Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Mana Arrow Mastery
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'Boring.'
The Magic Tower qualification exam.
For the participants who came to take the exam, there was nothing more thrilling or tense.
But for the mages belonging to the Magic Tower who administered the exam every month, the qualification exam was just another dull routine.
'I want to go back to my lab.'
Colin, the supervisor for this exam, scanned the room where the second test was underway with a bored expression.
His eyes occasionally drifted to the hourglass magic he had created himself, watching the participants hurriedly solving problems.
'Lately, there haven't been any decent ones.'
Colin felt an even deeper wave of boredom.
It had been twenty years since he joined the White Magic Tower.
'It'd be nice if there was someone exceptional.'
In his view, recent mages lacked anything standout.
Especially since the trend was so focused on just climbing circles or raw power.
Those like Colin, who focused on the potential development of magic itself, had become quite rare.
'Pathetic bunch.'
Magic wasn't born just to debate strength.
Knights wielding auras were plenty for that.
That's why Colin harbored significant dissatisfaction with the current state of the magic world.
"Hm?"
Then, one participant caught his eye.
The second test problems were far from easy.
They were tough enough that some couldn't finish within the time limit.
Yet the boy Colin noticed was solving them incredibly quickly.
Even compared to those around him, his speed was absurd.
'Guessing randomly?'
Wondering if he was just filling in answers since writing was hopeless, Colin pretended to patrol and glanced at the boy's paper as he passed.
'...He's actually solving them?'
But the boy was clearly working through the problems.
The clear proof: he was smoothly answering even the subjective questions that couldn't be guessed.
'Huh.'
Witnessing this, Colin nearly forgot his duty as supervisor and let out an exclamation.
'I want to check his answers right now.'
He even stopped walking, tempted to see what the boy was writing.
But Colin barely suppressed the urge.
He noted the boy's exam number and returned to his seat.
'Number 121... Jeon.'
He immediately looked up the name.
'Gotta remember that.'
Colin repeated Jeon's name in his mind several times.
If the boy passed, he'd drag him straight to his lab, he resolved.
"Pretty fun."
That was Jeon's brief impression of the qualification exam after finishing the second test.
The first test with magic tools was decently enjoyable, but tackling magic problems on paper was a fresh and fun experience.
'In my past life, this would've been unthinkable.'
Fun exam? He'd scolded top students for saying that.
He never dreamed he'd feel the same.
'Wonder what the next one's like?'
He was even looking forward to it.
"The second test is over. Proceed to the third test venue."
Following the White Magic Tower mage guiding them, Jeon felt a pleasant excitement.
The third test venue was indoors like the second, but much larger.
Unlike the classroom-like second venue, this was like a massive gymnasium from his past life.
"The third test is similar to a sparring match."
The guide distributed equipment like shoulder guards that could be strapped on.
"Simple rules: Touch your opponent's shoulder gear with your magic, and they get 1 point deducted."
No wonder it didn't look ordinary. Like the first test, it was a magic tool.
"Only 1st Circle magic allowed. Using higher circles results in immediate disqualification."
The format was straightforward.
Fifty participants in a free-for-all, like a scaled-down magic duel.
"Examiners around will also judge your skills beyond points for overall scores. Focus on showing your true abilities, not just points."
In other words, ganging up for points wouldn't help; show your skills.
'They'll do it anyway.'
The few remaining tower ronin were already whispering in a group.
'Then blame others if they fail.'
It explained why they kept failing and living as ronin.
"Disperse to designated spots. Test starts in 30 minutes."
The fifty participants spread out across the gym per the supervisors.
Then, Colin in his white robe floated a spherical mana orb.
Bang!
It burst like fireworks, forming an hourglass like in the second test.
That signaled the start.
"Hey! Target that guy first!"
"You little brat!"
The pre-coordinated tower ronin charged Jeon immediately.
The boss and two scrubs, three in total.
Jeon ignored them, pondering instead.
'Only 1st Circle magic, huh.'
How to use it diversely.
First test: basic mana handling.
Second: knowledge and application via writing.
