Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 158: Suspicious Test

[Participant No. 18 <Kazuki>. Please prepare for battle. You will be teleported into the arena in a few seconds.]

At last, it's my turn. I have already made my preparations with my skills and equipment. And while this is a battle part of the exam, the [Quest Log] informed me that I won't be getting [EXP] until the [Quest] is finished. Not that it matters right now, since this is supposed to test my magical abilities first and reward me with new spells and levels later. But when I land in the arena, a new notification pops right in front of me.

[NOTICE]

[A new development has been discovered for your current [Quest].]

Huh? A new development? That's weird... I haven't interacted with that boy since the second test. I wonder why it suddenly popped up like that. Regardless, I can't get distracted by notifications now. I have a test to do and I need to focus if I want to pass it.

[Okay. Your [Armored Puppet] has been determined! You only have a minute left until the battle starts.]

True to Xiri's words, the puppet suddenly appears on the opposite side of the arena. But my eyes widen at what kind they made for me. The puppet seems similar to its armor, forehead gem, and everything. But what's shocking about it is the weapons it wields.

A short sword and a bow, and a quiver of arrows on its back.

Wait... This isn't right... Aren't those the same weapons Wind uses? But he's not here right now, so why did it choose them as its main weapons?

"No way! Two weapons at the same time? Is the game bugging or something?"

"It's got to be! We were only faced against [Armored Puppets] with only one weapon at the time."

"Cr*p... That kid's toast! He wouldn't stand a chance against it."

They've got that right. Everything about their weapons is true. While the proctors didn't say anything about the number of weapons they wield, I'm sure they meant for them to only wield one per participant. What's going on?!

[O-Oh... This is a problem...] Xiri's voice echoes in a concerning tone. [We should delay Participant No. 18's test for a while. I think something came up...]

Delay... So, is there something wrong with my puppet after all?

[Hey! Why are you suddenly egging on the little kid?!] The snobby NPC shouts from the benches. [Didn't you guys say this was all a test for us to do? Why are you suddenly favoring one over another? Don't tell me that's your favoritism showing?!]

That jerk...

Before I can get a say in this, I hear some participants and players muttering about this. Don't tell me they're taking that jerk's side over me?! As much as I want to agree with them, I can tell something is up with that puppet. Wind's weapon styles aside, there's no way a puppet wielding two weapons is allowed for this test.

[No, that's not it. It's just that we didn't expect it to create two weapons instead of one...]

"But what's the point of it?" The snobby player speaks up next. "You guys said it yourself that this whole test is supposed to test if we're worthy enough to become students of this academy. I'm also guessing you're not allowed to play favoritism with some of the students for fair play, right?"

Seriously?! Favoritism?! I don't think that is happening here! I don't know what's going on, but fighting a puppet with a disadvantage shouldn't be legal!

[I know that! It's just t- Hey! What the heck are you d-!]

Suddenly, Xiri's voice is cut off, and we hear a new voice echoing around the arena.