The moment exam numbers were finalized, the information recorded on the candidates’ exam tickets was automatically stored in the database. Instructors managing the practical exam could freely access this data.
“How many candidates were filtered out in the qualification exam?”
“14.2%.”
“14.2%… About the same as last year. Fairly standard.”
“Still, there are that many left. This year’s turnout is no joke either.”
“It’s Golden Academy, after all.”
Golden Academy, Practical Exam Control Room.
Instructors who hadn’t entered the first-round exam halls were monitoring the candidates’ status, letting out wry smiles. Even after the written and qualification exams, the number of candidates still exceeded 10,000. It was an annual occurrence, yet managing the practical exam made one’s tongue curl in frustration.
“So, how many are taking the first exam?”
“…13,492.”
“About 4-5 times the quota.”
Golden Academy had over 10,000 combat-track students alone. That meant roughly 3,000 per grade. This year’s planned freshman intake was around that number, so candidates taking the practical exam were 4-5 times the admission quota. And that was just combat-track—add non-combat and administrative tracks, and the numbers would swell further.
Thus, to meticulously evaluate them, multiple filters were necessary. The qualification exam was one.
“What’s the bonus-point distribution?”
“34% are white. Of those, 60% solved one question.”
“Most of them will weed themselves out as the exam progresses. What about the others?”
“Gray: 22.8%, Yellow: 17.7%, Green: 12.3%, Red: 8.4%, Blue: 3.6%, Black: 1.6%.”
“Not bad for black tickets.”
“1.6%? That’s about 200 people. Not bad at all.”
“These guys will pass for sure.”
The qualification exam only filtered out the unqualified—it didn’t decide the candidates’ success outright. But the instructors had painstakingly designed questions to differentiate skills. Those who solved all and earned black tickets likely possessed the strength to pass. Unless something unexpected happened.
Then someone spoke.
“The first practical exam has begun.”
Dozens of screens in the control room displayed each exam hall. Instructors watched candidates lining up before the iron gates.
[Grunt!]
“…”
Soon, they began pushing the gates.
The instructors watched silently, then one by one began to speak.
“Can’t open it, huh?”
“Can’t even get one gate open.”
“Disqualified.”
“Their mana control is sloppy.”
“No wonder their tickets are white.”
The first practical exam: opening the iron gates.
The five-part gates were designed to open only when specific conditions were met. The first gate didn’t demand much—it tested basic mana control and physical enhancement. Yet the candidates on the screens struggled, failing to manage their mana properly.
“Can someone like that even become a hunter?”
Those who couldn’t open the first gate had no right to step into this world. If they did, they’d only die.
The instructors clicked their tongues in disdain.
[… Candidate #, 1 gate, Pass.]
[2 gates, Pass.]
Meanwhile, even the qualifiers who opened gates failed to capture the instructors’ attention. The first gate was merely a check for minimal qualifications. The second was similar. To show the makings of an excellent hunter, one needed to open at least the third.
Then it happened.
[“Ha!”]
“…Where’s that shout coming from?”
Instructors turned to a screen where a candidate in a black uniform was opening gates.
“…Is he opening them with brute strength?”
“Who is this guy?”
They were stunned to see him push open the second gate with sheer physical strength. But his uniform gave it away.
“That uniform belongs to the Martial Hero Yong clan.”
“Black ticket, surname Yong… Ah, this must be Yong Hee-rang.”
One of the Ten Great Clans, the Martial Hero Yong family prioritized physical combat over weapons. It made sense he’d display such strength. Still, opening the second gate without mana was impressive.
But unfortunately…
“He finally channeled mana but couldn’t open the fifth gate.”
Yong Hee-rang had opened up to the fourth, but the fifth eluded him. It was inevitable.
“To open the fifth gate, one needs innate mana reserves. Even exceptional candidates can’t surpass their limits if they lack that.”
Innate mana capacity was a precious trait, hard to improve through effort. The fifth gate existed to identify candidates with it. In reality, no matter how skilled, those without vast mana couldn’t open the fifth gate.
“That kid…”
“Turns out he’s from the Black Demon Og clan.”
“So even someone from a Ten Great Clan struggles with the fifth gate.”
Thus, while candidates like Yong Hee-rang occasionally opened the fourth gate, no one had opened the fifth yet.
Then it happened.
[“Hmph, nothing special.”]
“…”
Someone opened the fifth gate.
Instructors turned to the screen in unison.
“What’s the candidate’s name?”
“I’ll check right away.”
A girl with fluttering red hair. As she turned, her golden eyes and black ticket gleamed on the screen.
“Her name is Min Arin, from the Mad Dog Min clan!”
“…The Mad Dog clan, huh.”
