"Fighting a Duke's Knights ?one-on-one?!?!," said another student, shocked.

  "It's not really a one-on-one fight. But in this first test, you must inflict one wound on your opponent's knights. There's a time limit, of course you must inflict one wound on that knights within one minute. If you fail to inflict one wound on the knights you're fighting within one minute, you will fail the test."

  "Then, let's begin the test. Since this training ground is quite spacious, five classes will be taking the test simultaneously. You students who will attack these knights are free to use any weapons you carry or any magic you wield, even your strongest magic. Is that right, Commander?" asked Mr. Alan to Commander Marshall.

  "Yes, you don't need to worry about using your strongest magic. In fact, you can't do it half-heartedly if you want to pass this test," said Commander Marshall.

  "Well then, the top ranked in each class, please step forward," said Mr. Alan.

  I stepped forward to the center of the training ground, as the number one in each class was called. Based on the total rankings in the entrance exam, I was number one, followed by number 41 in class B, number 81 in class C, number 121 in class D, and number 161 in class E.

  The five of us stepped forward to the center of the field.

  "The students from each class have stepped forward. Please, knights, step forward to face them," said Mr. Alan.

  Five knights stepped forward to be our opponents. The five knights chose their opponents based on their gender. Male knights chose male students, and female knights chose female students. Each knights also carried their own weapons. We were facing off against our opposing knights. I faced a knights with a fairly muscular build, wielding a sword.

  "Are the students ready?" asked Mr. Alan.

  "Ready," said the students.

  "Are the knights ready?" asked Mr. Alan.

  "Ready!" the knights said.

  "Then, the fourth test begins," said Master Alan.

  -

  "These knights are experienced. Moreover, they must have been students of San Fulgen Academy, which means they are our seniors. I must be serious about defeating them," I thought.

  I dashed forward toward the knights I was about to face.

  "He's fast!?," thought the knights I was facing.

  ~Secret Sword Art: Roaring Dragon Slash~

  I immediately launched my attack at the knights, but he swiftly blocked my attack with his sword. Our weapons clashed briefly, but the knight's ?defense gradually weakened.

  "What the hell is this kid doing? Is he really a student?," the knights thought.

  As the knight's defense weakened, I immediately increased my strength. The soldier was no longer strong enough to withstand my attack and was finally thrown against the training ground wall behind him.

  *BOOM

  The sound of impact echoed throughout the training ground. Many students and knights were shocked to see this. Even the students whose turn it was to fight the knights alongside me fell silent instead of continuing their attacks.

  The knights I had knocked into the wall began to get back up, but he had sustained minor injuries from the impact.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  "I can't believe I'm injured by an attack from an academy student. It looks like this is my defeat," the knight said.

  "Since Rid managed to injure the knight he fought, Rid has successfully completed the first day of the exam," said Mr. Alan.

  Many students were excited when they heard Mr. Alan's words, some happy, some surprised.

  "He managed to complete this exam with just one attack?"

  "He's truly on a different level," the students said.

  "Why are you so quiet? Time is ticking, hurry up and attack the knight you're fighting," Mr. Alan said to the students who had been silent during the exam.

  The students, hearing Mr. Alan's words, immediately resumed their attacks.

  "He seems like a very interesting student, Alan," said Commander Marshall.

  "After all, he's the number one ranked student among all the first-year students," Mr. Alan remarked.

  "It's no surprise he's strong," said Commander Marshall.

  Meanwhile, Duke Darwin looked very serious as he watched Rid.

  "If his strength is like this, it will be difficult to defeat him using normal methods," thought Duke Darwin.

  Although I had already completed my exam, Irene, who was supposed to take the exam after me, did not immediately go forward because she had to wait for the students who were going with me to finish theirs. Only after all the students who had gone with me had finished theirs did Irene and the second-place students from each class go forward together.

  -

  About an hour later, the first day of the fourth ?exams concluded. All of my other classmates successfully completed this first test. They immediately used their strongest techniques to attack the knights they faced. Even though the knights faced our strongest techniques, their injuries weren't too severe. Perhaps it was because they had trained their bodies to be stronger, less prone to serious injuries, or perhaps because of the effects of our weapons, as we only used academy weapons and not real weapons. Or perhaps it was the boost and defense magic they used. Certainly, the level of magic they used was stronger than that of the academy students.

  Students from other classes also successfully completed this exam, although, based on their overall entrance exam rankings, they ranked lower than the Class A students. Of course, as I said before, ranking doesn't determine whether a student is strong or weak.

  Besides those who succeeded, there were also some who failed, unable to inflict a single wound on the soldiers they faced.

  After I finished the exam, I stayed at the training grounds to watch the other students take their exams. I wasn't interested in wandering around the Lord Duke's residence because I felt someone watching me.

  -

  After we all finished the first day of the exam, we took our leave of the knights, Commander Marshall, and Duke Darwin and returned to the inn.

  "Commander, Lord Duke, we'll take our leave to return to the inn. Tomorrow we'll request permission to use this training ground for the second day of the exam," said Mr. Alan.

  "Feel free, Alan. Be careful on the road," said Duke Darwin.

  "I'll also allow you to borrow the knights, Alan. I'll make sure they're all ready for the second day of the exam tomorrow," said Commander Marshall.

  "Thank you, then we'll be going," said Mr. Alan.

  We left the Duke's residence and prepared to return to the inn. Upon arriving, we didn't go straight inside but gathered in front of the inn.

  "Since it's still daylight, how about we go around city again?" asked Noa.

  "That's a good idea, what about the others?" asked Charles.

  "I'll come," I said.

  "Do you want to come, Irene?" Chloe asked.

  "Ok," Irene said.

  The others decided to come too. So, we all decided to wander around San Minerva City some more until evening, then return to the inn.

  -

  Meanwhile, at night on the outskirts of the capital, San Estella.

  The Demi-Human Jaguar woman who had previously attacked the knights guarding the academy was seen walking along the streets on the outskirts of the capital, looking around. Suddenly, a bright light appeared from behind her cloak, and the woman immediately picked up the glowing object, which turned out to be a communication crystal.

  "Hello," the woman said.

  "Where are you?" asked the person behind the crystal.

  "I'm looking for a horse-drawn carriage to steal for my trip to San Minerva," the woman said.

  "I see. You need to hurry, because I just received information that the first-year students will be leaving San Minerva City on Friday. This is your chance, since the principal is staying at the academy and not accompanying them," said the person behind the crystal.

  "Don't worry, it's still Monday night after all. I'll find a horse-drawn carriage and leave tonight," the woman said.

  "One more thing, when you arrive in San Minerva City, you must be careful when moving around. Currently, there are always crime incidents in San Minerva City that occur at night. Many members of the 'Silver Peacock' patrol the city. They patrol 24/7, even though the crimes always occur at night," said the person behind the crystal.

  "Okay, I'll be careful when moving around there," said the woman.

  "When do you think you can finish off the 'target'?" asked the person behind the crystal.

  "Just tell me where they're staying. If conditions are favorable there, I'll make sure to finish off the 'target' tomorrow night," said the woman.

  -To be continued