The original Aditi Martial Technique is a Mid-Rank one.

Within it are a total of six cycles.

They follow a chain reaction pattern that allows one's movements to dictate the flow of battle.

The goal is to connect the first attack. Afterward, the opponent would be stuck in a series of moves and would be swayed by the flow that the Aditi Knight creates, eventually leading up to the climax that is the 6th Cycle.

'The first cycle had to do with low attacks, followed by a quick, successive strike, and then the third cycle is…'

My mind trails as I recollect, in perfect detail, every single move within each Cycle that makes up the entirety of the Aditi Martial Technique.

As a child, I thought it was profound, too complex to fully decipher.

Now, it is simply one of the things I know.

Building on this foundation and utilizing my wealth of knowledge, I advanced the Aditi Martial Technique into the Superior Aditi Martial Technique.

It's faster, stronger, and even more complex—a genuine High-Rank Martial Technique.

'With a total of 25 Cycles, four times more than the original, its range, destructive power, versatility, and so much more, have improved drastically…' I smile, my eyes flashing with ominous light as my first opponent enters the stage.

It is a Magivore—Cadre 2 Feral Beast-Type Firehorn Boar.

The creature resembles a massive boar with molten red horns and a very rough fur surface.

With a body gleaming like metal and steam constantly rising from it, the Feral Magivore glares at me as it makes its entrance from the large gate.

'I know this Magivore…' My smile broadens as I sigh in relief. 'It lives in volcanic fields and its special ability dwells in its charge and horn's ignition upon impact. Basically, its horns can combust and create explosions when they hit something.'

Despite its dangerous disposition, the range is close-range, and it has predictable movements.

It only gets dangerous when it is in a group.

'I don't think any Cadre 2 Magivore would be a problem for me at this point, but it's a good thing they chose one I'm all too familiar with. This'll make things a lot easier…' As I listen to the loud snort of the beast, I strengthen my stance.

There's no need to charge after the beast when it's coming towards me.

BOOM!

The Firehorn Boar snorts violently, quickly charging in my direction like a battering ram that cannot be stopped.

The ground quakes softly as it advances, its glowing eyes burning with fury.

Then—

SWOOSH!

The moment it nears me, merely a few inches from impact, I shift to the side and swing my blade with unfettered grace.

Instantly, several slash marks are carved on the Magivore's body, and its massive head is dislodged from its body. Blood spurts from all parts of his body, as each injury inflicted on it is so deep that it shows its bones.

Even without the head separated from its body, this would have counted as my victory.

Unable to make a single retort, the Firehorn Boar falls to its demise.

It dies.

'First round passed…' I casually swing my blade, splashing off the leftover blood that stains its edges.

Nine more to go.

In the second round, just as expected, they released two of the same beast—Firehorn Boar.

'I see. The Knight Academy must be breeding the Firehorn Boar, which is why they can afford to use it for this examination…' I smile, immediately guessing the situation.

Magivores are expensive.

That isn't simply because of their special powers, but also due to the cost of raising them. They have special diets and living conditions that must be satisfied so they can develop well. Without these specific provisions, the growth of the Magivore could be stunted, or it could even die.

Because of this, only large organizations raise Magivores in groups.

For example, the Knight Academy.

Their specialty must be this Firehorn Boar.

It would explain why I had to defeat one for my graduation here in my past life, and also why they're also using it for my Honorary Knight Exams.

'I can understand why, though. The Special Resource obtained from Firehorn Boar is called Firehorn Ivory, and it can be smelted to make Armaments with flame attributes.'

Raising this Magivore would mean the Academy can mass-produce this Armament, further increasing their strength. Also, specialization in a single Magivore species reduces the burden of looking for diverse resources to raise other Magivores.

Essentially, as long as the Knight Academy maintains the feeding and living conditions of these Firehorn Boars, they could have an endless supply of them.

It's no different from rearing animals.

'Two Firehorn Boars, huh? I didn't have to face this many in my graduation ceremony, but to the current me… It's pretty simple.' I quietly scoff, preparing my blade as I watch the two charge at me with unmatched ferocity.

Once again, I only sidestep at the last moment, expertly swinging my blade twice while twisting my body with elegance.

The result?

SPLOOSH!

