36 Becoming an adventurer

I had already decided how I'll do this. Restricting myself to only wind spell and holding back just enough to make it into C class. I didn't want to gain unnecessary attention by making it to B class, or A for that matter.

Standing in front of the conjurer examiner I gave a polite bow.

"Since we don't have any information about you, it seems like you're testing under special conditions. Let us begin!" She said.

Pointing towards the ground I released a powerful gust of wind, covering the area in dust. A mini tornado formed under my feet making it look like I was flying.

Once high enough I willed a wind construct, a bow to be exact, into existence. Pulling the string back an arrow materialized. This arrow was far from being a normal one, because instead of one arrow head it had dozens. Once I released it those dozens of arrow heads split and so did the shaft, raining masses of wind that would normally sharp enough to cut through solid rock. But as I said I was holding back, so these arrows only made indents, not one cutting through the multitude of rocks she had conjured. 

With a wave of her hand all of those fragments of earth shot towards me. 

To deflect it I tried something I had not tested yet.

I shouted.

But not any normal shout no, this shout carried with itself gusts of wind.

(Fus Roh Dah vibes anyone?)

Fortunately I managed to get most of the projectiles. Keyword being most. One shard managed to get through. It whistled right past my face, grazing my cheek and drawing blood. 

Was she trying to kill me? That was wicked sharp. If I didn't have a trick right now I would've been severely injured.

Amidst all this I never did manage to realize I had lost my concentration, and with it my control over the tornado keeping me afloat. 

So imagine my surprise when I suddenly start plummeting towards the ground, which just recently seemed so far away yet so close now.

Crap!

I need to do something fast!

Think Fay think!

 Forming another wind platform wont work, It will take too much time.

Only thing I can do is use [Stygian Rift]

But an instant before I activated my acquire phase something caught my torso and held me upside down.

Looking down....err....up I see that an earthen hand is holding me, much like it held Lucas.

After that it promptly dropped me. Thankfully the ground was close enough to not cause any form of damage.

"Your creativity in conjuring constructs and ability to do chant less magic would normally put you in A class. But due to the lack of control, displayed by your fall, and low amount of mana puts you at C class. You have a great future Mr. Bolt, be sure not to waste it" She announced my result.

Giving her a nod I make my way upwards, only to meet with Arthur on the way since his name was called. 

As he was passing by me he halted, "You were holding back weren't you,"

It wasn't a question, just a fact.

"Perhaps," was my only reply as I walked to my seat.

"You did good," I hear Jasmine say.

"Thank you,"

The black haired examiner changed places with the other one, "It seems like you're testing under special conditions as well seeing there is no information about you either."

"Then lets see what you've got," He declares, unsheathing his sword.

Only to pause midway as Arthur released intense amounts of  pressure.

Before it could progress any further a voice cut in, "Enough. Stand down George. I'll examine this particular examinee myself,"

Standing at the gate was the bespectacled man, Kaspian.

"S-Sir...you will be personally examining this participant? I apologize if I sound rude but is it really necessary for an AA class like you to lower yourself to test an examinee?" He replied, baffled by the turn of events.

An AA class adventurer? What have you gotten yourself into brother.

"His sponsor has deep ties with me so feel obligated to test him personally," he continues.

Uh-huh, why didn't you test me too then eh?

"Let us begin!"

He said as he unsheathed his rapier.

Instantly he was in front of Arthur, almost as if he teleported.

Arthur barely managed to block his strike, even then a portion of his hair was chopped off.

But in doing so he lost balance and fell down.

Seeing the opening Kaspian went for another hit, but Arthur managed to dodge it in time.

But as he prepared an attack of his own Kaspian vanished.

And appeared behind him, aiming a stab at him.

Maneuvering his body just in time Arthur managed to evade it with the sword sailing over his shoulder.

Taking this opportunity Arthur retaliated.

And made a cut on his nose.

Kaspian seemed surprised that Arthur managed to score a hit.

The two duelers lunge towards each other once again, now nothing more than a flurry of sparks and clangs.

It all changed when Kaspian's rapier started glowing green.

"I apologize for not taking you seriously," He says, "I will no longer underestimate you,"

As he says that the tip of his blade shoots something towards Arthur at incredible speeds.

Which he somehow managed to dodge, although it was probably more on instinct.

"Seems like Miss Flamesworth picked up someone worthwhile after all," Kaspian commented.

And what am I, chopped liver?

He continues shooting wind projectiles towards him.

Arthur parries and dodges those bullets as he tries to get near Kaspian.

And once he does, he coats his sword in fire and slashes.

Kaspian dodges and counterattacks resulting in a mixture of wind and fire surrounding them.

"Don't get cocky!" He exclaims as he pushes Arthur away.

"Note!" Jasmine starts panicking at this and gets up.

But I know his limits, I know he's got much more in store which he will not hesitate to use if necessary.

Without even allowing Arthur to regain his footing he continues his assault.

And thus another maelstorm of wind and fire follows.

But one thing stood out.

Kaspian increased his casting speed.

Is he trying to kill him?

Whats with these examiners and trying to kill potential adventures.

I watched as Arthur grabbed his arm and prepared to use a new spell he was developing.

Kaspian shouts as an explosion of wind occurs around him, throwing Arthur backwards and forcing us to avert our faces.

The arena is now split into two sides, one with gales of razor sharp wind billowing on it ajd the other side with scorched earth and blazing flames occupying it.

Jasmine unsheathes her daggers and prepares to jump in, "Ar-Note!"

She almost let Arthurs name slip there.

"Calm down, he will be alright. Even now he's holding back a lot," I whisper to her, so that she doesn't barge in.

"Screw this!" I hear Arthur shout.

Faint crackling can be heard as I smell the scent of ozone.

He's planning to use lightning?

And judging by the faintness of the sound he's going for internal lightning.

What was it called again? [Thunderclap Impulse]?

But before he could use it Kaspian bellowed, "RELEASE!"

"Eh?" Arthur replied.

"I got carried away trying to test your limits, my apologies." He explains

"Judging from the fact you so adamantly held back until the end, I can only assume you want to be placed at a lower rank." He continued.

Arthur sheepishly scratched his cheek as a response.

"Note B rank!" He exclaims and takes his leave.

Immediately Jasmine rushed towards him checking for any injuries.

After that we were informed to go to the front desk to acquire our adventurer cards and were promptly dismissed.

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