Today’s entrance examinations will be held at a different location, unlike yesterday’s two events.
It is said that they use a special facility normally used by soldiers for training as a testing ground and magic tests are conducted there.
[Oh, it’s Theo-kun. This way, this way!]
The elf is waving her hands in the air. Quite a few students are taking the test. It was nothing compared to yesterday. Among them, Liz’s beauty was outstanding and stood out from the crowd.
She has a wand in her hand at some point. It is something that sorcerers often carry.
[Is Mr. Theo empty-handed?]
[Yeah, I know, but …… did you need something by any chance?]
[Oh, this? Elves are not good in offensive magics. I don’t know if you know what I mean.]
[No, I’ve certainly heard that story before. They are good at recovery techniques, but it takes a tremendous amount of effort to handle techniques that attack the opponent, even more than humans.]
That seems to be a problem with the elves’ race. I don’t know much about it, but I’ve heard that the god they worship is a god of mercy, which makes them unsuitable for attacks or something.
[The test will be focused on offensive techniques. Since the exam will inevitably focus on offensive techniques, the elves can have tools to assist them.]
[You’re getting preferential treatment, even though you’re not very good at it.]
[Yes. Elves have more magical power than humans. Elves who have just started using magic are better at recovery techniques than humans who have trained for decades. If such elves could use offensive techniques, they would be incredibly strong. In the name of strengthening the military power of the empire, the use of such things is permitted.]
[Sure, it’s hard to call it a recovery technique exam.]
[We can’t start without injured people – ……. Well, I hope you enjoy the offensive technique examinations, where you can shoot off a boom-boom-boom, more than such a simple thing!]
I thought elves didn’t like conflict. Maybe my view of elves is very old-fashioned.
As I was thinking this, the receptionist said so that everyone could hear.
[Due to a large number of applicants, the exam will be divided into several sessions! The first exam is already closed, so please submit your application as soon as possible if you wish to take any subsequent exams!]
[Oh, no, no, no. Let’s go, Theo. It’s going to be dark soon.]
I followed her as she walked quickly to the receptionist. Then our eyes happened to meet. Those glasses are from yesterday.
As soon as the other side saw me, they fell on the spot like a puppet with broken strings and made a commotion again.
[Oh, my, get out of the way. Hello? …… Oh, no, this thing is stretched.]
Liz checked on the receptionist and said in a light tone.
……Now that wasn’t my fault. It’s just that the other side got scared on their own.
With that excuse, I was given the examination form by the receptionist who was promptly replaced.
I wrote down the required items in the same manner as yesterday and was about to submit the form.
[–Gobbaaah!]
The sound of something hard shattering into pieces echoed around the area with a tremendous explosion. Even though I was far away, I could feel my eardrums shaking.
[Ugh! My ears! What is it? What is it?]
Unexpected, Liz rolled on the spot and held her ears. It seems that the good hearing characteristic of elves has backfired. But that’s not the point now.
The explosion was heard at the testing site. I wade through the crowd and arrive at the scene, despite the bewilderment of the people around me.
There was a heat that burned my skin and a fierce smoke that filled the area. Someone must have used magic. I can understand that but who in the world?
When the smoke cleared, the “testing site itself,” which should have been there, was blown away. Only a small amount of debris remained.
[Oh, no. It’s broken, isn’t it? Is this the extent of the military school directly under Mildiana’s territory, which is famous for its reputation? What nonsense.]
One boy was in front of the destroyed building.
He had raven-black hair that was shaggy, and very unusual silver eyes. Wearing a robe, he looked only 12 years old or so.
The quality and quantity of the enormous magical power being released from his small body outshone the others.
A boy with a seemingly girlish face let out a guttural sigh and said.
[Hey, examiner. You’re okay with this, right?]
The man who was the examiner of magic was shivering.
[Oh, no way. ……! This testing center is equipped with a magic ward that can withstand the magic of eight ranks. It’s not …… like this.]
[You said it wouldn’t be a problem if I unleashed all the magic I could, so here we are, right?]
[Impossible …… impossible.]
[You have to accept the reality. How could you have ever been an examiner with that?]
[This has never happened before ……!]
