“Yes, not bad at all, Cain. Don’t neglect your training at that pace.”
Cain had leaped out with great vigor, but it was hardly a match.
His initial attack was easily parried, and then he was slashed with incredible speed. He barely managed to endure and retreated using Shukuchi (Shukuchi cannot move left or right, but can move forward and backward, and even up and down depending on posture) to try and anticipate the attacks. However, his opponent appeared right in front of him immediately after, attacking again with incredible speed. He managed to deflect a few blows, but because their power was evenly matched, he lost due to the difference in the number of attacks.
“12 seconds, huh… not bad, even Kuuga only lasts 10 seconds.”
“It kind of sounds like you’re being sarcastic…”
“No, no, I’m praising you. If you become as strong as me, you’ll definitely be stronger than me.”
“Haa… I’ll do my best for now.”
There’s no way I can become that monster so easily!
The exam is tomorrow, and I was already feeling a little defeated…
………………………………………………
………………………
…………
The written exam was over.
After self-grading, I noticed some careless mistakes, but I should be within the passing range.
After the written exam, I was contacted about the practical exam, which would take place in about two hours, and was told to follow the examiner.
The place I was led to was a Martial Stage.
“From now on, the examinees will engage in a one-on-one battle with the instructors using their own weapons. Of course, losing doesn’t mean you fail, so relax. However, don’t let your guard down. Don’t misunderstand that!”
That teacher seems strict… I thought, when I heard whispers from behind me.
“Well, that’s obvious. The teacher is probably Rank B, right? There’s no way we can win.”
“So, it’s an exam to see how much we can resist…”
Seriously, everyone’s so pessimistic.
If you assume you’ll lose from the start, you won’t be able to win anything…
And so, the exam began.
“First up… examinee number 701.”
Oh, it’s me right away.
I replied and stepped forward.
Then, a bald guy and a guy with a pompadour started whispering loudly.
“Hey, that guy looks weak. Is he going to be okay with that frail physique?”
I’m an A-Rank Adventurer, you know…
“And that equipment… he probably got stuck with some used stuff from the Blacksmith… there are always idiots who only look at the price.”
It was a gift from the royal family, you know…
“As expected, Tekuni-san. You can tell just by looking… “
“Well, when you’re as experienced as me, you can. It’s called experience…”
“So cool. I’ll follow you for life.”
“Oi! Be quiet over there!”
The bald guy and the pompadour shut up after being scolded by the teacher.
But what they just said was probably what everyone else was thinking.
Everyone looked uninterested.
Well, it wouldn’t be fun if they kept looking down on me…
I stepped onto the Martial Stage and took my stance with my sword.
Standing in front of me was a large man who looked nearly two meters tall.
“Now, please take your stance… Are you ready? Then, begin!”
I can’t use Shukuchi.
But with my current strength…
At the same time as the start signal, I rushed towards the examiner at full speed.
To them, it probably looked like Teleportation.
I landed 12 blows in one second and it was over.
The teacher was unable to move, having been struck all over.
“Are you okay, Professor Kutoro!”
Another examiner approached, so I told him.
“Don’t worry… it was a flat strike!”
I forgot to mention, but the sword Meltrect that Cain received is actually a katana, despite its name.
Also, today, through voting, Cain’s Epithet has been decided.
It is “Valkyrie”.
Thank you to everyone who applied!