Chapter 13 : The Academy Entrance Test

Shirou looked at his question paper.

The questions were very basic and simple. But the more he read the more he realized that this is a test to find the participant's character.

'These questions are designed to calculate mainly 3 things. How much I love the village. How far would I go to preserve the peace and prosperity. How hard I am willing to work.' - Shirou.

'This is a hidden psychological analysis test. I will have to answer in a way that shows my nonexistent love and devotion for the village. It can't be too perfect. Just the right amount. Memorizing all those psychology and medical textbooks in the library sure came in handy.' - Shirou.

During the last few months of training, Shirou discovered a way to memorize information perfectly. One day he was playing around with a wooden sword he created using Alteration on a tree branch. Thinking it would be cool he used Alteration to engrave Archer's Unlimited Blade Works chant on the sword's surface. He erased it after some time. Later he found that when he thinks about the chant or the sword he could perfectly remember the words he engraved. Even the position, size, stroke everything. This had tremendous research value. One of Shirou's greatest problems in researching ways to improve his power is his ability to memorize information. With this ability, he would never have to worry about forgetting. As long as he had engraved the information on a sword then no matter when or where he could remember it without any issues.

'This is the true power of a sword incarnate.' - Shirou.

After the test was over it was time for the physical exam. This is what Shirou was worried about. Despite all the physical training he did the results were not to the level he wanted.

Everyone reached an open training area.

"OK, everyone listen up. Now we are going to test your physical skills. So be prepared. Also, no one is allowed to use chakra. If any of you are caught then we don't care if you are the clan leader's son or daughter. You will be disqualified." - Staff.

Everyone nodded. Some had a sour look.

The first test was running. They measured everyone's speed, stamina and technique. The first one to finish was obviously Kakashi, next was Guy, Obito came in somewhere in the upper middle position and Rin in the middle. While Shirou despite putting in everything he had came behind Rin.

"Huff... huff... This. is. not. enough. Huff..." - Shirou.

Shirou had only now realized just how physically weak he was.

Rin looking at Shirou seemed to have realized that he was pushing past his limits.

"Hey, are you ok? Do you need help?" - Rin.

"No need. Huff... I am fine." - Shirou.

"If you say so. Look after yourself ok." - Rin.

Shirou ignored her and continued resting.

Many physical tests were conducted after that. The results were always similar with first place Kakashi and Shirou who barely managed to get in the middle position.

"Huff... huff..." - Shirou.

'If only I could use reinforcement on my body. But I have only started to learn self-reinforcement. I can't rush it. Not only that even if I use it I will be disqualified.' - Shirou.

Looking at Kakashi and the gang. Obito has already become smitten with Rin. Rin and every other girl have become smitten with Kakashi. Then Guy declared Kakashi his rival.

"Kakashi next time I will beat you. From now on you are my rival." - Guy.

"I don't think so." - Kakashi.

"He is so cool." - Rin and other fangirls.

"What's so great about him? Just wait till I activate my Sharingan." - Obito.

'To see all this in reality is so cool.' - Shirou.

Just then a Staff came up and announced.

"All the physical tests have been completed. Everyone who has activated their chakra, group together on the left side while those who have not on the right. We need to activate all of your chakra for the next set of tests." - Staff.

Everyone who had yet to awaken chakra became excited and rushed to the group area. Shirou and others who already awakened chakra moved to the other group area.

After the awakening was completed, they started with a new series of tests. For these tests, the 2 groups were tested and graded separately.

Shirou did not expect there would be another set of tests focused on chakra.

Shirou failed the chakra quantity test. But he managed to pass all the other tests with flying colors using his superior chakra control.

Kakashi passed all the tests with flying colors. Rin and Obito had above-average results. But Guy failed every test.

'This is bad for Guy. At first, I thought he would be accepted due to his great results in the physical exams. But the chakra tests have the highest score weightage and he failed every one of them. He will most likely be eliminated.' - Shirou.

Shirou looked at Guy who was sad but didn't show it.

"Everyone, the tests are all over. You can all rest. The results will be published in 2 hours. After that, you can leave. Those who will be accepted should come here early tomorrow." - Staff.

'Wait, now that I think about it. Might Guy did fail. But he still managed to enter the academy as an alternate. Whew... that's good. Now I should worry about myself. I hope I did enough to pass.' - Shirou.

When the results were finally published, as expected Kakashi was first. Rin, Obito and even Shirou managed to pass. Shirou looked at his position and was not at all happy. He needed to find a way to get stronger fast. Sadly Guy had failed.

Shirou looked at Guy to see him leaving. He was barely holding his tears in.

'This isn't the end of your story Guy.' - Shirou.

Shirou knew from the plot that Guy was going to get stronger from now on. Shirou cannot afford to be weak.

'Despite all that physical training, my strength cannot even be called average. My progress could be called excellent in my past world but here it is not worth much. I can also feel that my physical strength is already reaching my current age limit. Is this the result of having a body from the "Age of Man"? it must be.' - Shirou.

Looking at Kakashi and everyone else, Shirou was feeling jealous. They were not even that tired compared to Shirou.

'This is not something that can be solved with physical training. The problem is not with the body or genetics, it's most likely related to the attributes of the soul.' - Shirou.

'I need to focus on the basic spells, Fuinjutsu, medical knowledge, technological knowledge and Genjutsu. I believe they are the keys to breaking my limits. This would mean that I would fall behind in some of my classes in the academy. But that's ok.' - Shirou.

Shirou was desperate to get stronger. He believed that the academy would have the knowledge he needed.

'Wait, I have another test today. That's right. Weaponsmithing was also today. I need to go.' - Shirou.

Shirou immediately left the academy.