Chapter 15 Who Are You？
Even though the sun was still high in the sky, the area was quieter than the stillness of night.
It was no surprise. What had happened was so terrible and intense that it was the most vivid scene of the day.
Most people were either speechless or unable to close their mouths.
"..."
In the center of the circle stood the victor, while the defeated lay on the ground.
The earth absorbed the spilled blood, turning it into a foul-smelling mud.
A pool of red stained the ground. Looking at his own hands, also covered in the same color, Shidou was left speechless.
(Could it be that this was the plan all along? Did this kid endure so much just to aim for such a slim chance of victory? If that's the case...)
With blood-soaked hands that had lost their strength, he delivered a powerful strike.
If Hiiro hadn't fallen and had the energy to swing again, it would have surely reached its target. He would have made it reach, no matter what.
(No, even so. This isn't a winning strategy. A knight should have the mindset to aim for victory, even at the cost of their own safety. But this... This is too reckless.)
It was a surprising move. However, it was not just a double-edged sword; the risk he took was far too great.
Such a chance of winning couldn't be imagined with normal thinking. How could someone carry out such foolishness, offering themselves up without hesitation for victory?.
(If my control had slipped even a little, it could have left him unable to walk for life. Did he really think that wouldn't happen? Foolish. There are countless examples of accidents in the entrance exams. A typical examiner wouldn't have the control... No, is that why he chose me?)
Changing his perspective, Shidou focused his thoughts again.
Could it be that he was hoping for his leniency?
Among the examiners, Shidou was the most skilled, meaning he was the one who could best gauge limits.
Conversely, if he was also the "one who could push to the limit"...
(Foolish. Impossible. How could someone have such a twisted trust in another's strength? Besides, isn't that counterproductive? If he had simply chosen another examiner, he would have passed without any issues. Why? Why did he challenge himself to such a difficult situation?)
Shidou wanted to forcefully cut away the speculations that crossed his mind.
If that were true, then this man, Hiiro Merifar, was too far off the mark.
A madman. A fool. Or perhaps──a hero in the making.
Not normal. Definitely not.
But still...
(...I can't see the bottom. Is he an insatiable wolf, hungry for battles against strong opponents? Or is he a hero who did his best in a limited situation? Or perhaps──a demon throwing himself into a fight without a chance of winning?)
People fear what they cannot see.
A man who has run through many battlefields could sometimes understand his opponent better than words could express.
Yet, with Hiiro, it was as if he couldn't see through him at all.
Like a pool of stagnant red blood, it was deep, opaque. Only a terrifyingly strong will remained.
He is a dangerous man. Not smart.
Looking only at the results, Hiiro couldn't land a single blow on Shidou.
But looking at the process, he had shown determination and twisted intelligence, getting so close against a strong opponent.
A hungry wolf. A hero. Or perhaps, a demon.
His potential is unknown. His essence is unclear.
Yet, the one who must make the decision is him, the head examiner.
"...Regarding Hiiro Merifar's pass or fail──."
To make a decision without regrets, he must think deeply.
With fatigue showing on his iron face, Shidou took a deep breath.
"I will put it on hold for now."
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