Chapter 8: It’s Not the Eye of the Typhoon

“Student number thirty-seven, step into the ring.”

“Yeah.”

Ishud climbs into the ring with a confident smile.

(This old man, huh… Heh heh heh, this should be interesting. I can really enjoy this.)

As names are not called when entering the ring, there is no commotion among the candidates.

However, the teachers assigned to face the candidates, including Ishud, know some of his data, causing a bit of tension on their faces.

(Hold on, hold on… Is he really a fifteen-year-old kid? There’s no need for a practical exam in this case.)

The teacher feels the urge to immediately advise against this. 

Having faced Ishud in person, it becomes clear that the data sent from the Regula family is neither a lie nor an exaggeration. The teacher honestly feels like running away.

“All right, let’s begin!”

As the other invigilators give the signal to start, Ishud throws the two borrowed battle-axes into the air and charges at the supervising teacher barehanded.

“Huh!?”

He narrowly avoided a broad jab that didn’t give him a chance to be surprised by the sudden strange behavior, and reflexively swung his longsword with over 50% of his strength.

(For a half-hearted slash, it has quite a sharp edge!!!)

In general, if the supervising teacher, the old man, swings his weapon at half strength, most of the examinees would be helpless and defeated.

However, Ishud continues the unarmed offense and defense without changing his delighted expression, stepping back significantly when the two battle-axes are about to fall.

“You’re really strong, aren’t you?”

“Hahaha, it’s an honor…Is it a good idea to say that?”

“I didn’t mean to say that from such a high and mighty position. It’s just my honest impression. That’s why… I want to fight you purely.”

Pointing one of his hand axes, he challenged to a serious battle.

(…I heard that people from the Regula family are all berserkers, crazy warriors, but it seems to be true… However, if I refuse his proposal here… it’s a matter of being an adult, and also as someone who is going to be his teacher from now on. What should I do?)

For the exam supervisor, a serious battle with Ishudo is almost as unpleasant as overtime work that he dislikes so much.

However… still, as a warrior, there was a certain amount of… excitement.

“Just one minute, only one minute. Probably, that’s the limit. You understand, right?”

“Yeah… then, here we go.”

They started running at almost the same time.

Ishud’s heavy axe strike was intercepted and skillfully dodged with a change in pace.

(As expected, this guy is amazing!!!)

Due to using borrowed weapons, their available attack methods and techniques based on skills were limited.

In such a situation… the two continued their relentless attacks with the best moves, utilizing their respective professions.

They had no means of defense; it was all about countering while evading.

They repeated this process over and over.

“I-I can’t see…”

“I-I understand the teacher’s abilities as an exam supervisor, but… what is he?”

The teacher from the academy they were about to enter was making movements that their eyes couldn’t follow.

It was a fact causing great confusion, and there was even a sense of discomfort in realizing that it couldn’t be otherwise.

However… one of them was undoubtedly a peer of the same age.

This contemporary comrade, like the exam supervisor, a teacher at the academy, continued moving at a speed that their eyes couldn’t follow.

“That’s enough.”

“…Can’t be helped.”

Precisely after a minute, the old man exam supervisor’s slash clashed with Ishud’s heavy strike, and the borrowed equipment shattered completely.

“Well then, look forward to the results.”

“Yeah, I’ll be waiting while leisurely touring the capital.”

From the beginning to the end, his brazen attitude remained unchanged.

Although there were examinees and teachers, including the exam supervisor, who were dissatisfied with such an attitude… they were all shown an overwhelming display of prowess in battle.

Does strength justify anything?

That is a misconception, but strength is something that asserts one’s will.

At this moment, there was no one who could point out Ishud’s words and actions in this situation.

(Ohhh, that hurts. Geez, it’s truly the power befitting a berserker. I thought there was no way I could lose to a student if I fought seriously, but this is on another level. He’s definitely going to be the eye of the storm among the new students… Wait, wasn’t he already through three job changes? In that case, not just the eye of the storm, but overwhelmingly the strongest, like a king… Nah, using the word “king” might be a bad idea. Then, an emperor?)

Considering the profession and temperament of a warrior of violence, the alias “Emperor” made sense in a way.

(I’ve heard that this year’s generation is particularly talented, but with this… it seems like even the prodigies will be reminded that they’re not true geniuses.)

The old man exam supervisor didn’t bother to treat his slightly injured wrist and began writing Ishudo’s evaluation ahead of time.

“Thank you for your hard work, Ishud-sama.”

“Yeah. Well, I’m not tired at all. On the contrary, it was super fun.”

“So, there’s a teacher among the exam supervisors with such skill.”

“I think he was the strongest in the exam venue where I was.”

After rejoining the escort knights, Ishud, as he had conveyed to the old man exam supervisor, indulged in sightseeing in the capital until the exam results were announced.

“Ishud-sama, are you sure you want to be alone?”

A few days later, the results of the entrance exam were announced, along with the rankings.

The rankings included students who had come from the middle school section.

Because of this, the escort knights had a somewhat uneasy feeling.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine alone… If you’re worried, just wait around the gate. I’ll call you if anything happens.”

““Understood.””

Reading the unease in the knights’ hearts, they reluctantly agreed with Ishud to wait in front of the gate.

Then, he moved to the front of Flaveld Academy by carriage and went alone to the place where the entrance exam results were to be announced.

Many examinees had already gathered, and some even came with their parents to check the results.

(…Reminds me of the high school entrance exams in my past life.)

Since he wasn’t the type who loved studying so much back then, his heart was pounding until he saw the results. However, now he felt no tension at all.

He just wanted to quickly check the results.

(Written exams went well, so I should have passed for sure.)

In reality, passing wasn’t the issue.

“…Effort really matters, huh?”

Ishud understood from the results in front of him that there were even internal promotion students moving from the middle school section to the high school section.

(Well then, I should go get some kind of certificate as proof that I passed.)

Ishud Regula… has successfully passed the entrance exam.

Among this year’s freshmen in the high school section, his combined scores from the written and practical exams placed him at… the top.

With a proud first place, Ishud has secured his enrollment at Flaveld Academy.

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