Chapter 55
Chapter 56
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Hell's Magic Exam
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A huge uproar had erupted during the swordsmanship practical exam.
Really—
The exam had unfolded in a way completely different from what I'd expected.
'Let's see... 162nd place. Not bad.'
I gave a wry smile as I looked at the swordsmanship practical rankings.
It was just as I'd anticipated.
But I wasn't happy about it at all.
Because only my score had turned out the way I'd planned.
'Is this really okay...'
I turned my head to check the top rankings.
As expected, Ruena was in the top tier.
I'd predicted she'd take first or at least make the top ten without much trouble, even with variables.
'Reality, though...'
First place was,
Of course, Marian Ravelin.
Top scores in basics and special targets,
Plus sweeping her group in the spars against the strongest contenders—it was only natural.
The problem was that she'd stumbled into it by accident.
I observed the other students' reactions.
Opinions were split right down the middle.
One side acknowledged Marian.
The other grumbled that it was just luck.
But there weren't many talking about Marian anyway.
Because someone else was drawing far more attention.
Ruena Eliad.
And that bear of a girl.
'Just as I thought.'
In the end, those two had stolen the spotlight after the exam.
On one side,
Ruena, heir to House Eliad and the overwhelming predicted first place.
On the other,
A mysterious beastkin who went toe-to-toe with Ruena—a monster.
The emergence of a new powerhouse threatening the established elite.
That alone was enough to captivate the students—but
Because Ruena had unleashed her unique ability at the end,
The rumors about the spar had spread even more exaggerated.
House Eliad's bloodline had been pushed back,
Ruena had given her all and still lost,
Even conspiracy theories that Ruena had intentionally tied.
'As if.'
I clicked my tongue at the rampant nonsense.
At least it was a relief that Ruena wasn't being underestimated.
It was only natural.
No one who'd witnessed that spar could take either of them lightly.
It wasn't...
A student spar. It was a duel.
A realm where a single slip could mean serious injury.
It was just an exam spar,
And the weapons were blunt blades—but
To true experts, even a roadside twig becomes a deadly weapon.
If the examiners hadn't intervened,
It might have turned into a real bloodbath, not just an exam.
Well, at least it was fine for now.
House Eliad's reputation hadn't taken a hit.
One had become a newly spotlighted monster,
The other had held her ground as an unshakeable powerhouse.
'The scores... not really...'
I rubbed my face with one hand as I glanced at Ruena's ranking again.
243rd.
Ruena Eliad.
Even lower than my 162nd—a dismal result.
It was only natural.
Top scores in basics—but
Only full marks up to stage 7 in special targets.
And disqualified in the group spar—zero points.
For House Eliad.
The family symbolizing the kingdom's pinnacle of martial might.
Their sole heir, 243rd in swordsmanship.
What would I even say when facing the Grand Duke back at Eliad Manor?
I couldn't control the exam,
But just imagining that cold gaze and heavy silence made my stomach churn.
'I might as well submit my resignation.'
Still, plenty of exams left.
Physical fitness, magic, summoning, alchemy.
High scores there should get her into Class A easily.
The problem was—
'Summoning's a bit iffy, and alchemy too...'
We're screwed.
A hollow laugh escaped me.
The hope I'd carefully nurtured had turned to ash in an instant.
Those two subjects—
Were ones Ruena always messed up, big or small.
If she'd botched swordsmanship, the one I trusted implicitly,
No way those airhead-prone subjects would go smoothly.
'Seriously... maybe resign after this semester...'
I let out a long sigh and headed to the second practical: physical fitness.
Fortunately,
Truly fortunately,
No variables in the physical exam.
First place: Ruena Eliad.
Marian got a solid 15th.
Me... 47th.
Lower than my capability, but as intended.
Had to score around here to end up in the same class as Marian.
'Written exam 492nd—that garbage score's got me suffering too.'
Still ridiculous ranking that made me chuckle bitterly.
Good thing that blockhead knew how to use her body.
Otherwise, I'd have abandoned the same-class plan long ago.
