Academy’s Genius Swordmaster - Chapter 167

167. The Festival of Swords (10)

#167

The morning was bright. As previously announced by the organizers, the third test was conducted around dawn. Participants who had just woken up gathered at the rendezvous point rubbing their eyes. Every time they breathed or spoke, white breath was crumbling in the air.

“Ugh, it’s cold. How cold is the Holy Land?”

“It’s completely winter here.”

The second base was located halfway up the mountain. As the altitude increased, the concept of seasons gradually faded. As if to disprove him, the guides’ outfits had changed to thick leather clothes. They were busy moving and carrying something hard. Most of them were huge boxes, and they contained tons of ingredients such as meat and vegetables.

“Is it tonight?”

“There are too many sheep for that.”

The people who saw the disparate sight became agitated. Mobilizing various equipment and moving it was the momentum to open a new restaurant. At that time, a woman wearing a slightly better coat than the others stepped out in front of the crowd. It seemed that he was the one who oversaw the guidance for this exam. match! She clapped her hands to get attention and opened her mouth.

“Good morning everyone. This is already the third test. The contestant with the best performance today will be given a priority nomination for use in the final exam.”

“Priority nomination right?”

“yes. As you all know, the final test is a match against the contestants from Gran Parzan. Originally, the opponent is assigned randomly, but if you have the right to pick first, you can choose an opponent to fight.”

Ronan’s eyes widened. This was an unexpected income. Apparently, it was a means to increase his morale, just like being able to have an extra sword from the first test. He and Russell looked at each other almost simultaneously. Due to the distance, they only communicated verbally.

– Hey…this…!

– You’re lucky. I can’t do nonsense like a surprise attack.

– Are you confident?

– You should try it first.

Ronan nodded. I was still worried about how to fight, but it turned out well. However, judging from the flames burning in the eyes of the other contestants, it seemed that he was not the only one aiming for the right to be nominated.

“It’s actually a ticket to the Holy Land.”

“Hehehe, this is good.”

Come to think of it, it was a natural reaction. If you nominate someone who looks moderately weaker than you, you could easily win. The guide, who clapped his hands again to quiet the crowd, added,

“Also, there will be no divisions or camps for this exam. There will be no sword fighting between participants. It will be an unfamiliar ordeal, but I wish you luck.”

Again, people started screaming. It was completely different from the previous two tests. The guide took the last step after saying that. Participants walked behind her and talked about various things.

“…Anyway, didn’t it go well? We heard it to some extent.”

“that’s right. yes.”

The majority of participants responded positively to the direction of the new test. No matter how competitive you are, you will grow fond of them as you go through the crossroads of life and death with each other for several days. In the end, the real important thing is the final test against Aran Farjan, and the third test is actually a scarecrow test in name.

It didn’t take long to realize that it was an illusion.

****

“Take it!”

“Chwiek!”

A knight in full armor swung his sword. As the broadsword draws an arc, the orc’s head soars into the air. The perfect cutting edge proved his sword skills. The orcs who surrounded him panicked and retreated.

“Chwiiik! Chwiik!”

The fact that he was dealing with larger and more ferocious Black Orcs than normal individuals also raised his honor. Before long, the fearless Orcs screamed and charged. The knight deftly handled the shield and sword and successfully countered the attacks pouring in from all directions. The spectators who filled the stands burst into cheers.

“cheer up! Fox Night!”

“Show me the power of a beastman!”

The atmosphere in the arena was heating up. Four black orcs and a giant wolf were already lying on the floor, bleeding. Judging from the number of monsters, it was the best result among the participants so far. At that moment, the knight who got his feet caught on the stone beak lost his balance and stumbled.

“What!”

“Chweet!”

He hurriedly corrected his posture, but the orcs didn’t miss a chance. A glaive that came from a blind spot hit him on the head. kang! A dull metallic sound rang out. The dented helmet came off as if it were being bounced off.

“Keugh!”

A red fox’s head appeared. It was a handsome Warfox worthy of the title of Fox Knight. The Fox Knight, who quickly balanced himself, thrust out his sword. hooked! The sharp tip of the sword dug deep into the chest of the orc who had attacked him. The orc that had been pierced through the heart died instantly. At that moment, a huge shadow fell over their heads. One of the spectators screamed in fright.

“Fox Night! be careful!”

Fox Knight raised his head. A two-headed ogre stood in front of him like a wall. The ogre narrowed his eyes and raised his arms. In his rocky hand, he held a stick made from a beautiful oak tree.

“Keuwoah!”

“Damn the sword…!”

Fox Knight immediately tried to pull himself out, but the sword stuck in the orc could not be pulled out. A stick fell over his head. Realizing that it was late, Fox Knight hurriedly raised his shield. The mana-enhanced shield emitted a bright light.

“come! This monster…”

The Fox Knight was speechless. Kwajik! The club, which crushed the shield, hit the floor. The sound of metal and bones crushing resounded. When the twin-headed ogre raised his club, the fox knight and orc were glued to the floor in red, sticky stains.

