The examiner's voice took on a stern tone as he outlined the exam's objective. "Your sole purpose in this trial is to survive. We will release a thousand second-rank beasts into this area. Your mission is to eliminate as many of them as possible." After a brief pause, the examiner continued in a monotone voice, "While we make an effort to ensure your safety, it is worth noting that previous exams have had casualties."
As the weight of the impending challenge sank in, anxiety crept through the students. Panic finally erupted when some of the students among them, in a fit of hysteria, dashed toward the examiner, pleading to be removed from this exam. Regrettably, their pleas fell on deaf ears.
The examiner gazed down at the students with a faint smile before responding, "You have ten minutes before the exam commences."
Despite the growing unease and complaints, a majority of students understood the gravity of the situation. They steeled themselves for the impending battle, well aware that this academy was a place of learning and growth, even when it meant facing death.
I remained unfazed by the information. I recalled this portion of the novel and recognized the students who had shouted as second-years, merely putting on a performance. While it was true that some students might technically "die" during the exam, I understood that this was a simulated environment. The pain they'd experience was real, but the injuries would be illusory.
Suddenly, I saw a figure approach me, initiating a conversation.
"What's up, you are Julian Este right? I'm Dorian from the Sanetlz family. Want to work together?" Dorian asked, waiting for my answer.
After contemplating the proposal momentarily, I accepted.
"Yes, I'm open to a collaboration," I declared, though my stern gaze bore a clear warning as I locked eyes with Dorian, "However, do not get in my way."
Dorian was a commoner who spent his free hours consumed by visits to libraries and the utilization of government-provided resources, all without cost. He comprehended the art of acing exams, knowing that it involved not merely providing the correct answers but delivering what the examiners desired.
However, in the novel, my counterpart rejected the invitation and couldn't help but harbor a deep-seated hatred for Dorian. The novel had briefly alluded to Dorian's background as a member of a fallen noble house in the same country as Julian's family. In my eyes, Dorian appeared to be a commoner, begging me to aid in the restoration of his family. However, I was not the same Julian. I realized that if I intended to reshape the story, I would need different types of allies than the ones my counterpart had in the novel.
I also found myself pondering another intriguing development. After being rejected by my counterpart, Dorian had joined the protagonist's group, transforming into one of their most important supporters. I believed that if Dorian was by my side, then I could find a better way to antagonize the protagonist.
Soon, a group of men, unfamiliar to me approached me, "Julian, you would dare to align with a commoner?" one of them sneered with disdain, and a chorus of disapproval rose from the others. However, I remained steadfast and responded firmly, "Within this academy, all are on an equal footing."
Emerging from the crowd, Tiberius Kingsley, a key enforcer for his counterpart, caught me off guard with his unexpected statement. "You've undergone a transformation, Julian Este. Whether for better or for worse, it's not my place to make that call," Tiberius commented.
He continued, "Nevertheless, it would be beneficial for us to collaborate, given that we are family." I was left momentarily speechless by Tiberius's surprising words. After all, Tiberius had been instrumental in tormenting the main character, often under my counterparts orders.
In the novel, Tiberius was never vocal, and there was no mention of a familial tie. In the end, I decided to accept my counterpart's henchmen as my allies.
Suddenly, the field reverberated with the thunderous roars as the beasts were unleashed. In this moment, I had no insight into my counterpart's fighting style, compelling me to rely on my own array of skills and expertise.
Tiberius cast a pondering gaze upon me, noting my new approach, before redirecting his attention to the menacing creatures before us.
As the ferocious beasts charged, the groups scattered, each sprinting toward their designated targets. I swiftly retrieved my sword from my waist, ready to face the impending clash. Soon, a cluster of these formidable creatures came running towards my group, having broken through the frontline.
"Dorian, ensnare them with a mana chain!" I bellowed, taking on the mantle of leadership in my group.
The rest of the group, grasping my intentions immediately, leaped into action, creating a barrier around the rest of the advancing beasts. I focused on the chained creatures, trying to sever its tough hide. In a surge of fury, the chained beast wriggled and snapped the chains, regaining its footing.
