Chapter 80

Chapter 80

New Student Class Assignment Test (4)

Joseph Whitepeltz, the youngest researcher to receive a position at the Tog Magic Association supported by the Hwangseong Group.

Although talented enough not to need basic magic education all the way in Sylvania, his choice to come for a diploma shows just how pragmatic he is.

Hes conducting magic research only because its profitablenot because theres any scholarly nobility in it.

Joseph is the younger brother of Dorothy Whitepeltz, the top-ranking student in the Alchemy Department among the prospective fourth-year students.

Unlike his pitiable sister, he has a quiet and polite personality But conversely, the magic he researches is without exception bombastic.

Hes just a freshman, yet he knows how to handle intermediate magic, three to be exact.

The intermediate fire magic Point Explosion, the intermediate ice magic Ice Spear, and the intermediate earth magic Earth Shatter He is a mage that absolutely cannot be considered at a freshman level.

There is a reason he was the first to pass the trial of illusion magic.

Aiming for the top rank in the magic department is a reasonable goal, and if he could surpass Wade Callamore of the combat department, he could even aim for the top of his entire grade.

His head is covered with messy hair due to his nature of finding haircuts bothersome. He maintains a back-swept fringe with a thin hairband, but the back of his hair is close to being disheveled.

Go ahead, pass by.

The remnants of the explosion linger around the entrance to the altar. Anis looked down quietly below them.

The contest between mages is quick to conclude.

More than anything, when you become a mage of Josephs caliber, you can quickly estimate the level of your opponent. Its not even a contest to begin with.

Anis is a chief teaching assistant and could even be called a specialist in practical and academic fields But her skill in combat magic is only slightly above average for prospective third-year students.

Certainly not a level that regular freshmen could contend with. Its just that Joseph is extraordinary.

Theres no need to feel so resentful. That name of yours

Anis Haylan.

Yes, Senior Anis.

With a polite voice, Joseph picked up the magic stone. Beyond Anis, the large altars pillar was visible. All he needed to do was to approach and offer the magic stone on the altar, and his test would be over.

Joseph felt the ordeal was anti-climactic. The time invested in the actual trial was less than the time spent on the trek up here.

You must surely have your own specialized field, Senior. Just because it wasnt suitable for combat, there must be a field that is uniquely yours, which I dare not compare to

Youre quite mistaken.

Anis cut off Josephs words, her head still lowered.

Yes, Im frustrated, but not in the way you think. Just like you said, Joseph, I have my specialized field.

Then

Dont pry into it, and if youre going to pass by, do it quickly? I have to save my energy as I must deal with students who will be coming up after you.

Joseph glanced up slightly, looking at Aniss expression. Indeed, it wasnt the face of someone who had been crushed by the disparity in ability.

Its true, as one becomes a senior in the third year, you have a certain tenacity. Joseph shook his head and passed by Anis nonchalantly.

After Joseph left, Anis slowly sat down on a nearby rock.

Then she wiped her eyes thoroughly.

It was indubitably humiliating. However, her vexation was subtly different from what Joseph pointed out.

The foundation that allowed Anis to endure the lengthy and wintery academic life was the perfection in her work.

She never spoiled her tasks due to trivial and petty mistakes. She had been able to affirm herself incessantly amidst the grueling academic life because she lived every aspect of it cleanly and perfectly.

The reason for Aniss frustration was due to her incompetence.

She damaged a magic engineering device, panicked at an uncommon mistake without saying anything, failed to present any alternatives, and in the end, she didnt even manage to block the entrance to the north altar.

Her perfectionism had become a double-edged sword, stabbing her own heart with an icy blade.

Always pretending to be flawless, perfect, and without gaps, but to slip up at a crucial moment was the pathetic state of being Anis found herself in.

The realization that she was still far from perfection despite fiercely struggling for it was frustrating.

Anis sat on the rock, sniffling, and looked up toward the altar at the summit.

A blond boy would be guarding the final altar. Anis, who rarely made mistakes, caused all sorts of major accidents, but still, she tried to address everything with quick thinking.

One would expect anger, but instead, she tried to lead the conversation in a constructive direction.

She was struck by the thought of that face.

Her heart was clueless.

Anis sat at the entrance to the altar, quietly soothing her own chest.

*

The first visitor.

Entering the altar, Joseph exhaled deeply. As expected, the test wasnt over yet.

There was a boy sitting on the altar.

The boys noble-like appearance, with his short dazzling blond forelocks rounded up, left no doubt of his aristocratic lineage. His sharp eyes were staring directly at Joseph, but the way he sat casually on the altar also looked quite relaxed.

And I hope you would be the last visitor.

