We had been running since the early hours of the morning, and the city finally came into view shortly before noon.
Beyond the high castle walls stood a massive building that seemed to pierce the very heavens.
"Whoa, so that’s the famous William Academy!"
Just as the books described, the tower was incredibly tall. Apparently, it had started as a conventional structure, but constant upward expansions for research purposes had eventually turned it into the spire it was today. Seeing it in person was truly moving.
"Still, we arrived remarkably fast. Even with Shiro and the others pushing themselves, I expected the journey to take several days..."
I felt a jolt of nerves at Albert’s quiet observation.
To be honest, I had been stealing glances to make sure no one was looking and using Spatial Transfer to take shortcuts during our travels. I just wanted to get here quickly... I kept the jumps short enough to avoid detection, but I used them so frequently that we probably only covered half the actual distance on foot.
"What’s it matter if we’re early? It’s all good. Look, the castle gate’s right there," Birgitte cut in.
"Mmm... I suppose you're right."
Phew. I was lucky Birgitte wasn’t the type to sweat the small stuff.
While I breathed a sigh of relief, we arrived before the academy gates.
"Whew, we're finally here. Thanks, Ril, Shiro."
"Ow, ow... my back is killing me from sitting for so long. Sylpha, I’m gonna need a massage later."
"Certainly, I understand. ...Master Lloyd, would you care to join us?"
"I’m fine, thanks."
While we chattered and climbed down from the backs of the two beasts, the gatekeepers simply stared at us in stunned silence.
"My, my. Whatever is all this commotion about, I wonder?"
In the midst of the silence, a large, elderly man emerged from the tower. He wore a scholar’s cap and possessed a thick white beard, his eyes hidden behind exceptionally long eyebrows.
"Oh, if it isn't Headmaster Shido! Long time no see!"
"Well, well, if it isn't Birgitte-kun. You are most welcome, indeed."
The two approached each other and shook hands.
So this was the headmaster. He looked exactly like a kind, gentle old grandfather. And yet, I felt like I had seen him somewhere before... Hmm.
"The journey must have been arduous. Is your father keeping well?"
"Oh, he’s as fit as a fiddle. Being energetic is about his only redeeming quality, after all."
"I see, I see. We are both so busy that we rarely meet, but I should like to share a drink with him again, ho ho."
Shido nodded repeatedly. ...Ah, that was it. I remembered now.
Several years ago, at a gathering I’d been forced to attend, he was the old man who had been chatting familiarly with my father, King Charles.
As I was reminiscing, Albert leaned in to whisper in my ear.
"Headmaster Shido was a schoolmate of Father’s. They say that in their youth, they’d gather at night to carouse or do reckless things under the guise of 'experiments'... Father always laughed about it, calling it the folly of youth. I suppose they’re what you’d call best friends... or perhaps 'partners in crime' is more accurate."
Albert gave a wry smile. Suddenly, I realized Shido had moved toward me.
"Oh! Is this not Lloyd-kun! You've grown quite a bit, indeed!"
"Whoa!?"
Before I knew it, Shido had circled behind me and hoisted me up with surprising strength. He lifted me high into the air and spun me around. Hey, stop it—I’m getting dizzy!
"I’ve heard the stories from Charles. Apparently, you are quite the prodigy. You must make sure to study hard here."
"H-Haha... I look forward to it..."
Shido flashed a wide, beaming smile as he saw my head spinning.
"Mmm-hmm. Albert-kun, and Sylpha-kun and Ren-kun as well. Ha ha ha!"
As Shido laughed boisterously, Albert and the others exchanged looks and nodded.
"Well then, everyone, I'm heading back now, so make sure you study hard!"
"Yes, Alieze-neesan. Please be careful on your way home."
"When you want me to come pick you up, just send a letter, ya hear!"
We watched Alieze ride away on Ril’s back, and then we finally stepped inside the academy.
Shiro followed close behind me. Apparently, students entering certain departments were allowed to be accompanied by a Tamed Beast.
"It is a pity, though. I wish Alieze-kun had enrolled as well. We only just recently established the Tamed Beast Department, after all," Shido said regretfully.
Alieze had been invited, but she’d turned it down flat. Sitting at a desk and studying wasn't really her thing. Come to think of it, she was always out playing with her magical beasts.
"Alieze is a natural talent... or rather, she just doesn't have the patience for classroom learning. ...By the way, Headmaster Shido, where are we heading?"
Albert asked while surveying our surroundings. I was curious about that as well; we had been walking for a considerable distance since passing through the gates.
"Hmph. Before your transfer is finalized, we must first determine your capabilities. To that end, we shall conduct an entrance exam. ...Ah, here we are."
Shido finally stopped in front of a room filled with countless books.
"First is the Economics Department. This library houses the collection for that field. Albert-kun, you shall take your exam here."
"Understood. Well then, everyone, I'll see you later."
"I’ll be tagging along too," Birgitte added. "As a temporary instructor, I’m curious to see what kind of problems they’re setting. The rest of you better work hard too."
"Yes, good luck to you both."
After saying goodbye to Albert and Birgitte, we continued down the hallway. Our next stop was a plaza that looked like a training ground. A sturdy man carrying a sword stood waiting for us.
"The Swordsmanship Department. Sylpha-kun, this is your station. Try crossing swords with the instructor over there."
"Understood. Then, Master Lloyd, I wish you luck."
"Yeah, you do your best too, Sylpha."
Try not to seriously injure him... I started to say it but caught myself. He was a teacher here, after all; I was sure he could at least hold his own against Sylpha. ...Probably.
We set off once more, stopping next at a room filled with chemicals. Inside, people in white coats were busy with various experiments.
"This is the laboratory for the Pharmacy Department. Ren-kun, please take your exam here."
"Okay! Well then, Lloyd, I'll do my best!"