“The granddaughter favored by their clan head, I suppose.”
Another of the Ten Great Clans. The instructors recognized her background and finally showed recognition. Her considerable talent and application to Golden Academy were well-known among them.
But she wasn’t the only one.
[“Can I go now?”]
[… Candidate #, 5 gates. Pass.]
A girl with an impassive face, blinking green eyes. She wore a black ticket too—Cha Eun-sol of the Circulating Chariot Cha clan.
[“What? Is this it?”]
Another black-ticket girl pouted. Wavy gray hair, violet eyes—Nam Yoo-ri of the Flexible Southern Nam clan.
“First the Mad Dog clan, then the Circulating Chariot and Flexible Southern clans… To produce talents like these, they’re truly remarkable.”
“No idea what they’re up to, but they’re certainly impressive.”
Cha Eun-sol and Nam Yoo-ri, like Min Arin, were candidates the instructors focused on. They marveled and rejoiced at their talents. While the Three Clans’ determination to create superior hunters was daunting, these individuals would aid humanity, and their enrollment at Golden Academy was a cause for celebration.
Then, another opened the fifth gate.
[“Gates, opened.”]
A shy girl.
Instructors turned to her—rabbit ears and all.
“Candidate #5784? Who is she?”
“Is she from a prestigious clan?”
“I’ll check!”
“Where did she come from?”
“Wait, rabbit ears…”
“Her name is Yeon-ha. Not from a clan, but instead… Huh?”
Though less renowned than Min Arin, Cha Eun-sol, and Nam Yoo-ri, she was still a subject of attention. After all, she was the disciple of Hong Ye-na, the Seven-Colored Witch, who’d become a Golden Academy instructor this year.
“…”
The instructors’ gazes shifted to Hong Ye-na, quietly observing the exam from a corner.
When their eyes met…
“Oh, whatever are you looking at?”
Hong Ye-na feigned innocence, flashing a smile.
The instructors could only praise her.
“Instructor Hong Ye-na’s disciple, huh.”
“Where did you find such a girl?”
“Now I understand how she achieved that.”
As the instructors lifted her spirits, Hong Ye-na nonchalantly replied,
“Guess I have a knack for finding disciples. All thanks to Yeon-ha’s efforts.”
Yeon-ha opened all the gates.
“Whoa… What’s with her?”
“Who is she? Even the Martial Hero clan’s direct line couldn’t open all gates…”
“She’s the Seven-Colored Witch’s disciple.”
While everyone in the exam hall seemed shocked, I’d anticipated the result before she even touched the gates. After all, I could see her status window.
With stats like hers, if she couldn’t open the gates, it’d mean she’d neglected training. If she had, I’d have scolded her.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
I listened while checking Yeon-ha’s status window.
[Personal Info]
Name: Yeon-ha (Female · 17)
Alias: Disciple of the Seven-Colored Witch [+Details]
Affiliation: Raon Middle School
[Gifts]
Fission
[Physical Stats]
Health: 30 → 54
Strength: 28 → 52
Endurance: 30 → 53
Agility: 32 → 56
Mana: 75 → 84
Luck: 20 → 27
Remaining Points: 0
Her mana stat was 84.
That said it all.
The game’s story hadn’t even begun, yet she already possessed such a mana stat—Yeon-ha was a monster.
Even a single stat over 80 would classify her as a powerhouse among active hunters, and she’s…
I glanced again at Yeon-ha’s mana and clicked my tongue.
“Ugh, this is embarrassing…”
Yet oblivious to how monstrous she was, Yeon-ha dashed over, hiding behind me and clutching my shoulder, refusing to let go. She was using me as a shield.
I said to her, “What’s there to be embarrassed about? Everyone thinks you’re amazing. Just own it and enjoy the moment.”
“Easier said than done. And that guy keeps staring at me like it’s a burden.”
“Who? Who are you talking about?”
“Over there, that guy.”
Yeon-ha groaned. I turned my head to where she subtly pointed.
“…Yong Hee-rang?”
“Yeah, him. He’s still watching.”
Yong Hee-rang was among the candidates, arms crossed, grinning at us with his white teeth.
Didn’t he go to the second exam hall?
I hadn’t expected him to still be lingering in the exam hall. My face turned stiff.
“Is he looking at me?”
“No. I feel like his gaze has been following me since I opened the gates.”
“Then he must acknowledge your strength and want to be sparring partners.”
“Sparring partners? That sounds off-putting just hearing it…”
“Isn’t that what you think?”
“Anyway, I find that guy annoying. His eyes are like he’s about to devour me!”
“If he tries to devour you, I’ll be the one to devour him, so don’t worry about that.”
“What? What does that mean?”
“What do you think it means?”
Only I get to tease you…
Wait, no.
