The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

After some commotion, the registration at the main gate was finally completed.

We weeded out those who falsified their applications and those visibly unqualified, like those missing limbs or illiterate.

With this process, about two hundred people, roughly one-third of the initial applicants, were gathered in the main auditorium.

If we eliminate about half through the physical fitness tests, another hundred or so will be gone by noon.

The remaining candidates will be evaluated this afternoon and tomorrow, and anyone failing any part will be dismissed immediately.

I expect only about three candidates to make it to the end, given the strict criteria of the Combat Department.

Kirrin thought this was too harsh, but Ismera, driven by competitiveness, had made their theoretical evaluation extremely difficult as well.

Being directly transferred into the senior year of the Imperial Academy and graduating next year with an official academy diploma is an enormous advantage.

Moreover, since this is the first time we are conducting this selection, the Imperial Palace will be closely watching.

So, it’s crucial to weed out the unqualified candidates decisively, and if no one stands out, we might not select anyone at all.

Choosing mediocre candidates could lead to scrutiny from the Imperial Palace and tarnish Kirrin’s career, which might, through a butterfly effect, make me the headmaster.

“Headmaster, it’s time to start.”

“Yes, we should.”

Kirrin stepped onto the platform and greeted the two hundred applicants.

“Hello, I am Kirrin Nemara, the headmaster of the academy.”

“Nemara…? The Dark Elf clan, Nemara?”

As Kirrin introduced herself, the applicants murmured.

“Thank you for applying to our Special Mission Academy. I hope you achieve good results, and we will now proceed with the selection process.”

Following Kirrin, Ismera explained the overall procedures and guidelines of the selection.

Standing on the platform, Ismera honestly looked more like a headmaster than Kirrin.

Her elegance and dignified appearance unique to pureblood elves, along with her clear, articulate voice and coherent speech, made her seem perfect.

Moreover, she holds a higher master’s degree, equivalent to a Ph.D. in the real world. It’s not hard to understand why she detests Kirrin so much. Honestly, I would feel the same if I were Ismera.

If Ismera were to become the headmaster, the academy would undoubtedly thrive more.

But what can we do? With the Emperor’s involvement, winning purely on merit has become impossible.

Even the Second Princess, a war hero and the head of Imperial Security, couldn’t overturn this situation. How could Ismera, with just her high-level master’s degree, manage it alone?

As I scanned the applicants, I once again spotted the girl with the pink hair.

The striking color immediately caught my eye, and I observed her face more closely this time.

She was standing with her arms crossed and legs folded, smiling.

Her droopy pink eyes matched her hair, and her relaxed smile made her look more like a current student than an applicant.

With her fair skin and slender neck, she didn’t seem like someone who had worked as a mercenary.

Yet, her gear clearly belonged to the Revlon Mercenary Corps. Could she be a mage or in some other indirect combat role?

That would be unusual too. Why would a mage apply here?

If she wanted to learn more magic, she would go to the Magic Tower, and if she wanted to make money with magic, there are plenty of other opportunities.

Perhaps she’s a shaman or healer. But even that doesn’t quite fit.

Each role has its own unique vibe, like in manga or games, but she didn’t exude any of that.

The more I looked, the more puzzling it became…

Suddenly, the girl looked in my direction, as if she sensed my gaze.

Our eyes met for a moment before she turned her attention back to Ismera.

# # # # #

The physical fitness test began at the grand drill ground.

This massive flat area in the center of our academy is so large that it can accommodate cavalry charge drills.

Here, the applicants had to pass various physical fitness tests.

The most important to me was the long-distance run around the perimeter of the drill ground.

Field agents need excellent endurance. They must not tire easily, as exhaustion leads to despair.

Due to the nature of their missions, agents often find themselves alone in dangerous areas, having to escape without any support.

In such situations, the ability to run and walk without rest is essential.

The physical fitness tests were conducted by the Combat Department professors and assistants.

Each test had a set minimum standard, and failing even one meant immediate disqualification.

Thus, by the time they reached the final long-distance run, the initial two hundred had been reduced to one hundred twenty, a 40% decrease.

