English Translation – Part 23: Entrance Exam to the Academy
Part 23 – Entrance Exam to the Academy
"I should go now."
Father: "I hope you bring honor to yourself and to the church."
The old man hugged me.
Old Man: "I also hope you succeed, so that your father will be proud of you In the other world."
Sister Patolina: "I wish you success. May all the hardships and training you endured finally pay off."
After all the encouragement and blessings, I finally headed to the Academy's exam grounds.
The exam site was In the northern part of the city, reserved for entrance tests and the training of the church's knights.
There were so many boys and girls—at least two thousand. Some were nervous, some chatting with friends, others bursting with excitement.
I was looking around when my eyes met Lucas's.
And of course, just my luck—Lucas came toward me with his gang.
Lucas had changed over the past two years. His once jet-black hair had turned to a lighter wheat color, and his face was covered with pimples and freckles.
He walked toward me as If he had forgotten how badly I had beaten him before. Without his lackeys, he never would've stood a chance.
Lucas: "Hey guys, look who it is! Mr. Tam Breach!"
Leonard: "Yeah, looks like the boss came back to serve you again."
Lucas: "Leonard's right."
Liward: "Exactly. Maybe he wants another taste of the master's boots?"
They all laughed.
I crossed my arms and said:
"Seems like some people are asking to get beaten again."
Their laughter stopped. Lucas grew furious and shouted:
Lucas: "What did you say!?"
His loud voice drew everyone's attention.
Me: "I said some people are useless. They get beaten like […] and without their lackeys, they can't do a thing."
Lucas: "Looks like you're asking for trouble again, huh?"
Me: "Yeah. Because as you said, aren't I just a servant? A servant who beats his master to a pulp becomes the real king."
Lucas: "You [...]! Damn you!"
Lucas tried to punch me, but I grabbed his hand, twisted it, and with my other hand pulled his hair down.
Lucas: "Let me go, damn it!"
Me: "Didn't hear you. What did you just say?"
[...]!"
Me: "That's not what I want to hear. Say you were wrong, or I'll break your hand."
I tightened my grip, and his screams grew louder.
Exam Official: "You two idiots, stop fighting or you'll be disqualified!"
The exam supervisor had arrived.
I released Lucas, obeying the order. He did the same, though still in pain.
The supervisor was clearly a veteran knight of the church—his age over sixty, scars across his body, and a missing eye told me he had fought in the Third Wall War, the last great battle.
Exam Official: "As expected, you fools are nothing but animals, always ready to fight each other."
He glared at both me and Lucas.
Exam Official: "Your test has three stages. The first two are practical, the third Is written. Understood?"
"YES!" everyone shouted.
The three stages were:
1. Resistance against magic (gravity manipulation).
2. The Illusion of Death.
3. Written questions—seven in total.
Exam Official: "Now, the first test begins!"
The gates closed, and the exam truly started.
I felt magic rising from beneath the ground.
Several mages manipulated gravity, pulling us down with immense force. The goal was simple: resist and stay standing.
The pull grew stronger. One by one, candidates collapsed.
Cries and screams filled the air.
Out of two thousand, fewer than four hundred remained standing. Soon, only two hundred were left.
Ten minutes passed, yet the exam continued.
The supervisor seemed delighted watching others fall, but when he saw me still standing unaffected, his smile vanished—replaced by shock, then anger.
Exam Official: "Increase the gravity!"
The force grew unbearable. Only Lucas and I remained. Finally, Lucas fell.
The supervisor stared at me. I smiled back.
Exam Official (thinking): "This brat… unaffected by gravity? Impossible. Everyone was supposed to fail. Yet Tam Breach still stands."
Exam Official: "Cut the magic field!"
The soldiers obeyed. The torture ended.
Exam Official: "Those who passed, step forward. The rest, leave."
The gates opened. Names were called. Mine was among them.
As I entered, I saw Lucas yelling at his lackeys, furious that he had failed while I succeeded.
I smirked. Unlike him, I had endured nights of punishment and training. That's why I passed—at least the first stage.
Stage Two – Illusion of Death
We were led into separate rooms. I sat on a chair, waiting.
Green mist filled the chamber.
Suddenly, I was on a beach. Sister Patolina lay in my arms, smiling in a swimsuit. Children—my supposed children—played nearby.
It was blissful, but I knew It was the illusion.
The source was the children. I destroyed them.
The Illusion shattered.
Exam Official (thinking): "Let's see what this beast does now."
Exam Official: "Begin the test."
Moments later—
Soldier: "Sir, Tam broke free in under three minutes. Faster than anyone else."
