The 3-Level Magic National Exam (2)
A stadium the size of a small athletic field had a cubic protective barrier overlaid upon it. The translucent blue shield allowed a clear view of the interior. Only one person stood inside.
A girl with navy-blue hair tied in a perfect ponytail without a single stray bang, her large eyes sparkling brightly. Dressed in a flowing white dress topped with a pink knit cardigan, she simply stared blankly into empty space.
I found a spot a bit away from the crowd to observe Isara.
"No great threat seems present, though..."
Is that girl truly such a formidable mage?
The ether waves around her were so serene, it was hard to believe.
"Hmmm, you think so?"
"You rookies... that's what makes it scary."
I glanced back at Eunbyeol and Jiyeon who had followed me, then returned my gaze to Isara.
"They release an abyssal entity inside there?"
"Huh? No way! It's a simulation."
"Ah, so it's fake... what a letdown."
I said glumly, prompting Eunbyeol to shoot me an incredulous look.
"Why are you sulking? Of course it is! If they used a real abyssal entity, the examinees would die!"
I chuckled at her flustered reaction.
"Just teasing thee. I already knew it's an ether simulation for precision testing."
"Y-You're so mean! You knew?!"
As I grinned, savoring Eunbyeol's reddening face, a clear chime rang out, followed by an announcement.
Test begins in 10 seconds
All eyes turned to Isara atop the stadium.
3
2
1
As the countdown ended, a massive abyssal entity materialized inside the enormous cubic barrier.
"Oh, a 3rd-grade one you often see on the 21st floor."
"Th-Third-grade?! And you? 21st floor?!"
Eunbyeol jumped in shock, staring at the hulking beast covered in spikes.
Isara began casting immediately, a white magic circle blooming above her.
3rd-Grade Control Magic
Play of Stars
"Ehh? A 3-level control spell right at the start?! No way! This is the 3-level test!"
"So Isara was holding back after all."
"They say control magic is the hardest among projection, enhancement, survival, and control... So that's how it is."
Control magic was the most difficult of the four categories. Freely wielding a 3-level control spell meant she was at least at the peak of 3-level.
Unaware or uncaring of the crowd's gasps, Isara focused solely on the fight. Glowing orbs danced fluidly through the air, striking the abyssal entity and exploding.
BOOM!
Purple bodily fluids splattered across the barrier's interior.
"That's really a simulation?"
"...Yeah."
"Indeed, it looks even more real from inside."
At my words and Jiyeon's, Eunbyeol began shivering.
"I-I didn't expect it to be this intense..."
"Fear not. It hurts quite a bit if it hits, but it won't kill thee."
Eunbyeol's face drained of color at my reassurance.
Jiyeon snorted in disbelief.
"Hmph, you're just scaring her on purpose, aren't ya?"
I shrugged.
"Precision simulations induce brain hallucinations, causing phantom pain."
"......"
Even Jiyeon stiffened at that.
"L-Liar."
"Pl-Please say it's a lie! Quick!"
"Aye, 'tis a lie."
Eunbyeol made a pouty face. I glanced at the two tense girls, then refocused on Isara's battle.
KABOOM!
Isara's brutal magical barrage was winding down. The steam clouding around the abyssal entity cleared, revealing it at last.
Grrr...
Its wounds were so deep its bones were exposed. Strangely, the injuries writhed as if regeneration was being disrupted.
A spell to hinder physical regeneration, eh?
3rd-grade abyssal entities boasted powerful regeneration and core barriers as standard. Ordinary magic couldn't fell them.
So she neutralizes the regeneration itself before finishing it off?
Maintaining distance, Isara extended her hand. She'd located the core.
2-Level Projection Magic
Star Cluster - !
Numerous magic circles formed at her fingertips, launching small, twinkling projectiles straight at the entity's core.
POP! POP!
The surrounding air burst, whipping Isara's hair wildly. Her third strike, fired while standing still.
POP!
The projectile traced a straight path.
SPLAT!
With the signature sound of a core exploding, the abyssal entity collapsed. It hadn't moved a single step from its spawn point.
Truly a league apart.
For the first time, I felt genuine interest in Isara.
Far superior even to the 3-level mages I took down as a Mage Hunter.
Her magic was so efficient and waste-free, comparing her to others of the same level felt embarrassing.
About on par with Lee Han's spells...
I understood now why she had said he was different.
"Verily, not the level of skill a ten-year-old should show."
Jiyeon twitched an eyebrow at my words.
"Didn't expect that from you. Thought you'd never admit it."
"Me? Why wouldst thou think so?"
The two immediately piled on as if it were obvious.
"You talk down to your elder by four years."
"You told me to my face my magic talent is abysmal."
"You bantered with my grandpa too."
"Told us your teachings would be tough, so brace ourselves."
"......"
Speechless, I smacked my lips.
"H-Have mercy, though... Can't we just chalk it up to character?"
"Heh, some arrogant character that is."
At Jiyeon's retort, I averted my eyes, lost for words. Isara's results flashed on the massive scoreboard.
"Heh..."
Jiyeon narrowed her eyes.
"7:31... She basically aimed for that."
"Yeah, the previous record was 9 minutes."
"Is that so? Seven minutes feels rather long."
They stared at me in disbelief.
*
After watching the subsequent examinees, I revised my thinking.
"Hmm, so 9 minutes is impressive. Seven is absurd."
The examinees' dismal performances were disappointing—disappointment after disappointment. Most failed to dodge even a single attack. Some forfeited the instant the entity appeared.
No one passed after Isara, souring the atmosphere around us.
"Isn't this test too hard?"
Jiyeon shrugged.
"It's a global standard program, can't tweak it."
"Right... They say pass rates exceed 20% in the US or China..."
"Hm."
That drove home Korea's position.
"No, their castings are just pathetic. Don't they practice?"
"Training grounds are pricey..."
"Yeah, unless you're tower-affiliated, even two hours a day is tough."
"......"
True, running Bundang's for an hour costs about 300 million.
Nationwide ether shortages were crippling training facilities.
2-Level Projection Magic
Electric Spear
I bit my lip watching a fumbling middle-aged man cast.
"That's why they're all like this."
Flooding the market with ether from the foundation might help.
As I pondered Foundation's output, Jiyeon's name was called.
Examinee #46, Hong Jiyeon, please stand by.
Hearing it, Jiyeon clenched her fists.
"Watch, I'll show you I'm no pushover."
"......"
I nodded and yawned. Five hours of waiting had me bored.
"...Yawning? Just watch, I'll crush it stylishly."
The previous man was dodging frantically, gasping for breath.
2-Level Projection Magic
Electric Spear - !
A sharp lightning arrow grazed past the entity.
"Ahh..."
Resigned, the mage closed his eyes and got launched skyward by the entity's arm.
SPLAT!
He limped out, ankle sprained. Eunbyeol squeaked in fear.
"Eek..."
Examinee #46, Hong Jiyeon, please enter the testing arena.
As the red-haired girl ascended, cheers erupted from the stands.
"Hong Jiyeon, fighting!"
"Pride of Busan!"
"Secure that 11-year-old 3-level mage!"
Amid the support, her test began. She unleashed a barrage immediately.
2-Level Control Magic
Superheated Hell
"Oho, not bad."
"Pretty good? She might pass."
As I watched intently, a clear announcement chimed.
Examinee #48, Yu Eunha, please stand by.
My turn was finally approaching. Rising from where I'd slumped on the ground, Eunbyeol grabbed my hand tightly.
"D-Do your best, Eunha."
Her hand was ice-cold. I smirked and whispered so only she could hear.
"Watch closely. I'll show thee this trifling test is naught."