After the written exam was concluded, it left a couple of hours left for the trio to prepare for the next round. They gathered in a large sandy arena, akin to the military training grounds, yet many times larger.
The air carried a faint smell of iron, and the sun shone over half of it. It was separated into four sections, with one instructor in charge of each.
The trio was unfortunately separated, placing Azure into group A, Aqua into group B, and Sheira into group C.
When it came to physical ability, she was not worried about either Azure or Sheira.
They should both be able to ace whatever they throw at us. Her eyes darted to the prepared exercises. One thing she was sure of was that stamina was very important.
"Lady Aqua, is that you?"
A familiar male voice reached from behind her.
She slowly turned, and she met face to face with Avaros. "Ah, Avaros. It seems we are in the same group."
"It is a great honor to be in the same group as someone as well educated as yourself, Lady Aqua."
The man spoke with a flair befitting the ducal heritage, his bow was flawless and uniform, spotless.
The instructors gathered at their specified areas, and each professor would be in charge of a single group. They gestured for their groups to gather, and the wind carried their voices once more.
Greetings, Candidates. I will be proctoring your physical exam, you will be granted the privilege of learning my name once you pass.
His voice echoed around their group, completely isolated from the three others. Aqua peered into the man, he was built like a barbarian, yet his robes covered most of his features. His brown eyes were stern, and below his sleeve, a large scar was visible.
The gaze of their proctor washed over Aqua's group, he stopped as he noticed Avaros and nodded. Then, he continued, and his eyes widened as he gazed upon Aqua.
Some of you, according to my discerning eye, are rather powerful, while some have never even ran. The first exam will be a stamina test, where you will run for 30 minutes around our group's section. When you collapse, we will record your time and that will be your test.
His brow furrowed. After this test is concluded, you will proceed to a test of pure strength, where you will attempt to dent this.
He leaned down and picked up a metal sheet from a pile. This is a thin sheet of Mithril and Adamantite Alloy, it will prevent cheating using magic, and since its so tough, any dent will prove that you are capable.
He chuckled, the wind amplified it even further, making it seem as if he was mocking the candidates. The young nobles sneered at the man, their sheltered upbringing not allowing them to accept being mocked lying down.
Use that energy to pass the test. May the Lady of Power guide you.
He stepped down from his stage and guided the group to the improvised running track in their section.
"Candidates, on my mark, you will run. If you last less than 10 minutes, you will be marked as a failure."
"10 Minutes?! These uniforms aren't even made for running!" A young elven lady spoke.
"When an emergency arises, you will not have the benefit of choosing your wardrobe, do not complain."
"Do you know who I am!" She stepped forward, her gaze peering through the much larger man.
The instructor leaned above her, "Tell me, young lady."
"I am the fourth daughter of duk…"
"Doesn't matter. The only thing that matters in this academy is merit. If you do not have basic physical abilities, prove yourself to be capable in magic and academics. Am I clear?" He spoke calmly, yet it stunned the arrogant noble lady.
The attitude that the instructor had shown struck Aqua deeply, her heart beat faster and her cheeks reddened. Good, respect merit, and shun the privilege.
She straightened her back and waited for the start signal. Avaros stood next to her. "Lady Aqua, I am curious if you are as physically capable as you are in the ways of magic."
She smiled. "Nowhere close, but with magic, all things are possible."
"I am aware, but Lady Aqua, magic would be considered cheating."
She chuckled. Of course, she would not use magic to augment herself for something as mundane as a test, her divine physical power was more than enough to leave even the grandest of beings in the dust.
"I am not one to cheat." Yet, she remembered her use of [World's Guidance] during the written test.
"I see…" Avaros peered forward, his eyes scrutinizing everyone present. "Almost nobody here will pass the physical."
"I am aware." She mumbled, most people here were sheltered and had never committed themselves to training.
"Start!" The instructor shouted, and the entire group started running.
Some sprinted ahead and stopped after a mere minute. While some took more slow measure and jogged behind.
However, unlike most Aqua and Avaros sprinted ahead of the group, their speed and stamina eclipsing everyone present.
"Hah, I am surprised you are keeping up, Lady Aqua."
"If I couldn't keep up with some kids, I would be pretty embarrassed." She grinned and picked up more speed.
