So quiet that the sound of swallowing could be heard.
Ranga wagged her tail and ran towards me.
"Good, good, everyone, you all worked hard, right?"
I said with a cheerful laugh, but the children's expressions were gloomy.
Of course, if I were in their position, I might think, "I'd kill you, you bastard!"
But this world is a place where the weak are preyed upon by the strong.
If you have any complaints, blame your own weakness. For that reason,
"Good! It seems everyone has something to say, so I will give an exam right now!"
When I said that,
"Hey! Why are you doing that?"
"An exam?"
"Wha?!!!"
Criticism flew left and right.
Hmm. Exams are hated in any world.
"What, don't panic! I understand what you all want to say.
But, listen.
What I'm about to do is something necessary for you all!"
"Why? No matter when, we're going to die anyway!
There's no point in studying!"
"That's right... Until now, the teacher has let us play with toys and picture books..."
"We've never studied since we came here..."
"I want to read more picture books..."
"..."
They all complained in unison.
But, they didn't have the same momentum as yesterday. Was yesterday's play with Ranga tiring?
Well, just coming here today is already commendable.
But, this is necessary. Unfortunately, there's no room for compromise.
"Alright, alright. I understand what you all want to say.
But, what I'm about to do is a fun exam that will let you all (君達) vent your frustrations.
One by one, I will have a mock battle with you.
The rules are simple. You can do anything to me with all your strength. If you knock me down, it's over.
If you can run for 20 minutes, I win. Simple, right?"
"Is that all?"
"Yeah. The scope is within this classroom. I'll set up a barrier, so you can't go outside.
No help from observers either.
Do you understand the rules? If you do, decide the order!"
A simple mock battle.
I have no intention of attacking. I just want to check these children's abilities.
If it were impossible to obtain unique skills, I couldn't use up the mana that would destroy their bodies.
From my emotional perspective, it was revealed that I have the equivalent of an A-rank monster's mana.
The rank of adventurers is a measure of strength, but the rank of monsters often indicates the total amount of energy.
When I measured B-rank adventurers, they had only C-rank mana, which was surprising.
By becoming an adventurer myself, I understood the situation.
Ordinary monsters lack skill, so they are judged solely by their abilities. However, some monsters do have high skill.
By that standard, these children are A-rank.
If they can use their full abilities, they would be tough opponents...
It seems the order has been decided.
With a determined look, Misaki Kenya comes over.
He's still 8 years old, a little rascal. Should I call him the alley leader?
"Hey! Can I use this sword?"
Arrogant!
"Sure, but if you lose, use proper honorifics!"
"Hmph! Just because you're an adult doesn't mean we can't beat you. You've only lost to Shizu-san!"
"Huh? You're boasting before you beat me?"
And so, the exam begins.
I leave the signal to the children. I hand them the hourglass I prepared yesterday and explain how to use it.
Well, let's start.
"Start!"
At Alice's signal, Kenya moved.
For an elementary school student, he has good movement. Better than most adults.
But, from my perspective, it's not much of a challenge...
"Kenya, do your best!!!"
"Don't lose!"
He seemed to be putting all his strength into it, trying to attack me.
I could easily dodge his attacks, which were predictable.
After about 10 minutes, he started shooting flames with a face that looked like he was about to cry.
Hmm. For some reason, these flames are weak.
It might be hard to compare with the flames I create, but the energy is too low.
If an A-rank monster were to shoot a Fireball with full mana, it would reach temperatures over 1,000 degrees.
Eren's Fireball was more powerful.
A B-rank adventurer's magic is stronger.
Perhaps he's only using what he learned by observation, not his true ability.
"Hey, you're too focused on the flames. Try shooting energy normally."
I gave him some advice.
"Shut up! The technique Shizu-san used was incredibly powerful!
Why would I listen to what you say!!!"
Arrogant brat.
In the end, he didn't follow my advice, and 20 minutes passed. I won.
"Alright, it's over! Call me 'teacher' properly!
Next, come on out!!!"
