43 – Test (1)
Lian went straight up to the fifth floor. A ceiling that seemed at least 10 meters high. He wondered if this was a training ground chosen as a public recruitment venue.
“The Mage examination area is on the left.”
Lian stopped and turned his head. A face he hadn’t seen before. Probably an employee who hadn’t been mobilized for the project.
“….Yes?”
“Oh, you’re a physical ability user? Then just go through the corridor on the right.”
She bowed her head slightly and then extended her hand, pointing to the right corridor. Unlike the quiet left corridor, the right one was bustling with people.
Rather than saying that mages didn’t apply, it was more accurate to consider them as rare.
“Shall I go and watch the mages?”
So far, he had only met one mage, Amila. Of course, Egon was also a mage, but he far surpassed any level Lian could evaluate.
Even just considering physical abilities, he was several steps above Lian, making it ambiguous to categorize.
It wouldn’t be bad to take this opportunity to watch the mages’ combat styles.
“Can I just go and watch?”
“…Yes?”
“I’m a member here. It’s been less than a month since I joined.”
Although the employee’s face momentarily froze at Lian’s words, she didn’t make any additional mistakes.
“Um… Are you Lian by any chance?”
“Yes.”
“Ah… I’m sorry. I haven’t checked the message delivered at the desk because I’m still inexperienced.”
It was probably because she didn’t expect a boy like him, who had obtained permission to observe, to be Lian.
But instead of reprimanding the inexperienced employee, Lian threw out a question.
“Excuse me, may I know who the two supervisors are?”
“Well….”
“I’m just curious personally.”
As the employee spoke like that, he reluctantly answered, “On the right is Supervisor Shuhauser, and on the left is Supervisor Berta.”
Both names were unfamiliar, but considering they wouldn’t entrust the role of a supervisor to an ordinary person, their abilities must have already been verified.
Having made up his mind, Lian moved in the direction of the left corridor.
As he entered the corridor, about ten people dressed casually were seated. Among them, there wasn’t a single person insisting on the ‘wizard-like’ attire that Lian had imagined.
He hadn’t expected a large hat either. However, he didn’t anticipate that not a single person would be using a staff.
“Well, Amila used magic barehanded too, after all.”
Rather than revealing the fact that he was a wizard, it seemed more advantageous not to do so.
Lian chuckled and took a seat. Other wizards glanced at him briefly, but that was it – no particular interest was shown.
Of course, that didn’t mean their attitude felt welcoming, but that’s how it was.
“It looks like we’re all here.”
The woman sitting at the podium spoke, scanning the wizards.
“Supervisor Berta is her name. Until a few years ago, she was part of the Leysier Magic Tower, and currently, she’s with the Raphlas Mercenary Corps.”
Leysier Magic Tower. Wasn’t that a magic tower specializing in frost-type magic?
“There are three evaluation criteria in the test: magical sensitivity, manipulation ability, and situational adaptability.”
Saying so, Berta stared at the man sitting in the front row.
“You go first. Briefly introduce your abilities.”
—
“Do I need to reveal my hierarchy?”
“As you wish.”
The test proceeded smoothly. Lian stared at the wizards lifting their magic with their chins up.
Perhaps it was because they belonged to a mercenary group with a significant reputation, but despite being mere exam students, their level was exceptional.
‘The evaluation criteria seem quite systematic.’
Although Lian was not well-versed in magic, it didn’t seem like they were conducting the test arbitrarily.
Magic diffusion, defense against attacks, speed in deploying spells… If they showed any deficiency in even one aspect among numerous items, they would be immediately deducted points.
“…It seems much more challenging than I thought.”
“Reminds me of the days rolling under the master.”
Despite the absence of any concessions, not a single person questioned the difficulty of the test.
“You seem determined this year. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes?”
It was the man sitting right next to her.
“Berta Chiegler. You put someone who could easily be appointed as a professor at the academy in charge of supervision.”
“…Is that so?”
Lian, who answered in surprise, turned her gaze towards Berta. She expected him to be a remarkable person, but she hadn’t anticipated someone of such caliber to be offered a position as a professor at the academy.
