Chapter 61: The Secret of the Mysterious Man Raiden
Alasgard — a powerful nation that possesses a knight order led by twelve A-rank knights.
The fortress city of Monvan lies to its north.
The castle walls that rectangularly divide the barren wasteland have a total circumference of 10 kilometers and stand 8 meters tall.
They are built from light stones transported from the south and stacked in neat, orderly layers. One of the stones composing the wall is carved with the image of a bow with an arrow nocked — the signature of a stonemason workshop. It serves as proof of their work and is used when submitting invoices. The neighboring stone bears a double circle, while the next has a mark where a single curved line crosses two parallel lines. Just like other major structures, this is evidence that multiple stonemason workshops participated in the construction of Monvan’s walls.
The walls were built less than twenty years ago, so the stones still retain the exact shape they had when quarried, showing no signs of weathering. From a distance the walls appear only gray, but up close, the varying stone qualities create a mosaic-like pattern.
At regular intervals are loopholes — narrow openings designed for shooting bows inward during defense. Upon closer inspection, even smaller holes can be seen every few meters. These were used during construction to secure wooden scaffolding. They have since been filled with small stones to prevent enemies from exploiting them, but any craftsman who worked on the project would immediately recognize the scaffolding holes.
A modest, reserved wind blows around the castle walls, like a noble young lady attending her first ball. The warm wind that arrived from the south will eventually continue further north and learn just how cruel this world truly is.
Oi Masaharu, who had reincarnated into another world, walked toward the southern castle gate.
He was heading there to take part in the status examination being held outside the gate.
The sharp clack-clack of wooden clogs rang out on the cobblestones. (I forgot to mention it earlier, but he actually received these on his very first day visiting the church, a gift from Rafilia.) They were carved from sturdy wood — the same kind used as support stakes in grape vineyards. Though made of wood, they were expensive, so these were not new but second-hand.
Masaharu walked beneath the castle gate wearing shoes that some stranger had worn in the past.
And so, the second day of the status examination began.
---
After the whole slave trader incident was over, I headed toward the southern castle gate.
I made it in time for the start of the exam.
Sleeping at the church, which opens early in the morning, really paid off. Even after stopping by the slave trader’s place, I still arrived before the test began.
Ifera Skie seemed to have gotten bored with the exam already—she was nowhere to be seen in the venue.
Lucia was apparently going to cheer for me from a distance together with Kemololi. She said that with her magic, she can make distant objects look bigger. I definitely want her to teach me that later.
In the magic attack power test, I once again scored 950. However, the priest in the blue robe announced it to the audience as 80. While it doesn’t reach the level of the kingdom’s strongest court magician, it’s equivalent to a knight commander class and was the highest score of the day. There are still other examinees left, but I doubt anyone will surpass it.
The spectators went wild and cheered my name.
Every time other examinees passed by me, they would whisper once they were a little further away: "That guy...", "So that’s Sahara...", "He looks like a mob character up close, though..."
Since the stares around me were getting annoying, I slid my entire long robe forward and poked only my eyes out through the neck hole. There’s no mirror so I can’t check, but I probably look like Medjed from Egyptian mythology right now. Anyone who approaches me will be turned to ash.
Just like yesterday, I took my usual spot next to the bald, muttering mob commentator guy named Raiden. Since I don’t really understand this other world, his soliloquies are a valuable source of information.
"The current provisional first place is O-Oma Sahara with a total of 330 points. He’s the only one over 300. In provisional second place is Marvela, vice-leader of the mercenary band ’Three Spears of Light,’ with 296 points."
Dude, you’re amazing. You actually remember everyone’s points?
I can’t even remember my own points in detail. Teach me, man.
"O-Oma Sahara’s stats are:
Physical Attack Power: 150
Physical Defense Power: 0
Magic Attack Power: 80
Magic Defense Power: 100
His magic defense was unmeasurable, so he was given a provisional 100. He completely abandoned physical defense for these extreme numbers. Still... these values are incredible. Even I, who watched the test with my own eyes, can hardly believe it."
