The examination proceeded, and one by one the candidates were called in. Among them was that hero and Marion, who hadn't spoken to me at all since the Jean-Pierre one.
　The hero seemed to be bad at body arts (though he's unusually strong from the point of view of the average person), but "Body arts are meaningless to my abilities! And the fact that he barked tightly at me was heroic.

　To my surprise, Marion the Exorcist was unimaginably strong from her appearance.
　He was sloppy in his offensive efforts and stubborn in his defensive efforts. This is the reason why that swordsman was able to moan.
　Masato, who was watching this, was also amazed at Marion's amazing defensive skills.

(That Marion-san's reception is amazing. No, that defense probably feels like it's a tight fit with his own s*xuality. (It's a strength for the mind and body to be in sync, I'm sure)

　After that, he saw numerous candidates' body techniques. Some of the examiners were able to manipulate their own body techniques, and Yuto thought it was a great learning experience for him personally, and he even thought it was worth it to come for this alone.

''Then........you're the last examinee. Step forward.

　Ken Sei urged Yuto. Even though they were meeting hands with so many people for a short period of time each, they weren't disrupting their breath or breaking a sweat at all.
　As expected of a combat-type SS rank that is currently said to have only five people. In other words, it is not an exaggeration to say that he is one of the strongest people in the whole of those with the ability, the Sword Sage.
　As soon as Yuto stood in front of the Swordsman, he immediately understood the meaning of the fact that the Swordsman was said to be one of the strongest gifted people.

(This is strong.....................of course.

　Then, that swordsman has a smiling expression in front of Yuto that he never showed elsewhere.

''Hey, Yuto-kun. Yesterday, it looks like you were in good hands again.

'What?　Oh ... what are you talking about?

　Yuto was puzzled. What are the candidates around him talking about?　He asks quizzically.
　Nisae has told me not to mention the incident of the discovery of the dead body of an outsider in the hotel grounds the day before. I can't say.
　In fact, Hisae's expression was hardened. Perhaps noticing this, Kensei also nodded widely.

''No, it's nothing. Yuto-kun, I, you know, I'm just curious about you. I'm impressed that you're a well-built young man for someone of recent times.

　Ken Sei smiles and walks over to Yuto, placing his hands on both of Yuto's shoulders and lightly tapping one of his shoulders in a friendly manner. The candidates around him are also surprised at such a behavior of Ken Sei.
　It's as if he's declaring Yuto as my favorite.
　The new candidates look on enviously and questioningly. When it came to the hero, he looked at them hatefully and formed a hard fist, "Why would you want to be that guy.......
　With a smiling expression on his face, Kensei speaks out in a voice that only Yuto can hear.

''Yuto-kun. I say this because I think you have a right to be heard. They were the ones from yesterday, but they still don't seem to know who they are. After all, they've lost everything but their clothes. All we have is the remnants of powerful magic and the identification card in the wallet.

　Yuto stared at Kensei in surprise.

'According to that ... they're just ordinary citizens. A Russian and a Belgian.''

'A civilian?　What the hell is that...?

No, I don't know yet. The agency is looking into it now. It's not many, but there are some people outside of those people. But then, you know, that kind of narrows it down for me. What kind of people are they?

What do you know about them?

''They are magic-centered and integrated into human society. And yet, when they are so inhuman that they have skills that the examiners and I can't even detect, they are hidden from view. A race that has existed unbrokenly since ancient times and is feared by us humans.

An ancient race?　Is that ... reported to the ... agency?

No way. That's just speculation, my own. That's not what I'm telling you, though. I'm surprised. That you could sense them. No one, including me, Nisae the rank S... and the other examiners, even noticed.

　Yuto looks at Kensei, who is smiling at him.
　I don't know what he's trying to say.
　And why would he say that to himself........

　At this time, for the first time, Yuto felt the creepiness from the swordsman.
　Kensei kept his expression intact as he moved away from Yuto and confronted Yuto once again.

''Come on, Yuto-kun!　Let's start the exam. It would be a bit of a trick to say this is the end.

　Kensei looks up after a thoughtful attitude.

''Alright!　I think I'm going to make a special last one ... and I'm going to get serious ... too, I don't know.


　That statement from the Sword Saint sent a shock through the hall.


　The examiners also looked at each other and Mizuho couldn't help but stand up.
　The organizer, Hisae, also unclasped her arms and looked stunned.
　Everyone's reaction is uniformly the same.
　That's saying that that swordsman is serious about doing it, even if it's only a physical technique.

　

''Hey, Al!　What are you talking about...

You'll be fine. It's only for three minutes. Yuto, if you can hold out for three minutes, I'll take your body art test assessment into consideration, okay?　You also mentioned that your strongest ability was body arts... not bad, right?

　Feeling left out despite the parties involved, Yuto tries to say something, but

Then let's get started!

