What Simon did was the definition of unconventional.
Not only did he defeat the 100,000-point monster, the duke monster, but he also used the Alpha Deimos ability to drive a horde of sea monsters to sweep the outer sea waters in search of prey. He completely annihilated all the monsters that came his way.
Of course, based on the standard summoning rules that apply to the necromancer test, every monster hunted using the monster he controlled with Alpha would be credited as his points.
Now, there were no more bodies left where Simon had passed.
So Simon more than doubled his already impossible score. Considering second place is now sitting at around 10,000 points, the gap is truly staggering.
However, he had already reached the limits of his mental strength.
Thinking he had earned enough points, he deactivated Alpha and wandered around on the water's surface.
Then, he saw a small, isolated island.
'I should hide there and rest until the exam is over.'
Simon glides across the water and makes it safely to the island.
"Very good, gods."
He stroked the whale's head and returned it to subspace. Then, he walked to a deserted island, his footprints marring the once empty beach.
It was a small island, and there didn't seem to be anyone around.
Occasionally, he would see a small, plump bird that seemed to live on the island, but it didn't seem aggressive toward humans. In fact, it would curiously watch Simon with its overly large eyes, making him chuckle.
"I'm going to pass out."
Simon leaned against a nearby rock and took a deep breath.
After being in 'Compello' and forcing his mind for so long, he struggled to maintain his consciousness. Of course, it would be a big problem if he fainted and failed.
'I can't even sleep because that would mean passing out.'
It felt like a dream that he had just led tens of thousands of sea creatures to fight against the duke monster.
Simon examined the tongue pads on his arm.
1st Place – Simon: 223,500 points
As expected, the numbers don't lie. There is a gap of 210,000 points between her and Elissa who is currently in second place by about 10,000 points.
Simon laughed mischievously and looked up at the blue sky with satisfaction.
'I got first place again, Dad!'
The exam was less than an hour away. If he could hold on and keep his points, he would win.
Simon looked up at the blue sky and let himself get lost in his thoughts.
* * *
Splash. Splash.
Hector, covered in dragon scales, had just climbed out of the sea with burning anger. His eyes were filled with fatigue.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
Everything he planned went wrong.
Luckily, she passed Elissa—who was favored to win—after increasing her speed. The plan worked.
However, suddenly, Simon Polentia burst out of the top 10 and took first place with a ridiculous 100,000 points!
When he found out, Hector exploded in anger and went back into the water despite being exhausted after exerting himself for so long.
But there was no way he could hunt well when his body was already starting to weaken.
Also, for some reason, the monsters that swarmed the nearby waters had all disappeared.
The bad conditions made Hector lose a lot of momentum, not only giving second place to Elissa but also dropping to fourth place.
"Unlucky…!"
He was frustrated.
'It's all because of Simon Polentia! Simon always ruins everything!!'
He couldn't help but feel annoyed. How could Simon not think about this all the time?
"I have to smash that bastard's face someday—"
Hector's eyes widened.
'?!'
He slowly rubbed his eyes, wondering if it was a mirage like an explorer desperately searching for water in the desert, and then looked forward again.
It's not a mirage.
The boy leaning against the smooth stone was none other than Simon Polentia who was examining the pads of his tongue.
"…Ah!"
Simone's eyes also widened when she belatedly saw Hector as well.
"Huh."
Hector just chuckled.
Pfft.Kuhehehe!
The world has not abandoned me!
"Ku. Hahahahahaha!"
I didn't think I would meet you here!!
"Simon Polentiaaa!"
* * *
* * *
"Oh, shit."
Simon scratched the side of his head with a frown.
'Why do we have to meet now?'
That was the worst possible situation.
He was completely drained, both mentally and physically. If he lost to Hector here, not only would he lose all his coins and points, but the exam would be over before he could return to the testing ground.
In other words, he would be expelled.
He purposely started slow to avoid a scenario exactly like this.
But his plans went awry because of unexpected enemies, such as Laheim and the monster duke.
"Finally."
Grinning from ear to ear, Hector's fighting spirit burned so brightly that it rivaled the sun.
"Finally, the moment I've been waiting for!"
"Wait, wait. Hector!"
Simon tried his best to give a friendly smile and raised his hand.
It was too early to give up. After all, even a dragon could be killed with enough intelligence.
"Just calm down for a moment and listen to m—!"
Slam!!
The scale of the dragon corpse that Hector threw was embedded in the rock behind Simon like a shuriken.
"I don't need to hear it."
Hector took another rattling scale from his body and held it in his hand.
But Hector's condition didn't seem so good either. His legs were shaking as if they were about to give out.
'Hector seems exhausted… Thank goodness! He's not in any better shape than I am.'
Simon's heart was beating fast, but he tried again to reassure her.
"Listen. This isn't a good place for us to fight!"
Hector threw more scales without giving any answer, and Simon had to quickly duck to avoid them.
