Sword Dao Talent Test (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

The second round of the Kido aptitude test concluded before anyone realized it, with Gilgamesh achieving the best results and Rukia coming in second.

At this moment, the examinees who had successfully passed the first two rounds were making their way toward the venue for the third round: the swordsmanship aptitude test.

The swordsmanship aptitude test was held at the outdoor kendo arena of the Shin'o Academy.

The swordsmanship aptitude test was a highly subjective examination.

The method of testing involved the examinee sparring against an examiner.

During the engagement, the examiner would evaluate the examinee's swordsmanship aptitude based on a comprehensive assessment of their temperament, willpower, physical flexibility, reaction speed, strength, and speed.

From this perspective, it would seem that those with a foundation in swordsmanship would have an advantage.

However, in the actual test, the examiner would adjust the difficulty based on the examinee's foundation.

If an examinee possessed a foundation in swordsmanship, the examiner would be stricter, and the test would be more difficult.

This was because, in cases where a foundation already existed, only a more difficult test could truly measure the examinee's potential.

The captains in the monitoring room had also relocated to the outdoor kendo arena by this time.

Of course, they did not reveal themselves, lest the examinees lose their focus during the exam.

They remained hidden in a nearby pavilion, watching the swordsmanship aptitude test.

Or, more accurately, they were watching Gilgamesh.

They wanted to see how Gilgamesh's swordsmanship aptitude measured up, and whether it would be as astonishing as his Reiatsu and Kido aptitudes.

There were three testing stations for the swordsmanship aptitude test.

This time, Gilgamesh, Renji Abarai, and Rukia were assigned to the same station, which was the third testing station.

The examiner for the third station was the only female examiner among the three, a woman named Miho Kano.

Most of the examinees assigned to the third station couldn't help but feel relieved in their hearts.

In their view, a female examiner's strength would surely be inferior to that of a male examiner.

Since the swordsmanship aptitude test was highly subjective, they believed it would be easier for them to achieve a good score.

Renji Abarai felt the same, though his train of thought was clearly different from the others.

Upon seeing that his examiner was a woman, Renji Abarai couldn't help but say with some disappointment, "How could it be a female examiner? I wanted to spar against those male examiners."

Hearing this, Rukia immediately wore an expression of dissatisfaction and asked indignantly, "Renji, what do you mean by that? Are you looking down on us girls?"

Seeing Rukia angry, Renji Abarai felt a bit of fear, but he did not change his mind, explaining, "I don't mean to look down on girls, but in terms of swordsmanship, girls are naturally inferior to boys."

Renji Abarai's explanation did not appease Rukia; instead, it drew the angry glares of many girls nearby.

A palpable killing intent surrounded Renji Abarai, making him swallow hard. He cast a look of distress toward Gilgamesh, asking with hopeful eyes, "King, you think so too, right?"

Gilgamesh's wine-red eyes glanced to the side, and he then said playfully, "No, I do not think so."

Gilgamesh could sense that the killing intent surrounding Renji Abarai originated from Miho Kano.

It was clear she had heard Renji Abarai's words and was already displeased.

In the nearby pavilion, the captains had varied expressions upon seeing that Gilgamesh's examiner was Miho Kano.

They naturally knew who Miho Kano was.

Miho Kano appeared to be a middle-aged woman with long, black hair draped over her shoulders and black-rimmed glasses, giving off an air of intellect and gentleness.

But this was merely a facade; Miho Kano was one of the few teachers at the Shin'o Academy with the strength of a lieutenant, and she was also one of the vice-principals of the academy.

And her greatest pride was her swordsmanship.

In her daily life, Miho Kano kept to herself and took no interest in other matters, spending her days obsessed with her own swordsmanship—she was a true sword fanatic.

Logically speaking, given Miho Kano's personality and position, she should not have been serving as an examiner for the entrance exam.

Realizing this, the captains couldn't help but glance toward Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

Among those present, the only one who could command Miho Kano was Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

This was not only because Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto was the headmaster of the Shin'o Academy, but also because he had guided Miho Kano's swordsmanship training in her early years.

Later, upon discovering that Miho Kano was not suited for his style of swordsmanship, he stopped teaching her.

Although Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto never admitted it, Miho Kano had always regarded him as her master and held him in high esteem.

Knowing that Miho Kano was Gilgamesh's examiner, the interest of the captains, already piqued, grew even stronger; they couldn't wait to see Gilgamesh spar against Miho Kano.

Under their anticipation, the third round of the swordsmanship aptitude test began.

At the third testing station, Miho Kano looked gentle, with a blunt bamboo sword tucked into her waist. She looked at the examinees around her and said in a soft tone, "The test here follows the principle of initiative."

"If you feel you are prepared, step forward to take the test."

As she spoke, Miho Kano paused slightly before continuing, "By the way, if no one steps forward to take the test within five minutes, then all of you will be considered to have voluntarily withdrawn. This rule is always in effect."

Miho Kano's words caused quite a stir.

Because "always in effect" meant that after one person finished their test, if no one else stepped forward within five minutes, the remaining examinees would be considered to have voluntarily withdrawn.

This invisibly placed a shackle on the examinees' psychology, giving them a sense of urgency.

This sense of urgency would only transform into heavy pressure as time passed, the number of examinees dwindled, and the true strength of Miho Kano became apparent.

Examinees whose temperament and willpower were lacking might even collapse on the spot.

After finishing her words, Miho Kano fell silent and waited quietly.

The examinees present exchanged glances; while they felt fortunate to have drawn a female examiner, they were not arrogant enough to believe their own swordsmanship could defeat her.

To know oneself and the enemy is the key to victory in every battle.

None of them wanted to be the first to step onto the stage for the test; they wanted others to go first so they could gauge Miho Kano's strength and prepare accordingly.

Only then would they have a higher probability of achieving a good result in the upcoming test.

In the end, they all turned their gazes toward Gilgamesh in unison.

In their eyes, the most dazzling Gilgamesh should be the first to step onto the stage for the test.

As if to confirm their suspicions, Gilgamesh took a step forward.

Clack!