Chapter 23: This Entrance Exam is Safe!
Chapter 23: This Entrance Exam is Safe!
Ding!
【You have learned the Lower Magic: Wind Cutter (E).】
【You have learned a Lower Magic for the first time. The trait 'Crude Magic (F)' has been upgraded to 'Lower Mage (E).’】
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【Lower Mage (E)】
You are a mage who has just moved beyond the basics.
While you are still far from being a full-fledged mage, you certainly show potential.
Learn more spells and increase your proficiency in them.
Learned Magic: Tinder, Water, Wind, Terra, Shock, Force, Wind Cutter
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“So it actually works.”
I didn't expect to succeed in learning a Lower Magic while traveling in a carriage.
Now I finally understand how the protagonist in the game managed to learn magic all by himself.
This system correction is a total cheat, isn't it?
Carla, who had been staring blankly at the sharp blade of wind forming in the air, suddenly whipped her head toward me.
“You can’t just brush it off like that, Master! Three days! It only took you three days to learn a Lower Magic?!”
“I timed it perfectly with our arrival at the Academy, didn't I?”
Outside the carriage window, I saw a unique city where massive spires blended with a strangely modern atmosphere.
Perhaps because we had left the human-centric Levantine Empire, non-human races were frequently visible.
As I nodded with satisfaction at the scenery, Carla shook her head in disbelief.
“Master. Lower Magic might sound trivial because it’s called ‘lower,’ but it’s really not.”
“I know.”
Basic Magic is strictly focused on the manifestation of a phenomenon itself.
Tinder creates a flame no bigger than a matchstick, Water produces about a cup’s worth of liquid, and Shock generates a current only slightly more stinging than static electricity.
There’s nothing more to it. It’s just summoning the element.
However, Lower Magic is different.
It involves shaping the summoned phenomenon according to one's will to produce meaningful results, such as for attack or defense.
That is why mastering Lower Magic is the first step to being recognized as a true mage.
The problem is that I can't afford to be satisfied with just Lower Magic if I want to survive what's coming.
I chuckled and lightly tapped the bridge of Carla’s nose.
“Isn't it only natural? Not only did you explain every detail to me, Carla, but you even guided my mana and demonstrated it yourself. Add my talent to that, and this was bound to happen.”
“I mean, you’re right, but still… how…?”
Carla continued to blink her ruby eyes, looking utterly confused.
But soon, she let out a long sigh and nodded.
“No. You’re right, Master. It’s only natural for someone like you. You are destined to become an even greater mage.”
This reaction came from her firmly believing that I was a Dragon Blood Awakener, just like her ancestor.
I responded with a silent shrug and turned my gaze back to the window.
The massive city was drawing closer. Several spires lined the center of the horizon.
The Academy was near.
*
The Academy.
Established over 300 years ago to uphold the will of the Hero Rahim, who ended the war between the Good Gods and the Evil Gods.
It was the first and finest educational institution, gathering the brightest talents of the Eurelia Continent.
As long as one had talent, they were accepted regardless of status, and success after graduation was practically guaranteed. Naturally, the number of applicants was staggering.
However, not many could actually gain admission.
What the Academy wanted was nothing less than the absolute elite.
And that was no easy feat to achieve.
“Damn it!”
Just like that wolf beastman storming out of the testing site while cursing, those with mediocre talent couldn't even cross the threshold.
It was a sight I saw quite often while standing in line for the entrance exam.
“Well, it shouldn't matter to me. Right, Carla?”
“Of course. Your mana capacity alone makes you more than qualified, Master, and now you’ve even learned Lower Magic. …By the way, Master? Are you really planning to take me into the dormitory?”
“Naturally. If you’re not there, who’s going to serve me?”
“The Academy assigns a personal attendant to students who don't have their own, though?”
I leaned in close to the ear of the tilting Carla. Then, I whispered softly so those around us couldn't hear.
“I was talking about night service.”
“……!”
The Academy is a place for learning.
They wouldn't make students—who were handpicked from across the continent—do menial chores.
To ensure a comfortable life, students were allowed to bring up to two attendants, and if they didn't have any, the Academy would provide them.
It was a form of consideration to allow them to focus entirely on their studies.
Naturally, it was impossible to lay a hand on an attendant sent by the Academy.
They weren't sent for that purpose.
“Huuu….”
Carla wore a delicate expression, as if she didn't know whether to be happy or upset.
Well, it wasn't hard to understand why. Carla was originally an Academy student herself. And the top student of the 4th-year Magic Department, no less.
In fact, perhaps because the developers wanted to drop hints about Carla’s fall, her presence could be glimpsed early on in H&A through the dialogue of extras.
Conversations like, ‘To think that beautiful and amazing senior fell to the status of a slave… the Cult is terrifying!’
In other words, there were still quite a few people at the Academy who remembered Carla.
And yet, Carla was returning to the Academy as a freshman’s attendant? With a slave imprint clearly visible on her neck?
She would draw immense attention. It would be awkward for her to run into people she knew. However…
“If you’re worried about how others look at you, don't be.”
