By the time Phil and I finished getting dressed, the test start time was much impending.
Hurry to the student's refrain space and rendezvous with Rachel.
Father and mother, Mr. Posford, apparently headed to the audience at the First Fighting Arena, which is already a testing ground.
The Spiritual Academy's Strength Test on Admission - especially in the Department of Combat - hears that there is a surrogate warfare aspect of nobility.
In this country, his strength as a spiritual magician remains directly linked to his fame as a nobleman.
Therefore, it is mostly the sons of aristocrats and big merchants who enroll in the college - in short, the rich Bombon.
Even me and Phil do.
So this strength test also serves as a place for each home to show off the talents of the next generation to others.
Perhaps for many children, the first opportunity to carry the family name alone -
I just looked around and saw a bunch of kids nervous about the bees.
The sight of a master, or a senior of the same gate, trying to solve it with guts was born there.
I'm not so nervous just now, thanks to an act with Azelea earlier. Needless to say, Phil.
But from the side, me, Phil, and Rachel, the three of them would be looking just like the rest of us.
"The Combat Department exam is a mock battle with a graduate student who has the rank to be tested. In other words, in Jack's case, he's going to fight a second-degree student."
Rachel told me to check, so I nodded.
"Class two, actually, how strong is it?
"Right..."
Rachel thinks a little.
"... last year you fought," Crimson Cat "female leader, remember?
"Oh."
Absolutely.
If I made a mistake, he would have killed me...
"As far as I hear from you... I think he's more or less of a Grade 4 strength as a spiritualist"
Huh?
... Grade 4?
That Vicki......!?
"Other, even adding your skills and know-how as a bandit, well... maybe you can go to third grade. At first, you said you were scouted on condition of a third grade exam.
If, as initially rumored, he was an operator who could freely transfer himself in [a miraculous void hole], that's just it, up to the first level at best.
'Stage' above it - where it is a professionally recognised border line, it does not reach the initial stage "
It's natural to have talent.
It's obvious how hard I try.
What Rachel was saying was becoming a reality in me now.
"... that means you're going to fight someone stronger than him - than Vicki."
"That sort of thing.... but Jack. You shall have one, a bondage."
"Huh?"
Tied up?
"Fight not to find out you possess the Book of Spirits."
Become......!?
"You mean out of hand......!? against a guy stronger than that Vicki......!?
"No. Talk about just putting limits on it. Up to 300 kilometers can float in [nested permeable wings]. Avoid inadvertent incarnation (avatar)"
When I try to be serious, I unconsciously give out my spirit incarnation (avatar).
I mean, don't get pushed into a situation where you have to be serious in the first place, you know...
"Then this sword too -"
I had a sword hanging on my hips.
I saw a sword made of the world's heaviest metal, Hiirokane, only available to me.
"- You mean you shouldn't use this" sword of acquaintance "either, right?
"Naturally. Just leave it hanging on your hips"
Sure, leave it around there, 'cause if you accidentally untie my technique, there's a hole in the floor...
"Why would you do that...? Is that part of your training?
"Jack - the presence of Roost is not as light as you think.
Roost is a strategic presence that affects national power just because it exists... and if Roost finds out, he doesn't know what he's going to get into.
If that happens, how much can I protect you... "
I remember when the bandits grabbed me.
It was after all that one time that Rachel shouted up so loudly.
Never let this stern and gentle master worry you so much again.
Never again.
"It's okay."
Did I look anxious, Rachel smiled all the time and put her hand on my shoulder.
"A year after that bandit noise, you've become distinguished and strong. - Show the world its strength."
I look back strongly at that look.
"-Okay."
Ever since Vicki and I killed each other,
No.
From those nightmare days, sunk in despair and fear, with powerlessness.
How much stronger am I?
I'll make sure of that - even in my own eyes.
"Shh, shh!
Phil, who had been abandoned, raised his hand and appealed for existence.
"To me? Don't you have something for me?
