Performance Test (1)
A long wait. It was something that astonished even her master, who spent nearly all her time with her.
The pointed hat rustled.
Was this really her disciple?
With a sigh, it said,
"Do you know the feeling of disappointment?"
"……."
The master's question. But no answer came, not from her lips nor her mind.
Jessie Haynes's gaze was fixed on her smartphone screen. More precisely, on the man in the video.
Her master, the pointed hat, sighed once more.
"This must be what they call 'reality check' in this world's tongue...!"
The pointed hat, infused with the wisdom of a grand archmage—practically her master's alter ego—was putting on quite the dramatic display.
All because of the man in the video: Hoyeol. The one who had changed her one and only disciple.
It was certainly astonishing. The video alone proved it.
An adventurer who wielded magic with effortless freedom. No trace of the rigid casting typical of adventurers.
That alone was enough to captivate her disciple, who had harbored doubts about magic.
"……How did he understand it so perfectly?"
And yet that wasn't all. He had suddenly appeared at the regular conference.
Pointing out the flaws in Senior Mage Marcelo's presentation. Even replicating his magic on the spot.
Exploration, interference, manifestation. It meant he had perfectly grasped concepts of magic that even her own disciple struggled to accept.
Of course, the hat kept that sentiment to itself.
Whatever the reason, Jessie had finally shed her doubts about magic.
That was what chafed her master. I preached endlessly, but she wouldn't believe me. How does one man change her mind in an instant?
Of course, it was a joke. Not because he was a man, but because he was an adventurer like them.
An adventurer who perfectly understood magic's concepts. That had allowed Jessie to shatter her prejudices.
I can tell at a glance. That sharp gaze, that arrogant tone. Definitely. He's a heartless bastard. He'll surely make women suffer...
Clack—
A sudden sound. The pointed hat, mid-gossip, flinched.
And now.
"Whoa! I'm so jealous! Grand Mage Hoyeol!"
Exclamation marks spun in Jessie's eyes.
Jessie was in the midst of her mage class quest. She'd naturally toured the research labs of mages while frequenting the Mage Tower.
"Way better than the senior mages' labs!"
But even she had only accessed the lower floors of the Mage Tower—the apprentice and senior mages' labs.
So her awe at Hoyeol's lab was hardly surprising.
"Sit and wait a moment."
"Ah, yes! I'll wait!"
"Regrettably, I have no tea to offer."
"……Tea?"
"Rocket delivery doesn't reach the Mage Tower."
……What kind of tea? Americano? Black tea? Rocket delivery? Was rocket delivery some new spell?
Curiosity bubbled up, but Jessie held it back.
Thoughtful questions only...!
She couldn't waste her question on something trivial.
Jessie sat at the reception table, waiting for Hoyeol.
Staring outright might be rude, right?
Glance—Jessie slyly rolled her eyes from under the pointed hat.
Scribble-scribble—Hoyeol grabbed a quill pen the moment he sat at his desk and began scrawling on parchment.
Jessie startled.
Starting research right after returning?
Was she intruding?
But he told me to wait...!
Swallowing her concern for propriety, she sat quietly.
Lest she disturb him, she now avoided even looking his way.
But.
"?"
……It was awfully quiet.
From some point on. Even the quill's scratching had stopped.
She'd waited quite a while, it seemed.
Glance—Hoyeol was frozen in place.
Back straight against the chair. Chin, neck, and arms in perfect balance.
Yes, his posture unchanged from before.
"!"
His eyelids were closed.
In a posture so rigid it looked uncomfortable. She'd never imagined he was asleep.
At most, meditating, perhaps?
But focusing, she heard his breathing.
……Yes, Hoyeol was asleep.
In perfect posture, without a hint of slouch.
Guess it's not happening today.
Jessie rose carefully from her chair.
She started to slip out but paused before the desk where Hoyeol slept.
Glance—she looked at his face.
The sleeping Hoyeol was refreshingly novel.
Shake-shake—But only for a moment, she shook her head.
……This is improper!
Good thing he didn't notice!
Softly—Jessie closed the lab door and finally exhaled deeply.
Whispering to the pointed hat, her master.
"Heartless? With that human touch."
……Did I doze off?
Opening my eyes, I was still in that posture.
I felt the strain anew.
All I'd done was add a spoon to a ready meal, yet I was so frail I couldn't even hold it.
……Wait.
Something felt missing. Like I'd blacked out on something...
Right. Jessie Haynes.
"Oh dear."
Jessie was gone from the lab.
I hadn't even noticed her leave. How deeply had I slept?
Checking the time: about five hours passed.
……Five hours in this uncomfortable pose?
And not a single cramp. This was decorum dominating my body.
Anyway, I'd let Jessie down.
Falling asleep after offering to answer her questions.
Not good.
Jessie Haynes. My relationship with her mattered more than with any other player.
