Chapter 109

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 109

Chapter Title: Captain-Class Exam (2)

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Christia City boasted three knight orders in total.

The Azure Dragon Knights, the White Dragon Knights, and the Black Dragon Knights.

These were the elite forces under the Count of Christia, renowned for their strength even among the kingdom's finest.

Their power ranked as follows: Azure Dragon, White Dragon, Black Dragon.

The Black Dragon Knights, the absolute cream of the crop, were rumored to rival the kingdom's First Royal Guard.

For the citizens of the Christia County, merely belonging to one of these orders was the greatest honor their family could achieve—a true mark of success in life.

And at the pinnacle of these three orders stood a woman hailed as Christia's 'strongest knight.'

The captain of the Black Dragon Knights, a figure unmatched in both skill and renown.

She approached me dressed in simple training garb, a single sword sheathed at her waist.

Her radiant golden hair cascaded down to her hips, framing a sharp yet composed gaze.

"This is the Black Dragon Knights' training grounds. Outsiders aren't permitted entry on a whim."

Rei.

I recognized her at a glance.

The reason was simple. The woman before me looked eerily identical to Rei's illustration from the game I knew so well.

Standing around 178 cm tall, she had a model-like figure with an outstanding physique. Her appearance was an unreal beauty straight out of the artwork, paired with sensually curvaceous proportions.

But as I took her in, I realized there was more to marvel at than just her looks and body.

She's strong.

The presence emanating from her was no joke.

Never before had I felt anything like this. Just looking at her made my breath catch in my throat.

Only then did I notice the mana barrier enveloping her entire body.

No wonder I hadn't sensed her approach until she was right behind me. She breathed in perfect harmony with her surroundings, subtly distorting and deflecting my Mana Detection.

"What's wrong?"

As I stood frozen, Rei spoke again.

I'd been momentarily stunned by her power, but I turned to face her as if unperturbed.

"It's an honor to meet you, Captain Rei."

Her delicate features and model-worthy body looked utterly delectable—more suited to a runway than a knight. Rei gave a slight nod in response to my greeting.

"You know me?"

"In Christia City, there's no one else who radiates such overwhelming power."

Rei's expression remained unchanged despite the compliment. Smacking my lips, I continued.

"I didn't mean to sneak around. I came here on business."

"Business?"

"See for yourself."

I extended the card to her, just as I had to the gate guards.

Rei took it from me, and at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the same moment, I activated Master of All Life while gazing at her.

Whoa, for real?

Scanning her status, I was left slack-jawed at her overwhelming stats—nothing less would suffice.

I'd expected her to be powerful, but mid-240s in physical abilities and late-180s in mana? Astonishing.

Her mana stats alone put her on par with a lower-mid S-Class adventurer mage.

I recalled her stats being lower when she met the protagonist in the previous game, but as expected from an out-of-spec genius, she'd grown even further.

In raw physical power, she was nearly twice my level.

No wonder she's pegged as Rochelle Kingdom's future strongest.

Even Elena, the mightiest S-Class adventurer among my wives, couldn't hold a candle to her.

In the current Rochelle Kingdom, probably only the captain of the First Royal Guard could surpass her.

And even that wouldn't last if she trained a bit more.

Rei's talent was that extraordinary. I was essentially facing a national-level powerhouse.

One wrong move could mean death, yet I wasn't overly tense.

I've got my skills.

If she'd seen through my disguise, I wouldn't be standing here unscathed.

Monster Dissection Analysis erases any monstrous aura upon transformation. No matter how strong Rei was, there was no need to worry.

Genius or not, she couldn't pierce the Goddess's gift.

"As you can see, I'm here for the Monster Wave reinforcement captain-class exam. They told me at recruitment to head to the count's castle for the test. The guards sent me to the knight order's training grounds."

"I just received the report. So you're Yujin."

"Yes."

A captain-class application must have put my name on her radar early.

I nodded, and Rei scanned me from head to toe.

"Captain-class application, huh..."

That was when it happened.

Hummm—

Suddenly, the mana wall around Rei vibrated, a surge blasting toward me.

What the? Did she see through me? No way. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Thinking later—I immediately deployed a Mana Barrier around myself. Her mana slammed into it, quivering before enveloping and pressing in, turning it into a battle of strength in an instant.

Hummm—!

Heavy, razor-sharp mana. One slip, and my barrier would shatter. I focused every ounce of will to hold it back.

I can manage.

It was weighty, but bearable.

With her mana stats, piercing my barrier shouldn't be hard. Yet I was holding—meaning she wasn't going all out.

Guess she didn't spot me.

A test, not an attack.

About 30 seconds of standoff passed.

Humm—

Suddenly, the pressure vanished like a lie.

I sighed in relief and dropped the barrier.

Rei was waving her hand, reabsorbing her mana. What had crushed my barrier moments ago now flowed back to her.

"What was that about?"

You scared me. Good that she hadn't seen through me, but I had to call it out. For a second, I thought about bolting.

Rei replied without a flicker of expression.

"My apologies. I was just curious about your level."

Curious? I let out a faint sigh.

"I nearly got hurt. What if I couldn't block it?"

"I'd have withdrawn the mana immediately."

"And if that failed? People die from that."

