16 - Physical Test

The second and last day of the class placement test...

I'm currently in one of the indoor training grounds of Xapham Hall, waiting for the practical test to start.

"..."

As usual, I stood at the back of the crowd, not wanting to associate with anyone.

But then...

"Hey, if it isn't Raye."

Someone called and approached me.

"Hmm?"

Looking at them...

I saw a blonde young man with the typical arrogant look in his eyes.

It's obvious that he's a noble, and the scum kind.

Actually, looking at him more carefully...

'He looks familiar.'

His annoying grin and his disgusting look...

"Ah."

Then I remembered.

He's one of Raye's henchmen from the game, appearing in one of the panels in a cutscene.

'He's even more irrelevant in the story than I am.'

So, considering that he's nothing special in the game and supposedly Raye's ally...

"What is it?"

I replied to him.

Though, I didn't expect what happened next...

"What's with the tone?"

The young man asked.

"Do you think I'm still your friend?"

He added.

I was confused.

"..."

But I didn't say anything, just looked at him, unfazed.

And soon enough...

"There you are again, still acting all mighty,"

He started talking by himself.

"But remember..."

"You're not part of the great Alvah Dukedom anymore."

He pointed out.

"I wouldn't act as your friend if it wasn't for your family. I always hated your guts, thinking I was one of your servants and all."

"And honestly, I'm so glad you got disow—"

"Is that all?"

I cut him off before he could keep on rambling.

Listening to him was making my ears hurt.

"Pfft..."

The young noble laughed at my question, then with a sly smile and crescent-like eyes...

"That's not all, we'll be seeing each other at the practical duel."

He said that to me threateningly.

That's right, the practical test will be a duel.

In the game, Raye and Leon didn't meet here. I bet Raye used all the money he got when he was disowned to bribe the matchmaker into giving him a weaker opponent.

Anyway...

"I bribed the matchmaker. I'll show you that you're nothing without your family name."

The young noble continued, explaining his plan to me.

'Pretty stupid to confess your crimes to me, isn't it?'

I shook my head in disappointment while looking at him.

'Now I'll tell the professor that will oversee the duels what he said.'

I thought.

But what the young noble said next...

"Oh, and I heard from my servants that you're living with an old man near the northern forest."

"Crazy people do flock together, huh. I can't believe someone lives in that trash box."

...changed my mind.

His insults about Raye didn't affect me.

But calling Old Man Rey crazy and the cabin a trash box...

"..."

Made something inside me snap.

He insulted those who sheltered me when I was abandoned by everyone after coming to this world.

Anger swelled up from me...

"You know, Ray—"

"Fuck off."

I cut him off before he could spew more garbage.

Then looking at him straight in the eyes...

"I'll meet you at the practical duel. Now get lost before I beat you up right here."

I told him that.

"Wha..."

He was taken aback by my sudden reaction.

But after a moment...

"Weirdo..."

He finally left, eyeing me as he walked away.

I'm still angry at him, but I shouldn't cause trouble and risk getting kicked out.

'I'll do this right.'

I'll give him what he deserves, properly.

So for now...

"..."

I just tightly clenched my fist in anger.

*****

A few moments after that interaction with the young scum noble...

CREAK—

The double doors of the indoor training grounds opened.

Tap- tap- tap-

Then a familiar person entered.

It was Professor Sariel.

"We're tight on time, so let's begin immediately."

He said, getting everyone's attention.

"As you already know, the practical test will be a duel. The matches are pre-determined, so once your name is called, please step into the arena."

The professor explained.

Then, he soon started calling students, two at a time.

...

...

"That's enough. Good job both of you."

Professor Sariel said to both of the students who just finished their duel.

Clap- clap- clap-

Then we applaud at their efforts.

I watched all the duels from start to now, but nothing was useful for me nor they were entertaining.

I was getting bored.

But then...

"Leon Lightbringer."

The protagonist was called.

This piqued my interest, and my attention quickly shifted to Leon.

Tap- tap- tap—

He was walking confidently toward the arena.

By now, Leon had already been labeled as a genius in the academy.

"..."

So the students were watching in silence, expecting something impressive from him in this test.

And I was no different...

'I admire Leon's personality. I'm a fan of his.'

I wanted to see him fight in real life.

'And while I'm at it... I'll check how strong he is.'

When Leon reached the arena...

He took a wooden sword.

'So by default, he's in the swordsmanship course.'

I always wondered what course he was in. Now I know.

"Jonas Danae."

Then Leon's opponent was called.

It was Jonas from the S-Class of 1st year.

I know him from the game, of course.

In the game, Leon started in the A-Class when he got admitted in the academy.

And his duel against Jonas...

