Chapter 386: Swordsmanship Test (3)
“Will the test be done on the virtual battle simulator?” Xiao Lin asked curiously.
“A simulated battle?” The officers looked at each other, and the man who took the lead made his first smile, but it was an exaggerated and mocking smile.
“Quit joking! Simulated battles? Those are just children’s playthings! Our academy is cultivating soldiers that can go to war in the future!”
Saying that, the man walked over to a corner, and Xiao Lin noticed three large wooden cabinets that seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the corner of the training hall. He did not know what was inside, but the man produced a key and unlocked the three cabinets.
The moment the cabinets opened up, Xiao Lin squinted his eyes to make out some bronze statues inside, but he knew that those were definitely not ordinary statues. He had seen something similar before in the dean’s office, and even knew what the thing was called: an alchemical being. Some academies also called them constructs.
From a certain perspective, they were basically robots, but made using magic. Ever since the colonists came to Planet Norma, they had constantly learned the various magics and skills the natives possessed. After many years, they also worked hard in combining Earth’s science and Planet Norma’s magics.
Just like how dwarven gunpowder was a product of science mixed with magic, the alchemical beings were considered the pinnacle of such endeavors; they were one of the proudest achievements of the academies.
Xiao Lin would not have been surprised if he saw those things on the battlefield, but now they appeared in front of him, all in the name of administering a test for a new student.
Xiao Lin looked at the man, his gaze calm, not revealing any anger. Even if his fury was surging inside, he never revealed it.
He knew that since these people had made their way here, there would be no way to change this arrangement. Even if he were to notify the student union, he would probably be advised to give up on the test and wait for the retake.
The man looked back at him, but did not see the rage or confusion that was expected. The man had formed a sense of curiosity about Xiao Lin, but it was like Xiao Lin thought, there was no way to change what was about to happen.
“Alchemical beings really are quite strong compared to you new students, but these ones in front of you are just half-completed ones, or rather defects that have been tossed away. That’s why you don’t have to worry about sustaining any heavy injuries. We’ve also already adjusted the settings in the training hall, so any healing you might require will be free.”
“What about weapons?’ Xiao Lin asked.
The man paused before pointing at the weapons rack next to him. “Since it’s an a.s.sessment, you’ll definitely not be allowed to use your own weapons. Please take off any armor you might have on as well, or you’ll be considered to be cheating. You’re allowed to pick any weapon around here.”
The weapons rack was what they usually used in cla.s.s; on it was all sorts of swords and blades. Xiao Lin’s Holy Soul Sword had already been broken, but according to the man, he would not have been able to use it anyway.
Since he had already known about the test requirements before coming, he had naturally not brought any armor or equipment along. He took out a longsword that had the appropriate weight and length before walking toward the center of the training hall. The officer then checked his person for any equipment.
Even though those checks were usually done by specialized equipment, the officer was more confident in his eyes that had been trained on the battlefield. His gaze shifted to the ring on Xiao Lin’s finger, pausing his gaze before saying, “A storage ring? How rich.”
“So what if it’s a storage ring. He’s not breaking any rules as long as he doesn’t retrieve anything from it. Just start already,” an officer said by the side, probably feeling like they had wasted too much time on just one test.
The rest of them stopped pursuing the matter at that, and the test started.
The alchemical being started to slowly walk toward the center of the training hall after being activated with a thick and heavy-looking sword in hand. The tip of the sword sc.r.a.ped against the ground, creating a heavy metallic sound, shocking Xiao Lin at the weight of that sword.
“The alchemical being has been set to not attack by itself, so you will need to be the one launching the attacks for the test. The time limit is set at five minutes, and as long as you can defeat it, you’ll pa.s.s the test! However, I need to remind you, if your swordsmanship is not at the elementary rank, you’ll never manage it!”
“Thanks for the reminder!”
After saying that, Xiao Lin activated Miracle, but did not rush to activate Ruin. The sword in his hand might not be as familiar as his Holy Soul Sword, but he still had his LV9 Basic Swordsmanship at the very least, and was able to use it without issue.
The alchemical being was entirely bronze, and was about as tall as a regular person. The metal on its body had already lost its l.u.s.ter, and there were obvious traces of damage throughout. It was already nearing the end of its usefulness. Xiao Lin had already noticed it as it was moving toward the field, but the alchemical being was extremely slow, so he immediately changed all his attributes to Strength.
He naturally needed more strength to defeat such a large and heavy being. Xiao Lin stopped as he got to within a meter of the being. The alchemical being really did not attack on its own accord; it merely stood there unmovingly, which was why Xiao Lin raised his sword into the air brazenly.
“Slashing?” The officer immediately recognized the skill. “How clueless. He wants to defeat the alchemical being with just that?”
Xiao Lin naturally was not planning on relying on just slashing. The spark of flames on the tip of the blade indicated that he had used his Flame Sword Aura, but he did not use his Wave yet, which indicated that he was just testing out how strong the being was.
Xiao Lin managed to condense his strength to the fullest without any interruption, and slashed his blade down. The sharpness of the blade was enhanced with sword aura, and Xiao Lin unleashed the strike with all his Black Iron-rank might. The speed was quite fast, but the alchemical being remained unmoving.
Xiao Lin smiled, but the smile quickly vanished. As the sword aura closed in, the alchemical being slightly raised its sword. The heavy sword was easily lifted up into the air before it came slashing down.
Boom!
His sword aura disappeared in the air!
It was not blocked, nor was it dodged; it just disappeared before his eyes!
Xiao Lin widened his eyes in disbelief, and tried the same thing again. There was no mistake; his Flaming Sword Aura that he unleashed with all his might disappeared the moment it closed in to that large sword!
The problem was definitely that weapon!