16-Rank test ④



 
 The people who seemed to be the organizers appeared on the stage at the front of the hall, which had regained its composure after Mizuho and Hero had escaped the flashpoint situation. And a woman in a suit among them stood in front of the microphone in the center of the stage, smiling and shouting.

"Thank you all for coming from so far away today. I am Hisae Omine, the head of this rookie examination. Please accept my best wishes. Especially you, the candidates, please make sure to cultivate your spirits well before the exam starting tomorrow!"

 His cheerful vocalizations softened the atmosphere in the hall, and everyone focused on the front.

"We'll talk about the details later, and there's no point in giving a long greeting, so let's have a quick toast!"

 The best thing about this is that it's so cheerful," said Masato while smiling bitterly from the back of the hall.
 However, even though he thought so, Masato was in the prime of his life. As soon as the toast is made, he immediately brings a lot of food on his plate to the table. Yuto's stomach trembles with joy at the first feast in a long time.
 Yuto meditated and made a fist while trembling fully.
 And he vows to return home with a rank for sure.

(A glorious high school life and a straightforward residence for me!



 Yuto's stomach paused, and after some time had progressed, the detailed explanation of the rookie exams began.

"We are in the midst of your pleasantries, but I will now explain the schedule of the exam and other details. Everyone please listen as you are. We have thirty-eight candidates from all over the world for this rookie exam. As you may know, the exam consists of five subjects: "Physical Arts," "Perfection of Dharma and Ability," "Basic Spiritual Power and Magic," "Written Test," and "Judgment and Intuition. Rank judgments are made for each of these subjects, and an overall rank is determined at the end. The overall rank will be your final rank. Also, each exam subject has a different allocation. The allocations are, in the order I just mentioned, 'Body Technique' 5%, 'Perfection of Law Technique and Ability' 30%, 'Basic Spiritual Power and Magic Power' 25%, 'Written Test' 20%, and 'Judgment and Intuition' 20%."

 The participants nodded as they settled in.
 Except for one.

''Huh? There's a written exam? And allotment......... The first one was body arts......... Eh! The only thing I'm good at is five percent?

"Tomorrow morning, the written test will be conducted in this great hall in the morning. After lunch, we will measure basic spiritual and magical power in the evening; the second day will be physical arts in the morning, ability perfection in the evening, and judgment and intuition in the morning of the last day; the arrangement is to announce the rank-acquired students and issue certificates that evening, followed by a celebration party for the new rank-acquired students. The average percentage of new rank holders in the exam so far is 38%. WIO sincerely hopes that there will be many rank holders in this exam."

'I didn't ask for a written test! What? What problem? At least it's a mark sheet!

"Here! We have invited a special guest examiner for our newcomer's exam, and we are introducing him!"

Well, what's the point of a written exam? You know, I'm supposed to get a book of questions from you.

"A round of applause, please! Sir Alfred Arkwright, sir!"

 The whole hall fell silent at this introduction. Then a young gentleman with brown hair appeared on the platform, slowly turned to the center and then meditated and lightly bailed.

'Alfred Arkwright... no way! Swordsman!

'SS-rated? Such an amazing big name guest...

"One of the ten [Fiend Slayers]... a living legend? I'd heard rumors that you were missing, but...

 The hall goes from being a scene to a quick rise.
 Except for one person holding his or her head in his or her hands.

''Aww, and even then, a 20% allocation on the written test... is it really that important?''

"Well then, continue to enjoy the pleasantries!"

 In front of the excited audience, Nisae, who had put down the microphone, went to the organizer's table. The attendants from the homes of the gifted and talented and the parents of the test takers have already arrived at the organizer's table.
 As an organizer, greeting people is an important part of her job. She smiles and responds to them.

'Oh no, I didn't expect to see that swordsman! I'm glad you were able to bring him along. What kind of subterfuge did you use?

No, no, no, I was just calling.

What?

"I called and asked you to come as a guest judge for this rookie exam. He was happy to oblige.

 The center of the topic, Swordsman Alfred, is surrounded by people here and there.
 Many of them probably want to use this as an opportunity to somehow connect with the Swords Saint.
 That swordsman glanced at Nissae. His eyes are obviously, "What's pleasant! However, Nissae passed it off without a care in the world.

 To a certain extent, after receiving the offensive of questions and invitations, Kensei said, "Excuse me......." and turned towards the back of the hall with a glass of wine in hand, accompanied by many eyes.
 In the direction of the swordsman's direction was a new candidate in civilian clothes who was desperately trying to get information about the written exam.

''Excuse me while I talk to you, but may I? What's your name?

 Yuto was talking enthusiastically with the other candidates when he was approached and turned around.

