Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: The Mages of the Northern Forest (1)
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The hand gripping the staff was pale, almost ghostly white.
It seemed fiercely torn between tilting the staff down to the left or raising it up to the right.
The longer the deliberation dragged on, the more the magical line failed to form the shape of a vase, curving instead. From a spectator's view, it was nothing short of heartbreaking.
"That's enough. Stop there."
Professor Sylvia's firm voice halted Randy's agonizing debate.
Randy sullenly lowered his staff and trudged back to his seat.
In the ensuing silence, the four mages and the professor scratched away on their papers, evaluating Randy's spell.
The stage stood empty, late winter's chill air seeping into the classroom. A window must have been left open somewhere.
The thirteen second-year magic students, all fifteen years old, wore identical expressions, holding their breath in tense anticipation of whose name would be called next.
This was the final exam of the semester—the most heavily weighted and challenging practical magic course. No one could afford to fail it.
"Next, Rikel."
"...Yes."
Rikel climbed onto the stage, his face rigid with tension.
He seemed skilled enough not to be nervous, yet even he was shaking so badly his staff rattled.
Rikel drew a deep breath and cautiously began the test.
The content was within everyone's expectations.
Create a distinct magical line and manipulate it to form a three-dimensional shape in midair.
This time, it was a vase with a cinched waist.
From drawing the line to perceiving space and constructing the 3D figure, it all tested mana control and focus.
Rikel completed the vase's base with his trembling staff.
It was far faster and cleaner than anyone before him.
I watched Rikel's vase take shape with keen interest.
In my eyes, lines other than the magical one extended out, holding the vase in place.
It was... cheating.
This test allowed only the line-drawing spell.
Auxiliary incantations to set positions or fix shapes were forbidden.
Yet Rikel had sneaked one in to stabilize the vase's form.
Impressive skill, but still not easy.
"Stop."
Before the vase was even finished, Professor Sylvia halted him.
Her eyes sharpened behind her glasses. She'd clearly spotted the cheat.
"Clever trick, Rikel. But exams must be fair. Retake it after everyone else finishes."
Rikel gaped in shock, too flustered to respond. The other students murmured in confusion.
I clicked my tongue. Trying to fool Professor Sylvia?
From what I'd seen, she wasn't one to fall for petty sleight of hand.
"Quiet, everyone."
The murmurs persisted until Rikel slumped back to his seat, then Professor Barton calmed the class.
"As Professor Sylvia said, exams must be fair. Don't even think about cheating. It'll be spotted in an instant."
Randy and Kalt, seated beside him, leaned in to ask what he'd done.
I tilted my body to eavesdrop, but Rikel only groaned miserably.
Retakes for cheating started with penalties.
What a shame. With proper practice, no cheats needed, he could've scored well.
"Next, Liberic."
Finally, my turn.
"Yes."
I didn't forget to grab the black staff from my desk. A twelfth birthday gift prepared by Luwen and delivered by Airan.
Standing on stage, I gave a light bow to the four proctoring professors.
The students and professors watched me with expectant eyes—except for Professor Sylvia, who fixed me with a piercing glare.
Come to think of it, she'd done the same at the entrance exam.
I raised my staff. A slender golden line shimmered at its tip.
The golden line drew all eyes as it stretched into the air, slowly tracing a circle.
Three years ago, at the knight academy's entrance exam practical magic test, I'd first met Professor Sylvia.
She was a young, capable mage handling the practical magic course.
I knew little about her, yet the professors—even my classmates—knew all about me.
Son of the Blue Guard Knight, academy representative. Disciple of "Sage" Claus and Althur Tower's chief mage, Luwen.
Professor Sylvia seemed deeply displeased by that.
"With such esteemed teachers, why apply to the knight academy's magic department?"
Her sharp question flew at me, standing center stage for the entrance exam.
Everything taught in magic class, Luwen could cover. The rest, Claus handled.
Rumors even swirled that I was researching Troyan imperial magic with them, making her even more irked.
The golden mana line now began outlining the vase.
I moved slowly, meticulously.
Focus.
Each mana movement required calculating points and adjusting incantations accordingly.
If I didn't take this exam with kingdom magic, Professor Sylvia would notice for sure.
When I'd first told Father I wanted to attend the knight academy, he'd opposed it for the same reason.
