The Retired Hero is an Extra

As the mist finally lifted, the hall fell silent with ripe anticipation.

The relatively few nobles, who had seen their children still inside, wished to see their kin come out first.

Alas, even they knew it was a far-fetched dream, but what was wrong in expecting such a good outcome?

The disqualified participants were eager to see who emerged first, knowing firsthand how difficult it actually was.

Beneath the mist, the first figure to emerge from the thinning haze was Amael, his expression calm and victorious.

'Easy,' he thought, his expression portraying his feelings.

He had navigated the illusion with apparent ease, his strategic alliances and decisive actions paying off.

The crowd murmured in appreciation, but their focus quickly shifted back to the clearing area.

Followed by Amael were the group he helped and allied himself with.

Moments later, Ava appeared, her demeanor composed and slightly relieved, albeit her relief was unnoticeable.

She had managed to leverage her alliances effectively, balancing cooperation with her own cunning.

Her arrival was met with nods of awe and respect, earned by her magnificent performance and her unique methods.

Despite the spectator's excitement, none moved to greet her as they waited for everyone to appear.

As Ava stepped aside, Avon emerged next, his solitary figure marked by a determined expression.

His approach had been a test of endurance and individual skill, and though he appeared worn, there was noticeable respect in the spectators' gazes.

After all, he seemed to have given his all, and his composure didn't betray the slightest hint of his inner anxiety.

Unlike Ava, who could only swallow Amael's arrival before her, he couldn't.

However, being one of the Princes, there was no way he would discard his calm and composed facade over losing such a minor competition.

'I will take first place in the Academy Entrance Test,' he thought, with fire blazing in his eyes as he took his spot next to Ava.

Unsurprisingly, the groups had already moved away, knowing their place without the need to be told.

Meanwhile, Jash, still hidden in the thinning mist, observed their arrivals with keen interest.

'I think Caera will be the next one?' he mused, looking at the center of the illusion where the exit was located.

The forest had quietened, its annoying illusions slowly unraveling in the mist's retreat.

His own journey had been a solitary one, characterized by laziness, patience and meticulous navigation.

The other participants had faced various challenges, but he had chosen to rely on his own instincts and observations.

'Is it time?' he asked himself, wanting to exit at nary a time to gather attention.

To confirm, he turned to look outside, finding Caera along with another girl, who shared her beauty.

Yet Jash was unfazed, instead his eyes darted to Avon, who had a soft expression, looking at the girl next to Caera.

'She is that Warmis Clan girl?' Jash wondered in intrigue, unable to believe he found one of the dumber girls so easily.

Unfortunately, he had no plans to get involved with either the protagonist, the heroines, the villain, or the villainess.

Of course, the thing about Amael being a villain or not, him being different that what he remembered was a different matter altogether.

'By the way, didn't she come here?' Jash thought, recalling someone he wished to see but didn't want to meet at the same time.

His expression fell unbeknownst to him as he realized she wasn't here.

"Haa... whatever," He sighed and took the initiative to exit as the next group was just about to.

In the next second, surprising everyone in the hall, the final wisps of mist disappeared, revealing the remaining participants.

Looking at the perplexing scene around him, Jash took a deep breath, savoring the clarity of return from the illusion.

'It's over,' he mused in relief, unaware of the attention he got from the one guy he disliked a lot.

…

During the entire process of the mist dissolving and dissipating, the Emperor's gaze remained fixed on Jash.

A mix of intrigue and frustration etched itself on his face as he glanced at the arrival of Amael, followed by his children.

He had hoped for a dramatic display from his children, but Jash's quiet competence had defied his expectations.

In the case of the top 3, there was a similarity that they looked for the exit, setting it as their goal.

However, Jash had ignored everything, taking a much more reserved approach and lying flat instead of showcasing his prowess.

But the Emperor understood.

Jash was the son of a Duke, there was no reason for him to impress anyone or to maintain their family name.

The Solarnelle Academy Entrance Test was a better place, and one needed to wisely keep their cards hidden.

Yet the Emperor's lips twitched subtly as he noticed what Jash had achieved.

Unlike any other participant, Jash ended up deciphering the illusion itself, forcefully stopping it from sending him first.

'This... Is he better or Amael?' The Emperor pondered, curious about the answer.

After all, Amael too had unraveled the mysteries of the deceitful illusion, albeit he was fighting and focused on finding the exit as well.

It was difficult to compare the two when their approaches towards the test were entirely different from one another.

In the end, the Emperor clenched his fist, a small smile appearing on his face.

Noticing the Emperor's complex mood and strange emotions, the nobles around him exchanged glances.

They assumed it was probably because of Amael defeating Avon and Ava, but the Imperial Pride forced the Emperor to smile, regardless of his personal feelings.

While they all guessed wrongly and focused on Amael, Avon, and Ava, the Emperor's gaze was focused on Jash.

'He looks too calm,' noted the Emperor, observing the mask of calm satisfaction Jash wore.

He had not only survived but had done so in a manner that spoke volumes about his adaptability and intellect.

'Yet he didn't want to appear first?'

It roused the Emperor's curiosity, but he wasn't one to let his emotions control him.

"Let's go," he ordered to the nobles around him and they nodded in kind.

The Emperor, though perturbed, could not ignore the results.

He had to acknowledge the prowess demonstrated by all the participants, despite his initial disappointment.

As soon as the Emperor and the high-ranking nobles appeared, everyone in the hall bowed and said in unison.

"Long Live His Majesty!"

The Emperor acknowledged their greeting with a simple nod.

The awe, respect and fear alongside every emotion present in the eyes of everyone was very apparent to him.

He walked through the now-open doors toward the slightly elevated area and stood atop it alone.

A few daring nobles wondered about the Empress's absence, but none had the guts to speak of it.

Ignoring the curious glances coming his way, the Emperor surveyed the area and a faint smile painted his face.

All the participants and exalted nobles gathered around as he addressed the assembly. His voice, though steady, carried a hint of the weight of his expectations.

"The illusion has tested each of you in ways beyond simple endurance. Your responses varied; from panic to calm to understanding to solving."

The hall remained silent as the Emperor paused despite the enthusiasm coursing through the veins of the ones who succeeded.

While their chests were swelled with pride alongside their family, the failing participants had deflated looks.

'Hah! He sure knows how to put on a show,' Jash scoffed internally, observing the impact of the Emperor's words, whether they be a lie or the truth.

However, in the next second, Jash almost cursed. 'Shit! Why did he look at me! No way, right!?' he thought distressfully.