Current Capabilities and an Item

The exam passed quickly, and before I knew it, the class was over. I walked out of the classroom, feeling drained and exhausted.

As I walked down the hallway, I thought about what I got wrong and right. I knew that the answer to the question "What is the most effective way to kill a plated spider?" was using a spear, long sword, and rapier to acutely impale the large spider where it was weakest under its plates. However, I always figured that punching through it with gauntlets could work if you had enough strength.

I thought I had made a mistake around question 34: Would you save someone's life if they were attacked by monsters higher with a higher level than you? My answer was "It depends on the person" (though I lean on the would not save side), but I was sure that my answer would be marked wrong as they had most likely wanted me to say that "I would no matter what." After all, the hunters wanted to make themselves look like heroes, so I was sure that they would deduct a hefty amount of points for my answer.

The bell then rang, and I took my leave.

On my way to the orphanage, I was stressed about my results. I couldn't wait for my results; I at least needed an 80% or above to be accepted into The Hunter Academy, as they wanted capable and knowledgeable hunters, not dumb ones.

After entering the orphanage, I headed to my room to prepare for the month ahead of me. I had a month until the Hunter Academy started, and even though I might've failed the exam, I would still train to be prepared no matter what.

My training regimen begins tomorrow and consists of:

Morning:

50 push-ups (3 sets)

50 sit-ups (3 sets)

50 butterfly kicks (3 sets)

50 squats (3 sets)

50 calf raises (3 sets)

-5km jog/run

Midday:

100 push-ups (3 sets)

100 sit-ups (3 sets)

100 butterfly kicks (3 sets)

100 squats (3 sets)

100 calf raises (3 sets)

-10km jog/run

Afternoon:

50 push-ups (3 sets)

50 sit-ups (3 sets)

50 butterfly kicks (3 sets)

50 squats (3 sets)

50 calf raises (3 sets)

-5km jog/run

Although my sources of protein and energy would be small, or even minimal, I would work with what I had to become the strongest hunter possible.

(15 days later).

I woke up again, my heart pounding as I recalled the restless night I'd had. The nightmares got worse. After eating my crude breakfast, I stepped outside and started my training regimen. I increased the number of sets every time I felt stronger. My body, while not chiseled, still looked muscular. My body had been thin and pale for as long as I'd known. However, now my skin had turned tanned due to staying outside more often, and my light brown hair had grown to my shoulders. The perks of living in a world where mana was accumulated helped people like myself grow in the training stage.

I had already gotten my exam results back. Even though I got that question wrong, I passed with 83%, which was very close to failing.

(5 days later).

I woke up. I felt as if my heart was ripped out of my chest. Although useful, the training didn't stop the nightmares. Nothing in the orphanage was the same after he died. Credence's instant death was shocking. Credence was my best friend for as long as I could remember, from day 1. We had become sworn brothers in arms, always doing everything together and having fun. However, Credence was adopted by a pleasant couple. I was happy for him. The separation from him was sad, but we promised we would meet again, or so they thought.

After a month of Credence living away, he and his adopted family died. Credence and his family died while vacationing in their mountain cottage. As they drove down the mountain in their car, a d-rank Hunter Goblin sniped the car with its spear, knocking it off the mountain track. What was most unfortunate was that they were only slightly injured as the fall had not been that great, only landing on the other mountain path. The Hunter Goblin speared their heads while stuck in the wreckage.

I was only 10 when I heard the news. It's been a long 3 years of restless sleeping, always remembering the good times we had together and the emotions felt when receiving the bad news.

As I left my bed, my muscles ached. The 20 days of consistent progress had been bountiful, and although the gains weren't huge as it had only been 20 days, I had certainly become quite fit, with my long brown hair reaching my shoulders and my hazel eyes more determined than ever. While dressing for the day, I reminded myself that I would need a haircut; the long hair made him sweat more near my neck, and it bothered me.

I had previously decided to use the rest of the 10 days to study for the entrance exam. However, a bit of exercise on the side wouldn't hurt.

As I went to the local library, my mind wandered. I couldn't help but think about the Hunter Goblin that killed Credence and his family. It made me angry and fueled my motivation to become a strong hunter. As I opened the library door, the smell of books filled my nose. I walked over to the section on plated spiders, eager to learn more.

After 3 hours of reading and writing off and on, I heard a commotion and then a loud gasp, followed by a frightened yell. I ran out of the library, ready to stop the problem. Then I saw it—a lone skeleton wielding a short sword swinging it around. The surrounding people fled away in fright. As I thought about running away, I realized this could be my chance, a sign of my current abilities. I then ran towards it.

With my fist in a punching position and a heavy, leaning-in swing, I nailed the skeleton across its back with a loud clunk. The bones in my fist felt shattered. The skeleton stumbled until it regained its balance, only to swing its blade. This left me with a scratch mark on my cheek and more anxiety about the fight. I then ran to the side, grabbing a thin aluminum pipe from the nearby garbage. I whack the hand holding the short sword. The short sword flew out of its hands and clattered on the ground. I hit it square in the legs, bringing it down on its knees.

With adrenaline pulsating through my body, I crushed its skull using the pipe, and it dropped an item.