Chapter 43

【43】42

The first-year students of the Department of Magic had gathered in the Magic Hall.

The students seated on the temporary chairs arranged in the hall were reading their notes with tense expressions.

“Ugh! I’m so nervous! I feel sick to my stomach!”

Kal dumped a few stomach medicine pills he had made himself into his mouth.

Seeing this, the surrounding students gathered around and bought the stomach medicine.

“You’re still resourceful even at a time like this?”

“With our test scores already somewhat predictable, we should at least put effort into this. Anyway, Leo, you’re still the top student, so I guess you’re not nervous, huh?”

“Not really.”

“Can someone who isn’t nervous be so calm?”

Kal, who envied him, muttered and glanced at the back of Chloe sitting in the front row.

During the exam period, Chloe had lived in total disarray like a shut-in, but today she looked very tidy.

It wasn’t just Chloe.

All the students of the Department of Magic were dressed up.

Today’s Unique Magic presentation wasn’t just a test; it was also an opportunity to showcase their achievements as Wizards.

Since those who chose the path of a Wizard inevitably had to attend many Magic Theory thesis presentations, today also served as a practice session for future presentations.

At that moment, the doors of the hall opened, and three wizards entered.

They were all neatly dressed and ascended the podium with stern expressions.

“It’s been a while, Professor Ren. Ah, you’re a full professor now, aren’t you?”

“Ho ho. It’s been a while, and I’m glad to see you. That’s right, I am a professor now.”

Professor Ren warmly greeted them and then ascended the podium and spoke.

“Everyone, pay attention.”

Professor Ren stood on the podium and gathered the students’ attention.

“Let me introduce them. From the left, Rilda Pedni, Aydmon Slak, and Shin Huzda. Three years ago, they graduated from the Department of Magic here in Lumeran and are your seniors. Today, they won’t be here as seniors but as examiners to evaluate you.”

Upon hearing this, the students’ eyes sparkled.

Professor Ren was popular among the Department of Magic students.

While his good looks and pleasant personality contributed to it, his exceptional teaching abilities were unparalleled.

But what he was most famous for was setting extremely high standards.

Hence, it was rather daunting to have him as an examiner.

So, naturally, the students’ tension eased upon hearing that their graduated seniors were serving as examiners instead of Professor Ren.

Kal also chimed, “Oh! What great luck!”

“Doesn’t seem like a thing to rejoice about.”

“Huh? Why?”

“They’re examiners Professor Ren specially brought in from the outside. Could they really be pushovers?”

…

Upon hearing this, Kal’s expression turned slightly uneasy.

Meanwhile, the three of them sat down at the judge’s desk in front of the podium.

When they pulled out papers and pens and gave expressions that they were ready, Professor Ren called out the students’ names, holding the roster.

“Iliana Laden.”

Squeak!

Upon hearing that, Iliana climbed the podium.

“Hello, seniors, I’m Iliana Laden from Class 5! It’s truly an honor to meet you.”

“We’re also glad to meet you, Iliana. We’re looking forward to hearing the presentation from such a cute junior.”

Rilda Pedni adjusted her glasses and smiled warmly.

In response, Iliana swayed her body and blushed, forcing herself to smile adorably.

“Will you be giving a hard time to such a cute junior?” she implied as she played the part of the adorable junior.

“Leo, my stomach hurts seeing this drama.”

“Just bear with it.”

“Then, I hope you judge me kindly.”

“My main element is Light.”

“Ho, you possess quite a rare magical attribute.”

Seeing the seniors showing interest, Iliana cheered inwardly.

‘The atmosphere is good~’

“…So, when I add the ‘Flame’ attribute to the magic formula system of the light attribute, it results in the powerful emission of the ‘Heat Beam’ magic!”

Iliana pointed both hands to the blackboard where she had explained the magic spell system she created and looked at the graduates.

After showcasing a few times by raising her eyebrows and emphasizing, Iliana quietly laughed and hid her hands behind her back.

“That concludes my presentation.”

As her presentation ended, the students burst into applause.

Sitting all the way to the left, Rilda adjusted her glasses and began.

“Indeed, many light attribute magic users opt for a powerful ‘Laser’ Magic as their Unique Magic. While Unique Magic used to be truly original in the past… Nowadays, in a world where the inheritance of power through the Hero’s World is considered normal, Unique Magic itself doesn’t have to be special. However, the process of creation requires one’s own originality.”

Suddenly, her expression turned indifferent as she scrutinized Iliana.

“How is it different from existing Laser type magics?”

“Uh… That’s… It’s related to the secret magic formulas of our family…”

“A secret magic formula-related expression. Too complacent.”

Tssts— With a sneer, Rilda pointed out the deficiencies of Iliana’s spell formula one by one, pushing her.

With the abrupt change in atmosphere, Iliana began to sweat nervously and struggled to answer.

“For my last question, Iliana. What rank do you aim for with the magic you’ve conceived and are working toward?”

“Eh… Well… I haven’t determined it yet.”

Fidgeting with her hands, Iliana avoided looking Rilda in the eye.

“You have lofty dreams, but a presentation should reflect something you fully understand. Do you think we came here to watch a junior’s talent show?! C-! Next!”

“Keeek!”

Rilda suddenly screamed, her eyes wide with intensity, causing Iliana to panic and rush off the podium like she was fleeing.

The other students’ faces stiffened.

From the students’ perspective, Iliana’s presentation was quite excellent.

