Chapter 93: Joint Practical Evaluation (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93: Joint Practical Evaluation (2)
「Rock Wall (Rock Element, ★4)」
「Wind Wall (Wind Element, ★4)」
「Flame Wall (Fire Element, ★4)」
「Ice Wall (Ice Element, ★4)」
Rumble────!!
Whoosh────!!
Roar────!!
“What?!”
“This crazy bastard!”
“Isn’t this cheating?!”
“Nope~.”
PvP was strictly forbidden during the joint practical evaluation. Consequently, at the start, students focused on impeding their rivals using non-combat elemental spells.
The crowd of students unleashed a barrage of spells to shatter the elemental barriers, but every time a wall crumbled, a new one surged up to take its place.
‘That’s enough.’
I came to a halt and pressed a palm against the ground.
Light brown mana surged from my hand.
「Rock Generation (Rock Element, ★1)」
Rumble────!
A stone pillar erupted from the earth with terrifying velocity, launching me upward.
The pillar traced a high arc, soaring over the cluster of elemental walls blocking the path. I anchored my hands and feet firmly against the stone surface.
Since there was a limit to how far a single pillar could extend, I manifested a second one mid-air to leap onto, repeating the process as I was carried through the sky.
Having bypassed the annoying obstacles, I landed back on solid ground with a heavy thud.
“What was that?”
“Is he really from the Magic Department? What kind of physical ability is that…?”
The students weren't even amazed by my magic anymore; it was my sheer athleticism that left them stunned.
Rumble────!
Students with affinity for solid elements like rock and ice tried to mimic my lead. However...
“Ahhh! Get me down from here!”
“It’s too high!!”
Several students failed to stick the landing or execute the climb properly. They had tried to copy me without the necessary foundation, and their own fear paralyzed them mid-act.
Without precise mana control and high-level physical coordination, replicating that move was impossible. They were essentially digging their own graves.
‘What are they even doing?’
It was a pathetic display.
Shortly after, I reached the first intersection.
Emerging from the water-filled canyon, I arrived at a fork in the road, clearly marked by milestones.
The choice was simple: continue through the canyon into a dark cave, or take the stairs leading to the canyon’s summit.
Here, the students split into two groups: those who chose a path without hesitation and those who stood frozen by indecision. Naturally, I belonged to the former.
‘It was this way.’
I headed for the stairs. The only way to find the frog demon was to take the high ground.
Looking up from below, one could see a terrifying suspension bridge spanning the canyon heights. Because it looked so treacherous, very few students dared to take this route.
‘Good thing I’m not afraid of heights.’
Crossing a creaky bridge suspended in the clouds didn't bother me. If anything, it was just a thrilling ride.
A few brave souls followed me up the stairs. I blended into their ranks as we sprinted toward the top.
The frog demon will leave its position after 4 p.m. I have to reach it before then. I don’t have much time left.
Thud, thud, thud──!!
After ascending several flights, I manifested a stone platform on the cliffside and used it as a springboard.
As soon as I landed, the rock stretched upward, propelling me over the precipice.
In the world of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, being even slightly late meant witnessing a cursed scene where some aggro-obsessed bastard would shatter your legs. If that happened, you’d be forced to take a different, much longer path.
Running along the canyon rim, I saw a massive bridge connecting to the opposite side. The view was breathtaking, exactly as I remembered from the game.
Without hesitation, I stepped onto the bridge.
Creak, groan—!
‘Whoa!’
Suddenly, I felt like I was on an amusement park ride.
Violent winds slammed into the bridge like tidal waves, causing it to rock violently. I expected a bit of swaying, but this thing was oscillating up and down like a pendulum.
The natural wind mana in this area must be incredibly aggressive for it to react like this.
I gripped the railing, fighting to keep my balance. One careless step and I’d be tossed into the abyss.
“Ahhh!”
“What the hell is this?!”
“Someone help me!!”
I could hear the desperate cries of the students trailing behind me.
If they were going to fall apart like this, why did they even come this way…?
“Oh!”
The swaying was getting worse. I couldn't take it anymore. Helping the idiots behind me was a side effect, but getting off this bridge ASAP was my priority.
I extended my arm and poured ice mana downward. I cast a buffed [Ice Generation], amplified by Zhonya’s Staff.
「Ice Generation (Ice Element, ★1)」
Crackle──.
The ice spread thin and wide, instantly freezing the bridge into a magnificent, frozen sculpture.
Done. Finally, the bridge stopped squirming like an eel.
“This guy!”
“Whoa! It’s slippery!”
“But it stopped shaking! Thanks, man!”
Since someone was polite enough to express their gratitude, I gave a casual thumbs-up over my shoulder.
‘[Rock Generation].’
