…From Dan Hyper's POV…
I was advancing quickly.I had faced all kinds of obstacles—from transforming centipedes to brain-eating flies.
Most of my classmates had fallen behind.Only Tom, Henry, and I were ahead.Tom, unfortunately, was stuck.
I prayed to the gods that he'd overcome the obstacleand bring honor to the Church—and to himself.
I realized something:
You had to move fast in this exam.If you slowed down,if you hesitated,you'd get hit.
This exam was deceptive—the more you thought, the more it hurt you.
You had to move without thinking.
Finally, after great effort, I reached the final path—ahead of everyone.
A fifteen‑kilometer path filled with traps and mutated beaststhat could kill you if you weren't careful.
Suddenly, I felt someone beside me.I turned—Henry.
How was he here?I had rushed all the way.Where was Denris?
I didn't have time to think—A giant mutated cockroach burst from the ground.
I could feel the audience's shock.
I looked at Henry.I couldn't handle this thing alone.I had to cooperate with him for the first time.
After that, our real competition would begin.
Tom, even though you're my main rival,I'm sorry.Right now, my real rival is Henry.
…From Henry's POV…
I was advancing with Denris.I stopped so she could rest—If she pushed herself too hard, her chest pain worsened.
She coughed a little and smiled at me.Her smile calmed me.Just one smile from her brought me peace.
Suddenly she shoved me aside—A wall burst from the ground, blocking us.
I tried to destroy it.
Denris: "No, no, love—don't!"
"Why?"
Denris: "If you hit it, it absorbs energy and grows stronger."
"What do we do then?"
Denris: "You go."
"I'm not leaving you."
Denris: "I'll find another path. Go."
"I said no."
Denris: "You know how much the Court and your family expect from you."
"But you're more important to me than all of them."
Denris: "You're important to me too, but…"
The announcer declared that Dan was nearing the final path.
Denris: "See? Dan is winning. That puts more pressure on you."
"But—"
Denris: "I don't want people saying you lost because of me."
"I—"
Denris: "Just go."
When she insisted, no one could change her mind.
"Fine… I'll wait for you at the final path, love."
A tear rolled down my cheek.I could hear the tremble in her voice.
Denris: "I'll do my best."
I left her with difficulty.Now I had to defeat the cockroach with Dan—And win for Denris.For Denris.
…From Hardy's POV…
I clenched my teeth.I was stuck again.
If Tom had listened to me,we would've finished the exam before everyone else.
But because of him, I was trapped.I tried to help—he refused.
Who did he think he was?
Every boy and girl in the empire waited for a single glance from me.But Tom…
His arrogance infuriated me.
When the announcer said Dan and Henry were nearing the final path,I cursed Tom endlessly.
…From Adriana's POV…
I moved carefully,making sure not to wake the mutated raccoons.
If I had my swords, I'd be in first place.Damn these restrictive rules.
And the worst part—I hated my own magic.I never used it.
I looked at my father again.He wasn't watching me.He wasn't watching Henry.All his attention was on Tom.
I clenched my teeth in anger.
Why didn't he look at us?He was upset about Tom being stuck,but not happy about Henry's progress?
What kind of father was he?
Part of me wanted Tom to fail—just to see my father upset.
Another part wanted Tom to win—so I could defeat him myself.
Yes… that was better.Then he'd see that I was his daughter, not Tom.
Oh, how priceless his face would be.
Yes, Tom—win.Because you're going to lose to me.
…From Rez Tarin's POV…
I was advancing well.Only ten minutes remained,and I'd finish in five.
The announcer said Tom was stuck fighting the zombie plant.How?Didn't he know it was sensitive to magic?
His resistance fascinated me.The way he fought the plant…
He really had a unique personality.
Dan and Henry were progressing well too.Three students from Class S were in the lead—and Tom, the representative of the commoners,the only one not from a noble family.
It upset me deeply.
Why did only nobles succeed?Why didn't everyone have equal access to the academy?
All rejected students were commoners.All accepted ones were nobles—except Tom.
I had to change this system.True justice had to exist.
Not like the Church,which made beautiful promisesbut acted only in favor of nobles.
That's why I hoped Tom would succeed.That unique, handsome guy…
…From William's POV…
By tricking one of the students I used as bait,I passed another maze.
They were all worthless.Why should people without power exist in this world?
Only the powerful should live.The weak should serve them.
Seeing Tom trapped made me smile.If he was eliminated—or died—my plans would unfold perfectly.
Winning this exam didn't matter to me.What mattered was destroying the Church,the Court,the four noble families,and Tom.
Then I'd create a new order.
Run, Tom.You're just a rebellious chess piece to me—one that must be removed.
End of Part 45