Chapter 53

As I moved towards the examination hall, I found it much larger than I had expected. The hall was divided into five sections, with each section accommodating around 100 to 200 people.

So, there must be nearly 800 examinees?! It's quite interesting to see so many children gathered in one place.

"Then, we will now begin the entrance examination! The first test is Japanese! Please start the exam once you receive your test paper!"

The entrance examination consists of a written test in the morning and a practical test in the afternoon. Unlike tests in Japan, there are several types of exam papers, which are distributed randomly, so there's no need to worry about cheating. After finishing the Japanese exam, you need to raise your hand to inform the staff, and they will distribute the math test. Once you finish that, you can take a lunch break.

I glanced through the questions given to me... Is this it? It's completely at the level of a high-grade elementary school student. I could finish this in 20 minutes.

...No, considering that all the examinees are 10 years old, it's not that strange.

In the end, I solved the questions carefully and double-checked them, but I finished in just 30 minutes. So, I moved on to the math test, which I also completed perfectly in 30 minutes.

Since I was done, I quickly left the written test hall.

"Phew... It was so easy that I got mentally exhausted. I'm hungry, what should I do? Oh, right, Luna said there's a cafeteria. I'll go check it out!"

Since the school is on break during the entrance examination, there are no other students around. However, Luna said the cafeteria is open for the examinees. I'm not expecting much, but I might as well try it out and gain some experience.

When I arrived at the cafeteria, there were almost no people. Well, almost.

"Hmm... Even though I took my time and solved the questions carefully, there are people who finished before me. Oh, Alice and the princess are eating here too."

"Ah! Owl! Over here, over here!"

Since there aren't many people around, it's fine for now.

"You two finished pretty quickly."

"No, not really. Alice and I just arrived a little while ago."

"We've been taught by private tutors since we were children, so we're quite familiar with the material. I think the children of other nobles will be here soon too."

"Wow... Then I should hurry up and eat to prepare for the afternoon session."

By the way, lunch consisted of freshly baked bread, vegetable soup, and an orc steak. The taste was decent, but what was impressive was the quantity. For one silver coin, you get an incredibly hearty meal. If you can eat this much for 1000 yen, the children who are in their growth spurt would be satisfied. I wonder if the noble children would be satisfied, but if they pay more, they can probably get better food. I saw a gold coin option on the menu earlier.

"By the way, have you heard? There are so many examinees this year that there aren't enough practical examiners, so they're hiring regular adventurers."

"Eh, really? And how does Alice know this?"

"Well, Albus was asked to help, so I heard about it. They're only targeting adventurers ranked A and above."

"Hmm, A rank and above... That's impressive."

We continued to chat about trivial matters to pass the time.

---

I didn't take my time eating, but it seems that people who finished the written test are starting to arrive. Well, I should change my location.

"Then, I'm off!"

"Oh, you should stay with Alice and me."

"No, I'll pass. Our exam venues are different, and I don't want to draw attention yet."

Also, I can hear the voices of the noble children who have started to notice the princess and Alice.

Still, it's surprising that they need to rely on adventurers to handle so many children. But it's a good opportunity to see how strong A-ranked adventurers are.

The practical exam venue had many seats like an arena, so I sat down and waited.

"Then, we will start the practical martial arts test in 30 minutes! Please prepare yourselves!"

Well, I'll try my best.

There were many examiners, including several who looked like adventurers. These adventurers were probably the ones hired. Their equipment looked expensive, and their movements were unique and interesting.

The two people over there are particularly impressive. Their movements are efficient, and their magic power is incredible. They handle the large sword and dual swords with ease, and they're wearing maid outfits with beautiful silver and brown hair. It's like...

"Wait, it's Luna and Yomi?!"

Why, why, why?! Could this be the 'request' they were talking about? Did they keep it a secret?! Wow, and there's a crowd gathering. Why?

---

Mob A: "Hey! It seems that Mizayen and Ginrai are here as examiners! Let's go!"

Mob B: "Really?! Those two who have been rapidly gaining strength recently! They're supposed to be super beautiful too!! Let's go, let's go!"

