Chapter 13

Instructor led us to the practical test venue.

The facilities were well-equipped, with a coliseum for sword fighting, targets for archery practice, and various other amenities.

"Alright, everyone, pay attention. Now, I will measure your [Rank]. What this academy seeks is talent, not current strength. Therefore, the [Rank] you have raised will be deducted from your test results, so please understand."

This time, the instructor was unlike the large man from before; she looked like a cute girl. She looked so much like a student that one might believe she was one.

What she meant was that the power gained from consuming magic stones to maintain balance would be deducted from the test results.

Different ranks can change the dimension of a being entirely, but even within the same rank, strength can vary depending on the [Rank].

"Alright, line up, line up."

Following the instructions, the examinees lined up.

There were ninety-eight people in total, far fewer than I had expected to pass.

At the theoretical exam stage, eighty percent of the total examinees had already been disqualified.

As I stood in line, my turn came quickly.

"Then, state your name."

"Souji. I don't have a last name."

"Souji, then. Let's start the [Rank Measurement]."

The instructor closed her eyes and concentrated.

She was visualizing a magic formula in her head. Mages can activate magic by visualizing the magic language in their heads without making any mistakes.

Actually, with a certain level of skill and knowledge, one can see the formulas others are visualizing.

It was a mid-level magic formula with about fifty steps. I felt a bit regretful, thinking that I could reduce the same magic by about twenty steps.

After about thirty seconds, the instructor's magic was complete.

"Souji, you're just as you were when you were born. You haven't consumed any magic stones."

"Yes, I haven't had that experience."

"Quite rare, actually. Nowadays, even the lowest-ranked magic stones can be bought."

"Well, I live a self-sufficient life. I have no intention of consuming magic stones taken by others."

Magic stones are a major export of this town.

Especially the lowest-ranked magic stones can be used by anyone to achieve their effects. Stronger magic stones can be dangerous to use if one's [Rank] is low, but the lowest-ranked ones are safe to use.

Many parents buy the lowest-ranked magic stones to make their children a bit stronger.

Furthermore, as one becomes a certain level of noble, they have a dedicated appraiser who collects all kinds of magic stones and gradually strengthens their children by having the appraiser appraise their potential.

This way, some can achieve the upper-level strength of Rank 1 without ever fighting a monster.

However, reaching Rank 2 is impossible. Magic stones alone cannot surpass the barrier of Rank 1.

"You're a unique one. Well, no negative correction... Wait, hold on, I sense the presence of a magic stone in that pouch. I'll keep it until the test is over. Some kids try to cheat by using magic stones after the appraisal is done."

I handed over the magic stone I obtained from defeating the deer monster.

"Wow, this is an amazing magic stone. It's one of the top-tier Rank 1 stones. Where did you get this?"

"Just by chance, I defeated a monster and obtained it."

"Ha ha, you have a good sense of humor. There's no way you could defeat something close to Rank 2. If you use this, you'll die."

"Then, can I have it back?"

"Sure, go ahead. No one among the examinees can use this. But it's a mysterious magic stone, completely clear and transparent. It looks so delicious."

Of course, it is. It's a special magic stone I prepared.

To me, consuming magic stones as they are is like eating poison.

"Someone is blocking the back."

"Oh, sorry, go ahead, go ahead."

And I stepped out of the line.

◇

All the various measurements were completed.

Running speed, jumping power, flexibility, endurance, reflexes.

These were measured using various methods.

There were twelve test items, and all the examinees completed them.

The results were posted on a bulletin board, showing each examinee's measurement values, the numbers after the negative correction, and the results of the morning theoretical exam.

The total points were also displayed.

The result was that I was in first place, Kuna in second, and Anne in third.

Surprisingly, all three of us had not raised our [Rank] at all, with a correction of 0. And in most of the items, one of the three of us was in first place.

We hugged each other in joy.

"You two didn't raise your [Rank], did you?"

"My father said that using magic stones without hunting monsters would make one weaker."

"Is that the case at Kuna's place? It's the same at mine."

"Anyway, congratulations on being at the top so far."

The belief that using magic stones without hunting monsters makes one weaker is half wrong and half right. Buying magic stones with money to raise [Rank] and raising [Rank] through combat experience, the latter is overwhelmingly stronger.

The gazes of those around us were painful.

There was envy towards us for achieving the highest scores and envy towards me for hugging two exceptionally beautiful girls.

"Instructor! The [Rank] hasn't been raised at all, and these numbers are suspicious. There might be cheating."

A fourth-place student protested. He was the one who had raised his [Rank] the most among them.

I had been watching him carefully during the measurements, but he had trained hard and showed genuine strength.

He was tall, with long hair tied in a ponytail and a well-defined face.

"I also agree with Lyle's opinion. Please conduct a re-measurement of [Rank] promptly."

"Brother!"

One of the upperclassmen assisting with the exam called out.

I remember being introduced to him before the exam started. He was a second-year student at this academy, the only Rank 2 among the second-year students. He was expected to reach Rank 3 during his time at the academy and was brought here as a model student.

He was even taller than Lyle, and his confidence as a Rank 2 strongman was evident.

"That's not the case. These kids are skilled at using magic. They enhance their physical abilities with magic without any stagnation. The difference in precision is clearly reflected in these results. Especially Souji. His technique is art. His future is promising. Kuna has a strong individuality but great talent. Anne's results are purely the fruits of her hard work. The difference in the amount of training is clear. As an instructor, I can see this clearly."

"Instructor!!"

"Stop being so persistent. If you don't believe me, why don't you check it yourself? You can do it, right?"

"Understood. I will do it without hesitation."

With a sly smile, the senior Rank 2 student walked over to us.

"Senior, it's a waste of time."

"Shut up. I'll decide if it's a waste. [Rank Measurement]."

He took about twice as long as the instructor... about a minute to activate the measurement magic. The spell itself was the same as the instructor's, but his calculation speed was slower, and the structure of the magic formula in his head seemed clumsy.

"Zero increase. Truly, nothing has been enhanced."

"Senior, I told you so."

"Damn, next."

Then, he checked Kuna and Anne, but the result was also zero increase in [Rank].

"This is impossible."

"Brother!"

The fourth-place examinee ran over.

"See, I told you. In this field, geniuses pop up all the time. You have to accept it. ... Although, it's surprising to have three at once. To me, you're also a genius."

He sighed.

"Fourth-place student!"

"Y-Yes!"

Feeling guilty for the false accusation, the fourth-place student overreacted.

"I understand your feelings, but I won't make it an issue. However, this is a waste of time, so please stop."

"I-I understand."

"Also, the final test is a true practical test. Those with a higher [Rank] have an advantage. Show your best there."

"I will work hard!"

"Alright, everyone, a thirty-minute break, no, we've lost time, so a fifteen-minute break. The real test will start from there. Prepare yourself mentally. Also, the king of our country will be watching the practical test, so be prepared for that."

Everyone in the room held their breath.

It is well-known that the king comes to the exam every year. But hearing it directly makes one tense. I clenched my fists, determined not to show any weakness.

If we can successfully complete this practical test, the three of us will become special students.

"Anne, you're too tense."

"It's not that, but..."

I called out to Anne, who had a stiff expression next to me.

I see, she's not nervous about the practical test. She's nervous about the king coming. The fall of the Ocklair family is not unrelated to the king.