Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Volume 10 - Graveda Academy (4)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ She flashed a bright smile at me as a signal that she'd spotted me.
I responded with a casual, general greeting.
I'd never imagined Professor Rondo would be one of the proctors overseeing the exam.
"Examinee number 361, Kali Hu Gladys, please step forward."
"Ah, yes."
As I walked out, feeling a bit tense, the professors began eyeing me with serious expressions.
The first test was to draw a magic circle.
It didn't have to be perfect—just no major mistakes.
I drew the circle, keeping my mind as relaxed as possible.
"Good. Perfect. Luck or skill, who knows... but pulling off a circle this spot-on in a situation like this? That's talent."
From the way her hand moved as she jotted down the score, it looked like a ten.
Given the purity of that magic circle, full marks made sense.
Truth be told, I'd have preferred twisting it just enough for a nine—I wasn't skilled enough to dial it back on purpose yet.
Maybe because perfect scores on magic circles weren't common, I could feel the stares from the other kids zeroing in.
Ah, not the time to worry about that.
I needed to focus on my own test and lock in those points first.
"Care to make some warm water?"
She pulled a slip from the jar and read it aloud—it seemed the tests were randomly assigned.
They'd said nothing too tough would come up, and sure enough, this was on the easy side.
A simple one: big water rune, small fire rune, and out comes warm water.
This level of control? I could do it blindfolded now.
This was one of the problems Rozaria and I had practiced together.
She'd mentioned these were the usual suspects, and since suitable combos were rare for the exam, it was a straight past question.
My mana output made the volume a tad high, but I conjured appropriately warm water in midair.
"Excellent. That perfect circle wasn't a fluke. Heat and scale control spot-on. I always enjoy spotting talent like this."
Professor Rondo, I doubt that's the real reason you're enjoying it.
She's grinning ear-to-ear at me, which honestly makes it a little creepy.
This was the moment I realized having someone you know proctoring could actually be more awkward.
"Alright, back to your seat and wait. Examinee number 362, Yuria?"
"Y-Yes? Yes!"
Whoa, what the hell—how are her boobs that big?
Glancing over as examinee 362 passed by, her chest wasn't just huge; it was borderline absurd, heaving with every strained step.
Light purple hair scattered messily, a bit unkempt.
No family name either, so a commoner—wonder if she can even handle proper magic...
"Alright, let's see your magic circle."
"Th-that's... Eek!"
As expected.
She couldn't even draw a proper circle—her mana just scrawled some failed doodle, leaving faint glowing traces in the air.
The atmosphere turned icy in an instant.
"Examinee, have you ever studied magic before? Or is it just nerves?"
"N-No, I've never learned magic."
Only then did the professors' expressions soften as they nodded.
They must've pegged her as trying the drawing-admission route.
But then why lump everyone together? Why not separate tracks—instead of testing all and cherry-picking dropouts for specials?
Kind of a weird system.
"Very well, return to your seat..."
Watching them go one by one, there was a real mix of kids.
Some botched the circle but packed solid magical punch.
Others nailed the circle but took penalties on retries after slip-ups.
Smart to allow retries with deductions.
"Examinee number 370, Nia Hu Altres?"
"Yes."
Hold up—Altres?
The name hit like a thunderclap; every examinee jolted, eyes snapping to him.
Altres was a surname reserved for direct imperial blood—royals. And with birth rates tanking lately for whatever reason, only the Emperor and Crown Prince carried it now.
I didn't know the name, but this guy, Nia Hu Altres, had to be the Crown Prince.
Two-tone hair fading from silver to sky blue, strikingly pretty face.
Almost too feminine.
Diamond spoon? Nah, this was imperial-seal level. Wonder what that's like.
"We've heard plenty about you. Magic circle first."
"Yes."
The moment he drew it with that calm face, I was convinced: automatic pass.
Like mine, a flawless circle—pure as could be.
Professor Rondo muttered something about it being ages since a single group had two perfect circles.
Insane talent on top? World's so damn unfair.
Not that I could complain, with my own magic gift—and a storied noble house to boot.
Anyone hearing me gripe would just roast me.
...And hey, looks-wise, Siwoo might fly under radar, but Kali's solid.
"Implement holy fire and holy water separately within one magic circle."
No slip drawn—straight-up tossing a brutal prompt. Kinda odd.
Had to use tricky characters for "holy fire" and split the circle with blanks.
Caught him off guard, his eyes flickered—but he solved it without much fuss.
Power output perfect, execution flawless.
Felt like full marks for me; probably the same for him.
Last year, all the buzz was Rozaria being the only one like that.
This year, two from one group—professors looked thrilled.
"Everyone, well done. You're free to go. We'll notify results as soon as possible."
And just like that, my Graveda Academy entrance exam wrapped successfully.
They weren't kidding about quick—they sent notice almost right after.
These guys process fast.
"Pass anyway, right? Why so tense."
"Still, seeing it official hits different!"
"Fair."
I tore open the letter with the exam results. Out came the academy-sealed acceptance notice.
The content was great, but "second place" jumped out.
That perfect circle had me worried—and boom, runner-up.
At least not first?
"What, no top spot?"
"Told you. Crown Prince matched me."
"Lost on drawing score?"
"Probably."
SD style had me insecure anyway, but losing on art stung a bit.
Of course, seeing it might flip my mood.
Pretty art cheers anyone up instantly.
"Wonder if they'll show 'em."
"Scores are out, but probably just for acceptees—privacy."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Meant to let vets size up newbies—students and profs only. It's public record, but I only heard later after enrolling. Never seen myself."
"Gotcha."
In the end, Rozaria and I went to check what beat mine.
Whoa, why's this spot set up like a gallery?
"Here? Usually research presentations or club showcases—for funded ones, anyway."
"Multi-purpose hall, huh? Damn, some solid pieces. Overall high quality."
Scores posted beside each; fuzzy drawings had killer magic scores.
Deductions on art were always clear-cut.
At this rate, mine shouldn't be too shabby.
"Yep."
Not bad at all, really.
Just my SD style felt off in spots.
LD would've shown more flaws from skill gaps.
Wasn't exam grind anyway—rushed a practice piece.
"Ah, here."
"Lost by one point."
Crown Prince's was a solidly drawn LD piece.
No real flaws, even to my eye.
Just... plain. A touch underwhelming.
Beat mine, but no perfect.
"Gotta concede. Crown Prince draws well."
"Yeah."
Higher scores seem centered.
That ornate centerpiece—magic low, art sky-high?
"Holy shit...?"
Just a nude girl sprawled naked on a bed.
But those hollow eyes, broken smile, subtly quivering body—it stirred something primal, massive lust.
Quality flawless, beyond—dick-throbbingly perfect erotica.
Like Professor Rondo's White Light, but different vibe.
White Light hit with raw horror and realism; this boiled emotions with the girl's decadent expression and state.
Mana-infused, you'd swear—eerie sexual magnetism woven in.
"Art score: sole perfect. Magic: all zeros. Drawing-special admission. Name: Yuria."
...That big-titted girl from exam day?
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