Chapter 12: Ranking Examination

A/N: Dear valued reader, if you're tired of the monotony of copy-pasting, I have something that will pique your interest.ARTHUR LEYWIN'S POV:I shifted into a defensive stance, planting my feet firmly on the ground as I prepared to face the formidable figure standing before me. It was none other than Kaspian Bladeheart, the esteemed guild master of the largest adventurer's guild in the entire continent. As I stood in the arena, the bustling sounds around me seemed to fade into the background, and my entire focus honed in on the formidable opponent before me.Kaspian stood poised, his fingers wrapped firmly around the menacing rapier in his right hand. His stance was flawless, offering no openings to exploit. Despite the intense pressure of bloodlust emanating from him, he maintained a small, innocent smile that clashed starkly with the menacing energy he exuded.As the air grew thick, memories of past duels flooded my mind, and I felt a familiar bloodlust rising within me. My senses sharpened to their limits. The only sound I could register was the sound of Kaspian's breathing and the whistling of his rapier through the air. my instincts told me to dodge.I didn't expect to encounter an opponent of such remarkable skill and prowess this soon. The thrill coursed through me, causing my hands to tremble in anticipation. Although this battle wasn't meant to end in death, I knew that it would be unlike any of the practice fights I had engaged in with Virion back in Elenior."I knew from first glance that you would have to be assessed in a different manner. I hope you don't take this... special treatment to heart," Kaspian commented as he lowered his stance.During that brief period, I carefully assessed all available information about this individual. Kaspian appeared to have a significant height advantage over me, which would give him a longer reach. His stance suggested that he was more skilled in thrusts than swings. I estimated his mana core level to be in the light yellow or low silver range."Please prepare yourself. I wouldn't want the person Miss Flamesworth sponsored to lose too quickly."He dashed forward leaving a trail of dust behind him as he closed the gap between us. In a smooth motion, he lunged his rapier, like a coiled spring, using the momentum of the initial step.I twisted my head to avoid it, but a few strands of my hair were cut off. Immediately trying to counter I swung my sword sideways aiming for his waist. He jumped back dodging the swing swiftly."Excellent counter," he mused, pointing his rapier back at me in preparation for the next attack.As I recovered from my previous attack, I raised my sword for another strike, aiming to bring it down vertically. Kaspian's rapier met my sword with a perfect block, sending a sharp shock through my right arm. Despite my training with Virion, it seemed that my less experienced body couldn't fully execute my swordsmanship knowledge.I quickly leaped back and attempted to swing at Kaspian's foot, anticipating his block. However, he seemed to anticipate my move and jumped, thrusting his sword back at me. Seizing a momentary weakness in his defense, I unleashed a spell I had created, called "Piston Stamp," using fire mana to create a small blast that propelled my body forward.Kaspian's eyes widened in surprise as my sword approached his head, but he quickly recovered. He directed a burst of wind in my direction, narrowly escaping my blade. A small cut appeared on his cheek, drawing blood, as our intense duel continued.Imbuing fire mana into my sword I slashed again, Kaspian blocked but this time he too imbued wind mana into his sword giving it a greenish-silverly hue. The clash of our weapons sends a shockwave of mana throughout the arena, fortunately, this time my arm was reinforced with sufficient mana and I managed to withstand it without problem this time.The sharp ring of metal on metal made both Kaspian and I cringe. The both of us seemed to have had the same intent as we both used the opportunity to gain distance. Only a handful of seconds passed during the deadly exchange, but each of us came out with only minor injuries."I must apologize for underestimating you. I shall be a bit more serious now." Kaspian's voice was calm but his face expressed a certain degree of seriousness that wasn't there before. His sharp eyes gleamed with a powerful killing intent that could only be present in someone who had years of fighting under his belt. His rapier was aimed toward me, but as he brought it closer to him, the blade began glowing with a brighter silvery hue."Ha!" Letting out a sharp breath, he thrust out his rapier, piercing the air in front of him.Years of experience told me to dodge as I instinctively rotated on my feet. A slight cut felt near my shoulder and a drop of blood was drawn from there."Seems like Miss Flamesworth has picked up someone worthwhile after all," Kaspian acknowledged.As far as I was concerned, that attack had been aimed at my heart. This was the type of fight where I excelled.Taking a moment to charge his next attack, he let out multiple consecutive thrusts, but instead of dodging like previously, I used ice mana to form a shield for blocking, earthen block would have been a better option but I already decided to use fire and water mana for my adventuring period.I watched in amazement as he manipulated the air around his sword, creating razor-sharp wind bullets. Even though I had never seen this technique before, I knew exactly what he was doing. My ice shield seemed formidable, but it couldn't withstand his onslaught for long. After enduring three strikes, cracks spiderwebbed across the surface, and