Then came the day of the test.
　The testing ground that had been set up in the academy grounds was overflowing with people.

　It is not only used for on-campus practical skills and training, but also for events such as exchange games with the academy, and an area for spectators is prepared.
　Of course, it is not an entertainment facility, so the area for spectators is not lined with chairs, even if it is called a spectator area.
　It is sloped away from the center of the testing area and has moderate steps.
　Spectators can sit on the steps or on folding chairs that they have brought with them to look down on.

　The center of the testing ground is a round-shaped plaza with a diameter of fifty meters, surrounded by a wall about three meters high.

"Wow. I didn't know the inside of the proving ground was like this.

　Rai, who looked around the testing ground, was next to Kirill, admiring him.

　But Kirill, in fact, had no time for that.
　This is because he didn't expect it to be such a big deal.

　It was not Kirill's intention to have a trial run with the Count's son.
　And moreover, this spectacle could almost be called a spectacle.
　Kirill's mood, which was not in the mood to begin with, has only dropped to a bottomless pit.

Why did you do this to ......

　I don't even know how many times I've been blabbering for the last few days.

''It can't be helped. Kataya is a genius that even the instructors have taken notice of. On the one hand, the count son of the noblest person in the school. If it comes down to a head-to-head trial technique with each other's claims on the line, even if you don't like it, you'll get a lot of attention.''

No, I'm not the one who brought the game up and I didn't take it.

　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who can do this.

Even if that county son doesn't say anything, this is probably going to happen at some point. You can take care of the most troublesome ones first. You just need to beat up the Countess and her son and he will do the rest on his own.

　Eleanor assured me with a violent manner that was unbecoming of a nobleman's daughter.
　The way she spoke was as if she had wanted this to happen.

...... I know you don't think it's possible, but from the beginning this--

Both!　To the center!

　Kirill's attempt to question his true intentions was drowned out by the referee's signal.

'Come on, Kirill. The referee is calling you.

The stage is set for you to win, so go ahead and do what you have to do.

　Nodded by the two irresponsible chaperones, Kirill reluctantly made his way to the center of the testing room.

　The two waiting in the center are his opponent, Count's son Leon, and the two judges.
　All eyes were focused on Kirill from the entire testing arena as he stepped out.

　Most of the spectators were students of the school, but there were a few figures who appeared to be people from outside the school.
　The reason why a mere test competition between first year students is attracting so much attention is not only because Kirill's opponent is the Count's son, but also because of the person who is serving as the referee.

　The person who was to be the referee took a glance at Kirill with fiery red eyes.
　She was a renowned explorer who had made a number of achievements in excavating ruins.
　Aside from her fame, she has a beauty that would be a shame to keep her as an explorer, and she has many followers not only in the city but also among the nobility.

　She has a stern and stern personality.
　He has many enemies and many allies because he does not like to be perverted and does not care if they are noblemen or not.

　It's a shame that he's so inflexible, but everyone knows he's more than that, he's a fair-minded man.
　There could be no one more qualified to serve as a judge.

　Why is she acting as a referee in such a student-to-student trial competition?
　The answer to this question was revealed to Kirill by Eleanor.

''There are a lot of nobles who think it's natural for them to win or something. Of course, there are those who don't. At the very least, the Count's son is probably not capable of accepting the result of losing to a commoner with an open mind. He might try to make a difficult decision after the trial, or maybe he'll try to bribe the judges.''

　But she would be fine, Eleanor assured him.

　The female explorer, who has a reputation for not being shy about taking on any great aristocrat if it's not reasonable, would never be bribed, even if the Countesses pressured her.
　In addition, she is a person of proven ability and fame. There should be no one to question that judgment.
　That's why Eleanor recommended him for the role of judge before the Count's son.

　Of course, since she was a renowned explorer, she was also busy.
　Normally, she wouldn't have time to undertake the role of referee in a trial game between students, but according to Eleanor, she 'bowed and begged' and managed to get him to agree to it.

　If his father, Viscount Milmeus, had helped him, but hearing that Eleanor herself went to the searcher and asked for help, Kirill felt strangely stupid that there was a noblewoman who was strangely light on footwork.

''What kind of tactics are you using to make a person from the county family wait?　I know it's futile to ask commoners to be polite, but isn't that the height of rudeness?

Oh, I'm sorry.

　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends and family.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find out what's going on," he said, "but if you think about it, why do I have to stand in the same place as a lowly person like you? Normally, all you have to do is bow and ask for forgiveness. It's not too late. If you want to rub your head on the ground here and apologize and leave the school, I can forgive you.

　Kirill felt annoyed by this condescending attitude, but that doesn't mean he wants to stir up the other party.

Well, ....... Even though you say so, we have our own reasons ......

