Callista stood in a stupor, her brain refusing to process the reality of the situation.
That was it?! That was the grand, lethal academy entrance exam?!
She had spent three straight hours panicking, flailing, and being aggressively carried across the finish line like a fragile heirloom by a terrifying villainess.
She was literally living out the classic trope; a useless, damsel-in-distress protagonist in a dark high-fantasy romance.
Her otome-obsessed sister back in her old world would have wept tears of absolute envy.
I’m sorry, sis, Callista prayed silently to the heavens. I have stolen your trashy harem-heroine destiny.
Around her, tThe top three hundred surviving examinees stood assembled before the grand dais, bruised, battered, and reeking of ozone and residual combat magic.
High above them sat the Academy Elders and the Dean, shrouded in shadows like gargoyles waiting to pounce.
"Lords, ladies, and scholars," the Headmaster’s voice resounded, clear and ringing like a tempered blade. "You have crossed the threshold of West Trinity. You stood against hundreds, adapted under pressure, and proved your right to step through these doors. Today, you cease to be candidates. Today, you become the newest blood of this institution."
I don’t think I did, but I’ll take this.
╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
[QUEST COMPLETED: Trial of the Iron Gateway] ────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: West Trinity Academy Entrance Exam Status: CLEAR (1st Place / Team Shadow-Rose)
Rewards Distributed:
+500 EXP
Official Student Status Granted
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: STATUS UPDATE]
╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
Name: Callista von Astride
Age: 18
Status: Official Student (West Trinity Academy)
Rank: Beginner (F-Tier)
Magic: Suture Magic
Mana Type: Volatile / Unrefined
Level: 5 [▲3]
═══ CORE ATTRIBUTES ═══
Intelligence: 140
Sensitivity: 98 [▲13]
Efficiency: 215 [▲5]
Resilience: 118 [▲3]
Mental Discipline: 172 [▼8]
Mana Capacity: 28 [▲16]
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝
[You may rest from the main plot.]
Truth be told, Callista had far from recovered from the absolute sensory scandal that was the Decontamination Vaults. Her skin still tingled, her face felt permanently toasted, and her dignity remained in critical condition.
Besides, this was Corvina, the story’s ruthless villainess. There had to be a trap.
A hidden fine print.
Nobody handed out free carries through a bloody assassin exam out of the goodness of their heart.
As the grand ceremony dispersed, Callista caught sight of Corvina stepping toward a pristine black carriage. Summoning what little bravery she possessed, she hurried over. "W-Wait!"
Corvina paused, half-turned, and fixed her with a look so sharply icy that Callista’s survival instincts screamed at her to abort mission.
"What do you want?" Corvina drawled, her brow furrowing.
"Oh, uh—" Callista instinctively bowed, her spine folding like a cheap lawn chair. "Thank you! I... I really wouldn’t have survived without you."
Corvina crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Obviously. Disqualification for you meant a lower team score for me. I preserved my own standing, nothing more."
"Right, but..." Callista hesitated, fidgeting with her sleeves. "What about... the repayment you mentioned earlier?"
"I was joking, fool," Corvina scoffed softly. But as her gaze dragged over Callista’s flushed, anxious face, her lips curved into a dangerous smirk. She bent forward, lowering her posture until her dark, crimson eyes were level with the shorter girl’s. "Though... if you’re so eager to serve, I suppose I can indulge you."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: NEW MAIN QUEST] ╔════════════════════════════════════════════╗
[MAIN QUEST: The Master’s Bidding] ────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: You survived the exam, but your freedom has a price. The top-ranked examinee has officially accepted your offer of repayment.
Objective: Act as Corvina’s personal errand-girl for 7 days. Handle all assigned duties without blowing your cover or getting assassinated by jealous upperclassmen.
Clear Conditions:
- Fulfill all daily demands issued by Corvina.
- Maintain a minimum 80% Approval Rating from your "Master."
Rewards:
- +350 EXP
- Continued survival under elite protection.
Failure Penalty:
- Protection revoked.
- Closer to bad ending.
╚════════════════════════════════════════════╝
"You belong to me for the week. Make a single misstep, and I’ll deduct it directly from your skin," Corvina purred.
Out of the corner of her eye, Corvina caught sight of a group approaching across the courtyard; chief among them Prince Alistair.
Before Callista could digest the threat, a sharp tug on her collar yanked her forward. She gasped as Corvina pulled her in so close their lips almost—
"Aha..." Corvina whispered, slipping her index finger between their mouths at the very last micro-second to block the contact. "Stay still."
A collective, scandalized gasp rippled through the lingering crowd.
To anyone standing more than three feet away, the angle looked entirely explicit - a scandalous, lingering kiss delivered in full view of the nobility, including the stunned, clenching Crown Prince himself.
Callista, completely clueless as to the grand political theater taking place behind her, froze like a deer caught in a high-magic searchlight.
"Good girl," Corvina murmured, finally releasing her grip. "A promising start. Let’s see if you can continue following instructions."
With a flick of her cloak, Corvina turned and gracefully stepped inside her luxury carriage, leaving the door to snap shut behind her.
Callista’s entire face instantly detonated into a nuclear shade of crimson.
Her knees gave out, sending her dropping onto the cobblestones like a sack of unrefined mana stones.
She can’t just DO that! Callista shrieked internally, burying her burning head in her hands.
I can’t keep letting this absolute tyrant walk all over me... Just you wait, Corvina! Just you wait!