Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Aptitude Testing
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***
"Starting today, I'll be taking over as your instructor."
Skevin stepped up to the podium and announced the training schedule to the recruits.
They had initially sighed in relief at no longer training under Arthur, but regret soon washed over them.
They couldn't shake the thought that their chance to grow stronger had vanished.
Pushing aside their disappointment, they focused on Skevin's words.
"Before we begin sword training, we'll assess your current levels. Grab your swords and reassemble."
A short while later.
The training ground saw knights and recruits divided into two groups, facing each other.
"Recruits, attack the knights in front of you as much as you want. Knights, defend without using mana."
Anticipation lit up the recruits' faces.
Before training with Arthur, the gap between them and the knights had been insurmountable.
That was inevitable, as the knights had learned mana cultivation techniques.
However, through their recent physical conditioning, many recruits now boasted superior stamina to the knights.
Purely in terms of physical prowess, they considered it a close match.
Thus, quite a few recruits expected to overpower the knights in this spar.
Skevin and the knights were aware of this but showed no sign of it, merely watching calmly.
"Begin!"
At Skevin's shout, the recruits yelled "Argh!" in unison.
Their eyes sharpened instantly.
They carefully probed for openings in the knights' guards.
The knights deliberately exposed weaknesses to draw out attacks.
'Got it!'
One recruit lunged forward, thrusting his sword.
Attacks erupted from various spots.
Clang!
Boom!
The knights parried with their swords, continually baiting more assaults.
Meanwhile, Skevin and Helot evaluated their skills and assigned grades.
About an hour later.
Arthur and Millerph arrived.
Spotting them, Skevin bellowed.
"Halt everything!"
Everyone stopped immediately and turned to Skevin.
With precise movements, Skevin faced Arthur and snapped a salute.
"Argh!"
The knights and recruits couldn't hide their joy at Arthur's appearance.
Arthur ascended the podium amid their fervent gazes.
"A group spar?"
"We were dividing the recruits into grades before formal training."
"I see. When will it wrap up?"
"It's just finished."
"Good. Prepare for the aptitude test."
"But we usually do that after the knights' oath..."
"The order's changed. I won't follow incorrect procedures."
Skevin bowed his head, offering no further objection to Arthur's firm response.
"Understood."
A moment later.
Skevin had grouped them by grade and approached Arthur.
"Preparations complete."
"Start."
At Arthur's command, Millerph nodded to Skevin.
Skevin sent out the weakest, the D Group, first.
They comprised a third of the 150 recruits.
Millerph had them form five rows of ten, then raised his staff and chanted runes.
Gray light shimmered above their heads.
Arthur, standing beside him, asked.
"What does gray mean?"
"Ordinary talent. Most top out at Sword User level."
"Hm."
Arthur pondered briefly, then beckoned Skevin to the podium.
Skevin stepped up and stood before him.
"Train them all as scouts."
"Yes, sir."
Skevin summoned Helot and relayed Arthur's orders.
Then he called forward the C Group.
The largest bunch among the four groups, numbering seventy.
Millerph checked their aptitudes again.
Most glowed orange, varying in brightness, with a few different colors.
"Orange indicates strength specialization. That's the color most knights have."
Arthur nodded and inquired about brightness.
"So brighter means greater potential?"
"Exactly."
"Got it. Dismiss number 156."
Skevin pulled a burly man from the group at Arthur's word.
Millerph then pointed left.
"Do you see the purple glow there?"
"Three side by side. Speed and agility specialists?"
"Yes."
Arthur dismissed those three as well.
Next, the twenty in B Group stepped forward.
They all shone silver.
One gleamed especially bright.
"What's that?"
As Arthur tilted his head, Millerph smiled deeply.
"Silver marks defensive knights."
"Didn't you say orange was for knights?"
"Indeed. But silver bearers can reach Sword Expert."
"Elite knights, then. Dismiss 257 too. Only A Group left."
"Yes."
Expectation filled Millerph's face.
Everyone else shared the curiosity about their aptitudes.
A Group approached the podium.
Ten in total, their eyes sharper and more confident than the rest.
"Fitting for A Group."
Skevin nodded.
"Promising."
"Let's check."
As Millerph chanted runes, blue light appeared above them.
One shone especially bright.
But another's light darkened to black.
"Gasp!"
"That's!"
"Oh no..."
Even Millerph's face stiffened mid-check.
