Galimar's written exams are notorious for their brutal difficulty.

The scope alone is mind-boggling. The syllabus spans everything from ancient texts to complex magical formulas, the disassembly and reassembly of circuits, and sometimes even the latest research from the Mage Tower. It’s packed with so much information that it feels borderline impossible to handle.

And that's just the beginning.

The questions themselves are designed to elicit curses. They demand high-level thinking and creativity, so much so that it’s nearly impossible for average students to even fill out half the test. Every line of ink reeks of the professors' spite, and inevitably, some students end up crying during the test.

This is truly a trial from hell.

Earning even a decent grade here—let alone a high rank—would be commendable. Securing second place, as Emilia had, was no small feat. I was fully prepared to offer her my heartfelt congratulations.

“Lady Emilia.”

“...”

“Lady Emilia.”

“...”

“Second place is a remarkable achievement.”

“I told you to stop. If you say it one more time, I’ll seriously get mad…”

“Second place is a remarkable achievement.”

“...”

If it had been anyone other than Emilia, of course.

"I told you to stop mocking me..."

She trembled with anger, her aristocratic composure crumbling. I could see she was genuinely frustrated but, even so, she looked at me, her irritation barely contained, unable to fully express it.

I watched her with a mischievous smile.

*This is quite entertaining in its own way.*

This was that dopamine rush I had been holding back from. But her reaction was just too amusing to resist.

“I didn’t expect you to dislike it this much. My apologies, Lady Emilia.”

“It’s… fine.”

“I didn’t expect you to dislike it this much. My apologies.”

“How long do you intend to keep this up?”

With her teeth clenched, she asked through barely restrained anger. Honestly, I thought this was Emilia’s fault. After all, wasn’t such an entertaining reaction practically an invitation to tease her?

Feeling a rare sense of blissful satisfaction, I kept smiling like a child and playfully tormented the “loser” in front of me. 

“What? You actually enjoy this?”

“It’s delightful.”

“...”

“It’s delightful.”

“Enough already…!”

Emilia seethed, struggling to calm herself. As I continued to revel in my antics, a curious pink-haired creature sidled into view. It was Rezia.

“Um, ah… excuse me… Lady Emilia.”

“What do *you* want?”

“Eek…!”

“Are you planning to ridicule me too, now that I’m just another commoner?”

“N-no, I just…”

Intimidated by Emilia’s sharp tone, Rezia’s shoulders shrank. Though her voice trembled as if on the verge of tears, she stammered out her intentions.

“I-I just wanted to say… I think you’re amazing, Lady Emilia…”

“What?”

“The, the written test, I mean… it was so hard for me, and you came second…”

Her words were pure admiration.

“I just thought you were so impressive… if I was overstepping, I apologize!”

“…”

Emilia froze, momentarily stunned by the unexpected compliment, before her lips twitched into a faint smile.

“Ahem.”

She tried to appear calm, but she couldn’t hide her beaming face. She murmured softly.

“Is that really what you think?”

“Yes! You’re incredible, Lady Emilia!”

“Hmm… Perhaps you’re not as blind as I thought.”

“I truly respect you!”

“Hmph!”

The once harsh expression melted, replaced by a modestly proud smile. It was almost endearing.

*Isn’t she just adorable?*

She really was easily swayed by genuine admiration. Especially from someone she regarded with suspicion, which only intensified her satisfaction. If things continued like this, she’d soon be charmed by the protagonist.

*If only this had happened in the original storyline.*

In the original story, this scene couldn’t have happened. The trauma Emilia carried meant Rezia would always avoid her, and encounters would only end with Rezia being harassed.

*This is much better.*

I’d always preferred stories where characters laughed and connected over ones full of jealousy, sadness, and hatred.

“Lady Emilia.”

“What now?”

“You seem to be in a better mood.”

“It’s your fault I was annoyed in the first place.”

“Oh? I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You’re infuriating.”

“Thank you.”

“…”

With a clenched fist, she seemed genuinely tempted to hit me. I quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, I hope you’re both aware that the real test is just beginning.”

This referred to the practical exam. Though the written test was significant, the practical exam carried the most weight in our grades. The real challenge was just about to start.

“Our team comprises only top-ranking students… so the difficulty of our test will likely be extreme.”

“Oh no, do you think we can really handle it?”

“Hmph. It’s just a test; there’s nothing to worry about.”

“It wouldn’t be wise to be too confident, Lady Emilia.”