[I’m not sure. So all the people who have taken the test so far were just small fry. The imperial army’s magicians are not so good either. Boring.]
The examinees, watching from afar, were awestruck by the sheer horror of the scene. There were murmurs of excitement.
[Hey, examiner. Now I’ve passed, right? I’m sure I’m a special student, right? I did it.]
The boy’s gesture was truly graceful as he cowered his shoulders. Speaking of magic above the eighth rank, it is not surprising that a well-known magician might faint from the depletion of magic power after unleashing it with all his might, but this boy seems to be fine even after using it.
[Yeah, it looks like he blew up the whole exam room. Anyway, are your ears okay?]
[Somehow …… Hmm? Did that kid do that? He’s just a kid by the looks of it.]
The boy turned his silver eyes toward us as if he had heard our conversation.
[Hey, you little elf. You’re gonna get hurt if you lick my looks, okay? I’ll make you eat it too.]
[What? Wait, what, what is this boy? You’re so foul-mouthed! I mean, do you even meet the admission requirements? You have to be at least 15 years old to take the test.]
[This is why I don’t like people who judge by looks. I’m 15.]
[Ew, you’re kidding!]
[You want to be roasted whole?]
The boy’s eyes gleam. He’s pretty serious, isn’t he?
His temper reminds me of yesterday’s white one, Shaula.
[Well, well, well, let’s both calm down. So …… did you use that magic? That’s great.]
[I don’t think it’s that great. It’s just that the empire is not that great.]
[But I don’t understand. We can’t do our test with this.]
[I don’t know. If I get in, I’ll do better than all of you.]
Some of the students who heard the words complained, but when they were given a glare, all of them surrendered.
[I don’t know if that bothers you. I’m hoping to get in too, just in case. …… Oh, yes, Mr. Examiner. Do you have a minute?]
I called out to the examiner, who was lying on his back. He stared at me without a word, dripping with cold sweat.
[If the testing center breaks down, will we ever be able to take the test again?]
[That’s …… unprecedented.]
[I see. But in the exam section, it says that ‘each of you must demonstrate your maximum ability in your field.’]
I don’t think he understood what I was trying to say. The examiner just nodded his head.
[So if I ‘beat him,’ will you consider me worthy of admission?]
The examiner’s face turned stupidly round, and at the same time, the bare killing spirit emanating from the boy pierced my skin.
[……. You saw that mess and you still want to tell me you can beat me?]
[Of course.]
When I answer immediately, he shows some signs of trepidation. He seemed a little alarmed. But he soon opened his arrogant mouth.
[It’s fun, isn’t it? Go ahead, do it. Come on. You can use your best magic against me anytime you want.]
[That would kill you, so I can’t do it.]
[What? What the hell, you ..…!]
[Hey, hey, hey, Theo-kun! You shouldn’t provoke him so much!]
I continue talking despite Liz’s attempts to stop me.
[You’re not human, are you? You’re disguised well as a human, but …… this feels like a ‘dragon’ sensation. What do you think?]
[A dragon!?]
[A dragon! Did you come from the dragon kingdom?]
The examinees, who had turned into spectators in the back, mouthed the words. After all, even in the empire, you wouldn’t have a chance to see a dragon. And it looks completely like a human boy.
When it was pointed out that he was a dragon, the boy’s eyes widened a little in surprise, but then he said in a swarthy tone.
[What then? I’m telling you, there’s nothing in the admission requirements that says no dragons are allowed.]
[Yeah. I don’t care about that. I just want you to show me your true self as soon as possible. Then.]
I naturally lifted the corners of my mouth.
[Even if you were to be hit by my magic, you’d probably only be seriously injured.]
[……Interesting.]
Explosive magical power envelops the boy, gushing him with a dazzling light.
Then, an unusual sense of intimidation pervaded the area. This was proof that a genuine dragon had made its appearance. Just by being there, the dragon intimidates those around it. Just as my mere presence in my original form affects those around me.
There it was, a silvery-white dragon, perhaps three meters long.
The pale light emanating from its entire body is truly divine. It is a figure befitting a dragon tribe that is said to possess extremely high intelligence.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen …… dragon. I wonder how many years it’s been. It’s a nostalgic feeling. Well, he’s a little small in front of me.