Now, magic exam time.
Tension hung thick among the waiting students.
Among them—
Was Marian Ravelin.
I glanced sideways at the blonde hair.
She was still glaring daggers at Ruena ahead.
I clicked my tongue at the sight.
'No matter how much you glare, magic's where she can't compete.'
I'm from House Noir.
I'm highly attuned to others' presence.
Fortunately, Marian Ravelin's mana was about my level.
Which meant—
We were both booked for rock bottom.
Normally I'd be crushed, but now it was good news.
I finalized my score plan as the line shortened.
Magic: minimum.
Summoning: minimum, obviously.
That should put me around Marian's score, maybe a bit lower.
'Depending on whatever that "sister" gave her.'
Even a summoning gap was fine.
Just ace the final one, alchemy, and it'd balance out.
Alchemy was my strongest practical subject.
I could intentionally lowball,
Or max out for perfect score.
'Then sail through the third exam, group subjugation, with safe scores...'
I finished the calculations in my head and smirked faintly.
Perfect for now.
As long as no unexpected accidents.
'No way another absurd incident happens.'
But—
A chill ran through my body.
An ominous premonition hit simultaneously.
Like the sword exam,
Someone was about to pull something unpredictable again...
'N-No way, right...?'
But that premonition,
Became reality just three minutes after my calculations.
Kwaaaang—!
A deafening roar shook the entire exam hall.
Flames shot up, piercing the ceiling in an instant.
Scorching heat surged like a tidal wave.
"Wh-What?!"
"Who this time—?!"
The hall erupted in chaos.
Instructors deployed magic barriers en masse.
I squinted toward the explosion's center.
There—
Stood familiar blonde hair.
'You—?!'
Marian Ravelin.
She stood frozen in the middle of the blazing magic circle.
'Impossible... how?'
Just moments ago, I'd sensed almost no mana from her.
But now—
Like a different person,
Mana surged wildly from Marian.
Meanwhile, her previously healthy body was in the worst shape.
Skin pale as death,
Legs trembling,
Cold sweat pouring down everywhere.
'But... with her stamina, she shouldn't be this wrecked...?'
Marian's fitness rank: 15th.
That was enough for mid-to-high tier magic.
But now... it looked like someone at death's door squeezing out everything.
As if she'd become someone else in an instant.
'What the hell?'
My thoughts drowned in the surrounding clamor.
If hell existed, this might be it.
Students fleeing in panic,
Instructors chanting water magic to extinguish flames,
The magic professor, likely the overseer, clutching his head.
'Total mess.'
The scene was a disaster by any measure.
And—
The culprit behind this hellscape...
"Huh? Did I overdo the stats?"
...calmly muttered nonsense while clawing at her head amid the burning circle.
Of course, I understood.
In her current state,
Just standing was a miracle, let alone cleanup.
'Too chaotic. Should I help?'
Then—
Familiar mana pulsed from the exam hall's center.
The air cooled rapidly.
At the epicenter stood Ruena.
A blue magic circle of water affinity unfurled around Ruena as she gathered mana.
High-tier hydro magic, plain as day.
Water currents swirled around her,
Ripples forming from where she stood.
Moments later—
The water spread precisely across the hall.
Massive streams engulfed remaining flames,
Fine mists dispersed the heat in a flash.
Not a drop wasted—perfectly calculated flow.
Ruena orchestrated it all without a waver.
"Whoa..."
"As expected of Eliad."
"That's practically art."
Admiration burst from everywhere.
Flawless control, flawless mana handling.
Even examiners and instructors watched speechless for a while.
'Impressive.'
As expected—
Airhead or not, her talent was prodigious.
I gazed at Ruena in awe too.
Until one massive water stream veered off course.
"Gah, cold—!"
And...
The wayward stream dumped right on Marian Ravelin's head.
"...Oops, sorry."
Admiration turned to a sigh in an instant.
'Typical airhead...'
At least no one criticized Ruena's mistake.
Except the drowned-rat Marian.