Volume 3 Chapter 4 Application
"So, the team is all set."
"Really?"
In the boys' dormitory cafeteria, Elk was having dinner with Nickes.
Tonight's dinner was the daily special. The main dish was sautéed orc meat, and Elk smiled contentedly.
Nickes, sipping his orange juice, said.
"The sign-ups for the martial arts tournament are starting soon. I think the teacher will talk about it tomorrow."
"Oh, I see. By the way, why is it called the 'martial arts tournament'?"
"Well, I heard that in the past, only users of physical enhancement skills could participate, and it was a tournament where you could only fight barehanded. It seems like a leftover from those days."
"Wow."
"Back then, it seems there were mostly physical enhancement skills. Now, there are all kinds of skills... Speaking of which, tomorrow's class is about 'skills.'"
"Skills, huh... What's skill evolution, Nickes?"
"......"
Nickes looked at him as if he couldn't believe it.
"W-what's wrong?"
"You really are clueless... You must have heard a bit about it when you got your skill from the temple."
"Um..."
When he got his skill, he was only thinking about the useless skill called 'Telekinesis' and didn't really listen.
After that, he almost got killed in a duel with Rosho and slept for 6 years.
He kept that part a secret from Emma.
"Well, just look forward to tomorrow's class."
"Eh~."
Nickes finished his orange juice and poured himself another glass.
* * *
The next day.
When Elk entered the classroom, he got a bit of attention but ignored it.
As he sat down at his desk and put his textbook on it, Yato, who was sitting next to him, said.
"Good morning."
"Yeah, good morning."
"Did you find your teammates?"
"Yeah. It worked out somehow. Now I can participate in the team battle."
"Hmm."
"Are you entering the individual competition?"
"Yeah. You're entering too, right?"
"Uh-huh."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Yato swayed her ponytail and smiled brightly.
Her black, shiny hair flowed smoothly, and the red hair tie bounced along with it.
Her soft smile looked so mature, it was hard to believe she was the same age as the other girls.
Elk couldn't help but look away.
Just then, Gambo walked over with heavy steps.
"Hey, you have time after school, right?"
"Yo, Gambo. You're huge as always."
"Shut up. Anyway, you have time, right? I'm going with that muscle girl to sign up for the team competition."
"Huh, has registration started?"
"It starts today. The teacher should have mentioned it."
"Got it."
Yato muttered, "Muscle girl...?" but Elk didn't pay it any mind.
After chatting with Gambo for a bit, the warning bell rang.
Shakariki entered the classroom.
"Okay, okay! Let's start class... but before that, registration for the 'Skill Martial Arts Tournament' starts today. If you want to join the team or individual competition, please submit your forms at the registration desk! Oh, and the forms are available at the desk, so make sure to fill them out correctly!"
His way of speaking was really drawn out.
Then, Shakariki clapped his hands as if he just remembered something.
"Oh, I forgot. I need to explain the Skill Martial Arts Tournament... um, the 'Skill Martial Arts Tournament' is one of the traditional events at this school. This first tournament is for new students. The second and third tournaments are for everyone, but participation in the first tournament is optional. There are team battles and individual battles; team battles are in groups of 3, and individual battles are knockout style. Hehe, I really like the first tournament. It's so interesting to watch the little chicks who don't know anything clash with their low-level skills..."
"""""......"""""
The class goes silent.
It's true that compared to upperclassmen, the skills and techniques of the first-year students who just enrolled are quite lacking.
Also, the order of the explanation was all over the place.
"Well, if you want to participate, sign up early. Now, let's start the lesson. Today, we will learn about 'skills'~."
* * *
What are skills?
Skills are miraculous powers given by 'God' when you turn ten years old.
In the past, most skills were 'physical enhancement' types, but now there are many kinds, and it's said that there are thousands of different skills.
Skills can be roughly divided into 4 categories: enhancement skills, weapon skills, magic skills, and special skills.
Enhancement skills mainly strengthen your body, weapon skills enhance weapons, magic skills allow you to master various types of magic, and all other skills fall under special skills.
Skills have levels and ranks.
The lowest rank is G, and the highest is S.
S-rank skills are recognized by the country as the strongest skills, and currently, 5 have been confirmed.
The adventurer with those 5 skills is called a 'Five Star' and is known as the most powerful skill user not just in the Galatinne Kingdom, but in the entire world.
Skills have levels.
Each skill has a maximum level, and when you reach that level, it undergoes 'skill evolution.'
An evolved skill creates new effects based on the skill.
