Revenge with the Power of the Final Boss-Chapter 66: Entrance Exam

Baek Seo-jin entered the academy grounds through Gate C, stepping into a vast plain where the academy's instructors had gathered. These individuals were the judges for today’s entrance examination, responsible for assessing the skills of aspiring candidates hoping to join Kangin Academy.

Among them, the one who seemed to hold the highest authority spoke:

"Welcome, candidates numbered 21 to 30! You are individuals driven by passion, seeking to become exceptional hunters at Kangin Academy. However!" His sharp voice sliced through the tense atmosphere, "Not all of you will pass. Only half of those present will make it through today. The rest will have to wait for another year!"

The candidates visibly tensed at his words. They were individuals who had given their all to prepare for this day, honing their skills over time. Yet, even without the judge’s declaration, they all knew the harsh reality—Kangin Academy admitted only 1,000 students each year.

Even those with outstanding abilities could be rejected if the average level of applicants was high. Out of the 2,000 candidates gathered here, half would likely face rejection. In this place, everyone was a competitor.

"We will now begin with candidate number 21! Show us your strength by attacking this target with everything you have!"

"Haaaah!"

"Take this!"

Candidates numbered 21 and 22 displayed their abilities in quick succession before it was Baek Seo-jin’s turn.

"Candidate number 23!"

"Yes! Candidate number 23. My name is Baek Seo-jin, I’m 20 years old."

Declaring his number, age, and name, Baek Seo-jin unsheathed his sword and stepped forward into the examination area. His eyes locked onto the challenge before him—a towering golem over four meters tall, radiating an oppressive presence.

The golem, constructed entirely from the rare rainbow-hued metal known as orichalcum, was an iconic feature of Kangin Academy. Despite the previous attacks by candidates 21 and 22, it bore no visible damage, showcasing its incredible durability.

‘So that’s the legendary Orichalcum Golem of Kangin Academy.’

This wasn’t just a standard orichalcum construct; the Kangin Guild had poured immense resources into enhancing the golem’s capabilities. While its combat strength rivaled that of an SSS-class hunter, its practical application in real battles was limited due to its simplistic movements and enormous energy consumption. Still, it was a fearsome weapon in the academy’s arsenal, with at least four such golems known to exist.

"Let’s give it my best."

Baek Seo-jin prepared himself. The purpose of this test wasn’t simply to damage the golem but to demonstrate skillful attacks. Judges evaluated candidates on their technique, mana control, and overall execution. Reckless brute force would only result in deductions.

‘No need to worry. I’ve worked hard for this.’

His heart filled with determination as he thought of the people who believed in him—his loving parents, his close friends Han Se-hee and Lee Ha-yeon, and those from the Baekho Guild who had placed their hopes in him. Above all, he thought of someone he needed to save: Ye-jin noona.

As Baek Seo-jin gripped his sword and infused it with mana, whispers of admiration began to ripple through the judges.

"Look at that posture. Impressive."

"Such refined mana quality."

Their murmurs reached Seo-jin’s ears, fueling his focus. But as he readied his strike, a sudden realization dawned on the judges.

"Wait, is that...?"

"Could it be? The rumors about the Baekho Guild heir are true!"

The judges couldn’t hide their astonishment. Baek Seo-jin’s mana exhibited a rare phenomenon: the simultaneous fusion of multiple elemental properties.

Most mana awakeners had an affinity for a single element, refining their powers within that specialty. For instance, Lee Ha-yeon’s mana possessed a natural affinity for light, which she had honed to perfection. In contrast, Baek Seo-jin had an extraordinary adaptability to all elements, allowing him to integrate fire, wind, lightning, ice, water, and earth into a single cohesive force.

Though his mastery over light and darkness was still lacking, he was confident he could eventually incorporate them.

"Combining so many attributes... incredible."

"Even seeing it with my own eyes, I can hardly believe it."

What left the judges most speechless wasn’t just the presence of multiple elements but how harmoniously they fused within his blade, without the slightest discord.

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This exceptional talent had been carefully hidden at his parents’ insistence. They had advised him to keep it a secret until his admission to Kangin Academy to avoid unnecessary danger.

"Seo-jin, we’re so proud of your talent, but we want to ensure your safety above all else," his father had told him.

"Please, just until you’re admitted to Kangin Academy. Keep it hidden, for us."

Though their heartfelt pleas had pained Seo-jin, he had agreed, vowing to someday elevate the Baekho Guild to a level where it needn’t bow to anyone.

‘Now’s the time.’

With a deep breath, Baek Seo-jin unleashed his hidden potential. His blade erupted with combined elemental energy as he swung.

BOOOOOOM!

The explosive force of his strike resounded across the plain. The golem, struck directly, remained standing but lost a small fragment from its arm—a testament to the destructive power of his attack.

"He managed to damage the golem!"

"Unbelievable! No candidate has ever done that before!"

The judges and candidates alike were stunned. Even seasoned SS-class hunters would struggle to leave a mark on the golem. Yet here was Baek Seo-jin, an entrance candidate, achieving the impossible.

While the damage was minor, it was enough to showcase Seo-jin’s overwhelming potential. The judges, still reeling from the display, exchanged incredulous remarks.

"A candidate who can harm the golem... it’s unheard of."

"I can’t believe we’re seeing this with our own eyes."

Among the murmurs of awe, Baek Seo-jin allowed himself a small smile.

‘This talent is mine alone. With it, I’ll save Ye-jin noona and protect everyone who believes in me.’

***

"He fights like that, huh," I muttered.

Hidden in a distant spot, cloaked by stealth, I observed Baek Seo-jin's attack unfold.

He wielded multiple elemental attributes, but his mastery was far below mine—even compared to my abilities when I was just 13 years old, trapped inside the Rift. Honestly, if it came down to elemental proficiency alone, my 10-year-old self could have surpassed him.

‘A talent suited to all attributes. A gift that can merge every element into one. And, with sufficient mastery, the ability to shape them freely into any form imaginable.’

The protagonist of the original story, Baek Seo-jin, possessed this remarkable talent. But so did I, his older brother.

It was because of this shared talent that Baek Hyung-won and Kim Yoo-jung, my so-called parents, sold me to villains. The villains, captivated by my abilities, conducted countless inhumane experiments on me, forcibly infusing various elemental mana into my body. The agony they inflicted was nothing short of hellish.

Eventually, their curiosity grew darker. They wanted to see if someone with my talent could also assimilate the Rift's mana—the power that devours all life in this world. To test this, they cast me into the Rift itself.

“Enjoy your happiness while you can, dear brother.”

For my vengeance, I wished for his happiness to grow. The brighter his light, the more devastating his despair would be when it was extinguished.