The test procedure is straightforward, which is nice.

Joseph quickly assessed the surroundings.

About half a dozen magic engineering devices lay scattered around the altar. They appeared to be improved versions of the illusion discs he had seen on the way up.

However, the parts were strewn all over as if someone had hastily tinkered with them. These high-quality devices couldnt be fixed easily. If its beyond simple function adjustment, theyre so sophisticated that one couldnt even attempt to meddle with them without considerable magic engineering knowledge.

Furthermore, several trees grown near the altar bore marks of being cut, and a fairly large leather pouch was placed on the altar.

The pouch seemed to contain magic stones, judging by the energy it emitted. He didnt expect such valuable items to be piled up like that.

One possible inference was that the entire battle scene had already been adjusted by that boy.

Carelessness was forbidden.

You know the content of the test, right? All you need to do is offer those magic stones you brought to the altar. But of course, I wont be standing by idly.

Indeed, the test method is curious

Joseph stroked his chin and pondered before speaking out.

If I manage to overpower you, Senior, and succeed in offering the magic stones who will the students following me have the test with?

Well, thats not for you to worry about.

That is true. I suppose all alternatives will already be arranged.

Saying so, Joseph focused his eyes on the situation in front of him.

He did not know the blond boys name. However, through the color of the badge and his uniform, he deduced, just as Anis whom he had faced on his way up, that the boy was a member of the magic department.

As mentioned before, a mage can quickly evaluate each others capacity. Although its not 100% accurate, a rough estimate can still be made.

Joseph did not feel any overwhelming magic power emanating from Ed. Instead, Ed was relying on the power of the magic stones on the altar.

If relying on magic stones were enough to overpower any strong mage, then who would work hard to study magic?

Magic is just fuel after all. No matter how much power one could grasp at the moment, if ones inherent magical power is low, it means that the level of magic that person can handle is exceptionally low.

A persons total magical power level is bound to increase to some extent as they train in magic.

The majority of the magical power that Joseph felt from the blond boy depended on the magic stones, with almost none of it being his innate power.

That means he had hardly trained in magic at all.

Despite being in the magic department.

Its a little pitiful to face such an opponent Joseph sighed deeply. Still, he couldnt take his senior lightly. It would be best to use intermediate magic and wrap up quickly.

Hes starting to feel hungry. Lets finish this quickly and go buy a sandwich.

With that thought, Joseph raised his palm in midair.

After a brief moment of concentration, he clenched his fist and stared in the direction of the blond boy.

Intermediate fire magic Point Explosion.

Of the various spells in combat magic studies, its a notorious spell for being unforgivable if unknown.

The casting itself isnt quick, and it requires quite a bit of focus, but once the casting is successful, its almost impossible to deal with.

Because it can cause a sudden explosion of magical power at a desired point that the caster can handle, to counter Point Explosion, one must move in advance.

This slight hand gesture alone allows the opponent to perceive the intent, read the flow of magic, and perform a series of evasion maneuvers to escape the blast zone at the set point.

The weight of the two words, real combat, hangs heavily on Joseph, who learned battle magic only in the safety of the Magic Societys laboratories, following the textbook and practice sparring.

There are no safety measures. No judges to score and decide the victor and the loser. Because this is not a duel.

Anyone could see that the exchanges between Ed and Joseph were actual combat itself.

The opponent doesnt simply challenge with pure magic in a formal manner.

They use every cunning trick and dirty stratagem with the sole purpose of overpowering their opponent.

Dont lose focus! Keep thinking!

Next, its uncertain what move the opponent will make. The stage is one where there is no such thing as cheating; anything goes.

To earn the title of Class A, one must be able to adapt like this. Reminded of that fact, Joseph took a steady breath.

Even so, theres no way his basic magic casting speed can exceed mine. That must be a magic circle etched in advance or a magic array bestowed Its a compression of the magic casting process!

Joseph started to think fast. His brilliant mind was no joke.

Considering that he had pierced through the flames bodily, it was strange. He didnt seem to be equipped with flame-resistant gear.

Josephs vast magical knowledge pointed to one place

Spirit art..!

Joseph returned to a defensive stance. Ed too did not immediately move.

A lull in the battle.

Contracted spirits often grant their contractors perpetual magic, which they usually call blessings.

The Blessing of Fire Cloak is a common grant from lesser fire spirits. It temporarily increases ones resistance to flames, a perpetual magic that seemed most likely.

Moreover, it explained how Ed had set off an explosive spell faster than Joseph.

Its not a magic array its a spirit array!

Whether it be the magics being manipulated, the equipment, or the strategy, all were crafted to strike at the opponents weakness and overcome the enemy.