by the fifth strike, it shattered into a shower of shards. Thinking quickly, I conjured a small fire blast, redirecting the sharp ice shards at him.Kaspian was clearly surprised by my sudden counterattack, but he quickly regained his composure and unleashed another spell: {Wind Torrent}. This spell destroyed the ice shards into dust as a strong wind opposed it."Impressive! To have sword such high-level sword skills combined with fire and water as well as its higher for ice. You already outmatch any B-rank adventure. Let's see whether you can reach the level of A-rank or not." Kaspian raised his sword again this time in a defensive stance indicating for me to start attacking.My sternum core has already been emptied during the last spell. The only option I had was to use mana from other cores.While I was in Elenoir and during the recent demonstration in Xyrus with the director, I observed that they were unable to detect my other cores, even when I drew mana from them. It occurred to me that Sylvia's scales might be the reason for this. It seems that these scales have the ability to conceal the core even when I use mana from them.Trusting that Sylvia's scales would be able to conceal the cores, I reinforced myself again this time more thoroughly. I sprang forward going for a horizontal swing which he blocked but this time he was pushed back. Immediately capitalizing on that I went for a direct kick to his side not being prepared for a follow-up Kaspian was pushed two feet back.Kaspian was astonished by the sudden power boost in my attacks as he unleashed another spell while chanting. "Gather and unleash"{Gale's Vortex}A gust of wind surrounded him in a tornado form giving him the advantage of defense in close combat. I activated {Thunderclap Impulse} heightening my senses to very extreme.Kaspian didn't seem to wait for me as he prepared another spell and chanted, "Pierce those who stand against me!"{Skyfall Torrent}As danger loomed, my pupils contracted and the hairs on my skin stood on end. Electricity crackled around me. While previously I could only predict the wind bullets, now, even with the new spell {Skyfall Torrent} increasing its speed and strength, I could see their trajectory. Dodging multiple wind bullets, I jumped as electricity and adrenaline coursed through my body, closing the distance between Kaspian and me.We both clashed our weapons while I conjured 5 sharp ice shards to distract him. Unfortunately, he was able to dodge the ice shards but I managed to make 3 more cuts on his arms.Sensing danger in close combat he immediately activated {Wind torrent} putting distance between us again."Release" Kaspian ordered. As all his spells deactivated, I too released my spells putting my sword back."Ahem! I seem to have gotten a bit too engaged in the spar. I apologize for that." He apologized, sheathing his rapier in its scabbard."Based on the observation that your swordsmanship exceeds that of an A-class adventurer and your command over fire and water, as well as their derivatives, is exceptional, one might be inclined to bestow upon you the AA-class designation. However, your limited experience and the quality of your spells, particularly the structural integrity of your ice shield, indicate that an A-class ranking is more appropriate for now," he remarked, as he turned away "Note. A-class."Once Kaspian left, I turned around and was met with an eerie, deathly silence. It was unsettling, especially because the audience was seated with their mouths agape. Even the previous examiner appeared shocked, with their jaw hanging open. Jasmine looked at me in utter amazement, while Lucas seethed with anger.Soon the audience erupted in cheers as loud clapping and shouts could be heard throughout the guild as the examiners abruptly came to life from their seemingly dormant state. "That was the final examination for today! Head to the front desk to claim your adventurer's card. You are all free to go!" with those words from the examiners, both of them hurriedly followed after Kaspian.The same receptionist who had led us to the examination site handed me my silver-colored adventurer's card at the front desk.From E-class to B-class, the card was a copper color, while starting from A-class, it would change to silver, then gold for AA class, then white for S class."I knew you were strong with excellent skills but that was amazing. It seems you have been practicing diligently during the time you were away." Jasmine praised me, not to mention this was one of the largest sentences she had spoken to me."Well yeah, I was bored during the treatment so this was the only way to keep me entertained," I replied, although not completely it was also partly true.Changing the subject I asked her, "Do you have a close relationship with Kaspian, Jasmine?""He's an acquaintance of my father," she said simply with a cold chill in her voice.I didn't dig for any further answers. She obviously didn't have any positive feelings regarding the man. Changing the subject, I asked my adventuring partner, "So what should we do next?"She pondered for a bit.There were several options. We could do missions that were at, or below, our ranks. These missions included a variety of tasks, from guarding to acquiring specific items. We could also transport ourselves to the Beast Glades and explore while hunting down mana beasts. Or . . ."Dungeon-exploring," Jasmine answered, a faint smile forming on her face.~~A/N: Sorry guys, It seems due to abrupt changes in the season I have caught a cold, I also seem to have a slight headache. This caused the chapter to be delayed quite a bit. But that I am feeling better again I try to upload regularly.