Leave a comment

“You can’t agree? And who might you be?”

Brega asked of the giant who had stood up. After being asked for his name, the giant took a few steps forward until he was directly in front of Brega, staring him down.

“I’m Zetesta. I’m taking this test for the first time.”
“I see. Well then Mr. Zetesta, since you can’t agree, can I presume that you’re withdrawing from the exam?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. That’s not what I mean, examiner Brega. Or should I say former examiner? I thought that I’d be able to become an adventurer today. And now you’re asking me to wait a whole week? Furthermore, you’re asking me to go to Logholt in a mere week? Aren’t you looking down on us a bit too much, huh?”

Zetesta said this as he pressed his face closer towards the tiny Brega. The pressure that he was giving off was no laughing matter. To Merc, the man known as Zetesta appeared to be more of a thug than an adventurer.

I guess adventurers really can’t help but do stupid things like this…

While the other examinees were terrified by the sudden change in atmosphere, Merc merely yawned, thinking it was ludicrous.

She’d been unable to sleep due to the stress of her first exam. If she was fighting or moving around, she could temporarily forget about her sleepiness, but sitting in a chair only made it worse. So she wished they’d hurry up and finish the explanation before she got even sleepier.

“We are not underestimating you by any means. I have no desire to justify myself, nor should I. There should have been a section in the application form asking whether you agree that the location or manner of the exam may be changed at any time. Did you perhaps read that section?”
“I did. However, just because something is written there doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. So how about we forget about all those formalities and just settle the exam right here and now?”
“Here? And how do you propose we settle it then?”

Brega inquired, looking perplexed. In contrast, Zetesta straightened his back and clenched his fist.

“You said you’re a Grade 3 Adventurer, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“In other words, if I take you down then that would make me stronger than a Grade 6 Adventurer, would it not? That is to say, as long as I defeat you, I will be considered to have passed the exam.”

As Zetesta said that, all of the examinees turned to stare at Brega at the same time. They seemed to be thinking the same thing as Zetesta based on their expressions.
　
At the very least, they were probably hoping that by defeating Brega here, rather than wasting a week traveling to the exam’s new location, they could pass the exam quickly. Brega, after all, was a frail-looking man with glasses. He didn’t appear to be particularly strong based on his appearance.

Who’s underestimating who I wonder…

Merc, on the other hand, was taken aback by the turn of events.

She didn’t know just how strong an average Grade 3 Adventurer was, nor did she know where Brega placed within the Grade 3 rankings.

She was confident, though, that the frail-looking, glasses-wearing Brega, who has had years of experience, was leagues ahead of the bald-headed giant Zetesta. He wouldn’t have been sent here in the first place if he wasn’t.

“I apologize, Mr. Zetesta. As a mere staff member, I am unable to make any decisions concerning the exam.” Brega said, bowing his head.
“What? Hmph. So you’re chickening out then?”

Zetesta, on the other hand, teased him in a condescending manner. In response, Brega tilted his head and responded in a nonchalant manner.

“Correct. Even if I had the authority to make that decision I would still advise you against it.”
“Huh?”
“If the exam were done in this manner, the passing percentage would be far too low. I would feel sorry if I inadvertently increased the difficulty for just these candidates. It would be a real shame.”
“Look at you go.”

Oh? Considering his appearance, he’s quite fiery.

Zetesta clenched his fist upon becoming irritated with the way the man in front of him mocked him with an indifferent gaze. The remaining examinees, who had been assured implicitly that they couldn’t beat him, began staring at Brega as well.

After all, Brega had repeatedly underestimated them, so it was no wonder that their hatred for him had reached this level.

“Let’s see you say that after you’ve dodged my fist!”

Zetesta swung his fist in a wide ark at Brega, his veins bursting on his brow.

Although Zetesta’s attack had a lot of openings, anyone who was hit by it would not come out unscathed. It happened just as the attack was about to land on Brega…

“I dodged it… What’s next?”

Brega had avoided the attack by simply moving his face back an inch. His movement had left everyone speechless. They couldn’t believe he had dodged the attack with such minimal movement.

The examinees had been taken aback by the strength of Zetesta’s punch at first, but Brega’s evasion had rendered them speechless.

“Tsk. I missed. Listen here! You didn’t dodge my attack! I missed on purpose!”
“You don’t know when to give up, do you?”
“You!”

Zetesta yelled, once again throwing his fist out. However, this time he aimed it directly at Brega’s face. This attack, on the other hand, was a fake.

Zetesta’s real aim was to hit Brega with a left hook. Brega, on the other hand, saw right through it and dodged by simply taking a step back.

“What the…”

He hadn’t even moved his head to look to the side. Brega had simply moved back, not moving a single muscle in his upper body. In contrast to the ineffective nature of the attack, Brega demonstrated effective evasion.

Even Zetesta was caught aback by the scenario, and he cautiously lowered his hands.

“I assume this much should be enough. Did you finally understand? You won’t be able to even graze me at this point, no matter how hard you try.”
“…”

By concentrating Mana in his eyes, he enhanced his vision, creating a type of Demon Eyes.

Merc paid attention to both Zetesta and Brega’s magic power.

After looking at them, she came to the conclusion that Brega didn’t have a lot of Mana. He could be considered average among those humans who possessed Mana but were not magicians. It would be a different story if he were to be compared to the elves.

Brega’s Mana Manipulation, on the other hand, was highly advanced, despite his meager Mana supply. By concentrating Mana into his eyes and transforming them into Demon Eyes, he had been able to avoid Zetesta’s attacks.

Zetesta, on the other hand, had a pitiful amount of mana. Merc felt as if she was witnessing her former self as she looked at him. Based on her previous experiences, Merc could confidently conclude that Zetesta possessed no talent for magic. He couldn’t use it at all, to be precise. To begin with, he didn’t have any magic power that she could feel.

Which is why he had mostly focused on improving his body, which was the source of his confidence. Even if he hadn’t been hurt physically, Zetesta’s ego must have been shaken.

“If everything is clear, I’d like to request that you take your seat. I am willing to overlook this matter. However, if you try to harm me again, I’m afraid I’ll have to resort to physical measures to protect myself. In addition, I shall officially expel you from the exam. So, what is your final decision?”
“Tsk. Okay I got it! I’ll smash your face next time I see you though!”
“I’ll be waiting.”

Zetesta scratched the back of his bald head in an untidy manner and returned to his seat angrily after being told off emotionlessly by Brega.

All of the examinees who had backed Zetesta and were intending to settle their differences with Brega sat back down. After witnessing that exchange, they were most likely finally convinced of Brega’s strength.

“All right, then. I’ll now explain how you’re supposed to get to the City of Logholt. Do you have any other questions before we start?”
“……”

This time, however, no one objected.