The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

However, Jasmine and Naka were placed in different groups, avoiding competition with each other, and both of them made it past the first round. This was still good news for Jasmine, despite her exhaustion.

The two newly promoted saintesses lay on the bed and began their usual casual chat.

"Naka, I don't think we really need to go there so early in the morning. We could just wait until it's our turn and then get there. I feel like this whole morning has been wasted."

"Um"

"By the way, speaking of which, Tatia seems to have broken through the first round too. On the way back, I heard from others that she also broke the record for the fastest battle. That girl is really amazing."

"Um"

"It seems she's even faster than Oz. I'm telling you, Naka, maybe that kid really can win the championship on the Hero's side! But we'll see what happens."

"How to say?"

"Judging from the draw, it seems the girl will be facing off against that invincible Oz in tomorrow morning's exam... Sigh, is the girl alright? I hope she won't repeat the same mistake as last time... Hey Naka, we don't have anything planned for tomorrow morning anyway, why don't we go watch her fight? I think with you there, she'll probably perform even better than usual."

"....Can"

Naka hadn't expected Tatia and Oz to fight so soon. She trusted Tatia completely. She knew the outcome of other battles without even watching, but this one was truly unpredictable. Although her tone remained calm, she was actually incredibly eager to see this fight. Going to the arena to watch Tatia and Oz's battle tomorrow morning was now on Naka's agenda. Not wanting to miss it due to being late, Naka and Jasmine quickly ended their conversation and drifted off to sleep.

"Click"

"Thump"

However, they were unaware that in the dead of night, their window had been forcibly pried open. A figure slipped into the room through the window under cover of darkness.

The man looked at the two sleeping saintesses and reached out his dark hand to one of them.

The author's words:

Volume 2 is in its final stages. The graduation exam arc is scheduled to be updated in three chapters. After the final chapter is completed, Volume 3 will begin. Volume 3 is scheduled to be released by the end of August, before the 30th. Please look forward to it!

Graduation Exam (Part 2, Part 1)

According to the two saintesses' original plan, they would arrive at the arena early the next morning before the combat proficiency exams began to secure a good spot to watch the highly anticipated battle between Tatia and Oz. Then, in the afternoon, they would go to the hospital to take their own exams. That would conclude the day and prepare for the final exam. However, reality took a dramatic turn. Neither Naka nor Molly had anticipated that things would ultimately unfold in such a way as they had expected last night...

The initial sense of unease began the moment they woke up.

Jasmine woke up earlier than she expected. When she opened her eyes, it was still dark outside the window. She could only vaguely see the sun peeking out from the horizon. Naka, on the other hand, was still soundly snoring.

She didn't want to get up so early either. But it was just too cold. It was the dead of winter, so the cold itself wasn't unusual. But even though she was indoors, Jasmine felt a bone-chilling cold. Her hands and feet were stiff with cold, and she simply couldn't fall asleep.

"Ugh, it's so cold..."

She sat up in bed, breathing on her hands to warm them. But the room was already stocked with cold-weather gear, and it had never been this cold before. What was going on today? Jasmine turned to the window and discovered the key to the problem. The window was wide open. A draft of sub-zero temperatures poured into the room without any obstruction. It would be strange if she wasn't cold.

Jasmine quickly closed the window and breathed a sigh of relief. But what she admired most was Naka, who could still drift off into a peaceful dream in temperatures almost identical to those outside. She showed no sign of feeling cold or waking up.

Several hours later, the sun rose, and Naka woke up. Jasmine, who hadn't slept since then, with dark circles under her eyes and still sleepy, asked the energetic Naka...

"Hey Naka, did you leave the window open when you went to sleep last night?"

"I remember turning it off. Why are you asking?"

"I woke up in the middle of the night because I was cold, and I found that the window wasn't closed at all. But you were sleeping so comfortably, I thought you weren't afraid of the cold, so I didn't think about whether the window was closed or not, and just forgot to close it."

"Really? I really don't remember."

Jasmine was right about Naka not being afraid of the cold. In the end, no one remembered whether the windows were closed last night. There was no one to blame but themselves. It wasn't a big deal. After a brief conversation, no one kept it in mind.

Compared to that, there was an even more important event early in the morning. Firecrackers were already being set off at the arena to create a lively atmosphere. If you didn't arrive early, you might miss out on a good spot with a great view. Although Naka woke up two hours before the exam started, it couldn't really be considered early.

The two saintesses hurriedly dressed and prepared to depart. Meanwhile, an unexpected situation arose on Naka's side.

"Hmm? Where's the necklace?"

After changing her clothes, Naka casually grabbed the crucifix from beside her pillow. It was an important tool for communicating with Fan, and she never let it out of her sight except when sleeping or bathing. But something else that should have been next to the crucifix—Velia's necklace—was nowhere to be found.