Well, not exactly people. Rei tilted her head.

"You're fine. I've never failed before, so no need to worry."

"Sigh, it's not worry—it's the shock. Even with no past failures, you can't predict the future. Don't do that to me again. The test doesn't require a sneak attack."

"Er, uh... Fair enough. I apologize."

As I rambled on, Rei's face showed its first change—slight fluster. Did no one talk back to her like this usually?

Whatever.

"Water under the bridge since I'm unharmed. Satisfied with the test?"

"Mm."

Her expression was hard to read.

But not negative. Up close, she seemed a bit impressed, maybe even pleased.

"Indeed. You pass. Follow me."

"Ah, yes."

Rei beckoned and walked off. I followed.

She led us into the Black Dragon Knights' training grounds I'd been observing.

The stench of men's sweat hit harder inside.

Times like this, my sky-high Sense stat felt like a curse.

Damn, it reeks.

Men's sweat, no less. Women existed in the order, sure—just a 1:9 ratio.

Hah—!

One, two!

Knights swung weapons with fierce kiais. Their aura was impressive even up close.

They glanced at me—the stranger trailing their captain—but soon refocused on training.

Then.

"Captain! You've arrived!"

From one side, a middle-aged man who'd been overseeing the knights approached us.

His height matched my human form—nearing 190 cm. Solid muscles bulged through his clothes, proof of a warrior's honed body.

But his face stole the show.

Long mustaches curled upward in twin forks. Despite his sturdy build, his face looked gaunt, giving off a cold yet priestly vibe.

The man bowed deeply to Rei. She surveyed the area quietly before addressing him.

"Genitz. Training's going smoothly, I see."

"Yes! Proceeding without issue. And this is...?"

Genitz's gaze shifted to me. Rei answered promptly.

"Yujin. The captain-class applicant for this reinforcement recruitment."

"Captain-class?"

"Yes. Didn't you get the report? Well, I only just received it myself. Apparently applied yesterday afternoon."

"Ah... I see. But where are you taking him?"

"Get him fitted for uniform, spruce him up, then present him to the Count."

"To His Excellency? Uh... Wait, no test?"

Genitz sounded flustered. Rei replied calmly.

"I already tested him. He passed. No need for more."

"Hmm..."

Genitz's eyes narrowed in dissatisfaction. He held his tongue, but clearly thought it unacceptable.

Rei noticed.

"Something wrong? Lingering doubts?"

Genitz nodded.

"Yes, frankly."

He sighed and continued.

"Captain-class? He looks young. N-no, of course I don't doubt you, Captain Rei. But... I can't imagine this applicant has true captain-class skill. We've had 20 so far. All duds. D-Class, C-Class... even near-civilians. The best was barely B-Class, and even that was too generous for 'captain.'"

Genitz fixed me with a cold stare.

"No guarantee he's any different."

Fair point.

20 fakes explained the recruitment staff's attitude. Genitz wouldn't believe without seeing for himself.

Rei eyed him briefly, then turned to me. Staring intently, she quirked a faint smile before looking back.

"So, you want a separate test?"

Genitz nodded.

"Yes."

"Thinking of Thomas again?"

Thomas? Who's that?

Genitz grinned slyly, like a third-rate villain.

"Yes, heh. Perfect for schooling posers. Thomas it is."

"You'll regret it."

Rei muttered lowly. Genitz blinked.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. That works."

Rei shook her head and addressed me.

"Yujin, apologies, but you'll need another test. I'm overseeing recruitment, but captain-class exams were delegated to Genitz, our vice-captain. Alright with you?"

Eh, what choice?

I applied; gotta do it.

Never expected it to end so easily anyway.

"Sure, got it."

I nodded. Genitz smirked oddly, then bowed politely to Rei.

"Captain, we'll use the official arena for the test."

Rei nodded silently.

With permission granted, Genitz inhaled deeply and bellowed—not at me, but the grounds.

"Attention, all!"

His voice boomed across the training grounds.

Everyone halted and turned. Genitz continued loudly.

"Important announcement! With the Monster Wave a month away, another captain-class applicant has appeared. Name: Yujin!"

Murmurs rippled through the knights.

Some whispered, some eyed me curiously, others shook their heads.

Glancing at Rei, she stood arms crossed, impassive.

"A captain-class hopeful! Time for a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠grand show. Test in one hour at the official arena. Training halted! Spread the word to other squads and gather to watch the captain-class exam! Dismissed!"

They roared "Yes!" and scattered.

Genitz turned to me quietly.

"Official arena's that way. Head there and wait. Facilities available—relax."

He left promptly.

Rei sighed faintly.

"Sorry. Vice-captain's a bit eccentric, but not a bad guy. Hope you understand. I'll watch too. After, we'll fit you out and meet the Count as planned. You'll breeze through. Apologies for the hassle."

She headed the opposite way from Genitz.

Hm, Genitz figures I'm a faker and wants to humiliate me publicly.

Might work in my favor.

I applied captain-class purely for Rei. Public opinion didn't matter, but showing some skill now could make Wave prep comfy.

Rei was untouchably strong, but my stats were elite too. No rivals in this city's knights.

I ogled Rei's mouthwatering, model-like retreating figure, smacked my lips, and headed to the arena.