''Heh? Ah, yes. My name is Du Du Yuto.

''Ah, Yuto-san. Then I'll leave it at that........

 The candidate who had been talking with Yuto smartly tried to leave the place.

''Ah, Marion-san. Thank you very much. It was very helpful.''

''Hmmm, no, let's work hard for each other tomorrow. Then.........

 The silky golden hair shook and the blue-eyed girl said you're welcome.

''Excuse me.  I'm Alfred Arkwright. Nice to meet you.

 An English gentleman holds out his stubborn-looking right hand. Grasping that hand quickly, Masato returns the greeting.

Ah, it's nice to meet you. Huh? You're the ........swordsman!

'Call me Alfred. I just happened to see you intervening in the fight we were having. I was very impressed with your courage.

'Oh no, I just happened to be in the vicinity and I found myself in between.

''Haha, don't be modest. After all, the other party is the daughter of the Shitennji family and the heiress of the Huang family. Both of them are the best of the best families in the lineage of abilities. Moreover, those two are said to be geniuses in both families for decades, and they are young men whose futures are highly anticipated by the institutions.

Heh? So ... what is it? In front of all those famous people, I'm going to....

 Surprised and awkwardly sweating coldly, Yuto.

''There's nothing to worry about that much. Everyone is an excellent candidate this time. Proud sons and daughters from every house are participating in this event. In the institution, they are already being hailed as "golden age" even before the exam. I'm sorry to be rude, but is your family a lineage of ability inheritance? I don't remember hearing much about Dou Dou Dou...

Oh, no I'm a natural born psychic.

''Hou......... This time, I'll be the body art examiner. I'll see you there. Aren't you good at bodywork? Hmm? Is this psychic power yours? This is ... odd.

'Oh, this is a peculiar constitution I'm having trouble getting out on my own. Haha.........eh? Mr. Alfred. How do you know I'm good at bodywork?

'No, somehow, I guess it's because I'm a good physical junkie myself. Well, I thought I'd tell you there. Over the last few years, the content of these rank exams has changed. There was no such thing as an allotment on the exam before. I was against it, though. I disagreed with it, because it's a way for people with certain abilities to be able to get the ranks they are capable of, but not in exceptional cases. I don't expect those abilities to join. When an organization survives for a long time, it may become more and more bureaucratic.

Huh. So, this sort of gifted person...?

Well.........

 Giggling, Yuto does, but he manages to keep his composure.
 Kensei grins.

It's a good thing that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away with the fact that you can't get away with the fact that you can't get away with the fact that you can't get away with the fact that you can't get away with the fact that you can't get away with it. In fact, they won't even let us know where they are.

 Kensei sips his wine lightly.

''For example, you know what I mean? Oops, there's a scary looking organizer over there, so I have to go. I've been entrusted with the big mission of playing the clown this time. Then, Masato. I'm looking forward to the test. I hope you can get a good rank. See you then.

 The swordsman flips his lengthy body around and walks away. It's like that little movement is also on the board.
 As Yuto gazes at that rear view, he is struck by the atmosphere around him there.
 Now, from the surroundings........he noticed that the eyes of jealousy and envy were focused on him.

'What is that girl? You look so close to the Sword Saint...

It's that girl from earlier in the day dressed like that.

(Wow, you're standing out again....oh my god!)

 Yuto had to move to the more end of the line........

 A group of the Huang family, one of the most powerful families in the exam right now, had come to greet the organizer table in the front row.
 However, since the Swordsmith was not there, Hisae immediately called him back with eye contact. At that time, our examinee, Huang Hero, followed the figure of the Swords Saint and looked around the hall.
 Then he realized that the one the Sword Saint was talking to before them was the plainclothes examinee from earlier, and Hideo shuddered with a wince.

''That low-powered person ah........''

 When it comes to Masato, who was called a low ability person even before the exam, he thinks about going back to the hotel room that has already been assigned to the agency. Since the explanation is over, there's no need to stay until the end of anything. More importantly, it's also the fact that I'm a bit tired.
 Thinking about that, Yuto quickly and discreetly headed for the exit. However, even there, a voice calls out to Yuto again.

'Hey, are you leaving already? Mr. Du Du.

Yes? Oh, you're that... uh, Shinzen-san?

 Smiling, Meira nodded.

''Our princess caused trouble again earlier, didn't she? I wanted to come right away to thank you and apologize, but it was a bit of a mess.''

''No, we mimicked too much out here too. I'm sorry....

I don't think so. I'm glad to hear it. It's usually hard to stop them when that happens. It almost turned the place into a scorched earth. Was it an unusual pattern this time? Ha ha.

