#017 The Gathering of Oddballs (2)
The preliminary exam proceeded in three categories, scoring each item separately to determine whether a candidate passed based on the total score.
1. Physical Ability Assessment.
2. Magic Ability Assessment.
3. Knowledge Ability Assessment.
Most candidates were confident about the physical ability assessment but shied away from the knowledge ability assessment.
“Haha! No one in my hometown could match my strength!”
“I’ve been rolling as an adventurer for years; there’s no way I can lose to these youngsters.”
“Who cares about knowledge when I can swing a sword well?”
“Well, isn’t it just about slicing and dicing?”
Responses to the magic assessment varied widely—some were indifferent due to uncertainty about the requirements, while others desperately tried to hide their nervous excitement.
“I’ve heard before that just having talent gives you a head start in magic. Maybe I have some hidden power!”
“Could it be that I’ll score ridiculously high? Maybe important people will come looking for me!”
Hmm, I can roughly gauge what they’re thinking. Such naïve expectations seem to be shared by both the fresh-faced younglings and the scruffy folks dodging the age cut-off.
Well, just because you’re aging doesn’t mean you stop buying lottery tickets. In fact, the hope for a life-changing twist tends to intensify as one gets older.
And it doesn’t take long for those vague hopes and that misplaced confidence to shatter.
With three categories: physical, magic, and knowledge.
Just scoring over 10 points out of a maximum of 30 would grant you a pass.
However, most of the thousands who confidently approached the preliminary exam found themselves disheartened by the pitiful scorecards that returned to them.
“Candidate number 271. Hans. Physical Ability: 3, Magic Ability: 2, Knowledge Ability: 1. Total: 6 points. Not Passed.”
“Hey, hold on! Didn’t you say it was out of 10 points?! That’s a total rip-off!”
“As previously mentioned, failure to comply with regulations during the test may result in immediate disqualification, so please be mindful.”
“Ugh.”
The red-haired youth, whose face turned crimson while trying to argue with the examiner, retreated with an expression of frustration.
No one thought to belittle him for being scared. Even if they did, no fool would dare voice it.
Clang.
Thunk.
The commanding officer clad in silver full-body armor—let’s be real, they were soldiers dispatched by the Empire—bore an undeniable weight with every step they took, and the glinting eyes visible beyond the structure of their face-covering helmets shone ominously.
With a group of them loitering throughout the testing area, who would be bold enough to scream “This test is invalid!”?
The situation for other candidates was mostly similar.
Many a boastful youth, claiming to excel in their own domain, saw average physical ability scores ranging from 3 to 4 points. Rarely did anyone surpass 5 points, and those achieving 6 points were few enough to count on both hands.
The average score for the magic assessment was 3 points. Thankfully, there were occasionally a few scoring 6 or 7 points; thus, among the upper echelon, significantly more candidates managed to receive good marks compared to the physical ability scores.
And as for the final knowledge assessment?
“Uh, what does this character read as?”
#017 The Gathering of Oddballs (2)
“……1 point.”
“Wait a minute! That was just a joke! I was just trying it out!”
“That’s not multiple-choice; it’s subjective. You can’t just randomize it.”
“…Uh, what’s subjective?”
“Guards! Remove this person!”
In a word, it was disastrous.
Before even mentioning the exam, more than half couldn’t read at all. Even among those who could read, another half didn’t understand.
At least those from wealthy or noble backgrounds had a better situation, but even they couldn’t solve the problems without struggle.
[Five suspects are being interrogated at a murder scene. If four are telling the truth, who is the one lying?]
[Look at the picture below and choose the pattern that fits into the blank.]
Most of the questions demanded the candidates’ comprehension and judgment rather than professional knowledge or social awareness.
The majority of applicants received 1 point, and the average score was 2 points.
With many unable to surpass the wall of 10 points, seeing so many folks disheartened made me think.
“Sure enough, the candidates for ‘Templates’ truly are frauds. In the game, you could dive in without any prior prep and still pass the preliminary exams without a hitch during year one.”
Well, in reality, if you did that, you’d be thoroughly cleaned out in the finals later on, but it was proof that the protagonists’ talents were exceptional.
Even a character labeled ‘Greedy Debauchee,’ who was often ridiculed for mediocre physical and magic abilities, easily scored a total of 12, while ‘Nameless Demon’ typically secured over 14 despite bombing the knowledge assessment.
