Entrance Examination IV — Ambrosya

Fwooosh—!

The wind whistled and I ducked just as another arm swung at me. It narrowly missed my head.

I then rolled as the momentum pulled me forward before springing to my feet once more.

I spent half a moment in the air, just in time as well—

Boom—!

The golem had stomped onto the ground, sending a powerful vibration to course through the earth. If I had not leapt, this move would've knocked me off my feet, sending me staggering backwards and into its range of attack.

A light landing greeted me and I continued my sprint forward. I was now within striking range, but it was not yet time to strike.

Mana Vision showed me the movements of mana within its body. And although it was only of minor significance, I saw its future movements as well.

As such, with a bit of guessing, I was able to dance around the golem with ease. The long, tentacle-like arms kept narrowly missing me as I read its every move.

Every time it smashed its arms into the ground, it would raise it like it was pulling rope. Every time it swung wide, its body would spin to the side. Every time it missed its shot at my head, it would stomp the ground.

The programming of the golem was flat and dull in my eyes.

I saw through it all.

Bzzzzt—!

There.

At that moment, a surge of energy escaped from the golem as a bolt of mana. This was a detail that even the school was unaware of. I knew then that it was almost time for me to move.

I awaited the next surge. Patiently, as I continued to dance around the golem's strikes. My cloak fluttered with the wind, but my hood stayed low. It was like playing a rhythm game.

There was a beat that I could follow.

It was then,

Bzzzt—!

The energy surge I was waiting for finally occurred. I lunged forward with all my might and struck the origin of the surge.

The left knee.

Fwhoop!

My dagger, although short, cut through the stone like it was digging through sand. Mana Vision told me that there was a small amalgamation of mana near the point that I had struck.

I missed my main objective... which only made sense. I was still a beginner with daggers.

But the damage had been done.

The area that I stabbed had been disturbed. The mana pathways that held the stone molecules together dissipated as they made contact with atmospheric mana. It was my success.

The first step to victory had been made.

Bzzzzt—!

Another surge swiftly followed after the first, and my eyes darted toward its direction.

Fwooosh—!

I dodged another attack as I weaved through the golem's crumbling stance. I then let out a fierce, reckless slash in the area above my head.

My dagger sliced into the stone like digging through sand once again. It cut through with only a slight amount of resistance as my steel blade disrupted the flow of mana with its foreign material.

Atmospheric mana then seeped into the golem's "wound" and tore it apart from the inside. I grinned from underneath my hood.

The golem fell to the cold stone floor, but it was still very much alive and functional.

I thus dashed towards its head as it smashed onto the ground.

Bang—!

I could hear the impact loud and clear. Cracks had appeared on the body of the golem, and it was through these cracks that I would seize victory.

I stabbed into the back of the golem's head, luckily hitting the exact point that Mana Vision dictated to me.

Crack—!

The sound of glass being broken and a pulse of mana signified the end.

The golem's core was shattered.

It was my victory.

"Haah, haah, haah,"

I gasped for air. I realised that my heart was drumming loudly in my chest. Sweat dripped from my brow and dust clung to my skin.

I licked my lips as I straightened myself out and patted off the dust from my cloak.

The world returned to its original speed at that moment, like a video finally being sped up once more.

I walked away from the dissolving golem and glanced around. All eyes were on me.

I wondered, just what were they thinking at this moment in time? Were they in awe? Shock? A sceptic of the golem's strength? Did they wonder what kind of face lay beneath this hood?

I then realised that I did not care much. All I knew was that those stares were amusing.

It was fun to keep them in the dark. To see them without knowledge of what I had done and what will become of them in the future.

The only one among the thousands of gazes that remained unfazed was Deuzetai. He kept a stoic expression on his face. The slight twitch in his brow allowed me to glimpse into his thoughts.

He was probably analysing the entire fight in his mind, doubtful of the authenticity of my skill. After all, my movements by themselves were sloppy. I lacked the grace, the finesse, and even the basic efficiency of a trained individual in the way I moved.

In his calculations, I was theoretically incapable of beating the golem in such a one-sided manner. But he was quick to catch on.

The surges of energy as well as the timing of my attacks surely came to his mind.

His brows relaxed and then I heard his calm, cold voice.

"Caelum Phricius. You have passed. You may head back into the stands or go elsewhere while waiting for the rest of your fellow examinees."

It seemed like he had his own idea of how I beat the golem, but he still had his doubts.

Thus, I gave a humble bow to the High Professor. I then followed it with another bow to the other eight thousand examinees.

Finally, I pulled my hood lower before returning to the stands without a word of rejoice, explanation, or even pride.

Just simple silence.