“Ahem, excuse me.
Calling them all trash might be a bit much.
After all, these students are here to study magic at this Royal Academy, and by the time they graduate, they’re expected to become formidable enough to outshine even elite knights.
But at this point, I‘m sorry to say, they are pretty much all trash.
Of course, some show promise.
‘‘Number Sixty-Four! Step forward!’‘
‘‘Yes!’‘
Oh, it’s Francis’‘ turn.
‘‘Pop 《Metal Buster》 Output Front’‘
A shortened chant, and then a steel sphere, as large as a human heart, is created before them and launched at supersonic speed.
I see, they’re essentially recreating a cannonball using magic.
The wooden target dummy couldn‘t withstand the impact and was smashed into splinters.
Of course, it‘s like firing a siege weapon at a humanoid target—a reckless move worthy of Joan of Arc.
The examination hall fell silent in amazement.
It’s likely that at this point, even the teachers have nothing left to teach them.
Voices of admiration mixed with fear echoed, ‘‘As expected from the Klein Marquis family!’‘
Hearing this, Francis puffed out her flat chest proudly. Cute.
Of course, there were other noteworthy individuals.
First, there’s the blue-haired beauty everyone calls ‘‘the Saintess.’‘
She seems to be related to some priestly order and doesn‘t use offensive magic. Instead, she uses a rare form of water-attribute healing magic.
Upon observation, I saw that her magic liquefies flesh to reattach it. Water magic? Really? Is that even allowed?
Next up is an Asian-looking girl with black hair in a ponytail.
For some reason, despite being a mage, she carries a sword.
Not a short sword from this country, but a katana.
‘‘…Pop 《Shippu》 Output Trace Weapon!’‘
With those words, she swung her wind-clad sword, slicing the wooden target dummy in half.
…Interesting.
I just mentioned earlier that ‘‘wind can’t cut through flesh,’‘ yet this girl can do it?
How peculiar.
The answer is simple.
It’s not wind!
The green particles gather and solidify in the air, slicing through the material.
What part of this is a gale?
If anything, it’s more like earth.
I really don’t get it…
These were the most notable ones.
There were a few others who seemed okay.
Finally, it was Ada‘s and my turn.
‘‘Number Two Hundred and Thirteen! Step forward!’‘
‘‘Yes!’‘
Now then…
What kind of magic will Ada use?
Originally, Ada was my experimental subject.
That’s why she knows dangerous spells.
By dangerous, I mean harmful to both self and others.
‘‘Pop 《Heat Charger》 Output Behind’‘
Six fiery wings appeared.
These are heat batteries that store thermal energy.
And then…
‘‘Pop 《Heat Remover》 Output Atmosphere’‘
This spell absorbs thermal energy from the surroundings.
Naturally, the area becomes freezing cold.
The rapidly cooled air contracts, generating a violent wind.
The stored thermal energy manifests as wings on Ada‘s back. However, these wings are semi-virtual visions created by visualized magic particles representing the stored heat.
The size of the wings doesn’t necessarily correlate with the amount of heat stored.
In fact, if just absorbing a bit of heat from the surroundings can create six wings, then absorbing the heat of an entire volcano could generate thousands of wings.
‘‘Pop 《Plasma Shooter》 Output Front’‘
Then, she releases the amassed heat.
The wooden dummy? Reduced to ash.
The examination hall fell silent.
And then… someone spoke.
‘‘Amazing.’‘
That single word echoed in the hushed hall.
It triggered a chorus…
‘‘Amazing!’‘
‘‘What was that?!’‘
‘‘She looks like an angel!’‘
The loudest applause so far was directed at Ada.
‘‘Ahem! Last, Number Two Hundred and Fourteen! Step forward!’‘
Ah, it’s my turn.
I snapped my fingers.
A five-hundred-yen-coin-sized hole appeared in the wooden dummy’s brainstem and heart.
Done.
‘‘…What are you doing? Hurry up.’‘
‘‘No, I’m done.’‘
‘‘What are you talking about? You didn‘t even chant!’‘
‘‘Look at the dummy.’‘
‘‘Hmm…? What’s this? A hole…? It’s not defective… is it…?’‘
‘‘I did that.’‘
‘‘Wha… what are you saying? How could you do that without chanting?!’‘
Hmm…
I haven‘t developed any flashy spells…
Because, theoretically, there’s no magic more powerful than ‘‘Delete Magic,’‘ which erases existence at its core.
I haven‘t created any spells that make flames go ‘‘whoosh!’‘ or water go ‘‘splash!’‘ or anything like that.
Quite troublesome…
Then, a voice interrupted.
‘‘Stop!’‘
An elderly woman who looked like a classic wizard stepped forward.
With a hooked nose, white hair, and wrinkles, she still stood straight with a strong voice.
A well-aged woman indeed.
‘‘Headmistress?!’‘
Oh, so this old lady is the headmistress.
‘‘Young man, are you Exus, the one Miss Maggie mentioned?’‘
Miss Maggie?
Ah, Professor Margaret.
‘‘If by Miss Maggie, you mean Professor Margaret Gardner, then yes.’‘
‘‘Hehe… I see…’‘
The old lady grinned.
What a great face. It’s wonderful to see someone who can smile like this even in old age.
‘‘Headmistress, what is it…?’‘
As I faced the old lady, a timid voice spoke up.
Apologetically, or perhaps fearfully.
‘‘The quality of our academy’s teachers has really declined… Can’t you see what this is?’‘
‘‘What… what is this?’‘
‘‘Silent casting.’‘
I see, she noticed.
‘‘Silent casting?! That‘s the Elven secret technique, isn‘t it?!’‘
‘‘Yes, it is. You can’t see it because you’re too focused on the visible. You should be looking at the magic.’‘
‘‘Looking at the magic…? Ah! ‘‘Magic Concealment’‘…?!’‘
‘‘Indeed, it‘s the mage‘s secret technique, ‘‘Magic Concealment.’‘ Boy, could you show us your spell once more?’‘
The old lady asked.
‘‘Sure, I’‘ll do it at a visible speed this time.’‘
I said, and cast a Magic Arrow slowly, making the magic power visible.
‘‘…Hehehe, hahaha! I see it now, boy! You’re the top student!’‘
Oh…!
This old lady is impressive.
She recognized the value of Delete Magic.
‘‘Headmistress! You can’t just…!’‘
A teacher protested.
‘‘Quiet, boy. Can’t you see the value in this?’‘
‘‘Value… well, it is indeed an unknown spell, but compared to Number Two Hundred and Thirteen…!’‘
Then the old lady said:
And her words were those of a seasoned mage and a scholar.
