The Former Child Prodigy Vs. Phonic The Meteor Swordsman

When the exam start time arrived, the first to speak was Orfred, the clan master representing Black Dragon’s Fang.

Orfred was a man around fifty, with silver hair and a mustache.

I had no interest in famous adventurers, but even I knew of Orfred the Silver. Or rather, he was famous enough that even ordinary people knew his name.

With a sword, he was said to be on the level of a Sword Saint; with magic, on the level of a Sage. He was a man like a living legend, renowned for countless glorious deeds.

Amazing…

Back in my school days, my classmates used to say things like, “Will he become a Sword Saint or a Sage in the future!?” or “No, he’s the next Orfred!” but it was an intensely embarrassing past to remember.

A student Sword Saint, a student Sage.

The evaluations I received in my school days were hollow things. They did not come close to the great achievements Orfred had built in real combat.

Orfred spoke in a heavy—yet sonorous voice that rang throughout the venue.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for aspiring to join this Black Dragon’s Fang. I promise that here, you will find the greatest pride and the finest environment an adventurer could hope for. The name of the imperial capital’s largest clan is no empty title. As proof of that—”

Orfred smoothly extended a hand.

In one corner of the second-floor seats, where there were hardly any people, sat a finely dressed group.

“Flare-sama, the Third Princess of the great Emperor Zoros-sama, has come to observe. She wished to witness the moment when one of those who will shoulder the future of Black Dragon’s Fang is chosen.”

The adventurers broke into an excited murmur.

Orfred spread both arms proudly.

“To catch the eye of royalty—this is the scale of the signboard borne by the imperial capital’s greatest clan. Those with strength, those with talent, we do not reject. Show that you are worthy of this clan, and I ask that you join our ranks.”

Orfred’s greeting ended, and the exam began.

It seemed the exam was conducted in groups divided by examinee numbers, and clusters of people had formed all over the venue. At the center of each cluster, members of Black Dragon’s Fang acting as examiners were fighting the applicants.

I had been placed in Phonic’s group, the same man I had tangled with at reception.

There were an incredible number of applicants, but… could they really process all of them?

That concern of mine proved unnecessary.

“Next! Number 345!”

At Phonic’s sharp command, the warrior who must have been number 345 stepped forward to face him.

“I’m number 345! Pleased to meet you!”

Once the greeting was over, it was over in an instant.

After allowing the warrior to strike a few times—just a few exchanges—Phonic stepped in and delivered a sweeping horizontal blow. The warrior, clad in armor, was sent flying, then rolled across the floor.

“Th-thank you… very much…!”

The warrior staggered back to his feet, then stepped down from the arena.

“Next! Number 346!”

“Yes!”

With a spirited reply, a new warrior stepped forward.

…That was over in no time…

Both the exam time per person and Phonic’s attacks.

He really did have speed worthy of the title “Meteor.”

Even though I was not fighting and was merely watching in a relaxed daze, he was genuinely fast. It was no wonder the other adventurers stood no chance against him.

If I got attacked by something like that, someone like me would never be able to do a thing.

Man… the world really was vast…

The exam continued one after another—

“Next! Number 378!”

Apparently, it was finally my turn.

I took the broadsword being used for the exam from number 377, who had just returned, and stood before Phonic.

Phonic looked at me and grinned.

“I’ve been waiting for you to come.”

Phonic pointed the sword in his hand toward me.

“Well then, let me see your true ability.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Let me tell you one thing—my attack from earlier was held back. If I go all out, an amateur cannot even perceive it. I restrained myself in order to frighten you.”

Then, after leaving a brief pause, Phonic continued.

“Ten percent. That was what that slash was.”

Fwon—the air gave a sound as Phonic swung his sword.

“This time, I will strike with a full-power attack at one hundred percent, fully intending to hit you. This sword, like the one you are holding, is a blunted practice blade for the exam. I do not intend to hold back.”

I raised my sword.

“Please go easy on me.”

