Chapter 107 Capacity [ 7 ]

-Asher Frostblade's point of view.

Although the rules changed and there will also be combat between the cadets.

Asher was more focused on Professor Lucas' words, because suddenly he has to fight Oriana. Is that even feasible?

Although, of course, he can't get hurt or suffer anything serious, however, fighting Oriana?

"..."

Asher simply stared at her. She, of course, was also staring at him; it seemed that it wasn't his idea, but someone else's. However, Asher has no idea who proposed or implemented that idea.

Although, in a way, it is true that no first year cadet can even touch Asher, the second or third years are definitely on par or stronger than him.

Although, of course, this is the freshman evaluation, looking at the whole scene, it makes sense.

However, Asher was engrossed in the idea of fighting Oriana. She is too strong. Even if he reduces her strength to a minimum, it's too much to withstand even one blow.

Not at the moment.

Asher still can't beat Oriana, however, he wants to overcome the wall in front of him, a wall so big and thick that he will have a hard time tearing it down.

He doesn't want to tear it down with magic, but with physical strength and speed. Magic is an increase in strength.

Therefore, Asher wants to surpass Oriana in the physical aspects, although he knows that is in a completely different world.

Oriana's strength is so much that no mage, even if boosted with all his mana, can overcome her sheer physical strength.

She is truly a monster with fists of steel.

However, she is not invincible. Magic is the only way to defeat Oriana.

"Although I want to defeat her with physical strength..."

However, it is difficult. Asher isn't sure if he will really overcome that level of strength.

No matter how much he trains, it is impossible to overcome Oriana's physical strength. Of course, Oriana gained her strength through rigorous training, and her talent is more focused on her physical strength than magic.

However, that doesn't mean Oriana can't use magic.

She has a talent with magic, but it's not that high, it's not even a normal talent. It's a fairly common one, which has a limit as to how much mana she can get and how much she can grow with magic.

Everyone has a limit, but in the face of a true talent, that limit is possible to overcome.

Asher then looked at Oriana. Even though he knew he was about to fight her, it was hard to process everything.

According to Asher, right now Oriana would lower her strength to a minimum, but even if she did, it was still too much.

So Asher came up with a plan.

"There's no rule that says I shouldn't use magic, but even though I want to defeat her without magic, it's better to avoid it."

Asher's idea is to deploy his mana in the tendons of his muscles, in every part of them, and use as much mana as he can. Currently his mana is pretty decent, and he can cover his entire body, including tendons, bones and organs, to protect himself.

Although this is also quite exhausting. After all, even if he has his mana in tendons and bones, as well as organs as a source of protection and increased strength, there is the risk of depleting his mana rather quickly.

"Which means I need to finish as quickly as possible."

Oriana will use the minimum of her strength in her combat with Asher, of that he was sure. So, if he managed to overcome Oriana's minimum strength, it was possible for him to win.

After all, close combat experience is the best thing for Asher.

Magic too, but it's more related to physical combat than magic.

So, knowing these details, Asher assured himself:

"I will win this fight."

With nothing more to say, his thoughts ended there.

He had his plan, however, he wasn't sure if he will be able to overcome Oriana's minimum strength by using all his mana in combat.

Whatever the end result, if he gives his best and achieves great results, then he will score at least 100/100.

His plan, of course, is to get 100 in the first two stages. The third stage is lost for Asher.

He's sure he'll score a zero or, at the very least, a five on the mindset assessment.

"That's why I must get the maximum on the first two."

No matter what, he must get the most on the first two stages, and on the last one? Then you'll see what happens. Whatever the result in the last test, it will be impossible to pass it.

After a short time, the evaluation began.

***

-Scene change.

-Oriana Mengral's point of view.

In a sense, Oriana was thinking the same as Asher, but to a certain extent.

Foremost in her thoughts was the idea of fighting Asher and seeing how much he has improved. Of course, he certainly improved quite a bit, however, Oriana wants to give her own assessment to him.

Make Asher reach his limit.

It was a good plan.

Though, of course, she wouldn't hurt him to the point of nearly passing out or making him badly injured.

That wasn't the idea.

The idea is simply to push him to his limit in both aspects: physical and magical at the same time.

However, it is first hand that it will be quite difficult to do that. If he were to use the strength he wanted, then he would push Asher to his limit faster.

However, his strength is bound to be restricted to a minimum; he doesn't want him to get hurt.

However, Oriana's only idea is to push him to his limit and see how capable and strong Asher has become after seven months of not fighting him.

Therefore, Oriana was anxious to see his outcome finally.

Although she knew that Asher was at a complete disadvantage in the stage of the assessment that will be of mentality, it is obvious that Asher will be the one who will score lower than the other cadets.

Even a cadet with such low mental strength will beat Asher right now.

Tomorrow will be the last evaluation.

Oriana and the other teachers had everything already prepared, and this time there will not be a variable in the evaluation.

