### Chapter: 260
Inside the arena’s forest.
Bianca was staring at the boy who claimed to belong to the Lacroix family.
Arashizm Lacroix.
The Lacroix family was indeed a clan specializing in hunting down World Erosionists.
The statement he made had even the usually unflappable Bianca taken aback.
“…You came to save Kraush?”
“Yeah, Kraush Balheim is in danger right now. More accurately, it’s like he walked right into danger himself.”
Bianca winced.
It was about Kraush, so she couldn’t just brush it off.
“Kraush Balheim is currently the target of the World Erosionist group, Ixion.”
And then Arashizm dropped the next bombshell.
The target of Ixion, the World Erosionist group.
Bianca had heard about the incident where Kraush was kidnapped by the World Erosionists in the Giant’s Forest through rumors.
The details were unclear, but outwardly, it seemed he got involved while trying to rescue Sigrid.
In reality, Ixion was gunning for Kraush.
They were lucky this ended without any harm.
Had things gone differently, Kraush could have lost his life.
The problem was that Bianca hadn’t heard anything about it from Kraush himself.
‘He probably didn’t want to worry me.’
Bianca knew Kraush’s personality well.
However, despite that, her lips pouted slightly.
Shouldn’t he have at least told her?
“Is the Lacroix family going to help Kraush?”
The Lacroix family was certainly a clan that exterminated everything related to World Erosionists.
So it seemed contradictory that they would say they’d save someone already entangled with World Erosionists.
“It’s more of a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
And unsurprisingly, the Lacroix family had their own agenda.
“We can help him, and he can help us too.”
A glint appeared in Bianca’s eyes.
Kraush was a target of Ixion.
The Lacroix family specializes in eradicating World Erosionists.
Naturally, their aim would be to hunt down Ixion.
What could the target, Kraush, possibly offer in terms of help?
The answer was simple.
“Are you saying you’ll use Kraush as bait?”
That was the only way he could help.
A chilling aura began to emanate from Bianca, surrounding her.
Her emotions were resonating, revealing the hostility of her familiars.
The coldness grazed Arashizm’s arm.
He looked at his freezing arm and lightly stepped down.
Schwoop!
At that moment, a blue shadow erupted from the ground, momentarily obstructing his view.
As Bianca hurriedly attempted to summon her familiar to respond,
Arashizm was already soaring into the sky on a colossal blue shadow bird.
Whoosh!
Just then, a firework shot up into the sky, marking the end of the test.
Though Bianca had many questions lingering for Arashizm,
the firework indicated the conclusion of the exam.
“I’ll talk more later.”
The boy said this, adding one last thing to Bianca.
“And it’s probably best if you don’t mention what I told you to Kraush Balheim. It might have a negative effect on him.”
By the time Bianca looked up at the sky in reaction,
the boy’s words faded away, and her vision blurred.
Moments later, when she opened her eyes, she found herself back in the examination hall.
There were several applicants around, and some had already been sent away midway.
One notable difference was the split between those with two bracelets and those without.
To the left of a central line were disqualified candidates, and to the right were those who passed.
Naturally, Bianca was on the passing side.
As Bianca glanced around, she spotted Arashizm in the distance.
He stood alone in a corner, just like when he first entered the arena.
“Disqualified applicants, please leave the arena.”
In the meantime, the disqualified participants were being guided out by the instructors.
Their faces were filled with dejection, but many seemed to have accepted their limitations.
After a certain number of disqualified participants had exited,
an assistant professor, Kairan, walked out in front of the successful candidates.
“Given the high number of injuries in this second round, the remaining tests will be postponed for four hours.”
Perhaps due to the excessively rough antics of many,
there would be a break during the exam, and applicants promptly plopped down wherever they could.
Everyone glanced sidelong at a singular figure.
There stood a silver-haired girl.
Unfazed by the gravity of her actions, she wore a blank expression.
While her face was stunningly beautiful, making even her blankness look lovely,
those who underwent the exam soon realized her beauty was not without its quirks.
If we were choosing the most reckless participant in this exam,
without a doubt, it was Bianca.
“Kraush Balheim’s fiancée, huh…”
“Guess to be engaged to the Balheim family, you gotta be at that level.”
“If I’d gotten any closer in the forest, I would’ve been disqualified.”
The bulk of the reasons for the disqualified applicants were undoubtedly tied to Bianca.
Her unleashed Ice Dragon breath had swept away many in one go.
“If it weren’t for that woman…”
“Why’d she drag us into this?”
Perhaps that’s why some were casting accusatory glances her way.
“Ha, what a bunch of jokers.”
Just then, a disheveled applicant lounging on the ground scoffed at them.
“The strong survive and the weak perish. Can’t blame others for your own shortcomings.”
His words made many applicants furrow their brows at him.
“What gives you the right to say that?” their eyes seemed to ask.
But soon, those who recognized him went pale and subtly averted their eyes.
He was the Guardian of the Maritime Kingdom, Poseus.
Captain of the only golden ship crossing the Great Ocean of the Jeblam Kingdom.
One of the Ten Great Lords,
the Sea King,
Dino Bardon.
His twin axe had the power to split even oceanic projectiles.
It was never a good idea to stir up trouble.
“Don’t get disheartened. You did well.”
Darkan chuckled dismissively, suggesting Bianca need not bother about what others thought.
In reality, Bianca was oblivious to him and focused on her own matters.
“Nice words to hear.”
At that moment, another voice chimed in, agreeing with Darkan.