Arthur asked with keen interest.
"What's with him?"
"Black is assassin's aptitude. That depth means exceptional talent. A nasty foe if he's an enemy."
"What does that imply?"
Millerph met Arthur's eyes steadily.
"Those with assassin aptitude are known to be utterly ruthless—betraying lords and committing murder without hesitation for personal gain. I advise against keeping one close."
Skevin nodded in agreement.
"Hm."
Ignoring their reactions, Arthur stared silently at the black-glow man.
Unaware of his aptitude, the man returned the gaze calmly.
"If there's trouble, I'll take responsibility."
"Young Master!"
Skevin's face twisted as his voice rose.
Millerph, however, gazed at Arthur before bowing.
"Understood."
"Blue means offensive knights. The brightest matches your talent, Skevin."
"Spot on."
"Good. Dismiss 192 and 201."
Arthur gathered the dismissed recruits at the podium.
Seven in total.
They watched him with hopeful eyes.
"You'll train with me."
The blue-glow man asked.
"Have we been chosen?"
"Yes."
"As expected."
He smirked.
"But I wonder how many will last."
"...?"
Puzzled looks spread.
Arthur met each one's eyes deliberately.
"Survive to the end, and you'll become my direct knights."
"If we fail here, we go to Phoenix Knight Order for training?"
The silver-glow man this time.
Arthur chuckled.
"No second chances. You're out."
"!"
Faces hardened.
"So I'll give you a choice. Those who want to stay with Phoenix Knights and train there, step back."
As they hesitated, glancing around.
The black-glow man spoke.
"What benefits come with being your direct knight?"
Arthur replied without a flicker of doubt.
"Absolute power. You'll gain it."
"!"
"And you'll charge ahead with me to crush our enemies."
Eyes widened.
A dream too grand to fathom.
Yet here was the opportunity.
None wavered; all answered resolutely.
"We'll follow you, Young Master!"
***
"Definitely different."
Skevin nodded.
Tailored training post-aptitude check yielded immediate results.
While impressive, doing aptitude tests before oaths or cherry-picking top recruits for a new knight order irked some.
Still, his track record of near-miraculous feats earned their trust to follow.
"Hm."
They eyed Arthur expectantly.
He'd gathered the recruits and was earnestly instructing them.
In the past, Skevin wouldn't have cared, but now curiosity burned.
Was he sharing some unique training secret? Thoughts swirled.
Tempted to eavesdrop casually, but it felt too servile.
Amused at his growing reliance on Arthur, Skevin grinned.
'Who'd have thought this day would come?'
He shouted at the recruits swinging swords.
"Faster! Full extension!"
Argh!
They glared and thrust with full force.
Meanwhile, Arthur assigned suitable regimens to the selected recruits.
"Finish before sunset. Understood?"
Argh!
They steeled themselves.
They could've returned to Phoenix Knights but chose to stay.
Joining a knight order was their life's goal; surpassing it for absolute power? No fool would pass.
Even risking expulsion, it was worth the gamble.
Above all, tasting training results, they believed unwavering obedience would make them stronger.
Ready for any ordeal.
Transmission done, Arthur turned to Millerph.
"Cast weight spells on them. Body weight equivalent."
"Got it."
Millerph applied the weights.
"Ugh!"
"Wh-what is this..."
Faces contorted.
"You'll train like this daily. Monitor your conditions yourselves. Nothing more unjust than injury-forced dismissal."
Arthur spotted the orange-glow man.
True to strength specialization, he seemed more composed than others.
"Manageable?"
"This much... is fine."
"Then equip plate armor and train with Helot."
"Pardon?"
Eyes bulged.
"Begin training."
They scattered swiftly.
Speed specialists dashed toward the western mountains; offensive and defensive types went to Skevin.
Only the assassin-aptitude man remained.
"What's your name?"
"Drawnikartos."
"Tough one."
Arthur stroked his chin thoughtfully, then smiled.
"Dark? Suits you."
"Call me whatever."
"From now on, you're Dark."
"Yes, sir."
He bowed deeply.
Arthur drew a dagger from his back and handed it over.
"Attack me with it."
As Dark hesitated, Arthur kicked his gut mercilessly.
"Urk!"
Dark crumpled.
"No dawdling."
"Why... suddenly?"
Arthur's gaze turned icy.
"For you, sparring with me is training."