The General Disciple Exam
After the mages surrounding them took Lia away, preventing any real conversation, Leon returned home and immediately threw himself back into training. A full week had passed since he had done nothing but travel between his house and Herb Mountain. That was when a rumor began circulating among the entrance residents. They were going to select general disciples from among their own ranks.
Leon suddenly recalled the words spoken by the man who had performed his attribute test on the first day he was brought to Widia.
Don’t be too disappointed. You’ll all have plenty of chances to become mages if you accumulate merit or simply wait one year.
Leon, who had been incredibly tense at the time, remembered every syllable the man had uttered without error.
So this is that one-year mark?
After living in Widia for a year, Leon had gained a decent understanding of how things operated. Even ordinary people possessing only a single attribute had opportunities to become mages. It was an extremely rare chance, but the door was not completely closed.
The single-attribute mages who learned magic through such opportunities would either train diligently to seize another razor-thin chance and enter the academy, or resign themselves to their limited talent, maintain a mediocre level, and take on administrative roles—like Forn, investigator Mark, or Walter, who managed Herb Mountain.
The reason Leon, who had been content managing Herb Mountain, was seriously considering this opportunity was common magic. He had dismissed it when he first heard about it once or twice, but it seemed far more significant than he had realized. If he became a general disciple and awakened his mana, he would learn common magic, so….
I could change the quest reward to a spellbook and keep rolling until I draw common magic, but….
He felt no strong aversion to becoming a general disciple. There was no longer any fear of his true realm being exposed, which removed the burden of standing in the spotlight. Becoming a general disciple would also mean he wouldn’t have to handle the same workload as the other entrance residents, giving him more time for training.
It is a shame I haven’t explored the second and third districts of Herb Mountain yet….
Even that would take an unknown amount of time, no matter how much favor Walter held for him. Leon headed toward the dormitory where the entrance residents stayed, something he hadn’t done in a while.
On the bulletin board in the square, a single notice had been posted.
General Disciple Recruitment Test
Examine the large pattern composed of various shapes and symbols below. Determine what it represents and submit your answer.
Leon scanned the contents. Beneath the title was an enormous glyph formed from countless geometric shapes and symbols. The test was to interpret what the pattern meant and submit an answer.
The problem itself was remarkably easy. Leon immediately recognized that the pattern shared the exact same structure as a magic formula. If converted into one, it would produce a very simple spell. Both its structure and essence were obvious at a glance. He could even see ways to modify it into a more efficient formula.
Leon briefly considered the intention behind the question. What was the point of presenting such a problem to ordinary people who knew nothing about magic? Having already reached the third class, the problem was so simple that it was actually difficult for him to discern the true purpose.
It’s a first-class level, entry-grade water spell….
The symbols and shapes flowed together in a single current. Its essence was pliancy. The regularly arranged pattern as a whole conveyed purity and softness.
Could an ordinary person recognize this and answer correctly?
He was thinking so carefully because he intended to hide his true realm and pretend to be an ordinary person in order to become a general disciple.
Would simply noticing this flow be enough?
Realizing that it was water magic containing the essence of pliancy was naturally far beyond what an ordinary person could comprehend. Leon immediately picked up one of the sheets of paper provided nearby and wrote his answer, simplifying his explanation as much as possible without using any magical terminology.
He finished writing in less than a minute, then slipped the answer sheet into the submission box.
Now all that remains… is persuasion.
Leon sought out Walter and openly stated his intention to challenge for the position of general disciple. Walter looked briefly surprised before breaking into a gentle smile.
“So you think you’ll end up quitting?”
“I don’t know exactly what duties a general disciple performs, but I felt it was right to inform you in advance.”
“If you become a general disciple… well.”
Walter rested his chin on his hand, gazing at Leon in thought. The boy looked exactly like any ordinary person swollen with dreams of becoming a mage. Walter had no desire to crush such hopes. After all, he had once been the same.
“You’ll probably focus on training for a while, right? Still, you won’t be able to train exclusively. The day will come when you’re assigned duties—though not as many as the entrance residents. When that time arrives, come see me again.”
“…Is that really all right?”
Seeing Leon’s cautious expression, Walter smiled bitterly to himself.
The kid doesn’t trust people at all….
Walter nodded readily.
“Didn’t I tell you I saw potential in you? I don’t teach my herb-gathering techniques to just anyone, you know?”
“Understood. Thank you.”
“You’re already speaking as if you’ve become a general disciple? That confidence is quite a sight.”
“Ah.”
Leon realized he had unconsciously assumed he would pass without fail.
I need to be more careful….
After receiving Walter’s permission, Leon went straight to Arpina. Using Bima’s bracelet, he adjusted his displayed realm back to first class. The moment he stood before her, he bowed deeply. The fact that she had agreed to meet him despite his unannounced visit showed considerable consideration on her part.
“Have you been well?”
Arpina’s eyebrow twitched.
“You’re not the type to visit just to ask after my health. What do you want?”
“Please help me one more time.”
