Chapter 5
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Swordsmanship Academy (2)
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From now on, Ill explain the entrance exam to become an Apprentice Knight!
The instructors booming voice overwhelmed the restless atmosphere among the applicants.
Seeing all eyes turn to him, the instructor began his calm explanation.
To become an Apprentice Knight at Loud Swordsmanship Academy, one must pass three main events.
Well conduct a written exam in the morning, followed by a physical fitness test and a mock battle using a Tactical Golem in the afternoon! Listen carefully!
Hearing the instructors final words, Roin tilted his head.
A Tactical Golem mock battle? That wasnt part of it originally.
Roin subtly perked up his ears to the instructors words.
Yant, a Senior Knight and instructor at the academy, asked his senior once more.
Are you really planning to introduce the third event into the exam?
We were told to do it from above, so we have to.
What if an accident happens? This is the first time implementing it.
Overhearing their conversation, Roin nodded.
I knew it.
Roin realized why the Tactical Golem mock battle felt so unfamiliar to him.
The Meister Guild, specialists in tactical weaponry, had apparently stuffed a lot of money into the academy and brought in a bunch of new Tactical Golems.
They planned to use a few of them for the third event.
The problem was that the safety verification for these education-use Tactical Golems hadnt been completed yet.
Thats what bothered Yant.
What if an accident happens...
Well, there havent been any incidents so far. Itll be fine.
......
No incidents so far, so itll be okay going forward?
Thats a complacent way of thinking.
At least, thats how it seemed to Roin.
From Yants position, he wanted to stop it right away, but as a third-year instructor, there was nothing he could do.
He could only hope that this time, too, everything would pass without issue.
Whether in the past or now, the rotten stench never changes.
Roin clicked his tongue behind the instructors backs.
The written exam wasnt all that difficult.
It covered basic swordsmanship knowledge and the general history of the Redinus Continent.
They might be tough for young students,
Easy.
But for Roin, who had lived far longer than the other trainees, it was easier than eating cold porridge.
In fact,
This ones wrong. In the Roengrin Battle, the Ziran army retreated through the Primordial Forest, not Baldarant Forest.
He even knew the exact error in the question stem.
It was a battle he had personally fought in during his previous life.
Instructor.
Roin shot his hand up.
The instructors gaze turned to him.
What is it?
Question 19 on historythe stem is incorrect.
Pardon?
The supervising instructor was quite flustered.
Requests like a fountain pen not working,
or swapping out the exam paper or answer sheet,
were common enough.
But an applicant pointing out an error in the question itself? This was a first.
Roin explained the details thoroughly.
The applicants eyes turned to Roin.
Primordial Forest or Baldarant Forest?
The instructor wasnt a historian, so he couldnt confirm definitively.
Got it. Well check on this separately and let you know later.
It was the kind of issue that could normally just be glossed over.
But since it was a battle hed fought in himself, perhaps.
For some reason, hed felt compelled to raise his hand and point it out.
Theyll handle it fine.
His head was filled with thoughts of finishing quickly and taking a nap.
Naps are crucial for skin regeneration.
After the written exam, the applicants gathered for the physical fitness test.
Roin, who had checked with his own eyes where the fitness test and mock battle would take place, was quite shocked.
Not indoors?
All the practical tests were set to happen in the blazing outdoor training ground.
Roins expression soured rapidly.
Gotta reapply sunscreen?
He worried his fair skin might end up charred black.
While the other applicants checked their weapons,
Roin alone diligently applied protective cream to every inch of his body.
Lepid and the other instructors watched the antics of this one aspiring knight in the corner with baffled expressions.
Whats that applicant doing?
Looks like hes applying cream?
Heh, well now.
Lepid couldnt hide his bewilderment.
Even if it was a mock battle, it was still combat.
To win, youd prepare your weapon to the last second and steel your mind.
But Roin paid no heed to the instructors stares.
He was too busy slathering on all sorts of protective creams to shield his skin from the sun.
This is why I didnt want to come here.
Lepid was already feeling deep regret.
The physical fitness test began.
With most applicants being young, the passing criteria werent set all that high compared to adults.
Roin wasnt satisfied with that.
This is a place to train future commanders wholl lead soldiers on the battlefield. Isnt the passing line too low?
Of course, it was bound to feel that way to Roin.
His own strength was off the charts to begin with.
From running to reflex tests and agility drills.
Roin dominated across the board.
Naturally, the instructors attention began to focus on him.
Isnt that the applicant who slathered cream all over his face earlier?
Yeah, it is.
Despite his antics, hes a total monster. How at that age...
To the other instructors, Roin had seemed like just another extra.
From a fallen noble family like the Leydens, expectations hadnt been high.
