Chapter 133: The Former Marquise’s Clever Method 6
*
The underground plaza is relatively large, but even so, it’s only about fifteen feet across in length and width.
The ground is dirt, but it feels hard underfoot; there’s probably bedrock or something just beneath the soil.
The problem is the fence surrounding the plaza.
It looks unreliable just by looking at it.
According to Lana-san, it’s apparently made that way on purpose.
Apparently, the Guild doesn’t want adventurers to die needlessly during the Rank Promotion Exam, so they’ve set it up so that using sloppy magic results in disqualification.
Though, apparently, starting from the Rank 4 Promotion Exam, it’s held above ground.
The rule of immediate disqualification if you break the facility, combined with the fragile fence, means that low-Rank adventurers effectively have to take the exam using close-quarters combat.
Ignoring the occasional Rank 1 who’s like a Rank fraud, it probably works out well.
The ceiling is too low to use Physical Enhancement freely, so careless people might meet an unfortunate end, but normally, they apparently even have church personnel present for the exams, so deaths shouldn’t happen easily.
Those who primarily use magic get the short end of the stick, but for pure mage-type adventurers, it’s probably a case of “show us you can control your magic at least that much.”
While watching Erica-san chatting with Pal beyond the flimsy fence, I wondered what I should do.
Hold back so I don’t break the fence?
Out of the question.
But honestly, I’m not confident I can go all out without breaking the fence.
I don’t plan on using the maximum strength of double-layered Physical Enhancement, obviously, but using the double layer itself is essential.
Ezz is watching me use the double layer; I can’t possibly hold back then.
The problem is that I’m not confident I can move without breaking the fence while using the double layer.
As I pondered what to do, stroking the pommel of my Sword, my eyes met Erica-san’s.
While having the terribly luxurious thought that Erica-san’s face was far away, I received an epiphany.
If I just remembered whose side I intended to stand by, the answer would naturally emerge.
When I nodded at Erica-san, who had given me the answer, she nodded back, though with a look of confusion.
As expected, Erica-san solves everything.
Drawing my Sword from its sheath, I stared straight at Ezz.
Unlike me, he must have already been prepared.
Ezz turned a truly nice smile towards me.
I see, I can understand that story some great scholar or someone said, about smiles originally being expressions of intimidation.
Returning Ezz’s smile, I cranked up my Physical Enhancement.
*
To state the conclusion, it was naturally an overwhelming victory.
Ezz’s Physical Enhancement magic couldn’t be called skillful even as a compliment; his movements were sloppy, and he was being thrown around by his own body, which he couldn’t fully control.
However, his courage and sense to decisively increase the strength when it counted were good.
Since he’s from a farming village, it’s probably natural talent.
I carefully used the flat of my Sword to receive the full-force Sword strike Ezz brought down from overhead, making sure not to break his blade, and sent him rolling onto the ground.
Incidentally, I hadn’t moved a single step since Lana-san’s unenthusiastic signal to begin.
If moving seemed likely to break the fence, then I just shouldn’t move.
Erica-san is the type to face such difficulties head-on and then crush them; in that case, I must do the same.
Since I had declared to Ezz at the start that I wouldn’t move, I honestly panicked when his first move was an attack from behind, but humans manage somehow.
About thirty percent relied on intuition, but I managed to block everything.
Ezz, lying on the ground, lamented regretfully that he hadn’t even grazed me, but just swinging a Sword using Physical Enhancement, even at low strength, without breaking any bones shows far more talent than I had.
Was I eight? The first time I used Physical Enhancement, I broke both arms and legs; it was a disaster.
I think I was saved by how small our garden was. If it had been a little bigger, I probably would have passed out before crawling back to the house.
“If you can make that face after being knocked down, you’re doing well, Ezz.”
I dispersed the blue flames clinging to my hand and offered Ezz a hand.
“Being praised for my face doesn’t help much, though.”
Ezz grumbled, forcing a bitter smile that suppressed his frustration.
“The first time my master knocked me down, I wasn’t just unconscious, I was practically dying.”
That’s even less helpful.
Ezz laughed as he took my hand and stood up.
“Ezz-sama.”
Lana-san called out to the standing Ezz.
“Do you acknowledge Longdagger-sama as qualified for promotion?”
Ezz replied, “Of course,” and just like that, I was promoted to Adventurer Rank 2.
Considering the time in Faltar when my master said he’d raise my Rank and dragged me all over the place, this felt anticlimactically simple, like a joke.
Is it really okay to approve a Rank Promotion based solely on the word of the adventurer acting as the examiner? Lana-san answered my question, saying it’s pretty much like this up to Rank 3.
While thinking it seemed rather lax, there’s almost no benefit for someone without real ability to have their Rank increased.
It might add some prestige, but whether you live as an adventurer or a former adventurer, it’s meaningless without the required skills.
I exchanged light comments with Ezz, like “That attack was good,” as we left the plaza.
Next is Erica-san’s turn.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Instead of thanking Erica-san for letting me take the exam first, I apologized for making her wait.
I ignored Pal in the corner of my vision, who was rubbing it in with a smile, asking Ezz, “It was an instant kill, right?” Stop it, are you a demon?
“I had my reasons for letting you go first. Please don’t worry about it.”
Erica-san smiled suggestively.
Hmm?
I almost tilted my head in confusion.
Erica-san lightly hopped over the fence and walked past my confused self towards the center of the plaza.
Reaching the center where Lana-san waited, she quickly turned back towards us.
In the light of the Magic Stone Lamps, which seemed to be burning as brightly as possible, her red hair shimmered like flames.
Again, I almost tilted my head.
Erica-san looked like she was having a lot of fun.
“Lana-san.”
Erica-san posed a question while keeping her gaze fixed this way.
“Are there any conditions for the opponent in the Promotion Exam?”
“No, as long as they are of a higher Rank than the examinee, they are generally accepted as an opponent for the Promotion Exam.”
Lana-san replied, tilting her head as if recalling the Guild’s rules.
I thought I heard Erica-san murmur “Good” under her breath.
“In that case—”
In that instant, a shiver ran through my entire body.
The lustrous voice caressing my earlobes was clearly a voice of desire.
“For my exam opponent, I request Shin.”
She wants me.
“Will you accept?”
I felt bad for Ezz, but my throat, which hadn’t been particularly dry, suddenly became parched.
I could feel the heat in my breath.
“With pleasure, My Lady.”
As I answered, Erica-san gave me a bewitching smile.