“Now we will begin the long-distance run. I will go over a few safety precautions.”

While Waver briefed the applicants on safety, I observed the participants.

And there, I saw the girl with pink hair again, with a few other Revlon Mercenary Corps members.

Getting this far means she has at least basic strength and endurance above average…

So she’s definitely not a mage. Mages typically spend their entire lives studying and often have weaker physical abilities, like Orendi.

Could she actually be a mercenary?

Well… I’ve seen plenty of women who displayed exceptional skills on the battlefield, so it’s not entirely unusual….

In fact, there are many other girls here, but for some reason, my attention keeps being drawn to her. It might be because of that ridiculous hair color.

As I watched, the girl suddenly looked up and stared right at me, standing behind Waver.

This can’t just be a coincidence, we’ve made eye contact too many times.

“Everyone, line up at the starting line!”

The applicants lined up with tense expressions as Waver blew the whistle sharply.

“What the—?”

As the applicants surged forward, the girl with the pink hair sped ahead with incredible speed, leading the pack.

If she runs like that from the start, she’ll tire out midway. Is she alright?

“She’s overdoing it.”

Waver, apparently sharing my thoughts, laughed as he spoke.

“Endurance running is all about pacing yourself.”

“I saw her hanging out with the Revlon mercenaries. Do you know anything about her?”

“Revlon? That’s a famous large mercenary group, right? You’re saying that girl is with them? No way.”

“I’m serious. Her gear, and the fact that she’s always with other Revlon mercenaries… Could she be the daughter of the Revlon Mercenary leader?”

“I’ve never heard of him having a daughter.”

Waver snapped his fingers, watching the girl, who was already half a lap ahead of the last applicant.

“Maybe she’s not actually with Revlon but hired them?”

“For protection, you mean?”

There are wealthy commoners who can’t have private soldiers due to lack of nobility, so they often hire mercenaries for long-term private army purposes.

Or it could be, as Waver suggested, they are hired short-term for security.

“That makes sense. They might have joined the selection process as applicants to ensure nothing goes wrong.”

“You’re right. That’s plausible.”

As we chatted, the girl was already about to lap the last place applicants. She’s incredibly fast.

I wonder if she can keep this pace for twenty laps around this massive drill ground.

And about an hour later.

Amazingly, the girl, having lapped several other applicants, was the first to cross the finish line.

She was sweating a little but hardly seemed out of breath. She must have excellent stamina.

“Well done. You’re a great runner.”

I approached her with a smile, and she looked up at me with a slightly mischievous glint in her eye.

“I’m decent.”

“I like that confidence. But remember, the physical fitness test is just the first hurdle. There are many evaluations ahead, so stay on your toes until the end.”

“I will.”

Nothing particularly special about her. She seems like a wealthy family’s daughter aiming for a government job, just as Waver suggested.

After the girl crossed the finish line, the other applicants began arriving about thirty minutes later.

Every one of them collapsed as soon as they crossed the finish line, vomiting and causing quite a commotion.

PriestessMaya was busy going around, providing holy treatment.

Sixty applicants passed the physical fitness test.

From the initial two hundred at registration, we reduced it to one hundred twenty, and then to sixty through the fitness test.

The first evaluation was over, and already seventy percent of the original applicants had been eliminated.

Most of the applicants were clearly not up to our standards, and now the real evaluation would begin.

I’m curious to see how many will remain by tomorrow afternoon.

As I pondered, I felt someone’s eyes on me and looked around.

There, beyond the applicants who were vomiting and collapsing, the pink-haired girl stood with her hands on her hips, looking at me with a tilted stance.

Our eyes met again, but this time she didn’t look away. Instead, she stared back at me as if challenging me to a staring contest.

Not only have we made eye contact several times, but now she’s openly staring at me.

“Head Professor, we have a meeting regarding the afternoon evaluations.”

Just then, an assistant approached and spoke, pulling my gaze away from the girl as I headed to the main building.

As I walked away, I glanced back and saw her still watching me.

[Note: See pinned comment for Chapter 35 illustration]