Mob C: "Are they the two who elegantly dance on the battlefield and are famous for turning down invitations from high-ranked adventurer parties?"

What a perfect trio of background characters. But if they're here, it means those two are A-ranked adventurers or higher. They should have told me so I could congratulate them.

They seem quite popular, but if I approach them now, I might draw attention in a different way, so I can't go over there.

...I should also hide my presence.

---

I finished a simple warm-up when a staff member called out to me. It seems the martial arts test is about to start. I listened to the instructions, and it appears that the use of magic is prohibited, and it's a pure martial arts test.

Not being able to use magic is a bit worrying, but I should be able to manage.

Watching the noble children challenge the examiners, I noticed a man whose sword skills were clearly different from the others. ...Impressive, his sword skills are so fast that I might not be able to see all of them. He seems to be a true master of swordsmanship. To counter him, I'd need to enhance my senses. It's impressive that he can move like that without using magic.

Still, he's at a student level, and the adventurer who's handling him is quite skilled. They are indeed high-ranked adventurers.

Over there, another person is using a more practical style of swordsmanship, combining kicks and punches with sword techniques. Fighting normally, this type of person can be quite troublesome. If he can use magic too, he might be quite a challenge.

"Next, number 123!"

It seems I'm called.

"Yes."

"Is your weapon, that staff, okay?"

"Yes, it's fine."

The weapon is usually a test-provided one, but my staff is wooden, so I wasn't questioned.

"Then, begin!"

Fortunately, my examiner wasn't Luna or Yomi. If it were them, it might be suspected as a fix. Besides, they might go easy on me. ...No, that's not likely. I'd be in trouble if they went all out.

My examiner doesn't seem to be a school staff member. From his stance, he's clearly not an ordinary person. In fact, he's definitely not just A-ranked! Huh? Luna and Yomi's gaze!

Looking at them, they seem to be expecting something. Then, I looked at Alice and the others, and they're grinning! Could they have set me up?!

I can hear whispers of pity from the crowd. Among them are the three background characters from earlier.

Mob A: "Is that examiner for that guy, S-ranked adventurer Jornard of the Thousand Swords?!"

Mob B: "Jornard?! The man who, as an adventurer, is so famous that his presence in a war is said to bring victory?!"

Mob C: "No doubt! That one-eyed man with long braided hair is definitely Jornard!"

Mob A: "Poor guy... I heard that in the past, when he was an examiner, he sent examinees to the hospital one after another."

Mob B: "He's done for."

Mob C: "Let's pray for his soul."

He's a dangerous guy! And they're still good at explaining! What a helpful existence!

---

"Hmm, to be distracted in front of me, you're quite confident, boy."

A chill ran down my spine.

I tried to block Jornard's sword with my staff, but a bad feeling made me jump back. I can see the slash mark where I was standing just now. Wait, it was a wooden sword, right?!

To be able to produce a slash with a wooden sword without using magic... Is he even human?

"Good judgment. But dodging alone won't defeat me."

Hold on. Do I need to win?! No, right? I just need to be recognized by the examiner, right?

"Ha ha ha! Is that all you've got?!"

Damn! I have no choice. If I keep this up, I'll really end up in the hospital! ...I don't know if my staff techniques will work, but I'll give it a shot!

"Hmph, you finally got serious. Come at me!"

"No, why don't you come at me from anywhere?"

"What? You're underestimating me. Ha!"

*Staff Technique: Sword Form - Purple Lightning*

"Whoa, not bad. But you're still not there yet!"

To block it easily is not normal. Even without using magic, it's a serious sword draw!

Phew. He's not attacking, so he's provoking me. Then, I'll use a technique that even killed a Horn Chimera.

*Staff Technique: Sword Form - Lion King Flash*

"Are you underestimating me? ...It might work on beasts and monsters, but not on a seasoned warrior like me!"

"Ugh...!"

...Did I get hit hard? My brain is shaking, and my vision is bad. This guy is really strong... No wonder he's S-ranked.

"Well, for a 10-year-old, you did pretty well. I'll give you a pass as a bonus."

