Chapter 135: Black and Gold – 6
The examiners for Lekachep entrance exam were current students.
That didnt mean that the students themselves graded the exams.
It meant that the criteria for scoring in the entrance assignment was determined by the records achievable when current students took the same exam.
The conditions for achieving the highest score in each assignment was simple.
It was simply to surpass the achievements of current students.
So, receiving the highest score in any assignment of the entrance exam meant being superior to anyone currently attending the school in that particular skill.
Charlie received the highest score in total for 25 assignments of the entrance exam.
In other words, he surpassed everyone currently attending the school from the moment he entered.
Of those, 13 surpassed the record of the Golden Libra, Reyna.
Modest Charlie always corrected that whenever this story came up, saying it was 12 wins, 12 losses, and 1 draw, not 13 wins.
He said he was lucky to win against Reyna in the last assignment.
There was a trap in the last assignment.
It was something only students who had been trained by Lekachep School for years could recognize.
But Charlie and Reyna were experiencing it for the first time.
Reyna , who took the challenge first, couldnt avoid it and made a mistake, and Charlie, after seeing her mistake, exposed the trap and achieved the highest score.
Charlie always said.
That at that time, if he had taken the assignment first, their scores would have been reversed.
Indeed, how much difference would there have been between the two over the four years?
Would Charlie still be inferior?
Unfortunately, it was impossible to know.
Charlie graduated and returned to his hometown a month ago.
He even gave up the opportunity to join the elite circus troupe Lekachep 25, which only accepts top graduates.
Although everyone objected, he did not listen.
Students worried if they could defend their scores with their records.
Because Lord Fantastics daughter applied for the entrance exam again this time.
It was because of the draft rule imposed on the participants by the school.
To admit new members to the circus troupe, one existing member had to be released.
And the order of selecting members in the draft was determined by the grades received by the released member in the entrance exam.
Even knowing this draft rule, Lord Fantastics intention to release his daughter and send her to the exam was clear.
He believed that his daughter could defeat all the examinees.
Last time, thanks to a rookie like Charlie happening to be among the examinees, it was prevented, but this time, it was difficult to expect such luck.
They had to somehow defend their scores with the skills of current students.
Lets have confidence. Weve honed our skills at Lekachep for a few years, havent we?
Yeah. Whats so great about the Golden Libra anyway?
When that kid was running around under her dads popularity, we were working hard.
Well, yeah.
As friends chattered calmly, a female student with blue hair, who had achieved top records in more than half of the 25 tests, sharply glared at Reyna, who entered the auditorium.
Her name was Clara.
She was Charlies junior by a year and the current top student at the school.
She had an especially resentful look in her eyes compared to other students.
She knew how great an existence her opponent was.
That she was a genius far superior to herself.
She used to idolize Reyna once upon a time.
But not anymore.
Clara couldnt stand her.
She remembered what had happened a few months ago, just before graduation.
She wanted to sort out her feelings for Charlie before he left the school.
She confessed to him.
But he rejected her feelings.
Why? Is it because Im not good enough?
No, no. Youre a great friend, Clara. But I I already have feelings for someone else.
Claras expression was shocked by his words.
W-Who is it?
Uh Its a bit embarrassing to say.
I want to know! Is it someone from the circus? Or a student from our school? Its not a professor, is it?
Clara knew that he was close to Professor Taming.
He excelled in every field, but he particularly devoted himself to the subject of Professor Taming.
While the other professors were elders who had held their positions since the founding of the school, the Professor Taming was a woman in her mid-30s. Everyone whispered about how smitten they were with each other, especially after sightings of them walking together late at night.
Charlie chuckled awkwardly, recalling the rumors circulating around campus.
No, no, definitely not. She is not someone from our school. Yes, She is a circus performer. More skilled than anyone else
Clara couldnt help but interject emotionally.
More skilled than anyone else? Are you saying she is more skilled than me? I might not be as good as Senior Charlie, but Im still the top student in our grade.
Well, even though its you I mean, it wont work out with her. I havent even competed yet
The moment she heard that, she realized whom he was referring to.
The person he hadnt competed against yet.
The person he always said he tied with.
Golden Libra Reyna Maguire.
The illegitimate daughter of Lord Fantastic Simon Maguire, the greatest magician in the industry.
Clara was her fan.
With looks and physique that surpassed her age, and outstanding skills, she was the most prominent teenage circus prodigy in the world.
Many people envied her, but Clara didnt.
She always appeared flawless on stage, showing only perfection without any hint of emotion.
She was the embodiment of Claras idol.
But not anymore.
That day, as soon as she returned to the dormitory, Clara tore down all of Reynas posters on the wall.
She threw away all the articles and performance memorabilia she had collected.
Someone who once shone so brightly from afar now felt so repulsive by her side.
Clara glanced over the exam assignments set up in the auditorium, her tongue clicking.
Reyna Maguire.
Once her idol.
She wanted to see her miserable.
***
The people entering the auditorium were divided into two groups.