A sudden thought struck me.
“What’s wrong? Why’d you stop mid-sentence? What do you mean?”
Yeon-ha was persistently probing. As I looked down at her, the evaluator called out.
“Candidate 1532! Are you coming or not?!”
Yeon-ha’s turn had ended, and now it was mine. I couldn’t stay here any longer.
“I’m going to take the exam.”
“Hmph, not telling me… Good luck with the exam.”
Muttering to herself, Yeon-ha glared at me in discontent, yet she didn’t forget to cheer me on.
With her encouragement, I walked toward the iron gates.
From here, they look enormous.
I hadn’t realized how massive and towering they were until I stood before them. Facing the gates made me feel incredibly small.
But to enter the world of hunters, I had to open these gates.
Phew.
Prepping to channel my mana, I placed both hands on the gates.
As I channeled my mana, I pushed with all my might.
Clank.
The first gate slid open effortlessly.
Then the second gate reacted.
Clank.
It moved as well.
From here, it required more strength.
Yong Hee-rang opening the second gate with sheer brute force was astonishing.
Clank.
But I wouldn’t back down.
I amplified my physical abilities further.
The third gate trembled briefly before starting to open.
Pushing harder…
It moved.
The fourth gate showed a slight shift.
Hearing the gate creak, I took a deep breath and pushed again.
The fourth gate groaned.
It was trying to open.
Clank.
If I pushed harder here, could I open the fifth gate too?
I extracted the mana I’d rotated several times within me.
A blue aura swirled around me, enhancing my physical strength.
…Damn.
But there’s a limit to amplifying physical abilities.
Pouring more mana might tear my muscles and nervous system.
Even if I opened all gates this way, it’d be at my own expense.
There was no guarantee I could open them all, and the exam wasn’t just about this.
So this was as far as I could go.
What a shame.
Reaching the fourth gate was already an excellent score.
Yeon-ha could open the fifth gate thanks to her high mana stat, but for me, with a lower stat, the fourth was my max.
If only my mana stat were a bit higher…
Still, I did well.
Yet the regret lingered.
I tried to retract my mana.
That’s when it happened.
Crackle!
A sudden sound rang in my ear.
Like static.
Crackle!
The sound persisted.
Though I couldn’t open the fifth gate, I’d strained to push it, and somehow ended up staring at the ground. When I looked up…
…
The gates were before me.
Around them, sparks of mana were flying.
Wall thunder? No, not wall thunder.
It wasn’t electricity.
The sparks were from conflicting mana—mine and another’s.
Seeing them, I wondered.
Why the conflict?
There was no reason for my mana to clash.
The mana swirling around was mine.
For it to conflict, there’d need to be mana with a repelling property.
But ambient mana is uncontrolled and has no inherent property.
There was no reason for my mana to clash with it.
Moreover, to conflict with my light-affinity mana, it’d have to be…
Ah.
I suddenly realized.
Just moments ago, Yeon-ha had unleashed vast mana to open all five gates.
Her mana, with high affinity for darkness, clashed with mine.
That mana still lingered in the air, conflicting with mine.
Crackle!
The mana I’d channeled to open the fifth gate kept clashing, creating sparks.
Crackle!
If this continued, my mana might explode without my control.
Dangerous.
I needed to halt my mana channeling and dodge immediately.
Crackle!
My evasion instinct was screaming.
A current ran down my spine.
I instantly activated my instinct control skill to force my evasion instinct.
Maybe it’s possible…
I wasn’t sure if it’d work.
No guarantee of success.
But I had to try.
Crackle!
“Candidate! Retract your mana now! You’ll explode…!”
Boom!
Without amplifying my physical abilities further, I recklessly channeled my mana, stimulating the clash.
The sparks grew larger and faster.
Others noticed too.
Only then did the evaluator shout in alarm.
I ignored the shout.
Boom!
The sparks exploded.
I didn’t budge from my spot.
This level of explosion, I can tank with my endurance stat.
But whether I could block a stronger explosion was uncertain.
So evasion instinct—
If you don’t want to die, listen to me.
I pleaded with my evasion instinct.
Did my wish get through?
Crackle!
The evasion instinct responded.
In that moment, power surged through me.
The instinct, recognizing the crisis, broke the brain’s strength limit.
Clank…
I immediately pushed the gate.
The fifth gate trembled.
Just a little more.
Crackle!
Clank…
It moved.
Just barely, the fifth gate began to open.
Clank…
I gritted my teeth.
Even my legs, planted on the ground, strained to open the gate with all my might.
Boom!
Mana exploded around me.
Ignoring the blast, I focused solely on opening the gate.
And so…
There.
Opening the fifth gate, I stepped beyond it.
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