"Because Phil can afford it if he does it normally. Nothing to worry about."
"Oh, shit!
You mean I'm worried.
... Well, but in fact, Phil's extraordinary strength is something I know.
You'll be finishing the Intelligence Department's strength test with a light top.
"Well, shall we go check on the other kids' exams? Because it's important to know the test air beforehand."
Me and Phil replied and followed Rachel as she walked away.
◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆
It seems that the whole area of the College of Spiritual Arts, not just this battlefield, is stretched with the junction of the annulment of the act of killing that was perpetrated by the great spiritualist of the great old days.
Here, being stabbed in the chest with a sword doesn't kill you just because it hurts.
Similarly, being poisoned will only make you feel tight or physically paralyzed, and you will not die.
Instead and only present is the concept of 'spiritual power'.
The power of the junction to protect humans = spiritual power has its limits, and when it is depleted, it becomes impossible to force movement, and the body is devoted to the restoration of spiritual power.
This is called the 'Out of Spirit' state.
The rule was that simulated battles for the Battle Department Strength Test would be E O (element out) with accumulation of damage, or settled by surrender of one or both parties.
"The Third Test Ground! Chuck Edwoods Seven Steps Under the Gate, Joel Flanagan! Exam level, level four!
The First Fighting Ground is that it is the largest of the fighting grounds.
Spiritual-based broadcasts rang throughout the area to read out one of the multiple test sites "stages" set up in a circular setting, as well as the names and exam levels of the subjects.
Then,
"Oh, the son of Viscount Flanagan."
"You made it to the fourth grade exam."
"I just want to make myself look big. That fool's about to do it."
... and so on was heard from there.
Cowaii. Noble society Cowaii.
As far as I could see, the highest number of exams seemed to be in grade 5.
Even if you fail, it's probably because you're likely to get into the bottom six.
By the way, if you fail at level 6, you are thrown into an apprenticeship class called quasi without question.
Rumor has it that more than 90% of children who have been placed in associate grade 6 will voluntarily leave school after six months...
Because of the awareness that I don't like that much, I guess a lot of students take the fifth grade above it, not the sixth.
Until Grade 4, you'll be free to take your exams without permission from the college.
It seems that passing and failing is not a simple mock victory or loss, but ruled by the faculty faculty by looking at its contents.
In fact, most students were defeated by their opponents, resident students.
It is also natural.
They've been drilling at this academy a lot longer than we freshmen.
But...
There are exceptions to everything.
◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆
"Second Test Ground! Josea Bergson, under the eight-stage gate, Ruby Bergson! The exam level is... Level 3!
The moment it was read out like that, the inside of the venue stood oops.
"You're the first third-degree exam of the year! No, but speaking of Bergson..."
"'Burgson the Piece of Scraps'...! Have you thrown garbage into a traditional college without sexual punishment again!
"But it is certain that I was allowed to take the third grade exam... Shall we take a look?"
Bergson the Crumb Picker......?
I was distracted by the words I heard leaking.
"Bergson Eight-stage is famous for picking up stray children from slums and adding them under the gates."
Rachel next door tells me softly.
"Because this is what every child is good at, he hates from nobles who value blood and tradition."
I see......
If you return the back, you mean a gateway to thorough meritocracy.
I paid attention to the second test site.
At the edge of the circular stage stands a man in a college uniform.
This would be the examiner's third grade student.
And across the street...
It was a girl.
Probably about the same age as me or Phil - about 9 or 10.
He wears a large beret over bright brown hair.
Other than that, the outfit is extremely light.
While other freshmen are trying not to lose character while emphasizing athleticism, her outfit was, to put it badly, miserable, like a proper wrap around what she had appropriately bought at an old clothing store around there.
"I'm from Slam, what is it? 'Just an intense self-assertion.
I just saw that grand blur, and it conveys too much of a nasty personality.
Well, I don't hate it, you know.
"Start exam!!
