Chapter 100
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Chapter 100
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Exam Period (1)
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About 500 km inland from the capital of Edshilla lies a city called Blaine.
This sweltering region, where summer weekdays easily top 40 degrees, is renowned as a holy site of swordsmanship, home to the Arkne Academy—the undisputed pinnacle among the continent's swordsmanship academies.
A city where hundreds of young men aspiring to become swordsmen flock every day. Even if one can't enroll in the Arkne Academy itself, dojos, sparring arenas, and willing opponents are everywhere. Blaine is hailed as the perfect training ground for aspiring swordsmen.
"...A friend?"
In the grand Arkne estate, which might as well rule Blaine, an unusual report was unfolding.
"Yes. That's what it looked like. They seemed to converse easily."
In other words, Soliet had made a friend.
"He even said she had talent."
"...That child, praising someone else?"
Igiris blinked in slight surprise at Shilon's words.
"Yes. Exactly."
"That's rare. It's hard for her to compliment anyone."
Soliet was the greatest talent the Arkne family had ever produced. No bloodline in the family's history could match hers. She possessed the once-in-a-millennium genius to shatter the limits of the Arkne Secret Sword and open new horizons.
"Here's the file on that 'friend' of hers."
"...A boy?"
Shilon handed over the file. Igiris's eyes immediately locked onto a particular line.
D-.
Endex average grade: D-.
Igiris held up the file and asked again.
"D-minus?"
"There are rumors his College Board scores are decent. He hasn't flunked out yet, in fact."
"...Grades don't really matter, though."
No matter his scores, a friend might be fine.
No—perhaps even advisable. Ever since that incident, Soliet had shut herself off emotionally.
Better than her obsessing over Nightmares to the point of mental illness.
"...Just leave her be."
Meddling too obviously could tip her off to the tail. Soliet was a precious, notoriously difficult child.
"The evaluation exam is coming up anyway. I can observe from afar. See who this Sion Askal really is."
The College Board's first-quarter evaluation exam.
Igiris would attend as the Arkne representative.
After the festival, classes resumed their usual routine.
A endless cycle of College Board, electives, repeat.
Monday: College Board.
Tuesday: Latynel—and that lunatic Elise keeps dodging me.
Wednesday: College Board.
Thursday: Swordsmanship Studies, fleeing from Soliet who insists I learn the sword.
Friday: College Board.
Saturday: Nightmare incident discussion by the lakeside, ignoring Soliet's jabs about my laziness.
Sunday: Rest.
One week passes, then Monday assignments, Tuesday Latynel, Wednesday assignments, Thursday...
Oh, right. Today was Thursday.
"I'm dying."
This is exhausting.
The treasured sword at my waist feels heavy.
Why does he keep insisting on priest swords? Training swords are dulled anyway, whether real or wooden.
Griping to myself, I arrived at the Swordsmanship Studies classroom. The faces were much the same as last week.
For reference, zero Endex dropouts post-festival. Zero failures.
The assignments were straightforward, but it meant we'd hit our stride.
—Ugh, Sion again... He's so tenacious.
Kain and Esher looked somewhat impressed with me now.
Not that I had energy left to deal with them.
"Alright. Everyone here?"
Gioli appeared at 9:03.
Unlike Chedric, he was always 1-3 minutes late.
"Finally! Next week is the evaluation exam."
Gioli's face was flushed with excitement.
"This exam doubles as the final Swordsmanship Studies class."
Electives were first-quarter only. After the exam, no more Gioli or Beache's Latynel.
"First off, this class is the most popular elective in Edshilla's mana high schools, with 450 students enrolled."
Out of dozens of College Board electives, nearly 15% of seniors chose Swordsmanship Studies.
"From now on, we'll open the database for all 450 students. Your sword practice footage from this training hall..."
Gioli pulled out his smartphone, holding it at arm's length like he needed reading glasses.
"The roster has 450 names, so it's a lot. I'll send the site link to your phones. Find and watch whoever you want."
He pocketed the phone.
"Now, the evaluation exam assignment."
He scanned the room. Most faces brimmed with confidence.
"'Sword and Shield.'"
Large text appeared on the back screen.
[Evaluation Exam: Sword and Shield]
"You'll now choose between sword and shield. Sword attacks with forms and sword styles. Shield defends against them."
Basically live-spar with real swords, but Gioli had more to say.
"However, attackers are limited to 'Five Forms, Three Sword Styles.' No academy techniques allowed—unconscious use means deductions."
Only basics.
"Attackers must creatively refine the Five Forms, Three Sword Styles to assault the defender, who blocks them."
Surprisingly tough. The key was how much you could bend and adapt the fundamentals.
"Here are sword and shield buttons. Ever wondered which is more advantageous, attack or defense?"
