It's not in my place to be bragging but everyone did well in the first test.
Yep, except for me…
And as a matter of fact, this resulted to even more fervent atmosphere than earlier. Poor me, really.
Students gathered up as a group, exchanging their respective results to their friends. While in my case? I've only received a triumphant smirk from Elisha—and a bragging remark from Dio.
It did not help that the guy's already got a girl. He pisses me off!
Just to be clear, it's not like that I'm envious of Dio having a girlfriend or anything, okay? It's just, well uh, annoying. Yes. It's not like what you think, okay?
I looked around the training hall to see how enthusiastic everyone had become. While most received a favorable result, others were dissatisfied as they were unable to achieve their desired outcome. In my opinion; why complain when you already got a passing mark? I don't really get these young and talented folks.
Not my business, though.
Taking my time scanning the hall, my eyes caught a glimpse of Sofy. She sat close Miss Tokugawa and is relaxing for a while.
I assume that her role will be during the actual combat test. Given that healing was not required for the first and second part of the session, she had the chance to take it easy.
When she saw that I was looking at her, she offered me an awkward wave and a wry smile. Is she concerned that I might feel smothered by the results of my first test? As expected of my beloved sister. She's an angel.
Well, for now let's offer her a little assurance.
I smiled at her and showed her an "ok" sign with my fingers—inconspicuously telling her that I'm doing fine. I even gave her my best wink! Sofy covered her mouth as she giggled.
Seemingly satisfied, she turned back to talk to miss Tokugawa.
That's better. It's no good at all if you're not having fun.
While I was thinking that, a faint voice called from behind me.
"Uh, umm… Gleren…"
"Hm? Ah!"
I whipped my head to see Varvara, looking a little bit shy. She had her fingers combined while she fidgets at her every gesture. Clearly, she's not used to calling out to people.
How admirable of her to call out to me despite all that.
"Hey." I lifted my hand as a to say hello to her to help her calm down and relax even for a little.
She smiled and raised her hand as well in response. "H-hey."
She's cute, alright.
She stood beside me and then went on for an idle talk.
"How did you do, Gleren?"
"About the lesson?"
She nodded.
I gave her a wink and a thumbs up, "Yep. Terrible."
It made her her giggle. I really never expected her to chuckle from that. But the way she did was so innocent that it almost—no—it looked really cute, to be honest.
"Ehehe. What's with that? You contradict your action with your words. Hehe."
How can someone grow so fast within a three days span?
She stopped stammering and now speaks to me without feeling uncomfortable. Though her voice was still faint and I can hardly hear her, I'm glad she's more at ease with me.
I thought I was being forceful by saying she should speak more at ease with me. But now, I want to praise my past self for saying so.
Even so, she's grown. It might be her strong spirit that helped her so.
"How about you? How did you fare?"
"EHehe. I've got an SR result this time. And uhm… sorry but, I just want to brag to you a little. Ehehe."
"Oh, damn." I blurted unconsciously.
I was genuinely impressed by her result. An {SR} magic power within the first year?
Wow to the actual shards.
However, that was not the reason for my surprise. Her fidgeting and the way she smiled at the end of each sentence pushed me to do so.
It was as if she dropped a bomb out of nowhere and I could see my own reflection—my surprised expression through her thick glasses.
I felt the heat rise up my cheeks. This is the second time she has done this. She really was a natural born tease.
"Huh? Ah, did... did I said something wrong?"
She asked, her face ever so near—eyes misting. I don't know if she's doing this on purpose or she's just flustered. But this was way too bold! Not in the public places, please!
I moved back my head and averted my gaze.
"Ah, no. I was just a little surprise. That's nice, isn't it? I'm happy for you."
"I see. I thought I've made you uncomfortable. Thank goodness." She held her chest as she backed down.
Oh, damn. What kind seraphim trial is this... Her anxious expression was very cute as well!
As I was thinking this, I felt a sudden shiver down my spine. A wave that isn't quite like a bloodlust but nearly similar. I looked around for the source of such and there I noticed Sofy staring coldly at us. Something like a demon mask emerging from her back.
"Oh, damn." I gasped. This time it was not unintentional.
Knowing my little sister—this will be a long and scary discussion...
I have to explain this all to her later, huh?