"Yeah, give it your all."
With Ren gone, I was finally alone. I wondered what kind of exam was in store for me.
With my heart racing in anticipation, I followed Shido until he stopped in front of a particularly massive set of doors.
"Now then, Lloyd-kun, the exam venue for the Magic Department is here. You may enter."
Following his instructions, I stepped inside. There, sitting at the end of a row of desks, I saw the girl I’d met the other day—Connie.
"Connie? You're here?"
"Ah, Lloyd-kun."
So she had arrived before us after we parted in that dangerous canyon? Even for a Magic-Housed Constitution with superior physical abilities, her speed was unbelievable. ...I really wanted to know what kind of method she’d used.
"Oh? Are you two acquaintances?"
"Yes... actually, the other day in Golugen Canyon..."
Shido nodded, appearing impressed by Connie’s explanation.
"Ho ho, so you made it through there. Both of you are quite something, as expected of those aspiring for the Magic Department. However, whether you pass the exam is a different matter entirely."
Shido smirked. I didn't know the specifics of the Magic Department’s exam yet, but judging by his tone, the difficulty was likely immense. I could feel the excitement building.
"By the way, Lloyd-kun, I have heard that you possess an extraordinary amount of mana."
"No, it's not that much..."
Grimo and Jiriel shot me looks that clearly said Liar, but I ignored them.
"Ha ha ha, there is no need for modesty. I have heard much from Albert-kun. I am something of a Mage myself, you know. I can sense the aura of a veteran Mage coming from you."
I usually suppressed my mana and hid it with barriers, but a veteran Mage was bound to detect something. The fact that he could sense it at all meant Shido’s skill as a Mage was significant.
"He's way beyond 'veteran,' though. Even we can't fathom Master Lloyd’s true power," Grimo muttered.
"Indeed. For a mere human to measure Master Lloyd’s true strength is an impossible task," Jiriel added.
The two of them were grumbling again, but I ignored them once more. I was more concerned with the exam. I really hoped it wasn't a simple mana measurement like the one at the Adventurers' Guild.
"At any rate, please take a seat. Let us begin the exam."
As I sat down, Shido cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Then, first, look at this."
Shido produced a single sheet of paper covered in a dense thicket of formulas. When I reached out to touch it, a sphere of light manifested before my eyes.
"This is... Spell Seal Paper."
Spell Seal Paper was a special medium used to record magic that had been converted into a formula. High-level magic often required pouring mana into a Spell Formula drawn in mid-air to activate. While simple spells could be managed in two dimensions, advanced magic required complex, three-dimensional geometric formulas. Since transcribing those into a standard Magic Book was nearly impossible, Spell Seal Paper was developed. By touching the paper and channeling mana, one could engrave a 3D formula directly onto the sheet.
Magic Books using Spell Seal Paper were incredibly expensive, and we didn't have many of them back at Saloom Castle. As expected of the world's premier center of knowledge, using it for a simple entrance exam was incredibly luxurious.
"The exam consists of unraveling this Spell Formula Problem step by step, starting from the opening verse. We shall measure your skill based on the accuracy of your process and the speed of your completion."
A Spell Formula Problem—in other words, I was given an incomplete formula and had to fill in the missing links to complete the circuit. It was a test of pure magical knowledge.
"Heh heh heh. Mages with overwhelming mana tend to be poor at this kind of fine control. Well, if Lloyd-kun understands the formulas sufficiently, it shouldn't be much of a problem."
Shido smirked. I see—it was like a Spell Formula Problem combined with a spatial puzzle and a maze. This looked like fun.
"Um... please wait, Headmaster Shido."
Connie was the one who interrupted. Come to think of it, Connie had a Magic-Housed Constitution and was supposed to have no mana at all. She wouldn't be able to take the exam like this. How did she plan to proceed?
"...Wait. She has... mana?"
Looking closer, I realized I could sense mana emanating from Connie’s body. That was strange. I definitely hadn't felt even a spark of mana from her before... Was it my imagination? Ignoring my confusion, Connie continued her question.
"This Spell Formula Problem... it's designed to collapse if too much mana is poured into it, isn't it?"
"Heh heh heh. It seems you've noticed, Connie-kun. Indeed, this formula is structured to collapse if mana is forced into it. ...Or rather, given the capacity, I could only make it that way. Well, as long as you don't pour an absurd amount of mana into it, that shouldn't happen. Please proceed with the exam with peace of mind."
As I listened to their exchange, I realized I had a problem. The spherical formula in my hand was already starting to crumble.
Oops. Even though I had been distracted by Connie, it seemed I’d accidentally poured in a bit too much mana. This exam was going to require much more delicate control than I’d anticipated.
"Whoops, this is bad. At this rate, the original structure will be lost completely."
Acting on instinct, I immediately activated the Anti-Magic System Magic: 'Magic Freezing Bind'. This was a spell that could freeze a formula floating in the air in its current state during activation. The collapsing formula halted mid-shatter, narrowly escaping total destruction.
Whew, that was close.
"To activate anti-magic—which can negate anything but usually takes forever to manifest—in such an instant... I'm not even surprised anymore, but he's as reckless as ever," Grimo remarked.
"Moreover, to choose a complete suspension requiring such delicate operation, rather than a simpler neutralization... It is exactly what I would expect," Jiriel added.
The two were muttering to themselves again, but I had more pressing concerns. The formula was already heavily damaged. This was a mess; it didn't even retain its original boundaries. Now I’d have to start by deducing the original shape from the remaining fragments.
To use a puzzle analogy, it was like having to imagine both the finished picture and the shape of the missing pieces while putting it together. The difficulty had just spiked considerably.
"...Well, I guess this makes it more interesting."
I whispered to myself and began to solve the Spell Formula Problem.