The offense-defense debate was famous in swordsmanship circles, but the answer was clear.
—Offense or defense? Depends on the person. Style by style.
Future world's greatest swordswoman Soliet's verdict. No universal answer.
Those who could drag fights into muddy slogs suited shield. Those who struck like lightning suited sword.
"Offense-defense advantage varies by swordsman's style, but stats show defense edges out at student level—by 3-4%."
Plus, attackers prepped forms, while defenders just practiced relaxed blocks.
"Thus, sword gets first pick. Alright then."
Clap—
Gioli clapped his hands.
"First come, first served. Not just Endex—other schools choose simultaneously. 225 slots per side; latecomers get whatever's left. Choose quick. Sword button for attack, shield for—"
I bolted and slammed the sword button.
Beep—
"...Yes. Sion, sword?"
Gioli chuckled wryly.
"Yes."
"Fast. You had two hours to think."
No need. My style: pour everything out and burn to ash. Defense wins by stalling, but my stamina won't allow it.
Others rushed after.
"Yes, line up. Kain, sword. Esher, shield. Elise, shield. Kielli, sword. Soliet, shield. Gerkken, shield..."
Everyone chose.
"Done. Endex is quick as always. Other schools are still going..."
Gioli checked his watch. Just 15 minutes.
"On exam day, all 450 gather at the stadium. Attackers pick opponents there."
Pretty grand. Fitting for Swordsmanship Studies.
Swordsmen-knights were elite paths. Knights outnumbered swordsmen overall, but among third-rank and above, 50-60% were swordsmen.
"As it's an evaluation, expect observers. Prep accordingly."
Scouts from families or firms.
"Exam's next Monday, so today's self-study. Spar freely, analyze other seniors' videos—whatever."
Free practice. Esher glued to Kain, Elise vanished. Soliet stood alone, but too many eyes.
"Hey, Kielli."
No choice, I called Kielli. He flinched mid-search.
"Y-Yeah? Wh-what's up, Sion~?"
Oddly flirtatious tone as he turned.
"Practice with me?"
"...Ah~ I-I'd love to, but... I'm sword too~ Haha."
"Oh, sword? Not shield."
"H-Haha, yeah~"
Kielli backed away and fled.
Solo it was. I entered a private training room, booted the corner tablet PC. Folders for 450 names scrolled up.
[173. Esher]
Esher caught my eye.
"...He's shield, right."
I played Esher's videos.
"Hm."
Impressive. Elite Grendan Mirror academy style, flawless Five Forms, Three Sword Styles.
Clean image, but sparring was sticky—evade, parry, not block outright, grind down stamina.
Mana Body banned for exam, no Absolute Sword for me—fair matchup?
If he turtles hard, I might lose.
"Hmmm..."
I glared at the tablet, opponent-hunting intently.
Thursday evening after Swordsmanship Studies, lakeside behind the old building.
"Evaluation exam. Who will you pick?"
Soliet asked.
"Haven't decided. Still thinking."
Need a good match. Too weak, no chance to shine.
Prep forms, but if they crumple in one exchange, you're just that one-trick guy.
Picking the right foe—'the eye'—was part of the evaluation.
"...More importantly. Don't you go home?"
I side-eyed Soliet. She'd set up camp lakeside.
Sleeping bag, lantern, burner, pot, instant noodles, pillow, power bank, tablet, laptop—everything beside my stone bench.
"More comfortable here."
"How? This is my hideout."
"Share it. Anyway, how will you sequence your sword forms? I could refine them."
Soliet pivoted topics. I blinked at her.
A sudden idea hit.
"Soliet. You're defense, right?"
"Yes."
"Hm..."
I pondered her. She narrowed her eyes slyly, amused.
"...Pick any stance. I'll show you Arkne sword defense."
"Infinite deductions, zero score? Defenders limited to Five Forms, Three Sword Styles too."
"..."
Soliet's sly gaze shifted lakeside.
"Alright. Stand there? I'll improv a sword form sequence."
"You can't improv sword forms."
"Why?"
"Before devising forms, theoretical judgment first. Pen-and-paper work. I know you're a body-first brute, but here, brains matter more."
"What."
Soliet raised a finger like a teacher.
"People think swordsmen just swing. But in NMA tourneys or knight order duels? No. Pre-fight: strategize, calculate sword use, analyze foes... That's what Gioli expects."
I listened, nodded.
"So stand there. Let me try sequencing forms."
"..."
Soliet's face stiffened.
The Five Forms, Three Sword Styles data was memorized in Notebook. Composition and variation? Move the body.
I think with my body.
"Fine. Show me."
Soliet gripped her wooden sword. Her face sharpened eagle-like.
"Whatever you try, you won't touch a hair on my head."
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