Yeah, yeah. Keep praising me more.
"If he had even a little physical defense, an A-rank would be guaranteed... Actually, with his current numbers, it wouldn’t be strange for him to already be recognized as A-rank. If he supplements his defense with armor or magic, he might even have the potential to be the strongest in the country..."
I actually do have physical defense, you know. It dropped to 0 because I got carried away when that little girl slapped me and it felt good... In a way, it exposed my mental weakness, so I’ll humbly accept the low evaluation. Honestly, if I ever get into a real battle and the opponent is a little girl, I don’t think I can win.
"What’s even more amazing about Sahara is that he doesn’t give off any presence. Everyone releases fighting spirit and killing intent the moment they attack. But Sahara doesn’t have any of that. With the same gentle eyes as a normal villager, he unleashes attacks on the level of the country’s strongest... He must be a master of martial arts or swordsmanship. He’s surely hiding power beyond what the numbers show."
Yeah. Well, even if someone told me to release killing intent, I wouldn’t know how.
At that moment, a sudden strong wind blew.
The skirt of the female examinee to my right flipped up, revealing her thighs in a very risky spot. Just a little more and I would’ve seen everything, but some old man walked right in front of her at that exact moment! Thanks to that old geezer, I couldn’t see her panties or ass at all!
I’ll kill that bastard!
"Ugh... W-what’s this sudden chill..."
The passing old man hugged his arms and scurried away with his back hunched.
Wait, was that killing intent just now? So I can release it after all.
Raiden later mentioned the detailed stats of Marvela, who was in second place overall, but honestly, I couldn’t remember them all. Remembering my own points is already the limit for me.
By the way, Raiden, how did you do?
"My stats are Physical Attack 41, Physical Defense 38, Magic Attack 35, and Magic Defense 33. I don’t reach the level of monsters like Sahara or Marvela, but for an ordinary person, these are exceptionally high values. I’m not aiming to become a knight commander, so I don’t need anything higher, but it’s more than enough to deal with night thieves or bandits."
Raiden is bald but looks to be in his mid-twenties, so I guess the average around there is about 25 points each. Considering that, his numbers are actually really impressive.
"Sahara is currently in first with 330 points, but we can’t let our guard down. The difference with second place Marvela is about 30 points, and about 60 with third place Jarda. Depending on the skill test results, it’s still possible to be overtaken."
Huh?
"Skills are judged by the examiners and ranked from S-grade to F-grade. F is 0 points. E is 30, D is 60, increasing by 30 points each time, with A at 150 points. S-grade is a special 200 points, but that probably won’t appear."
Why not?
"S-grade is legendary. Only skills said to have been used by saints in the scriptures of the Lalum or Ryute religions are recognized as S-grade. Things like making rain fall across the entire country to save people from famine, or raising the earth to protect against a tsunami—miracles passed down through history and nations. If the rumor that the Demon Lord creates monster armies with a skill is true, that might qualify as S-grade..."
I see. So only skills that can decide the fate of a country get S-grade.
My wind-pressure masturbation definitely isn’t going to be S-grade.
Also, please don’t give me too many details about the Demon Lord. I want to live peacefully without getting involved with that stuff.
"A-grade probably won’t appear either. A-grade skills can influence national politics. Even the strongest A-rank knights in the country only use A- or B+ grade skills."
Who has the strongest skill among the participants this time?
"Jarda is a first-timer so he’s an unknown factor... but from what I know, the strongest skill among the examinees belongs to Marvela. It’s an anti-army skill that creates 100 spears of light. She can throw them to attack, form a spear wall for defense, or equip them to allies to strengthen her forces. It’s an all-purpose skill. Even so, it’s only evaluated as B-grade."
So if Marvela is B-grade, then for me to win overall in points...
"Marvela’s estimated total is around 410 points. For Sahara to win, you’ll need at least a C-grade or higher in the skill evaluation."
Got it. So the minimum I need is C-grade or above in skills.
How highly would a skill that wraps a small... rod (not my dick) in a tornado be rated?