So, how about us, who had thoroughly prepared for two years now?
“Candidate number 277. Chrome Midas. Physical Ability: 6, Magic Ability: 5, Knowledge Ability: 7. Total: 18 points. Passed.”
The examiner’s announcement was followed by a buzz in the surroundings.
The highest score so far.
There was a shock at discovering that the infamous Midas family member was the one behind it, and the realization that this wiry, barely twenty-year-old lad matched the physical scores of burly men left people astonished again.
But from my perspective, it was only natural.
Just looking at how much I invested in my diet to beef up my flimsy body, and the premium-grade herbs I consumed, which I wouldn’t even glance at for silver coins, but which would cost gold coins for me to be regarded as a respectable customer.
Thinking about how I also managed to fit in strength training in between, a score of 6 was more of a disappointment than anything else.
It’s all due to that damn father who didn’t provide even comfortable sleeping arrangements for a growing child but worked me to the bone.
The commotion didn’t end with just me.
“Candidate number 278. Ligret. Physical Ability: 9, Magic Ability: 7, Knowledge Ability: 5. Total: 21 points. Passed.”
“Candidate number 279. Fiore Midas. Physical Ability: 2, Magic Ability: 5, Knowledge Ability: 9. Total: 16 points. Passed.”
The echoes of high scores were shocking not only to the other candidates but also to the examiner announcing scores.
Even the guards were huddled together, whispering among themselves, seemingly shocked that scores could reach such heights.
And why wouldn’t they be surprised?
Even if the maximum score was 10 points, it was only theoretical.
Having played ‘Planetarium’ and run the academy story twice, I’ve learned that the Empire’s evaluation criteria are as follows.
1~2: Insufficient Ability.
3~4: Not lacking, but no outstanding qualities.
5~6: Excellent talent or a state of sufficient training.
7~8: Possessing very outstanding talent, and even if other abilities are lacking, worth scouting.
So, what do the remaining scores of 9 and 10 mean?
Genius or monster.
Considering that a score of 10 is something only players in their second or third year can achieve after building up specialized specs for accomplishment breaks, a score of 9 could practically be considered the highest score possible.
‘Originally, the “Nameless Demon” would have had around 7 points for physical ability at this stage, so that’s a 2-point increase. It’s on par with the “Proud Barbarian,” so there’s nothing to be ashamed of.’
Given that the “Proud Barbarian” has particularly monstrous physical abilities among all templates, it could be deemed an encouraging achievement.
The problem is—
‘……Why on earth is Fiore’s score so high?’
Her physical ability aligns with her appearance, and considering that she learned magic manipulation at the temple beforehand, that’s understandable.
The issue is knowledge. A score of 9 isn’t something easily attained just by applying a bit of brainpower.
‘At this level, she’s among the second-tier candidates in “Planetarium,” and depending on growth methods, she could easily be first-tier!’
Considering that players prioritize appearance and personality over specs when choosing companions, if she has such striking looks alongside decent qualities, there’s no way she wouldn’t have been mentioned in strategy guides or reviews.
However, I couldn’t recall any character related to the Midas family that matched Fiore or had a similar image.
There are three main possibilities.
1. “She is a resident of this world unrelated to ‘Planetarium.’”
This is undoubtedly the most reasonable and fitting possibility. After all, I’ve already known for a while that this isn’t the exact same world as the game.
It wouldn’t be strange if there were characters or events I didn’t know about.
2. “The actions I took changed the course of history.”
If I’d acted like the original debauchee, my big brother Holter Midas would have already met his end.
And Vern Midas wouldn’t be so focused on collecting all manner of cubes, nor would Theo Midas have emerged as a major player in the heir competition.
Given that, it’s entirely possible that she has remained active, in stark contrast to her normally fatal or near-fatal situation.
3. “For all I know, she’s one of the characters from ‘Planetarium.’”
There are certainly characters who wear masks, have transformation abilities, or don’t remove their full armor and helmets, making it entirely possible that she exists in a form unrecognizable to the player.
If Fiore falls into that category, it’s only natural that I wouldn’t know about her.
I’m curious about her true identity, but there’s no proper way to confirm it. Having outstanding specs among our party is a good thing, not a bad one.
While I consoled Ligret, who expressed disappointment at not hitting 10 points, and Fiore, who grumbled about almost dying during the physical assessment, I set my thoughts on that mystery aside.
Anyway, we passed the preliminaries.
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