Chapter 7: Instructor Test(4)

The next day.

Ray and I had arrived in the kingdom’s capital, Tristan.

Since I had already been here once for the first exam, the scenery that caught my eye felt incredibly familiar.

I recalled the remaining portions of the instructor exam.

‘The second test…’

The instructor exam for Tristan Hero Academy is divided into four parts.

The first is the one I’ve already taken.

The written test and the first practical exam.

The written test, as the name suggests, covers theories related to swordsmanship.

It includes methods for handling the sword, effective combat techniques, and the process of infusing magic into the sword… The exam covers all sword-related theories and evaluates them.

Due to its highly detailed nature, it is often considered excessively difficult, but perhaps in recognition of that, it doesn’t carry as much weight compared to other sections of the exam.

…Though it was way too easy for me.

Basic methodologies of swordsmanship are similar across all worlds and nations.

And I had honed those skills for a full 10 years in the world I was in before returning.

Even without a particular talent for the sword, with this much experience, passing a written test like this was as easy as pie.

‘The first practical exam was a simple strength test.’

The early-stage practical exam for the swordsmanship department is quite similar to the one for the martial arts department.

It evaluates candidates’ physical capabilities such as strength, endurance, and reaction speed on a basic level.

Although one’s skill in a specific field doesn’t always align with their ability to teach, it’s absurd to think that an instructor could have lower basic physical capabilities than a cadet.

The early-stage practical exam is a test designed to prevent such cases in advance.

Naturally, I passed it with ease.

Since there was no swordsmanship test, I didn’t even have a chance to demonstrate my real abilities.

And the second exam…

‘…What was it again?’

For a moment, my mind went blank.

With only an hour left before the exam, I couldn’t recall the test section.

I quietly turned my head and asked my all-purpose butler a question.

“ Ray, what was the next test again?”

“…Are you seriously asking that?”

“I have never spoken anything but seriously, Ray.”

“You say the strangest things as if they were some sort of principle.”

Ray’s sharp critique pierced a corner of my heart.

In truth, I hadn’t really prepared for the exam.

No matter what kind of test came up, I was confident that with the destiny of <The Sword’s Interpreter> that I had acquired, I would pass without a doubt.

This isn’t arrogance.

It’s confidence full of certainty.

So instead, I had focused on studying things necessary to adapt after my return.

The current state of the continent and the kingdom, the relationships between various nations, and the etiquette that I must observe as a noble of the kingdom…

There was a mountain of things I had to learn in that area too.

“Do you really not remember?”

Of course, forgetting the test section was a bit extreme, even for me.

I cleared my throat awkwardly and avoided Ray’s gaze.

“…It seems my talent is more exceptional than I thought.”

“You said last time that you were a hero who worked hard.”

“It seems there was some misunderstanding.”

For some reason, I always feel like misunderstandings pile up whenever I talk with Ray.

She sighed but soon explained slowly.

“The second exam consists of the second and third practical tests.”

Unlike the first, it’s composed entirely of practical evaluations.

The next day.

Ray and I were in the kingdom’s capital, Tristan.

Since I had already been here once for the first exam, the scenery felt incredibly familiar.

I recalled hearing that aside from the written evaluation during the first test, there were other sections like basic knowledge and etiquette assessments, teaching demonstrations, and interviews… But those seemed to be for later stages of the exam.

“The second practical exam evaluates stamina and reaction speed, while the third practical exam requires a demonstration of all the basic forms of the Tristan Swordsmanship. I believe from the third practical exam onwards, the examiners will personally observe the candidates.”

“Wait.”

As I was listening quietly, I raised my hand.

Everything was fine, except for one unfamiliar term that caught my ear.

“Tristan Swordsmanship?”

“That’s right. It’s the basic swordsmanship that every cadet graduating from Tristan Academy learns.”

“…I never learned it, though.”

“That’s only natural. Sir Edgar graduated from the Magic Department.”

Ray answered in her usual calm tone.

The reasoning was so straightforward that it instantly made sense to me.

However, my current situation was far from simple.

With a slightly flustered expression, I asked again.

“Then what about the other candidates who didn’t graduate from Tristan? They wouldn’t have learned the Tristan Swordsmanship either.”

“They would probably purchase books to study or hire a tutor. Tristan Swordsmanship is basic enough that it’s sold in bookstores like textbooks, and anyone can learn it if they have enough time.”

“Oh…!”

It seems that fate never leaves you without a way out.

No matter the crisis, there’s always a loophole.

With a brightened expression, I grabbed Ray’s shoulder and said.

“Then go and buy that book, Ray. As quickly as possible.”

“Why didn’t you prepare for this earli— Pardon?”

Ray, who had just started to nag, blinked and asked again.

It was rare to see her make such an expression.

She probably didn’t fully understand what I meant, so I clearly rephrased my words.

“I said, go and buy the Tristan Swordsmanship book. I’ll need it immediately.”

“…Are you telling me that you plan to memorize the swordsmanship now?”

“What other reason would there be?”

“Sir Edgar, the second practical exam starts in less than an hour.”

We had already arrived at the academy.

