[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]
Chapter 27
"The grade skip exam, you say?"
"Indeed. An outstanding cadet like you is certainly qualified to take the grade skip exam."
I had given some thought to skipping grades.
In my previous life, Reina had skipped grades and graduated early from the six-year academy program in just four years.
Howard stroked his magnificent Kaiser beard as he looked at Zeke.
"There's no need to overthink it. I'm sure you're more than capable..."
"I'll do it."
Zeke answered before Howard could even finish his sentence.
His eyes were burning with fierce determination.
'I welcome any opportunity to graduate from the academy early.'
Howard gave a satisfied smile at Zeke's answer.
"Excellent. Very well, then I'll have the grade skip exam prepared. Be sure to show us some impressive results."
Zeke nodded and left the headmaster's office.
Howard, left alone, opened a drawer and took something out of a secretly hidden safe.
It was a communication crystal ball connected to a secure line.
He turned the dial and contacted someone.
Bzzzt
Static noise erupted from the crystal ball, which only displayed a black screen.
Then, a light indicating that the connection was established came on.
Howard spoke into the receiver in a clandestine voice.
"Both Pureblood Awakeners have agreed to take the exam."
Someone on the other end of the receiver gave Howard instructions.
He listened quietly to the instructions and nodded.
"Understood. I'll make those arrangements."
As soon as Howard finished speaking, the light in the crystal ball went out.
Howard put the communication crystal ball back in the safe.
He stood up and, stroking his Kaiser beard, looked at his reflection in the window.
"Things are getting interesting."
* * *
Three days after the meeting with the headmaster, Zeke received notification about the grade skip exam.
And without even knowing what the exam entailed, he had to head to the senior cadet aura training room for the evaluation.
When he went inside, Reina Draker was already there.
She showed a burning fighting spirit towards Zeke.
After the aura evaluation test, Reina's sense of rivalry towards Zeke had grown even stronger.
Zeke tried his best to avoid Reina's gaze.
'This is tiring.'
Originally, Reina was talented enough to be recorded as one of the greatest geniuses in the academy's history.
However, because she was placed on the same level as Zeke, who should be treated as an exception, it felt like her abilities were being downplayed.
Yet, Reina herself, rather than being bothered by this, seemed to be burning with fighting spirit, considering Zeke as her rival.
As the subtle war of nerves continued between Reina and Zeke, someone entered the training ground.
Thump!
It was the instructor in charge and a knight wearing Draker's uniform.
Zeke was momentarily surprised when he saw the knight behind the instructor.
'Willow Sword?'
Willow Sword, Aoul Draker.
He was one of the few people from the Draker Clan that Zeke had a connection with before his regression.
A giant physique with a sturdy-looking body, and a large scar across his face.
Just by the aura he exuded, it was clear that he wasn't someone who would be called in for a grade exam evaluation at the academy.
The instructor in charge stepped forward and explained.
"Zeke Draker, Reina Draker. Today, your grade exam evaluation will be conducted by Sir Aoul Draker, a senior knight from the main Clan."
Reina and Zeke bowed their heads to Aoul in greeting.
Aoul simply stared at them silently without saying a word.
The instructor in charge continued his explanation.
"The exam will consist of a spar. Show us everything you've got for ten minutes.
Understood?"
Reina replied loudly, and Zeke simply nodded.
The instructor in charge asked Aoul,
"Shall we begin right away?"
Aoul nodded at the instructor's words.
He pointed to Reina first.
Reina drew her sword and stood before Aoul.
"Whew..."
The basic requirement for a senior knight of the Draker Clan was to be at least a Blue Knight.
The Blue Knight rank was just the minimum standard; each of them was a true expert with over ten years of experience in actual combat missions.
They could be considered the pillars that actually supported the Draker Clan.
As Reina took her stance, Aoul also drew his sword.
However, Aoul's sword wasn't a typical arming sword, but a unique type.
Zeke fell into thought as he saw Aoul's sword.
"They used the huandao (curved sword) of the Eastern Empire even back then."
A strange weapon with a blade only on one side.
And it was longer than a typical sword.
Zeke's sword let out a cry.
He used Phantom Step and performed the Dragon Slayer Technique.
Dragon Slayer Technique
3rd Form, 1st Verse
Half Moon Slash
The Half Moon Slash, imbued with aura, flew towards Aoul.
Thud!
Aoul tilted his sword sideways and blocked Zeke's Half Moon Slash.
Zeke used the rebound from being blocked by Aoul's sword to rotate his body.
Dragon Slayer Technique
4th Form, 1st Verse
Full Moon Slash
Immediately, Zeke's sword drew a large full moon, gathering centrifugal force, and fell towards the top of Aoul's head.
Aoul fixed his lower body and swung his sword upwards from below.
Crash!
A huge crash resounded as Zeke's Full Moon Slash clashed with Aoul's upward swing.
Zeke couldn't deflect the full impact of the upward swing and was pushed back.
'Whew... It's definitely tough while controlling my aura.'
That's when it happened.
Aoul spoke to Zeke.
"Zeke Draker."
He pointed his sword at Zeke.
"Unleash your full strength."
He had noticed that Zeke wasn't showing his full power.
At the same time, Aoul's body moved.
Whoosh!
Unlike before, he swung his sword with an aggressive stance.
Wooong!
The sword flew towards Zeke from all directions.
Clang!
Zeke raised his sword and blocked the sword.
But the attacks continued endlessly.
The sword twisted at strange angles, aiming for openings and attacking from unexpected directions.
Zeke gritted his teeth as he blocked Aoul's sword.
'He was using this strange Eastern swordsmanship even back then.'
He remembered struggling against this swordsmanship when he fought Aoul on the battlefield before his regression.
When he thought it would strike from above, it would change trajectory and come from the side, and when it came from below, it would go back up.
It was so unpredictable that it was difficult to defend against. Seeing Aoul using his full swordsmanship, Zeke thought he would have to use a bit more of his skills to pass the grade skip exam.
Wooong!
A strong vibration emanated from Zeke's body, not his sword.
Dragon Slayer Technique Application
Gale Force
Phantom Step
In an instant, Zeke's body accelerated to an invisible speed.
Wooong!
It was one of the Gale Force's applications, a technique that strengthened muscles and joints by coating the entire body in aura, increasing elasticity.
The accelerated Zeke dodged Aoul's sword and slipped inside his guard.
Whee!
Zeke's sword shot up, aiming for Aoul's vital point.
That's when it happened.
Thud!
Aoul quickly stepped back half a step, creating an opening and drawing his sword towards Zeke.
Crash!
Zeke, blocking the powerful sword with his own, was pushed back by the rebound and, like Reina, flew towards the wall of the training ground.
Rumble!
The force was so strong that Zeke crashed through the wall.
This meant the healers had to bustle about once more.
Only then did Aoul lower his sword and stare intently at Zeke as he was being transported to the infirmary.
Just then,
"You rascal! You've completely wrecked my disciple."
Duke, appearing out of nowhere, landed in front of Aoul. Aoul immediately bowed his head towards Duke.
"Greetings, Duke Draker."
"Aoul, you're still as stiff as ever."
"I'm glad to see you in good health."
"I'm someone who spends all his time playing around, so I have to be healthy at least. But more importantly..."
Duke grinned and slung an arm around Aoul's shoulder.
"So, how is he, my disciple?"
Aoul kept his mouth shut for a moment, then slowly said,
"Disqualified."
Duke was startled at his words.
"What? You're saying he's disqualified?"
Aoul shook his head.
"No. I am disqualified as an evaluator."
[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]