Naka remembered placing it beside her pillow before going to sleep. But when she picked up the pillow, she found nothing underneath. She then lifted her blanket, but still found nothing.

"Don't bother looking for it anymore. Maybe it got stuck in the crack of the bed when you rolled over in your sleep. I also remember you were wearing that necklace when you came back yesterday. It's definitely not lost. If you really want to look for it, let's wait until the girl finishes her exams and come back to look for it."

"...Alright then."

Despite Jasmine's urging, Naka failed to take this clearly unusual matter seriously. She gave up the search. After locking the door, she followed Jasmine out of the girls' dormitory and headed towards the arena.

They completely overlooked the two unexpected events that followed after they got up. They had no idea at that moment how important things they had missed.

If careless Jasmine had been more observant when closing the window and noticed that the lock had been forcibly broken from the outside, or if Naka had searched more thoroughly to confirm that the necklace hadn't just fallen into some unseen place but had truly disappeared from the room, perhaps none of what followed would have happened...

"Oh, this spot is perfect."

The two anxious saintesses quickly arrived at the arena, their steps almost overlapping. The stands were already about half full. Finding a spot in the remaining half with the best view of Tatia was no easy task. After confirming that Tatia would appear from Exit 6 and fight in Arena 3, they swiftly searched for seats on the side of Arena 3. From there, they could observe Tatia from the side, avoiding only seeing her back during the battle. Luckily, they found two empty seats side-by-side offering a clear view of Arena 6. Jasmine, pulling Naka's hand, immediately sat down.

"Hey, look, Naka."

Shortly after sitting down, Jasmine pointed to a high platform in the distance. There was a row of separate tables and chairs there. The Saintess Class had the same setup during their exams. Those were the seats for the invigilators. The seats they chose not only offered a view of room number 6 but were also directly opposite the invigilators' seats.

Before the exam even began, the proctors arrived before the students. Aside from some teachers Naka and the others hadn't met before, Tatia's mentor, Wors, the principal, Kavado, and even the school's founder, Fros, were already seated.

Such a lavish setup far surpassed the proctoring team of the Saintess Class. For Jasmine, the incredibly charming and mature Fros was also appearing before her for the first time since the opening ceremony. She excitedly clung to Naka's left arm and screamed...

"Wow! It's Lord Fros! It's the real Lord Fros! I thought that during my six-month stay I would at least see him once, but I never had the chance to meet him... But finally I've seen him again! Ah, he's so handsome..."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

Jasmine hadn't acted like a lovesick fool in a long time, which gave Naka a sense of novelty. However, whenever Jasmine did this, Naka would only give her a curt, emotionless reply. Naka was quite adept at dealing with Jasmine, who was easily swayed by the charm of older men.

In fact, Frost, Wols, and the others also got up very early today and arrived here. They sat down with an even more tense and serious attitude than on the first day of the exam. For them, although this morning's exam was only the second round, in a sense, it was the final to truly determine the strongest hero among this year's freshmen.

Fros picked up the data on the table. It contained information on all the new students up to the official start of the exams yesterday. Oz and Tatia were circled with bright ink. They were the two Fros was most concerned about this time, and also the two highest-ranking students in the Hero Class.

Oz's level is Lv19, a further improvement from Lv18 in the previous test. This improvement was achieved through consistent training and hard work during his confinement. Despite not participating in the practical assessment, he achieved a level of improvement that even the students who did participate might not have. This greatly pleased Fros. He may seem arrogant, frivolous, and disdainful of others, but Oz fully possesses the two most important qualities and spirits for an adventurer: exceptional talent and an unwavering commitment to self-improvement.

Next, he looked at Tatia's information. Compared to Oz's Lv19, Tatia was Lv18. Like Oz, her level had also increased by one during the preliminary assessment. Her talent had also been personally confirmed by Frost yesterday. She truly deserved to be the competitor that Oz had his eye on.

However, there was still a level difference between them. Oz's strength, defense, and agility all exceeded 400, while Tatia's were around 300. Their skill mastery was also roughly equal. As heroes, neither of them could use magic, only possessing basic swordsmanship and martial arts techniques. Tatia had an additional "joint lock" ability. But even this, Fros didn't believe could compensate for the difference in their stats.

However, if the outcome is determined solely by ability stats, this practical test would lose its meaning. It's not uncommon for someone with lower stats to defeat someone with higher stats. Frost wants to cultivate adventurers with strong practical combat skills, not just armchair strategists with impressive stats. Since the battle hasn't begun, he can't predict the final outcome.

He held the data and asked Wors, who was sitting next to him, for a question.

"Ms. Wors, I know Oz very well, so I won't go into details. But I only met Tatsia yesterday, so I don't know her very well. What's your opinion of Tatsia?"

