...An hour passed, then two, and finally it was my turn.
Yeah, that's the downside of lining up at the back.
Just when there were three more people left to take our turn, an examiner from another group started talking to the examiner from my group.
"Our group has completed the exams for all the students we were in charge of. We will take care of a few of you."
Oh wow, I knew this voice very well, it's a little high-pitched and sexy for a man.
See, it's my brother Ardio!
When I saw the face of the examiner who had spoken to me, I fell to my knees.
What are you doing, brother?
If you look around, you'd see that each examiner left after their own group had finished without helping out.
Please, go home!
I tried glaring at my brother with all my might.
To my disappointment, my brother was chosen to take charge of three test takers, including me.
…What do you think about my own brother being in charge of both the first and third exams, which are the criteria for passing or failing?
Even if this passes, won't there be complaints later?
While I was worrying about something I couldn't do anything about, my brother climbed onto the exam stand.
"Huh? The Ice Knight himself will be my opponent?"
"Wow, what an honor."
The two remaining examinees were murmuring excitedly.
No, no, it's not an honor at all.
Brother won't go easy on me. The three of us will be completely crushed.
...As expected, the first person gave up after two minutes, and the second person gave up after a minute and a half.
Uhaha, it's been a while since I last saw my brother fight, but his sword techniques were still like something out of a textbook.
Accurate and precise sword movements.
...There's no way I could win this fight if I fought honestly. Our strengths were far different.
It's a one-hit kill, or a one-hit kill, you know, I couldn't do it without a special attack.
"Fia, come at me with the intent to kill me." (Ardio)
… I was quietly provoked.
Hahaha, I'm not buying it. I think you're trying to fight back.
I decided to cheat modestly.
I took out a magic stone from my breast pocket and inserted it into the hole in the pommel of the sword.
Of course, it was made from a magic stone given to me by the black dragon Zavilia.
Whether it's a weapon or armor, there was a limit to the amount of magic that could be applied depending on the material.
The iron sword could only achieve double the attack power and double the speed that I gave it.
On the other hand, magic stones were easier to enchant than other materials. Magic stones with a diameter of 5 centimeters were valuable and could be enchanted with powerful magic, as the fact that they could only be obtained from A-rank monsters.
"Brother, why don't you try receiving my special move, the 'Tingling Sword'?" (Fia)
As I faced my brother on the exam stand, I proudly recited the name of my special move.
"...You should expand your vocabulary a bit. That's just an onomatopoeia." (Ardio)
My brother narrowed his eyes a little and answered in a flat voice.
It's the same old lecture! Isn't it okay to name special moves whatever you want?
As soon as the signal to start came, I attacked my brother.
Kakin!
One go.
After just one go, my brother collapsed to his knees.
"Huahahahaha, have you seen the power of the 'Tingling Sword'!!" (Fia)
I leaned back and loudly announced the name of my special move again.
On the other side, my brother was on one knee, supporting his upper body with his sword. And he was glaring at me.
"What did you do..." (Ardio)
"It's an abnormal condition, brother. If you touch this sword, there's a 100% chance that you'll be paralyzed." (Fia)
"Huh..." (Ardio)
My brother glared at me with an incredulous look on his face.
"Where did you get such an amazing magic sword? Did you ask the Black Dragon for it? By the way, when will this paralysis go away?!" (Ardio)
"Thirty minutes, an hour? At the very least, it won't be cured in three minutes. But the judges won't know that, so if I hold my sword against you like this for three minutes, you won't be able to move, the time will run out, and I'll win and pass the exam." (Fia)
"...Are you sure you want to win in such a cowardly way?" (Ardio)
"That's a stupid question, brother. The loser isn't even allowed to speak. A win is a win." (Fia)
"I don't remember teaching my sister such chivalry..." (Ardio)
"Of course. Big Bro has been ignoring me lately. I don't remember ever being taught that." (Fia)
When I replied "Hmmph" to my brother, he glared at me with fierce eyes.
"Remember that, Fia..." (Ardio)
Oh, that's scary. That's quite a parting shot.
And then, for three minutes, my brother glared at me like that, and then the time was up.
Many people present, including the judges, stared in amazement at the "Ice Knight" who had fallen to his knees after just one sword exchange.
It was only after I returned to my lodging that I realized that I had stood out just like I had in the first exam.