　With a smiling smile, Ken Sei said without saying a word to start the exam.
　Yuto was puzzled. And now, he could feel an overwhelming fighting spirit from the swordsman in front of him.
　Masato could see that the hall was being swallowed up by the extraordinary fighting spirit of the Swordsman.
　The fighting spirit emanating from the Swordsman is the kind of thing that would make an ordinary person lose the will to fight.

　However, in a sense, the current Yuto, the victim, was trapped by a single word in his mind.
　That is..............the word 'assessment consideration' by Ken Sei.

(Assessment consideration........assessment consideration!　My high school life!　(Restoration of our home!)

　The examiners and examiners watch them, forgetting to breathe.
　Inside, an air of sympathy begins to flow for Masato.
　But.....

　In the blink of an eye, that kind of atmosphere vanished.

　That is.........a sense of oppression coming from Yuto.
　The atmosphere that Masato wears is suddenly transforming.
　A glimpse of power that can only be understood because all of them have abilities.
　That is different from the Sword Saints, something we have never felt before.

''.......What?　That guy.....

　Mizuho muttered to herself.
　Even Marion, Hero, the other examiners, and the examiners who had come to watch, could see a phase of astonishment in their expressions.

　Facing the Sword Saint, Yuto doesn't seem to be scared at all.
　But that was different from the blitheness of a young man who overestimated his own strength. It wasn't the face of Dou Dou Yuto that everyone thought he had.
　It was the face of a warrior that the newcomers had never seen before, a warrior who had run through many battles.

　Looking at that Yuto, the swordsmiths loosened their cheeks slightly and both of them took a stance.
　He gulped and huffed as the rookie exam organizer, Nisisae, who was watching, huffed.

　We have to stop this ridiculous exam.

''Wait, you two...!

　But ironically, that is the signal to start the test.
　Kensei moves. Or rather, he seems to have moved, that's all I can say.

　Despite the fact that they were watching him up close, everyone lost sight of the Sword Saint for a moment. However, that did not mean that the movement was too fast.
　There was no initial movement, and it was natural. Therefore, it was simply impossible for anyone to predict his or her next move.
　In contrast, Yuto could accurately see the right elbow of the Sword Saint's right elbow pointing downward from underneath him to the pigeon tail.

(Suddenly to the kryptonite!　(It's a trap to avoid backwards... if that's the case!

　At the moment of the collision, Yuto stepped forward. To be precise, he shifted the central axis of his body slightly and used his left hand to tease Ken Sei's elbow, and then slammed his right hand sword into Ken Sei's left armpit as it was.
　As the two men collided, the surroundings were able to see the two men. Everyone's eyes narrowed due to the shockwave of the two men's clash.

''It's an offensive and defensive match.......''

　Kensei smiled wryly with his sharp eyes. Yuto's hand sword to Ken Sei was caught by his left elbow.
　Their eyes meet at close range.

''You're good at it, Yuto-kun. I'm a swordsman by nature, but I'm confident in my physical skills as well. Well, if I hold a sword, it's a foul. It can't be helped that it's like this.

"(Pfft!) ........Odd. I'm not essentially a bodyworker by nature either.

Huh... (Ila!)

　Their eyes gleam bewitchingly and give a rootless smile.

''Hmph.''

　The other candidates, who had lost their voices due to the initial clash between the two of them, had their eyes half open at their conversation.

''Surprisingly, is the Sword Saint.... not very popular?''

'Huh. That part of you hasn't changed.......Al. Totally, men are.........

　A headache came on and Hisae pressed her forehead with her right hand.　

''Yuto-kun......... It was a bad idea to lie after all. You promised to do it for real, right?

'No, sir. My promise is to take into account the test assessment!

　What followed, starting with this conversation, was unimaginable to the participants.
　Everyone there couldn't take their eyes off of them for even a moment.

　And most importantly, everyone was even confused in their perception of Yuto. A boy of the same age as us is competing with that swordsman, even if it is limited to physical techniques.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　The examiners are especially vocal.
　The examiners couldn't believe what they were seeing.
　It's not that they had ever seen the Sword Saint in battle before. The only person who has is probably Hisae.
　But they do know.

　The meaning of SS rank........

　It is.........a crown that refers to those who are allowed to hold up the strongest.



''That's Doudou........Yuto?''

　Mizuho couldn't sit down and lined up next to Marion, who was standing on a stick at the front of the line.

''Oh, he's such a low power guy.......''

　The hero grunted hatefully with an expression of having seen something unbelievable.

　In the midst of all this, the party involved, the Sword Saint's heart was dancing abnormally.

(Kuh, how hard to fight!　More than I can imagine, you are. (I'm starting to seriously want you!)

　The examiners and the examiners are now mere spectators.
　But in fact, even the examiners are unaware of the high level of offense and defense that is going on between the two parties.