“Here I come!”

At the same moment he shouted, Phonic came at me.

I instantly pushed my level of concentration upward. Every part of my awareness was directed toward Phonic’s every single movement.

My reaction speed accelerated—!

“Uoooooooooooooooooooh!”

With that roar, Phonic brought down upon me a godspeed blade launched like a meteor—truly, genuinely, with all his might!

A godspeed blade!

A godspeed—blade?

I had gotten carried away and described it as godspeed, but that was not what it was at all. Just like before, a leisurely sword came drifting toward me.

…Huh? This was one hundred percent?

Was there some difference between this and ten percent?

Without really understanding, I dodged Phonic’s sword. Unfazed, Phonic launched a second strike, then a third. I easily dodged every single one.

“Ooooooh!” I heard the adventurers gasp in an uproar.

The composure vanished from Phonic’s face.

“Th-that’s absurd!? My sword, and yet!?”

I could not make sense of it.

There was no consistency between Phonic’s words and how blatantly he was holding back. He said he would go all out, yet his attacks were still slow and restrained. It was only natural they would be dodged, and yet he seemed flustered by it.

As I dodged his sword, I made my brain work.

At last, I finally arrived at the conclusion.

Ah, I see… so that was it! I had misunderstood…!

Phonic was not desperate—

Phonic was pretending to be desperate!

He had deliberately boasted and emphasized, “This is a full-power attack.” And on top of that, he was still holding back.

Why?

Obviously, to make sure I passed.

The others must not realize he was holding back. That was why he had put on such an overbearing attitude.

The real question was why Phonic, whom I had only just met, would go so far out of his way for me—

But that had to be sympathy.

I had written “NEET” in the occupation field. Phonic knew that. A man who had fallen out of society was trying to return to it—Phonic surely wanted to support that noble first step.

A man with a generosity worthy of a major clan!

Phonic—you really are that kind of person!

I felt something hot welling up in the corners of my eyes.

“Damn yooooooooooooooooooooou! Why won’t it hiiiiiiiiiiiiit!?”

Phonic wore a terrifying expression and shouted in a voice as though he wanted to curse me to death, but—

What truly splendid acting.

Alright, I would answer that feeling. I could not let Phonic continue playing the fool any longer.

I tightened my grip on the sword.

Phonic shouted.

“In that case! Then receive my strongest and fastest technique! Secret Art, Meteor Slash!”

The slash Phonic unleashed—

came at me with a speed incomparable to what had come before.

It tore through the air at overwhelming velocity, the blade racing forward in less than the span of a blink.

But.

Even so— slow.

I swung my sword as well.

—Flash.

The blade left sound behind.

The two slashes were launched almost at the same time—but mine was the one that landed first!

In the time it took Phonic’s sword to move a mere few centimeters, my blade had already reduced the distance between us to zero.

My sweeping horizontal strike slammed into Phonic’s stomach.

“Guppoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!”

With a scream, Phonic went flying clear out of the arena.

I had only brushed him lightly, but apparently he had deliberately gone flying for me.

Phew… he had even thought through how to be blown away…

Thank you, Phonic.

I’ve decided to start my life over.

As the adventurers stared at Phonic, twitching and unable to move—or rather, pretending to be unable to move—they fell into confusion.

“…N-no way, Phonic…?”

“Who the hell is that guy…?”

“No, not that! A stretcher, get a stretcher!”

And so, the exam for our group was temporarily suspended.

Now then…

At this point, my admission into Black Dragon’s Fang was practically decided.

I did it, Arisa!

My heart was full of satisfaction, but there was still something I had to do.

The truth was, I had also signed up for the magic test.

One or the other would have been enough, but since both had been my strengths in school, I had registered with the thought that maybe one of them would catch.

Given this result, I felt like the combat test alone should be enough, but I also felt that canceling at the last minute might lower their evaluation of me.

I might as well wrap things up peacefully.

Having reached that conclusion, I headed toward the magic exam.