"I've lost control! I'll attempt to cast another chain, try to stall it for thirty seconds!" Dorian urgently shouted.
I stepped back, snatched up a nearby rock, and hurled it at the creature's eyes. The beast reacted with a violent stomp and charged toward me. It was a higher-ranking adversary, faster and more agile than me. With a narrow dodge, I narrowly avoided its assault, yet it managed to graze the side of my stomach.
"Tiberius, I need you here. I'll engage the front; you strike from the rear!" I directed. Tiberius hastened to the side of the beast, driving his sword into its flank and lodging it there, while I endeavored to maintain the creature's attention.
Tiberius recognized an opportunity as his blade remained embedded in the creature's side; he relentlessly kicked the sword, forcing it deeper into the beast.
The creature, wracked with agony, emitted a thunderous roar, shifting its focus from me to Tiberius.
Unable to evade the oncoming strike, Tiberius swiftly conjured a small mana shield, which absorbed the brunt of the impact but sent him tumbling backward, blood staining his lips.
"Are you alright, cousin?" I called out, my gaze remaining fixed on the beast. I then leaped onto the creature's back, clutching the sword lodged in its side.
Tiberius managed to joke, "I can still breathe, if that's what you're asking," though he wobbled as he tried to stand.
"Dorian!" I shouted, prompting a chain to ensnare the beast once more. With as much effort as I could muster, I pulled the sword down, slicing open the creature's stomach, although the creature still stood, in pain, but angry.
In mere moments, I swiftly assessed the situation and formulated a plan. "I need both of you to channel an electric bolt into its stomach," I commanded. In unison, they channeled grade one electricity spells into the creature's exposed abdomen, killing the beast.
"We did it!" Dorian exclaimed with joy, but I reminded him, "We're not finished yet." We turned our attention toward aiding the rest of our allies. I instructed Dorian, "This time, it's your turn to fight. I'll take a brief rest and provide support."
"Alright," Dorian responded, unsheathing his sword. Surveying the battlefield, he observed that most of our classmates were holding their own, though some had already met their fate. Dorian dashed toward the remaining beasts, eliminating one with the assistance of the other five members in his group.
I, having rested for a couple of minutes, rejoined the frontline alongside Tiberius. I leaned toward my cousin and asked, "Are you sure you are in the right condition to continue?"
Tiberius responded in a subdued voice, "Yes," and to emphasize his determination, he surged toward the next beast.
In a mere ten minutes, we managed to overpower the last of the creatures. Surveying the field, I noticed no beast near us. My gaze then shifted to the protagonist's group, and I thought it was time to start antagonizing the protagonist.
"Follow me!" I directed my group, leading them on a charge towards Alaric and his team. In a matter of moments, we reached our destination, and I lunged at the already weakened beasts, slashing at their legs.
"Thanks for the help!" Alaric shouted, surprised to see my group lending support.
I, however, paid no attention to Alaric's words. Just as Alaric was about to deliver the final blow to the monster, I pushed him to the ground to seize the kill for myself.
"Get out of the way," I ordered, my voice rough. But as I did, a glint in the beast's eyes triggered a memory from the novel I had read. It was a mantis-like creature, known for feigning weakness to launch a deadly attack at the last moment. In the story, it had dismembered the protagonist, killed two allies, and sent the protagonist into a vengeful rage.
Recognizing my grave error, I attempted to retreat, but the mantis was swifter than I anticipated. With a swift strike, one of my arms was severed.
"Combine your shields!" I commanded my group. In an instant, they erected a formidable mana shield, robust enough to protect themselves from the beast's deadly claws.
Seizing the opportunity, I hurled myself at the creature with my lone remaining arm, driving my weapon through its softer hide with relative ease and ending its life.
"Your arm!" both teams shouted, Alaric's voice standing out, but I paid it little mind. Pain was an inconvenience, but I'd endured worse in the past.
"We're not done; prepare for the next fight," I ordered my team, drawing their focus back to the remaining beasts. To my surprise, Alaric's team also fell in line, following my commands. It struck me as quite amusing, but I went along with it.
My first interaction with the main character was a failure on my part, and I needed to find a new way to turn the situation around.