A girl with soft blonde hair.
Dalia Junon.
She had just returned after recovering in the infirmary.
She glanced toward Bianca.
After being frozen into an icy statue,
when she returned to her original self, two bracelets adorned her wrist.
She recognized immediately it was the doing of Bianca.
For there was no way someone of her caliber could enter that area after taking the full force of a dragon’s breath.
‘Normally I wouldn’t have done something like that.’
Whether it was a playful whim or for some other reason, she wasn’t sure.
Dalia smiled at Bianca since she took a liking to her.
“If there’s anyone angry about being swept up in that, just let me know. I’ll drop them for you.”
She said that while displaying a rather fierce smile.
If Dalia set her mind to it, she could indeed make good on her words.
With that, no one dared to draw their ire toward the two.
In that atmosphere,
a serene silence began.
＊ ＊ ＊
Just as Bianca anticipated,
Arashizm Lacroix didn’t approach her any further afterward.
‘Probably because too many are watching.’
Perhaps due to that, throughout the second round to the closure of the third round,
Bianca had no occasion to converse with Arashizm.
She decided to put off her thoughts about him for now.
What mattered most to Bianca was the exam at hand.
“I… lost.”
As her opponent in the third round declared defeat and collapsed, Bianca exhaled lightly.
Thus far, she had passed through the third round.
Her admission to Rahern Academy was practically guaranteed.
‘Finally, I’ll be able to be in the same place as Kraush.’
She clenched her fists in joy, relieved that her efforts had borne fruit.
Yet the obstacles were far from over.
Since last year, Rahern Academy had added a fourth round.
This new trial existed because of the elite class.
Students who surpassed a certain level could jump into the elite class without further training.
That was the elite class.
Naturally, Kraush, being the top student, belonged in that class as well.
To be with Kraush after six months of training, joining the elite class was essential.
‘The issue lies in the conditions for passing the fourth round.’
The conditions for passing the fourth round were none other than sparring with an assistant professor.
Based on the damage dealt to the professor, one’s rank in the elite class would be decided.
‘I certainly want to knock them out.’
Thus, entering the elite class would undoubtedly come within reach.
“Now announcing the successful candidates from the third round.”
At that moment, the results of the third round were announced.
Kairan showcased a list of names in the sky.
Perhaps because the disqualified participants already had an idea of the outcomes,
everyone’s expression was one of resignation.
None of them were struggling to accept the results.
After the disqualified candidates left, the successful candidates remained.
They exchanged brief glances, confirming each other’s identities.
These successful candidates were essentially the cohort who would share their time at Rahern Academy together.
For that reason, they seemed eager to recognize each other.
“Congratulations to those who passed the third round.”
In front of now thinly gathered candidates,
Kairan walked by with his hands behind his back, delivering his congratulations.
Since these were individuals they would soon see again at Rahern Academy,
Kairan glanced at their faces, adding a warm smile.
“The upcoming final fourth round is, as you know, the selection process for the elite class.”
At Kairan’s words, the applicants’ expressions turned varied.
“Thus, if anyone isn’t interested in joining the elite class, there’s no need to take the fourth round.”
With that statement, Kairan raised his hand.
Leisurely, he looked around and asked,
“If anyone wishes to abstain, please raise your hand.”
The fourth round was essentially an optional trial.
If one didn’t want to participate, they could simply opt out.
But soon, Kairan had to lower his hand.
Because not a single person among them raised their hand.
In fact, their eyes burned with even fiercer determination.
The elite class was essentially a prestigious path.
Belonging to an elite class meant walking among the stars at Rahern Academy, where geniuses congregated.
To progress alongside such individuals meant
they would shine as brilliant stars within the competition-filled Rahern Academy.
Having passed through the unnamed academy’s trials, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that all were hungry for ambition.
Hence, no one raised their hand.
“I see your intentions have been noted.”
Kairan didn’t push any further.
If they had come this far with an aim for the elite class, this was only natural.
“Then let me explain how the fourth round will proceed.”
Soon after, Kairan unveiled the details of the fourth round.
Firstly, the fourth round would involve fighting against an assistant professor like last year.
However, this time, there was a new regulation added.
“You’ll be paired with one other individual, and you will spar against the assistant professor together.”
This was a different kind of test compared to the previous 1-on-1 matches.
In the candidates’ eyes, this felt almost like it’d become easier.
But for a few, including Bianca, it was a different story.
Bianca raised her hand.
“Can I ask one question?”
“Yes, of course.”
Delighted to entertain her query, Kairan welcomed her question.
All eyes turned towards Bianca, who stepped forward to inquire.
“When two of us fight, how will scoring be assessed? Will it be scored as a team?”
That was a sharp question.
Understanding the scoring method was crucial for strategizing during the test.
Kairan’s lips curled into a sinister smile.
“No, scores will be assessed solely on an individual basis.”
A murmur rippled through the candidates.
Kairan elaborated further.
“If one candidate excels and knocks down the professor, the score for the other will be lower compared to the one who knocked down the professor.”
In an instant, the meaning of his words sank in, freezing the trainees in place.
When two individuals teamed up, their scores would solely assign individual scores.
This meant that even while in a pair, they would have to compete with each other.
Finally, everyone understood why Kairan had that sinister smile.
The fourth round was essentially a test loaded with malice.
“Well then,”
Kairan began to clap, warming the atmosphere with a bright smile.
“Let’s commence the Fourth Round.”
Truly, a devilishly clever scheme lay ahead.
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