Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Most Problems Are Solved with a Single Firm Resolve. (6)
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Most problems are solved with one firm resolve. (6)
"The D-rank practical exam is conducted separately by position."
As they headed to the adventurer guild's backyard for the practical exam, a middle-aged man with a sharp impression stood in what looked like a training ground.
He appeared to be a swordsman, given the sword at his waist, and he exuded the seasoned aura of a veteran adventurer.
"...Swordsman, two archers, support mage. First, the vanguard swordsman, step forward."
"Ah, wait a moment."
As he called out by position, Reina shot her hand up and interrupted.
"Um... I don't want to test as an archer. I'd like to take the vanguard position exam."
"Hm?"
At her words, the examiner tilted his head, then nodded upon seeing the iron rod she held.
"Position change, huh... Hold on."
The examiner said that, then spoke to the woman among the four examinees who held a sword.
"Normally, if there's one examinee, I test their skill through a duel with me. But with two or more, they pair up for duels, and I evaluate based on observation. The format might change—is that okay?"
In other words, it had suddenly switched from a duel with the examiner to 1v1 between examinees, so was that alright?
He was asking the woman who had come as vanguard from the start.
He must have figured she might not like suddenly gaining a competitor when she thought she'd be alone.
"Uh..."
The female adventurer with a sword at her waist glanced at Reina.
An ambiguous weapon that could be a staff or a spear.
Changing positions here suddenly meant she'd been an archer until just before the exam.
'Changing positions out of nowhere? Hmph... Does she think a D-rank adventurer is that easy to pass with some last-minute weapon switch? What an idiot.'
She either severely underestimated D-rank adventurers.
Or she was just plain stupid.
One of the two, she figured, and readily accepted.
"I'm fine with it."
'Yeah, better to fight some idiot like her than that scary uncle. I can show off my skills for sure.'
The female adventurer... Sophie thought she was incredibly lucky.
She could breeze through the notoriously tough D-rank exam thanks to some fool.
"Then Sophie and Reina, to the center of the training ground."
Following the examiner's instructions, Sophie and Reina faced each other in the middle of the training ground.
"To prevent serious injuries, we'll provide the weapons."
With that, the examiner tossed them wooden swords and a wooden rod each.
They were bladeless, made of wood, and lightweight, for sure.
But sturdy enough to injure a person.
'Heh, you idiot. I'll end this quick and head to D-rank.'
The moment Sophie smirked inwardly.
"Begin."
The signal to start rang out.
"...Hup!"
At the same instant, Reina's body shot forward rapidly.
"...!!"
Not expecting her to charge first, Sophie panicked and deflected the incoming wooden rod's tip with her wooden sword.
'A newbie daring to rush in first? I'll close the gap and shut you down.'
She panicked for a moment, but it wasn't an impressive thrust.
Sophie quickly regained her composure and looked for a counter chance.
A spear was a long-reach weapon.
Thus, the common tactic in close combat was to leverage that range for advantage.
Conversely, it meant losing its edge if you got inside.
Thud thud!
She stepped in quickly, closing into Reina's guard.
And swung her wooden sword at her side.
Sophie had built experience from E-rank up to now, aiming for D-rank promotion.
She wasn't some rookie who'd flounder from range difference.
Closing the gap when outranged.
It was common sense for short-range melee fighters.
But she overlooked something.
Common sense meant the opponent had counters too.
Swoosh─
"...!!"
Sophie saw the wooden rod flying at her jaw faster than her own sword could reach the opponent's side.
'Ah, I'm screwed.'
But mid-swing, she lacked the physical ability to dodge.
If she could react that fast, she wouldn't be E-rank.
Crack!!
"Guhk?!"
Sophie flew back from the clean jaw hit, her fading consciousness catching the opponent's form.
The rod swung from its short end, long part down and short up in a bizarre grip.
Reina stood calmly, as if she'd anticipated the rush.
'What the hell... she's no newbie...'
Realizing she'd underestimated her, Sophie blacked out.
"...Exam over."
The examiner immediately called the end.
He had someone carry the unconscious Sophie to the infirmary, then glanced at the fidgeting Reina.
'Impressive skill. She baited the opponent into closing by reversing the rod's long reach.'
Then countered with the short end.
A tactic needing solid skill and guts.
Even if they dodged the short strike, it'd make them hesitate to close again.
Then the long spear would toy with them unilaterally.
'Sophie's no slouch. She has real skill and resolve—D-rank material. But...'
Reina overpowered even that.
He was a retired B-rank adventurer turned examiner.
Based on all the adventurers he'd seen, he was certain.
She was already beyond D-rank.
'...And she was originally an archer?'
Her paperwork listed ranged position, archer.
Meaning no prior change request, and she'd been active as one until recently.
So she'd switched to spear for this quest.
'This level in just 10 days...?'
She might've hidden spear skills, but no gain in that.
If true, insane talent.
A bit more grinding, and she could aim high.
"...Results will be announced all at once later."
But he didn't falter.
Many D-rank examinees exceeded the rank.
They promoted quickly, often to B-rank minimum.
'...That redhead girl still sticks in my mind.'
The most overwhelming? A redheaded girl from nearly seven years ago.
Too young for an adventurer, but she dominated with raw power and talent.
'That kid's the Blood Empress now.'
Scarlett Harkur.
Now called the Blood Empress, one of the strongest adventurers.
"Next, support mage Sonya. Step forward."
Shaking off the memory, he called the next examinee.
Support mage Sonya.
Same party as Reina, basic buffer with a few spells.
'Well, better check just in case.'
"What spells can you use?"
He knew from paperwork, but Reina's mismatch made him confirm.
And then.
"Um... Low-grade buffs, low-grade heals, and a bit of low-grade debuffs."
"...Hm?"
Beyond expectations.
He figured maybe a couple extra buffs.
But heals and debuffs too?
Every support mage staple.
He could've sworn she mumbled 'curse magic might be possible too...', but he ignored it.
'If true, she's no D-rank stayer...'
Like Reina, she'd leaped from basic buffs in 10 days.
'Gotta verify.'
"Then cast them on me."
Might be bluffing, so he ordered a demo.
She began chanting and activating one by one.
"Mana, grant..."
Strength for raw power, Haste for speed, Hard Skin for defense.
Basic buffs first.
Slow, Weakness, Armor Break debuffs.
'...Buffs and debuffs. That's why supports are key.'
But buffs weren't potent.
Strictly low-grade effects.
Debuffs useless against resistant foes.
But a support's true flower was elsewhere.
"...Light of healing for the wounded."
Detox, wound heal, disease cure.
She showcased varied heals.
As claimed, undocumented debuffs and heals.
And.
'...Insane. Low-grade with this potency...?'
To test, he nicked his arm or poisoned himself lightly next to potions.
Recovery speed was unreal.
"Isn't this mid-grade heal level...?"
To his question, Sonya scratched her head sheepishly.
"I can do mid-grade heals, but... only wound recovery for now."
"...!!"
She could do mid-grade heals.
This was C-rank... no, B-rank party material!
'What the hell happened in those 10 days...?'
Heard the leader got kicked for rule-breaking, just two E-ranks escorted.
Uncommon already, but sudden power-up?
Something special happened.
"...Uh, continue for now."
Dazed, the last archer's exam proceeded.
Distracted by Reina and Sonya's absurd skills, the archer failed.
Sophie, upon waking, got feedback: 'Don't underestimate opponents. Skill is sufficient.' Next try, she'd pass.
Thus, the Hasler branch's D-rank promotion exam ended with only Reina and Sonya passing.