Although it's said that way, the entry test for professional heroes doesn't require proficiency in combat skills. After all, combat techniques are the weapons given to the weak. They allow those who are initially unable to compete with the strong to gain the possibility of defeating them through training.
The physical test mainly assesses basic performance, so Roy merely demonstrated his decent physical abilities.
This decent is judged by the standards of the Super Continent.
Different cultures, environments, and standards naturally lead to differences. In a world where even excessive stress can turn people into monsters, the level of achievement attainable through exercise is quite high. Even without discussing outliers like Saitama and without resorting to unconventional methods, the strength achievable through diligent training and cultivation is considerable.
In Roy's original world, men known as strongmen would barely be able to bully ordinary people, maybe just enough to confuse them for a wolf-level monster in this world.
So, Roy's decent level of strength, compared to his original world, without any combat skills, and relying solely on brute force, would probably be easily overcome by boxing champion Mike Tyson.
Of course, this wasn't Roy's full strength. Roy could control his body according to his thoughts, and without considering self-harm, the force he could exert was quite exaggerated. However, this approach carried significant risks and was generally avoided. After all, Roy believed that true full strength meant being able to maintain the strength to act even after exhausting oneself.
Moreover, Roy wasn't solely reliant on brute force.
Having slightly better physical fitness was just to avoid being easily killed in close combat. Roy's main strength lay in the manipulation of metaparticles through his superpower, allowing him to attack from a distance, making close combat unnecessary.
However, the level of physical strength displayed by Roy, while not impossible in this world, was not common. Those considered decent or strong were still in the minority.
At least, it wasn't a world where everyone was as strong as a dragon. The vast majority were ordinary people leading unremarkable lives.
This could be inferred from the number of registered professional heroes.
The Hero Association's influence among ordinary people was immense, covering the entire Super Continent among ordinary people. Although it was just a young organization established about three years ago, it was already well-known.
However, even in a world where hero culture was prevalent, the number of newly recruited professional heroes was extremely small.
The total might not even reach five hundred.
In a world inhabited by the population of Roy's original world... 7 billion, although it might only be tens or hundreds of millions, there was still a considerable number. In other words, the proportion of professional heroes to the total population didn't even reach one in ten thousand. Although some talented individuals might look down on the Hero Association and refuse to join, such people were undoubtedly few.
Just a few hundred individuals were responsible for various supernatural cases and a significant portion of criminal cases across the entire Super Continent. It was clear that becoming a professional hero required some skill.
However, not all professional heroes were capable of hand-to-hand combat or feats of strength.
The influence of the Hero Association was ultimately limited to ordinary people's circles. Many individuals with considerable power still looked down on it to some extent.
Professional heroes were generally divided into four levels based on their strength and achievements: S, A, B, and C. Among them, the C-level had the largest number, with many ordinary people mixed in. Whether for career planning or out of a sense of justice, they resolutely became professional heroes. Some had exceptional talents and developed strong abilities compared to ordinary people, while others relied on equipment to make up for their shortcomings.
In other words, professional heroes weren't necessarily born powerful, it was more about their beliefs.
It's said that existence determines consciousness, and consciousness affects existence. That's the gist of it.
And with that, Roy completed the physical test.
...
After the test ended, Roy and Saitama returned to the changing room together.
The changing room served not only as a place to change clothes but also as a lounge where they could wait for their results after the test.
"Although it's not obvious, Roy, your physique is quite good." Saitama remarked as he stood waiting for the results to be announced.
"Stop joking... You're not bad yourself, Saitama."
Roy smiled humbly back, compared to the fitness and strength contained within Saitama's physique, he was still a long way off.
"Oh, you dropping the -san now?"
"I feel more comfortable addressing each other by our names directly now. After all, aren't we friends?"
Saitama blushed slightly at the suggestion but acquiesced, "Well, if you prefer it."
At that moment, Genos entered the room.
Seeing his cheap disciple coming, Saitama greeted him.
"Oh, you're done with the test too?"
Seeing Saitama's improved mood, Genos smiled and replied, "Yes. Sensei."
Saitama stood with his hands on his hips, not in a rush to change clothes, and engaged in conversation with Genos, "How did it go?"
"The written test and physical test were both rather boring."
"Right! This hero test is too simple."
Not particularly fond of exposing his skin, Roy interrupted as he put on his clothes, "After all, it's just the most basic test. There's no need to make it too difficult."
Genos added, "Getting a perfect score on the written test is normal. The issue is the physical test. But whether it's Saitama-sensei or Roy-san wondering if it's me, I'm sure passing was a breeze."
One hour later...
"I scored 100 points." Genos said, holding up his score sheet. "Hmm? It says 'recognized as an S-class hero.' What does that mean? What's the point of dividing into grades... Saitama-sensei, Roy-san, how did you do?"
"I passed too, but only scored 71 points. I'm a C-class hero." Saitama twitched his mouth.
Roy frowned as he finished reading and said, "Hmm, has no one in this world upheld the spirit of the law anymore?"
Saitama leaned in, "And you?"
"80 points. I'm a B-class hero."
"Damn it! Am I the weakest among the three of us?"
"Then I'm the second weakest. And I'm probably the only one among us who didn't get a perfect score on the physical test. I got 40 points for both the written test and the physical test."
Genos couldn't sit still. He said, "This is absurd! Both Saitama-sensei and Roy-san are far stronger than me. It's ridiculous to give evaluations that don't match your abilities! I'm going to talk to the person in charge right now!"
Saitama quickly stopped him, "No, don't! It's too embarrassing!"
As he stopped his cheap disciple from protesting against the organizers, an announcement was heard in their waiting room.
[Mr. Genos, Mr. Roy, Mr. Saitama, a qualifying lecture will be held in Hall 3 today at 4 p.m. Please report promptly.]
"Okay, let's go." Saitama said, unaffected. "As long as we pass, right, Roy? That's what you think too, isn't it?"
Roy nodded, "It doesn't matter either way."
But C-class heroes seem to have activity requirements, right? B-class doesn't... Should he mention it to Saitama?
Just as Roy was about to speak up, Saitama casually remarked, "Anyway, after attending the lecture, we can go home. As professional heroes, am I being rehired?"
Ah, this is expert pride, isn't it? In that case, there's no need for a clueless person like him to remind Saitama.
Roy took his seat in the lecture hall.
This was a discussion session for those who had passed the test, led by a senior hero who wouldn't stop talking.
Both Saitama and Genos couldn't be expected to maintain respect for others at all times.
They had earned that right.
And senior hero who feeling slighted by them, want to speak up, but seeing that Roy was maintaining a respectful attitude, he didn't erupt immediately.
***
If you want to read more than 15 chapters ahead of the update schedule, you can visit my Pat-reon: pat-reon.-com/KangTL (remove "-")