candidates’ expressions hardened as they heard the registrar’s continuing words.

There were 42 candidates in total.

But there were only three golden golems.

In other words, among the 14 teams, only a maximum of three teams could pass the test.

[What kind of pass rate is only 20% for the second test?]

That also meant only when all the golems hidden within the labyrinth had been discovered.

The actual pass rate was probably much lower.

[Here comes that ridiculous exam format again.]

The Five Great Towers limited the number of golems to three for a reason.

Limited resources.

And overflowing demand.

They probably just wanted to see a brutal competition unfold among candidates.

‘How cruel.’

[But well, that’s the Five Great Towers’ way.]

The Five Great Towers were believed that only desperate competition could reveal true capabilities among magicians.

On the bright side, they were thoroughly committed to meritocracy; on the dark side, they were just perverts who enjoyed pitting candidates against each other.

[Well, what matters isn’t that…]

Sorting my thoughts so far, I looked straight ahead again.

The registrar continued her explanation.

“Of course, finding the golden golem won’t be easy. There will also be several obstacles prepared within the ruins to hinder you.”

She tapped the crystal ball again and continued.

“I’ll introduce you to some representative obstacles you should be wary of.”

The image changed.

Obstacles that looked excruciatingly dangerous—traps, monster threats, and various guardians defending the ruins…

With each new image of the obstacles that the candidates would face during this second test, faint sighs could be heard from the crowd.

[Harsh, incredibly harsh…]

Not only were they fanning the competitive flames between candidates but they were also constantly creating hazardous conditions within the ruins.

Just hearing the explanations made some teams look already demoralized.

“However, the obstacle you must be most cautious of is…”

As the registrar tapped the crystal again, the hologram’s image shifted.

“Those things.”

[……Huh?]

At that moment, upon seeing the image the registrar showed, I couldn’t help but blurt out a dazed sound.

[Wait a minute, that’s…]

It was a chimera.

A chimera that looked very familiar.

[No way, what is this?]

That one definitely looked like something I had seen before.

Memories were flickering on the verge of recognition.

Just then, the registrar began explaining about that particular obstacle.

“This chimera is a peculiar creature capable of using magic, designed as a high-risk creature for destruction and killing…”

As I listened to the registrar’s explanation, Riley also seemed to catch onto something.

‘Huh? Isn’t that…?’

[…….]

A magic-using chimera.

A high-risk creation meant for destruction and killing.

So, in other words…

[……Aren’t those the same ones we faced right before leaving the lich’s hideout?]

It was too coincidental that they looked exactly like the ones we battled.

The design, attack patterns, all identical to the creatures we saw in the lich’s lair.

No.

Looking closely, they seemed in much better condition than the ones we had previously fought.

If the ones we battled before were merely prototypes, the ones now shown by the registrar looked like finished products.

“You all should be well aware of what this chimera is.”

[…….]

“Five years ago, these chimeras, under the command of a lich, invaded the eastern region of the Empire. They are monsters that the management division has struggled to procure for this test…”

[Oh, damn, wait a second.]

As I listened to the registrar’s words, I suddenly recalled what the lich had said a few days ago.

– Oh! I got it! I tried to conquer the world!

– B-but not the whole continent, just one little city on the eastern edge to turn into my kingdom! That’s fair, right?

Oh my goodness.

[That damned skull-headed bastard, for real…]