Yet Roin posted the most overwhelming record in the physical test among all applicants, claiming first place by a landslide.
But the exam wasnt just the physical test.
The third eventthe core of this entrance examawaited the applicants.
Next up is the mock battle against the Tactical Golem.
Roin looked up at the sky, making a hand shade as he resolved himself.
Gotta end it quick.
For the sake of his skin.
Boomthud!
The Tactical Golem made its appearance in the center of the training ground.
This test was a mock battle.
Four applicants per team, tasked with taking down the Tactical Golem.
In simple terms, a team battle.
But there was a catch.
They want me to sync up with these total strangers Im seeing for the first time today.
Roin sized up his teammates.
A noble boy scanning the surroundings with shaky pupils from nerves.
A girl with a composed expression.
And a boy who was clearly a commoner at a glance.
Not a competent one in the bunch.
Of course, Roin himself was the same.
According to the instructors, teams were assigned by lottery.
However,
Whod believe thats random after seeing this.
It was obvious without looking.
Famous families grouped with famous families.
Rags with rags.
Thats how theyd sorted them.
Loud Swordsmanship Academy. Its changed a lot.
Discrimination had always existed before, but not this blatantly.
What could be done about it, though.
The instructors talk about the Golem earlier also nagged at him.
But,
If they say do it, I will.
Roin planned to handle everything himself anyway.
Before the mock battle started, Roin decided to gather his teammates first.
The tense noble boy introduced himself first.
Nice to meet you. Im Drake, from the Hantus family.
A family Roin had never heard of.
Didnt seem all that prominent.
The teams sole girl gave only her name curtly.
Remina Whisli.
The last boy introduced himself.
Im Mering. Please take care of me.
This boy had a unique background.
You dont seem like nobility.
At Roins guess, Mering nodded.
Drake looked shocked as he asked back.
Not nobility?
Yes, thats right.
No way a commoner gets into a noble academy? You didnt fake your status, did you?
N-No, its not like that. Actually......
Before Mering could explain, Roin spoke up.
Its the special admission track.
Loud Swordsmanship Academy had a unique system.
Special admission.
Applicants showing exceptional swordsmanship talent could apply regardless of status.
Proof of this exceptional talent was a recommendation letter from an academy instructor.
With an instructors recommendation, even commoners could take the entrance exam.
The one who wrote Merings letter was Yant.
The young instructor who had opposed introducing the Tactical Golem mock battle.
A sigh escaped Drakes lips.
Our teams the weakest by far.
Things already looked bleak.
At that moment, Remina encouraged Drake.
Dont give up before weve even started.
Roins gaze turned to Remina.
Theres fire in her eyes.
Seeing her demeanor, Roin smiled inwardly.
Whisli family, was it? About time they produced some talent.
Just from her mindset, he could tell shed grow greatly.
Ill now explain the mock battle exam.
Thats the instructor who was talking with Yant earlier.
Roin thought as the instructor took the podium to explain the mock battle.
This is a tactical evaluation. Your goal is to forcibly shut down the Tactical Golem in the center of the training ground. Well comprehensively score clear time, teamwork, injuries, and more, so take note.
Yes!
Then, Team 1, come forward and begin.
Better to go later for this.
You could watch how the previous teams fought.
Just observing let you rack up indirect experience.
It has the shutdown device in the chest plate.
He could see the red ruby-like form.
Obvious at a glance.
Roin curled one corner of his mouth.
Piece of cake.
Lying down and eating cold porridge.
Meanwhile, Remina approached Roin, bringing Drake and Mering.
Before the mock battle starts, how about we quickly plan a strategy?
Plannings good, but we should watch how the others fight too. Theyre gaining experience for us.
You had to make maximum use of what you saw and heard.
On the battlefield later, every bit of observed and heard info could mean life or death.
Same with the mock battle.
Remina agreed.
Team 1 took the stage, faces taut with tension.
As the Tactical Golem activated, its sheer presence already cowed them.
Thats game over.
Obvious without watching.
Roins prediction hit the mark.
Less than a minute in, Team 1 surrendered without landing a single blow.
If it looked hopeless, you could forfeit like that.
Remina, sitting beside Roin, let out a small sigh.
Nothing worth noting there.
Wait and see.
It was still a ways off to Team 7, Roins group.
He needed to thoroughly observe the Golems movements in the meantime.
Ah, right.
Midway, Roin recalled something important and rummaged at his waist, pulling out an item.
The moment he pressed its button.
Pop!
The item Roin held extended long, blooming into an arch shape.
An item noble ladies often carried.
A parasol.
Cant let my skin burn in the sun.
......
Remina was at a loss for words.