The blond noble with half-burnt clothes, staring down coldly at Joseph, could not be strictly defined as a mage; he simply used magic.

Just a human well-versed in combat itself, making up for any gap in specs with tricks utterly focused on practical experience.

Joseph wasnt exceptionally sensitive to spirits, but when focused, he could vaguely see the outlines of lower spirits.

Concentrating his magic on his brows and looking intently, he finally spotted the figure of a flame bat floating behind Ed.

He has been cunningly mixing fire magic to hide the use of spirit arts!

On reflection, there must be more than just that hidden chess piece.

The surroundings.

Severed branches, magical engineering equipment rolling on the floor Joseph notices these. Theres also a high likelihood hes concealing something technical.

Can he respond to everything? Joseph was realistic he swiftly shook his head and revised his strategy.

I admit defeat. Here, I return the mana stone to you.

Saying that, Joseph slid the mana stone on the ground.

Eds gaze was drawn momentarily to the stone. It was a quick-witted move by Joseph.

Surely he couldnt ignore the stone from that distance, given that Eds goal was to take it.

During the brief moment Ed was distracted, Joseph conjured Ice Spear with unmatched casting speed.

Quick casting reduces the magics power. However, it doesnt matter. Its just a second decoy to attract Eds attention. Ed would surely anticipate this far.

To win in actual combat, one must strike at the opponents vulnerabilities.

Joseph was a pure mage who studied magical arts in a secluded room. And now, pushed to the corners corner, Joseph leaped with the Ice Spear.

Uaaaaaaaa!

His trembling fist ripped through the air towards Eds jaw. Distracted by the Ice Spear, Ed quickly ducked, and Josephs straight punch landed squarely on his cheek.

-Thump!

Eds head snapped to the side.

But that was all.

It was obvious considering their weight difference he neither crumbled nor was thrown. Just the head turned.

Even Ed had probably not expected Joseph, who spent a lifetime studying magic, to resort to punching in such desperation.

With the punch still lodged, Eds head swung back upright, the chilly gaze intact.

They were at point-blank range. A punch could instantly make contact.

Joseph gulped down air as if it were his last. His last shreds of pride held back tears.

As Ed raised his hand to grab Josephs wrist, a wind from an unknown origin swept through.

-Wooosh!

It wasnt magic Ed had conjured. Rather, the perpetual magic usually protecting Eds body the so-called blessing of the spirit.

Theres no rule saying one can only contract with a single spirit. Obviously. Joseph was propelled by the mystic wind, crashing into a corner of the clearing.

Cough! Heugh!

And he barely managed to draw breath once more. The dilation of his pupils was at its limit.

If Ed himself hadnt consciously activated it, then it must indeed be a spirits blessing.

Joseph knew all about spirit blessings.

Once in a while, when an unexpected hit comes in, the magic that sweeps the enemy away with wind to subdue them Blessing of the Tempest.

The response was slow, probably because the contract was recent. But it had certainly activated.

The spirit providing that blessing is, to Josephs knowledge, unique.

Joseph trembled as he looked at the top of the altar stele.

Considering the wind that had earlier blown away Josephs flames wasnt conjured by Ed himself, but rather originated from the high steles peak

Joseph couldnt see it with his sensitivity, but something was undoubtedly there, embracing the giant stele, sitting astride. If Josephs predictions were correct, then

What else, and how much more, had been concealed?

Did that mean until now, it had only been a light skirmish? Because there were many more freshmen to face?

-If I manage to overcome you, senior, and present the mana stone With whom will the following students test themselves?

How arrogant had he been, tossing those thoughtless words around?

-Swish.

Ed, who had drawn his dagger, stood upright once more. Joseph nearly felt like glints of light poured from Eds unsteady gaze.

Startled, Joseph shouted.

I truly admit defeat!

And then, he rapidly conjured the Point Burst spell to destroy his own mana stone lying on the ground.

It was the simplest declaration of surrender.

After a moment observing the shattered mana stone, now just debris, Ed relaxed his shoulders.

A moment of silence.

Right, you did well.

Ed, as if implying the entire battle was nothing much, put away the dagger. Joseph stood in shock.

You made an excellent decision at the end. A decent one, indeed. You got me. Now go.

With that, he dusted off his scorched uniform and sat down again on the altar.

Joseph slowly got up from his place and opened his mouth quietly.

Senior. What is your name, please?

Ed Rothtaylor.

Ed dusted off his sleeve and quietly sat on the altar, waiting for the next challenger.

Looking at Ed sitting on the altar just as he did when Joseph first entered, he couldnt help but click his tongue in astonishment.

One thing was certain.

That man hadnt even used half of what he was capable of yet.