Yet, she received a mere C-.

Seeing this, Ren folded his arms.

‘They’re doing a good job. It’s about time they felt what a wall is.’

During his time as an Associate Professor, Ren invited graduates among his close acquaintances who were particularly picky about magic theories.

The reason was simple.

First-year students struggle with the difficulty of Lumeran’s curriculum early on.

But as midterms approached, they slowly began adjusting to the coursework.

Moreover, they had grown in ability to an extent incomparable to when they first enrolled, all within a short period.

The first-year class was at a stage where they might start feeling smug and overly confident.

Ren, through years of experience, knew that if they weren’t reined in at this point, they might start neglecting their studies.

‘There are professors who will leave those who won’t amount to anything alone without caring, but letting those who could succeed with effort go by is against my principles.’

Ren believed that providing new stimuli to help them aim higher again was also part of his duty as an educator.

‘From the first-year level, completing Unique Magic is also an impractical task.’

Though he had assigned it as homework, he only did so to emphasize the importance of Unique Magic.

While the wizards entering Lumeran were exceptionally talented, creating a Unique Magic that other wizards spent their entire lives perfecting within a few months was impossible.

‘Well, there are geniuses who can do it, but…’

Ren glanced at a few students.

Meanwhile, the presentations continued.

“This first-year group was expected to be special, but the standard isn’t good.”

“Considering creativity, I feel they’re even worse than previous groups. Ah, it goes without saying that the praise from the higher-ups was for their ‘combat skills’.”

Rilda and Shin Huzda chatted as if letting the graduates hear.

They, too, were clear on their role as explained by Ren.

Of course, wouldn’t juniors be endearing no matter what?

They also had strong feelings to pat them on the back for a job well done, but they willingly took on the role of the villain for the juniors’ sake.

They themselves had suffered significantly due to overconfidence during this time in their first year.

While the first-year students were thoroughly being torn apart by the graduates, Ren called out the next student.

“Abad LeWalyn.”

At this, the expressions of the graduates changed.

The heir of the LeWalyn family, who represented the pinnacle of magic in the Western Continent’s greatest nation, the Rodren Empire, had been called out, and expectations were high.

“The name of my Unique Magic is Tempester.”

Abad ascended the podium, briefly greeted everyone, and began his presentation.

As he presented, everyone gasped in amazement.

Abad’s magic was akin to an actual natural disaster, a true maximization of wind’s power.

“The expected tier ranking expected upon completion is the highest.”

Upon hearing this, the students murmured among themselves.

‘Truly, this is an embodiment of himself, the strongest magic.’

“Phew! How unlucky and yet cool! Hence, even more unlucky, but still cool!”

“Go ahead and show us.”

Kal crossed his arms and said it, while Leo burst into laughter.

Girls sighed dreamily at Abad’s cheerful smile.

Chelsea shone her eyes and showed an expression saying, “My big brother is the greatest!”

“Leo’s magic formulas are extraordinary too, but wow, my brother isn’t to be trifled with either! Hmm~ Who should I support?”

“Truly impressive. Worthy of being the heir of the LeWalyn family.”

“A magic that fits the name ‘Unique Magic,’ embodying a magician’s values and philosophy, as well as their vision and goals.”

The graduates praised Abad to no end.

“There’s a monster like this in every batch. Abad LeWalyn, you deserve an A+.”

With the applause of the graduates, Abad descended from the podium.

“Tsk, pity the next poor guy who’s up!”

“Next presenter, Kal Thomas.”

“Eek!”

Kal, who was giggling just a moment ago, turned pale.

Some students glanced at him with empathetic eyes.

Kal ascended the podium like livestock being led to the slaughterhouse and, as expected, returned to his seat looking utterly devastated.

Kal’s expression was that of having had his soul taken away, and he was consoled by those around him.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s presentation also took place.

While Abad showcased an original absolute destructive magic, Chelsea chose the ability to exert influence over a wide area using wind as her original Field Magic.

“Amazing!”

“Despite being LeWalyn, it’s hard to believe she’s only fourteen. A!”

“Thank you.”

Chelsea smiled and bowed, then descended the podium.

With Chelsea’s presentation concluding, only two more presentations remained.

“Next presenter, Leo Flove.”

Creak!

The moment those words were spoken, Leo stood up.

The eyes of every student were on Leo.

Before ascending the podium, Leo caught Chloe’s gaze who was standing right at the front. She smiled and waved at him, but Chloe just stared quietly.

Leo, looking a bit embarrassed, walked to the center of the podium.

“The Unique Magic I’ve prepared is called the Non-Elemental Magic Formula System.”

“Non-Elemental Magic Formula System? What’s that?”

Rilda adjusted her glasses and asked.

Since it was a term they had never heard before.

“It’s simple. All existing magic formulas have elemental manifestation formulas, don’t they?”

“Of course. The minimum requirement for activating any magic is that, isn’t it?”

Shin Huzda instantly answered, as if questioning why it needed to be stated.

Smiling at that, Leo continued.

“The system of my Unique Magic can harmonize all elemental manifestation formulas.”

“Huh?”

“What nonsense is this?”

The three examiners looked shocked, and the students were dumbstruck.

Professor Ren narrowed his eyes and stared at Leo.

“Leo Flove. So, what you’re saying is… you intend to create an entirely new magic formula system?”

When Aydmon confirmed this, Leo shrugged and replied.

“Yes.”