The Retired Hero is an Extra

As Jash looked around at the chaos unfolding like a well-orchestrated disaster, the action continued to unfold with fancy displays of magic.

Candidates were scrambling, some screaming, others frantically assessing their surroundings, and a few already out of the game, disqualified.

The once confident faces now betrayed fear and desperation amid a few rare expressions of grim determination.

'These idiots... they really had the guts to underestimate the test,' he mused, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

Though he couldn't even see one candidate, his expressions were akin to someone observing everything from a bird's point of view.

Well, thanks to the description from the novel, Jash didn't need to look at it to know.

Soon enough though, different youths began to pull out myriad spells out of their arsenal to attack their surroundings indiscriminately.

After all, who knew where they'd get attacked from?

Some examinees, however, had flashier spells than others and their immense skills immediately stood out, causing the crowd to go wild with excitement!

"WOAH!!"

Most people were now actively interested in the flashier displays, especially the ones who had been the first to pull out a beautiful spell.

Caera created rings of fire around her, while the archduke's daughter had water floating all around her.

Rura Warmis had used earthen blocks as footholds, easily skipping with finesse between the dense trees.

The sight of three beauties putting on such a show garnered much more attention than anyone from the male category.

Of course, some females did cheer for Avon, Amael and quite a few handsome nobles when the figure of a golden-haired youth came into view.

"Oh my! How beautiful!" Rui commented as the replay of the golden-haired youth swung his sword with extraordinary precision.

His superhuman speed and accuracy stunned many as he easily handled a group of four wolves.

Next to show up was Amael as he helped someone before getting betrayed yet he masterfully defeated the traitor, basking in glory.

"YAY!!"

The cheers grew louder as Rui's commentary provided brief descriptions of the scenarios, skillfully avoiding names as he described the action.

It wasn't that he didn't want to, it was just that he wasn't permitted to take any names during the event.

Naturally, since bets were being made, there were people with knowledge about the talented ones and they made their bets on that prior information.

As if that wasn't enough, the next person to appear on the large screen was Sylvie who just so happened to be one of the rare ones falling from the sky.

Yet, to everyone's surprise, she had a simple smile on her face.

And the reason for her nonchalance was revealed soon before the eager eyes of the audience.

Sylvie, the elven princess, summoned a massive green vine from the ground, adorned with red roses.

Her long light green hair fluttered with the air as her aquamarine eyes focused on the approaching vines.

She used her daggers and stuck it into the sides of the vine while sliding downwards to the ground.

Unlike others, she ended up creating a pathway for a lot of people.

However, as if to prove people's beliefs about elves and their love for nature correct, the harmless-looking and inviting giant vine suddenly began to jut out hardened green spikes from its sides.

It only left Sylvie's pathway harmless while causing other candidates who tried to dirty the giant vine to either be immediately disqualified or thrown back into the air.

Through all this, she had nary a smile on her face, it marred by displeasure at the attempt of others as she continued sliding downwards harmlessly.

Of course, the major reason for it was the absence of elves who were trying to latch onto her pathway.

The next to appear on the screen was an unknown youth who immediately transformed into a trail of blue lightning.

No one recognized him despite his skills and could only think of him as a dark horse or someone who hid too well.

The audience was dazzled as he streaked through the sky towards the rocky plains of the island.

At this point, the crowd was getting immensely entertained by just how talented a lot of their generation's youths were.

Alas, the screen seemed to be hating on certain individuals quite a bit, not even showing a single glimpse of them.

Jash just so happened to be one of them, though he didn't know it yet and would actually celebrate not getting attention.

He moved swiftly, staying low, his eyes scanning the area for threats.

"Damn this shit!" he cursed under his breath, feeling the dirty water stick to his legs.

He had actually been teleported to a marshy region, something he didn't like one bit.

Not only did it rouse memories of the crimson pool from his first dungeon exploration, but it was also extremely icky and disgusting.

Though not so much as that crimson pool, it nevertheless got on his nerves due to the numerous insect-like creatures.

Due to the academy mixing reality and fakes, there were some creatures without any benefit on the island, just to serve as an additional challenge.

Already, the island was a maze of rocky outcrops, thick foliage, and hidden dangers.

"I can't see shit," he cursed once more, seeing nothing but the marshy region and forests all around.

He too wished to see others grappling with their circumstances—battling monsters, fighting each other, fleeing, and crying...

Now, now, he was no sadist but it wasn't all that bad to enjoy the mayhem, after the earlier illusion of safety had evaporated.

Raw survival instincts had taken over and that was a sight Jash definitely wanted to witness.

He had been only waving his sword to throw away the buzzing insects, and nothing other than that.

"Just let me get out of this place!" he exclaimed with teeth ground in frustration.

Jash's mind raced, strategizing a way to escape his situation.

The academy had thrown them into this environment, testing not just their strength but their ability to adapt.

He grumbled inwardly, 'Who the hell wants to adapt to these marshlands!'

After a few minutes of carrying his feet heavy from the soaking water, he heaved a sigh of relief, "Finally..."

In the distance, he spotted a group of candidates huddled together, their temporary alliance already fraying as tensions boiled over.

Jash smirked, thinking, 'Even amidst chaos, human nature sure is predictable.'

The true test was not just surviving but navigating the treacherous dynamics of competition and fear.

However, why should he care? He was bent on eradicating the ones trying to find an exit.

As he carefully approached a dense thicket, Jash noticed a shimmer—a trap, likely set by the academy to ensnare the unwary.

He easily avoided it, his instincts honed by intense training and fighting experiences.

Each step was measured, every movement calculated.

—Splash!

The sound would definitely alert the group and Jash too ducked behind a boulder after hearing it.

'What happened?' he thought, not having noticed anything or anyone nearby.

He had been alert all throughout—every sound, every movement in the periphery of his vision made him wary.

As no sounds echoed, he became suspicious and recalled something from the novel, his eyes bulging at the gripping reminder.

'Shit! Shit!' Jash cursed inwardly before rushing in the opposite direction without a second thought of them discovering him.

The sound of distant shouts and calls reverberated as a few spells shot past him but he remained unperturbed, focusing on moving ahead.

'Damn these retards,' he thought, pursing his lips and dodging the stray attacks.

Now, as most candidates were now on the ground and a lot of them were rejoicing at their success...

—BOOOOM!!!

A big explosion shook the island, immediately disqualifying a good chunk of the unaware in an instant!