Kenya slumped, shoulders drooping, and turned to his observing friends.
Well, if I lost to a child under 10, it would be a shock for me too.
Next up is Kuroe? Obel.
She's an 8-year-old girl with a rare hair color. Should I say it's black with silver mixed in?
In any case, she's a mysterious girl with a unique hair color. She might have Japanese blood?
She has a mysterious, mixed Eastern and Western atmosphere.
Well, let's start. Visually, it might look like a middle schooler is bullying a girl.
Still, the exam is necessary! I declare, and if I lose, it won't be a joke.
"Kuroe, you don't have to push yourself!!!"
"Don't get hurt, Kuroe!"
The children's cheers were more about not getting hurt than encouraging her.
Of course.
The signal came. The match begins.
It only took about 5 minutes to switch, and there was no rest. Still, she showed no signs of fatigue.
I dodged everything, winning easily.
So, Kuroe. What kind of attack will she use...
She always carries a book. Will she hit me with the corner of the book or throw it?
Is this a blunt weapon, not a book? For an elementary school student, that's unlikely.
Thinking of such silly things,
"Reflecting on the flowing water, capture my enemy (Water Jail)"
Whoa! Suddenly, a water current appeared under my feet. According to 'Heat Source Detection,' it's definitely real water.
Magic! Incredible, this girl. Could she be a prodigy?
As I marveled, the water current's movement became more intense, changing into a water prison that tried to capture me.
When I touched it, it felt sharp, and the ends seemed to tear.
Like the "Water Blade" I use, it manipulates water at high speed to form a solid shape.
Impressive. But, what does she plan to do now?
"This magic can change to pour down on the captured one!
If you admit defeat, I'll release you. If not, you'll die!"
For a child, she's terrifying!
Compared to Kenya, she's much scarier. But, unfortunately, this isn't enough...
"Yeah, it's a great magic. But it doesn't work on me.
Still, this magic is excellent. Study it thoroughly in the future!"
I said, patting Kuroe's head.
A prison? I can handle that with 'Molecular Manipulation.'
To be honest, this skill is the top-tier among extra skills, a power that rivals unique skills.
It's safe to say that thermal-based abilities don't work on me. I have resistance to them anyway.
Kuroe looked surprised, sitting down with a red face and teary eyes.
I can forgive you to this extent. If I go too far, you won't listen to me, and I need to show my overwhelming strength.
Kuroe lost her fighting spirit. I won.
Kuroe, holding the head I patted, smiled happily for some reason.
Let's move on!
Gail Gibson is the next opponent.
The oldest at 9 years old. A tall boy with light brown hair. A handsome boy with a well-defined face.
This kid will definitely grow up to be a handsome man that would make actors jealous!
If he doesn't die! No, I'm not thinking that.
As an adult, I will treat him fairly and equally.
Gail, without any tricks, sent a sincere blow.
After seeing the previous two lose, he must have adjusted his evaluation of me.
He shot a powerful energy ball that could kill a normal teacher.
He didn't hold back, using all his strength. A correct choice.
But, unfortunately, the opponent is too weak. I can't be affected by such release-type techniques.
I absorbed it with 'Glutton' as if it were natural.
"What's that! That's cheating!"
Yeah, it is. I think so too.
"Do you understand? Adults are cheating creatures. They win by any means necessary!
That's what being an adult means."
It might not be very adult-like to say this to a child, but this isn't the time to hold back.
Actually, I could have deflected it, but I thought it might create a hole in the barrier, which would be bad.
No matter how much I teach recklessly, destroying the classroom and the teacher is not good.
Therefore, I need to end the match without causing damage.
It's a big deal, even if it doesn't look like it.
Gail, biting his lip in frustration, concentrated energy in his fist and came to punch me.
As expected. In this situation, Gail has no chance of winning.
Like Kenya, he lost, and I won.
Sekiguchi Ryota seems to be a timid boy.
He always gets along with Kenya and cheers for him.