Even when the start was announced, both sides, did not move immediately.
Graduate students are also wary of the fact that they are the first Grade 3 entrants of the year......
In contrast, the girl also creates a more vigilant atmosphere.
It's been glued for a while.
Graduate students moved first.
Goo!! and a gust of wind.
As the girl sheltered her face, she said, "Wow!? I heard him faintly.
That's bad.
If I shelter my face, I will block my sight myself......!
Hyun-hun-hung, I heard a noise.
It is the sound of a blade of compressed air running by the spiritual art of manipulating the atmosphere.
There are two major advantages to the spiritual art of the wind system.
One is that the attack is invisible to the target.
The other is that your attacks don't block your sight.
Depending on your surroundings, it's hard to lose sight of your opponent because of your attacks.
In order to use it adequately, the college man should have been preparing for the next blow while unleashing the attack.
But.
"Become...!?
"That?
Me and Phil raised our voices at the same time.
No, the entire audience was confused.
They disappeared.
I should have kept an eye on you for a moment - everyone in the venue lost sight of the girl!
The next moment, the girl shows up.
of his opponent, a college student, right behind him.
On its right hand side, there's a dagger with a small swing.
Already, he was poking deep into the college student's throat.
She was certainly a surprise breeze when she was blown into the gust.
So I couldn't think about blocking my sight, and I took refuge in my face.
Everyone thought so, including me (...).
But in the ear of a college student who stabbed a dagger.
I saw her lips move like this.
"- What the (...)"
Element out.
A man who has lost all his spiritual power with a single blow due to a critical hit to his throat loses his power and falls into it.
"Game over! Ruby Bergson Victory!!
Listening to such an announcement, I was turning my mind around.
... Was it an act?
Perhaps, at the point in the adhesive state before that - I was creating a vigilant atmosphere, since then.
To illuminate the opponent that the attack has worked, a trap -
... What kind of kid are you?
I was already full of desire to take my hat off, but this was still just the beginning.
◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆
"Test Ground One! Gawayne McDonnell, Denholm Bastade, Nine Steps Under the Gate! Exam Level...... Level 3!
When it was read out that way, the blurring since the girl earlier occurred in the audience.
"Wow! That 'Iron General', Lord Bastade's!
"You were picking up the doorman."
"Speaking of McDonnell, he's a knight's famous house that lasts eight generations. Now, how much..."
Standing on the first test site is a boy like a heavily armed infantry, covered with heavy armor.
The age limit for admission to college is twelve.
I mean, he shouldn't be over twelve either...
Let's go. How many centimeters are there?
Even high school students are incredibly tall.
"Let the game begin!!
Since the game began, the armored boy did not move a single step with his sword and shield in place.
Not a single step, even if the opponent starts attacking.
He had suffered all of his opponent's attacks with his body and shield.
Robust flesh, unusual endurance that cannot be cleaned up in a word.
By gazing to the limit, I discovered one end of the secret.
Whenever he is attacked, his shields and armor are hurt and broken.
But when you realize it, it's fixed.
Broken or broken, broken or broken, his protective gear returns as brand new......
But is that really all you get, that much endurance?
Armor doesn't block all of the damage.
The impact of the attack should always be through the flesh......
Yet he is as flat as he is receiving even in the breeze.
Until that reason, I didn't know it from a distance.
His opponents must have tried to find it, too.
I stuffed myself in time, in a way that cut the paralysis.
But - that's what that boy's after.
With a streamlined sword, he controls melee battles without risk.
After a few minutes, he was the only one standing on the test site.
"Game over! Gawayne McDonnell Victory!!
◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆
Everyone was blinded the moment the girl appeared on the fourth test site.
Red hair that shines like a flame.
It must have been set to go with it, a crimson dress reminiscent of a rose.
Azelea Austin.
On a circular stage, her appearance was more vivid than anyone else's.
... As a matter of fact, I was just watching that dress.
