CH 14

Announcement of Results

The magic I used to cut off the Golem’s head, <Flash Blade>, is a modification of the magic, <Fixation>.

One of the techniques used to modify magic is Compression. It is a method used to increase the power and density of a magic by limiting its range and duration.

By incorporating Compression, the blade created with <Fixation> can be sharpened to its limit, resulting in <Flash Blade>. In addition, the duration of the blade is limited to less than a second, which is the time needed to swing the blade.

This way, you can wield a deadly, sharp blade.

However, this magic has its drawbacks.

The magic, <Flash Blade>, sacrifices durability and sustainability for speed and sharpness.

Even the slightest miscalculation in the angle or timing of the slash will easily cause the blade to shatter.

Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that this magic is only for assassinations and ambushes.

Against an unmoving opponent, it will surely kill them.

If you take the initiative, this technique can be the deciding move.

“Tweight. Are you done already?”

While I was waiting by the Guild counter, after finishing my exam, Elysia approached me.

“Yeah…How was it?”

“Well, I was able to manage. I was just surprised at how aggressively it moved for a puppet.”

Heh~, I give an appropriate response.

I didn’t know that because I defeated the Golem before it started moving.

Then, Gran and Mize also arrived.

Both of them have a cheerful expression on their faces.

“I was able to pass.”

“Uh, um…I also managed to pass.”

I had expected Gran to pass, but I was surprised by Mize’s announcement.

Mize’s Magical Ability was average for someone in their first year of high school. And from what I’ve seen in our daily classes, she doesn’t seem to have much practical experience.

The fight with the Golem was intended to be a simulation of actual combat.

Even if our results in the Magical Ability Test were not exceptional, Gran and I have actual combat experience, so we were able to manage. Mize, on the other hand, was in a tough spot. I thought that she might be the only one who would fail, but it seems like these fears were unfounded.

“I wasn’t able to say this yet, but…Mize, I’m amazed that you passed.”

Elysia says. Apparently, she shared my concerns.

I wasn’t sure since I didn’t fight the Golem properly, but it seems like they were tougher enemies than I thought.

“Well, um, for some reason, I was able to foresee the Golem’s movements…”

“Foresee?”

“Um, it’s a strange story…I’m not sure, but that Golem…seemed familiar to me…”

We couldn’t understand Mize’s explanation, so we tilted our heads in confusion.

At that moment, the boy from the Hero Course approached us with loud footsteps.

“Oi! You! Don’t tell me you passed the test!?”

The boy from the Hero Course grabbed me by the shoulders and forced me to face him.

Though I was annoyed with his hands on my shoulder, I nod.

“Yeah.”

“Wha-! What is the meaning of this!? What happened to the overseeing!? Weren’t there measures against cheating!?”

The boy screamed, with his frustration evident.

Hearing the commotion, the Guild Master, Reus Barren, came out from behind the counter.

“I watched him. He was able to pass with his own abilities.”

“Tha-that’s bullshit! This guy, having a Type-2 License-”

“I can vouch for Tweight’s ability. And…I didn’t want to say this, but don’t take your frustrations out on others because you failed.”

The Guild Master’s words made the boy’s face turn red.

Apparently, his words were true. We weren’t aware of it, but it seems like this boy failed the tests.

“…I swear that one day, I’ll tear off that façade.”

The boy left the Guild with his friends.

At the same time, Sieg, who was with them, passed by me.

“Sorry.”

After giving a short apology, Sieg left the building, keeping his eyes down.

I watched Sieg’s back in silence.

“Well then. I’ll give these out to the four of you who passed.”

The Guild Master beckoned us to the counter, and he gave each of us a thin card.

It was the Adventurer’s Type-2 License. The card itself is made of a shiny, strange material, which we notice as we feel it.

“Ah…the Adventurer’s card that I’ve dreamed of…!”

Mize was thrilled, with a twinkle in her eyes.

This reaction isn’t uncommon, explains the Guild Master with a chuckle.

“From now on, you can show your card at the counter and receive any quest you like. Check the board in front of the counter to see the types of quests. Since you have a Type-2 License, you can accept commissions related to the Demon King’s Legacy…However, you should note that there are ranks among adventurers.”

He points to the top left corner of the card I was holding.

There was a letter “F” written on the card.

“You will find your rank listed here. Your rank is determined by the number of commissions that you have completed, as well as the ability tests we conduct on a regular basis. Some commissions require you to have a minimum rank, so if you want to take on more commissions, you should raise your rank.”

To summarize, you can raise your rank by earning recognition from the Guild.

We can probably find out the specific requirements on raising our rank later on.

After listening to the explanation, the four of us discussed what to do next.

“Wh-wh-wh-wh-what should we do? Should we accept a commission now?”

“Mize…calm down. It’s already late, we should probably take a commission next time.”

Gran and I agreed with Elysia.

It’s almost time for sunset. I would be a bit worried about completing our first commission at night.

“Well, I wouldn’t recommend taking a commission on the first day of acquiring a license either. Not all commissions are safe, and you can always come back when you’re more ready…Have a safe trip home.”

We thanked the Guild Master for his advice, and we left the Guild.

◆

After the four of them left the Guild, Reus Barren had a complicated expression.

He remembered the words of the boy from the Hero Course who left earlier.

“What is the meaning of this!? What happened to the overseeing!? Weren’t there measures against cheating!?”

At the time, he had confidently replied that “I watched him.”, but he wasn’t really able to.

“…I really wasn’t able to watch him.”

“What do you mean, Guild Master?”

Hearing his murmur, the receptionist tilts her head.

Reus slowly replied, choosing his words carefully.

“One moment…in just the fraction of a second that I looked away; the Golem’s head was severed. I don’t even know if he cheated or not…Even if he was cheating, he was able to pull the wool over my eyes and finish it off in a split second. If that’s the case, that’s another ability.”

As the Guild Master of the Adventurer’s Guild, Reus has the ability to distinguish talented newcomers.

At times, he would give appropriate advice to struggling newcomers, and he would also counsel newcomers who were unaware of their latent talent.

However, he was unable to see through the abilities of the boy who called himself Tweight.

“…What a fearsome newcomer.”

As long as someone’s competent, there is no problem. That was the Guild’s policy.

However, the Guild Master wasn’t sure if he could accept someone he could not read.

Should he be pleased? Or wary?

With these mixed feelings, Reus returned behind the counter.