It seemed there were some circumstances behind the scenes, given the usually reserved reputation of the wizards known for their naivety.
“I’m Herman. I was once affiliated with the Flamer Matap.”
“Lian.”
“Not nervous? Three have already dropped out.”
“…….”
Should I gladly embrace the fact that there are no fixed preconceptions, or should I feel embarrassed that I’ve been misunderstood as a sorcerer again?
While Lian pondered how to respond, the mentioned Herman walked forward.
“There’s no need to explain your name and origin separately. I overheard what you two were discussing just now.”
Berta spoke with an unabashed tone, showing no intention to hide that she had eavesdropped.
“You seem to be affiliated with the Red Tower. What’s your specialization?”
“Diffusion.”
“Diffusion, you say…”
After a brief contemplation, Berta raised her palm.
“…….”
Lian quietly closed his mouth and stared intently at Berta’s fingertips with narrowed eyes.
Tsutsutsutsu…!
An instant drop in temperature.
In that brief moment, a chill began to circulate in the spacious area.
‘Is this an ice-type magic…’
A cold so intense that one could see their breath. If she hadn’t controlled the power, everyone in this space would have frozen in an instant.
The speed at which she deployed her magic was faster than Lian had anticipated. It would be challenging to respond if one was unaware.
‘Good thing I came prepared.’
Experiences like these would form the foundation for dealing with ice-type sorcerers.
Berta lowered her hand calmly, as if she didn’t need to lower the temperature any further.
“The image is 5 degrees. Precisely lowered to 20 degrees.”
Instead of explaining further, she looked at Herman and silently pointed at the thermometer.
“…”
It wasn’t just about raising the temperature; it meant returning it to its ‘original’ state.
It wasn’t just about handling the situation, but also about measuring magical manipulation at once.
“….Huh!”
Herman took a deep breath and clasped his hands together.
From Noble mtl dot com
Simultaneously, the heat surged.
[Ignite]
Whooosh!
The air began to heat up rapidly. Berta’s expression, dryly observing Herman, changed. It was much faster than she had anticipated.
At least enough skill to mention the name of the apex.
Nodding her head, Berta turned her gaze aside.
“…Except for over there.”
Berta narrowed her eyes, looking in the direction where Rian was seated. Just like when she unfolded the magic a moment ago, there was a peculiar resistance of magic around the boy.
It was clear what that meant.
Rian was completely controlling the magic swirling around him.
“A physical adept, it seems.”
Berta muttered as she opened her mouth towards Rian.
“An unfamiliar face. Are you the new one here?”
“…Yes. It’s been a month.”
“Perfect. Can you come over here and help me for a moment?”
Lian looked down at Berta with a perplexed expression.
“Are you suddenly asking me this?”
“You know why. Do you understand why I’m doing this now?”
Berta replied casually, “Did you think I was going to leave with my mouth shut? I didn’t see it that way, but it seems the roots are yellower than I thought.”
“…”
When Lian met eyes with Berta, he subtly frowned.
It was because he understood the meaning behind Berta’s words.
Lian didn’t come here just to assess the level of the candidates. He came to analyze the alcohol, to discover its flaws and ways to expose them.
And Berta, in a single glance, saw through that purpose.
“It wouldn’t be a bad offer for you either, right?”
“…”
“Weren’t you eager to compete with the other sorcerers?”
A direct hit.
“I’ll even make sure you get compensated separately.”
If he went to such lengths.
As Lian discreetly ascended the platform, the gazes of the sorcerers converged on him for a brief moment.
Berta, who had lined up the sorcerers, slowly began to speak.
“Herman, Dmitry, Rake. Everyone else is eliminated, but considering the special circumstances, I will give you one more chance.”
As she said that, Berta blatantly met eyes with Lian.
“When it comes to being a mercenary, you will encounter more physical fighters than sorcerers.”
“……”
One of the sorcerers in the lineup raised his hand towards Berta.
“Do we just have to defeat the author in a duel?”
“Surely not.”
Berta smirked and tilted her head.
“Fight as if it were a real battle. If it seems too dangerous, I will intervene.”
At the same time, the sorcerers’ brows twisted significantly.
“Now, let’s begin the retest.”
*****