Chapter 86. Entrance Exam (8)

There were reasons for applicants not to compete directly.

On the back of the maps were rules for conflicts between applicants.

—We advise you to avoid armed conflicts. When the conflict between applicants cannot be avoided, it is permitted to subdue an opponent until he is stunned, but if the opponent is seriously injured, the person responsible is immediately disqualified.

There were likely to be serious injuries in an armed fight.

It was not logical for them to risk being disqualified.

“……”

A few men with swords looked at Cecil’s exposed legs.

The man, who looked like a mage, spoke to the leader. He stared at Cecil’s face. He seemed to have recognized her identity.

“…Are you from the Sorcery Department?”

“…Why do you want to know that?”

The leader lowered his sword with a mischievous grin.

“I didn’t know you were in the Sorcery Department. So we are not enemies.”

Cecil frowned at the sudden change in attitude.

“If you promise to cooperate with us, you can use this road. Isn’t that a good offer?”

He pointed to the seal on his shoulder.

“You must know what this symbolizes.”

It was the seal of the Order of Knights, Gilon. They were dedicated to subjugating demonic beasts. They didn’t prioritize reputation, more like mercenaries. She had heard of them, but never imagined they would be so narrow-minded.

“……”

The leader pointed his sword at the masked man.

“Of course, you must abandon that guy. We don’t need any more swordsmen.”

Cecil looked at him.

Nor did he make any gesture to Cecil.

She thought for a while about it.

Cecil couldn’t face them alone. Besides, magic items could kill people easily, so she might be disqualified.

But she didn’t mind his suggestion.

“Let’s find another road, Candy.”

The best option was to turn back.

As Cecil turned, the masked man grabbed her wrist.

“……?”

The man looked Cecil straight in the eye. He appeared to have a different perspective.

Then, he whispered in her ear.

“Get away from me…”

“What?”

Those were the first words he had said to Cecil. She was briefly stunned. Unlike what she thought, he had a normal voice.

Cecil blinked.

“Do you intend to fight them?”

He slightly nodded.

“Alright. Do what you want.”

The masked man’s eyes glowed golden.

Those eyes were unique, I had to remember them.

Cecil wanted to see how this masked man would solve the situation. She could trust him, because she had seen how he had fought with the Planteras so far.

She stepped back a little.

The leader laughed.

“Hahaha, that’s your decision?”

The masked man walked towards the knights with his wooden sword.

The leader raised his sword.

The knights surrounded the man, it was as natural as flowing water.

The mage, who was in the rear, summoned five fireballs.

Cecil anxiously watched.

They stood still for a while.

The masked one moved first.

His action was unexpected.

He threw his wooden sword at the mage’s feet, then raised his arms as if he had surrendered.

The knights could not believe it.

“……?”

“What?”

They began to laugh as they made eye contact.

“Hahaha.”

“He acted like a woman.”

The knights unrestrainedly laughed.

The wooden sword began to shake.

The mage shouted.

“What is this?”

A sapling that appeared in the place of the wooden sword wrapped around the mage’s body like a mage’s web.

When the masked man moved his arms to his feet, an intense light appeared in his hand and a huge explosion occurred.

Boom!

The dust enveloped the area.