As Tatsia's homeroom teacher, Worth naturally had her own profound insights, and she replied...

"Speaking of potential alone, I think Tatia is in no way inferior to Oz. He's progressing rapidly and is very diligent in his studies. He also demonstrated excellent judgment in yesterday's battle. However, if I had to say... I don't think potential is entirely equivalent to talent. I think Tatia still lacks adaptability and the ability to improvise in battle. His fighting style seems to be deliberately imitating someone else. No matter the situation, he only follows a fixed approach and routine. This is not a good habit on the ever-changing battlefield. Moreover, I've heard that he seems to be having some mental issues lately. He's not always calm enough. This might amplify this weakness. He doesn't have the ability to adjust his mindset and freely change tactics. In this respect, I think he's inferior to Oz."

"is that so"

After listening to Wols's explanation, Fros nodded. These were all crucial conditions that couldn't be reflected in written data. And what truly influenced the course of battle were these unquantifiable abilities. The problems Tatia faced were actually common to most adventurers, even Fros himself in his youth. Youthful impetuosity was a good thing, but sometimes it could lead one astray. Fros was also very much looking forward to seeing what kind of sparks would fly between her and Oz.

Finally, not as the school's founder, nor as an elite adventurer, but simply as an observer, he posed the question he had been curious about to Wolse.

"So, Ms. Worth, who do you think will win this exam and advance to the next round, Tatia or Oz?"

"Well..."

Both were her students, and she loved them both dearly. Wors couldn't immediately decide which one to side with. Statistically, Oz was superior, and Tatsia didn't seem to have an advantage in mentality or combat intelligence. From this perspective, Wors believed Oz would win. But for some reason, she had a premonition that things wouldn't end so simply. Perhaps some surprising twists and turns would unfold during this match.

Finally, Wols's answer to Frost was as follows:

"...I think the key to victory or defeat lies with Tatia, not Oz."

"I see"

Instead of giving a clear answer to the binary question of "whether Tatia or Oz wins," Wolse gave an ambiguous response. But Frost understood the intention behind her answer.

Because he had a vague premonition in his heart as well.

As the sun rose higher, the sunlight in the arena grew stronger and brighter. The stands, which were half empty when Naka and her friends arrived, were now packed. Some spectators who couldn't find seats even stood to the side. Whether standing or sitting, everyone's eyes were fixed on the five sections of the arena below. The exam was about to begin. No one wanted to miss even the students entering the arena.

Inside the arena, only staff were inspecting and cleaning the equipment, yet a strange tension had already permeated the stands. The once noisy stands had become eerily quiet. Even distant coughs and the sound of objects falling were clearly audible. Cold sweat began to bead on the foreheads of the spectators, who constantly swallowed their excessive saliva.

"Naka...it's finally starting."

"Um"

Jasmine, recovering from the allure of Frost's charm, also looked uneasy. She held Naka's left arm tightly, never letting go. Her sweat had already soaked through Naka's sleeve. Her tension was palpable to Naka. Although to the Demon King, the battles of these newcomers were as insignificant as a duel between two ants in a tiny corner of an anthill beneath a dying sapling in a bustling metropolis, Naka felt a rare surge of excitement. Her palms were already sweating profusely.

Within minutes, the employees who had been inspecting the barrier-creating equipment left one after another, and the cleaning staff also left with their brooms. The arena was now completely empty. Then, the enormous barrier dividing the various areas rose up. The audience collectively held their breath. The meaning of this was self-evident.

At the same time, the amplification device in the arena also emitted sound.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. All candidates are in place, and no one is absent. The 28th graduation exam for new students of Sunflower Town Adventurers' School is about to begin!"

There were no deafening cheers. No murmurs or chatter. Quietly awaiting what was to come was the unspoken etiquette and rule in the hearts of every spectator. The arena was as calm as the sea before a storm. Although it was only the second round, everyone had the illusion that today's match was the final. The premonition that Wors and Frost had felt now resonated in the hearts of every spectator.

Today's exam might lead to something you'll regret for the rest of your life if you don't watch it...!

The space seemed to freeze. Thousands of spectators dared not make a move, as if their slightest movement would destroy something. No one wanted to destroy it. Even though no one knew what "it" was. If one had to describe it, it was an atmosphere. A feeling. And this feeling, of course, wouldn't last forever. It was constantly accumulating, waiting for that moment of complete release. When that moment arrived, everything would be different.

The silence was first broken by the school's public address system.

"Time's up. The exams officially begin. The first exam will be conducted by the Advanced Hero Class. Oz from Daiy Town will face off against Tatia from Isaad Town! Both are fifteen years old! In yesterday's first round of exams, they both broke the school's record for the fastest completion of an exam! Now, please welcome both contestants to the arena!"