“Kwoaaaaaaaa!!”

The two heads let out a triumphant roar. Every time the excited ogre turned its club, a portion of the warfox that had become porridge was scattered like sleet. The participants who were baptized in six pieces were frightened. Ronan frowned as he removed a piece of intestine from his head.

“Wow. You can take it there and use it as a carpet.”

“It was a reckless decision.”

Schlieffen also shook his head from side to side. Both expressed sympathy, but no sympathy. It was the words of a person who did not properly grasp his own skills.

“With that skill, I should have dealt with either Ows or Orcs. I was too greedy.”

“Even if I could pick an ogre, I shouldn’t have picked a guy with two heads. Anyway, where did you get all that from?”

Ronan, who was watching the monsters, laughed. The third test was conducted in an arena carved out of the mountain. It was so huge that it was incomparable to the first or second test site.

The content of the test was to catch monsters airlifted from all over the continent. From the weakest goblins to powerful monsters like manticores and ogres were prepared.

Contestants had to come out one by one and nominate the number and type of monsters they would face. You could choose from one to a hundred, and your score was determined by the number of kills or the difficulty of the entity. Since only the top 20 students were able to pass, the more dangerous monsters they caught, the higher the chance of passing.

“Come to think of it, don’t they eat each other? The ogre is still.”

“Perhaps it is enchanted. In many ways, it is a test with great sincerity.”

Schlieffen murmured in a tone of astonishment. If the little duke of Grancia, who grew up enjoying all kinds of luxury, said this, he had said it all. The monsters who fired Fox Knight entered the cage on their own.

He seemed to know where he had spent so much food. As the cage door closed, the organizers came out and collected the body. It was pitiful to see the bone fragments scraped away from the mud made of blood and intestines. After confirming that the cleanup was finished, the supervisor let out a light sigh.

“…So another warrior gave blood. In fact, the test is a test that causes a lot of deaths. I hope you understand your skills well and make the right choice.”

The supervisor gave a brief silence. In fact, three out of six people who have taken the test so far have lost their lives. He opened his mouth while looking around the waiting list.

“Then the next order is… No. 44.”

“me : yes.”

Ronan stood up from his seat. It was the first in the group. Nabi Rose said calmly.

“Just don’t do anything reckless.”

“I hope I do.”

Ronan waved his hand as if not to worry and went down to the arena. Standing in person, it was really wide. It seemed that the training ground of the limited-class adventure club was well over twice. Suddenly, a translucent illusion appeared in front of Ronan. said the supervisor.

“Then, please decide the number of monsters to nominate.”

The figures of the monsters passed one after another in front of his eyes. A hundred of them seemed like it would be okay to set up a zoo. Ronan shook his head as if he had nothing to look at. He looked up at the supervisor and said.

“entire.”

“…what did you say?”

“I’m going to nominate all 100 of them. In order from the most dangerous one.”

Ronan’s voice echoed again and again. Nabi Rose’s eyebrows crumpled abruptly. The crowd started to get agitated.

“you.”

Rin stood up from her seat. Even she, who was calm in everything, couldn’t help but be embarrassed. Ronan, who glanced back at the party, raised a V. The dumbfounded supervisor asked in a puzzled voice.

“…are you serious?”

“yes.”

Ronan nodded without hesitation. I had it in mind as soon as the test started. It wasn’t just to secure the right to be nominated first. He wore a mischievous smile.

‘I guess I’m a bit of a mess too.’

heart was beating fast. It had been like this ever since he heard the information about the devil from Russell. It was Ronan’s chronic disease that broke out whenever a fight with a strong person was expected. Ronan took a deep breath and touched the hilt. This made things a little better. Suddenly, the face of a traitor who looked just like him came to mind.

‘Am I really the bloodline of that child?’

I thought it might be a genetic disease. Having lived two lives, I have yet to find a name to give to this feeling. fighting spirit? anticipation? Or a shudder from extreme tension? In fact, it didn’t matter what it was. After all, there was only one way to put out the fire.

“Haha… I see. Please prepare a hundred.”

The overseer sighed and waved. Soon after the committee members were busy, our door started to open. The sound of the pulleys moving and resounding was heartbreaking, like the growling of an ancient beast. Hundreds of eye lights flashed in the darkness.

“Aren’t you turning around?”

“Ronan! You decided to join our knights! Stop being stupid!”

“Good. I didn’t even want to see that unlucky bastard.”

The crowd was still bustling. At the end of amazement and ridicule, the memorial for the dying life tickled my ears. Unknown excitement was still burning in his heart. blood was needed blood to put out the fire.

“Then, let’s begin the test for participant 44.”

With the supervisor’s words, the cage door was fully opened. The double barrier blocking the door disappeared. Hundreds of monsters poured out like a tidal wave. Raising the corner of his mouth once, Ronan muttered as he glared at the monsters.

“You guys need to cool off.”

A hundred roars drowned out the noise in the crowd. Ronan tugged at the hilt.