The Evaluation

Arthur Leywin POV

The intense adrenaline coursing through my veins heightened my senses as I stood face-to-face with George, the renowned examiner. In that split second, time seemed to slow down, allowing me to perceive every detail of his attack with unparalleled clarity. George lunged at me, his A class adventure skills evident in his impressive speed and precision.

As his sword tip aimed directly at my head, I realised that I had been underutilizing the capabilities of my own body. The realisation hit me like a lightning bolt, and I tapped into a newfound power within myself. Without hesitation, I purposefully accelerated my perception of time, causing everything around me to slow down to a crawl. Each movement became exaggerated, almost as if happening in slow motion.

With this heightened perception, I could see George's every movement with extraordinary clarity. I observed the intricate shifts in his stance, the slight adjustments in his grip on the sword, and the focus in his eyes. It was as if time had frozen, granting me an advantage I had never experienced before.

As George's sword drew nearer, I confidently took a step forward, my body moving effortlessly within the slowed time. I tilted my head ever so slightly, allowing the flat of his blade to graze harmlessly past the protective mask covering my face. My senses, sharpened by my altered perception of time, allowed me to execute this manoeuvre with precise accuracy.

In one fluid motion, I swiftly brought my own sword up, intercepting George's desperate attempt to block my swing. The clash of our blades resonated through the air, and his sharp eyes widened in astonishment at my lightning-fast counterattack. But it was already too late for him.

The tip of my sword pressed firmly against his throat, a razor-sharp reminder of my dominance in this encounter. The examiner froze in fear, understanding that any sudden movement on his part could result in my blade penetrating his flesh, regardless of any mana reinforcement he might possess.

The tension in the air thickened as a commanding voice broke through the momentary stillness. "Enough," it demanded, cutting off George's intended response. "Stand down, George. I'll be the one to test this particular examinee."

I turned my head to locate the source of the interruption, and there he was—Kaspian, a legendary figure in the realm of adventurers. A surge of excitement welled within me beneath the confines of my mask. Finally, I would have the opportunity to face someone closer to my own level, to truly gauge my own abilities against a formidable opponent.

George, now taken aback and somewhat flustered, stuttered out his response. "S-Sir? You will be personally examining this participant?" His confusion and surprise were evident in his voice.

Kaspian's gaze shifted from George to the trickle of blood rolling down his neck, a result of our earlier encounter. The mere sight of it silenced the examiner, his voice caught in his throat. He shrank back, creating an open space for me to face Kaspian directly.

The realisation hit me once again—Kaspian's presence here was not just a matter of convenience or chance. His decision to personally test me held significant weight. I couldn't help but question the necessity of an AA-class adventurer, renowned for his unparalleled strength, to involve himself in examining someone like me.

Even in my masked state, my smile betrayed my underlying gratitude and anticipation. I understood that facing an opponent of Kaspian's calibre would provide a unique opportunity for growth and insight. I was about to engage in a battle that would push me to my limits, forcing me to tap into reserves of strength and skill I hadn't yet fully explored.

"I apologise if this sounds presumptuous, but is there really a need for an AA-class to lower himself to test an examinee?" I inquired, voicing my own curiosity while attempting to gauge the reasoning behind his decision.

Kaspian's gaze lowered, fixating on the thin trickle of blood on George's neck. His silence spoke volumes, and it became clear that there was more to his involvement than mere obligation or courtesy. The weight of his presence in the arena carried a significance that surpassed the ordinary bounds of an examination.

The air crackled with anticipation as Kaspian's right hand gracefully moved towards the slender rapier resting at his waist. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed George, who retreated with a mixture of relief and trepidation. Now, it was just the two of us, standing at the centre of the dirt arena, ready to engage in a battle that would undoubtedly push us to our limits.

A sense of awe washed over me as I contemplated the challenge before me. Kaspian, an adventurer classified as AA-class, possessed strength that transcended the boundaries of ordinary human capability. The power he wielded was rumoured to be equivalent to that of ten A-class adventurers combined—a staggering feat that was almost beyond comprehension.

My curiosity burned within me, eager to catch a glimpse of the stage his mana core had reached. However, I knew that delving into such depths would be impossible without revealing my own secret. For now, I would have to rely on my instincts and skills alone to face this formidable opponent.

With a faint chuckle, Kaspian acknowledged the unspoken question in my eyes. "His sponsor has deep ties with me, so I feel obligated to test him personally," he explained, offering a glimpse into the motivations behind his involvement.

As George's presence faded into the background, the arena became our battleground, the stage for a clash of power, skill, and determination. Kaspian's hand gracefully withdrew his rapier, ready to dance with deadly precision. The weight of his presence bore down on me, and a surge of anticipation coursed through my veins.

"Waving away George, the two of us stood at the centre of the dirt arena, poised to engage in a battle that would etch itself into the annals of adventure lore. Time seemed to hold its breath as we locked eyes, unspoken challenges and promises lingering in the air.

"Let us begin," Kaspian declared, his voice filled with the excitement of an imminent clash between two formidable forces.

Please prepare yourself. I wouldn't want the person Miss Flamesworth sponsored to lose too quickly. This guy was seriously taunting me. I could feel his pressure, his bloodlust blatantly let loose.

I couldn't help but smile underneath my mask, my confidence growing as I assessed the situation. I knew I had to maintain a calm facade, not revealing too much of my true abilities in this exam. However, I wasn't going to be outdone so easily.

As he unleashed his aggressive aura, I met it with my own controlled power, a calculated display of strength that conveyed my unwavering determination. The clash of our auras sent a ripple through the audience, causing some to shrink back in awe of the intensity between us.