The examinees and the circus representatives who came to watch them.
The examinees looked around the auditorium, observing the various contraptions set up with curiosity.
These were the tasks they had to complete today.
Some looked nervous, some excited.
Of course, there was no one as excited as Ella.
Wow! Look at that! Whats that? Some kind of training device using jumping ability and balance? Ive never seen anything like that! Is that a device for measuring strength using centrifugal force? Look at the angle of the springs; if you just swing it, wouldnt your arms get twisted because of muscle structure?
Ella wandered around the auditorium with an excited face.
Wonderstein was relieved to see that even though she lost her memory, this aspect of her hadnt changed at all.
Miss Ella, you went to circus school, didnt you? Were there no such things there?
Would there be such things at our poor rural school? They were all personally crafted by Master. The training effect was good, but Oh, wait! How does that one work?
Wonderstein glanced at the contraption Ella pointed at, then explained its workings and usage.
She widened her eyes and looked up at him.
Why didnt I think of that?
Well, its just something you see at a glance.
Then what about that one?
Ella was amazed by Wondersteins ability to answer smoothly every time she pointed at the equipment.
With each glance at him, Ellas admiration and affection deepened.
Impressive.
Hes an extraordinary man.
Sculpted looks and gentle speech.
A soft laugh and a caring heart.
Above all, his knowledge and versatile skills in her favourite field.
She wanted to shout to the world.
This is the director Ive chosen.
This is the person I admire.
This is the man I love.
She remembered standing side by side with him on stage.
She wanted to stand beside him someday without any makeup.
Wonderstein and Ella!
The ultimate duo!
Hehe.
Wonderstein chuckled softly as he looked at her happily.
Not even a fitness enthusiast.
There couldnt be another girl who loved training equipment as much as her in the world.
Do you really like it that much?
What? What are you suddenly talking about in a crowded place!
Pardon?
Only then did Ella realize that he was referring to the acrobatic equipment.
She was startled, as if a thief had stepped on her foot own foot while lost in her thoughts.
Oh, that No, no, hehe. Anyway, its impressive, isnt it, director? Knowing all of that at a glance
It was natural that Wonderstein could see through the workings of the equipment before him.
The acrobatic equipment used for the 25 tasks prepared by Lekachep Circus School were all from TT2.
About half were tools applicable for conquering mazes, and the other half came out broken and operated as traps.
At that moment, six men and women stepped onto the stage with papers ringing in hand.
They were professors from the circus school.
Our principal is currently away on business So, Ill greet you on his behalf. Im Elpara, the vice principal of Lekachep Circus School, and I teach the tightrope walking course.
A woman in her fifties, wearing a black tricorn hat and a black velvet dress, stood on the platform.
She was one of the five acrobats who founded Lekachev.
Lekacheps curriculum was divided into seven main categories.
Commonly known as the traditional five disciplines, the five acrobatic disciplines were each promoted by one of the five founders.
The strength show by Yakovlev.
Tightrope walking by Elpara.
Ground skills by Kyle.
Shooting by Legault
Taming by Ursus
These five were once renowned in the circus industry as the Famous Five thirty years ago.
Then, according to the proposal of the emperors jester, they established a school together and took on teaching positions.
Here, only Ursus of Taming retired, while the other four continued to teach, not only now but also four years later.
The Quartet.
They were the final bosses of the Yeterinpuurk stage of TT2.
Wonderstein smiled as he watched them step forward one by one.
Perhaps because they boasted the most murderous difficulty level throughout TTT, they were firmly etched in memory.
When a young female professor in charge of taming came out, it became a bit uncomfortable.
She appeared as an ally in TT2.
Just like with the ghost of Cabaret, when everyone was engulfed in madness, the only one who remained sane was originally someone who was intoxicated with their own madness.
She was no exception.
That person is none other than the apprentice of Ursus! I even have her autograph. A friend got it for me.
Ella glanced at her with a twinkle in her eye.
Wonderstein thought he had heard the name Ursus somewhere.
As he recollected, he remembered the opening ceremony.
Just in case he made a mistake, Ella had prepared lines for the interview in advance.
His name was mentioned there.
Was the most respected acrobat also Ursus?
At that time, without much thought, he recited the lines she gave him.
Because he was a famous acrobat in taming, he thought he must be worthy of respect.
But to think he was once a member of the Famous Five.
Since the game always mentioned only the Quartret, he didnt even know of the existence.
It did seem odd that only Professor Taming was in her 30s
I believe it would be a tragedy if what happened to the late mentor Ursus was to be repeated. I hope the organizers of the competition have caught the Black Magician they prepared a task force for.
Professor Taming mentioned a terror incident from 17 years ago.
Ursus participated in that and died, she said.
Wonderstein accepted another accumulated evil without surprise or much concern.
Then please have the circus groups participating in the draft release their members. I repeat, once released, the examinees should not have any contact with circus groups during the exam.
Support TranslatorWrite ReviewJoin Discord
Read latest chapters at f(r)eewebnov𝒆l Only