This test would be especially challenging. Since it leads into a crucial story episode, it was best to be cautious. I encouraged my teammates.

“Then, shall we give it our best?”

“The practical test is tomorrow… don’t hold me back, everyone.”

“I-I’ll do my best!”

“Ha-ha, I’ll give it my all as well.”

With words of encouragement exchanged, we each took our steps forward, preparing for the next day’s test.

---

That night, Rezia lay tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

“…”

Though the day had been exhausting due to the written test, she didn’t feel the least bit sleepy. Perhaps the tension was affecting her.

She placed her hand over her chest.

*Thump-thump-thump-thump!*

Her heart pounded relentlessly, her breathing shallow as her chest rose and fell. Her long pink hair shimmered faintly under the dim light. She whispered to herself.

“Will I really be able to do well…?”

Her voice was laced with doubt.

“I may not be helpful… but at the very least, I don’t want to hold them back.”

Her summons were strong, yet any emotional disturbance could cause them to fail. Just like in the placement test.

She worried she might become a burden and disappoint the faith placed in her. Biting her lip, she murmured.

*Prince Snaikers…*

He was the only person who had ever called her a friend. Even for this test, he had readily reached out, inviting her to join his team. Her heart swelled with a mix of emotions.

“Why would he choose someone as useless as me…?”

During the last test, she had been exposed as a novice who couldn’t even summon properly. Despite that, he had chosen to believe in her once again.

*—Because I trust you, Miss Rezia.*

When she asked why he’d chosen her, that was his answer—without a moment’s hesitation.

“I don’t understand.”

She couldn’t grasp it.

Why did he believe so easily in someone she herself couldn’t fully trust? The weight of his faith in her was almost overwhelming.

“Still… I don’t want to disappoint him.”

With a soft murmur, she closed her eyes, finally seeking sleep. She had no idea of the horrors that awaited her the next day.

---

The following day arrived, the highly anticipated practical exam.

We gathered early, listening to the instructions in a designated area where teleportation arrays were set up.

“The exam will proceed as previously announced.”

The three of us—Snake, the puppet master, and the vain one—were joined by a sultry woman with purple hair. She was Selena, our supervisor for this practical exam.

She looked at us with a detached gaze, her red eyes shadowed with fatigue. After standing quietly, she took a swig from her flask before continuing with her explanation. A notorious drinker indeed.

“This is a monster extermination test.”

A magic array has been prepared in front of you. This array is composed of space, illusion, and dimensional spells, and as soon as you step into it, you will be teleported to a designated location.

At that location, each team will encounter monsters matching their level. Once you clear the assigned area, the test is over.

“There’s no need to worry about safety.”

The surrounding area will have safety personnel stationed. In the event of a serious injury, you will be immediately removed and returned here.

As an additional note, the environment is unknown. It could be ruins, a forest, the sea, a cave… It’s one of many terrains, so adapt quickly.

“Any questions?”

With a quick glance, Selena scanned the room. Already well-versed in the plan, we quietly shook our heads. With that, she opened her book and continued.

“Then let’s begin immediately.”

With her signal, I stepped forward calmly. My toes touched the glowing magic circle.

In the swirling flow of mana, I turned to the girls beside me, giving a meaningful smile.

“Miss Rezia, Lady Emilia.”

“Y-yes?”

“What do you want now?”

“There’s something I’d like to say.”

I didn’t want them to be too surprised by what lay ahead.

“Whatever you see, try not to be too shocked.”

A sudden piece of advice. They looked at me in confusion, but I paid it no mind and took my final step. We stood at the center of the magic circle.

And then—

*Rumble…!*

The mana surrounding us began to swirl violently. The stored spell activated, filling the air with blue sparks. It was a dazzling sight.

Just as the three of us were about to teleport—

*Zap!*

A strange

 noise echoed.

The static crackled, flashing repeatedly, and soon grew louder. The blue of the magic circle turned blood-red.

“…?!”

“W-what…?!”

*Crackle—!!*

Dark red shards burst in all directions, the rampant mana storm distorting the air like a cyclone.

And we were right in the middle of it.

“The magic array…?!”

“W-wait, what’s happening?!”

“Ah! Prince…!”

“Heh.”

While Selena, Emilia, and Rezia panicked, I remained relaxed and smiling.

It was beginning.

“Shall we?”

With one final remark, everything went dark.

And so, we were flung into the unknown.

To a place where monstrous horrors awaited us.