Chapter 13 Former Hero Party Also Gets One-Punched
When I decided to register with the guild, I had to take an aptitude test.
During the first magic power measurement, I accidentally shattered the crystal ball.
But I was forgiven. Phew...
"N-next is the combat ability test."
Niina-san, the receptionist, said hesitantly. The combat ability test evaluates how well you can fight directly against enemies.
"The guild will provide an examiner, and you'll compete one-on-one. Leaf-san, are you more of a vanguard or a rearguard?"
A vanguard uses weapons to fight at the front, while a rearguard uses magic to fight from behind.
"I guess I'm more of a vanguard."
I don't mainly rely on magic in battles. I use a dagger plus status-altering skills.
"So, if you're a vanguard, then the examiner will be..."
And then, it happened.
"Hey hey hey, what's all this commotion about?"
Emerging through the crowd was a tall, silver-haired man.
I couldn't tell his exact age, but he seemed to be around 30 or 40 years old.
The silver-haired man gives off a strong presence just like the elder people in the village.
"Ulger-san!"
It seems this silver-haired man is named Ulger.
Since he knows the receptionist Niina-san, he must be a member of this guild.
"Hey Niina, and Mercury too! You both look beautiful today as well, haha! So...who's that guy over there? I don't recognize his face."
"Oh, that's Leaf-san, and he's thinking about joining this guild."
Ulger-san seems impressed when he looks at me.
"Hmm... You seem quite capable."
"Do you know?"
"Hmph... I wouldn't want you to underestimate me. How about a combat ability test, would you like me to assess you?"
It seems like he's the one in charge of conducting the test.
Niina-san quickly tries to stop him.
"U-Ulger-san, you're too strong for that."
"It's okay, I think he's quite capable. I believe he's someone worth this Ulger's evaluation."
He seems to be very confident in himself.
What kind of person is he?
But... one thing is for sure, he is strong.
Old man Arthur said so. People who are skilled in martial arts, you can tell just by looking at how they stand.
He is standing with a focus on how he uses his center of gravity.
According to old man, this type of person seems to be quite strong.
"Ulger-san, the opponent is still a beginner, so please don't get too serious. We can't afford to let a talented person slip away because of lack of confidence."
"I get it, Niina. Don't worry, I won't do anything that would injure a newcomer. Let's promise not to get too serious..."
Just then, Ulger-san casually brushed back his bangs.
"Facing this strength of mine, it might cause someone to lose confidence, but I can't help it then."
This person really has high self-esteem...
He must be a very strong person.
It's an honor to have a match with someone like this.
In the village, I've only ever practiced fighting with old man Arthur.
How far will this go, I wonder. I feel a bit uneasy...
Then, Mercury-san quietly whispered to me.
"...Okay, Leaf-kun. I think you understand, but don't go all out, okay?"
"Huh? Why...?"
"Why? Well... You know, right?"
Well, I really have no idea...
"Hey hey hey, there's no need for you to hold back! Bring it on with all your might!"
Oh, look, even he's saying that...
But Mercury-san, with a pale face, vigorously shook his head.
"No, stop it! No going all out!"
"What are you saying? If he doesn't go all out, it's pointless!"
Oh, come on, which one should I listen to?
* * *
I was about to take the Combat Power test. My opponent is supposed to be a pretty strong member of this guild named Ulger-san.
Now, we headed to the training ground behind the guild.
It's a building that looks like a circular colosseum.
"Alright, shall we start the test?"
Ulger-san's weapon is a spear. He holds a wooden practice spear for mock battles. You can tell he's capable from his stance.
"Leaf-kun~!"
There is a spectator area in the training ground.
Comet Witch Mercury-san is shouting.
"Do you understand!? Don't go all out, absolutely not!"
"That's so unreasonable..."
No matter how I look at it, the opponent is quite skilled.
There's no room for holding back.
"Even though she's saying that, there's no need to hold back. Go for it seriously, with the intention to [capture]."
Capture. In other words, he's saying to come at the opponent with the intent to kill.
Despite making such a proposal, he doesn't show any signs of strain or change in his stance... This is something that needs to be taken seriously.
"I'm also going seriously."
"DONNNNNN'T!"
Mercury-san is a bit loud...
Ulger-san holds his spear.
I take out the Divine Healer Staff from my magic bag.
"Are you a magician? Is the dagger on your waist your main weapon?"
"I use both the staff and the sword."
"Staff techniques and knife techniques, huh... I'm looking forward to it. Let's go!"
I raise the staff and shout,
"[Prescription: Paralyze]"
I administer the paralysis medicine I made with my skill to Ulger-san using the Divine Healer Staff.
The Paralyze effect quickly spreads through Ulger-san's body, causing him to collapse on the ground.
"I won!"
"Ti-ti-ti-timeeeee!"
Ulger-san, unable to move due to paralysis, raises his voice in frustration.
I make an antidote and give it to Ulger-san.
As he stands up, he yells at me,
"What was that just now!?"
"Oh, it was just a status ailment medicine."
"So you have status ailment skills even though you're a vanguard!?"
