One Month Before Admission - The Entrance Exam
“Ugh, I’m a little nervous…”
It was one month prior.
“Doesn’t Master feel any tension at all?”
Eily and I were riding in a carriage toward the heart of the royal capital.
“Hmm…”
The reason was the procedure we had to go through before enrolling in the Saint Academy.
In this world, they conducted something called an “entrance evaluation” prior to academy admission. The purpose of the exam was to gauge the entrants’ class placements and skill levels.
“It’d be a lie to say I feel nothing at all, but I’m not worried.”
Ironically, I hadn’t known about this ironclad rule. That was because the game started on the day of enrollment.
Still, it wasn’t unfamiliar, since my original world had similar entrance exams.
“I’m sure Master could even take the top spot!”
“Thanks.”
Of course, there were differences. For one, in my old world, these exams were taken with writing utensils.
Here at the academy, evaluations were done with one’s own weapon of choice. Instead of solving a test paper, they assessed capabilities through tailored trials. For example, mages had to hit targets with spells or measure power output on special magic stones, while those skilled with blades or hand-to-hand combat faced golems conjured by magic or sparred directly with instructors to measure their prowess.
Clatter-clatter—
The carriage jolted along, the vibration from the wheels grinding against the road shaking my shoulders slightly.
“Ugh…”
But Eily, sitting across from me, didn’t seem to be trembling from the bumps. It looked more like worry and anxiety shaking her body.
“It’s okay, Eily.”
I placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle, reassuring smile.
“You’ll do great too.”
The words were perfunctory, but seeing her tremble uncontrollably, I hoped they’d offer even a sliver of encouragement.
“Y-Yes? Oh… yes…!! I’m really worried, but… I’ll do my absolute best!”
My brief words seemed to provide some comfort—her face brightened a touch.
The reason Eily was so on edge was that she had to take the entrance evaluation too.
“So I can serve Master at the academy… I’ll definitely deliver satisfying results!”
Explaining why a mansion maid like her was enrolling in the academy was a bit complicated, but in short: we’d decided to select a housekeeper to attend me during academy life. However, outsiders couldn’t freely enter the academy, so she had to enroll as a student alongside me. The problem was, suitable candidates at the Stenman mansion were in critically short supply.
“Yeah, just don’t flunk out.”
“Yes…!”
Truth be told, there was really only one candidate.
The academy was for nurturing young talents, so among the household staff, the only one around my age was Eily.
“I’m a little excited too…!”
Plus, she’d gladly accepted the offer to attend the academy with me, leading to this moment.
“Mm… yeah—”
But on the flip side, seeds of worry had sprouted.
After all, Eily had only ever handled housework until now—passing the entrance exam was a real question mark.
For reference, if a candidate’s skills tested too low or their talents were pathetically inadequate, admission could be denied outright.
“We’ve gotta do well…”
That was why Eily was trembling in anxiety.
“…”
And… sorry, Eily, but I looked a bit uneasy myself.
She’d recently started sword training under Martin, but according to him… she had no aptitude for it. Nor did she show any outstanding magical talent—it left question marks floating over her head.
Personally… if she just met the bare minimum for admission, I’d be impressed.
“Let’s give it a shot.”
“…Yes!”
But what could I do? It was a mountain she had to climb herself to attend the academy.
“I’ll…! Definitely bring back good news!”
All I could do was cheer her on.
Clatter—
The carriage’s jolting stopped, signaling our arrival.
“Wow… is this the exam site? So many people—!”
Eily peeked out first, her eyes sparkling in awe at the massive crowd.
“All these people are here for the test?”
Throngs of prospective students swarmed the entrance, all vying for this year’s academy spots.
“This is gonna be fun~”
“Whatever the test is, I’ll sweep it all away!”
“Being a dwarf makes it hard to see ahead, dang it.”
Races, specialties, personalities—every kind of person gathered, eager to showcase their skills.
“It’s crowded.”
“Everyone’s so determined…!”
This was a vast outdoor exam ground some distance from the academy’s main building. The sight of youthful passion and excitement felt a bit nostalgic.
“Let’s see~ Oh, here we go. Magic’s this way, swords that way.”
After entering and walking a bit, we reached a fork.
Normally, you picked one: magic or swordsmanship. But it was possible to take both, depending on the case.
“Ah~ Guess we split up here.”
I’d chosen to test both magic and swordsmanship, so per protocol—magic first—I had to part ways with Eily, who was doing swords.
“Then! See you later, Master!”
She bowed deeply and dashed off in the opposite direction.
“Yeah. I’ll be waiting for good news.”
I watched her back until she vanished into the crowd.
“…Time for me to go too.”
Once she was fully out of sight, I silently wished her luck and headed into the exam grounds myself.
“…Next, candidate number 11, Ruben Carter.”
“Yes!”
A solemn hush had settled over the outdoor exam ground.
““……””
The initial boisterous energy had vanished; now that the real evaluations had begun, everyone fell silent.
“You’re Ruben Carter, correct?”
“Yes. Shall I begin?”
