Once the written exam concluded, a brief intermission preceded the practical portion.
The examinees were divided by department for their respective tests. Rest, of course, was headed for the Magic Department. Following the proctor’s instructions, he made his way to the training grounds.
"Ho-ho-ho. Well then, we shall now commence the Magic Department’s practical exam."
Welcoming the hundred or so examinees gathered on the grounds was an old man dressed in magnificent robes. He sported a long white beard and a balding head. Though he appeared to be well over seventy, his posture was straight, and he gave off a sprightly, vigorous impression.
"My name is Verloid Hahn. For what it is worth, I serve as the head of this academy."
"Verloid Hahn... Why is a Sage and the headmaster himself out here...!" one of the examinees blurted out in shock.
Rest recognized the name as well. He had seen it in the books he’d pored over during his studies. Verloid Hahn was a member of the Council of Sages—the world’s most prestigious magical organization—and was renowned as the strongest mage in the kingdom. Although he was born a commoner, he held influence over powerful domestic figures and foreign royalty alike. He had even been granted the title of Honorary Duke, making him one of the most powerful individuals in the nation outside of the royal family.
"Originally, another instructor was meant to oversee the testing... however, that individual had an emergency and had to leave the Royal Capital. Apparently, the reason was: 'My darling little sister got a boyfriend! I don't have time to be a proctor!' Truly a troublesome state of affairs."
The old man laughed while stroking his beard, but his eyes weren't smiling in the slightest. Inwardly, he seemed quite incensed at the subordinate who had abandoned their post.
"Well, regardless of who the proctor is, the task at hand remains unchanged. Allow me to explain the contents of the practical exam."
The Headmaster used his staff to point toward a spot a short distance away. A white line had been drawn on the ground, and a circular, target-like object had been erected about ten meters ahead.
"In a moment, you will stand at that line and launch an attack at the target. The target is enchanted to measure the force of the impact as a numerical value. That number will serve as your score."
It was exactly as Rest had heard beforehand. The format followed the academy's yearly traditions.
"However... while you may only land a single strike, you are permitted to use multiple spells to achieve it. I suggest you think carefully about which magic you choose to employ."
Most of the examinees tilted their heads in confusion at the Headmaster’s explanation. Using magic multiple times but only attacking once... it sounded like a riddle.
Ah... I see, Rest thought, nodding inwardly. In other words, it's perfectly fine to use Composite Magic.
Composite Magic involved the multiple activation and combination of different spells. It was an extremely advanced technique, one that many Court Mages were reportedly unable to master. Simultaneous activation was difficult enough on its own; combining those spells into a single, cohesive attack was a feat of immense complexity.
But as Dieble-sensei said, even lower-tier magic can produce power exceeding high-tier spells depending on how they’re combined.
Rest’s mentor, Dieble, had admitted that he could barely use high-tier magic himself. He had earned his position as a Court Mage through his exquisite control and his mastery of Composite Magic. Naturally, Rest had been drilled in these techniques throughout his year of training.
This exam is perfectly suited for what I’ve learned. It really pays to have a gifted mentor.
"Now then, you will fire your magic in order of your examinee numbers. First up, Jack-kun from Rosand Village."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
A simple-looking boy stepped up to the line. He took a deep breath before chanting his spell.
"Wind Cutter!"
A lower-tier wind spell shot forward. The blade of air flew straight and struck the target head-on.
"Umu. Fifty-seven points," the Headmaster announced.
A white number appeared above the target. The characters manifested in mid-air—perhaps an application of illusion magic derived from light magic.
"Next, Celsy-kun of the Royal Capital."
"Yes..."
The examinees stepped forward one by one as the Headmaster called their names. Looking at the results of the first half of the group, the average score seemed to be around sixty. Most used lower-tier magic, though a few managed to manifest intermediate-tier spells.
"Next... Yuri Catleya-kun."
"Right!"
With an exceptionally energetic response, the girl Rest had met earlier—Yuri—stepped forward. Given that she carried the name of the Marquis Catleya House, a family of legendary knights, Rest had assumed she was applying for the Knight Department. Contrary to his expectations, she had chosen the Magic Department.
Earlier, she showed off physical abilities on par with mine while I was using Physical Enhancement—and she did it without any magic. I wonder if her magical talent is just as monstrous?
"Wait, did he say Catleya...?"
"Yeah, the Marquis's daughter..."
"Why is she in the Magic Department? Better yet, why is she taking the exam in the Commoner Category?"
Whispers rippled through the other examinees. Rest felt a sudden urge to tell her that if she really wanted to hide her identity, she shouldn't have used her family name.
"Okay, here I go! Stone Bullet!"
Yuri held out her hand to manifest the spell. It was Stone Bullet, a basic lower-tier spell that involved conjuring a stone projectile to hurl at an enemy.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Yuri focused her spirit for an incredibly long time. Then, slowly—painfully slowly—a stone began to form in the air. After a full five minutes of intense concentration, she finally managed to produce a pebble small enough to fit in her palm.
"............Are you serious?" Rest muttered under his breath.
She clearly lacked mana. To create that tiny pebble, Yuri had been forced to squeeze every last drop of magical energy from her body. Her mana capacity, activation speed, and output were all well below average. There was no way she could survive the curriculum of the Magic Department with that level of talent. If anything, she would only suffer if she managed to get in.
At this rate, it's pitiful, but there's no way she can pass...
Rest shook his head in sympathy. However, a moment later, the unthinkable happened.
"Alright... Yah!"
"Huh?! No way!"
Rest’s voice cracked as he witnessed the impossible. Yuri had grabbed the pebble she’d conjured in the air and thrown it with everything she had.
The stone let out a sharp, whistling shriek as it tore through the air. It slammed into the target with enough force to leave a massive crack in the surface that had remained pristine until that moment.
The number displayed above the target was... 175. Apparently, a hundred points wasn't the maximum.
Wh-What a literal power move... Wasn't this supposed to be a magic exam?!
"Yes! I got the high score!"
Leaving the rest of the group in stunned silence, Yuri thrust her fist toward the sky in a triumphant victory pose.