The Second Test

"Hey, that's not what you said, Earl Bourne.

　Minister Wylow said to his subordinate, Count Bourne.

　Count Bourne's son, Bon Bourne, was supposed to defeat Artoo, a member of the rival princess faction.

　But as it turns out, Bon was killed instantly in a direct confrontation.

I'm so sorry!

　Count Bourne bowed his head at right angles to his stomach and apologized.

But!　I will definitely put him down in the next test.

The princess's camp must not become stronger.

Of course, sir!

You can count on me.

Yes!

　After leaving Minister Wylow's room, Count Bourne went straight to the Education Office.

　There, he spoke to an official he had been eyeing for some time.

I have a favor to ask you.

"What is it, Count Bourne?

I need you to interfere with a candidate named Artoo in the knight selection exam. You must debuff him.

... - Yes, sir. It's a small price to pay. I'll make sure that the strongest 'dragger' in our group flunks him out!

"That's reassuring. "That's reassuring, but please keep it to yourself.

　†.

　--One month after the first exam.

We will now begin the second examination.

　Captain Arthur, who was in charge of the selection process, looked over the candidates and said.

"This test is a dungeon mission. We're going to check your actual fighting ability in the training dungeon. The knights will be engaged in a variety of missions, such as escorting and conquering. The role of this mission is to see how well you can handle them.

　The test takers waited nervously.

"So, let's start with Alto.

"Yes.

　When his name was called, Alto stepped forward.

"Good luck!

　Mia calls out to him.

"Yeah, I'll do my best.

　And then, from beside him, another person calls out.

'Good luck with that.

　Bon Bon mumbled with a nasty look on his face.

"Yeah.

　Artoo made a proper gesture and stepped into the dungeon.

　--The dungeon was an ordinary labyrinth type.

I'm sure you've heard of it. (But it's a selection for the knight exam, so there are bound to be strong enemies. We can't be too careful.

　--The door to the dungeon closed, and Artoo was trapped in the dark labyrinth.

Automatic reinforcement, automatic search activated.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

(This should keep you from dying by surprise for a while.)

　Artoo starts walking strongly.

　--After walking for a while, he encountered a monster.

　An elite goblin.

　It's an advanced monster.

"Fireball activated.

　The fireball strikes the elite goblin.

"Aaagh!

　This is the first time I've ever used a fireball.

　--But....

I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure what to say.

　It was not that there was any reason for this.

　But I felt like my body was really heavy.

It's a good idea to take a look at your own personal life.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it'll help.

　I'm not sure what to do.

Yeah, no problem.

　†.

　--Outside the dungeon.

　Captain Arthur, the examiner, is observing the situation inside the dungeon with a remote crystal.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

"Hmm. (Hmm... That guy. I wonder when he'll drop out.

　He knew that Artoo had been debuffed and sabotaged.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

　He might give up and turn back, or he might run out of energy and be carried away. Probably the latter.

　Either way, if that happened, the examiner's face would change.

　With that thought in mind, Vonn kept glancing at Arthur.

　--But.

"... Mm. That's what I'm talking about.

　Arthur murmured in a small voice, but clearly.

"Huh?

　Bourne couldn't help but let out a silly sound.

　And then, a few moments later.

"... managed it, didn't it?

　Alto came out of the dungeon exit.

"What?

　--Contrary to Bon's expectations, Alto had succeeded.

I'm impressed, Alto.

　I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not.

You've just about managed to do it," he said.

No, you seem to have a lot of strength.

　Arthur used his appraisal skills to see that Artoo was conserving his strength.

You passed without question.

　Arthur then bestowed the second emblem on Artoo.

　--But it was Bon Bourne who unexpectedly objected to this.

I'm not sure what to say.　You're definitely cheating!

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

　--I'm not going to be able to clear this highly difficult dungeon while being debuffed.

　That's what I thought.

　That's why Artoo must have been buffed by an outsider, just as they had been debuffed. That's what he thought.

　But Arthur's eyes were sharp.

What is cheating?　Do you have any proof?

　Arthur's gaze on Vonn was so severe that Vonn flinched and immediately closed his mouth.

I'm not sure what to say.

I'm asking you if you have any reason to believe that Artoo can't win.

　It was then that Vonn realized that he had misspoken.

　This is because he knew that Artoo had been debuffed, he could not believe it.

　But for those who don't know about the interference, it's strange to be suspicious of Alto.

"Well, that ... no, it's not.

　It's not that I don't like it.

　Arthur took one look at it with a stern look.

I'm sure you'll be fine.　They don't know about the fraud, do they?

　Vonn felt as if he could see through everything.

　And he couldn't shake that suspicion.