　It was clear that the main thing was that some baroness would not be convinced.
　It was Kirill who modestly refused the offer, but the fact that he refuted it was in itself unforgivable to Leon.

''You're planning to challenge the county family as a commoner!

　Leon, who was instantly agitated and was about to crowd Kirill, was stopped by the referee with a gesture.

I acknowledge that words are one of the weapons, but please refrain from overly provoking him before the test begins. Any more and you will be subject to a penalty.

Jesus Christ!　You know I'm a Countess!

　The female searcher replied with a sullen look on her face as she pointed the finger at the judge.

Yes, I know who you are. You are the fourth son of the Earl of Classel, aren't you, Lord Lyon? And?　What about it?

You knew and you acted like it!

"You are now one of the trialists. I am the judge. What else do you have to take into account?　I'm just going to treat you as a referee. If you don't change your attitude after saying all this, I'll just disqualify you right here and now?

Ku ......, remember ......!

　As expected, he wanted to avoid disqualification.
　Staring hatefully at the referee, Rion pulled back.

　Kirill was inwardly relieved.
　It would certainly be a good decision to ask her to be the referee.
　A decent decision cannot be expected if the person who would keep his mouth shut to Leon, who wielded his identity, is the judge.

　While receiving a biting look from Leon, the referee woman opened her mouth as if nothing had happened.

''I'm sure you both understand the rules, but I'll explain them to you just in case.

　Kirill and Leon nodded silently at the confirmation of the referee.

The test will last fifteen minutes. The winner will be decided by the use of a test protection. This amulet is designed to protect the wearer's body with a barrier, but it is designed to lose its effectiveness if a certain amount of stress is placed on the wearer for a short period of time. The moment one of the amulets is deactivated, the winner will be decided. Of course, the person who loses the effect of the amulet is the loser.

　The referees take out a protective charm with a string attached and hand one each to Kirill and Leon.
　Kirill receives the amulet and ties the string to a piece of clothing to secure it.

'Attacking an opponent who has lost the effect of the amulet is forbidden. Any attack after the victory or defeat is decided will be immediately considered a foul loss. Don't think about needlessly chasing someone down in a trial match, let alone in a real fight.

　When the effect of the amulet is lost, grains of light spread to an area of about one meter in circumference.
　It would be obvious that the amulet had been disabled, even if it was still in his pocket.

''Although it is separated from the spectator area by a defensive barrier, it is forbidden to deliberately carry out an attack aimed at the spectator area. It is also equally forbidden to receive assistance from the outside. There are no restrictions on the type of magic used in attacks, except for a few. By some, I mean poisons, curses, and their equivalents. The use of weapons with these effects on them is also prohibited. That's all, is that all right?

　The rules themselves are exactly what we were told beforehand.
　The attitude shows that there is no disagreement.

'Then both sides, please take a stand.

　After the referee's words, Kirill moved to the position marked in the center of the testing area, but he had to tilt his head there.

''Huh?''

How can I help you?

　To Kirill, who squealed, the woman playing the referee asked.

'Oh, that ....... Is the standing position right here?

Yes, I'm sure of it.

　Kirill stands to the line marked on the ground.
　The opponent facing it is also standing on the line as well.

　But the distance between them was much closer than Kirill had thought.

''Are you sure you're sure about this distance?''

　The female explorer who plays the role of judge narrows her eyes.
　She seems to understand what Kirill is trying to say, but she just shakes her head and doesn't say anything more.

　On the other hand, the other person standing here perverts his meaning and raises the corners of his mouth.

What a commoner. You've lost your nerve by now?　If you're afraid of eating attack magic at this distance, then just admit defeat and surrender.

'Yeah, no ....... If I'm not mistaken, no problem. We're good to go here.

　The reason why Kirill checked with the referee.
　That was because the distance between him and his opponent was only about twenty meters.
　Considering that the distance to the target to hit the magic in the practice is twenty meters as well, the school probably considers that distance to be the proper distance in battle.

　But that's just for the average sorcerer.
　For Kirill, who is being trained by Ardis in the forest, twenty meters is not a long distance.
　Even the relatively slow twin-sworded beasts are at a distance where they can attack us while we cast a single attack magic.

　To put it in an extreme way, it is a distance that Kirill needs to be prepared to engage in close combat.
　In the forest, while running away from the beasts, he releases magic to stop them.
　If Kirill is doing that as a matter of course, it would be possible to release magic while closing the distance on the contrary.

''If it's at this distance, you can go to ......

　Kirill murmurs in a whisper that no one can hear.

　As expected of an oni instructor, he also took yesterday off from training as it was the day before the test.
　Therefore, I'm not worried about my physical condition.

　Recalling Aldis's words of 'hook him up with his feet', I assemble the flow of the immediate aftermath of the start of the trial run.

''Then--the trial run begins!

　Kirill's thoughts came together and the referees announced the start almost simultaneously.