Chapter 205
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 205
The Magic Olympiad.
It was a stage where the continent’s most brilliant minds gathered to test the limits of their magical knowledge and talent.
Typically, a competition of this caliber was far beyond the reach of a Union undergraduate. However, things were different for someone holding a direct invitation to the Olympiad.
Bell, who had received my invitation, was now set to compete. Her voice trembled slightly as she looked at me.
“A-Are you sure it’s really okay for me to participate?”
“Of course. You have the invitation, don’t you?”
“That’s not what I mean…”
Bell hung her head, clearly weighed down by the pressure of the event. Watching her, I fell into thought.
Bell’s magical talent is largely specialized toward her inherited Extreme Flame.
While she was intelligent enough to attend the academy on a scholarship, she was still just an undergraduate. She couldn't yet be compared to the mages of the Magic Tower or the professionals working in the royal research labs of various kingdoms.
Nevertheless, there was a specific reason I had her enter this Olympiad.
It’s because there is a riddle perfectly suited for her.
In the Olympiad, contestants earn points by solving various problems prepared by the organizers. The more problems you solve, the higher your score, and your rank is determined accordingly. Most participants focus solely on racking up points.
However.
The true highlight of the Olympiad is the Riddles.
These ‘Riddles’ are the ultimate research challenges remaining in the magical world—problems that even the most brilliant mages of the current academic era have failed to solve. They are on a completely different level from the standard questions designed for scoring.
Solving a single Riddle is a far greater achievement than achieving a perfect score on the general exam.
This will have a massive impact on Bell’s future career.
The judges aren't just looking for someone who can solve pre-set problems; they are searching for a genius whose talent can open a new horizon for the world of magic.
Bell was the most suitable candidate for that.
Though she might lack the breadth of knowledge possessed by veteran professionals, her power over the Extreme Flame—a hereditary trait—and her exceptional talent in wielding it were second to none.
If she made a name for herself at this Olympiad, it would pave a smooth path for her to eventually become a Magic Tower Master.
Ending my train of thought, I looked at her and said, “Don’t worry. You’ll probably fail all the general problems anyway.”
“Then I should be worried…!”
“That’s not your specialty, regardless. Just focus on solving a Riddle and showing the judges what you’re truly capable of.”
“C-Can I really do it?”
“It’s fine. I’ll be watching, so don’t worry.”
“Okay… thank you.”
It didn’t seem like my words were particularly reassuring, but the kind-hearted Bell thanked me anyway.
I turned to the person beside me, changing the subject.
“Ciel, are the contracts ready?”
“Yes, I printed them out in advance.”
Ciel pulled the documents from her bag and handed them to me.
These contracts were a kind of bait to scout potential faculty members. They promised the best treatment in the industry. Of course, even if it was bait, the terms weren't a lie.
We were offering a salary that far exceeded their current pay, full support for research materials and funding, leased housing, and extensive welfare benefits. The package was significantly better than what the Union faculty received. It was even slightly superior to the offers given to senior professors at the Four Great Academies.
Naturally, not everyone would jump at the offer immediately. Some might be wary, thinking it was a scam because the conditions were too good to be true.
But that won’t last long.
Once the first person signs and starts enjoying the benefits, the rest will rush to apply. That’s why, at this Olympiad, I planned to recruit individuals in desperate situations—those who had no choice but to accept my offer.
As we talked, our group arrived at the academic hall.
The building’s design was futuristic. With a central glass tower and structures spreading out to the left and right, it resembled an eagle with its wings wide open. I had seen it a few times while passing by, but this was my first time stepping inside.
The plaza in front of the hall was already bustling. Long robes, pointed hats, thick glasses, disheveled hair, and deep dark circles were common sights.
“They all look like they’ve been hitting the books pretty hard.”
There was a strange commonality among them, reminiscent of the stereotypical fashion of engineering students.
I also noticed people in sharp suits moving busily through the crowd. They were scouters, like me, who had flocked here to recruit talent. However, they weren't looking for professors; they were looking for personnel for the Magic Towers or national research institutes.
In other words… they’re here to recruit slaves.
The Olympiad wasn't just for renowned scholars. Mages struggling with research funds and scholars trying to make ends meet often participated as well. A high score or catching a judge’s eye could lead to a stable job, and winning an award came with a substantial cash prize.
As we reached the plaza, an announcement echoed through the air.
Ksshk—.
[Attention. All Olympiad participants with invitations, please enter through Gate A by 14:00 for the preliminary round. I repeat…]
Hearing the announcement, Bell clenched her fists and looked at us. “W-Well, I’ll do my best!”
“Right. Don’t be nervous. Just go with your gut.”
Bell and several other mages headed into the main hall for the preliminaries.
“Let’s head up, then.”
As observers, we were allowed inside the academic hall.
The main space was shaped like a massive lecture hall. The seats for the participants were arranged in semi-circular, concentric rows, much like a parliamentary chamber. The observer seats, where Ciel and I sat, were on the second floor. The two levels were separated by a magical barrier, preventing any communication or outside influence.