You're going to take an exam in this outfit. I thought this guy, at the edge of his head, was going to take it.
But...... somehow.
He's a horribly stagey guy.
It seems rather more present when looking at it from a distance like this.
"Ji-kun, look at me"
Suddenly Phil next door pinched my cheek with both hands and turned to himself.
"Nha... Nha?
"Just look at me! Don't look at that kid!
You're really hostile...
I've never seen Phil so hostile to others.
I wonder what makes you do that.
Probably thinks they'll take me.
... Ah.
Could it be... Phil's hardly ever met a girl his age?
That's the first time a girl my age has been mixed up in a relationship that involves me, although you know me somewhere I don't.
Oh, then, no way, every time I get to know a girl from now on, like this. What?
... you might want to work out measures.
"Test Ground IV! Azerea Austin, under the Fire God's Heavenly Light Gate! Exam level is...... Level 3!!
... Is he a third-degree exam taker too?
There have been several children who have taken the third grade so far, but only two have finished the mock battle with victory.
I don't necessarily have to win, but now, what happens to that guy?
Azerea turned to her opponent's graduate student, picking the hem of the dress and gently raising her heel. Cartesy.
It was a noble and graceful thing to do, but it was like, 'I'm not nervous. I can afford it' can also be taken as a declaration.
This could be a fierce battle...
It's like you're gonna back my predictions.
"Let the game begin!!
The opponent set up a faster attack.
The water that emerges from nowhere shapes the barrage and pushes it in unison toward Azerea!
Spirit (Focarol) 's [Hand of the Raw Fish (Yanna)]......!!
It's a simple spiritual art of manipulating water.
And to my knowledge, Azerea's spiritual art is also extremely simple.
[Dawn Light] of the Spirit (Aim).
Spiritual art of manipulating flames.
I just asked Rachel that Azerea's Flaming God Heavenly Light Flow seems to be a genre specializing in [lightning at dawn].
I'm talking about a particularly powerful elite in the Spiritualist Guild.
All this time, it's too incompatible.
For me, [Dawn Light] is a profound spiritual art.
Anyway, when I was a year old, it was this technique that I fought for the first time.
So, I know him well.
That spiritual art is extremely vulnerable to water.
I just think the person who assigned the opponent knew and did it.
I don't know - evil hobbies, mean.
I can't believe we're hitting the worst match we've ever had for a freshman...
Before the barrage of water, Azelea doesn't even move a step.
Are you limping, or can't you move because of that dress?
No, in the first place, I can't be avoided where I ran away.
Azelea just has to stand up and fill that beautiful crimson dress with holes...
- and.
Everyone would have thought so, including me.
The next moment.
Until you see a barrage of pushed water swallowed by a giant flaming wall.
Azerea, whose flaming walls are scattered as a fire powder and remain in a luxurious dress, reappears.
She engraved an invincible grin on her righteous face.
Clearly, I said this.
"How about the fantasy of 'Flames Are Vulnerable to Water' being graduated with your amulet?
Then it began with the ravages caused by red lotus flames.
It was Azerea Austin's single altar.
"Game over! Azerea Austin Victory!!
◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆
"Jack, it's time"
At the same time as Azerea's game ended, Rachel said softly.
... time.
"Phil still has a little time, so you can go to your fathers and see"
"Okay! Good luck, Ji-kun! Because I'm watching!
"Whoa. I got it."
Phil's been raising his hand, so we exchange high touches.
Then Phil ran to where his fathers were.
Me and Rachel are walking towards the exam room.
Every step I took, I felt the ambient stiffness go away.
"... I repeat, you've gotten really strong. You can't beat anyone else."
As I walked, Rachel said it was pompous.
"But now nobody, doesn't know about you. Ambiguous, not sure if it's true or false, only one of the characters in the rumor"
Tell him to let go.
But Rachel...
My master.
With that smile, you push my back.
"- Let me let you know. Jack Lieber."
I smiled hard and hard and said, "Oh! He answered."