(XXXIV) Entrance Exam (Part Seven)

Leon rushed after the man he sent flying using the Bestial Arte [Corkscrew Blast] as he left the woman to fend off the other attacker.

She twisted her body, ducking beneath his swing and jabbing the tip of her arrow rapidly into his thighs before she swung her bow upward, striking the man with a double-bladed axe under his chin and sending him into the air.

She quickly spun around and knocked the arrow on the bowstring as she took a knee, raised the bow toward the sky, and shot the arrow at him.

The arrow ripped through the sky, jet streams billowing behind the arrowhead as it connected with the man's skull, killing him instantly. A loud explosion rang out before his body vanished, and a rocket flew higher before ringing out.

Leon glanced back at her in his peripheral vision, shocked at how quickly she had handled the man, wondering if he should have even intervened in the first place.

He spun around, swinging both swords as the man raised his massive greatsword to block the attack, but another arrow soared past Leon's shoulder and struck the man in his shoulder, preventing him from raising the blade as the young man cleaved his head off.

Leon sighed as another explosion erupted as the man's body vanished, and another firework soared into the sky and burst. He flicked his swords, spinning them before returning them to their sheaths as he turned around.

The woman raised her bow with an arrow pointing directly at him as he faced her, asking, "Is this how we're going to thank someone who helped you out of a tight situation..??"

"I didn't need your help, nor did I ask for it! I am not beholden to you!" She shouted back, "Now, give up your medals, and you'll get to keep your life!"

"First off, you and that bow couldn't even attempt to challenge me, no matter how much you may think it." Leon raised his hands and stared at her incredulously, "Secondly, I'll tell you give you two choices. Either lower your bow, and I'll give you the extras I've collected and don't need, and we can both exit the second exam, or I can simply overpower you and end your test right now."

"You care to make that bet?" She asked, pulling the bowstring back and unleashing the arrow, but Leon activated [Shadow Step] as he vanished from his position and reappeared behind her.

"There's no need." He said coldly, pressing his sword against her neck gently, "You've already lost."

The woman dropped the bow beside her as she raised her hands, surrendering, "Fine. I'll take the first option."

"Good." Leon said, removing his sword from her neck and returning it to his waist as he introduced himself, "I'm Leon, Count of Othniel."

"Cao." She replied, bending over as she picked up the bow and turned to face him. She had soft features that accentuated her long pink hair that matched her eyes.

"Nice to meet you." He nodded, reaching into his inventory and pulling out the spare medallions he had collected, "Here. I'll watch over you as you turn them in."

"Why are you doing this?" Cao asked, hesitantly reaching for the medallions in his hand.

"I was planning on leaving them next to the altar when I left; why not you?" Leon shrugged as he reached into his inventory and pulled out the singular coin.

"You don't need more?" She asked. He shook his head as they walked toward the pedestal.

"You seem skilled enough." He pointed out before asking, "Why don't you have any medals?"

"Cervantes and his goons jumped me as I was about to leave." Cao sighed, "He took the opportunity to abandon his lackeys and took the exit, leaving me to deal with them before you showed up."

"I see." He nodded, stopping a ways from her as she approached the pedestal and began placing the medallions in the inserts.

As the last one was placed on the altar, a brilliant light flooded the platform. She turned to him and smiled softly, "Thank you."

Leon nodded at her as she vanished, leaving him alone. He approached the pedestal and inserted his singular coin as a similar effect surrounded him.

Unlike the white light that blinded everything around him, the aura was golden, basking everything within the vicinity in a warm embrace.

Stars twinkled around him as the aura rapidly shrunk, encircling Leon as he was lifted into the sky, and in the next moment, the young man had vanished from the forest, too.

He reappeared in the courtyard adjacent to the Exvius Academy's Grand Hall. He looked around, refamiliarizing himself with his surroundings, catching sneers from Callum and some other nobles around him.

Cervantes approached, jabbing him in the chest, "How the hell did you pass with only one coin? This must be some scam!"

"I can guarantee it is not." Professor Zigeor interjected, utilizing wind magic as he lifted Cervantes, moving him away from Leon, "He managed to defeat an S+ rank monster and received the medallion as a reward."

"B-but, sir!" He protested, rushing forward as he confronted Leon through the professor, "How is it possible that a freshman was able to defeat a monster more than double their level?"

"I did, though." Leon interjected, stepping forward and standing before the young man with long braided hair and a bandana wrapped around his forehead.

"Quit your bullshit." A young woman yelled, stepping from behind the crowd of nobles as she placed her hand on Cao, walking past her, "You saw it just like we all did. That Pseudohaje was killed and produced a diamond medallion. Admit it! You lose!"

"Enough of your babbling children!" Ziegor shouted, slamming the end of his scepter against the ground creating a loud shockwave, "You have no control over the grading, and complaining doesn't mean anything!

Now!" He exclaimed, "File in an orderly fashion and follow the path toward the next and final examination!"