She's going to burn me alive if I don't.
When I felt another irked stared, I saw Elisha glaring at me as well.
Now that one is a matter of question; what was her problem?
***
When the preparation for the next test seemed to be completed, Reina stood in front of everyone to explain what to do with the dolls they had lined up in front of her.
Wait, I thought Miss Tokugawa was meant to give us instructions? So, why was she just casually sipping her coffee as if it were a natural thing to do?
Oh well. Reina proceeded to explain.
"As you may observe, we have here ten earthen golems. It was entirely constructed using earth magic by one of the student councils' ability users. All you have to do is formulate and execute the most effective method to subjugate the golem that's about to be assigned to your class. Though I said class, the test will be done individually. Are there any further queries?"
I see. So, here is a test or rather a showcase of how well one can use their abilities in an actual battle.
Might as well take this seriously. Sofy's looking anxious.
Then as the first one to ask, Elisha put up her hand.
"Yes? Do you have any question?" Reina urged her.
"Indeed. If I may, is the test only limited on destroying the target? The golems?"
With such question, whispers began to flood the hall.
This lass makes sense. It was actually a good question. Not all ability users fall onto the vanguard, swordmasters, or battle-mage categories. Many people here take their roles as beastmasters, summoners, tamers, and healers. They are more of a support than actual fighters.
To consider this factor,
"As expected of someone so haughty."
"Hah?!"
Oh, crap I let my thoughts to escape.
"N-nothing~."
I averted my gaze.
"Certainly, there are a lot of types of ability users that's present here. Anyone can use anything that they deem useful. Anything goes. You can try to tame the golem, make it your familiar, and so on. If you use the proper way to do so, we will not hinder or forbid you. You can tame the golem without any problems. You can also use summons and familiars to fight. And as long as you can make sure that the golems are out of hostility against you or thoroughly destroyed, you pass." Responded Reina.
It was really well explained that everyone could only nod including Elisha.
"Ah, also, healers are excluded in this test, but support magic such as boosters and any other type with the same effect is permitted. Healers will be taking different exam later."
Yep. That answers all the questions that need to be asked. In this part, that is.
But even still... miss Tokugawa's not really going to do anything, huh. What a good example she is.
"Do you have any more questions?" Everyone looked at each other while shaking their heads.
"How about you, miss Courtenay?"
"Yes. My questions were all answered. Thank you very much."
Reina nodded. "Very well. Then, let us begin the second test."
***
We lined up, divided as half of our class in front of one of the golems that had been set up for us.
Because there were only 20 of us in class, we were instructed to split into two groups. That brings us to eight in each golem, with four of our classmates categorized as healers.
The total number of people who will be taking the test was around 80. It only reveals that 20% of current first-year students were healers. Well, 79 actually, and our class is unevenly divided 7:8, excluding the 4 healers. And as you can guess, that Maria girl is the cause.
Too many numbers to count...
Elisha was obviously the first to try in our class. She really loves her attention.
Before heading to the front, she gave me a glance that said, "Watch me." And it's not the sweet kind of "watch me" it's an all-out challenge from her.
What exactly does she stand to gain by competing against me? This lass is a truly mysterious creature. Or if not, "she's just messed up in the head."
"Hah?!"
Ah, crap. I did it again! My tongue slipped.
For now, let's just whistle our way out of this. "Wishoo wishoo, wishoooo wheeee."
"Dude, was that supposed to be a whistle?" Dio commented.
"..."
Oh, shush you! And you lass, stop looking at me with that sympathetic eyes!
"I-it's okay, Gleren. With some practice, you will learn how to whistle in no time! Look," she gave me an example how an actual whistle is. Hers sounded like a sweet sounding flute. "I use this when I communicate with animals."
"Thanks…. but I think I'll pass."
Thank you for your concern, my dear Varvara… but you know... that comporting voice of yours did not help much this time.
Ah, I'm tearing up.
"Hmph! Just you watch!"
Elisha announced and went her way to the golem that was prepared for our class. Reina indicated not to worry about destroying the golem as they could construct it again without difficulty.
But man, these golems are pretty well-made. It moves as if it were conscious. Much like the golems found in some role-playing games. The one who made these golems is pretty amazing.