He threw the scale so hard that he staggered backwards and almost tripped. They were both so exhausted.
"We only have about half an hour left!"
Simon shouted, not giving up.
"Anyone who comes down here won't even get a chance to pick up a coin! They'll fail the test and have to leave Kizen!"
"It sounds good."
This time Hector held the scales in both hands. Simon desperately racked his brain, and suddenly, Rick's voice came into his mind.
"You don't understand why Hector wants to fight you? Hmm, maybe he thinks defeating you will prove his strength?"
Remembering those words, Simon immediately said,
"Let's take some time to schedule it properly! It would be a shame if we had to finish this while we're both exhausted!"
"Stop your little tricks, Simon Polentia!"
Hector's pitch-black, unrefined mana floated above him as his core struggled to produce again, beginning to spin.
"I never back down from a fight!"
Hector charged like a raging rhinoceros.
'Ugh, for God's sake!'
Barely able to rise, Simon slid under Hector's deadly hand and aimed for his unbalanced legs.
"Kuh!"
Hector jumped just in time and avoided it.
As Hector landed on the ground, Simon kicked himself off the ground and used the momentum to land a straight punch at Hector's face.
Wow!
Hector bent back, and Simon's fist sliced through the air.
A smile spread across Hector's mouth.
"You are becoming weak."
This time, Hector clenched his fists.
"You look like you're dying, Simon Polentia!"
Boooooosh!
His big fist swung, but Simon also tilted his head back and dodged.
"!"
It seems the same is true for you.
Thud!
Simon's fist came from below and slammed into Hector's jaw. What little remained of Hector's barrier gauge was torn to shreds, but his smile remained.
He reacted as if it didn't hurt that much.
"Weak."
Strength!
This time, Hector returned to throwing a straight punch but hooked it and it hit Simon in the face.
"Ouch!"
He took a pretty bad hit, but Simon quickly used his other hand to hit Hector's temple again.
Slam! Strength! Hit! Thud!
The two exchanged blows.
Both of them were so exhausted that they didn't even have the jet black to put into their fists. There was no defense at all.
When one blow was dealt, there was another blow in return, and when Simon's head was knocked back, so was Hector's.
"Stop!"
Thud!
Simon's knee slammed into Hector's face. Hector fell, a cloud of dust flying around him, but he managed to get back up.
"Aaarrrgghhh!!!"
Hector pounced like a frenzied beast, grabbing Simon by the shoulders and slamming him to the ground.
Now on top of Simon, Hector flashed a triumphant smile and raised his fist.
"Just die."
Power! Power! Power!
The two fists hit Simon's face one after another. The barrier flickered and fell rapidly.
He's approaching single digits now.
"!"
However, Simon was not completely defeated. Hector, who was looking red because he was only focused on attacking, began to waver.
Simon managed to lift his knee and press it into Hector's side, successfully taking advantage of the angry man.
Grab!
Soon, Simon's hands were around Hector's waist, and his legs were wrapped around Hector's body like a snake. Using his grip, Simon then threw him to the side.
'What kind of technique is this?!'
Before he knew it, Hector was upside down, and Simon was on top of him.
Thud! Power!
The tables were turned immediately. Simon struck with his fist, and Hector was hit.
"Kuaaaaaaaaaah!"
After a few punches, Hector pushes Simon away with his pure strength and honed physique.
Taking a short break, both of them were panting.
"Hah, hah!"
"Huh! Phew!"
After panting while still crouching, they stood up at the same time. Then, they got off the ground and charged in.
Oh my! Whoosh!
A fierce fight ensued. Their accuracy was terrible, and it was harder to land punches now that they were both in pain.
Then their eyes met each other, and before either of them knew it, both of their legs were in the air.
T-toooooo!
Their kicks collided in mid-air, forming a giant X.
Staggering back, the two boys knelt in their respective places, gasping for breath.
'Kuff!'
As the two rushed towards each other again…
"!"
Hector's eyes widened.
"Damn, avoid it!"
Simon realized that the urgent shout was directed at him.
As Simon threw himself to the side, a large stone pillar slammed into the spot he had been, sending up a cloud of dust.
Ouch…
Simon dropped to his feet, stunned. Hector barely managed to stop, then stopped.
The stone wall was taller than both of them combined.
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
Footsteps with the force of an earthquake shook the ground beneath them. The two stood up and straightened themselves.
Simon felt goosebumps on his neck as he felt something near him.
'This is the worst.'
For a moment, he thought it was a monster, but the diving suit and barrier proved it was a student.
"I've never seen it this close before."
A giant man who was more than three meters tall.
He had a round and bulging body, gray hair and eyebrows, half-closed eyes, and terrifying fangs protruding from his mouth.
He's like an apex predator who's decided he's above humans in the food chain.
'SA3, Chatelle Maerre…!'
The half-closed giant eye opened, revealing a gloomy white color underneath.