The morning a few days after I met Leonie and Nor, I headed for the venue of the Hero Institute entrance exam. Apparently, it was taking place at the Hero Institute itself, but when I arrived at my destination, I only found a single imposing gate in front of me.
Hmm?
—Please pass through the gate. It is usually closed off to outsiders, but it should be open today.
I found it a little suspicious, but I did as Proto said. When I passed through, my view abruptly changed.
“Whoa.”
—Welcome to the Hero Institute. Though, it’s not like I myself am associated with it or anything.
“Hey, thanks. I’m getting kinda excited.”
The Hero Institute was surrounded on all sides by high, austere-looking walls, and it seemed like visitors were only able to come and go through the gate. The complex was designed in such a way as to prevent its interior from being seen from the outside. I thought it looked a bit more like a prison than a school. The largest building was a grand, old structure built in a bygone human style, and it looked like it might have been reused from some other past facility.
Looking around, I saw confident-looking young people lined up shoulder to shoulder, waiting for the tests to begin. No two expressions on their faces were alike, but they all seemed impatient for things to get started. As a member of the demon race, which valued strength above all else, I couldn’t help but get excited seeing so many powerful people around me. But according to Leonie, I would have to confront the written exam before the practical one. I wasn’t too lacking when it came to book smarts, but I’d never been any good at memorizing things.
“Ruchika.”
“Oh, Leonie. And Nor as well. Good morning.”
As I waited around, mingling with the crowd of prospective students, Leonie and Nor came up to greet me.
“Good morning.”
“Morning, Ruchika!”
We casually exchanged greetings. The two of them seemed pretty nervous, but I guess that was natural. We were about to take an exam, after all.
“Well, it’s almost time for the test. How you feeling?” I asked.
“I’m confident about the written portion, though I can’t say the same for the practical exam…,” Leonie said.
“Why’s that? From what I saw the other day when we caught that pickpocket, you’re plenty capable, right?”
“The fact that Leonie’s worried should let you know just how high the level of the examination is,” Nor said.
“Precisely. For example, take a look at that girl over there with the red hair,” Leonie said.
Leonie pointed at a girl with long, wavy red hair who was standing a way off from us. You could tell just from the way she carried herself that she was a superstrong fighter.
“Who’s she?”
“Danita Blackburn. Like Leonie and me, she’s the daughter of a member of the party that defeated the Demon Lord. They’re already calling her one of the strongest heroes of our generation.”
“That’s the level an applicant needs to be on to get through the entrance exam. They won’t let you pass if you’re anything less than remarkable.”
Based on Leonie’s explanation, I could tell it was going to be a pretty difficult test. But I still had no intention of giving up now.
“Oh yeah? Well, I’m still gonna become the strongest hero here.”
And I wasn’t just putting on a brave face, either. I wasn’t bluffing. When I said that, I meant it.
“Huh? You sound pretty cocky over there, eh?”
It seemed the red-haired girl—Danita—had heard what I’d said. There was an agitated look on her face as she headed over to me. She looked even more impressive as she got closer. It wasn’t like she was covered in bulging muscles or anything, but you could tell her body was strong and graceful with not an ounce of extra fat on her. She wore a fierce smile that reminded me of some kind of untamed wildcat.
“A little squirt like you is gonna try to become a hero? Come on, Leonie, tell her—this ain’t some playground for little kids like her.”
“Danita…,” said Leonie.
“Hey, just because you’re a little taller than me doesn’t mean you can treat me like a kid,” I said.
Though, when we stood next to each other, it really did look a lot like a child standing next to an adult.
“Ability has lots to do with physique. And I’ve been training my whole body with a Gear since I was little. Compared to you, I’m just built different.”
“You said it, Danita. Besides, what are you, a demon or something? A demon who wants to be a hero—sounds like a bad joke!”
That last quip hadn’t come from Danita but from one of her followers who had joined in on making fun of me. Maybe I was just biased, but it was kinda weird to see this girl, dressed flamboyantly like some kind of party girl, together with Danita, who had more of an arrogant, militaristic vibe.
“Go ahead and laugh. But no matter what you say, I’m still gonna be the strongest hero here,” I said.
“You know how to run your mouth, runt. Though, now that I get a good look at you, I can tell you might just be able to hold your own… Want me to teach you a lesson here and now before the exam starts?”
“Do it, Danita!”
“Stop it, you two!”
As Danita and I glared at each other, Danita’s crony stoked the flames, while Leonie tried to stop us.
“Not my fault if you end up getting hurt,” I said.
“Same to you, tiny,” Danita spat back.
The air between us was crackling with intensity.
“Silence, everyone! The examination is about to begin! All prospective test takers, please form two lines and enter the venue.”
As if to dispel the mounting tension between us, an announcement declaring the start of the test rang out around us. Danita and I both relaxed our battle poses.
“You got lucky this time, kid.”
“Speak for yourself.”
As I got in my last word and watched Danita walk away, I heard Leonie and Nor let out large sighs behind me.
“Ruchika, you know…”
“You really went and picked a fight with Danita…”
“She was the one picking a fight with me! And I’m not one to back down from a challenge.”
In the end, I was glad I didn’t have to waste any of my energy before the test. And the whole incident had helped me blow off a little steam, so all’s well that ends well.
“Well, Leonie, Nor—let’s all do our best on the exam!”
“…You’re still as relaxed as ever, I see. Must be nice.”
“Ah-ha-ha-ha…”