This broadcast shattered something the audience had been reluctant to let go of. The tension that had been building up inside finally erupted. Deafening cheers, shouts, and screams filled the sky above Sunflower Town that day.

Oz, a once-in-a-century genius specially recommended by the hero Fros, had single-handedly resolved a bandit organization that had been a major headache for the citizens before even entering the academy. His opponent, Tatia, finished her battle even faster than Oz in the first round of the exam. These rumors had already spread throughout the city. Many people had come specifically to witness their duel. What did they look like? Just how strong were these two, who hadn't even shown their full strength in the first round? What kind of battle would they deliver? These questions even made many spectators forget that this was an exam. But today, all their questions would be answered definitively.

Amidst a sea of ​​cheers and applause, a stark contrast to the first day, the doors of Exits 5 and 6 opened simultaneously. Two figures stood there, both resolute and imposing.

"Please welcome Tatia and Oz!"

The two men started walking simultaneously, entering the arena at almost the same pace. Neither paid any attention to the commotion in the stands, as if they saw and heard nothing. For at that moment, they had only one purpose in mind. Nothing else could affect their senses or their thoughts. Their grip on their weapons remained firm and unwavering.

The green-haired hero stood on the inner side, near the wall. The black-haired boy stood on the outer side. They were five meters apart, just like during the first round of the exam. Former rivals and roommates, Tatia and Oz, who hadn't seen each other for many days, finally faced each other once more.

Tatiana no longer looked around as she had with Nath. Her eyes were fixed on Oz. And Oz returned the same gaze. The time since their last meeting wasn't long, nor short. Both had things they wanted to say to each other. She could see he had changed, and he felt she was different too.

Oz was the first to speak.

"It's been a long time, Tatia. I've been locked up for so long because of you, it's really been tough."

Tatiana answered

"If I could, I wouldn't want to see you, Oz."

"why?"

I won't tell you.

"ha..."

Oz couldn't understand what was wrong with Tatsia's temper. Their once harmonious relationship had unknowingly become unusually distant. Oz sighed helplessly.

"To be honest, I always thought we'd meet in the finals, I didn't expect it to happen so early. Frankly, I'm not mentally prepared at all."

"Weren't you mentally prepared?"

"Yes, Tatia. I'm not a very well-mannered person, nor do I have any delicate thoughts. I'm also aware that my emotional intelligence isn't high. So I've never known what I did to offend you. Why did you provoke me like that that day? I don't want to become enemies with you like this. So I've been wanting to say something. But I hadn't thought of anything yet, and that's why I came today."

"...You don't need to know."

"See, you're still hiding things from me, playing riddles with me. Of course, I won't understand what's been bothering you. But, since this is the result of the draw, there's nothing we can do about it. Tatia. Whatever your reason is, it doesn't matter anymore."

With that, Oz raised his sword and pointed it at Tatia.

"I'm neither clever nor good at understanding people. But when it comes to comparing strength and who's better, I'm always ready!"

I don't know whose fault it was. I don't know the cause and effect. But before we understand each other, I will never lose to you. This is Oz's declaration of war against Tatia.

Tatia smiled dismissively at this.

"As expected, you've always been this hot-blooded idiot, Oz. I never expected you to understand how I feel. From the first day of school, I knew you weren't a good person. And I still think so now. But just talking about fighting you has really given me a lot to learn. If it weren't for that sneak attack you gave me in the dorm half a year ago, maybe we wouldn't be where we are now."

"Maybe that's really the case."

"Ha, you think so too? 'We agree' is disgusting... I hate men, especially men like you who are so overly familiar, who casually touch others and then try to unilaterally erase the past..."

All the interactions between Oz and her over the past six months flooded Tatsia's mind. Besides the memories of their peaceful times together, she hadn't forgotten the over-the-shoulder throw he'd given her upon their first meeting, or the punch he'd thrown into her chest without her knowledge—or rather, these less-than-pleasant memories were even more vivid. More importantly, Mitian's and Naka's words echoed in her ears, constantly reminding Tatsia of the consequences if she lost to the man before her. Those consequences were a heavy burden that Tatsia could not bear.

Therefore, Tatia cannot lose. She will not allow losing to Oz to happen.

"...Precisely because you are such a detestable man to me, I will prove it to everyone watching this battle..."

In return, Tatia drew her sword and pointed it at Oz as well.

"...Oz, I am a being far superior and more valuable than you."

"Really? You lost to me badly last time. Do you have some winning formula this time?"

"snort..."

On the morning the team formation results were announced, Tatia, in a state of panic, suffered a crushing defeat against Oz at a significant disadvantage. But Tatia seemed a little strange today. Naka, sitting in the audience, also noticed this.

"What exactly happened to this girl?"