Chapter 4

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 4

Chapter Title: Academy Freshman Enters the Gallery

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Academy Freshman Enters the Gallery lol

I was frantically banging out a post on the gallery when the examiner called my name.

"Candidate number 888?"

"Ah, yes. I'm ready."

I hurriedly hit post and closed the gallery.

A female candidate who looked like my opponent was waiting in the exam arena.

The examiner explained the rules.

"The test will be a one-on-one duel. Go all out for five minutes. Losing the duel doesn't mean you're out—your score is based on the entire process, so give it your best. The examiner will intervene in dangerous situations, ending the test immediately."

It was just like MagicIsNotHard had said. What mattered was showing your skills, win or lose.

Five minutes for the test had me a bit worried.

I could only fire off one spell—how was I supposed to fill five minutes?

Was I supposed to dance for the rest of the time or something?

Now that the test was right in front of me, the nerves hit hard.

'Is this one spell really enough to pass, big bro archmages?'

No way the gallery folks were messing with me.

But the comments had seemed legit.

Screw it. This was the only thing I could do anyway.

"...Hah."

Right then, my opponent glanced at me and scowled in disgust.

She was definitely the one everyone had been staring at in the waiting room.

Her name was Hisenna, I think.

I recalled people saying Hisenna was strong and they wanted to avoid facing her.

'Of all people, why her.'

My duel luck sucked.

I should just blast my spell as fast as possible right away.

They said landing the spell would seal the win.

"The bell will ring shortly to start the duel."

Beep-

The bell rang, and the duel began.

I immediately started drawing the memorized spell formula.

I didn't forget it from nerves or anything.

I calmly drew the five constructs at the same speed.

The formula, etched in the air with my mana, took shape.

But,

Flash-

Hisenna finished her spell first.

A brilliant orb shot toward me from her completed magic circle.

Like a tiny sun.

Shit, I wasn't done yet.

I stopped drawing and hurled myself aside with a yelp.

"He dodged?"

Hisenna sounded shocked as I tumbled out of the way.

Of course I'd dodge—what kind of idiot takes that? Would you bet your life on one test?

Glancing over, even the examiner looked stunned.

Like, what the hell is this moron doing?

Was my roll that pathetic?

'But I only have one spell...! I don't know any defense magic!'

Whatever. I'm OnePunchMan—no, OneSpellMan.

I refocused and started drawing the formula from scratch.

Adrenaline from the tension made my mana flow faster.

Still, with only the memorized constructs, it just sped up my computation.

"What even is that... I'll end this."

Hisenna prepped her next spell.

She computed faster again.

This time, a raging jet of water blasted at me.

Dodge again? No, that'd never end.

My computation was almost done.

I had to finish before it hit.

Right as her water spell was about to reach me, my five constructs converged at one point.

An intense golden light erupted from the completed formula.

Exactly five rays split off, spinning like comets as they shot out.

The five rays pierced straight through Hisenna's spell, shredding her water jet with a ku-gugug-.

They reached Hisenna in an instant.

"What...!"

A rock wall rose before her—defense magic, I guess.

But the rays scattered in all directions,

arcing wide around the wall before slamming down on her.

Kwa-gugugugwang-!

"Guided missiles, huh."

This thing's specs are solid.

It shredded her attack effortlessly.

Dodged defense magic like it was nothing.

And despite their small size, the impact shook the whole arena.

That's what optimization means, I guess.

Not flashy, but function, effect, and power exceeded expectations.

"...Test over."

The examiner, dazed by the scene, called it.

Dust from the explosion cleared, revealing Hisenna.

A spherical barrier surrounded her.

The examiner's emergency protection, probably.

Hisenna inside looked stunned or flustered—hard to tell.

But once the dust fully settled, she glared daggers at me.

Everyone had hyped her up so much, but she wasn't that strong after all.

Going down in one hit to a spell even a pureblood muggle like me could use.

All hype, no substance?

Her bubble burst, and now she's pissed.

Whatever—she's just another candidate.

I guess I over-feared her.

I was thinking, good thing Hisenna wasn't as tough as I thought~, when she suddenly stomped toward me.

"You."

"G-Good work."

I bowed hastily and bolted from the arena.

Not because I was scared ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of her glare.

"Candidate 888, wait a moment. We'll announce results when candidate 891 comes out."

Exiting, I had to wait for Hisenna anyway.

Results came right away.

Hisenna emerged, and the grader spoke.

"Candidates 888 and 891, both pass. Head to the passers' waiting room for instructions."

Both passed.

I dashed back to the passers' room.

Other qualified candidates were already there.

"...That's the guy. The 5th-circle spell just now."

"Who is he? Never seen him. Which family?"

"Looks like a commoner from his clothes... no way..."

They whispered as I entered.

A huge screen up front showed the arena feed.

Everyone here had watched my duel with Hisenna.

And since I was near the end of the 800s, lots were already waiting.

'No wonder Hisenna was so pissed.'

Made sense now.

Losing in front of this crowd must've bruised her ego.

I wouldn't rage over it, but she seemed prideful.

Time to sit and browse the gallery for real—then another examiner interrupted.

One cycle done; passers get briefed.

After orientations, dorm rules, and freshman guidelines, I finally opened the gallery in peace.

I could finally post on the gallery after getting my dorm assignment.

Dopamine surged from the incoming comments.

Passers could use dorms before term started.

Nice bonus having housing sorted.

Everyone was super interested in my exam.

Was it that big a deal? Teacher Rice said it wasn't hard.

Optimization made it work, I think.

Archmages see me as an ant, huh.

Makes sense why they're so hooked if that's the vibe.

Ants can talk too, right? (Or not)

"Is rolling to dodge such a big deal?"

The gallery blew up over that part more than expected.

Ah, noble mage fights don't roll. Undignified.

Not banned since I passed. Mage honor code or something.

I flopped onto my dorm bed mid-scroll.

Gallery fun, but reading more hurt my head.

Headache since duel ended—not crippling, but worsening.

Exhausted, walking was hard now.

Mana exhaustion, got it.

Natural recovery trickled it to 1.

At this rate, I'm done for.

Mana Breathing Method? Don't know it.

Then I thought of that guy—and before I could call, he commented.