As the participants entered and took their seats, the spectators buzzed with excitement.
“Oh, is that the Master of the Meister Magic Tower over there?”
“The Minister of Magic is here too!”
I looked down, scanning the hundreds of participants for any talent worth scouting. As my eyes darted across the crowd, I soon spotted a particular individual.
…There she is.
The person who would become the core of the Valerian Academy’s faculty.
Roxana the Exile.
Dressed in a black robe, she was a key figure of the Astraia family—the same family Hildegard belonged to. As the younger sister of the family head, Sharon Astria, she was a woman of immense talent.
However, after a forbidden experiment, she had been expelled from the academic world, leaving her unable to continue her research properly. But her ability was truly remarkable.
She possessed the power of [Blooming], which awakens and develops latent abilities—an essential talent for the ability-focused Valerian Academy.
It seemed she was planning to re-enter the academic world by solving a Riddle at this Olympiad.
But that Riddle is meant for Bell. It’s not for her.
For Roxana, it would be better to become a key figure at my new academy rather than re-entering a world that would only meet her with scorn. There, she could conduct her research to her heart's content and teach students as she pleased.
I shifted my gaze, noting a few other individuals, and spoke to Ciel.
“Ciel, keep a close eye on that person over there, too. He’ll sign the contract the moment you hand it to him. He’s drowning in debt.”
“Understood.”
I continued to list individuals who, despite their outstanding potential, had been overlooked by the academic community.
Just as I was finalizing my scouting list…
Dong—.
A bell chimed throughout the hall.
Simultaneously, Grand Duke Richard McDowell, the Master of the Meister Magic Tower and the current president of the Continental Magic Society, stood to speak.
“We will now begin the 137th Magic Olympiad. Everyone, to your positions.”
*
Bell Ludwig.
Upon entering the examination hall, she took a deep breath and sat in her assigned seat. The moment she sat down, she felt the weight of the surrounding gazes. Eyes filled with envy, jealousy, or perhaps ridicule. She didn't know why they were looking at her that way.
Was it because she was a mere undergraduate? Or were they envious, mistakenly thinking she possessed some incredible hidden talent?
In truth, Bell was only here because Roen had persuaded her it was a good opportunity, practically forcing her to participate. She clutched her collar tightly and waited for the exam to begin.
After what felt like an eternity, one of the judges at the front spoke.
“There are a total of 20 problems. For each problem you successfully solve, your progress will be recorded on the display board in front.”
Clank—.
As the judge finished speaking, her desk opened, and a transparent box appeared. Inside the box, particles of mana floated like grains of sand.
W-What is this?
While Bell was flustered by the unfamiliar object, the explanation continued.
“The additional problems, the Millennium Riddles, are numbered 21 through 27. You may attempt them if you are able. Let the exam begin.”
Beeeep—.
A loud signal echoed through the hall, marking the start of the Magic Olympiad.
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
Bell frantically read the first problem. Reading carefully, she realized the answer wasn't something to be written on paper. It was a problem that could only be solved by manipulating the mana particles in the transparent box to manifest magic directly.
This was the Magic Olympiad. Even the method of solving problems was different from any test she had ever known.
As Bell grasped the difficulty of the question, she screamed internally.
This is way too hard!
Tearing at her hair over the extreme difficulty, Bell quickly slapped her cheeks to focus.
Calm down. Stay calm.
She remembered making a magic crystal orb as part of a group project in her Intermediate Magic Theory class. Back then, she had processed and imbued abilities into a crystal orb made of hologram-like mana particles, similar to this. This transparent box likely worked on a similar principle.
And while it seemed daunting at first glance, problem number one could be solved using the formulas she had already learned.
Quickly assessing the situation, Bell began to apply her knowledge. She carefully worked through the equations and manipulated the mana particles inside the box.
Swoosh—.
The particles glowed, forming a beautiful equation exactly as Bell intended. Soon, the transparent box flashed green, indicating her solution was correct.
Yes!
Bell clenched her fist and looked up at the large display board. It showed the progress of every participant.
And then…
“…”
Bell’s face hardened.
In the time it had taken her to solve just one problem, others were already on problems three and four. The fastest participant had already cleared problem number seven.
The gap between her and the others was stark.
Was this the difference between professionals who had lived and breathed magic for years and a student like her?
Feeling her spirit waver, Bell hung her head. She was keenly aware of her shortcomings, but she also felt a flash of resentment toward Roen for throwing her into a jungle like this.
Roen… you’re so mean…
Roen was always a person she was grateful to, but just for this moment, she disliked him a little.
However.
Roen definitely said I’d be no match for them in the general problems.
He had anticipated this gap. And he had told her beforehand that her true ability would only shine when it came to the Riddles.
…Let’s do this.
Clenching her fists, Bell steeled her resolve.
Puffing out her cheeks, she manipulated the transparent box to skip ahead.
Swish— Swish—.
She bypassed problems 2 through 20 and arrived at problem 21.
It was the first of the bonus questions—a Millennium Riddle.