Both heads of the Firehorn Boars are lopped off in an instant, and several slash marks are carved on their bodies.

With one strike respectively, I end the lives of my opponents—talk about efficiency.

'Hehe… I'd like to keep this up in the following rounds, but not only will things get more difficult as time passes, but I also need to show off the rest of my Superior Aditi Martial Technique.'

BAM!

The gates sharply open, and four Firehorn Boars charge out for the third round.

'Double, huh? Interesting…' My eyes beam. 'Just how many Boars will be in future rounds?'

I'm a little fascinated.

Using so many Magivores, which wouldn't have been cheap to raise, as props for an examination feels a little wasteful. However, now that I really think about the matter, it makes sense.

Considering how much the exam registration costs… I am getting my money's worth.

Also, it's not like I'm getting the Special Resources from the Firehorn Boars.

The Academy can simply sell them or use them personally.

Hold on…

Aren't they simply using me as an executioner to help them harvest the Special Resources more easily?

In the first place, these Magivores aren't being raised as pets. They are being raised for their Special Resources, which means they'll be gutted and killed once their time is ripe.

'These must be mature Magivores who are ripe for harvest. That means the Academy isn't actually losing anything, but they're even using me to spare themselves the effort…' I laugh to myself, unable to get upset at this arrangement.

In the end, it is an effective way for both parties to get what they want.

I did come here to be tested.

So… even though they're benefiting from this… I have no complaints whatsoever.

SWOOSH!

Instead of staying fixed in a single position like last time, I charge at the four Firehorn Boars right as they rush towards me. From the corner of my eye, I can see the examiner shake his head in disapproval, his frown clearly expressing disappointment.

I know…

'Charging at the Firehorn Boars isn't an effective strategy. It makes them more aggressive, and it shortens the time of preparation you need to deal with them. Most importantly, hacking at the Firehorn Boars and cutting through their thick hide requires a lot of strength, which is why it is optimal for the fighter to be fixed in position so they can exert the greatest level of strength.' My thoughts flow unceasingly, remembering all the details I had to memorize in my past life.

If I know all of this, why would I make such a rookie mistake?

Well…

VWOOSH!

My body suddenly twirls, and I become a whirlwind of blades, sending slashes in multiple directions at once. Slashes are carved onto the bodies of the Firehorn Boars, branding them with deep injuries that cause them to scream in pain.

I ignore their cries and simply smile in satisfaction once I notice that they have halted in their steps, even shrinking back due to fear.

Taking this as my opportunity, I advance even further and slice off all four of their heads in a single and powerful horizontal strike.

Without any resistance, their decapitated heads fall to the blood-soaked ground in a loud plop.

"Huu…"

I listen to the echoes that follow my victory, witnessing the colossal bodies of the Firehorn Boars crash on the ground to create a heavy thud.

I glance at the examiner, and his expression has completely changed.

From disappointment, it has turned to amazement—though he's trying to hide the latter.

'Pfft…' I snicker within. 'You haven't seen anything yet!'

The fourth round arrives, and it's six Firehorn Boars. In the fifth round, it's eight. As for the sixth round… the Firehorn Boars make up a total of ten.

But… so what?

I still carve all of them up with ease, displaying even more aspects of my Martial Technique.

So far, I haven't even exhausted the first half of the cycles.

I've barely crossed the sixth!

But, everything changes in the seventh round.

"SNORT!" A much larger Firehorn Boar steps onto the stage, its eyes practically flaming as its fiery mane dances atop its head. Its body has several markings that resemble volcanic cracks, the lines glowing with bright yellow.

Unlike the others, this monstrosity has four horns, and they are at least three times larger than the others. Even the size of the beast is over three times that of the others.

Without a doubt, this entity is a Cadre 3 Mystic Magivore: Firehorn Boar King.

'Oh? They brought out a Cadre 3 Magivore so early…' My eyes brighten as I stare at the majestic creature, which stands at about four meters tall and dozens of inches thick.

Its fur gleams sharply like metallic needles, and the steam rising from its body is incomparable to the rest of the Boars. I reckon regular people won't be able to get close to this creature without some kind of Potion.

However, in this match, the examinee cannot be found using Potions.

