The Kowelak Ruins.
This place, located in the western sector of the city of Valmagos, was famous as the site where the battle between demons and heroes took place long ago. Three heroes, including the hero Isidor, fought against the Great Demon Gorgoth and managed to cut off the demon’s neck, securing victory here. To remember that day’s victory, humans left the ruins intact within the city.
People began to gather here, one by one, in what was literally a wasteland.
Of course, they did not come to commemorate that day’s victory. They came to vie for the position of the mage in the subjugation team.
Grand Mage Violetta stood on an open ground not far from the ruins, her eyes closed as she placed her index and middle fingers on her eyelid, watching them.
When the city’s main source of income, its mines, were blocked due to the demon, Count Galante could no longer ignore the problem. Thus, he invited the Grand Mage, with whom his family had a long-standing relationship, to this place.
She wanted to personally select those who would go with her, and the count’s household accepted her request, posting notices not only in Valmargos but also in nearby villages and cities.
Most of them would probably be riffraff, but there were still some capable mages among the southern mages or those who had moved here after the southern incident.
She had already heard that quite a few mages she had been keeping an eye on had applied.
When about fifty people gathered at the ruins, Yuric also appeared.
Seeing the fierce competitors, he felt how grand the reputation of a Grand Mage was.
There were six Grand Mages recognized by the Mage Tower! And the Grand Matron of Arphenheim was also one of the six Grand Mages recognized by the Mage Tower.
Yuric noticed two mages in particular among the applicants.
One was a brown-haired woman with a gentle smile, examining the mages one by one, and the other was a muscular man who stood out significantly in size.
‘This person has systematically learned enhancement magic.’
The density of mana in these two mages was notably higher than the others. Especially, the speed of the woman’s mana circulation was visibly faster. Still maintaining stability indicated superior control.
And the man had mana spreading finely to the peripheral parts of his body. This was typically a characteristic of enhancement magic.
Yuric recalled his master and senior, the Great Witch Yelni, who claimed to have single-handedly defeated a dragon using only enhancement magic. While most mages didn’t consider enhancement magic highly, he knew that pushing it to extremes could produce such monsters.
Yuric’s attention shifted when he saw someone arriving just as he thought these two might be the last.
A man with a neat appearance, seemingly untouched by dust. His luxurious attire suggested he came from a wealthy family.
Like the previous two, his mana density throughout his body was high, but there were no distinctive features, making it unclear which magic he primarily used.
After more mages arrived, totaling around a dozen, a barrier encompassed the entire ruins.
Murmuring among the mages.
Yuric felt a powerful presence approaching rapidly.
‘Finally, it begins.’
Someone appeared above the debris of the ruins.
A tall, slender woman and a middle-aged man holding a long staff.
Yuric sensed the enormous amount of mana emanating from the woman, comparable to that of the demon Wigrad. He immediately identified her. Indeed, any mage present would have recognized her.
Grand Mage Violetta.
She possessed a majestic presence befitting her title.
Of course, she glanced over the applicants, her eyes lingering on a few who stood out despite their age, which couldn’t be detected by sight magic.
Her gaze then fell upon a handsome mage… her eyes narrowed slightly.
‘……’
While all the mages circulated their mana normally, one person alone seemed to carry circuits within his body.
Though the distance made it hard to tell exactly what kind of circuits, it was clear they were extraordinary. Even more so because he wasn’t listed in the information provided by the informant.
However, the Grand Mage couldn’t focus solely on him now. The verification process was about to begin.
“I’m sure you’ve all noticed, I am Violetta.”
The introduction was brief yet impactful.
“Before we proceed with the verification, let me inform you. The demon our subjugation team must fight is a life form beyond common sense. It is a beast made of mana and a monster that slaughters humans.”
Several spheres of mana emerged from her body and began orbiting around her.
“Some of you may think you can just assist from behind. But that’s not the case. If you have such thoughts, it’s best you leave now.”
The Grand Mage spoke firmly.
“I’m not looking for someone to idle behind; I’m looking for someone to hunt the demon with me. I guarantee it. Those unable to block the demon’s attack will definitely die. Don’t expect your comrades to save you. Even I would choose to cast an offensive spell towards the demon rather than a defensive one for my comrades. Remember, the goal is subjugation, not survival.”
This stirred many mages’ hearts.
Satisfied with the warning, Violetta proceeded to explain the verification process.
