44 – Test (2) (Revised)
Lian stared at the man who had climbed onto the platform. He appeared to be in his late twenties. Considering that most magicians have an age illusion, he must be older than he looks.
“That aside.”
Lian glanced at Berta out of the corner of his eye. She stood with her arms crossed, smiling. Just by looking at her aggressive nature, he could roughly guess her personality.
“I understand why she refused the professorship.”
It must be because she has a personality closer to a battle mage who directly participates in combat rather than a scholar researching academia.
“Burenz. A sand sorcerer.”
Blents, who had taken a step forward, raised a sand-made structure into the air.
An unfamiliar form of magic, beyond imagination.
The ability to condense objects down to the particle level was proof of Blents’ mastery of magic resonance.
Of course, there wouldn’t have been a need for a retest if that were the only factor.
“Did I fail because my situational awareness is lacking?” Lian murmured, recalling the recent events.
“Lian. I’m a Knight.”
The moment Blents heard the word “Knight,” his complexion changed in a way that sent shivers down Lian’s spine. A subtle smile played at the corner of his lips.
“It’s hard to believe he’s a Knight when you look at him.”
In truth, it was far from the norm. While his muscles had certainly grown since he first arrived in this world, he was still just a kid.
Yet, the fact that someone like Herman, who didn’t conform to stereotypes even with this appearance, was remarkable.
“It seems you haven’t fought many sorcerers,” Blents said with a mocking tone.
“As the confrontation drags on, sorcerers gain the ability to deploy complex spells. I was worried about how to get through the early stages without any special moves… I must thank you for that!”
Zzzzt!
With those words, Blents gathered his hands together.
The sand-made structure unraveled, and in an instant, it began to whirl and swirl like a tornado.
Zzzeerrr…!
It was more than just a simple breeze.
The sharply processed sand particles are like weapons in themselves.
Their size is so small that they cannot be defended against by conventional means.
“It’s over.”
“…Even if they’re a first-rate mercenary group, are the regular members at the same level?”
The candidates opened their mouths as they looked at the desk covered in sand dust in an instant.
If they had any protective artifacts, it would be different, but for a low-ranking soldier, it was almost impossible to preserve their body in that storm.
“It’s a bit reckless. We haven’t even started yet.”
“No, it’s actually clever. It’s making the most of the condition to act like in a real battle.”
The mage who said that pointed confidently at Berta. If Blen’s actions had violated the rules, Berta would have been the first to stop him…
“Hmm?”
The moment his thoughts reached that point, he realized something strange.
He had definitely said that he would intervene if it seemed dangerous.
“…Why isn’t he stopping the fight?”
Boom!
At that moment, a sound like something exploding filled the space.
“What the hell…!!”
“That bastard. Does he really intend to kill someone?”
The candidates looked at Blen in astonishment.
But Blen’s complexion, the person in question, was turning pale blue.
“H-How…!!”
The sand spell is something even the most sensitive physical abilities can’t respond to. It’s impossible to react to the fine sand particles flying from all directions.
Due to such structural features, it cannot be destroyed by conventional means.
Hence, the usual method was to endure until the sand spell was over using defensive artifacts, then continue the attack.
But even that is futile when crushed by mass. Blentz’s immediate preparation for the next spell was also due to this.
‘…!!’
However, Lian’s response was entirely different from what Blentz expected.
After gathering magic power in both fists, they clashed the moment the sandstorm approached.
An incredibly intense magical explosion that was hard to believe came from those small fists.
Defeating the sandstorm in one strike, they simultaneously seized control of the area using the magic power spreading in all directions.
Unbelievable magical dominance.
As evidence, the spell Blentz was deploying was crumbling in real-time.
How can that be a swordsman?
“…Ha.”
Berta spat out a bitter laugh, staring at Lian.
‘Was it not that I couldn’t respond but that I chose not to?’
The audacity to observe the movement of magic until the moment the spell unfolded.
Even though he claimed he would intervene, the fact that he executed the action with just the confirmation of immortality is extraordinary.
‘Indeed, he’s quite something.’
I’ve heard about him. Jason recommended him a month ago, in the midst of the ongoing project.
Although there were murmurs among the members that didn’t come out, surely the dissatisfaction among them would have subsided if he was a skilled individual like that.
“The control over magic power is considerable.”
He never thought that Blents would win anyway. Even though the magicians lined up under the stage were exceptional talents, there was not a single magician who reached the level of Lian.
The reason for conducting the duel was simply to see how these inexperienced magicians would cope in unfavorable situations.
If there was someone who seemed decent enough, he intended to pass them…
“But of course, it’s not possible.”
These guys these days. Bertha clicked her tongue, looking at the visibly tense magicians.
Whether they were from the Matap or the scholarly faction, they were all the same. Sitting in their chairs, scribbling their research materials, they couldn’t demonstrate their skills when faced with a real battle.
No determination, no backbone.
Just how rare of a profession is a sand magician. If they had responded calmly, they could have achieved meaningful results.
“Using such a precious talent like that.”
There was no need to watch any further.
“Stop.”
From Noble mtl dot com
Lian slowly withdrew the fist he had raised towards Blents. Under the shattered shield, Blents was sitting, swallowing dry saliva.
Bertha looked at the magicians lined up under the stage and opened her mouth.
“Anyone else who wants to challenge?”
“….”
There was none.
They all stood in their places, only exchanging glances, not a single one of them jumping onto the stage.
Bertha clicked her tongue proudly.
Regardless of their skills, cowards like them become a burden as soon as they are deployed in a real battle. They would probably scream and shout as the whole world crumbled, with nothing more than broken bones and flesh falling apart.
If I have to pick those guys, I’d rather recruit a rookie who’s rolled in the battlefield for at least one night.
“Now that the tests are over, everyone go home. Those who passed should be aware of the individual interviews in the evening. And…”
Berta smiled at Lian.
“You, come talk with me for a moment.”
*****
Lian gazed at the black tea in front of him.
He followed her, expecting the promised reward, but Berta’s halted steps led them to none other than her study.
Though it looked more like a laboratory than a study, judging by its appearance.
“Do you have something to say?”
“If not, I wouldn’t have called you separately.”
Berta chuckled and sipped her tea.
“Your control over magic is impressive. Did someone teach you separately?”
“…Should I answer?”
“No. There’s no need. I didn’t expect much anyway. First, take this.”
Lian looked into the envelope Berta handed him. Considering the thickness, the money he received for a short job seemed unusual.
Are all wizards big spenders?
Of course, Lian didn’t simply tuck the envelope into his pocket.
“Do you have any specific requests for me?”
Berta, instead of giving an immediate answer, took out a photo from her pocket. A woman with an equally sharp impression as her was staring at them.
“Mikella Rando. She’s a friend and colleague from the same magical tower, currently working as a professor of magic at the Academy. She’s conducting research on hierarchy, and it seems like you’re the perfect fit.”
“I’m a complete novice when it comes to magic.”
“That doesn’t matter. Mikella is looking for a physically skilled individual at the 4th level of magical power control.”
Lian looked at Bertha with a chubby face.
If he heard more details, it might be different, but so far, it sounded like finding an experimental mouse.
“There should be physically skilled individuals like me in the Raphlas Mercenary Corps.”
“There probably are. However…”
Bertha’s face was filled with deep thought, and a strange smile formed.
“There’s no mercenary who’s just one step away from the 5th level.”
“….”
It was clear what that meant.
Bertha was a mage of the 5th level or higher. And…
“Perhaps this is an opportunity for you to reach the 5th level?”
She might even know how to achieve it.
*****