For example, 'Steel Form.'
At level 1, the skill is 'Hardening,' which only increases physical strength. But when it reaches level 10, it evolves into 'Steel Form,' and at level 20, it evolves even further.
However, some skills do not evolve.
For example... 'Telekinesis.'
The maximum level is 10, and its ability is to 'pull small objects.' That's it.
By the way, to check your skill level, you can use the 'Appraisal' skill.
* * *
"So, that's how skills work. Also, as a general rule, it's not okay to investigate or interfere with other people's skills~."
Elk listens to Shakariki's explanation while looking at the textbook.
Then, he suddenly thinks.
"By the way... I wonder what level my Telekinesis is."
He remembers training with Pipina.
He knew the maximum level was 10. But what is his current level?
According to Pipina, in that 'world between life and death,' the level, or mental energy, disappears. After training Telekinesis for 2 thousand years... can it even be measured?
"Oh, if you're interested in checking your skill level, you can do it in the 'Measurement Room.' Ah, it's paid, so you'll need to prepare your own money~."
Elk decided to check his level.
* * *
After school, Elk met up with Gambo and Fine.
"Hey! You look great today!"
"Alright, let's go register for the team battle!"
Gambo casually brushed off Fine's comment.
As expected, Fine was in her school uniform. Unlike yesterday's thin tank top and leggings, she looked more like a girl.
However, she was wearing thick boots instead of regular shoes.
Maybe Elk was staring too much at her feet, as Fine smiled mischievously.
"Hehe~♪ You shouldn't stare at a girl's legs, you know?"
"N-no, that's not it. I just thought... your boots are really thick."
"Well, they're a weapon. If you apply for it, you're allowed to carry weapons, right?"
"Boots are weapons?"
"Yep. I'm a fighter, after all. I even have gloves!"
Fine took out her gloves from her pocket.
Gambo added.
"I don't carry anything since my body can be a weapon. But a lot of people do carry weapons. Well, if you use a weapon without a reason or hurt someone, you'll get punished."
"Hmm~."
"You really don't know anything, do you, Elk?"
"Sh-shut up."
"Haha! Hey, hey, how about we get ice cream on the way?"
The 3 of them headed to the registration desk for the team battle.
* * *
The registration desk took up an entire training area.
There were not only application forms but also many posters explaining the martial arts tournament on the walls.
There were more than ten counters.
Elk picked up the application forms for both the individual and team battles.
He filled in his name, class, and student number from his ID.
Gambo and Fine also wrote their names on the team battle form.
"Alright, I'm going to submit this."
"Yeah. I'll submit my individual one myself. You handle the team one."
"Okay, I'm going to go get it!"
Fine, Gambo looked for an open window and got in line.
Elk also joined a random line.
In front of Elk was a tall, muscular boy.
"Huh...?"
Then, he realized.
He thought he had seen this student somewhere before... and it turned out to be Elwood, the Crown Prince of the Galatinne Kingdom.
Elwood turned around, probably reacting to Elk's voice.
"Hey, hello!"
"Uh, hi..."
He had a refreshing smile.
Even though he was a Crown Prince, he was standing in line like everyone else.
Noticing Elk's gaze, he gave a slight wry smile.
"Well, I wanted to try standing in a line like this at least once... and submitting an application form too."
"I see... since you have 2 forms, does that mean it's a team battle?"
"Yeah. So you have 2 forms too. Hehe, if we end up on the same team, I'll be counting on you."
"Sure. I look forward to it."
And then, he saw it.
"───...!!"
The name written on the application form Elwood was holding.
Rosho, Sarissa.
"Huh? Oh, are you curious about my teammate? Actually, they are siblings from the Duke Kinesis family of the Deo Kingdom. Do you know them? They're pretty famous."
"Yeah... I 'know them all too well'."
"Is that so? They are the best swordsman and magician the Deo Kingdom has ever seen. I'm really excited about it."
"...I see."
"Yeah. They are truly amazing siblings. The 'future of the Duke Kinesis' family is bright."
With a crack, a slight fissure appeared in the ground where Elk was standing.
Telekinesis went out of control, and Elwood standing in front of him didn't instantly turn into a pile of meat─── but Elk thought about saying it.
'Those 2 teamed up with the Duke Kinesis family and brutally killed my real brother.'
Well, he couldn't say that.
But... a chance to repay the debt has come.
For now, it's fine to stay like this.
"Oops, it's my turn. So, let's do this."
"Okay..."
In the martial arts tournament team battle.
Elk felt more motivated than ever before.
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