With two masters already, why go there?
He was purely thrilled my health had recovered enough to attempt the exam, but worried about everything else.
The label that would follow me, the grueling studies even for normals, the tough graduation exams.
I'd said there were things only the knight academy offered, but convincing him wasn't easy.
In the end, only after Luwen and Mother intervened did Father reluctantly approve my exam attempt.
The entrance exam was no walk in the park.
Everywhere as the Blue Guard Knight's son, eyes on me. Proctors were strict and nitpicky.
Luckily, special admissions lowered the bar for physical and sword tests, though magic pass rates were sky-high.
Thanks to Shuren and Wedin's special training, I barely passed those.
Then the high-threshold magic intro and practicals.
Intro went well, thanks to Luwen. But practical? Professor Sylvia's eyes had gleamed predatorily.
"Hold on."
I inhaled sharply, gripping the staff tight. Nearly ruined everything in surprise.
Professor Sylvia adjusted her glasses, scrutinizing the floating vase. Utterly elegant, perfect. Even beautiful.
Other students and professors watched her tensely, awaiting her verdict.
"...Continue."
Only after a long moment could I resume. She'd found no flaws, thankfully.
I'd given it my all, after all.
Professor Sylvia had permitted my enrollment on the condition of using only kingdom magic in class.
Not rejecting imperial magic outright, but for fairness to others.
I'd promised, and hadn't used imperial magic once in school.
No easy feat.
Like relearning to breathe.
Without Luwen's basics, my kingdom incantations would've been sloppy, and I'd have instinctively patched with imperial—Professor Sylvia's keen eye would've caught it instantly.
I exhaled briefly and neatly connected the vase's rim.
Professor Barton reflexively clapped, then sheepishly stopped under Sylvia's glare.
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Well done. You may return to your seat."
I bowed lightly to the professors and headed back.
Elias, beside me, grinned and offered a hand. I slapped it lightly.
The exam continued.
Elika was quick but sloppy at the end; Owen was too meticulous, exhausting his mana.
Last up, Lunis shook from nerves; the professor mercifully allowed a later retake.
Exams over, professors gone—students erupted in cheers.
The weeklong semester finals were done. A month-long break next week.
Not total leisure, but far more free time than regular term.
"Liberic, heading to central Arton? Come with?"
As I packed books into my bag, Elias and Randy approached. Probably to prowl the crowded shopping district.
"Can't today. Got somewhere to be."
"Ah, tower day, right?"
Elias nailed it. I nodded.
"Ugh, hate it. Exams just ended, and you're off to study more."
"No choice. Playtime later."
I slung my bag over my shoulder, waved to my friends, and stepped into the hall.
Descending to the main entrance, a familiar face shuffled from the left corridor.
Light brown hair a mess, uniform loose—Wedin.
"Yo."
He spotted me and lazily raised a hand. I chuckled and waved back.
"Heard practicals are at the medical center today?"
"Done ages ago."
"No wonder you look soul-drained."
He aimed a kick with a grunt; I sidestepped leisurely.
Holy magic major Wedin had more hands-on lately, frequenting the medical center.
Treating real patients daily drained him with constant holy spells.
"Then why come to school?"
"Grabbing stuff before break. Might not return for a while."
Huh. I blinked in surprise.
"That's decided?"
"Professor Grain said yes if I want, but still thinking."
"Hmm... I see."
His words sank in deep.
We exited the entrance, crossed the grounds to the main gate.
"What do you think? Should I go?"
"Of course. Why even hesitate on that?"
I expected another wild kick, but he pondered with a hum.
What's eating him so much?
I got it somewhat, but if I were him, I wouldn't waver long.
"Better chance than this? Break starts next week—plenty of time. Lesion Kingdom, right? White Guard escort means no risks.
And... if you go with her, Clemence'll feel safer."
"Sigh... Maybe."
Wedin sighed deeply, uncharacteristically. I grinned and clapped his shoulder.
"I'll rest easier if you go. Beats my break plans for excitement, no?"
"Not exactly my goal. Gotta talk to Clemence anyway. Tonight?"
"Yeah. Come to my place."
"Sure."
We parted at the school gate.
Wedin shuffled toward the medical center, steps heavy with lingering doubt.