“Winner, Abel!”
The examiner declared loudly.
Okay, a good start then.
Satisfied, I stepped down from the arena.
I believe I have seven more matches left, don’t I?
I need to win all the remaining matches for a high score.
— *Thump!*
Suddenly, my heartbeat quickened.
“…What is it?”
My chest ached strangely.
I also felt a subtle discomfort in my body.
Like my limbs were losing strength, or my consciousness was fading…
But the discomfort was fleeting.
“Did I unconsciously tense up and get tired…?”
While feeling uneasy, I returned to the waiting room until my next match.
— After that, I fought seven more matches before sunset.
Just like in the match against Geitz, I unleashed high-output magic from the start.
I riddled the floor with hundreds of ice lances and made missile-like fireballs explode towards the sky.
Of course, I was careful to avoid collateral damage.
I figured using flashy magic would make a better impression.
As a result, all my opponents were intimidated and surrendered within seconds of the match starting.
I finished the practical exam with a perfect score of eight wins.
“To unleash such powerful magic without incantation, and instantly at that—it’s like watching Dorothea.”
“Indeed, remarkable for her age.”
“Who could they be…?”
The examiners were still buzzing even after my match ended.
“What the hell, that guy…!?”
“There’s no way we can win against that…”
“Is he a monster…!?”
The other applicants waiting for their turn were all looking at me.
It felt like being the center of attention, a pleasant tickle to my ego.
I felt a slight sense of lethargy, perhaps due to depleting quite a bit of magic power.
But it was a pleasant exhaustion.
Now, I should rest well and prepare for tomorrow.
“Tomorrow is the interview…”
Honestly, I was more anxious about this than the practical exam.
I wasn’t confident I could properly manage the customs and proper etiquette of this world.
Given it’s a Knight Order, they’d probably be strict about that, too.
It would be unbearable to be rejected because I’m strong but lack manners.
For now, I should ask Claire about it tonight.
“Congratulations on the perfect score, Abel.”
“Thanks, Claire.”
That night, we were celebrating with drinks in a room at the inn.
For the two days until the exam concluded, Claire and I had booked rooms at an inn not far from the Chamber of Commerce.
We booked adjacent rooms, but now we were having a humble victory celebration, just the two of us, in my room.
“You were amazing today. Even the examiners were astonished.”
Claire smiled.
According to her assessment, I would be far and away the top in practical exam scores.
It made sense, considering I won all my matches in seconds.
“It was also the first time I’ve used this much magic in front of people.”
I had been training in secluded places like deep in the mountains.
Unleashing my full power in full view of others felt liberating and exhilarating.
“…You were cool, Abel.”
Claire murmured with a bashful smile.
“Hm?”
“N-nothing! I just… wanted to say good luck tomorrow!”
Claire, flustered, spoke rapidly.
Perhaps from the slight amount of alcohol, her cheeks were faintly pink.
The breath she exhaled was also alluring, making my heart skip a beat.
I found myself replaying the memory of my first time with Claire just a few days ago.
— Her enchanting white skin revealed in the dim light.
— Her full breasts, slender waist, and soft, peach-like hips, with a trace of sweat on her neck and back.
— The sensation of embracing her innocent, soft naked body, overpowering her, penetrating her core, and pouring forth my surging desire.
“Is something wrong, Abel?”
“N-no, nothing at all.”
To Claire’s bewildered look, I quickly shook my head.
Putting aside my lewd thoughts for now, it was about tomorrow.
While the practical exam results were excellent, I wasn’t officially accepted yet.
“If you don’t mess up the interview horribly, I think you’ll pass.”
“Oof, that’s quite the pressure.”
I couldn’t help but think, what if I *do* mess up that ‘horrible mess-up’?
“Don’t worry too much. Just act normal.”
“That ‘normal’ part is the problem…”
After all, my years of experience living in this world are overwhelmingly less than other humans.
What I consider normal might not be so for others.
It was manageable when I lived in a limited space, interacting with a limited number of people in the village.
But this is different.
My humanity will be judged by people I’ve never met before.
…Well, there’s no point in dwelling on it.
“It’ll be fine. You don’t have to be so fixated on etiquette and manners. You can learn them gradually after you join the Knight Order.”
Claire gently took my hand.
The soft feel of her hand made me jump.
My cheeks felt hot and flushed.
No, not just my cheeks.
I felt a hot surge rising in my lower abdomen—
“…Abel?”
I realized I had been staring intently at Claire.
She looked back at me with a puzzled expression.
“I-I’m… feeling strange. My body feels weirdly hot… flushed…”
“Abel, that…”
Claire let out a small gasp.
Following her gaze, I found it directed at my lower body.
“Ah…”
My lower abdomen, bulging embarrassingly in my trousers.
W-whoa, what is this!?
When did I get this aroused…!
“You’ve come to an unfamiliar town, fought under pressure… perhaps you’re just excited, that’s all,” Claire murmured.
“You look like you’re in pain, Abel…”
As I felt her gaze fixed on my crotch, my lower abdomen grew even hotter.