Elisha took up a battle stance in front of the three-meter tall golem. When Reina gave the signal, Elisha acted as soon as possible.
"Oh, Goddess of War—Great Athena! Lend me your strength!"
As she announced, a light engulfed practically every corner of the hall. Something shone brightly over the golems' head. So dazzling that test takers from other classes has stopped to observe her. Then a gigantic shield of golden light appeared from nowhere in the thin air—right above the earthen golem. Elisha then immediately swept her hand downward, crushing the golem in rubles with the shield she had made with her ability.
Such an efficient method.
The battle ended as quickly as that. It only took 30 seconds for Elisha to destroy the golem. Completely crushed, if you'd ask me. Since it was made of earth, the golem turned into an absolute ruins.
Still, I think she can improve. The whole thing took 30 seconds because of her chant. If she could learn how to fight without chanting it could have ended even faster.
Her flashy way of doing things ain't bad. But in actual battle, the speed of your actions, the way you use your magic, and the way you predict your enemy's moves are all that determine one's victory.
This time around, Elisha won easily because the movement of the golem was rather slow—but if it attacked her while she was in the middle on her chant, then it was all over.
But well, the rules only told us that we must think of a way to completely destroy the golem. So, I think this time what she did was the most efficient way for the test.
"Well done." Reina complemented.
Once she was finished, Elisha returned to where our class was watching. She walked proudly, and her looks a little conceited for some reason. And then, when she was about to pass by me, she sneered. "Hmph! See that?"
"Yep. That was splendid. The way you thought of a strategy to crush the golem with the weight of your shield was very well executed. It was truly a good way to use your ability against the slow-moving object."
I said. Genuinely giving her a complement.
Well, what she did was really good, so what's there to complain about? I have to be honest when it comes to battle review. It may cause unneeded worries or overconfidence if I minced my words or if I let my personal view of the person to cloud over me.
Worse, death will be eminent to those fool who do not know the extent of their ability.
When I thought I made the right choice to be honest with her, Elisha turned to me with face as red as a tomato. She started ranting that I can hardly even understand her anymore.
"W-w-w-what's with you?! Saying all that all of the sudden! Why don't you just stick to that sulky, sarcastic personality of yours?!" Say What?!
"I see. So that's how you really see me, huh!"
It annoyed me a little. No, scratch that! I was annoyed as hell!
She's still super red. Is she that angry? Why though? I was complementing her!
"S-stupid! Stupid!!! Y-you will pay for thisssss!"
And then she ran off to the other edge of the hall after spouting some thug-line out of nowhere.
Ah! She slipped.
***
"Next."
When Reina uttered that, Dio went in front as it was finally turn to try.
"Begin!"
Dio is a B-ranked ability holder with A-rank ability prowess. But other than that, he's ability was quite intriguing. He's a puppeteer. He held three miniature steel soldiers, and when he threw it in the air, it grew in size.
When it landed, it was already having the physic of an adult. Dio seemed capable of controlling the size of the puppet he owned and once it was in the battle, he could control it at will.
Dio stood behind his steel soldiers. For him, this shoul be the most efficient method to fight.
Dio's sense of battle was more than how I initially scaled him to have. Since he was the master and the controller of the puppets, staying at a safe distance was the best way to fight.
At Dio's command, the puppets charged at three different sides. One in front and two at the left and right side of the golem. The one in the middle charged straight to the golems flank creating a diversion for the other two —letting them take out its legs with no hurdle at all.
Then eventually, the golem fell down with both of its legs being successfully cut down by the two other puppets. As the golem can no longer move, Dio went near and stabbed the head of the golem with a sword.
The battle ended.
It was a battle not so flashy compared to when Elisha did it. But it was efficient and a splendid display of strategy. Though, if I may comment on one flaw that Dio did—then it was when he went his way to stab the golem himself.
One must consider all the possibility. What if the golem possesed some kind of beam magic on its head? Then it was all over for him. Dio could have just let the puppets stab It for him.
Well, this time it worked so there's no need to fuss over such things for now. But it must be pointed out. Being a puppeteer, your safety is your capital for every battle, after all.
That was just my personal opinion, though. The outcome of a battle is based on ones strength and wit. Someone like me has no right to tell anyone what to do.
As the next student went to face the prepared golem, the test continued.