The count, with a kind smile.
Noah bowed her head to him, blinking her left eye three times quickly. It was to observe Count Dermore’s information.
━━━
[Name]: D’muehl Ron Dermore
[Age]: 45
[Rank]: B
[Trait]: Grace of Earth
━━━
The information was no different from three days ago.
Noah let out a short sigh.
It was a relief that no variables had occurred, unlike with Ulan. However, she still didn’t let her guard down internally.
‘Because…’
The count was a fairly important figure in the main scenario of the <Chronicles of Arsen Continent>.
To put it bluntly, in a bad way.
‘He’s someone who indirectly involved himself in the opening of the Gate of the Abyss in the future.’
So of course, she had to be cautious.
But she didn’t do anything stupid like openly showing hostility. Noah smiled with an extremely hypocritical smile.
Then the count spoke up.
“Thank you for accepting my sudden invitation. The preparations are modest, but I hope you enjoy it.”
“Thank you, Count Dermore.”
“I appreciate your kindness.”
Ulan also answered politely.
Unlike Noah, his tone was informal, but the count didn’t seem to mind.
Not long after.
Dinner ended, and warm tea was served.
As Noah took a sip of the tea with a faint citrus aroma, the count suddenly brought up a topic.
“Finally, tomorrow is the day.”
There was no need to ask what he meant.
Tomorrow was the day of the Arsen Academy entrance exam.
“How are you feeling?”
“Ahaha, I’m a bit nervous.”
Noah laughed awkwardly.
It wasn’t a fabricated emotion or smile. She was genuinely nervous.
On the other hand, Ulan showed no reaction. A rock-solid response. The count glanced at them, pulling the corner of his mouth slightly.
“Actually, the reason I invited you today was to talk about a few things regarding tomorrow’s entrance exam.”
“About the entrance exam?”
“Yes. I’m also an alumnus of Arsen Academy. So, it won’t hurt to listen. Would you like to hear?”
There was no reason to refuse.
Ulan readily nodded.
“The Arsen Academy entrance exam is divided into three main parts. First, there’s the written exam, second, the physical fitness test, and finally, the talent verification exam in specialized fields.”
After sipping his tea.
The count added an explanation.
“What you need to prepare for is the specialized field exam. The written exam and physical fitness test are only for those without recommendation letters. They’ve already been conducted.”
In other words, Ulan and Noah, who had Count Dermore’s recommendation, had effectively passed the first and second exams.
This was an explanation they had already heard from Ajuheuh.
Ulan and Noah internally sighed in relief.
It was understandable.
Ulan lacked the knowledge for the written exam, and Noah’s physical strength was poor. If they had challenged it normally, they probably wouldn’t have even stepped foot in the third exam.
“How is talent verified?”
“You choose three exams out of 60 specialized field exams included in five categories, and if you pass, you’re in.”
The count’s answer came quickly.
His gaze became serious.
“However, there’s something to be cautious about.”
“Something to be cautious about?”
“You can only choose a maximum of two exams from one category. In other words, you can’t choose all three from the same category.”
It seemed understandable, yet confusing.
As Ulan frowned while crossing his arms, Noah, who was beside him, sighed.
“…You look like you didn’t understand.”
Accurate. Ulan nodded.
Noah spoke as if she had been waiting.
“Let me explain with an example. The specialized fields at Arsen Academy are broadly divided into five categories: Combat, Magic, Crafting, General, and Arts.”
These are called ‘specialized fields.’
“Each specialized field has 12 ‘specialized exams,’ and we need to choose three of them to pass.”
There are 12 specialized exams in one specialized field. And since there are five specialized fields, there are a total of 60 specialized exams.
“But as the count said, you can only choose a maximum of two exams from one specialized field. So, you can’t choose all three exams from the Combat field.”
After the easy-to-understand explanation.
Ulan nodded.
“I see. If I choose two exams from the Combat field, the remaining one must be from a different field, right?”
