Chapter 12

## Chapter Chronology

**The First Test!!** is the 12th chapter in the *Build King* manga series.

## Summary

Smith says that the primary test for the Vigor Methods of Construction is Whack-A-Nail-Mole, which Nana says that Smith is too drunk and wonders if Smith is trying to flunk them all at the first stage.

Vigor is explained as the very essence of all living things and the energy which allows one to survive. Vigor in nature homeostasis, the power to maintain the status quo. Trees that are tens of thousands of years old, rocks and other inorganic things that don't erode even in the harshest conditions are believed to contain Vigor too. Vigor exists inside of everyone, but requires a certain quality in order to manifest it externally and that quality is needed to build stronger structured along with being a requirement for the Vigor Methods of Construction Exam. Among the 60 million builders who belong to Buildon, Vigor Craftsmen are a precious talent who make up only .01 percent of the workforce.

Smith says that the rules are simple and that they in order to pass, they just have ten minutes to hit one Nail Mole when its head pops out of a hole in the stage. Tonkachi says that that's it and what's the big deal since that sounds easy. Tonkachi says that he is worried that the moles will be okay and asks if they won't die, which Smith tells him to relax since the Nail Moles won't die unless there's special Vigor. Smith says that the Nail Moles will only be knocked out if they hit them with a certain amount of force, plus the Nail Moles will fight back like crazy and they will end up dead if they spend too much time feeling sorry for them. The examinees asks if they really have to do something so dangerous as part of the test, which Smith says that many vigor construction sites are in hazardous areas. Smith explains that its not unusual to have casualties during construction and if they die during the exam, then the life of a Vigor Craftsman isn't for them. Smith tells them that the hammers are in the toolshed, and to feel free to pick which ever one they'd like.

In the stands, Cork comments about how this exam seems really rough. Nana says that Nail Moles are known by another name, Nail Demons, which Galand says that in olden times, Demon Carpenters actually used them as nails. Noshimitsu says that the act of "hitting a nail" may be archaic but this test is designed to test one's strength, speed, focus, and precision all at once, but also says that this test is hardly held nowadays after the countless victims and casualties among the test takers. Noshimitsu also says that there hasn't been a single examinee who's been able to knock a Nail Mole out.

As the examinees enter to shed to pick up a hammer, they see that there're a variety of hammers lined up according to weight. They figure that the light ones will have speed but not much power, while heavy ones will have a lot of strength but not much speed. They figure that they have to choose the hammer that fits them. Tonkachi says that he is going with the heaviest one, which Renga says that that hammer suits Tonkachi since he is so strong. Renga wonders which one he should go for, but notices one of the examinees is shacking. Renga asks if the examinee is okay, which he says that he is not okay since he might die. Renga says that he is worried too since he is not very strong and that he never hit a creature like that before. Renga says that he is not feeling to confident, which the examinee tells Renga to not be so conceited. Renga says that he is not being conceited, which the examinee says that Renga is being conceited about his weakness. The examinee says that he is the one who's weak and that he is way weaker than Renga and that Renga has just been living in a small pond. The examinee also says that there are plenty of unconfident guys in this world and just remembers that there's always someone beneath him. The examinee tells Renga to just forget it and that he will this hammer, while proclaiming that he will do it.

The others pick their hammers, which Smith starts the first test, but throws up afterwards. As the examinees try to hit the Nail Moles, they notice that the Nail Moles are to fast to see. Tonkachi comments about how these moles sure are excited and they're very quick on their feet. As the moles attack back, which the examinees comment about how the mole are fighting back.

The Ten Edifices are watching and comments about how the proctors can decide the exam freely, but to throw Nail Moles at them right at the start. They comment about how it may have been smart to narrow them down in the first round, since there are 97 examinees this time. One of them says that nearly all of the ones recommended by Master Carpenters have been identified, and four are general test takes who were screened through their records. Another says that there is a high probability that they are hiding among those four, and tells them to watch the four wearing numbers 12, 38, 44, and 60.

At the arena, No. 21 Shizuha Eliwoods, who was recommended by Eliwoder the Silent Builder, manages to land hit a mole. No. 55 Bar Taurus, who was recommended by Natures the Nest Builder, manages to land a hit on a mole and comments about how pathetic it is but is censored by his partner Beeper. No. 44 Konechika, who passed on school records, gets desperate and land a hit on a mole. No. 38, who passed on school records, and manages to land a hit on a mole. No. 6 Teku, who was recommended by Build Make of Makeup Construction, manage to hit a male. No. 60 Pokemichin, who passed on School Records, manages to land a hit on a mole. No. 12 Haka, who passed on School Records, manages to land a hit on a mole. No, 97 Renga, who was recommended by the Third Generation Carpenters, manages to land a hit on a mole. Tonkachi manage to land a hit on a mole and winds up breaking the arena, which shocks everyone. Tonkachi wonders what the big deal is, since the House-Eaters were tougher. Noshimitsu and Nana wonders if they are serious, since they really are the cream of the crop. Tonkachi asks Smith if he is doing it right, but notices that Smith is throwing up and not watching.

## Story Impact

* Vigor is explained.
* Multiple characters are formally introduced.
	+ Eliwoder and Natures
* The Third Generation Carpenters are mentioned.

## Characters by Appearance

* Smith I
* Nana Schreider
* Konechika (Formally Debut)
* Cork
* Galand
* Noshimitsu
* Shizuha Eliwood (Formally Debut)
* Eliwoder *(Mentioned)*
* Bar Taurus (Formally Debut)
* Beeper (Formally Debut)
* Natures (Mentioned)
* Konechika (Formally Debut)
* Maguni (Formally Debut)
* Teku (Formally Debut)
* Pokemichin (Formally Debut)
* Haka (Formally Debut)

## Site Navigation

 **Volume 1**