Is one of the deciding events where Leon could either get into S-Class, or stay in the A-Class!

I already experienced both paths, and advancing to S-Class is definitely better.

So for the peace of my mind...

'Please be strong enough and make it into S-Class, Leon.'

I closed my eyes and wished that.

Meanwhile, upon climbing on the arena...

Jonas also picked up a wooden sword.

And soon...

"Start."

Their bout began!

Bam!

Leon dashed aggressively toward Jonas as soon as they started.

Then holding his wooden sword with both hands...

Whissh—!

Leon slashed horizontally to the right!

Thwak!

Jonas blocked it...

"Gurh...!"

But he slid backward from the force of Leon's attack!

Whap!

Jonas then deflected Leon's wooden sword away...

Fwoosh—!

And responded with a heavy, fast thrust!

Thwok!

Leon blocked it as well...

"Ugh...!"

Swoosh-

But he decided to jump back to keep his weapon from breaking!

"Shit."

Leon was overwhelmed by Jonas's raw strength!

But instead of getting discouraged by this...

"HAAAA!!!"

Leon smiled and rushed at Jonas again!

Clack- Clack-!

Whap!

Twack!

They exchanged attacks after attack, they parried and blocked.

Thwuk-

Swish- clack!

It was such a high level exchange of techniques.

Thwok! Clack! Whap!

"..."

The room fell silent, only the sound of their wooden sword clashing was heard.

So far, this has been the most exciting duel throughout the test.

It looks like their match could continue on forever.

But soon enough...

Thwok-!

Crack-

"...!"

Leon's weapon cracked!

Swoosh-

He was able to immediately retreat and avoid his weapon being completely broken.

"Ugh..."

Yet, it was undeniable that Leon had been outmatched in strength...

"You're strong."

Jonas mumbled as he looked at Leon.

"But not strong enough to face me."

Then he added that as he lifted his wooden sword into the air with both hands.

Looking at his weapon...

Fwaa—

"Is that aura?!"

A faint glow could be seen covering Jonas' wooden sword.

"I can't believe it..."

"Already?!"

"At his age?!"

The students were shocked.

Even Professor Sariel was, looking at his expression.

It usually takes years of practice and a lot of luck to manifest sword aura, but Jonas had already manifested a bit of it at a young age.

In short, he's gifted.

That's why everyone was surprised.

I wasn't, though.

Jonas is known for his raw strength and aura sensitivity. And I'd already seen this scene many times while playing Brave Hearts.

So instead of being surprised...

I looked at Leon.

I saw a small smile on his face.

He was calm as ever.

'God, he's so cool.'

I thought.

Leon then held his wooden sword in front of him with both hands.

"Come then."

Then he provoked Jonas.

And with an angry grin...

"I was gonna do that without you telling me!"

Bam!

Jonas rushed at Leon!

Whissh—!

He swung wide, aiming a forceful downward slash!

THWACK!

Leon raised his wooden sword horizontally and blocked it!

"Grrgh...!"

But his face tensed at the force of the attack.

Crack—

His weapon started to splinter!

But at that moment...

Shiik—

Leon tilted his sword slightly to the left.

Jonas's sword slid off its edge...

Boom!

And it hit the ground, cracking the concrete floor!

Leon successfully parried Jonas' attack!

"Fuck!"

Jonas immediately looked up at Leon to launch another attack...

Swish-

Only to see Leon's wooden sword aimed at his face.

Thack!

"Argh!"

Crack—

After parrying, Leon immediately countered with a powerful downward swing!

His weapon shattered on impact, but it didn't matter.

"..."

Jonas was already out cold!

And with that...

"Huff..."

Leon was left standing alone in the arena.

"WOW!"

"WOAH! HE DEFEATED SOMEONE FROM THE S-CLASS!"

"LEON DID IT!"

The students went wild, cheering and chanting his name like he was some kind of hero.

Watching Leon's performance filled them with excitement.

"WHOOAAAAHH!!!"

They were so loud...

But I couldn't blame them.

"That was really cool, just what you'd expect from the protagonist."

I muttered to myself.

Also, I recognized Leon's final attack.

'That was surely the 4th form of the Celestial Forge Style, Flowing Water.'

"Seeing it in person gave me chills."

I murmured.

Just then...

"Hmm?"

Leon looked around, searching for someone.

And after a few moments...

He pointed his broken wooden sword at someone.

Everyone followed his gaze.

And at the end of it was...

"Me...?"

In that moment, everyone's attention shifted to me.

"..."

After trying my best to avoid attention, Leon ruined it for me.

And for the first time in my life...

'Fuck you, Leon.'

I hated Leon for his action.