“Yes, exactly.”
It’s a relief you understand now.
As Noah smiled with relief, Ulan looked back at the count.
“Then what’s the passing criteria?”
“It varies by exam. But generally, getting a B-rank or higher in all three exams is considered safe.”
The exam ranks are divided into five.
S-rank, A-rank, B-rank, C-rank, D-rank.
In other words, getting a B-rank or higher in all three exams means surpassing the average. Meanwhile, the count delivered a warning.
“But don’t get an F-rank. Even if you get an S-rank in the other two, failing one with an F-rank means you fail.”
An F-rank is only given if you completely fail the exam or do nothing at all.
As Ulan nodded as if he understood.
“Now, back to the main point, this is the list of specialized exams you’ll take tomorrow.”
The count handed over a document.
A list densely packed with 60 specialized exams. But unlike Ulan, who was carefully examining the document, Noah didn’t even look at it.
“You’ve already decided, haven’t you?”
“Yes, I heard from my teacher.”
Actually, she had already experienced it, so she knew.
But she couldn’t say that honestly, so in situations like this, Noah always sold out Ajuheuh. And it usually worked.
The count’s reaction was proof.
“Haha, as expected of Ajuheuh’s disciple. Then, could you tell me which exams you chose?”
“Of course.”
Noah smiled slyly.
“First, I chose ‘Curse’ and ‘Talismans’ from the Magic field, and ‘Enchantment’ from the Crafting field.”
“Hmm, not a bad choice. Especially Talismans, since few choose it, you’ll likely get a high rank.”
Right. That’s why she chose it.
With her talisman skills learned from Ajuheuh, she could definitely get an S-rank.
As she smiled inwardly, the count shifted his gaze from Noah to Ulan.
“Warrior Ulan. Have you decided?”
“Yes. I plan to choose ‘Great Duel’ and ‘Monster Hunting’ from the Combat field.”
“Hmm, not bad. You’re the Prairie Warrior, so you’ll do well without difficulty.”
The count stroked his beard and smiled.
On the other hand, Ulan didn’t smile.
“But I haven’t decided what to choose for the third one.”
He had looked through everything from start to finish, but nothing particularly caught his eye. As he made a troubled expression, the count suddenly made a suggestion.
“Then how about the Magic field?”
“Huh? M-magic?!”
Noah was startled by the sudden suggestion.
Of course. Ulan had no talent for magic whatsoever.
He didn’t even know the principles of magic activation. If someone like him took a magic specialized exam, the result would be obvious.
Ulan thought similarly.
“But I…”
“I know. It says you have excellent combat talent but are a complete novice in magic.”
The count waved Ajuheuh’s letter.
If he knew that, why recommend magic? Doubt filled their eyes. Then the count smiled faintly and asked.
“According to the letter, you often went monster hunting alone. Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“To defeat a monster, you must destroy its core. And to locate the core, you need to be able to read the flow of magic.”
After stating the obvious.
The count’s eyes flashed strongly.
“But you hunted monsters alone, without the help of a mage. That means you have the talent to read the flow of magic!”
“……”
He must have misunderstood something.
Ulan had simply chopped up the monster’s body until the core came out. He had never fought by estimating the core’s location.
“That’s why I recommend this exam to you.”
The count pointed to the《Magic Detection》exam.
“This exam is like a miniature version of hunting monsters. For you, it’ll be a piece of cake.”
The count began a friendly explanation.
Listening quietly, it did seem similar to hunting monsters.
“Of course, I’m not forcing you. The choice is entirely yours, so think it over carefully.”
“Hmm, I see. Thank you for the advice.”
Ulan, who had been pondering, bowed his head.
It was a gesture of gratitude. As the discussion about the entrance exam concluded, the count stood up as if his business was done.
“Then, get some rest. You need to leave the mansion before sunrise tomorrow, so it’s best to sleep early.”