Applicants were gathering here and there, and the instructors who would oversee today’s exam were starting to appear one by one.

As Ray said, the second part of the instructor exam was scheduled to begin in exactly an hour.

At this point, it was too late to study the Tristan Swordsmanship.

No, with just one hour, it was practically impossible.

In that sense, I understood why Ray was worried, though it wasn’t exactly a concern.

But I lightly smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry. Thirty minutes will be enough.”

Thirty minutes was actually more than I needed.

To be precise, ten minutes would suffice.

With ten minutes, I’d have more than enough time to learn a basic swordsmanship.

“The Ticking Clock of Random Fortune!”

“You have mastered the Tristan Swordsmanship as a Hero. This fortunate event has been bound to the fate of <The Swordsman>.”

Ten minutes.

As expected, it took exactly ten minutes to learn the Tristan Swordsmanship from the book Ray hurriedly purchased from a general store.

To begin with, calling it “swordsmanship” was a bit of a stretch.

It consists of just three basic forms: a horizontal slash, a vertical slash, and a thrust, along with six minor variations of these forms.

A total of nine forms make up the entire swordsmanship.

For someone like me, who could easily defeat high-ranking knights, mastering this set of moves was as simple as glancing at them and swinging the sword a few times.

And so, after ten minutes of diligently practicing the sword techniques, just as I thought to myself, “This should be perfect,” information about “Fortuity” appeared.

“Fortuity, huh…”

Every hero on the continent is born with a “Fate.”

This Fate is categorized into various classes such as <Swordsman>, <Mage>, <Cleric>, and others. Heroes cultivate their skills according to the path chosen by their Fate.

In other words, Fate serves as a compass that determines the hero’s specialization.

“…And with any specialization, there are always required courses.”

These required courses are called “Inevitability.”

Heroes bestowed with Fate are granted one “Inevitability” at each crossroad of their Fate.

Inevitability is one of the key distinctions between heroes and ordinary people. It can be seen as a special ability that a hero acquires after passing through significant moments in their journey.

“The Shadow of an Approaching Inevitability!”

“You possess the Inevitability of <Flexible Absorption>. This Inevitability is tied to the first crossroad of the <Mage> Fate, <Apprentice Mage>.”

That’s how it works.

This Inevitability was bestowed upon me 13 years ago when I was first chosen for the <Mage> Fate and the crossroad of <Apprentice Mage>.

For reference, although <Basic Mana Control> was my Inevitability, it’s actually a fairly common ability that can even be obtained as a “Fortuity.”

In other words, while others may acquire this ability through Fortuity, I received it as an Inevitability.

It was an indication of how ordinary my initial path as an <Apprentice Mage> had been.

“The Inevitability on the Swordsman path, though, is pretty solid.”

Of course, after my return, I gained the Fate of a <Swordsman>.

And with it, five crossroads.

The Inevitabilities I acquired from those crossroads are incredibly powerful.

Starting with <Flexible Absorption>, <Indomitable Body>, <Magic at the Sword’s Edge>, and finally <Steps of Falling Leaves>—each one is invaluable.

These Inevitabilities were crucial in helping my body recover after being completely reset upon my return.

“The next thing to obtain is ‘Fortuity.’”

In any case, just as there’s an Inevitability granted at each crossroad, there’s also a “Fortuity” that can be obtained through training and practice.

If Inevitability is like a required course, Fortuity is more like an elective.

“…Though the condition is that it must be fully mastered.”

Fortuity is only registered under Fate once the ability has been completely mastered.

Until then, it’s merely an ordinary skill.

That’s why, 13 years ago, I hadn’t acquired a single Fortuity.

Not a single one.

Even now, I’m amazed at how little I achieved as a “hero cadet” back then.

“The Ticking Clock of Random Fortune!”

“You have perfectly mastered the <Tristan Swordsmanship> as a Fortuity. This Fortuity is now bound to the <Swordsman> Fate.”

And now.

After just ten minutes of practicing the Tristan Swordsmanship, I fully mastered it and gained it as a Fortuity.

Of course, it’s not particularly useful.

After all, I possess the fifth crossroad of the <Sword’s enlightened one>, and with it, five overwhelmingly powerful Inevitabilities.

Compared to that, the <Tristan Swordsmanship> is probably a worthless Fortuity.

But at least for this instructor exam, it will definitely help me achieve a perfect score.

“Sir Edgar, if needed, I can fetch a cleric.”

Ray, who had approached without me noticing, spoke to me from beside me.

Her sudden words made me tilt my head in confusion as I asked, “A cleric?”

“I’ve heard that skilled clerics can even treat psychological symptoms. Considering how much you’ve been talking to yourself lately, I suspect you may be showing signs of psychological distress…”

“That’s a misunderstanding.”

To think she’d suggest calling a cleric just because I’ve been muttering to myself a few times.

What a harsh misunderstanding.

I’m sure if Ray spent ten years alone in another world, she would understand the loneliness I’ve been carrying.

Suppressing my frustration, I hurried my steps.

Now, the second part of the instructor exam was truly just around the corner