Exam Official: "What!? How is that possible?"
He wanted to retest me but feared punishment from higher authorities. Reluctantly, he ordered the doors opened.
Stage Three – Written Exam
I entered the hall. Only twenty candidates remained out of two thousand.
The gap between nobles and commoners was painfully clear.
Sheets were handed out.
"Heh… too easy."
I answered them all, deliberately writing one wrong answer so no one would suspect me. (It reminded me of my past life—classmates cheating but leaving a few mistakes to avoid suspicion.)
Me: "Sir, I'm finished."
I handed in my paper. Lucas sat frozen, staring blankly at his sheet, completely lost.
I smiled at the examiner and walked out of the hall.
From the examiner's perspective…
"Hah! These fools think the exam is easy. They were all meant to fail. But then my eyes met that beastly boy—Tam Breach. And suddenly, my plan collapsed."
No matter how much the gravity magic increased, Tam stood unfazed, smiling.
Exam Official: "You little brat… smiling at me? I'll make you cry."
But with a signal from the overseer, I ordered the soldiers to cut the magic field.
"...Yes, sir."
The torture ended.
From Tam's perspective…
Slowly, everyone stood up again.
Exam Official: "Those who passed, step forward. The rest, leave."
The gates opened, names were called, and mine was among them.
As I entered, I saw Lucas yelling at his lackeys, furious that he had failed while I succeeded.
"Heh… that fool thinks everyone is like him. I endured nights of punishment and training. That's why I passed."
Stage Two – Illusion of Death
I sat in the chamber. Green mist filled the room.
Suddenly, I was on a beach. Sister Patolina lay in my arms, smiling in a swimsuit. Children—my supposed children—played nearby.
It was blissful, but I knew the source. The children.
I destroyed them.
The Illusion shattered.
Exam Official: "Tam… in under three minutes? Impossible!"
He wanted to retest me but feared punishment from higher authorities. Reluctantly, he let me pass.
Stage Three – Written Exam
Only twenty candidates remained out of two thousand. The gap between nobles and commoners was clear.
Sheets were handed out.
"Heh… too easy."
I answered them all, deliberately leaving one wrong to avoid suspicion.
Me: "Sir, I'm finished."
I handed in my paper. Lucas sat frozen, staring blankly, completely lost.
I smiled and walked out.
Exam Official (thinking): "How… in less than ten minutes? That brat defeated me."
Two weeks later…
Ziar had returned to the church. I spent my days painting again.
Suddenly, a knock at the door. Sister Eva answered.
Sister Eva: "Tam, someone's here for you."
At the door stood a messenger knight.
Messenger: "Are you Tam Breach?"
"Yes, that's me."
The knight knelt, holding a letter.
Messenger: "Congratulations, sir. You not only passed the Academy entrance exam—you've been placed in Class S. The Six-Star elite class."
"What!? Class S… the highest class, where the main characters of the Empire reside?"
I couldn't believe it. Sister Eva screamed with joy, announcing it to everyone.
The letter bore the signature of Academy Head David Flor and overseer Aria Flor, uncle of the hero.
Messenger: "Report to the Academy offices immediately for your uniform and dormitory arrangements."
I was still in shock.
That night, the church held a grand celebration. The people of the Third Wall rejoiced—a commoner had entered Class S.
Families dreamed their children might one day follow me.
Sister Patolina gave me a gift: a blue rose that never withered.
Patolina: "Alex, this is my gift. It may not be worth much, but it will always be beautiful. I hope you succeed."
"It's beautiful. Thank you."
After the celebration, I headed to my room—only to find Lucas and his father waiting.
Lucas's Father: "Well, well… the poor commoner who thinks he's an honor to the church."
He grabbed my hand.
Lucas's Father: "Listen. You'll withdraw. With the money I offer, you'll give up your seat. My son will take your place in Class S."
I smirked. "Even if I quit, your foolish son couldn't enter. He belongs in Class C."
Then I unleashed the Death Spiral, knocking him several meters away.
Me: "Listen carefully. I am Tam Breach, chosen by the gods, protected by the church and the Hyper family. If you ever threaten me or my loved ones again, you and your son will be executed. Guards!"
The knights of the church arrived.
Me: "Throw these fools out. Double their taxes. If they come within a kilometer, report to me."
Guards: "Yes, sir!"
Lucas screamed in protest as he and his father were dragged away.
I smiled. My second life had truly begun—with divine support.
This is my story. Not a disposable side character, but one of the main figures destined to shape fate.
I am Tam Breach, the strongest man of the Third Wall.
End of Part 23