And just like that, two weeks had passed.
After gaining access to orichalcum and refining seventeen molecules at the center of my palm, I could now confidently step into the exam.
⸻
As I quickly made my way toward the main building, I ran into three blond figures who looked almost identical.
⸻
"—Hey, you. Stop right there."
"—Aren't you that useless guy who does nothing but sleep all day?"
"—Isn't his name Cyan? What a stupid name… and he's the third son of the main line?"
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"…Ah, I've heard of these guys."
"They're the triplets—the fourth generation of the main family. Born just two months after me."
"If I remember correctly… their names are Lowbro, Midbro, and Highbro."
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"What do you want?"
⸻
"—Do we need a reason to look at trash like you? Don't flatter yourself."
"—Yeah, yeah. This guy probably sleeps all year and dreams all day."
"—And yet he doesn't even have the shame to withdraw from the exam, still showing up here just to embarrass himself."
⸻
"…Looks like the rumors about me have spread quite far."
"Well… they're not entirely wrong. Right now, I am a 'failure.'"
"In fact, I've only managed to use intermediate magic once so far—since most of my mana has been spent on creating the launcher."
⸻
Ignoring their mockery, something behind them suddenly caught my attention.
A sword—radiating dense lightning mana.
⸻
"…Right."
"This is the main building. Of course something like that would be here."
⸻
As if driven by instinct, I rushed straight toward the sword, ignoring the three who were still mocking me, and reached out to touch it.
⸻
The moment my hand made contact—
A rough, calloused hand grabbed mine and pulled it away.
⸻
"—This is the secondary sword of the family's eldest heir."
"The one who stands at the top of the Velton succession."
"Someone like you… is a thousand times unworthy of touching it."
⸻
I quickly looked up—
and instantly recognized who stood before me.
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"A man with purple hair… surrounded by a dense aura of mana."
"Konan Velton."
⸻
"He's the younger brother of the family head."
"In other words… my uncle."
⸻
"He values strength above all else—borderline obsessed."
"Even without exceptional talent, the fact that he became a Lightning King Mage is already remarkable."
"Though still far inferior to the family head… he's undoubtedly a notable figure within the empire."
⸻
"I chose to remain silent."
"It's best not to say anything right now."
"I shouldn't stand out yet."
⸻
"Let them think whatever they want."
"Someday… I'll surpass even the eldest brother—and the family head himself."
"Things like this… aren't worth my attention."
⸻
After receiving no response, Konan simply stared at Cyan.
The triplets immediately joined in.
⸻
"—What's wrong? Too scared to even answer?"
"—Or are you looking down on Uncle Konan just because you're from the main line?"
"—Maybe he's at that age where he thinks he's the center of the universe."
⸻
Cyan ignored them completely.
His gaze remained fixed on the sword.
⸻
"…That has to be adamantite."
"Even Konan said it belongs to the family head—there's no way it's anything inferior."
⸻
"But with him watching me so closely…"
"…there's no way I can even touch it again."
⸻
"…Fine."
"I'll settle for orichalcum—for now."
⸻
"—You brats, line up properly in the hall. The exam is about to begin."
Konan's voice rang out.
⸻
Soon enough, about ten children gathered in the main hall.
Four from the main family—
and six from the branch families.
⸻
The exam… was about to start. 🔥