Chapter 141

“That little one is using a Shikigami Art even you, Teacher, are unaware of?”

“To be precise, it would be the next stage. Mastering the handling of Shikigami itself is already a level of perfection. On top of that, he is harmonizing and utilizing his own Art Formulas with the Shikigami’s abilities.”

“That means…”

“It’s difficult to use as a measure of strength, but it seems safe to say he possesses an exceptionally outstanding talent at the very least.”

“Hoh.”

At Gil Sambong’s words uttered in a calm tone, the proctors let out exclamations with expressions of half-belief, half-doubt.

Since he wasn’t someone who usually spoke nonsense, at least part of that assessment was likely accurate.

Soon after, Lee Moonsu, who had been observing the situation, spoke again.

“There are quite a few other noticeable individuals as well. Frankly speaking, their skills are already above those of active-duty personnel.”

“That’s certainly true. I was acquainted with Ji Hak of the Hwang Family and knew of his skill, but examinee number 21, Hansol, is also demonstrating a caliber that could be called that of a seasoned Exorcist.”

“It seems it’s not entirely wrong to say the times are changing rapidly.”

During Lee Moonsu’s time at that age, the level of aspiring Exorcists wasn’t this uniformly high.

Indeed, the speed at which the new generation of talents is rising is quite fierce. Lee Moonsu also nodded, acknowledging that fact.

“Anyway, in this state, it seems Miss Sophia will be the first to pass the second gate.”

“It seems she has already far exceeded the average clear time. Shouldn’t we open the gate?”

Most of the proctors agreed with that statement. Even after all this chit-chat, barely over 4 minutes had passed since the exam started.

If someone is already about to reach the final gate, it makes sense to open the special gate.

And right at that moment when everyone voiced their agreement, an anomaly occurred.

Han Kangyoon, who had passed the first gate a step behind Sophia, soon found the solution to the second gate not long after.

“Hoh, this is…”

“What on earth happened in the brief moment I looked away? Did anyone see clearly?”

“I was watching. After entering the gate, he deployed various Cursed Techniques and immediately found the key. It seems to be a detection-type Art Formula.”

“Hmm, ordinary Detection Arts shouldn’t work properly inside there…”

As per the earlier evaluations by Lee Moonsu and Gil Sambong, Han Kangyoon was indeed a person of interest.

The proctors quickly exchanged glances and opinions, and a conclusion was soon reached.

The result was unanimous: to send Han Kangyoon to the special gate.

“We’ll open the gate immediately, and while we’re at it, we can also check there if any foul play exists.”

Thus, a new gate opened, and Han Kangyoon was sent to the special gate: the Cave of Proof.

Soon after, the direction Han Kangyoon chose was the center.

A gate focused purely on practical combat ability, where one must overcome the Shikigami personally arranged by Gil Sambong.

“This is getting interesting. A Shikigami Art versus Shikigami Art showdown.”

“But isn’t it too excessive even for a special gate? As far as I know, the two in the back are your main Shikigami.”

“Kekeke. I considered the case of Cheong Soha-nim, who is now a Special-Rank Exorcist. Those who enter the special gate are talents who are on a different level from ordinary examinees, whatever they may be. If I don’t present this level, wouldn’t an accurate assessment be impossible?”

“…Hmm. For now, I’ll trust you and watch.”

One might think it excessive, but that reaction wasn’t entirely wrong.

In fact, the combat power of the Shikigami Gil Sambong prepared was at a level that even other 3rd-Rank Exorcists might not overcome.

However, as Gil Sambong said, the opponent was an unknown entity whose true nature was still unclear. If possible, it would be better to clearly check the upper limit on this occasion.

And soon, Gil Sambong’s thinking proved to be correct.

Puhwaak!

Whoosh—!

Crackle crackle crackle!

As if performing some kind of magic, numerous Shikigami began pouring out from Han Kangyoon’s enlarged shadow.

Goblins, beast specters, Grudge Specters, etc. The variety was so diverse it was difficult to even identify them all.

Among them, several appeared to be actual Specters that had been subjugated, and their level was clearly not to be taken lightly.

As the Shikigami began to clash and entangle in combat, most of the proctors watched the spectacle with their mouths agape.

“How many Shikigami is he controlling right now…?”

“Hoh, how is he handling Grudge Specters, which are notoriously difficult, at that age…?”

“I can understand Teacher’s words about him having already reached a level of perfection in Shikigami Art. It’s not common to see a Sorcerer of that caliber even in the field.”

The proctors’ opinions varied, but most were admiration.

And though he didn’t show it, the most surprised among them was none other than Gil Sambong.

‘This is absurd.’

Frankly speaking, it was beyond surprising; it was bewildering.

To see Shikigami of this level in something like an Exorcist qualification exam?

Especially the power displayed by a few among them was truly astonishing. Even Gil Sambong, who possessed numerous Shikigami, found them covetable, so how much more so for others?

Lee Moonsu, a 1st-Rank Exorcist, also let out an exclamation of admiration next to Gil Sambong.

“Amazing.”

“It really is as you say. Especially the fact that he’s controlling such powerful Shikigami without faltering in this chaotic battle itself proves his skill.”

Originally, no matter how outstanding the Shikigami one possesses, if the master’s level is shallow, it’s worse than not having them at all.