“The verification will be conducted in several stages, but don’t worry, it won’t be complicated.”
The Grand Mage leaped down from the debris, landing softly on the ground. The mana spheres orbiting her now spun above her head.
“The first stage is measuring the amount of mana you possess. Regardless of skill, in combat with a demon, the absolute amount of mana is the top priority. Anyone below the standard will be eliminated.”
The Grand Mage walked through the applicants, accompanied by the middle-aged mage, pointing out the failures with her finger. “You,” “You,” “You,” and the applicants left one by one each time.
More than half of the seventy applicants were eliminated, leaving only thirty.
“Honestly, the average level is disappointing. I expected more than half to survive.”
Violetta dismissed the first round with harsh words and moved on to the second verification.
“The demon possesses an enormous amount of mana. The mana distributed across its skin acts as a natural shield. An attack magic strong enough to cause significant damage is necessary.”
As she brought together her index and middle fingers, one of the mana spheres above descended and spread out to form a protective shield.
“This is the second stage. Take turns attacking the shield with maximum force.”
Of course, Violetta didn’t think the shield would break. Neither did the mages present.
It was a protective shield created by a Grand Mage. It wouldn’t be so easily broken.
The first tester was the muscular mage Yuric had been observing.
“Galindus,” he said, lightly shaking his right hand before casting reinforcement magic on his fist and leg.
Huuu.
He inhaled deeply and rushed forward with incredible speed, striking the shield.
Crash!
The intense shockwave caused by the interference of spells radiated outward.
Certainly, it was a powerful impact. However, the muscular mage seemed unsatisfied and cast another spell.
This time, he generated a mana bullet in front of his fist and struck it with his reinforced fist, compressing and bursting it.
Though the impact was stronger than before, it also inflicted damage back onto his fist.
He looked at the Grand Mage with a questioning expression, but she remained cold.
Such a level of skill was insufficient for battling demons, especially since reinforcement magic was not particularly effective unless pushed to its limits.
“Eliminated. Next.”
Galindus turned away with a hurt pride. Disappointment was inevitable. After all, it was the decision of the Grand Mage herself.
The applicants continued to be eliminated swiftly. Not a single one passed until the number dropped to half.
Then came the turn of the female mage whose entire body circulated with mana. She grinned ominously as she introduced herself.
“Azbeli.”
She spread her arms slightly, palms facing upward, and cast a spell. The speed of the mana circulating her body increased even more.
Immediately, the compressed mana transformed into a curved blade, slicing through the air sharply. Its range was substantial, cutting through the floor and part of the debris.
The shield cracked. Naturally, it didn’t break.
But she seemed slightly dissatisfied.
“Passed. Next.”
The first to pass. The crack in the shield meant there was a chance the attack could work on a demon. The Grand Mage was satisfied. After all, this was just a bonus to attract attention.
Next came the turn of the handsome mage.
The new subject of interest for Grand Mage Violetta.
‘Indeed, a strange fellow.’
A crazy person who embedded circuits in his body to refine mana.
At least, he had talent in circuitry that was rare to find on the continent.
‘But being too meticulous is a flaw. You can’t fight while constantly calculating circuits.’
It was rare for someone to excel both in circuitry and combat. Combat was more about instinct than theory.
That was Violetta’s thought.
…
Yuric finished his introduction and raised his index finger.
—?!
In fact, Yuric had no intention of using his finger. In truth, Tiston’s finger was not something Yuric could control yet.
But the finger reacted to the mention of the demon. The thought that passing this verification was necessary to join the demon subjugation team made him move his finger.
Yuric’s right index finger burned with heat. It drew the mana circulating his entire body uncontrollably, compressing it at the tip of the finger.
To eliminate the demon.
Nothing else.
The finger, which had been standing, now faced the shield.
And then, the tremendous wave of mana emitted from the tip of the finger.
Crash!
The mana wave completely swept through the surroundings.
Yuric’s mana, which had circulated his entire body, was almost entirely consumed in this single attack. The recoil was immense.
But, just one attack.
With a single attack, the shield vanished without a trace.
Everyone was shocked by this unbelievable scene.
Even Azbeli, known for never losing her smile, was speechless.
Grand Mage Violetta clapped twice.
“Accepted.”
Not pass, but directly accepted.
There was no need for a third verification.
Unexpectedly, she found a comrade to fight the demon, not just a bonus.