"Well, it's not exactly a skill..."
Ulger-san said indignantly,
"You, do you understand what this test is for?"
"It's combat training simulating real battles, right?"
"Exactly! What I want to see is your direct Combat Power! Using weapons!"
I see, it seems like what I just did won't be evaluated.
"Understood. Next, I'll fight properly with a weapon."
"Very well... then let's start over. And no using paralysis skills at the beginning, okay?"
"Yes!"
No paralysis, got it.
Ulger-san and I stepped back and stood apart.
"Now, come forth, Leaf-kun! I'll let you have the first move as a special favor!"
"Thank you!"
I poised my staff and leaped forward.
The Divine Healer Staff is a long staff, about 100cm (39inch).
I approached and swung the staff at Ulger-san.
Clang!
"Not bad, a solid hit! However..."
"[Prescription: Sleep]!"
When I hit him with my staff, I quickly mixed and administered Sleep.
Ulger-san fell to the ground right then and there.
"I won."
"Wait, wait...!"
Even though Urugar was hit by Sleep which instantly knocks out monsters, he woke up.
Oh, amazing."
"Why did you use a status ailment skill?"
"Well, I did fight with a staff, didn't I?"
"In the end, it's all about the skills, isn't it! What I want to see is your pure Combat Power without skills!"
Phew, he's a tough customer...
Shouldn't we be using skills in real combat scenarios?
No, this is just a test.
I must comply with the examiner's requirements.
"Understood. Then, I will only fight with this Medicine god's treasured dagger."
"Yes, that's good... however, it was truly a remarkable status ailment skill. Both the effect and the activation speed were flawless."
Oh, he did praise me a bit.
He's a kind person.
I hold my treasured dagger in a reverse grip and stand ready.
Ulger-san, withdrawing the relaxed smile he had until just now, holds his spear with a serious expression.
"From that exchange earlier, I understand that you're quite skilled. From your footwork to shifting your center of gravity. So, don't hold back this time. Come at me."
"Yes! Here I go!"
I ready my treasured dagger and use a skill to create a potion.
"[Prescription: Boost]"
"Heh, a body enhancement skill, huh? Alright, do as you please..."
"[Boost, Boost, Boost, Boost, Boost, Boost]"
"Oh, um, Leaf-kun? It seems like... you're getting stronger and stronger..."
"Here I go!!!"
Just like when I'm serious [match] with old man Arthur, I stack the enhancement potions.
With everything, including my strength, enhanced...
Thud!
"Wait!?"
"Take thiiiiis!"
BOOOOOOOOM!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Ulger-san flew off.
He broke through the wall of the training room and flew out of the room...
"Ulger-sannnn!?"
Niina-san shouted with a pale face.
Mercury-san hurriedly flew from the audience seats and went outside through the broken wall.
I also rushed to him.
"A-Are you okay, Ulger-san?"
Ulger-san was lying on his back.
He was holding a broken spear in both hands.
Wow.
This guy barely blocked the attack I enhanced and released with his spear.
Amazing! The capital city really has high-level players.
"T-That was an impressive strike...I never thought you could defeat former member of the hero party's Ulger-san with one punch..."
"What, former hero party?"
Wait, what's a hero anyway?
I prescribe a healing potion and give it to Ulger-san.
"Huh, whaaat!?"
"Ulger-san, what's a hero?"
"Uh, well, uh, just wait a sec, okay!?"
Ulger-san stands up and touches his body.
"What's wrong?"
"My broken bone just healed!?"
"Oh, um, yes. Is that a problem?"
"A problem? Well..."
"A broken bone can be healed in an instant with medicine, right?"
With a shocked expression, Ulger-san looks at me.
Wait, did I say something rude...?
Oh, right.
I need to fix the broken wall. I ready my staff and make a [Repair Potion].
I use the staff to administer it to the wall. The broken wall is back to normal.
"""JUST HOLD ONNNNN!"""
Now Niina-san and Mercury-san are shouting too.
Uh, um, what's going on?
"The walls of the training room has been repaired!?"
"Oh, yes. I used repair potion to fix it."
"But Leaf-kun, the walls of the training room were supposed to be enchanted so they never break, you know!?"
"Oh, really?"
The three of them looked at me in disbelief.
Um...
"Um, what are you all surprised about?"
Then, the three of them said in unison...
"""EVERYTHINNNNNNG!"""
Oh... deja vu.
I mean, is it really that surprising?
During the mock battle with old man Arthur, I just used the potion that I used now...
"Leaf-kun, you really need to learn some common sense."
Mercury-san said, looking tired.
"You were surrounded by dangerous people. That's why your senses are numb."
"Wait, no, everyone around me, including Old Man and Granny, are all good people, there wasn't a single bad person, you know?"
"'Bad' doesn't mean dangerous!"
Ulger-san sighed but nodded.
"Well, you're just so strong. I think it's okay to acknowledge that you're becoming an adventurer. It's beyond common sense."
"Y-yes, you're right. His magic power is also outstanding. It's unconventional."
And so, with all that, I became an adventurer of the Divine Gemstone guild.
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