25 – Masters Class (2)

said Silverin.

“Take a good look. They will harass newcomers from the entrance ceremony all the way through the semester.”

I swallowed as I looked at the giant wooden dolls.

If ghouls had the power to tear humans apart with both hands, Plantera could tear them apart with both hands.

It’s a different existence from the ones I’ve dealt with so far. I have to put all my abilities into it.

Elizabeth leads the escort up the stairs leading to the front door.

The six masked examiners stand by the carriage, not following her.

There was a reason for that. As a rule, Silverin and I shouldn’t even say hello to the judges until the exam is over. Because they didn’t come to the social church.

There is no such thing as tea time for them. Judging will begin as soon as preparations are complete.

Silverin called the butler and ordered.

“Guide the examiners to a site that can be used as a test site. To a place where the soil is hard and there is nothing to break even if there is a fuss.”

“All right.”

The butler approaches the judges.

Silverine greeted Elizabeth.

“Your face is still the same.”

“It’s been a while, Silverin.”

Silverin did not lower herself in front of Elizabeth. Her attitude is like welcoming an old friend.

“Did you have any reason to make such a long trip?”

“How can I pretend not to know that Silverin has brought in a disciple?”

“If you had been there, you would have seen it someday.”

Elizabeth answered with a light smile.

“If I had been able to hold back my curiosity, I wouldn’t have become a sorcerer.”

“That is also true. There is still time until the screening, so hurry in.”

Elizabeth glanced at me before following Silverine.

“You are Damien.”

“It is an honor to meet you.”

“I have heard rumors. After the screening, there must be a lot to talk about with you.”

Are you talking to me?

He’s so tall, I honestly don’t know what to say. It’s good if you don’t twist your tongue.

As if remembering something, Silverin turned her head and spoke to me.

“I’ll start as soon as I’m ready, so Damian, you’re waiting in your room.”

“All right.”

Silverine led Elizabeth towards the VIP room.

Lillia, who was approaching while walking across the central hall, was startled when she saw them and covered her mouth.

Then I leaned over and waited for them to pass.

As the sound of footsteps faded away, Lyria approached me again with gunfire.

She took out a potion bottle the size of one hand from within her arms and handed it to me.

“Here is a potion prepared according to the note. The recipe is a bit unusual, so you must test it before drinking it. If you drink right away… uh?”

As soon as I received the potion, I opened the cork and gulped it down.

Lyria shouts.

“no!”

To an alchemist, it must have been a frightening act. As a rule, it is a rule to carefully check for possible mistakes or omissions. The combination method is also unfamiliar, so it will be very embarrassing.

But the bow show has already left. There is no time to explain and sleep. I have to drink it as soon as possible.

Lilia was startled and hit my forearm as hard as she could.

“If my grandmother had seen it, Damian would have been beaten to death.”

I didn’t care about her reaction.

“Thank you, Lilia. If things go well, I will repay you.”

***

The judges followed the guide of the butler and walked.

After leaving the back gate of the mansion and going a little further, there was an empty lot that seemed suitable for use as a test site.

Gael said to the butler.

“This is enough.”

The soil was not spread evenly, so a little trimming was necessary. Once that was done, there were no other issues.

Gael beckoned, and the Planteras ran past the judges, raising dust. They immediately began scooping up the soil and leveling the ground.

Flynn sighed as he watched the Planteras. There were not one or two questions, but he was not up to the qualifications of an examiner, so I couldn’t bear to ask him this and that.

Seeing how he brought Plantera so many times, it was clear that it was the ‘trial of the sword’.

This was a test taken in the process of being promoted to the upper class of the Eternia Combat Division.

Despite the grandiose-looking name, the content of the test was simple.

‘Break through the defense of the Planteras and cut down the flag at the rear.’

That’s all.

The problem was that the things in front of her were completely different from the normal Planteras she faced in ‘The Trial of the Sword’.

The sparring Plantera that the students were dealing with were small in size and generally inferior in strength and reaction speed.

What was in front of me right now was not intended for that purpose.

Because the ground of Mount Grace, where Eternia is located, is overflowing with magical power, monsters constantly creep in.

Those Planteras were created to protect Eternia from those monsters.

‘Eternian Scout’

A lethal weapon born to rip and kill demon beasts.

It is different from the toys that students deal with.

