Chapter 174 - The Era of the New Generation

A magical circle appeared underneath, sending the whole place with blue light. That blue light accompanied a cold breeze. The magical circle enveloped their body, like thorny, thin vines of light crawling their way towards their feet—climbing upwards to their body. Faustina closed her eyes as she succ.u.mbs into the magic.

The exam was over…

Now it begins.

**

The students were transported back into the magic academy, Magierstadt. And the moment they were teleported back, their wounds, bruises, and even the ruffles on their clothes—began to disappear. Their mana was being replenished as well. At that moment, everything felt surreal. Faustina had seen how the nerves that protruded in her arm had disappeared slowly as thorny vines of light enveloped her entire body.

The academe was enveloped with fireflies illuminating the entire hall. Of course, there are still lamps lighting up the grounds—but the firefly made the place look like a scenery out of a fairy tale. The fireflies drowned the academy with warm light. Faustina glanced at the large, arched windows. It was still nighttime. Faustina was almost certain that it should have been dawn, at least. Considering the time she and the examinees had spent into the dungeon…

But then again, their wounds had healed and even their clothes were smoothed out like nothing happened. Faustina felt her body going light and the pain that was drilling over her was gone in an instant as if it wasn't there in the first place. She glanced towards the students who were chattering and making small talks.

"Our wounds heal… our mana's replenished… how's that possible?"

"Even my ripped clothes had gone back to its original state…"

Faustina wondered why the academy required them to buy uniforms when they were just examinees. Orwell simply gave her the reason that 'Magierstadt is Magierstadt' but then Faustina knew it just wasn't the case.

And the teachers came to prove that. 

Coming into the entrance hall was a girl who was eating a lollipop. She had a large witch hat in her head and had worn a black coat that had medals of honor on her chest. The robe was trimmed above her knee and was customized to resemble shorts. Her long hair—almost reaching her ankles—was tied into a ponytail. The girl bit her lollipop as she stood by the mezzanine. 

Beside her was a familiar face—a woman with a stern look and measured gaze.

The child-like moderator, Professor Yushalem, and the strict instructor, Professor Yoan!

"Ahem~" Professor Yushalem faked a cough, calling upon the attention of the examinees. All the chatters died down as they raised their head towards the two professors, who were on top of the mezzanine. 

"What can I say except 'congratulations'?" Professor Yusha started. "You, the chosen ones, passed the exam that many had failed to even take!"

Faustina stared at Professor Yusha, who had now licked her lollipop before she had spoken again.

"I mean~ that's worth celebrating over, right?" She asked, and then laughed at her own question. Faustina and the other examinees shared glances, unsure of what to react.

"It seems the rumors are true,"

Faustina blinked. 

"Leviticus?"

Leviticus had appeared beside her now. He only grinned. Faustina's eyes darted towards his earrings, which had gleamed from the passing firefly. 

"There is indeed a child prodigy that is teaching in Magierstadt."

Faustina nodded and then turned to Professor Yusha who was giving quite a childish speech. Professor Yoan, who was beside her, had closed her eyes as if to meditate.

"…and that is all~ thank you!" Professor Yusha then bowed slightly, and then backed away. As if on cue, Professor Yoan moved forward towards them and then placed her hand onto the railings of the mezzanine.

"Students." She exclaimed. "That is what you shall call yourselves now."

Faustina stared at the stern-looking professor, who managed to conjure a small smile. The curve on her lips was barely perceptible, but it still was there.

"You have survived the perils that the tasks had brought upon all of you."

Faustina stared at each of the students, who were all doing the same. For some reason, she had the urge to reminisce. 

All of them had reached this far.

"You, who hold a warlock's staff…" The undead maid closed her eyes. "Belongs to a different place."

"W-we…"

"We defeated… we defeated the undead king!!!!!!"

"We won!"

"WE PASSED THE EXAM!!!"

**

"Rest your soul, and do not wake. Warlock king, my love, only close your eyes. Your wrath does not belong in this accursed land. Fall into a deep slumber and pay no heed. I will treasure your heart for all eternity."

The woman lifted her gaze, and then met Faustina's eyes. She was the only light amid the darkness, like a luminous firefly in the middle of obscurity.

"Dawn will rise. My song will not reach him. I shall treasure his heart, but will I be able to contain it?"

Faustina blinked. The maid's words weren't part of a song—they were a question… a question directed to her? Faustina doesn't know for sure—but the maid was only looking at her. 

"Prepare to attack," Claire murmured as she glanced sideways to the nobles. 

"May dawn never come." Says the woman. "I will pray for your eternal rest."

**

"How does it feel?" He asked. 

Faustina lifted her head, confused whether he was worried or… he was mocking her. Anakin's eyes were looking down at Faustina with contempt, rage, taunt, and hate. Faustina felt her heartbeat speed up from the dark emotions she had seen in his eyes.