"Is that so!" He focused and kept up with Aqua, already running laps around the rest of the group.
The instructor stared at them, his hand already holding a pen above Aqua and Avaros' entry in his ledger. He made check mark on both of them and smiled.
"At least two people in my group are more than qualified physically." His stern gaze turned to the rest of the group, which quickly halved in size.
His hand quickly worked to cross out many names, leaving only four people with passing grade in his section. Disappointing.
He turned toward Section B, where the instructor had the honor of testing the mighty Champion of the kingdom. I should ask for her autograph when the semester starts.
Anyone who was worth their salt as a physical fighter admired Azure Hallowshield. She was a powerful fighter and a protector, someone who would lead a final stand when the times turned dark.
He was sure of one thing, and that was that she would pass the exam completely. Why is she even being tested? This will just break the morale of the normal nobles.
The headmaster was adamant about testing everyone, no matter who they were, yet when someone was of such a high status as the champion, it felt asinine to waste her time.
His gaze turned to his group.
The four people remaining were still running without any difficulty, yet the red-haired lady had quickly gained an advantage over the black haired nobleman. She has some serious stamina.
25 minutes passed, and only two remained running. Aqua and Avaros.
While the man was sweating bullets, the lady seemed to be about unbothered as they came.
"Both of them are going to be promising knights." He smiled in a satisfied manner and crossed his arms.
The thirty minutes slowly elapsed, and the duo stopped. Aqua turned to Avaros, who had his hands on his knees and was fighting a war of breath with his lungs.
"Ugh… Lady Aqua… Are you sure you didn't use magic…" His breathing was shallow and words heavy.
"None." She shook her head. There was no point in using magic when the purpose was to test one's stamina.
"I see… Well, I am glad you are the one to beat me, Lady Aqua." He swallowed air and pushed himself straight.
"Drop the lady, just Aqua is enough." She lifted her hand in front of her.
"If it is what you wish. Then I will call you Aqua." He bowed, his sweat dripping.
A small portal opened above Aqua's hand, and a small handkerchief fell on her palm. "Here, clean up your sweat."
He eyed the cloth with suspicion before accepting it. "Your magic really is something. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, considering you commanded the weather to change in the carriage."
"I am willing to teach you."
"Really?" He wiped his sweat and attempted to hand the cloth to Aqua, who refused. He gracefully pushed the handkerchief into his uniform and bowed. "I thank you, Aqua."
"Don't think of it at all." She smiled and then turned toward their instructor who approached them with a wide smile.
"You two really left an impression." He pointed with his thumb toward the group of collapsed nobles.
"It's just running, nothing special."
"I agree, but look at those noble brats." The instructor chuckled. The young nobles gasped for air, and those who rested stared at the duo with wide eyes.
"Sorry for unprofessionalism, but since you two will be my stars, you deserve such treatment."
"Sir, I would prefer it if you didn't give me any preferential treatment." Aqua casually answered.
The instructor blinked, his respect for the young lady growing. "I see. No matter, let's start with the next part."
He climbed the stand again, and the winds carried his word.
Congratulations to the four candidates who passed the stamina test. Now, we will proceed with the strength test. Those who passed, step forward.
The instructor set 4 sheets of mithril metal. They were barely thicker than a hair, yet incredibly sturdy.
Aqua stepped in front of the first one, followed by Avaros and the other two candidates.
"Let's start!"
The first girl breathed in and launched a powerful punch. The metal rang, and a small dent appeared, yet it did not bend.
The noble boy nodded and smirked arrogantly. He clenched his fist and launched a strike.
Creak
The metal bent slightly.
"Good." The instructor nodded. "You both pass. Aqua and Avaros, go ahead."
Avaros grinned, he would not let Aqua beat him here. His fist clenched, and after a moment of meditation, he launched a powerful strike.
A crack appeared over the metal.
Crack
And then it split into two.
The instructor nodded. "I knew you were powerful."
He turned to Aqua. "Aqua. Go on."
Aqua clicked her tongue, Let's not overdo it.
She did not prepare her strike, instead merely brought her hand close and flicked the sheet.
A spiderweb of cracks appeared, and the sheet turned into dust.
Everyone present stared at her for a moment, and then the instructor exclaimed. "You pass!"