Chapter 83

(2)

4.

Source of Magic, Zone 2.

Professor Dirck arrived at the exam site and met the gazes of the students huddled together. He then climbed onto the platform and opened his mouth.

This was to explain the exam details.

“Today’s exam is divided into three parts.”

No sooner had Dirck finished his sentence than the assistant supervisors, who had been waiting behind the podium, wheeled out a cart full of pitch-black stones.

“Firstly, pay attention to the magic stones here.”

These were magic stones (魔石).

Magic stones refer to stones that have completely run out of magic power. Each stone in the cart had a number engraved on it.

“The number on these magic stones signifies your attendance number. After taking your assigned stone, you need to determine how many mana traces are inside and submit your answer.”

Mana Trace (魔力痕).

This refers to the tiny traces etched inside the stone in accordance with the flow of magic when it was still a magic stone.

After wrapping up the explanation of the first exam,

just as he was about to start the next explanation, several students suddenly raised their hands.

“Um, Professor.”

“Can we use magic?”

The intent behind the question was simple.

If they could use magic, the difficulty of the exam would drop significantly. Of course, he wouldn’t just allow that.

As the students waited nervously for a reply,

the unexpected response was, “Sure, go ahead.”

“Huh? Seriously…?”

“But remember, this is Zone 2, and you’ll be fully responsible for whatever happens from now on if you use it.”

“…….”

The students who asked fell silent.

It seemed they finally recalled that they were in the Source of Magic, particularly Zone 2.

‘Zone 2 has two main characteristics.’

One: Magic tools don’t work properly, and Two: The risk of Magic Overload increases to 20%.

‘In other words, releasing magic power means facing the risk of Magic Overload.’

This wasn’t a graduation exam or some final; it was merely a midterm exam. No student would willingly take such risks for that.

And Dirck’s prediction was spot on.

The absence of rebuttals was proof enough.

“Above all, the purpose of this exam is to find the mana traces without using magic. Anyone who listened attentively to my lecture should be able to do it.”

After delivering that last piece of advice,

he continued with further explanations.

“The second exam involves wandering around Zone 2 and submitting the most stable magic-flow material you can find. The fewer the curves in the flow, the higher your score.”

Maybe it was the clear explanation?

This time, there were no follow-up questions.

“The third exam will consist of a written test and a simple practical test, which will be held after the previous two exams.”

With that, the explanations concluded.

Dirck immediately stepped down from the podium and handed over the baton to the assistant supervisors. This signified a transfer of authority.

“Just so you know, I have personal matters to attend to, so from now on, follow the instructions of the assistant supervisors.”

With that final note, Dirck turned to leave, promising to return before the third exam started.

At that moment,

one of the assistant supervisors followed him closely.

The hood drawn low hid their face, but judging by their petite and slender build, they somehow felt feminine.

“…….”

Ulan stared at the back of the assistant supervisor. Noticing this, Noa cocked her head and asked,

“Ulan?”

“What?”

“Why are you staring like that?”

“I smell something familiar.”

“Huh? Smell?”

But no answer came.

Ulan merely continued to gaze intently at the retreating figure of the girl.

‘I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before.’

The way she walked felt very familiar.

But since he couldn’t recall who it was, Ulan soon dismissed the thought.

If he couldn’t remember despite this much pondering, it probably meant that the person wasn’t that significant.

Around the time he diverted his gaze,

“I’ll start distributing the magic stones now!”

“Come up in attendance order to receive them.”

Soon, the exam preparations began.

Following the assistant supervisors’ instructions, Ulan also received the magic stone with his attendance number on it.

After a while,

once the distribution was finished, the assistant supervisors placed a large clock on the podium.

“The exam time limit is 30 minutes.”

“While figuring out the number of mana traces is important, the submission time is also a crucial aspect, so try to submit as quickly as possible.”

“Then, let the exam begin now!”

With the supervisors’ shout as a signal,

the final exam of the midterm commenced.

5.

The first exam, finding the mana traces in the magic stones.

When viewed just from this standpoint, it’s an exam boring enough to make one yawn.

Because finding mana traces in the magic stones can be done perfectly just by letting magic flow out.

But now, without being able to use magic,

the narrative changes completely.

To be precise, saying the difficulty increases dramatically would be more accurate.

Of course, as Professor Dirck had mentioned, there’s a way to differentiate.

The problem is that 30 minutes is way too short of a time to use that method.

“Isn’t 30 minutes a bit tight?”

“Not just a bit, but extremely tight.”

“Even if you ask second-year students, less than half of them would be able to finish in 30 minutes.”

Watching students struggle with the exam,

the supervisors exchanged their thoughts.

“I thought they’d at least give an hour.”

“What can I say, it’s just like Professor Dirck.”

“He’s ruthless when it comes to exams.”

Dirck Ormin had a long-standing reputation for administering notoriously difficult exams.

If the time is ample, it means the questions are extraordinarily difficult, and conversely, if the questions are easy, the time limit is too short.

“It seems half will disqualify in this exam too.”

“Eh, half would actually be lucky.”

“I feel like at least twenty students will be disqualified.”