"You're admired by everybody because you're a Feuerlon, and you're the famous mage Lucas' younger sister," Anakin exclaimed. "But I can see through you, Miss Faustina."

Faustina felt a white silence piercing through her ears as she listens to the words Anakin spats. Did he know…? Did he see right through the glamour?

"You're a talentless fraud on the inside," Anakin sharply exalted. "Even if you cover your ineptitude with your cute face and that innocent act, you still cannot fully hide what you are."

Faustina lowered her gaze as her shoulders trembled. Anakin observed her, and he received sadistic joy from it. Anakin sn.a.k.e.d his fingers to Faustina's chin and leveled his head onto her. 

But then, instead of receiving the sadistic impulse Anakin so enjoyed, he felt something different as Faustina's chocolate-brown eyes stared back at him with fierce determination.

"Even so… even if that's the case," Faustina said, with her face brightening up as Anakin slowly drew away from her. 

"Even if you call me a talentless fraud on the inside…" Faustina started. "I'm trying more than anyone… It's true that I'm inept, but that doesn't mean I'm not trying to improve. It's true that I'm lacking in all areas and there might not be potential in me… But even so!"

"Even so… I'll do my best to be the best mage there could be. The best mage that is worthy of standing beside Eulalia Fortunatorum…" Faustina bit her lips.

**

"Faustina!!!"

And then, before Faustina's eyes, was an earth spell. Blocking the fist of the golem was a barrier made from the ground, enclosing Faustina away from harm. 

"Michelle, now!"

"Yes! Alliges duplica terram! Ground bind!!!" A girl's voice chanted, making the ground from below wrap around the golem.

"Ingurgito terram! Ground engulf!" The ground that bound the golem began to pull the golem back to the earth itself, pulling it down to the terra as it howled in silent pain. 

"Your earth spells are indeed amazing, Michelle,"

"Th-thank you! It was nothing, really. Hehe!"

Faustina slowly opened her eyes as she heard footsteps nearing to her. And then, that's when she saw him . . . and them.

A hand was extended to her, waiting to be accepted—along with many other familiar faces just behind him.

"Are you alright," he said with a slight grin. "Faustina?"

**

"That's the Fountain of Wishes," says Orwell. "It's rumored to be a granter of only one wish. Many freshmen dump some coins in that and wish to pass as a sort of passage."

"Did you wish to the fountain, Lord Orwell?"

"Well, when I was a student-to-be, I wished to pass," says Orwell. "And I did!"

"Wow! Then it does grant wishes?" Asks Maddie with her eyes sparkling.

"Unfortunately, if it did really grant wishes, Ianua I should have been chockfull of students from the moment it was built," says Orwell. "It's not enchanted, but there's no risk in trying to wish. Even Lucas did it and he was fortunate enough to be on Ianua I. Oh, also you can wish when you graduate, so you have an option."

The three of them walked near to the fountain. Faustina sees her reflection on the water looking back at her. She also sees several coins on the fountain.

"Anyway, Faustina," Orwell exclaims. "This is how far we can go. The exams are starting soon."

Orwell messed Faustina's hair with a smile in his face. "But I will be returning at a few days' time to inquire about the things we need to investigate."

"M'lady!"

Faustina blinked several times as Maddie wrapped her arms around her.

"Oh—where are my manners," Maddie then parted away and sniffled.

Faustina smiles and hugged Maddie.

Orwell smiles as he sees the two ladies embracing each other. Faustina met his eyes, and he just smiled and ruffled her hair again.

"Please be careful, M'lady," says Maddie. "Don't strain yourself too much! The duchess said you can give up when you can't do it anymore!"

Faustina smiles. "I'll be alright, Maddie."

[Magierstadt's gates are closing. I repeat. Magierstadt's gates are closing.]

"The doors will open soon," Orwell exclaims, patting Faustina's head. "Maddie, go on ahead. I will say discuss a few things with Faustina,"

Although hesitant, Maddie nodded as she sniffled. She then turned to the opened gates and joined the others who were leaving.

"Orwell?" Faustina tilted her head.

"Be careful out there," Orwell utters, and then leaned gently, kissing Faustina's forehead.

He drew away with a smile. "There."

"Wh-what . . . was that?" Faustina asks, her face a deep red.

"A protection mark," says Orwell. "It's my own spell. A good luck spell."

Faustina blushed. "I-I see."

"Do your best," Orwell said. "And don't just stand there! The doors are opened. You have a mission!"

Faustina nodded. "Yes!" and then scurried off to the large, opened doors of the academy.

"Your mission!" Orwell shouts, "is to learn!"

**

Professor Yoan thumped her staff to the floor, ending her speech. Faustina took a deep breath, and clenching her fist, she welcomed the light of the new path ahead of her.

"Students…" Professor Yoan exclaimed. "You are the era of the new generation!"