Chapter 11 Thunderclap
The words of the instructor, "under the watchful eyes of everyone," were truly meant in the simplest way.
A candidate with a weapon and their chosen opponent. The scene, surrounded by other candidates, looked just like an arena.
The gazes from all around. The pressure. The tension.
If someone is weak-hearted, it would be understandable if they ran away barefoot.
But Shura stood there, holding her sword, acting as if she didn't feel any of that heavy pressure. In her sights was the knight with an eye patch. He was the man who had explained the entrance exam.
"I knew she was a foolish girl after how much she mocked me."
"Huh? What are you getting at?"
"The one she chose as herr opponent. Usually, the instructors for the entrance exam have experience in the main unit 'Brynhildr' or have achieved something elsewhere. That examiner is the worst of the bunch."
"..."
"Heh. You foolish girl who doesn't know her place. You'll show your disgrace in front of many people now."
Regardless of Ruzure's words, it was clear to everyone that the eye-patch instructor was not an ordinary person.
In terms of difficulty, it was very hard. Or maybe a boss character you can only defeat after the second round. The pressure was that intense.
In fact, not just Ruzure, but everyone around felt that Shura was likely to lose.
"Are you ready?"
"Anytime."
"Good spirit! Now, show that this isn't just reckless bravery!"
"!"
But why was that?
I couldn't picture her showing the disgrace Ruzure talked about.
That image didn't come to mind at all.
"I'll show you, as much as you want!"
The instructor made the first move. He lifted his heel off the ground first.
But Shura was faster in reaching him with her blade.
"Let it burn into that single eye of yours!"
In close combat, they clashed blades. After throwing out her challenge, Shura quickly stepped back and then charged forward.
She was fast. Switching from a power struggle to a series of strikes. The speed of her follow-up attacks was so quick, there was hardly a moment to blink.
"Tch."
"Hah!"
With a click of his tongue, the instructor deflected her attack.
However, Shura, while taking the counterattack, stepped even closer.
"What?"
"I won't let you escape!"
It was like she had erased the word "retreat" from her dictionary, launching a relentless assault.
What an aggressive attack! But it wasn't just one-dimensional.
She used a variety of techniques──thrusts, slashes, and sweeps──attacking from different angles without focusing on just one spot.
(She's not just aggressive. Isn't she completely shutting down the instructor's counterattacks!?)
With a downward strike, she cut off his step back.
If he tried to push her back with a thrust, she would sweep his sword aside with a horizontal slash.
If he tried to stabilize himself, she would lift him from below.
Her relentless series of attacks left no room for breathing. At this rate, the balance of offense and defense wouldn't change easily.
"The instructor is being pushed back!?"
"No way!?"
"Is Instructor Shidou only on the defensive...?"
"Wow. That candidate is amazing."
The one-sided turn of events was shocking everyone around, making their eyes widen in disbelief.
I was also stunned. I knew she was no ordinary person, but isn't she just too strong?
"W-What's going on? That instructor should have experience in the main unit! Why is he being pushed back by that girl?"
"R-Ruzure."
"Ugh, that girl must be the same as me. How much has she been hiding?"
"Are you an idiot?"
Ruzure's astonishment was understandable, but that conclusion was strange. Just look at the instructor's desperate expression. If he was holding back, he wouldn't win an Academy Award.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"W-What do you mean?"
"It's exactly what it looks like."
Of course, the instructor wasn't weak.
He was holding up against that level of attack and was still countering at every turn. If he were ordinary, he would have fallen long ago.
So the conclusion was simple.
"She's stronger than the instructor, no doubt about it."
The candidate had skills that surpassed those of the exam instructor.
If what I saw with my own eyes was true, the logic was always straightforward.
"I never expected it to be this much...!"
"To me, this is just a normal level."
"You're barking, little girl!"
"Agh... Haaah!"
(Wow, she forcefully sent it back!)
The onlookers' admiration means nothing to the combatants.
At this point, the battle has reached its climax as the instructor's desperate strike overpowers Shura.
It's a brute-force move, and indeed, the instructor has just taken a hit from Shura before launching his attack.
But he doesn't stop.
With a fury like a raging fire, he charges towards Shura.
However...
"...Got you."
"Hmph."
The beauty of Shura that caught my eye seemed to smile as if she had been waiting for this moment.
A candle, which I didn't even know when she took out, danced in the air, flicked by her slender fingers.
Right in front of me, with one eye.
"[Luminous Light]!"
The words raced out, and light flashed.
The light burned into my eyelids and my memory, scorching the ground.
It was really just a moment. It felt a bit weaker than the light she had hit Ruzure with.
Just as Shura had said, it was merely a distraction.
But it was enough to decide the outcome of the battle.
"This is the end!"
"──!!"
A flash of purple lightning lit up the air, crackling with energy.
The instructor quickly readied his sword again, but he couldn't withstand the fierce blow that struck him.
The sword slipped from the instructor's hand, filled with anguish, and spun in the air before falling to the ground.
"...A trick, huh?"
"There was no explanation that magic was forbidden, right?"
"Heh, that's right. As expected of the Ash Valkyrie. Impressive."
On one side, someone knelt down.
On the other, someone held a sword to their neck.
The strong light was no longer needed to recognize the clear winner and loser.
"──Eshurareze Midgards. You pass!"
It ended in silence. No cheers, no applause—just a stunned crowd. It was clear how unexpected this moment had been for everyone.
(Ah, I see)
But while everyone was in shock, I thought to myself.
(Ah, that's right. Of course...! In my story, it had to go this way!)
The excitement in my heart kept the fire burning brightly.
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