Such was the troublesome nature of this exam.

Therefore, the supervisors anticipated.

Among the twenty-six students, only around five or so would likely pass.

Then suddenly,

“The exam’s over.”

A student approached the supervisors with a blank expression.

A silver-haired girl.

Delia Arpen. And her arrival visibly flustered the supervisors.

“……What?”

“Y-You found the traces already?”

“Yes. Here’s my answer sheet.”

Delia handed over a slip of paper.

A clearly written number, 26.

The supervisors blinked in surprise, checking her answer sheet.

“Delia Arpen, 1 minute 32 seconds.”

“That’s correct. It’s the right answer.”

It was indeed the shortest time.

As Delia turned to leave, the supervisors couldn’t contain their amazement any longer.

“Wow, that was incredibly fast.”

“To do that without magic is impressive.”

“So this is what makes her the genius mage of the duchy?”

“Now that’s real talent.”

The supervisors continued to express their admiration.

It was justified.

Even Professor Dirck himself would take at least ten minutes to find the mana traces without using magic.

But it was still too early for shock.

“Excuse me, but….”

Following Delia, another girl approached the supervisors.

“I’m done too, can I submit?”

The black-haired girl hesitated while presenting her answer sheet.

Another possessor of the same talent as Delia.

Noa Darshen. The supervisors’ faces again lit up with surprise as they accepted her answer sheet.

“Noa Darshen, 2 minutes 15 seconds.”

“Excellent. That’s correct.”

The second-fastest record following Delia.

With a pace that transcended common sense, the supervisors were in awe. Meanwhile, Noa turned to head back to her spot.

Suddenly, a voice called out.

“You really are something.”

It was Delia herself.

Perhaps due to the sudden compliment? Noa uneasily broke into a bashful smile.

“Oh come on, I’m still behind you.”

“Well, that’s because I’m better than you.”

“…….”

Noa gritted her teeth.

An obnoxious reply, yet truth be told, it was accurate. Just looking at their character grades, Delia was an SS-class, lesser than five others.

“By the way, where’s Ulan?”

At that moment, Delia scanned the surroundings.

With curiosity in her gaze.

Noa shrugged and replied,

“As you can see, he’s struggling.”

Pointing with her snow-white finger was Ulan, silently staring at the surface of the magic stone, clutching it tightly.

It was a sight that clearly showed no progress.

Delia, observing this, gracefully walked over to him.

“Ulan.”

After softly calling his name,

she casually offered,

“Want me to help you?”

With her abilities, she could not just assist but also casually hand him the answer.

Delia was loved by Mana.

Being able to visualize magic, assessing the traces of magic was no hard task for her.

“I appreciate the kindness, but I’m good.”

Yet Ulan shook his head.

He didn’t need to go that far.

“I can do it on my own.”

“But Ulan, you don’t have any magic…”

“This is my exam. Finding the answers solely with my own ability is what truly matters.”

The stubborn reply came right after.

Delia promptly lapsed into silence. Moments later, her cheeks puffed up with a pout.

“……Why am I the one helping?”

A voice too small to hear slipped through her lips. Ulan, oblivious, continued to stare at the magic power.

As time passed,

Ulan finally realized.

‘I don’t understand anything.’

He didn’t even know what the mana traces were in the first place.

They were called ‘traces,’ so he had guessed they resembled specks, but he couldn’t find anything that looked like a point on the stone’s surface.

‘So they must be inside.’

But he couldn’t check inside recklessly. After all, he had to return the stone post-exam. Just as he was pondering endlessly,

‘That’s….’

Suddenly, something came into view.

The stone held by Delia.

The temporary magic stone with the attendance number engraved on it. Upon realizing this, Ulan immediately called out.

“Delia.”

“……What?”

“Can I have that? Do I need to submit it?”

“Yeah. I don’t think they’ll collect that separately.”

A magic stone that has completely run out of magic power holds the same value as an ordinary pebble. So there was no reason to collect it.

As soon as she finished her explanation,

Ulan’s eyes sparkled.

“Then can I take it?”

“I don’t mind, but what are you gonna do with it?”

“I just want to try something.”

What could he be trying to test?

It felt a bit puzzling, but his contemplation didn’t last long. She willingly handed over the stone.

“Here, take it.”

“Thanks.”

Ulan grinned.

Delia observed him in silence, as if she were curious about what he would do.

Meanwhile, Ulan gripped Delia’s magic stone tightly with both hands. Then just like that, he tore it apart.

“Huh…?”

The stone was split cleanly in half.

So smoothly that one might think he was slicing an apple. It was an unfathomable strength. As Delia stared blankly at his unreasonable action,

his question broke through the silence.

“Is this the mana trace?”

“……Huh? Uh, yeah. That’s right.”

Delia nodded a beat late.

She pointed at the white traces visible inside the stone and added an explanation.

“Here, the white ones are all mana traces.”

“I see, thanks for letting me know.”

With that, his hesitation vanished.

Placing the now split Delia’s magic stone on the ground, Ulan grabbed his own stone.

Ka-dak! Cheeeeeeek!

Once again, the magic stone split into two.

Soon, white traces entered his sight.

