Skip Magician 96

 Test

Chapter 96. The Ranking Test Was Easy

I advanced a grade.

That’s all there is to say in a nutshell, but for some reason, I had to fight a division commander... Still, I advanced without any problems.

It seems some people failed the promotion test... but basically, most students advance.

It’s surprising that the Magic Knight class, which originally had about 1,000 students, has shrunk to fewer than 600 in a year...

But apparently, that happens every year, so I decided not to worry about it.

"Why is there a written test for the ranking exam? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?"

"...It's tradition, so just accept it."

I happened to ask Elixira, who was sitting next to me, and she told me to give up.

Normally, the promotion test would have a written part, and the ranking test wouldn’t need one, but for some reason, there’s a written test to determine ranks.

What are they trying to figure out with a written test?

Does it mean becoming a Magic Knight requires some level of education?

If that’s the case, just make it a regular academic test in a separate category.

The test content...

It’s mostly common sense stuff we learned over the year, along with a lot of questions about magic.

In the Magic Department, there are essay questions about theory, and in the General Department, they delve deeper into history...

Apparently, the Magic Knight Department has the easiest test.

But in exchange, the practical part is tough.

"....."

This is bad... it was ridiculously easy.

It only had basic stuff, and I’m starting to question what the point of this test is.

I glanced at Elixira next to me... and she was openly sleeping.

How is she so timid normally, yet bold enough to do this now?

".....That's enough. Leave your answer sheets face down. The next part is the practical exam... head to the training grounds specified beforehand."

Even the proctor was yawning and giving half-hearted instructions...

Is this academy actually laid back?

The crucial practical exam that determines rankings...

Many were excited, but when we gathered at the training grounds, only a few knights were standing there in front of us.

"Hit the knight with your best shot, and that’s the end of the ranking exam."

Huh?

The other students didn’t seem confused...

Is this seriously all there is to the ranking exam?

Was the test I skipped earlier just like this?

"Why are you acting suspicious? Let’s just get it over with quickly."

"The former 983rd-ranked student is saying something."

"Huh? You’re ranked 984th, aren’t you?"

"Yeah, but that’s only because I didn’t take the test."

"Do you realize it’s a miracle you weren’t expelled for skipping the test?"

I do.

"Stop messing around and get on with it."

"O-Okay."

How exactly am I supposed to hit them with all I’ve got?

No one’s using magic...

If Elixira does it like this, won’t she end up at the bottom rank again?

"Next, 149th-ranked... Elixira Bifrans."

"Toh!"

".........."

Hey, the knight proctor looks shocked, like, “No way, this girl…”

She’s gripping her sword with both hands, and somehow, instead of hitting the knight’s raised sword, she hits his shoulder.

And despite using a real iron sword, there’s barely a scratch on the armor...

No wonder the knight looks confused.

Both the knight and the person recording the results are now questioning if she’s really ranked 149th.

"N-Next."

Oh, they just let her pass.

"Ranked... 10th, Theodore Anthem."

The moment the knight heard my rank, I could feel tension ripple through his body.

But I’m not exactly a power-type fighter, so he doesn’t need to be that cautious.

I grab the iron sword they gave me for the exam, not the Urslagna sword.

Compared to Verethragna, the balance of the blade is a bit off... but it’ll be fine.

"Hah!"

I firmly grip the sword with both hands and swing it down toward the knight’s sword.

My target is... the part of the blade that has taken the most impact.

After blocking countless strikes throughout this test, that part of the blade should be under considerable stress...

If I strike it just right...

"...Huh?"

The sword sliced through the knight’s blade like paper without any resistance.

It’s my weapon destruction technique...

It’s not very useful in real combat, but if you learn it, it can be handy in duels.

My dad taught me that.

Thinking back, wasn’t that a bit absurd?

"N-Next!"

For a brief moment, time froze for everyone around me, but the record keeper was the first to snap out of it, and soon the whole crowd started moving again.

"How did you do that?"

"If you practice, you can do it. I worked hard to master it, but it’s impossible to pull off while moving in real combat."

What I just did was more technique than strength, but in real combat, it’s faster to sharpen the blade with magic and slice with force.

This technique is only for showing off... a “performance kill,” if you will.

It’s an impressive move for first impressions, though, and I figure this will keep me ranked high into my second year.

"Must be nice, having both magic talent and sword skills."

"Elixira, you’re better with magic, right? Otherwise, there’s no way she’d have that magic-specialized grimoire."

"Can you please stop saying the grimoire ‘grew’ on her?"

Why? It’s the clearest way to explain it.

"Anyway, Elixira could boost her physical abilities with magic and swing her sword if she put in more effort, right?"

"Is that something easy to do?"

"No idea."

You’d probably have to ask Riester about that. At best, I only use magic to enhance my reflexes...

Using magic to boost your physical strength might sound convenient, but it’s basically like forcing your muscles to work harder.

Overdo it, and you’ll be too sore to even get out of bed the next day.

"If I’d had sword talent, my family wouldn’t have labeled me a failure..."

"But isn’t it because you didn’t have that talent that we met?"

"...Are you flirting with me?"

"I’m not!"

That’s not what I meant! 

I’m not the kind of guy who’d say, “It’s fate,” to a girl so easily!

I’m a conservative virgin!