I spent my time lazing around quite a bit before the Magic Academy started.
I went on food tours, bought the latest magic books in bulk, and the like.
I also borrowed the inn’s garden to do some basic magic training.
Since Mastema already had a firm grasp of the theory, despite how much I disliked it, she took on the role of teacher.
I already know what the exam will entail.
Noel will handle water, Arnella wind, and I’ll use lightning. Mastema chose fire, and we practiced using it in our training.
The slaves we originally purchased were selected for their aptitude in magic and could already perform basic spells.
I, too, had been using magic in battles in my own style.
Everyone quickly mastered this level of magic.
The issue, of course, is Mastema’s power output.
Holding her thorny staff, Mastema looks every bit the superior mage in terms of presence—though not as much as Kasugal.
If I had to fight Mastema purely as a mage without her demon powers, it would still be quite the struggle.
Incidentally, the broom Mastema bought was donated to the inn. It seems to work just fine for cleaning.
The people at the inn told us various things about the country.
Although it’s called a great nation of mages, ordinary people here live pretty much the same way as anywhere else.
However, with so many mage apprentices around, it’s convenient in certain ways.
They said that while there are plenty of apprentices, the number of actual mages sharply decreases.
Most of those who graduate either stay behind at the academy to continue their magic research or leave the country entirely.
So, while there are countless apprentices, there are very few who make it to mage status.
The remaining mages are the top tier, continuously engaged in advanced magical research.
“Are you aiming to become a mage too?”
The daughter of the innkeeper asked as she approached me.
We had grown quite friendly after staying here for several days.
Well, it’s probably because we were staying in the best room.
“Yeah, the four of us are heading to the Magic Academy.”
“Oh, that’s amazing! The entrance exam is coming up soon. Good luck!”
We spent our days like this, and finally, the entrance exam for the Magic Academy began.
I double-checked when we got to the site—it seems they hold the entrance exam twice a year.
You can take it as many times as you want, but each time, you have to pay the exam fee.
The exam is simple—you just have to hit the target with some form of magic.
However, you can only use the designated staff.
Items like magical tools are forbidden, and they’ve set up special devices to detect any magical stones.
I wondered why people would go through all this trouble to get in, but perhaps they don’t realize it only gets harder once you’re inside.
We donned our newly-bought mage outfits and robes, heading toward the exam.
Noel and Arnella, at least in appearance, looked like promising up-and-coming mages.
They really stand out when they look that good.
Mastema also looked top-tier in terms of appearance.
However, compared to the other two, her shorter height gave her more of an apprentice vibe.
As for me… well, I’m a little older, so I probably look like an experienced mage.
The exam venue was bustling.
A long line of mage apprentices, all dressed in black robes, stood waiting their turn.
We paid the exam fee and got in line.
Each person’s turn passed quickly.
The test was just hitting a target with magic, after all—it made sense it was so fast.
A few instructors watched the exam, and whenever a target was hit, they would conjure a new one from the ground.
Sometimes, candidates would just stand there, staff raised, unable to produce any magic at all. When their time ran out, they were immediately dismissed.
Soon, it was Noel’s turn.
“Your outfit… well, there’s nothing wrong with starting with appearances,” one of the instructors remarked as they summoned a target and urged Noel to begin.
Noel, given a staff, transformed her magic into water, creating a water bullet that struck the target.
“Passed. Your magic and technique are both excellent. You’re in the elite group.”
Noel passed and was led through. Next was Arnella.
Arnella’s outfit was something only high-ranking mages wore, so the instructor paused to think for a moment.
“Begin the exam.”
Arnella created wind and compressed it.
She then used it to strike the target.
The center of the target was beautifully hollowed out. When the instructor ran a finger over it, there were no protrusions.
“Impressive… you’re in the elite group,” the instructor said, marking a circle on their paper.
Next was Mastema.
She tried to bring her thorny staff but was stopped. Had she not been listening?
The instructor made no comment on her outfit, likely expecting something like that.
Mastema was handed the designated staff, and her mood visibly plummeted.
With clear disinterest, she conjured fire with one hand.
I had stopped her from using black fire earlier—it’s difficult to extinguish once it spreads.
I didn’t want to deal with any unnecessary complaints.
Perhaps that further drained Mastema’s motivation. She yawned as she lazily hit the target with a small flame.
The fire burned through the target and went out.
The instructor hesitated for a moment, then saw Mastema yawn again and marked a triangle on their paper.
“You’ve passed, just barely. Move along.”
Finally, it was my turn.
Like Mastema, I was also getting a bit bored and started yawning.
“Hmm, a former adventurer… we get those sometimes. Begin the exam.”
I gripped the staff and converted my magic into lightning, though it took more magic than I expected.
The instructor looked at me in surprise.
“That’s quite a bit of magic. You’ll probably be in the elite group.”
Hmm, it didn’t feel quite right. I usually channel magic through my sword, so this felt different.
With my lightning sword, I could easily produce lightning, but…
It seems I’ve become too reliant on tools. Kasugal did mention that.
He said I was terrible at adjusting my magic output.
It hadn’t been a problem when I was working as an adventurer.
Now, with my current level of magic power, it’s significant enough that I’m wasting a lot of it when casting spells.
So what happened?
Instead of hitting the target, my lightning flew straight toward the instructor’s head, giving him a perfect afro.
Of course, the instructor was a mage, so he nullified the damage from the lightning. However, he couldn’t protect his hair in time.
With a trembling hand, the instructor marked a triangle on the paper.
“You’ve passed, barely. I’ll remember your name… Ahavain Orbust… hmm, I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere before.”
Still sporting his new afro, the instructor began to think.
He was promptly led away by another instructor.
It seems we’re being split into elite and non-elite groups.
Apparently, Mastema and I were both placed in the same group.
You’ve got to be kidding me…