Candidates awaiting their turn waited patiently, watching the performances ahead.
“Yes. Use your strongest spell to damage the magic stone pillar ahead.”
The format was straightforward: unleash your most powerful magic on the processed ore pillar several meters away.
“Yes…!”
For reference, the pillar was made of a special magic stone that nullified mana. The stronger the nullified mana, the more visible the change, making it ideal for magic tests.
“I beseech the great water spirit… heed my prayer—”
Ruben began chanting as the test started.
Shimmer—Splash-splash—
As he intoned, a blue magic circle etched beneath his feet, accompanied by the roar of surging waves.
“Hm.”
Let’s see what kind of talent this year’s prospects had.
“Pure essence of water, surge fiercely and sweep away those who block my path—Water Cannon!”
Gush—!
His chant complete, a powerful jet of water erupted from his outstretched palm.
Splash—
Like a ferocious waterfall, the Water Cannon shot vertically with force, slamming straight into the pillar.
Fizzle…
True to its mana-absorbing nature, it hit hard at first but gradually weakened, vanishing without a trace.
“Phew…”
Ruben sighed deeply, glaring at the stone that had devoured his spell. Sure enough, the originally white surface had darkened slightly—though barely.
“……?”
Yeah, just barely.
Honestly, for something so pompously hyped, Ruben’s display left me puzzled. It felt lackluster.
““Ooh…””
But…
“He’s got talent.”
“Impressive…”
“He’ll pass for sure.”
The other candidates murmured in admiration, praising his Water Cannon with eyes full of awe and envy.
“……”
Was this level impressive here…? His spell was far weaker than the first Water Cannon I’d cast five years ago.
“Ooh… incredible—”
Even the supervising proctor, watching from the side, pursed his lips in apparent surprise.
“To handle such advanced technique already… we’re expecting great things.”
“He passed.”
“Lucky guy…”
“He might even top the class.”
“Ugh… jealous.”
Everyone showered him with praise, and even after his evaluation ended, some students ground their teeth in envy.
“Hmm…”
This was top candidate material…? Was that seriously meant?
It was an evaluation that left me tilting my head in multiple ways.
“Next, candidate number 12, Arnold Stenman.”
But before I could dwell, it was my turn.
“…Yes.”
I gave a curt reply and stepped forward.
“Stenman…? No way, that…”
“Shh…!”
“He’s enrolling this year…”
“Those eyes are scary…”
As I took position, all eyes locked on me like spotlights on a stage. Whispers followed—not the flattering kind, making my ears itch a bit.
I ignored them pointedly.
“Whenever you’re ready, show us your strongest spell.”
I focused on the proctor’s words over the gossip.
Honestly, his go-ahead gave me pause. Which spell to use?
Various options flashed through my mind, building anticipation.
“…Alright.”
But it was just an entrance exam, so nothing excessive.
“Lightning Spear—!”
Crackle—!
Chanting the spell, blue lightning morphed into a spear at my fingertips.
“Wait… no chant?!”
“Chantless magic?!”
“Is that even possible?!”
What was with these reactions…? I’d just cast a basic spell, yet the candidates gasped in shock.
I’d heard chantless was rare, but this rare?
“…?!!”
Even the proctor’s eyes widened; he adjusted his glasses, doubting his own vision.
“…”
Anyway, focus on the evaluation.
“Hah—!”
The Lightning Spear gleamed like a gift from the heavens, roaring like a lion,
“Hmph!”
and as I hurled it with full force—ziiiing— it streaked like a brilliant ray of dawn, hurtling toward the target at lightning speed.
Boom—!
It struck the pillar’s dead center in an instant.
Sizzle… Crackle—Spark-spark—
The spell destabilized, sparks swirling violently as if ready to explode.
“……”
Then… nothing.
The grounds fell quiet.
“In… incredible… That’s more than enough—”
The proctor started wrapping up, assuming it was over—but
Crackle…!
my spell was only getting started.
Rumble—BOOM—KABOOM—!!!!
Before he finished, blue lightning crashed from the sky, perfectly aimed at the pillar. The spear merged seamlessly, becoming part of the bolt.
Craaaackle—!!!
A bolt from the blue—literally.
“Ughhh!”
“Ah… I can’t see!”
“What happened?! The… wind…!”
Ordinary candidates struggled to even open their eyes against the blinding flash and shockwave.
Sizzle… Hummm…
“What in the world… wha—?!?!”
As the thunderous roar faded, the proctor peered ahead, only to gape in silent scream at the sight.
“Did I overdo it…?”
The pillar—supposedly indestructible—had vanished.
“Th… this can’t be…”
All that remained: scorched earth, a puddle of molten gray liquid, and drifting ash revealing its fate.
“In my entire life… no, in academy history, I’ve never seen anything like this…”
He couldn’t close his mouth at the pillar’s utter erasure.
“…”
Oops… Had I put too much power into it?
I’d held back to avoid endangering everyone, but still…
“I-I’ll be going now.”
“Y-Yes…? Oh, uh… y-yes…”
I’d caused an accident.