Haven’t there been countless similar stories throughout history, East and West?

In that regard, Han Kangyoon was perfectly controlling his outstanding Shikigami and utilizing them appropriately, making him nothing short of a rightful master.

No matter how much Gil Sambong had been away from the field, his Shikigami weren’t such pushovers as to yield the path to just anyone.

Without room for excuse, Han Kangyoon was amazing. Virtually above most active-duty personnel. To a level where further evaluation seemed pointless.

“This seems meaningless to watch any longer. I’ll withdraw the Shikigami.”

“Hoh, even though you didn’t go all out, for your Shikigami to be pushed back like this…”

“Perhaps truly, a talent worthy of leaving his name in history once more has appeared…”

Thus, Gil Sambong recalled all his Shikigami, and Han Kangyoon, having opened the path, advanced without hindrance and passed through all the gates.

The total time taken was 5 minutes and 57 seconds.

A truly overwhelming result, far surpassing the record of 7 minutes and 21 seconds left by Cheong Soha.

‘Even if they don’t show it, everyone’s eyes have changed.’

To be precise, after setting a new record at the barrier escape gate in the second exam, the examiners began to regard me as a person of interest.

Well, it must have been a shock.

The combat power of the Shikigami I saw at the final gate was enough to surprise even me, who roughly knew the facts.

‘Seriously, who releases Shikigami of that level in an exam for aspiring students?’

No matter how much the special gate demands abilities at the level of active-duty Exorcists, there should be a limit.

If I hadn’t increased the number of ordinary Crafted-Type Shikigami after the school opening, it might have taken more time than expected.

Anyway, having broken through such an obstacle and proudly set a new record, the proctors watching the exam right now are probably heatedly discussing me.

Therefore, I had to build up noticeable records in the remaining three exams as well.

“Following the guidance, we will now proceed to the third examination ground.”

The ensuing third exam was, unexpectedly, a written exam.

I knew it happened rarely, but I didn’t expect to actually take one.

However, that very fact allowed me to roughly infer the content of the final remaining exam.

‘It’s bound to be an exam that severely depletes physical stamina.’

According to mentions in the original work, when a written section is inserted in the middle of exams, it’s largely for the purpose of managing the examinees’ physical stamina.

In other words, it was like a prior notice that the upcoming exam would be quite intense.

And sure enough, the next fourth exam was a combat-focused exam where teams competed against each other.

And its content was simple.

The eight selected team leaders would each take turns choosing team members. Then, each round, they would select two team members to send into the fourth examination ground, the duel arena.

The 16 examinees who entered the duel arena would battle each other, leaving only the final team.

Survivors could decide whether to continue fighting to the next round or give up and pass their turn to the remaining team members.

Simply put, it seemed intended to observe pure combat ability in actual combat and teamwork between comrades.

‘……’

Since I wasn’t selected as a team leader, I quietly waited for someone to choose me as a team member. And the one who chose me was none other than Jeong Hansol.

“Looking around, seems everyone did well on the exam. Did you go to the barrier too?”

“The content is probably all the same anyway.”

There will definitely be dropouts even among those who made it this far, but judging by the general complexion, it seems the A-Rank students are all confident of passing.

‘By the way, if the teams are formed like this…’

It seems I can’t avoid fighting other students.

My gaze, which had been busily moving around, soon lingered on one spot for a moment. The direction where Sophia Charlotte, the top of the year, was.

Smirk.*

Coincidentally, Sophia was also watching me, as she flashed a bright smile the moment our eyes met.

Unfortunately, it probably wasn’t a very amicable meaning.

“Actually, I wanted to pick her too.”

“That’s a tough one. She’s too famous.”

Indeed, most aspiring Exorcists of this generation would know her.

Unless one lives completely cut off from the internet while she appears in the media every day receiving praise, it’s hard not to know.

Accordingly, it wasn’t particularly strange for the team leader who got the first pick to choose her.

“Is she going to come out from the very first round? She probably will. She’s that Spiritual Power monster who doesn’t even get tired.”

“Looking at her expression, she seems to be planning to go out indeed.”

“Then should we hold back a bit and go out together at the end? If the others time it right too, it might be doable.”

If aiming for victory, that is certainly a reasonable judgment. I would have done the same originally.

However, unfortunately, I have a prior promise with Sophia.

A promise made when I visited her residence after the last comprehensive exam.

‘It was something about, if we ever end up facing each other next time, we’d have a full-power, head-on showdown.’

The smile she sent earlier probably carried that meaning too.

It’s an Exorcist qualification exam, not an Academy exam, but that doesn’t mean I can ignore it when the conditions are met.

I eventually sighed and relayed the message to Jeong Hansol.

“You go out last. I’ll go out first with another team member.”

“Huh? Why?”

“We promised to do that last time.”

Jeong Hansol looked at me with an expression asking what nonsense I was talking about, but I ignored her, found one of the team members, and stepped out onto the duel arena.

Then Sophia, who had already entered there first, spotted me and smiled brightly.

“You came.”

“…It’s a promise, after all.”

“No holding back this time.”

About a minute passed after we exchanged that gaze.

Finally, the signal announcing the start of the battle rang out softly in the air.