Final Exam (2)
Professor Zebedee and Maria were in the hall in front of the lecture building next to the observer’s seat alongside outside personnel and the magic leader of the Defense Force, Tadius Yetzkel. They were seated as the magic class judges. The teaching assistant carried out the test with a trumpet-shaped magic tool enchanted with [Amplification] magic. It had the function of a loudspeaker.
“Student Kleio Asel, briefly explain the magic you will be demonstrating.”
“It is a single magic type activation of [Light Source], [Attribute Amplification], [Dismantling], and [Scattering] compound magic type double oscillation. As a medium for the double oscillation, I will use this mana stone.”
The teaching assistant reiterated Kleio’s answer through the loudspeaker with an expression of disbelief. Zebedee was clearly taken aback, but Tadius was expressionless. Professor Maria had her hands clasped with a look of concern for her student. As the teaching assistant’s voice reverberated in the distance, murmuring began to arise among the audience.
“He’s level 4 as a first-year, but he wants to cast a double load?”
“Isn’t that embarrassing?”
“I heard that he’s a student of Dean Zebedee…”
Since he turned on Perception to finely control his ether, the sounds ticked his ears. Kleio, not accustomed to such attention, blushed slightly. He noticed there was a group of students at the back of the auditorium who hadn’t been tested yet. Among them were Isiel, Arthur, Cel, and the twins.
‘They want to see me do some drinks in front of everyone…’
However, Ezra Sergey was the person he focused on. Kleio, making up his mind, developed his circle out as far as it would go. Kleio’s ether level was still 4, so his range was only 20m. He tried his best every day to cycle his ether, but level 5 wasn’t so easily achieved. However, the power of the ether surrounding the circle was unmatched. Excitement ran not only through the audience but also among his fellow students in the back.
“I’ve heard the rumors, but that freshman is that amazing?”
“With that level, five isn’t too far off.”
The magic formula emerged on the ground as clearly as it had been printed in the book. Even Ezra’s party let out murmurs of amazement. Given they were also promising wizards, they were able to evaluate Kleio’s circle and magic accurately.
“His accuracy is better than Ezra’s. It’s as good as the book.”
“I heard that Baronet Asel’s second son has a perfect memory like Professor Zebedee.”
“It wasn’t just a rumor.”
Kleio, closing off his ears to focus properly on the magic, softly recited the mantra.
“[Let there be light, here light and darkness are divided.] 6)”
The magical formula transformed into a bright light that made everyone close their eyes against it, lest they be blinded. The wizard who created that storm of light was awkwardly holding his wand in the center of it.
‘Uh… Isn’t this too bright?’
Did he form the circle too diligently? Since reaching the 4th level, it had reached an unprecedented strength. He planned on it shining as much as a Christmas tree, but instead, he had whited out the entire parade field. Groans and screams erupted among those watching. The knights reflexively used [Reinforcement], while the mages and judges opened their own circles.
‘Well, what should I do with the already triggered one?’
The formula wasn’t harmful, at the very least.
‘Rather, this will mean fewer people see the double load in detail, so this may be better.’
Kleio produced the snow quartz ring Ezra had given him. Even if most of the audience were blinded, the high-level wizards would be watching him carefully.
‘I just need to get a good score and win the bet.’
Kleio floated the magic formula of [Attribute Amplification][Dismantling][Scattering] on the house ring in his palm. Even though he was surrounded by bright light, the ring was dyed a deep gold, clearly distinguishable from the light around him. Kleio carefully recited the magic formula he had chosen as the formulas moved around the snow quartz.
“[Oh, slow snowfall,
Endlessly wrapped vortex
Your snowflakes dancing round and round
Falling soft and fluffy
Another is solid like a crystal!] 7)”
Kleio’s long hair and cape began to flutter as the magic swirled around the mana stone. As Kleio beckoned lightly, the double load completed and turned Kleio’s circle white.
Shaaaa-
The snow quartz scattered out of the circle, scattered into pieces. Suddenly, even people’s fear and admiration faded, leaving only light and silence in the white view as it felt like snow was falling. But the illusion of snow formed by his magic wasn’t a dance of snowflakes suited for a festival, but a solitude that isolated all in a blizzard of ice. Those who tried to blink it away could hardly believe their eyes as the blizzard raged on. It was only after what felt like an eternity did the illusion subside. Even after it did, however, the silence continued for a few more moments before a tremendous uproar broke out among the audience.
“He’s a level 4 wizard?! Did he finish the double load?”
“Isn’t it just a trick? It’s magic that looks gorgeous but doesn’t have any essence.”
“That mana stone is wasted. Without that, it was just a slightly powerful [Light Source] magic.”