'This tests practical combat response.'
Whether knowledge could be applied in real scenarios.
"Beat him!"
Meanwhile, the ronin closed in and cast spells.
The famous 1st Circle attack: 'Mana Arrow'.
Three basic arrows flew at Jeon's shoulder gear.
'Mana Arrow...'
Seeing it, Jeon quickly cast his own.
His Mana Arrow slammed into the nearest incoming one.
Crack!
Most Mana Arrows focused mana on the tip, so the side-hit dispersed it midair.
Jeon's arrow used the impact to veer slightly.
Crack! Crack!
It ricocheted perfectly off the next two, like trick shots in billiards.
One spell blocked all three.
"What the hell!?"
"Did it change direction midair?"
Mana Arrow couldn't normally redirect once launched.
But it danced in the air.
The ronin stared in shock.
'Practicing goblin magic paid off big time.'
Beyond repulsion, he'd mastered mana control.
At impact, he twisted the mana sharply, like the first test tool, for dramatic maneuvers.
"Not just gonna watch."
His final arrow curved to hit one ronin's gear.
"Th-this psycho!"
They'd expected an easy win, but now they ground their teeth.
"No mercy!"
"Overwhelm with numbers!"
They spam-fired Mana Arrows recklessly.
First ones were aimed; now pure barrage.
Bad for scores, even disqualification risk.
'But I excel at numbers.'
Jeon spread his hands, alternating arrows from each, firing rapidly.
Despite three opponents, Jeon outpaced them.
"Wh-what is this?"
Not just quantity: each arrow ricocheted, equaling two of theirs.
"Uh, uhhh!"
"S-something's wrong...!"
Their spam met masterful dodges; they'd picked the wrong target.
Too late.
Jeon overwhelmed them solo.
Panic messed their coordination.
Balance shattered; arrows hammered their gear nonstop.
"Agh! Wait!"
"Sorry! Our bad! Forgive us!"
Too late to beg.
While others traded points, theirs were double digits.
"F-fuck!"
The boss gritted teeth, casting anyway.
"Hm?"
Not 1st Circle: 2nd Circle.
Despite warnings, rage blinded him.
Failure inevitable; Jeon to blame.
"Die!"
Dark intent: 2nd Circle freeze 'Ice Arrow'.
Unlike mana bolt, it froze on hit, causing severe frostbite.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
A supervisor moved to intervene.
But Jeon was faster.
"Crossing the line."
Whirr!
He crossed his firing Mana Arrows.
Over ten collided, veering into the Ice Arrow.
Crack! Crack!
The 2nd Circle held, unscathed.
Jeon never planned to block fully.
'Send it back.'
Side hits nudged it gradually.
It reversed toward the caster.
"Wha!?"
Crack!
It struck his feet, freezing them solid with the floor.
As he squirmed,
"Heh, well now."
Colin, who'd moved to stop it, chuckled in disbelief.
Blocking 2nd with 1st was impressive enough.
Not reducing power, but redirecting intact.
'Even I couldn't do that.'
Godly technique beyond his 20 years.
Overwhelming, even among recent participants.
'Want to scout him now.'
Pass was certain.
He suppressed the urge, turning to the frozen ronin.
"Hey, number 34."
"Y-yes?"
"You're disqualified."
"B-but...!"
"Permanently. No more exams here. You and the other two who attacked 121 are banned."
"N-no way...!"
Their spam had sealed it; 2nd Circle crossed the line hard.
"P-please! Just once! I staked everything on this! Please...!"
"If you staked your life, you'd have trained instead of cheating."
Colin grabbed his collar, dragging him out.
The others followed via nearby supervisors.
'Knew they'd go too far.'
Jeon nodded knowingly.
His third test was effectively over.
No one dared touch him after that display.
The hourglass emptied and vanished while he idled.
"Third test ends. Fourth and final test here, no move."
Guidance for the last test began.
"First, welcome the special supervisor for the fourth test."
No details yet, but introducing first.
Jeon turned to the entrance, curious.
And there...
"...Ralph?"
The mage who'd helped with his registration.