The Exiled Knight Takes Up Life as an Adventurer — A Former Captain's Secret Power and His Carefree Days in a Distant Land - Chapter 4

First came the written exam.

The six subjects were: Monsterology, Geography, Mineralogy, Mathematics, Herbology, and Linguistics.

For someone with a knight’s background, they were all within the realm of common knowledge.

“Didn’t get a perfect score, but I probably scored pretty high. Hahaha.”

Next, we moved to the training grounds for the physical portion of the exam.

The physical test consisted of five events. All examinees would perform each event simultaneously.
The first to drop out ranked lowest, and the last one standing took first place.

“T-This is brutal…”

One of the events was push-ups—and we easily went past two hundred.

Even then, I had no idea where I ranked, because we were blindfolded.

Push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and squats—each done one after another.
And finally, once the blindfolds came off, a long-distance run.

Any normal person would’ve died trying.

“T-Totally hellish…”

The test finally came to an end.

Somehow, I managed to drag myself back into the lobby and collapsed onto a bench.
Most of the other participants were still lying flat on the ground outside.

“Well, yeah. No surprise there.”

I couldn’t even move from the bench.

“Damn, my legs are shaking… I need water…”

My thighs spasmed just from sitting, and my throat was parched—but I didn’t have the strength to get up.

“Here’s some water. Please, take it.”

The receptionist appeared before me, offering a glass of water.

I gulped it down instantly and gratefully accepted a second glass.

“Thanks. That really helped.”

“You’re amazing, Mr. Mardin. After this exam, most people can’t even sit up.”

“Is that so? Well, I can’t really move much either. Haha…”

I finished the second glass of water.

“There have only been two people in history who’ve gotten a perfect score on this test.”

“A perfect score, huh? There really are monsters in this world.”

“I think so too. Ufufufu. But I think you did remarkably well yourself, Mr. Mardin. The results will be posted around noon. Please take this time to rest.”

“Got it. Thanks. I’ll just get some sleep.”

I leaned back and closed my eyes right there on the bench.

Sometime later, a commotion roused me from my nap.

“Right… I fell asleep after the test.”

I turned my gaze toward the noise.

A crowd had gathered in front of the lobby’s bulletin board.

“Ouch, damn… my whole body’s sore.”

Every muscle and joint screamed in protest as I tried to move.

Proof that I’d pushed myself harder than I had in a long time.

“So… what’s all the fuss about?”

I squinted toward the lobby and realized the commotion was centered around the bulletin board.

“A score of ninety-two?!”

“No way! That’s A-rank territory!”

“That’s insane!”

The adventurers around the board were buzzing with excitement.

I slowly rose from the bench, stretching my back and rubbing my sore lower spine.

“Oof… Someone got a high score, huh?
That’s amazing, considering how brutal that test was.
Well, as long as I can qualify for the C-rank exam, I’m good.”

“Mr. Mardin!”

The receptionist came running toward me, calling my name.

“The ninety-two—that was you, Mr. Mardin!
That’s the highest score ever recorded at this branch! It’s incredible!”

“…Huh? Me?”

“You’re eligible for the A-rank trial! This is amazing!”

I blinked, then instinctively pointed a finger at my own face.

Apparently, I was the one who’d earned that top score.

“So, ninety-two points means… I can take the C-rank exam, right?”

“Eh? The C-rank? W-Well, yes, that’s fine, but…
You’re eligible for the A-rank exam, you know?”

“Nah, C-rank’s enough.
I just need to get across the border.”

The receptionist looked confused, clearly unsure how to respond.

“I’m kind of in a hurry.
When’s the soonest I can take the C-rank subjugation exam?”

“If we rush the preparations… you could begin as early as tomorrow.”

“Then let’s go with that.
Working backward from today, I’d like to finish within five days at most.”

“U-Understood! I’ll make the arrangements as quickly as possible.
But… are you sure you’re, okay? Most people can’t even move for days after that physical test…”

“Ah, I’ll manage. Believe it or not, I’ve kept myself in decent shape. Hahaha…”

I forced a laugh, trying to sound confident, even as I discreetly rubbed my aching back where she couldn’t see.

“Alright then. I’ll schedule the C-rank subjugation exam to begin tomorrow.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“The fee will be fifty gold coins…”

“That’s fine. I’ll pay up front—no problem.”

“Understood! I’ll get everything ready right away!”

With that, she dashed off toward the administration office at full speed.