Chapter 36
A few days later, Sion’s entrance exam took place.
The location was the indoor training arena of the main building.
“You’ve arrived, young master.”
Seeing Sion enter, Ulric Sherman and Diene Schto approached and greeted him.
Sion gave a small nod, then looked around the quiet arena.
“Is this everyone observing the test?”
“Yes. The First Knight Order’s entrance exams are confidential. Aside from myself and Sir Diene, no one else is permitted to observe without authorization.”
“I see.”
“I thought it would be better for you to focus on the match. But if the atmosphere feels too dull, we can call in a few more people.”
Ulric Sherman asked teasingly, but Sion shook his head.
“No. Quiet is better.”
He removed his robe, handed it to Garen, and lightly stretched.
“If you’re ready, we can begin immediately.”
“Understood.”
Seeing Sion completely free of tension—nothing like someone about to take a knight exam—Ulric Sherman’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“Please, the two of you, come this way with me.”
Diene Schto guided Garen and Genebia Lilo to the side of the arena.
Garen was here as Sion’s attendant, and Genebia as a healing priest in case of injury.
And me?
I was currently hiding inside Genebia’s curly hair, watching everything unfold.
But then—
“…Huh?”
The senior knight I expected to fight Sion, Diene Schto, stepped back.
Instead, Ulric Sherman stepped forward.
I whispered in shock,
“Wait… don’t tell me that huge, commander-level guy is Sion’s opponent!?”
“…It certainly looks that way.”
“No way!”
It was absurd.
A freshly turned nineteen-year-old facing the vice-captain of the First Knight Order?!
Even in the original story, Sion joined much later with far more experience—and even then, he fought elite senior knights, not someone of this level.
Garen, clearly thinking the same, spoke up in disbelief.
“Please wait. Are you saying the young master’s opponent is not Sir Diene, but the vice-captain himself?”
“Yes. Why?”
At Diene’s casual reply, Garen protested,
“This is completely unfair! No matter how talented he is, he’s just come of age and has no real combat experience. How can he possibly subdue someone of the vice-captain’s caliber?”
Diene shrugged with a grin.
“That’s just how the First Knight Order operates.”
“But—”
At that moment, Ulric Sherman rolled his shoulders and stepped forward.
“As Sir Diene said, this is in accordance with the Order’s policy. The most suitable opponent to accurately assess Young Master Sion’s abilities has been selected—and that happens to be me. Nothing more.”
He looked at Sion and continued,
“Of course, Sir Diene is also an excellent knight. But personally, there are a few things I’d like to confirm myself. If you have any objections, you may raise them.”
“I have none. Let’s begin.”
At Sion’s calm response, Ulric nodded in satisfaction.
Then—
He took off his upper garments.
“…Holy—”
“…Wow.”
Both Genebia and I gasped.
His massive upper body—easily one and a half times Sion’s size—was covered in countless scars.
In other words…
He looked ridiculously strong.
“…This feels bad.”
There’s no way Sion loses… right?
I bit my lip anxiously.
Sure, Sion was a genius swordsman—someone capable of rivaling the main male lead.
But against a veteran like that, without aura or experience, the gap was obvious.
“Ugh, no.”
I couldn’t let his chance slip away like this.
After a brief moment of thought, I decided.
I’ll help him.
I whispered to Genebia,
“Take me to Sion.”
“…Now?”
“Yes. Now.”
Genebia sighed, then raised her hand.
“Excuse me, just a moment.”
All eyes turned to her.
“I have something to tell the young master.”
“If it’s not urgent, wait until after the match.”
“Unfortunately, it is urgent.”
Ulric nodded.
Genebia approached Sion and leaned in as if whispering—
And at that moment, I popped out from her hair.
“Sion.”
“…Rin?”
He looked confused as I suddenly reappeared.
I quickly slipped inside his armor.
“I’m here to help.”
“What?”
He hesitated.
“That vice-captain guy looks insanely strong. He’s older, more experienced—this fight is unfair. So I need to balance it out.”
“…Even if I fail, that is my responsibility. Do not interfere.”
Sion said firmly.
I ignored him.
Before he could say more, Ulric called out,
“Are you finished?”
“Yes.”
Genebia retreated quickly.
And the match began.
“I’ll begin.”
With that—
Ulric kicked off the ground.
Despite his massive build, he moved at terrifying speed, closing in on Sion instantly.
His sword came slashing diagonally with a frightening force.
Instead of blocking head-on, Sion twisted his body aside—
And countered toward Ulric’s exposed flank.
Clang—!!!
“……!”
“…!!”
Their blades collided midair with explosive force.
After that exchange, both gauged each other’s strength.
“As expected… my judgment was correct.”
Ulric spoke with clear excitement.
Sion said nothing, but his eyes were sharper than ever.
This guy’s the real deal.
Clang! Clang-clang!
Their exchanges grew faster—
Sharper—
More intense.
This was on a completely different level than the assassins Sion had fought before.
Even my eyes were spinning trying to keep up, but I forced myself to focus.
“The moment I get a chance… I’ll use my skill.”
I didn’t know how effective it would be—but even a brief opening would be enough.
Sion didn’t want interference.
But this fight wasn’t fair to begin with.
If this were the main male lead, luck, items, and plot armor would carry him.
But Sion?
He was the tragic second lead.
No luck. No miracles.
“So at least let a fangirl fairy give him a little support.”
And right then—
Ulric suddenly stepped back mid-clash.
“…?!”
The next instant—
A kick shot upward toward Sion’s chin like a blade.
A hit like that would knock out teeth instantly.
“!!!”
Sion barely ducked in time—
Then surged forward using the momentum.
Ulric’s eyes flashed.
He had anticipated the counter.
He redirected his sword downward toward Sion.
If both attacks landed—
Sion would take far more damage.
That’s when I played my trump card.
“<Shining Fangirl Power Everywhere!>”
Flash—!
“…!?”
A blinding burst of light struck Ulric’s vision.
For just a split second—
He flinched.
And that was enough.
Sion’s blade cut through the opening—
Swoosh—!
And stopped just before Ulric Sherman’s throat.
“……”
“……”
Sion had won.