“But the snow was visible in front of me…”
The opinions were divided over if the magic was too flashy and had no inner substance. The three judges, talking with serious expressions, finally nodded in unison as they reached an agreement. Zebedee was the one to deliver the verdict.
“First-year Kleio Asel, perfect score for the practical evaluation.”
The assistant, standing by blankly, recorded the score a moment later. Zebedee delivered additional remarks to the assistance, who reported them through the magic tool a moment later.
“However, you must explain the source of the mana stone used as the medium within three days.”
Kleio responded with a clear nod to the judges.
“I will submit a report.”
Certainly, it seemed to be worth more than 500,000 dinars if you converted it into money. Kleio would never buy such a mana stone to waste on the final exam.
‘That’s common sense. But what is, is that it’s not possible to sell someone else’s family ring.’
With that, he felt the ‘source’ of the ring running towards him. Kleio moved quickly in order to avoid causing a spectacle in front of everyone. Ezra promptly followed him as he headed into the dormitory area where visitors weren’t usually allowed to enter. Tadius, the magic leader of the Defense Force, watched the two.
“It’s been a few years since I’ve given a first-year a perfect score on a practical test. I don’t want him to be a student who does something wrong this time.”
“It’s your subordinate who does stupid things. Can’t you see that he’s trying to trick my student?”
“How noisy. He is a wizard, so it’s natural to make a bit of a fuss.”
“Kleio is a gentle and passive child. He’s even a little lazy, so it’s all because of the Sergey family that he’s doing this.”
“Well, my senses tell me that’s not the case.”
“Have you ever been right?!”
“Though I’m not as good a wizard as my senior, I’m sure my eye to see others is as good as yours.”
“Captain, who’s your senior? I’ve never had a junior like you.”
“Oh, are you still talking about it as it was half a century ago? All those who studied with you are your juniors…”
Tadius and Zebedee, who both had boiling points lower than they seemed, were readying to engage in a full-fledged battle until Maria intervened.
“Dean, Mrs. Yetzkel. The next study is ready; please focus on grading.”
“Hmm, hmm. I see.”
“Oh, is the next student a second-year? The order is unlucky after that magic.”
.
.
.
Kleio’s pace grew faster as he tried to escape to a place where any eyes or ears were far away, but Ezra soon caught up with him. Fortunately, he had made it away from the audience. Kleio stood under the shade of a tree, waiting for Ezra, who was sprinting after him. Ezra hit the ground as Kleio considered what to do.
“Dog, whoof.”
Ezra sat on the ground and looked up at Kleio.
“Whoof, whoof.”
“…Vice-captain Sergey, I’ve never asked you to be a dog.”
“I did it to show that I would keep to my word. Then! I am sorry!”
“Yes, I know enough about the vice-captain’s sincerity, so please stand up.”
Kleio had finely adjusted his ether use during the test in case there were any issues after. He still had plenty of ether, but a headache was forming as he looked at Ezra.
“Then, do you agree I won the bet?”
“What about winning? My junior is the god of ether~! The double load I did when I was 19 is nothing compared to that!”
Kleio felt the impression of a dog’s tail flapping behind Ezra as he spoke. It was a far cry from his demeanor the other day.
“Then, let me ask…”
“Say it. Say anything; I’ll listen! Instead, stop by my lab often. I’ll bow my head as I ask. You don’t need to be a test subject, so just come to the lab, huh?”
“…Yes, of course. I’ve no intention of becoming your experiment. I will tell you the price of the bet after I consider it more. But, is it the laboratory of the Defense Force?”
“Yes, in the research building! The widest laboratory is mine! There are a lot of fun things there. Isn’t it okay to come and play for my research?”
Agreeing to help didn’t seem trivial at all, but he wasn’t trying to force the issue. The research building of the Defense Force was by-products flowed, and it was a suitable place to look for evidence to prove Aslan’s misdeeds. Starting to investigate using Ezra as an excuse wouldn’t be a bad plan.
‘It would be an excuse anyone would buy. I think I can ask for a separate prize for the bet.’
“Yes, come to play after the exam. I’m making another Tosoon after the one you killed last time.”
‘Tosoon…’
It seemed he had more rabbits like last time. Ezra’s eyes were shining, and he was poised to cooperate with anything. Kleio felt like he wanted to give up investigating now.
‘It’s work, work… Phew.’
“Thank you for the invitation. I really want to stop by the lab.”
“Good! There’s nothing wrong with that!”
Ezra jumped up and hugged him quickly before Kleio could pull back.
“I’ll contact you again soon.”
“I’ll be in the capital for a while, so come anytime!”
6) See King James Bible, Genesis.
7) 「Snowfall」, Franz Werfel, edited.
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