What is being tested is the natural ability of the Knight. Armaments are allowed because they largely reflect the skill of the Knight. However, with Potions, they elevate the ability of the Knight to another level, even allowing their bodies to undergo mystical changes.

Using Potions offers too much of an advantage, so it isn't allowed.

Oh well…

Even though the enemy is about three times taller than I am, with a massive physique that screams of danger, I am not moved at all.

I casually stare at it.

'I could simply compel it to follow my instructions, or maybe use a Conception at this moment, but that would be too easy. I should challenge myself instead. I have my Martial Technique as well as an Armament. That's enough for any High Rank Knight to win.'

Nodding to myself, I take a stance and glare resolutely at the beast.

"Come!"

The Firehorn Boar King snorts out flames and charges at me like an unstoppable boulder.

'Hehe…' I laugh silently.

The Firehorn Boar King might appear intimidating, but it isn't all that special.

It just has greater strength, durability, and explosive power compared to its Cadre 2 counterpart. Its hide is very thick, tougher than metal, and it also generates more heat, adding to its defenses.

With such a robust physique, it is much faster and dangerously stronger, but it remains a straightforward brute that can be predicted. It even inherits the weakness of its Cadre 2 counterpart, unable to easily alter the direction of its charge.

In fact, due to the physiology of this beast, it is even harder for it to change trajectory.

I'm in luck!

I encountered such a straightforward Magivore to fight.

Comparing this to the Screech Owlbear, whose ability makes it quite troublesome to deal with if one doesn't have the corresponding defenses.

An easy way to deal with them is to target their throat—preferably with a ranged weapon while they are about to unleash their ability—but that is only really useful when up against one.

Imagine being surrounded by several of them while having only one weapon?

'Well, to be fair, each Screech Owlbear has a certain frequency that their screech operates at, and since the paralysis affects everyone within range, other Screech Owlbears who wouldn't be affected by their own screech will be affected by the other screeches.' This is likely why it's almost impossible to see Screech Owlbears in a group.

This, however, doesn't eliminate the problem of being surrounded by them.

As Cadre 2 Magivores, their bodies are still naturally more resistant to said paralysis than normal humans. Hence, they'd recover faster than the target, mauling the unfortunate individual before he even has a chance to resist.

This is why preparation and compatibility are very important in battle.

Every fight is a chess game.

One has to move the pieces and rigorously outwit the opponent with all the right choices to win.

Right now, I've been dealt a great hand… and my opponent is at a disadvantage.

A major disadvantage.

BOOM!

I easily evade his attack, slicing him several times the moment I smoothly shift to its side.

"SNORT!"

It groans in pain, quickly moving its body away from me.

Unlike the Cadre 2 Magivores, I can't kill this opponent in a single strike. Not only are the additional slashes from my Armament not deep enough to expose his bones. But my main slash cannot behead it in one strike.

I need multiple tries.

But this is a good thing! I get to expose my Superior Martial Technique in all its glory.

SWOOSH!

WHOOSH!

BOOOM!

After a few more back-and-forths with the Cadre 3 Magivore, it finally crumbles on the ground.

—Defeated.

"I won yet again…" Letting out a deep sigh, I feel a tinge of exhaustion biting at me.

Also…

'I'm hungry.'

Damnit! Even though I stuffed myself with as much food as I could before I came here, it looks like I have to eat really soon again.

This is so infuriating.

I ignore the pangs of hunger and focus on the subsequent rounds.

The eighth round features a Firehorn Boar King and five Firehorn Boars. It's a difficult match, but after using a strategy to avoid the King and eliminate the Firehorn Boars first, it became a lot easier to finish the job.

The ninth round involves a Firehorn Boar King and ten Firehorn Boars.

This is, by far, the most difficult.

There are simply too many Firehorn Boars, and it isn't easy separating them from their King this time around due to their sheer volume. But, I managed to win after expending some time.

Then… for the tenth and final round.

'Two Firehorn Boar Kings, most likely…' I tell myself, sighing in exhaustion and deep hunger as I watch the gates open before me.

I was fated to be disappointed.

"SNORT!"

"SNORT!"

"SNORT!"

Three… there are three Firehorn Boar Kings!

'How am I supposed to handle so many in my current state?!' I scream out to myself, feeling all kinds of indignation.

This is the worst possible scenario!

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