Mr. Noh shouted, "Maya, come forward and take the test."
"Yes, Sir," Maya replied, stepping forward. She asked Mr. Noh, "Sir, can I use magic attacks?"
Mr. Noh looked at her and replied, "Yes, do what you can to damage the rock with your three attacks. Remember, you have three attempts. If you can't damage the rock, you're out, okay?"
Maya nodded, "Yes, Sir, I understand."
"Start when you're ready," Mr. Noh said.
Maya stood before the giant rock, closed her eyes, and raised her hand. In her mind, she whispered, "Fireball Inferno."
As she focused, the air around her filled with mana. She felt it gathering from her core to her palm, which grew warm. Suddenly, light converged into a fireball in her hand.
She opened her eyes and launched the fireball at the rock. It sped towards the target, hitting it with a loud explosion and leaving a visible mark.
Maya examined the damage but didn't seem satisfied. "Can I attack again?" she asked.
Mr. Noh reassured her, "Your results are promising. The damage you caused is good. No need to be upset."
Though Maya remained silent, her expression revealed her disappointment.
From the sidelines, Zero whispered, "Show off."
Naime replied, "What if she hears you?"
"Relax," Zero whispered back, with a smirk.
"Maya's score is 10," Mr. Noh announced, writing in his report. He gestured for Maya to return to her place.
Maya nodded and returned to her spot.
"Next!" Mr. Noh called.
Fez stepped forward, grabbed a sword, and attacked the rock, but it showed no damage. Infusing his sword with mana, he struck again, managing to leave a cut.
"Score 10," Mr. Noh declared.
"Zero, come forward," Mr. Noh shouted.
"Finally, my turn," Zero muttered as he stepped up.
"Good luck," Naime whispered. Zero nodded and approached the weapons.
"Choose any weapon and start when you're ready," Mr. Noh instructed.
"I'll choose a sword. Magic isn't my forte, so a weapon is my best option," Zero thought, grabbing a sword from the rack.
Zero tested the sword's balance, swinging it through the air. "Pretty good," he thought.
"Okay, now start," he said, focusing on the rock. "It's sturdy. Damaging it without mana will be tough."
## Zero's Current Status
_____Status_______
- Name: Zero
- Age: 13
- Level: 32
- Rank: N/A
- Title: Hobo Hunter
- Class: N/A
- Health: 350/350
- Mana: 480/480
______Attributes_____
- Strength: 46
- Intelligence: 41
- Sense: 41
- Agility: 43
- Vitality: 46
___Skills_____________
- Passive: Cold-Heart [LV: 01], Mana Core [LV: 01]
- Active: Rage [LV: 03], Observe [LV: Max], Golden Heal [LV: 01]
______________________
[ Fatigue Bar: 00% ]
"Okay, let's attack with all my strength," Zero resolved, charging at the rock. Using all his power, he slashed at it, creating a cloud of dust. When the dust settled, a huge cut was visible on the rock.
Mr. Noh looked shocked, surprised by the depth of Zero's attack. "Wow, I can finally be called super strong," Zero thought proudly.
Mr. Song, who had been dozing in a chair, opened his eyes briefly and thought, "This year is going to be interesting," before drifting back to sleep.
The exam continued. Ten people failed by the end of the test.
After the Rock Damage test, the Boar Chase began. Participants had to catch a boar without killing it, and weapons were not allowed.
Fifteen people failed this test.
"Thanks, Zero, for helping me catch the boar," Naime said gratefully.
"Don't worry. We'll both pass the test and enter the Course. But what's the final test about?" Zero asked.
"Now for the final test of the physical exam: Fight Mr. Song," Mr. Noh announced loudly.
"What? How can we fight him? Some of us don't even know any magic spells!" students exclaimed in fear and confusion.
Mr. Noh reassured them, "Don't worry about how you fight. Mr. Song will assess your fighting capacity and find the best training method for you. Mr. Song will decide who passes or fails. Pass and you get 10 points, fail and you get 0."
Mr. Song stood in the middle of the crowd as the students formed a ring around him.
"Maya, you're up first," Mr. Noh said.
Maya stepped forward confidently, and the crowd cheered her on.
"She's quite the beauty, isn't she?" someone whispered.
"Right, she's unmatched on the whole island," came the reply.
Zero overheard and whispered, "She's a beauty? Guess they don't have taste."
Naime nudged him, "Shh, she'll hear you. Let's just watch the fight."
Maya seemed angry, her face showing traces of annoyance.
"Start," Mr. Noh announced, stepping back.
Mr. Song asked Maya, "You're good with magic, right?"
"Yes," Maya replied promptly.
"Then I'll also use a magic spell, not a weapon," Mr. Song said, leaving his sword sheathed.
Maya nodded and prepared her magic.
"Show-off," Zero muttered again.
Maya quickly cast "Fireball" at Mr. Song, who countered with an "Ice Shield."
The Ice Shield, a basic defense spell, materialized as a small, rounded shield of ice. Maya's fireball struck it harmlessly.
Mr. Song told Maya, "It's good that you can already use spells, but your attack lacks power. Remember, there are three steps to casting a powerful spell: image, feel, and mana use. Understand? Now, watch closely."
Mr. Noh thought, "Mr. Song is an A-Rank in magic."
Mr. Song cast his own Fireball. Maya noticed how perfectly controlled his mana was, far beyond her own ability.
His Fireball sailed toward Maya, who froze in shock. It soared past her, exploding in the sky and sending a shockwave that rippled through the crowd.
"Ahhh, what's happening?" everyone screamed.
Zero and the others were in awe of the real magic they had just witnessed.
"Pass. Next," Mr. Song said calmly.
Maya, still in shock, moved to stand with the other successful candidates.
Zero thought, "Wow, real magic in this world is something else."
"Next," Mr. Noh called again, but no one moved, still stunned by the display.
Mr. Noh thought, frustrated, "Mr. Song, maybe hold back a little."
Zero stepped forward, "I'll fight now. Let's start, Mr. Song."
Zero picked up a longsword and pointed it at Mr. Song. "I don't know magic spells, so let's fight like warriors."
"Come at me," Mr. Song said, keeping his sword sheathed.
Zero charged, attacking with a jump. Mr. Song blocked it effortlessly with his sheathed sword.
"You aren't taking me seriously, Sir," Zero said, stepping back and circling Mr. Song.
Zero attacked from behind with a powerful slash, but Mr. Song blocked it easily. "You're too arrogant. Your attacks are weak. Try something else," Mr. Song advised.
Zero, frustrated, activated his Rage skill.
[ Rage Level: 03 Active. Mana Required: 05 Every Second ]
- [Your Strength Will Increase By 08 ]
- [Health Damage By 04 Every Second ]
[ Strength 46 -> 54 ]
Zero moved faster, trying to confuse Mr. Song. He launched his most powerful attack yet, thinking, "Now block this."
As his attack closed in, Mr. Song smiled. "Huh," Zero thought, surprised.
Mr. Song dodged effortlessly, letting Zero's attack hit the ground.
"You focus too much on me blocking. I told you, you're getting too arrogant," Mr. Song said.
Zero composed himself, ready to attack again, but Mr. Song was faster. A fierce aura enveloped Mr. Song as he struck Zero with precision.
Zero felt his ribs crack. "Damn," was his last thought before he passed out.
[ To Be Continued ] [ Thanks For Reading ] [ Leave Some Comments Okay 👌 ]
[ See You Tomorrow ]