I let only my heels touch the ice, using [Rock Generation] to form sharp spikes on the soles of my boots. It minimized my contact area while allowing me to slide with ease.
Extending my right arm backward, I condensed ice mana and ignited it, generating a violent burst of frigid flames.
「Frostfire (Ice Element, ★4)」
BOOM────!!
It was a makeshift booster.
“Whoa!!”
Using [Frostfire] as propulsion, I exploded forward, skating across the ice bridge at high speed.
The rush was exhilarating. My silver-blue hair whipped wildly in the wind, and a startled laugh escaped my lips.
This application of [Frostfire] required immense mana control and skill. While I couldn't fly like Iron Man yet, using it as a booster was well within my current capabilities.
However, because it required condensing mana under extreme pressure, the mana consumption was massive and the efficiency was poor. I wouldn't be able to rely on this until my mastery improved.
In an instant, I cleared the bridge and reached the other side of the canyon.
I retracted the stone spikes from my boots and dispelled the ice on the bridge. My elemental mana shimmered brightly, scattering like fine powder before vanishing.
The bridge immediately returned to its chaotic swaying. The screams of terror resumed instantly.
“Wait, what?! What kind of bastard gives help and then takes it back?!”
“Ahhh! Does anyone have ice magic?! Hurry and freeze it again!”
“Ugh! It’s too hard! How did he have that much mana control in these conditions?!”
Did someone say something? Must be the wind.
I secured Zhonya’s Staff to my back with the diagonal strap on my uniform and kept running.
Beep, Beep—.
As I crossed the canyon, a forest of vibrant red maples appeared. The entire area was bathed in crimson.
At that moment, the bracelet on my left wrist lit up and emitted an alarm.
I had reached the first gate.
Particles of mana drifted from the bracelet, forming letters in the air.
‘First gate: Find the Bead of Nebirus.’
The Bead of Nebirus was a magic orb that leaked faint traces of mana. Despite the name, it was actually a cube, slightly smaller than a ping-pong ball.
Normally, if you knew its form, you could track the mana source faster. That was the official lore in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, though I never bothered with the underlying principles.
Of course, I had no need for such tedious methods.
“Easy clear.”
Since I already knew exactly where it was hidden, delicate mana perception was irrelevant.
Ring─♪
I dug up the Bead of Nebirus from the roots of a specific tree, and the bracelet chimed with a satisfying green light.
The mana particles shifted to form new words. Under the text ‘Gate Clear,’ an arrow appeared, pointing toward the next path.
I set off immediately.
‘Oh, by the way.’
This person really won’t stop stalking me…
I could feel wind mana coiling in the distance. It didn't take long to realize someone was definitely tailing me.
I pulled a small hand mirror from the spatial storage in my uniform’s inner pocket, stealing glances behind me with narrowed eyes.
Silver-blue hair tied to the side. Sharp, cat-like eyes. A wooden staff clutched in her arms.
—‘If you’re ready, then go. I can’t bear to see you.’
The cold voice of the woman I met during the Trial of Frost echoed in my mind. It was Isaac’s older sister.
I already knew she was a student at Märchen Academy.
‘I remember now.’
I tucked the mirror back into my pocket space.
She was a female student NPC in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ rumored to be related to Isaac. Seeing that silver-blue hair chasing me brought the memory back clearly.
She was a textbook case of Ripley Syndrome; she had no friends and wandered around like a ghost… a tragic NPC with a dark backstory.
The girl chasing me was that very person: Isaac’s mentally unstable older sister.
I didn't possess all of Isaac’s memories—only fragments of his story remained. That was why I didn't know her name or what business she had with me. Frankly, I didn't care.
‘Just don’t get in my way.’
Right now, my only goal was the frog demon. As long as she didn't interfere, she could follow me all she wanted.
I continued sprinting toward the next gate.
Eve Rophenheim’s eyes were wide with shock.
‘H-how did he do that…?’
Even Eve couldn't detect the mana from the Bead of Nebirus yet… but Isaac had found it in an instant.
How powerful was his mana perception?
Furthermore, seeing Isaac nonchalantly wielding high-level ice and rock spells since the evaluation began was surreal. How did that boy, who once didn't have a drop of mana, become this…?
His skill level was undeniably high. While the staff clearly amplified his power, the ability to wield such a weapon was a testament to his own growth.
‘Since when… did he improve this much?’
The last time she had seen Isaac was over two years ago, on the day their mother passed away. Even then, Isaac was so pathetic he wasn't worth a second glance.
It was inconceivable to grow this much in just two years. His rate of progress was terrifying.
Eve suspected Isaac was hiding a secret even she didn't know. She had to find out what it was.
“Oops.”
Isaac was already pulling ahead. If she slowed down for even a second, she’d lose him.
Biting her lip, Eve pushed herself harder, continuing her pursuit of Isaac.