I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy

Chapter 2: Entrance Ceremony

TL/Editor: looloo

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New semester.

An invigorating term that signals a fresh start. For me, however, it was like willingly stepping into hell.

"I'm going insane."

I sighed deeply, collapsing onto a bench.

The place was too crowded.

It was bustling with scores of eager young people clustered in groups, accompanied by parents, relatives, or friends.

They all gathered to participate in the entrance exam for the Korea Hero Academy.

Naturally, I was part of the crowd.

"Do you see that guy? Isn't he the renowned prodigy from Britain? I heard he's already earned the 'Grandmaster' title."

"The prodigy from Germany, Edvalen, has also shown up. And I heard the genius of the Crimson Magic Tower, Hong Yuhwa, will be here too..."

"This is astounding. The pool of candidates this year is staggering. The Warlord's offspring is said to be among us."

Sighs echoed throughout the place.

Korea Hero Academy.

Despite the name implying otherwise, it is the world's finest.

'Naturally, it is.'

The Academy boasts stellar faculty and top-tier facilities, similar to those in other countries. Yet, the Korea Hero Academy holds an extra ace up its sleeve.

The Tower of Trials.

The tower grants 'rewards' through trials.

This years entrance exam would present challenges from the Tower of Trials, offering rewards proportional to an examinee's performance.

Therefore, I absolutely need to be the top scorer.

The competition is fierce.

A boy blessed with the power of the Thousand Year Spell Vein and hailed as the world's strongest mage.

A phantom girl bearing the soul of a transcender from a different dimension.

A misfit unable to control his own power and consequently hiding it.

A madwoman who amputates her arm every time she stumbles upon a mine.

But, it's doable.

I was lucky to have ample time to prepare for the entrance exam.

At the very least, I had time to prepare for any possibility, making the task more bearable.

But most importantly, I possess the Body Against Heaven.

Body Against Heaven (S-)

A body that defies the heavens.

The owner of this body defies all norms.

: The owner of the body cannot use mana.

: The owner of the body has absolute resistance to any interaction with mana.

: The energy of defiance against heaven swirls inside your body.

At first glance, it seems entirely useless.

A body that obstructs the use of magic, the core or nearly the core of existence in this world.

Indeed, even the veterans of the community deemed this body a wasted talent.

However, for this entrance exam, there couldn't be anything more fitting.

Could I call it a 'bug'? An innate ability that exposes the Tower of Trials' blind spot.

"Even if it's just a one-time use."

I double-checked my plan as I walked into the auditorium.

-New students, please take your seats!

So, it's about to start.

Students started to gather in groups. Some were nervous, others radiated confidence.

I casually claimed a seat in the back.

About three thousand students are taking the entrance exam, and likely two-thirds of them will fail.

The auditorium began to fill up shortly.

...Perhaps I sat too far in the back. No one took a seat next to me. Just when I started feeling a tad isolated, I sensed a presence.

"Is this seat taken?"

A woman's voice, assured and self-confident.

I turned to find flaming red hair and eyes.

Without waiting for my response, she seated herself.

A stunning presence, hard for any man to ignore.

Hong Yuhwa.

The inheritor of the Crimson Flame. She might not be among the top contenders I mentioned before, but she was close.

I activated Talent Reading (-), a special power I possess.

[Name: Hong Yuhwa]

Strength: 5, Agility: 5, Stamina: 5, Magic: 25, Spirit: 15, Talent: 15

Talents

-Crimson Flame(A+)Pillager(A)Magic Analysis(B+) and 5 others.

Skills

-Crimson Flame (B+)Chlorine Element Control(B-)Thermal Concentration Control(C+)Multiple Forcefields(C-)and 8 others.

Physiques

-Solar Flame Vessel(A+)

The status window appeared before my eyes.

I compared it to the early-game status window of Hong Yuhwa.

'There's no difference from the game.'

Relief washed over me and I let out a sigh.

Her talents and skills were so numerous, it was embarrassing to compare them to mine.

The abilities were clear to see. If she and I were to duel a hundred times, I'd lose every time.

...But that doesn't mean I should quit. The one who laughs last will be me.

After she took the seat next to me, Hong Yuhwa started eyeing a corner of the room.

There stood a man with sky-blue hair, strikingly androgynous.

The protagonist.

Or more accurately, the chosen boy of this world.

Kim Seohyun.

"Is that the famous guy?"

"Yes, he's known for being taught magic by the world's greatest magician and inheriting the Thousand Year Spell Vein of martial history."

Not just Hong Yuhwa, all the students around us were either envious or awestruck.

It was like having a celebrity at our school, with students crowding to get a glimpse.

Hong Yuhwa felt competitive towards him. This competitiveness was gradually turning into jealousy, and depending on her future choices, she could commit an unforgivable sin.

After observing him briefly, I turned to Hong Yuhwa and began to speak slowly.

"Do you feel competitive?"