Leon went straight to the point, exactly as she preferred. Any unnecessary flattery would only be wasted breath to her.
“…How rude. You show up out of nowhere and immediately ask for a favor?”
“There is no one but you, Lady Arpina, that I can ask.”
Arpina frowned, tapping her desk with her fingers as she considered. Then she channeled power into her eyes and examined Leon’s realm. It was the common magic Search.
From the context, Leon realized she was trying to gauge his level and deliberately displayed the late first-class stage. This much should be safe to reveal. If he was going to make a request, he needed to show he was at least useful. He had also built up a degree of trust with her.
“Late first class?”
Arpina’s eyes widened.
“Did you swallow some miracle elixir?”
“I was fortunate.”
“Hah, did you learn that typical mage way of speaking from your master?”
Arpina clicked her tongue and continued.
“You’re at a similar level to Lia? Now I really don’t feel like helping.”
“Then I cannot impose on you any further.”
Despite his words about not wanting to upset her, Leon’s posture remained perfectly steady.
“…What an irritating little brat.”
Arpina crossed her arms and sank deep into her chair.
“Speak. What is this favor?”
“I applied for the general disciple exam this time.”
“General disciple? It would be strange if someone of your ability wasn’t selected, but why? Don’t you have a master?”
Leon shook his head.
“I don’t.”
“What?”
Arpina sat up straight from her slouched position.
“I never said I did.”
“…Then how did you awaken your mana?”
“I studied alone and awakened it by myself.”
“Does that even make sense? I personally confirmed you’re a triple-attribute holder.”
“When I was very young, I happened to obtain a spellbook. I studied it by myself, experimented, and eventually awakened.”
It wasn’t entirely impossible. To ‘happen’ to obtain a spellbook at a very young age—already able to read—then comprehend it alone, attempt to awaken mana, and succeed after a long period of effort. Even without magical talent, an exceptional mind could achieve it. The subsequent realm increases would hit the limits of triple attributes, of course.
Naturally, Arpina did not believe the explanation. It was no different from claiming anyone could become a grand mage through hard work alone.
“You’re definitely hiding something.”
“Didn’t I tell you I gained a powerful ally?”
“Not enough to be this cocky….”
Staring at Leon’s somehow infuriating face, Arpina suddenly asked, “Do you want to become my personal disciple?”
The unexpected offer made Leon shake his head.
“I’m fine.”
“…Why?”
Leon had no intention of becoming anyone’s personal disciple. The interference would be excessive. His reasons for pursuing the general disciple path were, first, to have official permission to train openly without raising suspicion. The secondary goals were securing more training time and learning common magic.
Surprise flickered across Arpina’s face at the rejection. It was an expression Leon had never seen from her before.
Like someone who has never been turned down….
Wondering if he had refused too bluntly, Leon paused. Still, if he truly had no intention of accepting, rejection was the correct choice. Nothing eroded trust faster than half-hearted probing.
“Why, I asked?”
At her insistence, Leon glanced at her cautiously.
“Don’t you already have Lia as your disciple?”
“Stop talking nonsense. Who said a mage can only have one disciple?”
“Well… last time you told me not to even think about becoming your disciple….”
At the audacious reply, she let out a hollow laugh.
“….”
She had known he was arrogant, but she hadn’t realized he also held grudges. Where else had she ever received such treatment? If she announced she was taking a personal disciple right now, she could circle the entire academy grounds with applicants even if limited to students.
Perhaps she had been too lenient with him. Leon seemed to know nothing about her position. Yet explaining herself in detail would be equally pathetic. She swallowed her irritation and spoke calmly.
“Training alone may not feel limiting right now, but once you reach third class, you’ll realize how much time is required to advance to the next realm.”
Arpina didn’t know, but unfortunately her words had no relevance to him whatsoever. Sensing he could not simply brush off her serious advice, Leon decided to be partially honest.
“Even so, I want to try it on my own.”
“….”
Her words were blocked once again. Arpina was dumbfounded. Did he not understand how vast the difference was between training with guidance and without it?
“You really are stubborn….”
Seeing Arpina’s hardened expression, Leon obediently lowered his head. Since he had no intention of explaining that he would never hit a wall even training alone, letting her believe this was the better option.
“I’m sorry….”
“Enough.”
Arpina waved her hand dismissively. The more she listened, the more she felt something inside her being chipped away. She would never admit that feeling was wounded pride.
She asked irritably, “So what is this request?”
“If I become a general disciple, can you guarantee that my true realm will not be revealed?”
“In other words… you want me to help you become a general disciple while pretending to be an ordinary person?”
“Yes.”
Arpina did not ask for his reasons. Naturally, the applicants would be entrance residents. For Leon, who was hiding his first-class status, it would be problematic. After a moment of thought, she let out a small laugh. Come to think of it, there was no reason to get worked up.
“I’m curious when you’ll repay this favor.”
“I will not forget.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Yes, let’s see how long it takes before you realize your limits and come kneeling, begging to be accepted as my disciple.
Arpina was certain that day would not be far off.