The exam was held at an open field with no trees obstructing it, although I could see some trees far ahead the field. Whoever designed the open field, they must be someone with a great regard of nature, since they considered leaving the trees on some distance from here.

Several other students have gathered and we lined up according to our combined number.

During my waiting period, I decided to take a look at how they conducted the exams. Since we can't cheat with this kind of practical exam, we are allowed to see the others' performance.

Several weapons are lined up—as expected, they are going to have us use their prepared weapons, so the result would be fair.

There are various types of swords, daggers, bows and arrows, spears, rapiers, knuckles, ...and many more. Wow, this school is indeed a school related to the royalty, their properties are so complete!

I saw some of the student candidates in front of me taking their exams. There were some who picked bows and arrows and they were asked to hit the targets that the teachers quickly prepared. Some failed elegantly while some hit the targets remarkably.

The result was quite clear.

Meanwhile, for those who picked melee-typed weapons, there were teachers ready to be their sparring partners, but those teachers were mainly on defensive as they observed the children's skills closely.

Ah, so that's how they are going to do the exam.

It's the standard and the simplest form of exam, but it works well as nothing can beat the judgement of an expert combatant.

Anyway, I was lining up along with the other children wanting to display their swordsmanship, but I couldn't keep my eyes off from the other weapons' exams. After getting a glimpse on each of them, I shifted my line of sight back at the swords sparring happening in front of me.

A sturdy man with a high-quality sword stood there, blocking the child's attacks. His eyes were observing the child's movement and I could tell that he was assessing the child's power and potential.

"Okay, that's enough."

When the child paused a moment to launch another attack, the sword-wielding teacher moved his stance and concluded that it was enough. I guess he's already summed up the child's ability?

"Next up, please-," the teacher who was keeping the other children in order called out to the next examinee—oh, it's me!!

I stepped closer to the man as he looked at me with a friendly smile. He was brimming with a youthful aura, although I could tell from his face that at his age, it wouldn't be surprising for him to have a wife and a small child already... my speculation, though. Remember that I only judged it based on his appearance!

"Oh? We have such a cute young miss here!"

"..."

Yup, never expected someone would call me a cute young miss before! This makes me believe that I wasn't imagining the aura difference between the current me and the past me. I was startled so I forgot to return his greetings. However, before I could even open my mouth—

"I'm Keith, pleased to meet you. I will be the one to examine your swordsmanship prowess, so please go all out," he gestured me to take the sword prepared for the examinees to take.

I bowed my head lightly and greeted him back, "Pleasure to meet you, I'm—"

"Ah, no need to tell me your name here. I might get biased if you're the child of my friends or any of the swordsman family! You're number 21, right?"

"...Yes. Then, I will be in your care."

Being called with just your number makes me feel like I'm a member of secret organization that has discarded her name or... something like that. But what he said makes sense. If I were a child from a swordsman family, I think he would expect more from me, and it would change the objectivity of the test.

I quickly wielded the sword he pointed to and made a good fighting stance.

"Good pose! I think we're off to a good start. Well then...," Keith-sensei also did his defensive stance, "Ready whenever you are!"

At his cue, I dashed forward, leaped and landed a strong hit with my sword on his broadsword.

"!! Your power is good," he complimented.

Obviously, I relied on my power back then. And this time, I can't use my magic, so...

This time, I'm finally having a real sword-vs-sword battle.

How nostalgic.

However, so that it didn't resemble the Grabberton style so much and to complement my small body and my lack of power, I decided to switch the model of my attack to also rely on my speed.

Luckily, since I played run-and-chase often, it added to my speed.

As I continuously landed my attack, I sensed how Keith-sensei's balance started to crumble. Yes, I purposely focused my attacks on the points that would make it hard to keep the balance.

Perhaps sensing that it won't do, Keith-sensei decided to let go of his defensive stance and he actually countered me!

...Judging by his power, he seemed to be holding back, but it was still strong... Luckily, I caught his movement and blocked it with my sword.

"Little 21, you're good! Very good!" He said as our swords blocked each other.

Humph, my strength is going to lose if you're adding your body weight like this!!!

This is not fair, this is a simple bullying!!

Just as I was about to fall down due to my inability to hold his sword anymore--

"Okay, that's enough!"

He withdrew his sword and put it back.

Oh—silly me, I actually forgot that this was an exam, so obviously he would end the match after he's concluded my power!

"T-thanks for the match!" I put back the sword I was holding and finally, I could breathe in deeply! Phew!

"Little 21, that was amazing. Let me guess, are you related in some way to Grabberton House?"

"..."

Wait, wait, wait, how did it come to this?!