The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family

Both Nicholas and Alex stared at Klaus, their jaws slightly slack, their eyes wide with disbelief. Neither of them could fathom what they were witnessing.

*How did he do it?* Nicholas thought, his mind racing. It was inconceivable that Klaus had managed to arrive before him. The entire situation defied logic. Nicholas had been ahead of Klaus throughout the test. How could Klaus have possibly overtaken him without him noticing?

*Impossible!* Nicholas's thoughts screamed. He vividly remembered leaving Klaus struggling back at the fourth checkpoint. Yet, here he was—the same Klaus who had lagged behind—standing triumphant, having cleared all the checkpoints. The reality of it gnawed at Nicholas, threatening to unravel his confidence.

Alex, on the other hand, remained rooted in place, his eyes glued to Klaus with a mixture of shock and unease. His heartbeat thundered in his chest, a chaotic rhythm fueled by emotions he couldn't fully comprehend. Was it anger? Hatred? Or something far more insidious?

Alex clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms so hard that crimson droplets began to seep through his fingers. He knew Klaus was an Apostle like him, but the disparity between them felt insurmountable. Unlike the other Apostles, Alex had been granted special privileges by Arkdieu Pride, who had gone to great lengths to assist him. Arkdieu Pride had once whispered in confidence that the other Arkdieus could not intervene unless their Apostles were on the brink of death. Yet, Klaus had surpassed him despite this advantage.

*So, I lost again. To him,* Alex seethed internally, his gaze fixed on Klaus's unassuming smile. The question burned in his mind: what made Klaus so special? Why was he always the one to come out on top?

Unbeknownst to Alex, his turbulent emotions began to seep into his mana, dark tendrils intertwining with the energy within him like ink spreading through water. It was a subtle, ominous transformation, unnoticed by everyone, including Alex himself.

***

"Hey, brat! Can't you hear me? I said explain yourself!" Captain Victor's barked command shattered the tense silence, his voice dripping with irritation as he glared at Nicholas.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Nicholas took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he steadied himself. He met Captain Victor's gaze with defiance, his lips curving into a cold smile.

"What is there to explain?" Nicholas replied, his tone sharper than he intended. The weight of Klaus's unexpected triumph gnawed at him, leaving his composure frayed.

Captain Victor's scowl deepened. "How are you still able to move your body?" he demanded, his annoyance barely masked.

Nicholas tilted his head, feigning ignorance. "What do you mean? Was my body supposed to stop moving or something?" His voice carried a hint of mockery, loud enough to pique the curiosity of the spectators.

"What's going on? Why is Captain Victor so upset about them finishing the test?" one spectator whispered to another.

"Yeah, something feels off," another murmured. "Don't you think the captains look like they've seen a ghost?"

The spectators began to exchange hushed speculations, their voices low but filled with intrigue. The tension in the air was palpable, a ripple of unease spreading through the crowd.

Sensing the growing unrest, Captain Estelle sent a telepathic message to Captain Victor.

~~~{Hey Moron! Can't you read the room!?}~~~

Victor sighed, the frustration evident in the way his shoulders sagged. With a snap of his fingers, the bracelets around Nicholas's and Alex's wrists fell to the ground with a metallic clink.

"Forget it," Victor muttered, his tone begrudging. "Go wait over there with the other monster." He pointed toward the waiting area where Klaus stood, his voice dripping with disdain.

Nicholas and Alex exchanged glances, a mix of shame and frustration flickering in their eyes. They turned their attention to Klaus, who stood waiting, his expression unreadable. For a moment, they hesitated, their pride warring with the command they'd been given. Then, as if moving in unspoken sync, they trudged toward the waiting area, their steps heavy with unspoken resentment.

***

Meanwhile, on the platform where the captains gathered, the atmosphere was charged with urgency. They huddled together, their voices low but laced with tension.

"Something isn't right with those kids," one captain muttered, his brows furrowed in concern.

"I know they cheated," another snapped.

"But how?" a third captain asked, frustration evident in his tone.

"We have no way of proving it," Captain Estelle interjected, her voice calm but firm. "And we can't openly accuse them of rigging the test without evidence."

"At least those three monsters are affiliated with our empire," a senior captain remarked, his tone tinged with reluctant acceptance.

The captains fell silent, their gazes drifting toward the waiting area where Klaus, Nicholas, and Alex stood. The weight of their unspoken suspicions hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the uncertainty that surrounded the trio.

***

Three hours later, the first signs of movement stirred among the remaining trainees. One by one, they began to trickle in, their faces pale and drenched with sweat. The fourth to arrive was Sarah Margot, her steps faltering but determined. Close behind her was Kurt, his usually composed demeanor replaced with visible exhaustion. Fifty minutes later, Myre, Ken, and Keryl Lionhart arrived, their expressions a mixture of relief and weariness.

As the hours passed, more trainees stumbled across the finish line, their bodies trembling with fatigue. Out of the initial group, only thirty managed to complete the test before the time limit expired. The rest were disqualified, their dreams of advancement slipping through their fingers like grains of sand.

The air around the finish line was thick with the stench of sweat and desperation. Trainees collapsed to the ground, their chests heaving as they gulped down air. Some clutched their sides, grimacing in pain, while others simply stared blankly ahead, their spirits broken by the grueling test.

Once the first test was officially declared over, the surviving trainees were handed small vials of recovery potion. The liquid shimmered with a faint golden hue, its effects almost immediate as it coursed through their bodies, replenishing their stamina. For the next hour, they were granted a reprieve, a chance to rest and collect themselves before the announcement of the second and final test.

Klaus leaned against a nearby wall, his arms crossed as he observed the scene. Nicholas and Alex sat a short distance away, their expressions clouded with conflicting emotions. The waiting area was steeped in a tense silence, the calm before the storm.

As the minutes ticked by, whispers began to circulate among the trainees, speculation running rampant about what the next test would entail. The air crackled with anticipation, the promise of further trials looming on the horizon.