“Didn’t you say last year that you only participated in the dungeon exploration?”
“…That is correct. Not just last year, but up until now, we’ve always had just one event.”
“Huh. Then what’s this about?”
Elaine had no answer as she looked at the content written on the bulletin board I was pointing at.
Well, Elaine didn’t pick the event, so there’s no way she could know.
“I… don’t really know either…”
Elaine lowered her head and fidgeted with the hilt of her sword.
For a moment, I thought she was about to draw it, so I flinched, but it seemed like it was just a habit of hers to touch the handle.
On the bulletin board at the first-floor of the freshmen lecture hall, a large announcement about the detailed schedule for the inter-grade competition was posted.
Elaine and I, representing the first-year students, rushed down as soon as we heard about the announcement to take a look.
”This year, the inter-grade competition will be divided into three categories.”
I just kind of went “oh, I see,” but Elaine read those words with a look of confusion like she couldn’t understand.
Apparently, this year’s inter-grade competition would feature three categories.
And the reasoning was pretty solid.
It’s difficult to assess all the qualities that an Academy student should possess through just a single category, so, starting this year, they plan to evaluate the representatives of each grade more objectively by breaking it down into finer details.
Here are the three tests announced:
1st Test: Theory.
A written exam aimed at ensuring that students, even if they aren’t wizards, have a basic understanding of magic and mana.
2nd Test: Application.
A test that assesses how well an individual can apply their abilities based on their mana in various situations.
Apparently, this year’s second test would also involve the ‘Academy custom-designed’ obstacle race.
And the 3rd Test: Combat.
Despite the grand title, it was essentially the same dungeon exploration as last year.
When I first saw the term “dungeon exploration,” I was kind of relieved, but this year’s competition was a lot more than just dungeon crawling.
Why did such a grueling schedule have to fall on me?
What bad luck!
“Phew. This could pass as an entrance exam, right?”
“Yeah, but the entrance exam was way easier, didn’t it?”
“That’s only because you, Ryu, handled it well. Hitting golems isn’t some walk in the park.”
“Hmm. I can’t quite relate, but sure.”
“Anyway, this with only four of us… it’s overwhelming.”
As Elaine massaged her forehead, looking stressed, another voice came from behind.
“Isn’t the competition event list out?”
“Oh, Supervisor… I mean, Cynthia. Can you take a look at this? Phew.”
“Hm?”
Cynthia approached cheerfully, but she quickly picked up on Elaine’s uneasiness. With a slightly worried expression, she calmly read the notice.
Seeing that Cynthia’s reaction was similar to Elaine’s, it was clear—this year was going to be something else.
“Oh, come on. It’s fine… right?”
“Fine? Do you know about the rumors going around about you?”
“What?!”
When I asked back as if hearing about it for the first time, Cynthia shook her head and kept talking.
I had known that people were interested in me because I entered at the top of the class, but I didn’t realize rumors were being spread. Nor had I paid any attention to such matters.
“One popular rumor is that you and the Academy professors conspired, even swaying the Chancellor, to secure top place.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you.”
“Me and the Chancellor? We don’t even get along!”
“What’re you saying? Anyway, I heard that some noble families demanded an official explanation from the Academy. Looks like this year’s inter-grade competition is the Academy’s response.”
“Hmm…”
Cynthia’s words started to paint a clearer picture.
Jealous nobles hating on a commoner who ranked top, conspiracy theories, and the Academy taking measures to test me in response.
‘So they’re trying to test me again, huh?’
Taking everything into account, it seems this year’s competition isn’t just an early event but something with a deeper purpose.
“So this is like a second entrance exam for me?”
“…It’s embarrassing, but yeah, something like that.”
“Aha! That’s why they picked these events!”
Elaine, who had been listening quietly, suddenly clapped her hands as if understanding something.
Now that I think about it, Elaine did mention earlier that it felt like an Academy entrance exam.
Back then, I laughed it off, but looking at it now, she had some great foresight.
“It’s not just your test. Anyway, since we’re also part of the representative group, we’re in this together.”
“That’s true, I guess… but I still don’t like it. They’ve already announced that there was no cheating involved, and if some noble had achieved top rank with the same score as you, Ryu, this wouldn’t have even happened.”
“That’s correct. Ryu’s skills are undeniable, but still…”
I wasn’t particularly phased, but for some reason, Cynthia and Elaine seemed pretty riled up on my behalf.
