Chapter 120
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: The Midterms Were a Breeze!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
20 minutes later.
"...What the hell is that guy? He's a total monster."
"Who would've thought he had skills like that."
"He didn't take down Steel Mountain for nothing."
The more the examiners watched Rubelt, the more they marveled—and recoiled—in awe at his prowess.
Even though the monsters he was cutting down were just hordes of F-rank goblins, their A-rank eyes didn't miss Rubelt's strength.
The confidence with which he wielded his weapons without hesitation.
And that confidence was backed by power and skill to match—flawless movements, no wasted effort. There wasn't even a hint of the fatigue that came from chain-fighting, no matter how easy the foes.
He advanced boldly, without a single moment's hesitation, like a top-tier hunter.
When the three examiners first took the job, they hadn't reacted much to the news that Rubelt had defeated Steel Mountain.
Even as a Strenzer, Steel Mountain never directly challenged A-rank hunters. He preyed on civilians or low-rank hunters.
The moment word got out that an A-rank hunter was coming after hearing about his rampage, he'd slink away using his unique Strenzer mobility skill—a cowardly move he'd pulled plenty of times.
So their assessment of him didn't match his actual strength. To them, he was just a coward who bullied the weak and fled with his tail between his legs when the strong showed up.
Of course, they still thought Rubelt was strong for taking him down. But the Rubelt they saw now through the exam cameras far exceeded their expectations.
"How many weapons does that guy even use?"
What shocked them most was the sheer variety of weapons Rubelt wielded.
As if sticking to one blade wasn't exciting enough, he'd swap weapons after mowing down a certain number of goblins.
Straight swords, greatswords, daggers, guns, scythes, dual blades, staves, maces, katanas, axes, bows, and more.
Hunters usually stuck to their main weapon. They might carry a dagger as backup, but that was just auxiliary.
No one could handle every weapon with expert skill like Rubelt, pulling them out and using them freely.
Most hunters figured it was better to focus on their primary weapon than spread themselves thin raising proficiency in others.
It was simpler that way, and juggling multiple weapons was tough.
But Rubelt was doing exactly that.
At just barely legal age, he'd taken down a Strenzer, wielded a ton of weapons with ease, and showed at least B-rank skill.
He was every bit the genius—or monster—worthy of the title.
"Hah, if he weren't an Eldra, we'd scout him on the spot."
Jarvis of Swiftness grumbled, and the others silently agreed.
Rubelt possessed skill and talent that came once every century, if that.
Any guild would kill for him. If he were any other cadet, they'd have rushed over the second the exam ended, shoving business cards in his face or begging him to join.
But this was Rubelt Eldra.
The heir to the world's top conglomerate, Eldra.
Eldra managed tons of dungeons and had their own direct guild to boot.
Eldra's hunter guild, Noblesse.
Obviously, the heir Rubelt would join Noblesse, so they had no choice but to give up recruiting him.
At least, they figured they'd etch this promising future star's skills into their memories with their own eyes. The three examiners focused intently on Rubelt beyond the cameras, and kept focusing.
I got bored swinging just a sword, so I pulled out my weapons one by one and cleared goblin hordes with them.
Sometimes packs tried ambushing from behind, but their presence was so obvious I spotted them instantly, counterattacked, and pressed on smoothly.
Finally, I reached the end of the artificial dungeon.
"Hm?"
I was a little surprised by the figure waiting there.
"Professor Dias?"
It was none other than my homeroom teacher, Jura Dias.
"You've arrived, Eldra."
Long orange ponytail, deep green eyes.
Black suit with a black corset over a white dress shirt, black gloves on her hands—Professor Dias stared at me.
In Blaze Blood, she was a guest character: a current A-rank hunter.
Early on, you could control her briefly as a guest. Later, she joined the protagonist's party for multiple playthroughs.
But who knew my midterms surprise boss would be Professor Dias.
It felt like a hidden boss encounter only I could trigger—not bad at all.
First, I feigned surprise.
"Why is Professor Dias here?"
