The Retired Hero is an Extra

After being teleported to the test venue, Jash adjusted his position and steadied his breathing as he waited for further instructions.

'So this is the test venue,' he mused, his eyes taking in the sight of the huge waiting area enclosed within walls.

It was adequately lit with various mana stone lamps, and it seemed he was one of the last to arrive, as everyone was looking at him.

Ignoring their strange gazes, Jash casually made his way to the place where other nobles were seated.

'Thankfully, the first round is done in different places for the three races,' Jash thought, sitting on a random empty seat.

Of course, his neighbors could only keep their mouths sealed shut due to his status as a Duke's child.

Everyone had already seen or heard about his performance of the Imperial Banquet, having an unfavorable impression as a result.

Yet it seemed Jash had no idea about their inner thoughts, focusing on the participants and the ticking time.

'So, the groups have only formed amongst the non-nobles and the ones from the Association?' he mused, scanning the area.

Nearby, a group of competitors huddled together, exchanging last-minute tips and strategies.

Despite their low voices, they carried a sense of camaraderie born from shared preparation.

'Probably from the Hunter Association training camp,' Jash guessed, his gaze shifting to other areas.

The sense of camaraderie among the competitors was a small comfort amidst the stress for others, but that was not the case for Jash.

He couldn't help but feel disgusted by the fakeness in their grouping, recognizing it at first glance.

'They are the ones who'd betray each other, if given the chance,' he lamented, choosing to find a better sight.

After all, he wasn't like the lone contenders who envied their ease, wishing to shake off their own tension.

He didn't have any tension about the entrance test.

'There's just no way someone like me will fail it,' he thought, retracting his gaze and turning to look at the nobles.

The first one he actually recognized was Amael standing a short distance away, seemingly in complete control.

Amael's calm demeanor was a stark contrast to anyone else in the area, which made Jash smirk at the sight.

'Surely, I will get to see something interesting soon,' he guessed, and recalled his own plans and strategies to win 37.5 million.

Thinking so, Jash's gaze fell on the sight of fellow nobles who had rotten expressions on their faces.

'They're only realizing now that Amael has always been a formidable competitor,' he scoffed at their idiocy.

He never liked mingling with them and today was going to be no exception.

As he noticed someone approaching to talk to him, he walked away to greet Caera.

"Look who decided to show up," Caera teased as Jash approached, cutting off any attempt at a polite greeting.

Jash's lips twitched as he replied with a restrained smile, "It was you, wasn't it?"

"But of course!" Caera proudly admitted, making veins throb on Jash's forehead.

He couldn't understand how shameless his sister could be!

"Whatever. Tell me, did you meet brother?" He asked, in an attempt to change the topic, but Caera played along.

"Hmph! He says he can only meet after the entrance test is over as the Vice-President of the Student Council," Caera complained.

"Well, I guess we will meet the two of them together," Jash replied, unfazed by her hurtful expression.

He was too used to her playful nature, albeit she restrained it because they were in a public seating.

If not for it about their Elder Brother Brandon, who was also the heir to the duchy, she wouldn't have let her perfect mask fall.

While the two were busy conversing, a voice interrupted them, "You two, keep quiet."

Turning to the speaker, they didn't recognize him but the emblem on her chest and arm indicated that she was from the Solarnelle Academy.

The twins quietly nodded and Jash returned to his seat.

By that time, everyone was either seated or standing, though it made no difference anymore as they all focused in one direction.

The grand stage at the far end of the large room.

'It's no different than an auditorium,' Jash and Amael mused, noting the similarities.

Naturally, they didn't know it.

Slowly, the seconds passed by as the Solarnelle Academy officials roaming about began to gather below the stage.

Suddenly, a few people wearing similar attires, tight and fitting blue-white clothes, appeared on the stage out of nowhere.

The officials all stood with their backs straight below the Grand Stage, making the reality of the test begin to sink in.

'They're not going to observe this phase, if I am correct?' Jash guessed about the audience, focusing on the instructors.

The sudden appearance of the stage caught many participants off guard. Some gaped in astonishment, while others whispered anxiously.

The man at the leftmost corner stepped forward, his voice cutting through, "Good day, everyone."

His expression turned cold as if he were disappointed at not getting any response, but he continued nonetheless.

"I assume you all are well-aware of what we are here to do today, so let's begin with that," he declared, smiling menacingly at the crowd.

"The entrance test consists of three major stages you need to pass before you can be admitted," said a woman as she took a step from the rightmost corner.

"As for the first stage," continued the man before turning to the women standing in the center.

As she nodded, he turned back to the students and dropped a bomb, "It is of course the written test."

Before the participants could even react to that the other speaker, the woman, said, "Take the passage to your right."

Out of nowhere, a passage appeared, surprising even the nobles slightly.

They had never seen such things happen even as nobles, not to mention the commoners who were flabbergasted.

They could never hope to reach the same level of preparedness as the nobles in the written test.

As if sensing their worry and anxiety boiling over, "The Solarnelle Academy only caters to the best of the best among the three races,"

"You think this is a disadvantage?!"

"Then, you can't even hope to compete against those of the other races for admission. Just give up!"

--Thwack!

The oldest man on the stage struck his cane against the Grand Stage as he ended his speech, giving the participants their much needed dose of motivation.

Of course, he wasn't done yet.

"See, while you all were hesitating, someone already walked ahead of you," he said, pointing his cane at the back of the well-dressed guy.

Who else could it be other than Jash?

Even Amael was slightly surprised but Caera literally facepalmed after recognizing him.

"This guy... he just wants to get it over with..." Ziva blurted out subconsciously, knowing him just like Caera.

The man with a cane barely stopped his lips from twitching as embarrassment threatened to consume him.

'Damn you! I will definitely find out who you are!' he cursed inwardly at Jash for embarrassing him.

Unfortunately, Jash couldn't be bothered with their long-ass speeches. He wasn't here for that.

He was here to win.

"Go! What are you all waiting for?" the cane man shouted in exasperation, prompting everyone to dash and leave.

When all the participants had left, he turned to face the women in the center.

"Leonard," she said, her voice icy to the ear, making the man flinch.

"Next time you want to do something like that, ask for permission," she said, her voice devoid of any kindness.

The others on the stage felt a chill run down their spines as Leonard gulped and barely uttered, "Y-yes, Professor Aileen."