Students come out of the auditorium after the Basic Skills Test.
　Those who feel a sense of accomplished fulfillment.
　Some were shocked at the results of the exam.
　Reactions were mixed, but the most common expression was one of anticipation for the next practical test.

　1300 people vs. 1 person.
　Candidates vs. Lacelle Guillermo Stark.

　It's probably already a known fact that I'm strong.
　I'm not hiding the fact that I'm a [villager] in both ability and profession these days.

　But there are 1300 of them.
　It seems that there are many candidates who think that they can win with the violence of numbers.

　Those examiners head to the newly constructed dome-shaped playground.
　I moved Heimdall and King Amst to renovate the old playground.
　The walls are all made of thick magical silver and won't break under any circumstances.
　It was designed to be so strong that even the king called it "safer than his own bedroom".

　''Yes. You can move your body safely inside here.
　It was my idea in response to the spate of terrorist incidents.

　Although a reasonable budget was spent, the magic silver was procured locally.
　I found a place in the lower levels of the dungeon where magical silver can be mined freely, and I brought it from there.
　The cost was reduced to about 1/100th of what it would cost to make it normally.
　After all, as far as building materials go, it's as good as free.

　It's a pity that even though I was the one who found that magic silver, the kingdom has the right to buy and sell it.
　I only have the right to explore, not the right to own the dungeon.
　That's why I have to give what I find to the king.

　It wouldn't have been my dream to be a millionaire, but oh well.
　I don't want to get rich.
　I want to be strong.

　Candidates are gathering one after another in the large, dome-shaped playground.
　Everyone was uniformly overwhelmed by the size and canopied playground.
　Some were excited and some raised their voices.
　Once again, most of them wanted to enroll in Chapter 5, which seemed to add to their fighting spirit.

　The roll call of everyone was over and the entrances to the various playgrounds were closed.
　Now, even if the 'Revolutionary Aspirants' or 'Fiends' reveal themselves, there is no way to escape.
　They were rats in a bag.

　In front of the nearly 1,300 examinees, I changed my mind.

''Now we're going to start the practical test. As I said before, you must defeat me. I don't care how you do it. Weapons, magic, whatever, whether it's one-on-one or in a group, I don't care. Feel free to do what you want as long as it's with the intention of hurting me. However, you are not allowed to use violence on anyone but me in the test. If I find you, I will immediately disqualify you from the test, and I intend to do so.

　Then the question flew.
　It was about the time limit.
　I hadn't thought of that.
　Okay.

"There shall be no time limit.

"Yeah!

I'll be announcing my decision in two days. As far as I'm concerned, I don't care who, when, or where you play. If you win, you'll be accepted. But you'll be a crumbling old man by then.

　A burst of laughter ensues.

　They probably think I'm joking.
　But I'm truly serious.
　If these candidates are old enough to have children and grandchildren, and they continue to challenge me, I'm going to do my best to take them on.

Now, let's get started.

Wait!

　A voice as sharp as a whip could be heard.
　The one who emerged from the circle of gathered candidates was Relivia.
　Thus, when lined up with the examiners, she was short.
　She looked even more like a child in the midst of a child.

'I'll do it first, one on one,'

Are you sure?

I don't mind. If you lose, just fail.

That's not for you to decide, though, is it?

　Oh dear.....
　Why are the people of the Diriban family so devastated?
　I'm reminded of Iolada, who continued to use magic until she fell into a severe magical deficiency in order to save her friends during the collapse of the dungeon battle.

　Well, okay.

　Iolada's sister.
　Let's get a taste of that.

All right. Everybody stay out of it.

　Finally, I'm ready to do it too.
　I turn to face Lelivia.

'I will avenge my brother.

So don't kill my brother if you don't mind.

　I scratch my head.
　In contrast, Relivia drew her sword and held it at the ready.

'What's your cue?'

On the contrary, I ask, is it necessary?

Great!

　Lelivia lands a kick to the ground.
　Fast - not necessarily.
　Considering her age, I guess that's about right.
　To begin with, Relivia's profession is 【Mage (Wizard)】.
　She shouldn't be good at close combat.

　That slender sword's cutting edge points at me.
　I unleashed a thrust aimed at the throat.
　The first sword with the full force of my body.
　But I saw through the sword streak and dodged it just in time.

　Lelivia's movements do not stop.
　Utilizing her small and nimble body, she returns to her center of gravity, which is more than the front.
　As it is, she only swings her arms and changes into a sideways cleave.
　I dodge that too.
　Relivia's sword flew above my head.

　But the other side must have read it too.
　I stopped my arms with a cooing motion and turned 90 degrees, cutting off my waist.
　When I caught it in front of me, I held it with both hands and swung it down.

　Keen!

　Relivia's sword caught me on the cold stone floor of the playground.

　I was back stepping away.
　I took a couple of extra steps to get an extra distance between us.

''You, why don't you use magic. You're a [mage (wizard)], right?

　It was the moment I asked the question.
　With a huff, Relivia disappears.

'Huh?'

　That's when I first got upset.
　I should have been watching Relivia all along.
　But she was completely out of my sight now.

　I moved at high speed.
　No, I didn't even hear a noise for that matter.
　Is it some kind of magic........

　I think--.
　But there was no time for that.

'I've got it.'

　I turned around as quickly as I could.
　There was Relivia's figure, who was about to unleash her sword point at any moment.

''When did that happen!

　I clicked my tongue lightly.
　Unfortunately, I couldn't evade in time.
　I drew the sword at my waist.
　You can't afford to miss the cutting edge of the oncoming fine sword.

　However, Relivia's attack is not over.
　For a moment, the magic power swells up.
　It's also a minuscule amount.
　Relivia's mouth moved faintly.

　[Transfer]

　Relivia disappears again.
　This time she appears right next to me.
　The tip is pointed at me again.
　I pay again.

"d*mn it!

　Lelivia clicks her tongue.
　I started to fight back, but--.

　[Transfer]

　He activated his magic and distanced himself from me for a moment.

'That's great. That's the first time you've been able to block two of my instantaneous attacks on the first sight.

　Praise for me.
　But - although it's annoying - it's probably Relivia who will be praised.

　The magic of [Transfer] is a magic that chases the residue of one's magic power.
　And above all, it's not suitable for short distance travel.
　She uses it brilliantly at a very short distance of about one step.

　It's not at a level that can be managed by controlling magic power.
　In the first place, since it is magic that chases magic residue, control is useless.
　The other thing I can think of is a powerful image ability.

　It also has an innate predisposition to........

I see. You're an instantaneous memory user (instalor), aren't you?