Free Web NovelChapter 110: Skills Demonstration
Elder Liang clapped his hands together to signal the end of the evaluation. Dozens of blue-robed instructors fanned out across the dirt rings, corralling the thousands of first-year students into organized rows based on their chosen weapons.
Solomon stood near a large rack of training gear while resting Eden’s Penance against his collarbone.
A scarred instructor stepped to the front of the gathered crowd. "The second trial is officially over. Anyone wishing to demonstrate proficiency with alternative weapons step forward now."
A boy clutching a wooden saber raised his hand. "Will demonstrating other weapon forms change our evaluation reports or provide any other benefit?"
"This trial serves as your admission exam," the instructor answered, scanning the sea of faces. "Based on these results, you will be separated into specific training pavilions. The pavilion masters and specialized instructors will review your performance to decide whether they wish to teach you. You must master their lessons and complete their assigned tasks to earn the mandatory academy stars. Your performance today dictates your trajectory in this sect."
Tapping his fingers against his pristine steel hilt, Solomon calculated his options. He possessed exactly thirty-four different basic skills.
He had acquired proficiencies in Basic Archery, Basic Spearmanship, Basic Dual-wielding, Basic Axe Combat, Basic Unarmed Combat, Basic Grappling, and numerous other techniques during his three years of mercenary work.
While his swordsmanship had evolved beyond the basics, those other foundations remained unpolished. He planned to practice and master them all. ƒreewebɳovel.com
"Can a student take multiple classes for different weapons?" Solomon asked, stepping slightly out of his designated row.
The scarred instructor shook his head. "That is impossible. Mastering a single weapon path takes several months of dedicated practice. You also have countless other academy activities and sect missions to complete to earn your stars. Attempting to split your focus will guarantee your failure. You will achieve nothing."
Solomon smirked and hoisted his greatsword back onto his shoulder. "So the time limit is the only actual constraint. That sounds more like an excuse to avoid teaching multi-disciplinary combat."
He stepped out of the line and joined the small cluster of students volunteering for the extra demonstration.
[LazyCat: bro is about to show off all 34 skills.]
[Fatal_Beauty: the instructors are going to lose their minds.]
[BloodKnight: A warrior with a versatile foundation adapts to any battlefield.]
[User12: he literally called the instructor lazy.]
[GoonLord: DO NOT PROVOKE THE TEACHERS ANYMORE!]
The instructor gestured toward the distant stone staircase. The majority of the first-year students formed a long column and followed another guide toward the third trial area. Only forty-eight disciples remained behind on the dirt rings, including Solomon.
Solomon glanced around the small group to evaluate his peers. He spotted Maximus Thunderstrike gripping a wooden spear tightly, standing just a few paces away. Fortunately, his eyes caught another familiar face standing near the weapon racks.
The Third Princess of the Bririth Kingdom stood with perfect posture. Her flowing white hair and piercing red eyes immediately stood out among the dark academy uniforms.
Solomon quickly turned his head in the opposite direction and stared intently at a wooden post. He avoided making any eye contact with her. He vividly remembered the disastrous incident on his very first day, where he had accidentally crawled through the academy portal directly under her skirt.
The scarred instructor clapped his hands to draw the attention of the forty-eight remaining students. He pointed toward the long rows of weapon racks lining the perimeter of the dirt ring.
"Step up to the racks and select your alternative tools," the instructor commanded. "Show us your proficiency. We will evaluate your forms and record your aptitudes."
The first-year students immediately scattered across the training ground.
A tall boy grabbed a pair of wooden daggers and grinned at his floating bronze owl. He swung the twin blades wildly in circles because his stream chat demanded a flashy routine. He lost his grip on the right hilt during a spin and sent the weapon tumbling into the dust.
[XanderMan: bro just stick to magic.]
[GamerGuy: that was painful to watch.]
Other students displayed genuine skill. The white-haired princess pulled a wooden rapier from a stand. She aligned her boots and executed a pristine forward lunge, striking a wooden training dummy with perfect accuracy.
Solomon quickly turned his head to look at a cluster of rocks on the ground to avoid catching her attention.
He walked over to a rack filled with ranged equipment. Placing Eden’s Penance on the dirt, he picked up a wooden bow and grabbed three blunt practice arrows.
Solomon planted his boots, nocked the first shaft, and pulled the bowstring to his cheek. He released the tension.
The arrow struck the center ring of a distant target board. He fluidly pulled the next two shafts and fired them in rapid succession, pinning both arrows right next to the first one.
[LazyCat: wait since when can he use a bow?]
[1Fizzy: clean shots!]
Tossing the bow aside, Solomon moved to the polearm section. He hoisted a long wooden spear. He utilized his training in Basic Spearmanship, spinning the shaft around his shoulders before stepping into a wide stance.
He drove the blunt tip forward with pinpoint precision, striking a wooden dummy directly in the neck joint.
He discarded the spear and grabbed two short swords from a nearby table. Chaining Basic Footwork with Basic Dual-wielding, he dashed toward a reinforced post.
He launched a flurry of crossed slashes, shifting his weight effortlessly to accommodate the two separate blades. The wooden swords cracked sharply against the target.
He dropped the short swords and immediately picked up a training axe. Modifying his stance to account for the top-heavy weight, he performed a series of downward chops and lateral hooks.
Elder Liang watched from the center of the ring. His jaw parted slightly. The scarred instructor stepped forward and dropped his wooden clipboard into the dirt.
They stared at the silver-haired boy transitioning between contradictory fighting styles. The muscle memory required for archery directly opposed the aggressive footing needed for axe combat.
A normal person attempting to switch foundations so quickly would tear their own ligaments.
Solomon simply tossed the wooden axe onto the rack and cracked his knuckles. He faced a new wooden dummy, dropping his center of gravity. He delivered a fast jab to the target’s midsection and followed up with a sweeping kick to its base.
[Skeptic: archery, spears, dual swords, axes, and now boxing?]
[GoonLord: IS THERE ANYTHING HE CANNOT DO?!]
[BloodKnight: Retaining that many combat foundations is an anomaly. His body must have endured literal torture to memorize all those patterns.]
[GamerGuy: Solo Man is a walking armory!]
[LazyCat: Back then, Vlad was carrying an armory, and now Solo Man is using an armory.]
The sect workers stationed around the courtyard stopped logging their reports. They gathered together near the equipment stands and pointed at the ongoing demonstration.
Solomon finished his unarmed routine and picked up his executioner’s sword from the dirt. He rolled his shoulders to ease the tension in his joints. He had successfully displayed his basic proficiencies without drawing any unnecessary suspicion to his newly acquired Imperial Arts.
The scarred instructor finally recovered his clipboard. He cleared his throat and marked a long series of checks on his parchment.
"That concludes the weapon evaluation," the instructor announced, staring at Solomon. "You may all proceed to the designated pavilions to meet your respective masters."
He then pointed at Solomon and said, "You... will stay here. The pavilion masters want to talk to you."