　In terms of the weight of each attack, Kensei had the advantage, but Yuto's attacks were more anomalous than the outside world could see.
　He deliberately showed attacks with preliminary movements and unleashed a series of attacks without the primary mission's initial movement. As I thought, the opposite was also possible.

　Just like that, Yuto's attacks are transformative.

　Yuto avoided Kensei's right fist on the outside while keeping it close to Kensei's body. The eyes of the swordsman widened at that bold action.
　While keeping his body in close contact with the swordsman, Yuto spun himself around to get behind the swordsman and then placed his palm on his back.

''.........''

　It was just a palm against his palm........
　However, the Sword Saint felt a cool, cold sensation on his back.

　At that moment, a tremendous shock ran through the Sword Saint's back.
　But.........it was rather Yuto who had a surprised expression.

(Huh?　Doesn't it blow up?　Oh, my God!　(The palm strike made me lose my close contact!

　Stopping even as the shock resounded through the five bodies, the kensho stopped and swung his heels up into the chest of Yuto as he turned backwards.
　Yuto was forced to listen to a dull sound echoing from his right chest.

''Guh!''

　
　Then, he and the swordsman who turned around and looked at each other.

(Yuto-kun, you're also wearing a capsid and an envelope....... It seems to have a different quality than mine...)

(My neck strength is dissipated!)

　They stare at each other. Silence in the hall.



　Kensei huffed and released his stance and.......grinned.

''It's a little past three minutes, isn't it? Well, Yuto-kun. I had a lot of fun. I almost forgot that it was an exam. Well then, the exam is over........is that all right?

'Yes ... ah, hey!　No, it's a promise!　Assessments of the promised test considered!

'Haha. That's right. I'll take that into consideration.

(And ... now isn't that something that will be taken into account for other tests?　(In a good way, of course.)

　Kensei looks at the examiners. The examiners looked at each other and were discussing something.
　The reason is that there were many controversies among the examiners regarding Yuto.

　The written test is the lowest score of the examinee, but the answers to the questions were quite correct. Of course, there are some questions that I don't understand at all. However, the percentage of correct answers increased when it came to advanced demons, kasei ... and non-human questions of the Demon God class.
　And the most controversial answer was the correct answer, but there were many extraneous answers.

　For example, 'What are the characteristics of a certain demonic beast?' In response to the question, "What are the characteristics and weaknesses?", the examiners fill in more characteristics and weaknesses than the model answer.
　The examiners were all made up of experienced combatants of A rank and above. There were many things that made these examiners huff and puff in Masato's answers. The examiners had noticed and wondered about some of the things they had noticed and wondered about during actual combat.
　This is why the examiners have gone so far as to examine the answers of Yuto with each other. However, the result was that he was subject to a deduction of points for not being an exemplary answer.

　Also, the examiner, Ela, said that his spiritual power measurement could not be measured.

''Now that I think about it, I feel like that spiritual power isn't helpful... it doesn't feel like I'm giving out spiritual power with control. I don't know if I've ever seen anything like that before, but it just felt like something I couldn't use in battle. And that guy pulled his body out of the mark without a signal, and that feeling was something I've never felt before. I don't think that was psychic power.

　And I gave an incoherent explanation for everyone.
　And the result that came out was.....

　It's impossible to measure.

"Yes!　Then the body technique exam is over. The Dharma and ability perfection in the afternoon will be after lunch. It's the toughest test, so everyone take a break early and don't neglect your preparations. Then we will dismiss for now. Lunch is at our usual venue.

　In the noisy hall, Nisae calmed down in a muffled voice.
　Both the examiners and the examiners left the hall to have their own lunch. Hisae casually followed beside Kensei and left the hall together.

''Al. You seem to be quite obsessed with that girl, but who is she?　What kind of newcomer would be able to go at it with you so much with physical arts? Du Du I've never heard of a house like that and I've never heard of it.

'Haha, am I old too?　No, don't stare at me so much. I don't know, really. She's just a girl I'm curious about. She's a........

　Hisae looked at the profile of the swordsman and looked forward with a sigh.



　After the morning's physical examinations, all the candidates are in the usual lunch hall.

　In contrast to the bustling surroundings, Yuto was still eating lunch alone. The truth is, there is a part of me that wants to make friends and talk with them, but since no one comes near me, it can't be helped.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with them. I felt like I was causing them trouble, so I gave up on my own approach.

"Huh~. I don't feel like I belong here. I can't wait to end it and go home. Besides, that guy........he's really going to take the assessment into consideration properly, right?

　There's a little time before the next exam. Yuto stood up to go get some air outside. Mizuho, Marion and the other examiners are casually watching him.
　In fact, they were all beginning to be interested in Yuto on the inside, but they were having a hard time talking to him.

　That was especially true except for Mizuho and Marion, though the presence of the heroes was a big part of the reason.