"The second evaluation will now begin, next Professor Lucas will explain to you."

She looked at the teacher next to her, and then her lips parted and she proceeded to explain.

"The second evaluation is divided into five parts: strength, endurance, speed, stamina and combat."

"Each of the five parts you should already know how they are done and how they will be done."

Of course, Asher knew these five areas perfectly in the physical. After all, these are the most important areas when it comes to training them.

"Strength: each cadet will lift using only physical strength a bucket of icy iron that I will create. Endurance: this is the easiest, and in this one they will simply run until they can't stand it anymore. Speed: it is the same as the previous one, and in this one you will run as fast as possible. Endurance: they will hold a bucket of frozen iron and hold it as long as possible. And finally, combat, which you already know what it will be like."

Professor Lucas then finished explaining.

Seeing the expressions of all the cadets, even Asher was surprised.

Icy Iron.

This material is made from the sword that the patriarch of the Merwin family gave him for saving Emilia. However, he only saw it already made into a sword, and Asher does not know exactly how much this iron can weigh.

However, from the professor's earnestness, the icy iron seemed to be extremely heavy in a sense, depending on how big the bucket is.

"But... He will create a cube out of that iron."

Is that even possible?

"Then he has the affinity for creative assimilation."

Encrid then proceeded to explain to Asher:

"A creation type affinity, something akin to your weapon creation skill. But this, being an affinity, you can create anything, as long as you have enough mana."

"So, it's an affinity specialized more in creating things like that."

"Exactly, it's more like an affinity for blacksmiths, though it's also pretty decent in a fight, and it's hard to fight a mage with that affinity."

In short, Professor Lucas' affinity is more functional for creating items and such. However, this affinity is not elemental, meaning it is....

"A unique affinity."

Currently, Asher knows a few of the unique affinities.

Of course, he does not yet know a few, lacking only four remaining unique affinities.

Asher then looked at the professor.

"The first assessment will be strength, then speed and so on."

They placed them in order for best performance. Of course, if you place an incorrect order, then the cadet will not be able to do one of the five physical areas.

For example, combat: if you do the other areas first, in combat you will be too tired to fight.

Oriana then proceeded to speak.

"Okay, now we begin."

Just like the day before, the cadets were in three rows, ten in each row, totaling 30 cadets in all.

Asher and his other friends were in the front row, following the same order as the day before.

Then the first cadet proceeded to step forward.

As the professor said, the first test will be of strength.

The professor raised his hand and then....

"The mana is accumulating into a square shape."

This was not the same as shaping the mana like the other fairies. This affinity, while very similar to the fairies' unique ability, was different as well.

Asher watched the rapid process of the cube's creation in Professor Lucas' hand.

The cube continued to grow as more mana condensed and slowly began to materialize, forming a perfectly square cube.

Soon the cube was complete.

The size was 30 centimeters square, well perfect.

However, how much did the cube weigh?

"Cadet, hold the cube. For this first area simply lift it with both hands and try to lift it off the ground up to your waist."

The professor then proceeded to place the cube on the ground and spoke.

"Now lift it up. Depending on how many inches you lift it, that will be your score in the first area."

"I understand."

The cadet proceeded to hold the cube from both ends and then....

"Arg..."

Boom!!!

The floor made a noise and the sand shook slightly. The cadet let go of the bucket after raising it a few inches off the ground.

"3.12 centimeters."

Professor Lucas spoke, giving the result to the cadet.

"Now go on to the next one."

"You must run. As you can see, the combat arena is wide, so roll it by running as fast as you can and finish when you can't run anymore."

Quickly, the cadet started running.

One minute, two, three, four, five... seven minutes.

"Haa... haa... haa... haa..."

The panting was really loud. Sweat was pouring all over his body as the cadet stopped and walked toward the professor.

"Seven minutes and sixteen seconds. Rest ten minutes and move on to the next area."

After ten minutes, the cadet got ready.

The next area was the speed area.

It meant that the cadet should run as fast as possible and determine how fast he ran.

The cadet then proceeded to run a lap around the entire combat arena.

Asher watched him as the cadet was close to finishing the lap and then....

"Twenty-four kilometers per hour."

It was pretty fast as he ran, however, it was about normal for anyone. Of course, that's fast, but not that fast.

"Okay, now on to the fourth area, which is endurance. I'll give you the cube from earlier and you hold it for as long as you can."

The professor then took the cube as if it were something light and walked over to the cadet.

"Now hold the bucket as long as you can."

The cadet nodded and braced himself.

Clank.

In an instant, the cadet's feet sank into the ground a single inch. However, when he held the bucket, he held on as long as he could, but....

Boom!!!

After only a second, he dropped the icy iron bucket.

"1.89 seconds of holding on."

"Now, finally, the combat between cadets continues. This will be the last area after each of you finish the others."

"Understood."

All the cadets spoke at the same time at the professor's words.

Now the next cadet followed, and of course, after that cadet, Asher followed....