What good came from making an enemy of a top ranker?
Beyond levels, she inspired me.
Precisely, her skills did.
Anyway, next time we meet, answer her as kindly as possible.
I can't stand owing debts, pride won't allow it.
"A pity there is no tea."
……Should stock some guest green tea bags.
Somewhere after the appraisal request, I'd nodded off.
At least I'd finished that much.
The parchment held the response.
"Understood. I will analyze in detail what magic tools can be crafted from the appraised items you requested, and whether they meet your requirements, then report back."
My requirements were simple. Above all, no level restrictions.
I needed usable magic tools or items now, even if effects were compromised.
Fortunately, defeating the Sin of Greed had shot me up 50 levels in one go.
I added a note to the response.
"Cost is no object."
……The worst line in haggling, no?
But to Grandfell—and the Mage Tower mages—wealth and glory meant nothing.
They wouldn't gouge fellow mages, even if they fleeced adventurers.
I shifted my gaze from the parchment.
To the towering stack of books on the desk's edge.
Magic tomes I'd demanded from Marcelo under the guise of research.
Opening the top one, unfamiliar terms still jumped out.
"Indeed."
More alien still was me understanding them.
No great effort needed.
Compared to the magic and concepts from the conference, these were childish.
Why need such low-level tomes? Simple: my foundation sucked.
In plain terms, a leaky bucket.
That was me.
Floating—a sphere of mana in the air.
Pure Mana Studies basic spell: Light.
A beginner's beginner skill to illuminate surroundings.
One of the first skills upon class-changing to mage.
Why learn this basic now—and as magic, not skill?
Simple: I'm not a mage. I'm a demon hunter.
Even the Mage Tower mages wouldn't dream I'm a demon hunter.
My class identity resurfaced.
But think positive.
Building basics.
Plugging the leaks.
Someone might say: entering beginner late is inefficient.
Natural doubt.
But that's for skills only.
Magic differs from skills.
Magic allows creative manifestation.
Like now.
Floating—dozens of mana spheres hovered.
Even basic spells were raw mana clumps.
Undergo exploration, interference, manifestation again...
Whoosh— they could become fireballs.
Crackle—electric orbs.
Whirl—even mini-storms.
Of course, within my mana limits.
Different attributes. Dozens manifested simultaneously?
……Mana drain was no joke!
Even with natural enemy active, couldn't use freely.
Realization anew: still so frail.
226 levels despite rapid gains—pitifully low, liable to sink under heavy pride.
Basics lacking here too.
No rest ahead.
Plugging leaks on both sides...
What if cramps from flailing?
As I pondered such worthless worries.
Knock-knock—
"?"
Someone at the door.
No need to ask who.
The quest window blinked.
Senior Mage Marcelo of the Mage Tower
wants to join you to reach a new dimension in magic.
📍 ─Accept Marcelo's proposal.(Success)
📍 ─Prove your ability.(In Progress)
● Convince a majority of senior mages.(0/20)
Right. It'd been too quiet.
Senior Mage. Even as the Mage Tower's powerhouse, not all mages accepted Marcelo's decisions.
Especially since I was a parachute drop-in.
Performance test for the parachute? Expected.
I said,
"Enter, Senior Mage Marcelo."
The door opened, and Marcelo entered.
Even gaunter than before.
He feigned surprise the moment he opened the door.
……The smell?
Fireballs had flickered in the air moments ago.
If burnt smell, understandable.
Burn the borrowed lab? Whether me or Marcelo paying...
Imagining compensation made me shudder already.
I swiftly changed topics.
"I know why you've come."
"……Ah, have you heard? My deepest apologies."
Marcelo looked genuinely sorry.
He caught his breath, then continued.
"It's all because of my position as senior mage. Senior mages ceaselessly demand proof of qualifications from the senior mage to claim the seat. This is the same. Due to my shortcomings...!"
I shook my head.
Not one to take apology from my parachute enabler.
"No. What they lack is faith, not you."
……A bit cringy, sure.
But I'm no ungrateful wretch.
Endless proof required? Underestimation demands proof. Overestimation, I make reality.
Familiar territory for Grandfell.
I rose with utmost calm.
Adding to Marcelo,
"Grow accustomed to it, Senior Mage Marcelo."
Marcelo froze for a moment.
Magic traces. Remnants of manifested spells.
Still drifting in the lab, they spoke of complex explorations and advanced interferences repeated here.
Reason he'd startled upon entering.
……Manifested magic of this level simultaneously?
Beyond mana fluctuations, an 'uncanny' grasp of magic.
But Marcelo didn't dwell.
No. What they lack is faith, not you.
He couldn't be one lacking faith himself.
Marcelo hurriedly followed Hoyeol.
"I'll guide you."
Never like this even announcing results.
For the first time, senior mages' reactions excited him.