"A bonus...?"

I can't show any more weakness with Luna and Yomi watching. I'll do my best!

*Staff Technique: Halberd Form - True Sleeve Return*

This technique involves a low slash followed by a mid-level strike. It's a technique originally for swords but adapted for halberds. It's designed to disrupt the opponent's footing and is specialized for human combat.

"Whoa?! ...You're getting better! But it's just the beginning!"

"Number 123, your test is over! Please move to the next venue!"

Just as I was getting into it, a staff member announced the end of the test.

"...Damn, that's it."

"Phew, thank you!"

Somehow, the test is over, but he blocked all my techniques... I might have done better with magic, but then he would have used magic too.

...The world is vast.

As I left the arena, many examinees who were watching earlier were looking at me with various expressions: evaluating, admiring, curious, and interested.

Did I overdo it a bit...? But I couldn't just keep getting hit.

---

Moving to the magic test venue, I saw examinees casting spells at humanoid targets. They were also using long incantations...

Despite the long incantations, the spells they cast are not that impressive... The target is about 30 meters away, and the power is quantified by a crystal above it.

I watched various people until my turn came. Each person gets three chances, and the highest score out of the three is used.

The scores are around 300 to 400. I think aiming for around 500 should be enough to pass.

"Next, number 123!"

"Yes!"

I'll use a convenient spell. A Railgun would be overkill, so I'll just test it out.

Thunder Lance!

A bolt of lightning shot towards the target. Without an incantation, the spell was beautiful, and both the examiners and the examinees were mesmerized.

Crack!

"Ah, um... Number 123, your first score is 670 points!"

Not bad?

"Do you want to try again?"

A second try. I got a good score, so I might be done.

"No, I'm... done?!"

I felt a gaze and saw Yomi looking at me regretfully. Luna seemed proud next to her... Ah! It's about attributes!

I see, that's why Yomi looks regretful. ...Can't help it. Also, are they done with their examiner duties?

"Then, one more time, please."

A single Aqua Lance wouldn't have the same power as Thunder Lance. So, I'll just increase the quantity.

Aqua Lance x 3!

Three water spears floated in the air and converged on the target, creating a hole in the hard target. Is it supposed to break?

"...Number 123, your second score is 900 points."

Oh no. I overdid it... The gazes from everyone are intense... The examiners and examinees are impressive, but Luna's gaze is the most intense.

...Don't look at me with such a resentful face...

In the end, I couldn't stay there and left the venue quickly.

---

In any case, the test is over. After that, the two said they had to report at the adventurer guild and left first. I waited at home while making dinner, and they returned after about an hour.

"Master! Welcome back!"

"Hehe, Master, welcome back."

"Thank you. By the way, why is Luna angry...?"

"Because Master scored high with water magic... She felt a bit jealous."

"Hehe, you're jealous, Luna. You're so cute."

"Well, to celebrate the two of you becoming A-ranked adventurers, I made a special dinner! Let's eat before it gets cold."

"Yes! I'll definitely enjoy it!"

"Hehe, we'll celebrate when we know about Master's acceptance."

Tonight's dinner consists of a jumbo hamburger, a cabbage and high orc meat mille-feuille pot, fried eggplant, and a miso and egg congee.

"Master, what is this lump of minced meat? It smells good, but it's minced meat, right?"

"I often ate this when I was in Sixes, but I've never had such delicious minced meat."

Minced meat...? Oh, it's ground meat!

"No, no, this isn't a collection of scraps. It's regular meat ground up. Just try it."

"!! The meat juice is amazing! And it's so tender! This is wonderful!"

"Hehe, I like this too. It has a unique texture that explodes in your mouth."

The mille-feuille pot is also incredibly delicious! The cabbage and orc meat complement each other perfectly, and the fried eggplant is always delicious.

By the way, I should make mayonnaise next time? I want to have tartar fish and chips, so I need to find vinegar... With vinegar, I can also make pickles, which will broaden my cooking options.

---

Despite everything, the test is over.

...I hope I pass.

I'll update regularly.

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