Just as Ulan was counting them, Delia suddenly appeared to have an epiphany and nodded.

“Ah, what you meant by solving it on your own… was actually using real strength.”

“…….”

It seemed there was a misunderstanding brewing, but he decided against correcting it. At the moment, counting the mana traces was more important.

“There are twenty-eight of them.”

After counting again, the result remained the same.

Ulan immediately wrote it down and submitted his answer sheet.

The results came in quickly.

“Confirmed. That’s correct.”

“Ulan Bator, 15 minutes 24 seconds.”

As the results were announced, Ulan slightly bowed his head and returned to his original spot. The supervisors murmured, surprised.

“Faster than we expected.”

“Right? Who would’ve thought?”

“Seems he’s hiding some magical talent beneath the surface.”

Of course, he was slower than the two girls who submitted earlier, but overall, it was a speedy time.

Because so far, only Delia, Noa, and Ulan had submitted their answer sheets.

“He looks like someone who would swing an axe without a second thought from the outside…”

“Guess we shouldn’t judge people by appearances.”

With the supervisors marveling behind him,

Ulan returned to his original place. Then Delia, curious, asked,

“How was the result?”

“They said it was correct.”

Of course, it would be correct. Having split the stone to directly see the mana traces was the most reliable method.

After submitting his answer sheet,

while waiting in silence,

“Hey, Ulan.”

Delia approached him, fidgeting awkwardly.

A somewhat tense expression accompanied her.

“So, once the midterm is over, what are you doing?”

“Eating, I guess.”

“No, I mean—”

“Then?”

“……I’ll rephrase my question.”

Maybe she should be more direct.

Clearing her throat and gathering her voice, Delia finally spoke the words she had intended.

“Do you have time this weekend?”

“I have plenty of time.”

“Really?”

Her expression brightened.

As if she had heard the answer she wanted.

“Then let’s go have fun in the capital?”

“In the capital?”

“Yeah. Using the outpass…”

“Sorry, I already have plans.”

“……Plans?”

The immediate rejection surprised Delia. The smile that had been around her lips vanished, and her golden eyes now held an icy glare.

After a brief pause, she asked dryly,

“Can I ask who it is?”

“Ivella Elea’ad.”

The moment the name of his outing companion was revealed,

Delia’s brow furrowed.

“How stingy, to take the first move…”

Her beautiful brow twitched in annoyance.

She appeared incredibly displeased.

But that didn’t last long, as Delia gazed at Ulan and spoke,

“Then for the next time, you go with me.”

“Next time, you say…?”

“I’m talking about next week.”

Her golden eyes glinted.

A peculiar obsession shone in her gaze—an uncompromising expression. Meanwhile, Ulan was left bemused.

“I heard we can only get one outpass each…”

“I can get more.”

“Is that possible?”

“Yeah, it is.”

With a response filled with assurance,

she placed a hand on her chest and said,

“I’m the princess of Arpen.”

Getting another outpass isn’t hard at all. Therefore, the key at this moment was getting Ulan’s commitment.

So, with a tense expression, she asked,

“……Will you go out with me?”

“If I have an outpass, I’m fine with it.”

“Really? Are you serious?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright. It’s a promise.”

After repeating the word “promise” a few times, Delia’s expression returned to normal.

And in that moment,

Beep beep beep!

The sharp whistle rang out.

“Exam over!”

“If there are any students yet to submit their answer sheets, hurry and do so!”

“Failing to submit means disqualification!”

After the first exam regarding Magic Detection ended,

the students all looked gloomy.

Not surprisingly.

Among twenty-six students, only five had submitted proper answer sheets.

“We’ll have a ten-minute break now, and then immediately start the second exam!”

“Students wishing to use the restroom, please use the temporary facilities over there.”

Having heard the supervisors’ instructions, Ulan immediately stood up. The signal had been given. Delia promptly followed suit.

“I’ll go with you.”

“The girls’ restroom is over there.”

“I know. Just through the middle with me.”

Just as she was responding with a sulky face,

suddenly Delia shuddered.

“……!”

Her eyes widened in shock, as big as lanterns.

She immediately turned her head sharply. The expression on her face was one of utter astonishment.

“What’s going on?”

“…….”

Ulan, bewildered by her sudden reaction, asked, but silence followed.

Delia remained wide-eyed, looking beyond the Source of Magic.

So he tried speaking to her again.

“Delia?”

“……It’s nothing.”

That was the answer that finally returned.

She shook her head.

“I just feel a little uneasy.”

“Uneasy?”

“Yeah. It’s hard to explain in words, but…”

The words drifted as she turned her gaze back.

Beyond the thick fog that enveloped Zone 2.

“……It’s probably nothing.”

This was the Source of Magic.

A Demon Realm where the common sense of the outside world does not apply.

Hence, it was only natural that indescribable, unsettling phenomena would occur.

So she planned to ignore it.

That was the thought. But despite that, something kept drawing her gaze.

The place that caught Delia’s eye.

Beyond the fog lay the spot where Professor Dirck had vanished, citing personal business.

It was the Source of Magic, “Zone 3.”

Chapter 22. Changing Future