(Inside the examination team’s watchtower)
In the dimly lit room, five figures sat around a circular table, watching the exam unfold.
The table itself served as the life projector, while soft beeping echoed in the background.
"Evelyn, I didn’t know you could be so ominous." A dazzling young woman giggled softly, covering her mouth with her hand.
She resembled a princess from a fairy tale.
Long white hair, snow-white lashes, and moonlit gray eyes.
Dean Alicia Frostmoor, head of Apex Academy and queen of one of the minor continents, Ostervale.
Evelyn, a young woman with green hair and eyes, rested her chin on her hand. "Dean, you make it sound like I’m a demon."
Alicia shook her head playfully. "No. I know how much you despise demons, my dear, but the future cadets won’t think the same."
She swept her gaze across the room. "What do you think, Vanitas?"
Turning her focus to the professor with white hair and blue eyes, she chuckled. "No need to answer, I already know it’s going to be complaints."
Her childlike smile twisted slightly. "But this batch is truly impressive."
Even among prodigies, she could say this year’s seedlings were exceptional.
Daemon Blackwood, second son of the royal family of Valoria.
Awakened at the age of twelve with an SS-rank prospect and said to have talent surpassing even his older siblings.
Vivian Cross, daughter of the White Tiger Guild master.
Awakened at fifteen with an SS-rank prospect.
Serena Vale, a commoner of unknown origin, the only information the academy could gather was that she possessed an SS-rank with a unique element: Sound.
Then there was the daughter of the Hunter Association chairman, Sylvia Draven, blessed with the Eyes of Truth and sorcery.
The sister of the world’s greatest prodigy, the saintess of the holy nation, Valentina Solrath.
The fifth-ever SSS-rank prospect in the world, and one of the few destined to lead this generation.
And who could forget the prince of the minor continent renowned for alchemy and magitech, Edo Ikenna of the Nefertarian Empire.
Finally, there were the two childhood friends, who arrived together.
The younger sister of one of the Knight School’s top instructors, Quincy Blake.
Although only a grade 5 citizen, she displayed talent far surpassing most, with an SS-rank prospect and high-level spirit control.
Then there was her best friend, the one the government labeled as Unknown.
"He’s really attractive. Makes me want to kidnap him."
All the professors at the table turned toward her in silence.
They didn’t need further explanation to know who she was referring to.
After a beat, professor Vanitas Caster finally spoke. "Well, he doesn’t seem that impressive."
The room went still before laughter echoed throughout.
A seductive young woman with black hair and blue eyes stared at the striking young man.
"It seems you’ve lost your touch, Vanitas." She smirked, gazing at the gorgeous figure in the projection. "Do you think that person would recommended just anyone?"
Everyone in the room silently agreed.
The final stage of phase one was just beginning, and it was time for the students to show their true strength.
— Meanwhile in the examination tunnel —
The growls of approaching monsters still rang in my ears even after a minute, yet nothing had appeared.
Every one of the three hundred applicants stood tense, sweat trickling down their arms and faces, dripping onto the ground.
The sound of the drops echoed vividly, that was just how silent the tunnel had become.
For inexperienced mages and knights, it might seem impossible to distinguish.
No illusion or mental attack could even work on me.
So yes, while I was sweating too, it wasn’t from fear, but because I was freaking tired.
The tunnel suddenly glowed green as heavy footsteps thundered, and distorted human-like figures emerged.
Disheveled hair and clothing, reddish skin, with staggering movements.
Zombies, or rather, ghouls.
The moment the ghouls came into view, a loud voice called out.
All three hundred cadets, myself included, turned toward the red-haired, gray-eyed young man.
I didn’t need anyone to tell me who that was.
The rival of the protagonist, and one of the many assholes in the story.
Daemon Blackwood, the second prince of the empire.
Knowing him, there was only one reason he spoke up.
The Apex entrance exam wasn’t simply a test, it was the first step for future cadets.
Allies, cliques, and things like that, this was when they were formed.
And just as friend groups began, so too did isolation.
Daemon wasted no time confirming my thoughts.
"Why don’t we work together, everyone?"
He turned to us, who were behind him. "If we cooperate, we can pass this illusion with no trouble."
The lower-ranked students quickly agreed.
Daemon smiled warmly, then glanced at the young lady behind him.
"What do you think, Lady Sylvia?"
Sylvia hesitated, then looked back.
For the briefest second, I could’ve sworn her eyes locked onto me.
A sharp, deliberate glance—not the kind someone makes by accident. Read complete version only at noᴠelfire.net
’Did she just look my way?’
Her hand rose to her temples, rubbing gently as if easing a headache.
Then she sighed. "Sorry... I’m not in the mood."
Daemon’s expression almost faltered, but he maintained his smile, turning back toward the advancing ghouls.
"Okay then, those who want to join me, come. Those who wish to act alone, don’t blame me if you die."
Watching this act unfold, I sighed.
’This is exactly why Jake Kim ended up first.’
Some might think the test was about finding the hidden mechanism that summoned the ghouls.
Or perhaps grouping together to force a way to the exit.
But neither was the true goal.
Apex was an academy for the best, and the Apex of each year was someone who distinguished themselves as the best of the best.
Channeling mana through my body, I stepped forward calmly.
I didn’t know why, probably my face, but all eyes immediately turned to me.
I glanced once more at Edo Ikenna. "The race isn’t over, gay guy."
He arched a brow, then smirked. "Crazy bastard."
Stepping forward to stand beside me, he muttered. "I think it’s about time I prove what kind of man you are."
I chuckled. "Could say the same for you."
Thread, also known as multithreading.
It’s the state where multiple codes, apps, or tasks run simultaneously.
After a day of training, I managed to integrate not only that but a new feature into my spells.
Multithreading combined with Object Inheritance.
Together, they formed a devastating combination.
『 User has activated Tier 9 spell: Distortion 』
『 User has activated Tier 9 spell: Red Chains 』
In an instant, six red portals materialized around me, and even those at the front turned to stare.
But unlike before, these chains were different.
The red chains I cast afterward automatically inherited the properties of the first spell.
I couldn’t maintain it for long, but now I had a new spell.
『 Deviant spell: Distorted Red Chains has been activated 』
I pulled up the scarf around my neck to cover my mouth.
"Time to go out with a bang."