“Pardon?”
Carla looked dazed, wondering what I meant.
I stroked her platinum-blonde hair and whispered into her exposed ear once more.
“Carla. You are my slave, not anyone else’s. The only person you need to obey, worry about, or impress is me. …Besides, if you’re not there, who am I supposed to learn magic from?”
“Master….”
Carla clasped her hands at her chest, her face flushing red.
Her breasts were unintentionally emphasized as they were pressed by her arms, and her eyes grew moist.
She looked quite moved… but that didn't last long.
With beauty like Carla’s, she stood out even when doing nothing, so striking a pose like that only drew more eyes.
Perhaps because of that, a group among those waiting for the entrance exam began to approach us.
A woman with light blue hair, reminiscent of a clear sky, that was so wavy it was practically curled.
Her eyes, also a pale blue, brought to mind high-purity ice.
Her somewhat revealing dress emphasized her superior innate magic power, but thanks to the high-end mantle-style robe draped over it, she didn't look vulgar.
But more than anything, what stood out were her proudly displayed long ears.
They weren't just pointed; ears that long were a characteristic of High Elves, those born of a special lineage even among elves.
The woman, who looked like a lady from a prestigious family by any standard, stopped right in front of us, accompanied by two maids.
“Hmph.”
Her voice was more beautiful than any musical instrument.
However, the words that followed were closer to a simple provocation, a waste of such a lovely tone.
“It’s been a while, Lady Lindelheit. Or should I just call you Carla now?”
“…Elisha.”
Snap!
Elisha unfolded the fan she was carrying to cover her mouth and spoke in a sarcastic tone.
“Oh my? Slaves these days certainly lack manners. To call my name so carelessly—the successor of the Sylvan Magic Tower and one who carries the blood of High Elves.”
“…….”
Carla stood frozen, unable to say a word.
Wow… to think I’d meet her here.
Elisha Sylvan Glenziel.
Unlike Carla, who could only be encountered as a boss in the game, Elisha was a character who could be made an official ally if certain conditions were met.
The recruitment conditions weren't difficult, and since she grew into a significantly powerful mage, she was often called a must-have character for newbies.
However, it seemed Elisha had a history with Carla. And not a very good one, at that.
Since the two never met in the game, I was a bit curious about the backstory, but there was something I had to do first.
I bowed my head to Elisha with a polite attitude and spoke.
“I sincerely apologize that my slave has disturbed Lady Glenziel’s ears. She is a child who does not yet fully understand her position, so I humbly beg for your generous forgiveness.”
Once I entered the Academy, I could rely on the school rules and act a bit more boldly, but I hadn't even taken the entrance exam yet.
It would be troublesome if I got kicked out of the testing site for causing unnecessary friction.
Fortunately, she seemed to appreciate my immediate apology.
Elisha’s sky-blue eyes curved into elegant crescents. She placed her folded fan on my shoulder and whispered softly.
“Now that I think about it, I believe I heard something about ‘night service’….”
“As expected of Lady Glenziel. I thought it was a mere whisper, but I didn't realize you would hear it.”
“Hoho. High Elves have senses far superior to what the world knows.”
Elisha, her ears fluttering once in delight, continued in a voice loud enough for those around us to hear.
“I do not know which house you are from, Young Lord… but it seems you do not know how to handle a slave. Lowborns must be ruled with a firm hand.”
Perhaps because of my appearance and neat clothing, she seemed to have mistaken me for the son of some noble family.
Even so, her attitude of looking down on me was clearly evident.
Well, the current Elisha was certainly in a position where she could afford to do so.
By the way, for her to bring up the term ‘night service’ and then tell me to rule with a firm hand…
She clearly meant I should punish her in that way.
The reason she spoke the last part loudly was likely to let everyone know she had been magnanimous enough to forgive us.
Thinking that nobles were tiresome in many ways, I put on the most villainous smile I could muster.
“Thank you for your concern. I will take this opportunity to educate her strictly and fix her habits.”
Did the word ‘educate’ remind her of the past?
Startled, Carla began to tremble like a rabbit before a predator.
Seeing this, Elisha laughed with satisfaction and tapped my shoulder.
“Since you put it that way, I suppose it can't be helped. Anyone can make a mistake once. However, a second time cannot be tolerated. I shall be watching.”
Having said that, Elisha walked away before I could even respond.
Seeing her move away from the line, it seemed she was already on her way out after finishing her exam.
As I slowly raised my head, Carla bowed her head to me repeatedly with an anxious expression.
“I’m sorry. Because of me, Master had to… to Lady Glen… I will… I’m scared, but I will accept my punishment properly. Please give me whatever you wish. So, once you have vented all your anger on me… please forgive me then, Master….”
“Huh? You were worried about that? It’s fine.”
“It’s not that simple, Master. To be targeted by Lady Glenziel is….”
Carla went on to explain just how incredible Elisha’s background and talent were, and what she could do if she set her mind to it.
However, what Carla was describing would never actually happen.
Because…
Elisha would be falling into ruin soon enough as well.