"There's something we didn't tell the first-years about these midterms. After navigating the dungeon, each cadet faces a current or former hunter who tests their skills directly."
"I see. But why you, Professor Dias...?"
"Because I'm still an active hunter, Eldra. And no half-baked hunter could properly judge your strength. So I volunteered."
"What an honor. To think the Breaking Fist herself is testing me personally."
"Enough chatter, Eldra."
Snap! Professor Dias tugged her gloves tight and spoke.
"Understood. Number six."
I equipped my gauntlets and greaves for unarmed combat.
"Hm, planning to spar hand-to-hand?"
"It's not really a spar... but to best gauge the Breaking Fist's skill, this is the way. Please go easy on me."
"Then as your teacher, I should show you a good example."
The moment she finished speaking, Professor Dias charged.
She closed the distance in an instant and thrust her fist at me.
I tilted my head with minimal motion to dodge.
Bang!
Just from swinging her fist, an explosive crack rang in my ears.
'She's dead serious against a cadet. Though it's because it's me.'
She didn't stop at the first strike—her other fist came rushing at my face.
Before it connected, I swept my leg at her lower body. She reacted instantly and leaped back.
"Impressive reflexes, Eldra."
"Thanks. But that last hit—if it had landed wrong, my head would've exploded, right?"
At least enough to shatter an E-rank monster's skull easily.
"I'd have stopped if it looked like it was connecting. With your skills, there's no way you couldn't block that speed."
Professor Dias really trusted my abilities.
"No more chit-chat. I'll keep attacking until the exam ends—keep that in mind."
With that, she launched her assault again.
This'll work up more of a sweat than sparring with Chisaki.
In the monitoring room, the three examiners assigned to Rubelt watched him and Jura Dias.
But their gazes held no more intent to grade Eldra—they were simply captivated by the duel unfolding before them.
Rubelt and Jura Dias lashed out with limbs at high speed, dodging attacks while seeking openings for clean hits.
It wasn't a cadet taking an exam from a teacher—it was hunter versus hunter in fierce combat.
"No way... that's a kid who's just turned twenty? Man, the world's so unfair."
Jarvis muttered, a mix of admiration and complaint.
"To think someone could go toe-to-toe with Jura Dias like that..."
Kim Taegan, an active A-rank hunter, knew Jura Dias's skills well.
How fast and vicious her punches were.
Even if she wasn't going all-out against Rubelt now, her sheer presence and the pressure in her fists weren't something even strong hunters could easily evade.
And Rubelt was blocking, parrying, dodging—and countering—time and again.
"We might need to reevaluate... That kid's not just B-rank. That's..."
A-rank territory, no problem.
No one could deny it.
"If that's his level now, later on..."
"Yeah. He could reach S-rank."
"Same league as Chairwoman Kemilgia... We might be witnessing the school days of a future legend."
The three active A-rank hunters didn't dismiss the possibility that Rubelt could become an S-rank hunter someday.
Like Shira Kemilgia, current chairwoman of Prometheus Academy.
Rubelt's display had shocked them to their core.
The three A-rank hunters had set aside their grading sheets, utterly absorbed in Rubelt and Dias.
The discarded sheets already had checkmarks filling every box—full marks across the board.
The duel with Professor Dias—an active A-rank hunter strong enough for a guest character role—lasted a relentless 15 minutes.
I parried, dodged, and blocked her punches one by one, countering midway. But her hunter experience and polish shone through—I ate a few solid hits.
Well, I'd been pumping endurance points steadily, so they didn't faze me. Still, I winced and sold the pain each time.
Midway through mixing punches and kicks, Professor Dias pulled back.
"The exam's over. Good work, Eldra."
"Hoo, finally."
I exhaled and rubbed my side where she'd landed blows.
"As expected, you're incredibly strong, Professor Dias."
"Hmph. I know you weren't going all-out either."
"Even so, I can't exactly charge at my teacher with killing intent."
"The fact you can say that proves your skills are absurd compared to other cadets."
"So... how's the evaluation?"
"Do I really need to say it?"
Professor Dias removed her gloves, pocketed them, and stated flatly.
"Full marks."