He's Kenya's partner. An ordinary boy with no particular characteristics.
But, his ability...
"Ryota, avenge me!"
The moment Kenya shouted, Ryota changed his eye color and attacked.
This is similar to Shion's 'Berserker.' His speed and strength doubled, and he converted mana into energy, wrapping it around his body.
It's a good transformation. However, the lack of awareness is a point of deduction.
Losing composure in battle is a significant disadvantage unless it's a critical situation.
A critical situation depends on the opponent. For a normal opponent, 'Berserker' might be effective, but against a higher-level opponent, it's a gamble that won't pay off.
Almost 100%.
His movements are good, and if the opponent wasn't me, he might be able to fight.
Still, unfortunately!
I dodged for 20 minutes, with ease.
The final girl, Alice Rond.
The youngest at 7 years old. She has beautiful, straight blonde hair down to her shoulders.
She's a perfect doll-like girl.
Unlike the mature Kuroe, she seems like a mischievous girl.
Well, what ability does this child have?
Alice threw the bear she was holding into the air,
"Go, Mr. Bear!!!"
She shouted.
Huh? When I thought about it, the bear came to life and attacked me.
Moreover, it was a surprisingly heavy blow.
Her ability is a puppet master (Golem Master).
If this bear were made of special alloy, it could be a weapon...
It might be the strongest ability among the five.
But, if it's just running away, it's manageable.
I didn't expect the strongest ability to come last, but it helped maintain my dignity.
When she controlled 10 puppets at once, I thought about burning them. I ran away, but...
I also considered that she might cry and be hard to console if I burned them.
In any case, I made the five children recognize my strength.
Still, the abilities they have seem to be acquired after being summoned.
They all have a haphazard impression. Should I say their talents are misdirected?
I think the reason is that they didn't wish for these abilities from their hearts.
To teach them unique skills or find other means...
Within three months, I need to find a way to prevent their bodies from collapsing due to mana overload.
This bold method allowed me to confirm their current status.
And using full power is the most effective way to prevent overload.
By releasing excess mana, it seems possible to delay the collapse to some extent.
The next step is a fundamental solution.
"Alright, by giving you this exam, I've shown you that I'm strong!
I promise to save you all.
I swear on this mask, I will solve this!"
I declared to the children.
They all listened seriously.
The first step was a success. If they don't trust you, they won't listen.
Somehow, I managed to make them listen, even if it was forced.
"Hey, isn't that mask Shizu-sensei's?"
Suddenly, Alice asked.
"Yeah. I got it from Shizu.
And by giving it to me, I think she entrusted you all to me."
I answered. The mask's appearance changed, but she noticed well.
Alice nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer.
She seems to have opened up a bit.
But... talking about the mask...
Now, something is nagging at my memory.
What Shizu entrusted to me...
Huh? Beating the Demon King Leon.
Did Shizu not intend to defeat the Demon King?
Wait... Was Shizu not even 10 years old when she came here?
Why did she come back to life?
I think. I haven't heard the full story, but Hind is hidden there.
Originally, it seems strange that Shizu would abandon the children and prioritize her own goals.
Perhaps, beating Leon and saving the children were the same goal.
If Leon is the Demon King, he might know how to save the children, as he did for himself...
Then, what is the method?
Using the Great Sage, I thought hard.
And as always, the Great Sage did not disappoint.
Did the Demon King Leon intentionally save Shizue and Iizawa, or was it by chance? The answer is?
《Answer. The probability that the Demon King Leon Cromwell intentionally saved Shizue and Iizawa is 74%.
However, this probability is based on inference and is meaningless.
Additionally, the method to save the children is...》
It seems my thoughts are not wrong.
"Understand? I will definitely save you. Starting tomorrow, I will begin the preparations.
Trust me! I will definitely save the children Shizu entrusted to me!"
Unlike before, I had confidence.
The children looked at me seriously.
"「「「Please, teacher!!!」」」"
Teacher, huh.
It sounds good. Trust me.
For the first time, I have been recognized by these children.