Haha.... (It's not funny at all...)

Hmm? I don't want to make it hard for you to answer, but when we met in front of the coffee shop, I felt it too... but is this psychic power yours? It feels like it's been out all along, but I wonder if it has something to do with your ability to do that?

Oh, it's a peculiar constitution...it comes out. You can't even control it. It doesn't have much to do with my abilities, though.

'Heh, that's a shame...........or rather unusual. That's the first time I've heard of such a thing. And it doesn't have much to do with it.......so your ability doesn't use this psychic power?

 Yuto's confused expression turned into a bewildered expression at Akera's questioning.

''Haha, sorry, sorry. I guess I made you wary. I didn't mean to do that. I really just wanted to thank you and apologize.

Oh, no...

 There, Yuto and Akera were interrupted in their conversation by a supreme, well spoken voice.

''Akera. You're in a place like this? I've had enough of this place. I'm going home. Oh? You're the one who just....

''Ah, Master Ruizuo. This is Mr. Du Du. I was just thanking him for what he did earlier.

"Hey, what's the point of thanking me? Oh, that time....

''I'm sorry, Mr. Dudu. Master Zuiho has a bit of a distrust of men. Please forgive me. I'm a kind person at heart. That's right! Would you like to have dinner with me sometime? Mizuho-sama will be in attendance.

Hey! Meira!

Oh, don't mind me! There's no doubt in my mind that I did it on my own. No need to eat, either. Well, I'm going to go back to my room, thank you very much for your kindness.

 Yuto bowed his head as he left the room quickly.

''Oh my, did I get dumped?''

You're the one who got dumped. But to turn down a meal with the Shitendera family... you have no idea what you're doing.

''It's because Mizuho-sama doesn't thank me honestly. Besides, I don't think she knows the Shitenji family or anything. Or maybe he's not interested. And he seems to have a natural ability.

Well, that's just ignorance.

Would you like to invite him back?

'This is ridiculous! I'm going back to my room. Isn't that your hotel? Now go.

 Meira smiled and looked at the girl, smiling and troubled as she replied, 'Yes,' but she was really worried that she couldn't thank her and apologize.

''Speaking of which, have you been able to talk to Hisae?''

It's been a while since we've talked. I'm glad to see you're in good spirits, although you look busy, Nissae-san. It would be nice if we could have a leisurely dinner together next time...

'You might be able to get some time during the exam. You may have your own situation, but since they are your relatives, you don't have to be so careful. I'm sure Hisae would like to talk to you more.

 The Omine family is a branch of the Shitenji family, along with the Kamizen family. Relatively close in age, Akira knew that Mizuho, an only child, had looked up to Hisae as if she were her own sister since she was a child.
 However, lately, she had been busy with her work as the head of the chapter of the Ability Agency and hadn't had the opportunity to see her at all.
 He replied to Akera, "Well..." and Mizuho and the rest of the group left as well.





 A moment passes as Masato and Mizuho return to the hotel room they were assigned to, and the party is closed.

 The grounds of the huge hotel that was used as the venue for the test were large, and even though it was within the grounds, it was indeed dimly lit if you were away from the hotel building.
 The hotel's grounds are large, and if you are far enough away from the hotel building, it is very dimly lit, even though it is within the grounds, so at night, it is not very popular.

I'm not sure why we've come to this place. The job we were hired to do is now gone.

 The smallest man of the three sighed with a large nose, letting his dirt-stained coat dominate the wind.
 The only woman of the three with scruffy silver hair responded to that.

'Well, don't say that. If we're right and we've seen that material he's going to be here nine times out of ten. The old boys in the community are more than a little pissed off about this one.

'Heh. But why, well, why does it take three people? He's got a long life expectancy from what I've heard, but he's actually a hiney boy. And the people with abilities that that idiot killed, they're all lazy bastards too.

 A large man, two meters tall, who was not part of this conversation, sat playing with a very small looking laptop.

I just received a call..... The community is saying that his abilities are as we expected.

'As I thought... so that explains why we couldn't detect it. That makes it a bit tricky. We're going to have to get a visual on him.

It's just this one picture, but you know, you'll know it when you see it. Even if he's got some crazy-ass skills.

 The silver-haired woman nodded silently and turned her slit eyes toward the hotel.
 Then the big man closed his laptop and slowly stood up.

''Don't let your guard down...''

Oh, you're so big, so cautious.

 The big man remained expressionless and tossed his body, which he guessed would actually be larger due to his hunched back.

'I'm going to go make my rounds........ The usual method of communication.........

Okay.

Yeah.

 With that, the three of them each melted into the dark night and disappeared.