"......Are you talking to me?"

Her intense, crimson eyes locked onto mine.

"Yes, you're staring at him so intently."

"Why does it matter what others are doing?"

"It's a bit of a shame. I believe you can defeat Kim Seohyun."

"What?"

"If you come to fully understand your Crimson Flame, you can defeat Kim Seohyun."

Hong Yuhwa stared at me, baffled, but quickly turned her head away.

She probably saw me as just someone trying to gain favor by acknowledging her potential.

I shrugged my shoulders.

For now, getting close seemed impossible.

If I take it slow, perhaps one day she'll heed my advice.

However, for now, leaving a strong impression, whether negative or positive, was enough.

-Attention everyone.

Despite the hushed tone, the voice echoed clearly in my ears.

I redirected my gaze to see a muscular man with a smug grin.

-We will now begin the entrance examination to select the 35th incoming class of the Korea Hero Academy.

Simultaneously, a buzzing noise erupted around me.

The sign that the Tower of Trials was starting.

"What, what's happening!"

"Is it finally starting? The entrance exam of the Korea Hero Academy!"

"All guilds will remember my name, Na Weijulong, from China!"

!

An invisible wave rolled in.

Then, a white window with black letters appeared in my field of vision.

[Tower of Trials activated.]

[The entrance exam will start now. Once the exam begins, you cannot quit halfway, so choose carefully.]

[Do you want to start the exam?]

Who would refuse after coming all this way?

I grinned and nodded.

"Of course."

As soon as I answered, a brilliant light burst forth from below.

'I have to pass through this.'

One worry crossed my mind.

Body Against Heaven is a power that repels all magic. However, the motion of the Tower, known as the Mystical, was governed by rules I probably couldn't refuse.

As I had predicted, with a sensation of floating, my body was transported elsewhere.

The Tower of Trials is quite challenging.

The monsters that appear here are all tailored to the user's level, but still manage to provide a challenging fight.

For those proficient in fire attributes, water attribute monsters, or those resistant to fire, are deployed.

For weapon-based martial artists, monsters clad in armor are sent.

In essence, students facing these monsters in the exam often sustain significant injuries or even risk their lives. Well, they don't actually get hurt, so the problem isn't that serious.

Anyway, for the reasons mentioned, this test can't be completed quickly.

'Except for me.'

I looked forward.

A blue portal was present as soon as I entered the room.

This was evidence that I had successfully completed the Tower of Trials.

'This really works.'

The Tower of Trials initially 'observes' the person entering the tower, then it presents a trial tailored to them.

However, I am the owner of Body Against Heaven. Since the tower couldnt observe me, it couldn't assign a 'trial', so it simply allowed me to pass.

I had a backup plan just in case, but it seems there was no need for it.

I casually slid my hand into my pocket and stepped into the portal.

[Test-taker number 0315, Lee Seoha confirmed. Test duration 00:01:22. Record-breaking performance. Additional reward.]

The same mechanical sound as when I first entered echoed.

But I couldn't help grinning at the words 'additional reward.'

Wham!

A burst of light materialized before my eyes and promptly dropped a dark wooden box.

The Korea Hero Academy earned its reputation as the premier hero education facility because it grants rewards that correspond to the trials cleared in the Tower of Trials.

'Since I achieved a record-breaking performance, is that what this is?'

Anticipation surged.

I pocketed the box.

"......Wait, didn't he just start?"

"What kind of speed is that...... My God, did he clear it in just one minute?"

Murmurs sprung up here and there.

Sounds of astonishment echoed concurrently. Someone was making a call, and someone else was likely scrambling to gather information about me.

"Get all the student information now!"

"G-Guild master! You need to see this. A student has cleared the Tower of Trials in one minute, a record-breaking speed......!"

The commotion grew.

I strode toward the stage in the center of the auditorium. There, a man looked at me with an amused expression.

The man who activated the Tower of Trials and announced the start of the exam.

"Interesting. Have you fully awakened your talent already?"

The man gazed at me with a fascinated expression.

However, I wasn't interested in his approval, so I replied curtly.

"Did I pass?"

"Yes, you did."

"Then, can I go now?"

"Of course."

"Ah, can I stay in the dormitory here?"

"You're concerned about the scouts and reporters, huh. Don't worry. Just head over there and enter the least conspicuous building."

The man gestured to one end. I gave a slight nod and started walking in the direction he indicated.

Then, a status window appeared on my retina.

[Main Quest Chapter 1: Entrance Exam Completed.]

[A reward of 5,000P is given.]

[You've set an unbelievable record! An additional 3,000p is given!]

[The Multidimensional Paid Store is added!]

[You're the first to finish the entrance exam as the top scorer! Your reward is upgraded!]

[A 3,000P Talent Exclusive Writing Permission is given!]

"."

After reviewing the content, I couldn't help but be amazed.

I was left wondering if anything remained after giving so much.

enjoy! :)

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