“Yes, thank you for your consideration.”
Noah smiled brightly.
The sudden dinner ended just like that.
5.
After Ulan and Noah left.
The count headed to the laboratory at the top of the mansion. As he silently looked up at the night sky, someone knocked on the door.
Knock knock!
A polite knock.
A moment later, the door opened.
“Count Dermore.”
A familiar voice.
It was Alond, the mansion’s butler. And also a trusted servant of Count Dermore.
“How were they?”
Alond asked directly.
The count made a thoughtful expression for a moment, then gave an honest impression.
“Noah seems quite clever. She’s quick-witted and her magic resembles Ajuheuh’s. Overall, not bad.”
“A suitable candidate for the plan.”
The count didn’t respond.
As if agreeing with Alond’s words.
But only for a moment.
His expressionless face gradually twisted. It was filled with irritation.
“But that guy is different.”
“The barbarian from the prairie?”
“Yes, I couldn’t sense a shred of magic or talent from him. He’s a barbarian who’s only good for fighting and nothing else.”
“Ah, so that’s why you recommended the Magic field.”
Alond looked understanding.
As if he had finally guessed his master’s intentions. The count, who nodded silently, looked up at the night sky again.
“Arsen Academy is the continent’s premier educational institution, producing countless talents. A barbarian entering such a place? Unthinkable.”
The count sneered. His face showed blatant disgust. Alond, who had been quietly observing, had a cold glint in his eyes.
“Shall we eliminate him?”
“No, not yet. We need to get them into the academy first, or the oath contract with Ajuheuh will disappear.”
The count looked at his left wrist.
A faint scar of a chain pattern remained. Until this disappeared, he couldn’t lay a hand on the prairie tribe.
“Moreover, Ajuheuh and the northern barbarians still have their uses. So, it’s better to handle this without shedding blood if possible.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Yes, I anticipated this and prepared in advance. I’ve already sent word to my brother-in-law.”
Count Dermore’s brother-in-law.
Baron Dirck is a professor in the Magic Department at Arsen Academy and the supervisor of the《Magic Detection》exam recommended to Ulan.
And he’s also someone who’s always struggling for research funds. So, the count lured Dirck with money and instructed him to fail the barbarian in the exam.
He couldn’t stand having something unsightly around.
The count smiled coldly.
“He’ll be returning to the prairie soon. Let’s treat him well until he arrives at the academy.”
“Yes, I’ll follow your orders.”
Alond bowed his head.
Like a loyal dog obeying his master.
6.
The next morning.
A carriage left the mansion.
A carriage heading to Arsen Academy. It carried Ulan and Noah.
“You look tired.”
“…I was too nervous to sleep.”
Noah answered weakly.
A moment later, she spoke up.
“By the way, Ulan.”
“What?”
“Have you decided what to choose for the third exam?”
“I’ll follow the count’s recommendation.”
His tone indicated he had already decided.
Noah asked with a surprised expression.
“A-are you sure? If the supervisor finds out you can’t handle magic…”
“I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
Ulan spoke firmly.
Noah looked flustered.
‘What? Why is he so confident?’
Does he really have the ability to see the flow of magic like the count said? But nothing shows up on his status window?
Noah was confused.
On the other hand, Ulan’s thoughts were simple.
‘The third exam doesn’t matter.’
The result would be similar no matter what.
So, he decided to take the《Magic Detection》exam recommended by the count. And just be careful not to get an F-rank.
Ulan decided that.
‘He must have had a reason to recommend it.’
Surely he didn’t recommend it to make me fail?
So, setting aside the third exam.
He decided to get S-ranks in the other two exams. That way, even if he got a D-rank in《Magic Detection》, he’d still pass.
Noah pondered Ulan’s intentions.
Contrary to Noah’s speculation, Ulan had made a very simple decision.
With different thoughts in mind.
The carriage soon arrived at its destination.
Chapter 5. The Entrance Exam
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