My hands trembled with excitement as the adrenaline surged through my veins. Despite being at the light yellow stage, which suggested a moderate level of skill, I knew I possessed far greater potential than my core stage indicated. This was my chance to prove it.

Standing face-to-face with this towering opponent, who stood over a foot taller than me, I realised that his longer reach could be a challenge. However, I saw an opportunity in his size disadvantage. His height made him more susceptible to overextension, and his centre of gravity could be exploited to my advantage. This battle may have been centred around swordsmanship, but that didn't mean I couldn't incorporate other techniques to gain an upper hand.

Without hesitation, he made the first move, sprinting toward me with unwavering determination. His rapier lunged towards my neck in a swift and fluid motion, aiming to catch me off guard and end the fight quickly.

I twisted my head to the side, my body moving with a swift agility, dodging his rapier's deadly blow effortlessly. Not a scratch marked me as I evaded his attack with precision and grace.

Without wasting a moment, he followed up with a second strike, hoping to catch me off guard. But I anticipated his move, swiftly ducking underneath the swing of his blade. In one fluid motion, I counterattacked, swinging my own blade with lightning speed, slicing through his defences and leaving a shallow cut on his arm.

Realising the danger he was in, he immediately jumped back, creating some distance between us. A bead of sweat rolled down his face, a silent acknowledgement of the fact that I had the power to end the fight right there.

"I apologise for underestimating you," he admitted, a tinge of respect evident in his voice.

Suddenly, a powerful whirlwind enveloped the man, swirling around him like a cyclone. The wind whipped fiercely, adding an additional layer of threat to his attacks.

"It won't happen again," he declared, determination etched on his face.

With a focused intensity, he thrust his blade forward, the wind coalescing around it, forming a bullet of air that shot towards me with incredible speed. I swiftly moved my head, a fraction of an inch, and dodged the wind bullet with minimal effort. His attacks were undeniably fast, the wind bullets quicker than most could perceive, but for me, it was just like any other attack.

Undeterred, he began casting the spell multiple times, unleashing a barrage of wind bullets in my direction. Yet, with precise movements and keen perception, I effortlessly evaded each one. The paths of the bullets became predictable to me, and I anticipated their trajectory even before he unleashed the spell.

Sensing an opportunity, I seized the moment. I rushed forward, deliberately limiting my mana output. My goal was to learn from this man, to understand the intricacies of his wind magic. If I could decipher his technique, there was a chance I could replicate and master it for myself.

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Kaspian Bladeheart POV

Who is this guy? I couldn't help but wonder as I observed him closely. His stature resembled that of a child, yet his command over wind magic ruled out the possibility of him being a dwarf. The identity of this enigmatic opponent remained shrouded in mystery, leaving me intrigued.

As our sparring session continued, I was taken aback by his ability to swiftly mimic and replicate my spells in such a short amount of time. It was a testament to his skill and adaptability. In fact, he had even managed to improve upon my own spell, making it faster and more lethal. I found myself unable to react in time, caught off guard by the sheer speed of his attacks.

However, I noticed a sudden change in his demeanour. He ceased his relentless assault, leaving me wondering about his intentions. What was he up to? Before I could formulate a plan, a shift in the air sent shivers down my spine, alerting me to an imminent danger.

"No... way," I muttered, my eyes widening as I witnessed tens of compressed spheres of air, akin to my own air bullets, forming around him. In a fraction of a second, I found myself being sliced up by the onslaught of projectiles. It became painfully clear that this man was not only dangerous but also far stronger than me. It was as if he had been holding back all along, toying with me like a pawn in his game of growth.

A mixture of frustration and determination welled up within me. Fine, I thought to myself, if he wanted to play this game, then I would oblige. I ran towards him with unwavering resolve, meeting his every strike with equal force. Our clash of swords echoed with resounding metallic reverberations that reverberated throughout the arena.

In that moment, the exam itself became secondary. I knew he was superior to me, and I no longer fought to win the match but rather to experience a true test of skill. It was exhilarating, reminiscent of the days when I was a novice, eagerly seeking opponents stronger than myself. This encounter, with its raw intensity, rekindled that feeling, reminding me of the joy that comes from pushing one's limits against a formidable adversary.

With each passing moment, my body bore the marks of numerous cuts inflicted by his precise strikes. It was a relentless barrage, his movements executed with an uncanny level of accuracy that seemed almost inhuman. While I fought desperately to defend myself, he effortlessly countered every attack with a fluidity that left no room for error.

Suddenly, a searing pain shot through my shoulder, and I realised that he hadn't used his sword to deliver the blow. It was those wind bullets once again, slicing through the air and finding their target with lethal precision. The realisation struck me that his mastery of wind magic extended beyond the confines of his blade, adding another layer of danger to his already formidable arsenal.

Determined to turn the tide, I mustered every ounce of strength and lunged forward, aiming my rapier directly at his exposed neck. This was my chance to finally gain the upper hand. But with a quick, almost instinctual move, he ducked beneath my blade, effortlessly evading my attack. In one swift motion, he seized my arm, using my own momentum against me. The next thing I knew, I was slammed to the ground, the impact jarring my senses. A sword was then ruthlessly thrust into the ground beside my neck, signifying my defeat.

"It's my loss," I admitted, my voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and awe.

The defeat was complete, and I couldn't help but wonder just how strong he truly was. His skills surpassed anything I had encountered before. Yet, as much as I wanted to assign him the highest rank possible, I knew the limitations. S-rank was reserved for individuals who had undergone further testing by opponents of even greater strength.

"Note. AA-class," I declared, acknowledging his exceptional abilities within the confines of the initial ranking system.