Not sure if that’s good or bad, but it felt solid to have their support.
Realizing that this competition wasn’t going to be just a fun event but rather a way to re-evaluate me under different circumstances gave me even more motivation.
I was already pumped about winning first place and acquiring skills suitable for the Wizard class, but now, I had another reason to give my all.
“Alright then, let’s all do our best! From what I’ve seen, I’m confident with the second and third tests. So the written test can be all yours, right?”
“Uh…”
“What?”
Just when Elaine and Cynthia were getting pumped and ready to fight, they hesitated when I clutched my fists and passed the buck to them.
Honestly, regarding the second test with the ‘obstacle run’ and the third test with the ‘dungeon exploration,’ even without a team, I could probably beat most of the second and third years on my own.
Sure, if I were a brand-new newbie in Arkaria, I’d probably have been stressed out, but I’m no longer green—I’ve grown into something more seasoned.
The only challenge for me was the first test, the written examination.
Even though it was labeled as basic knowledge of magic and mana, I knew it could give me a serious headache—it was that hard.
Frankly, I’d rather fight the other participants directly than deal with that kind of exam. It’s definitely not my style.
“So, why the hesitation? It’s just the basics of magic and mana, right?”
“Knights don’t have specific studies on the principles of magic.”
“But there’s something about basic mana knowledge, right?”
“Well… I do know a bit about mana manipulation, but I’m not exactly an expert…”
Elaine trailed off, then naturally glanced at Cynthia.
Cynthia, realizing both mine and Elaine’s gazes were on her, started waving her hands nervously.
“Well, us archers don’t study magic either! We’ve only got a basic understanding of mana, because, you know, we train physically to hone our skills with bows…”
“Knights also focus on physicality over theoretical stuff…”
“So… neither of you are confident about the theory portion?”
“So?” Cynthia finally asked, turning to Elaine. “Didn’t you say you wanted to learn magic properly?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you did. You said you wanted to learn magic seriously.”
‘Well, I did say that, but…’
Elaine hesitated briefly as her eyes shifted uncertainly, then turned her gaze toward me with a puzzled look.
Trying to avoid Elaine’s curious gaze, I quickly responded to Cynthia’s question.
“I said I wanted to learn it, not that I was any good at it.”
“…”
“Hey, hey. We’ve got a legitimate wizard in our team, right? Someone who looks super smart.”
“There is a wizard…”
“There! Emily will help with the theoretical part. Didn’t you hear her talk before? She seemed really well-versed with magical knowledge.”
“She did seem knowledgeable indeed…”
Cynthia was skeptical but Elaine nodded enthusiastically, her golden hair bouncing with her vigorous head movements.
Yes, we have Emily in our team—an absolute wizard bookworm!
It’s actually good timing. While Emily doesn’t seem like the battle type based on her behavior, I have a feeling she’ll ace the written exam better than anyone.
“Oh… hey, when did you get here?”
“Whaaat! Since when were you there?”
“I’ve been listening from a bit earlier…”
“Oh, okay.”
As they say, summon the tiger, and it appears. While we were talking about Emily, she somehow showed up like a ghost.
Before I could think about whether I had said anything unkind about her, Emily mumbled and began speaking.
Elaine looked at her with admiration in her eyes, while Cynthia, like me, seemed slightly apprehensive, likely wondering if they had said anything untoward earlier.
“Oh, Professor Amillion asked me to tell all competition participants to gather at the training ground… since you all happened to be here…”
“Phew…”
Seeing Cynthia exhale a sigh of relief, I had to hold back a laugh.
“Oh, I see. I remember Professor mentioning that during our consultation. He said once the competition’s schedule and categories were finalized, he would personally oversee things.”
“He consulted with you already? Impressive for a top-ranker.”
“Eh? You’ll probably get called in soon too since you’re part of the representative group.”
“Oh wow. Such an honor.”
Elaine’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she fidgeted with her sword, but Cynthia ignored her and turned her attention back to Emily.
“Emily, you know a lot about magic, right?”
“Ahm… I guess I do, but I wouldn’t say I’m well-versed. I know a bit more about cold and frost-based magic compared to others, but I’m in no way an expert. There are countless people who know magic better and use it far more effectively than me…”
Emily hesitated for a moment before quietly mumbling a response.
So… does she know it well or doesn’t she?
“Ah! Right! Professor told us to head to the training ground!”
It took a while, but Emily finally remembered her task after pondering over Cynthia’s question.