Its strength, speed, size, and sense of battle all overwhelm Plantera for sparring, and it is impossible to cut it unless it is swordsmanship.

Moreover, even if you break through all the Planteras, you will have to deal with Flynn himself, the final guardian of the flag.

Thanks to the Dwarf’s treasured sword, which amplifies sword energy, Flynn had a far superiority over a single Eternian scout.

is this right?

Even he, who has lived as a swordsman genius since childhood and maintains the highest grades in the combat department, has never experienced anything like this.

Flynn opened his mouth.

“Professor, this… Should I go all out?”

Gael’s attitude was the same.

“We are not here to have fun. Press down without mercy.”

“… .”

She said softly, rubbing her chin.

“If you don’t play an active part, I won’t save face.”

***

I was waiting in the room. I didn’t do anything because I didn’t notice it when I read the book, and I thought I’d lose my strength to practice alone.

I just lay on the bed and slowly reviewed what I had been practicing.

Has it been two hours? The sound of shoes clattering in the hallway came into my room. Soon after, without knocking, my door was thrown open.

I could tell who it was just from the sound. I immediately got up from bed.

“Teacher.”

“It’s about time. The judging will begin now.”

Silverin gestures for her to follow. I followed her without a murmur.

While leaving the mansion, we didn’t say a word.

I am so nervous that my heart is beating like it’s going to explode.

How does Sylverin feel?

I broke the silence first.

“Teacher.”

“yes.”

“What if I fail the Masters Class screening?”

Silverin said in a calm tone.

“Nothing will happen. I’m sure my face will be damaged for doing such a big thing.”

“… .”

It’s the face of a teacher.

I am attracting attention just because I am Silverin’s apprentice. On top of that, Silverin personally trained me and even wrote a letter of recommendation, and although she may not have intended it, even Eternia’s vice-principal came to see me.

It was clear that if I fell from this position, it would be a big stain on her.

Silverin suddenly accelerated her steps and turned around.

“But there’s something you need to keep in mind.”

“… .”

Silverin grabbed my shoulder and brought my eyes closer.

“This is completely my own work without your consent, and I take full responsibility for it. Even if I fail this screening, I will not be disappointed in you. So, don’t ever go to this screening for the sake of my face.”

“Your face is important to me too.”

“I bet you. If you fail the Masters Class screening, your academy life will be much easier, more stable, more comfortable and happier. If you pass the screening, it will be the other way around.”

Why are you talking to me like this? As if you don’t have to go through.

“Then is there a reason why I have to pass this screening?”

Silverin thought for a moment.

“… You need it to fulfill the mission given to you.”

What is your mission?

“You also vaguely know. That power didn’t come into the world for no reason. There is a mission there. I need help from Masters Class to fulfill that.”

She was talking like she knew something I didn’t realize yet.

Silverin’s eyes deepened.

“And… The path of the mission will be very painful. To the point where I feel it would be better to go back to the workshop and hammer.”

“… .”

“Whether or not you live for that mission is up to you. Right now you are standing at the starting point of that choice… .”

After Silverin finished talking, she quietly waited for my answer.

I didn’t have to think long.

I was energized by fate or some unknown reason.

But I don’t know what the mission given to me is.

Even now, when I was living in the workshop, I am training at a high intensity that would have been unimaginable. This alone is hard enough.

However, in order to fulfill the unknown mission, you have to endure more pain than this. It might be like a dream to end your life in bed when you grow old gracefully.

afraid.

But the answer was already decided.

No matter what happens, I’m determined to follow that path.

From the time I started looking for the pieces of the star.

After reaffirming my will, my heartbeat gradually regains a steady rhythm.

“What do I need to do to pass the screening?”

The corners of Silverin’s mouth went up slightly.

Her hand gently caressed my face.

In her eyes looking at me, pity and pride coexisted.

“Just like you did before, take all of them and press them.”

***

In the vacant lot where the judging begins, there is a large arena dug into an oval shape.

The Planteras were given wooden swords the size of a man.

They were lined up in a row with the handles of wooden swords placed on the chest and the swords facing the sky. Their presence alone cast a shadow over the center of the arena.

Five on the left and five on the right. Planteras in total fissures. And behind them, Flynn stood with the flag on his back.

And from the direction of the mansion in the distance, Silverin and Damian were approaching the arena.