"A skill that wraps a rod in a tornado would be at most E-grade."
What if it has enough power to pry open a dragon’s asshole?
"Even if the tornado is strong enough to destroy buildings, it would probably be D... or maybe C. Skills limited to combat tend to get lower evaluations. If it’s a tornado... you might be able to pitch it to a lord or a miller’s guild as a skill to turn windmills, which could get you a B-grade. But you’d probably need to be able to sustain it for a long time."
Interesting. So the evaluation changes depending on how it can be used.
Even if I advertise that it can turn windmills, my wind-pressure masturbation can only be used until I ejaculate, so getting extra points seems tough...
By the way, Monvan’s name basically means "My Wind" (Mon = my, Van = wind), so the wind is strong here. The "Mon" is the same as in Mont Perrier or Mont Saint-Michel. Wind-based skills might be judged harshly.
...This is bad.
Whether I can take overall first place is actually pretty close.
Getting my physical defense down to 0 because I got slapped by a little girl and enjoyed it was a huge mistake. If I had just taken 30 points there, first place would’ve been almost guaranteed...
Anyway, Raiden, thanks for these past two days.
You really helped me by explaining everything I wanted to know.
"No need for thanks."
"Huh?"
Did my inner voice just have a conversation with him?
"You’re surprised? Whoa—?!"
Raiden was the one who got startled.
You’re the one who’s surprised here.
Did you finally notice that I shifted my robe and am dressed like Medjed?
"Hey, Sahara, why are you dressed like that?"
Even if you ask why... I just wanted to hide my face because people were staring.
"Don’t tell me... you have a skill that lets you read people’s minds...?"
"Fufufu. That’s a secret. It’s my bread and butter, so I can’t reveal my full abilities."
I see.
Yeah, that makes sense. No one would easily reveal their abilities to others.
Idiot, idiot!
Baldy!
Oh!
There’s a naked woman over there!
...No reaction.
So he’s not reading my mind?
Or is he deliberately ignoring it so I don’t notice his ability?
"I’ll tell you just one thing. When I took the status exam in the royal capital Lowbrook—which is said to have the strictest judging—my skill was evaluated as A-grade. I’m one of the very few people in the country who has one."
"Wha...at...?"
He looked like a mob character with a bald head who was only in charge of comedy, but he actually has one of the highest-rated skills in the country...
Raiden slightly showed a necklace from the collar of his plain brown mob-like clothes.
It seems like something he can boast about, but I have no idea what it is. Explain it, man!
"You don’t know what this is, huh... Then it’s a secret."
"Ehh~"
"Sahara. With the kind of test results you’re putting out—the strongest class in the country—you’ll probably find out what this is eventually."
Damn it. Stop that.
Don’t act like an important character when you’re a guy. I just want to flirt with girls.
That necklace is probably proof of some national qualification or membership in a special unit, right?
And the story is going to revolve around it, isn’t it?
No thanks.
I just want to live an erotic life in the countryside.
"...Raiden-san, who exactly are you?"
"Who knows. But I’ll accept the name ’Raiden’ for now."
"Why are you even taking the exam in the first place?"
"Oh, it’s just a whim while I’m on a mission."
"Huh? A mission? Are you a soldier?"
"Interested? That was just a tease. It’s better if I don’t tell you who I really am. I’ll be leaving without taking the skill test. Sahara, we’ll probably meet again somewhere."
"Can you tell that with a skill too?"
"Just a hunch. See you. Let’s meet again at the crossroads of history and fate. The day the black obsidian flower blooms is near..."
After acting all mysterious and suggestive, Raiden turned his back and left. What the hell is a "black obsidian flower"?
Whatever. Don’t think about it. Let’s forget about Raiden.
Oh.
Looks like all the magic attack power tests are finally over.
The priest in the blue robe announced that the skill test will begin once the afternoon bell rings.
Alright. For now, let’s eat lunch and prepare for the afternoon.
During the lunch break, I need to figure out how to get a high evaluation with my wind-pressure masturbation.
