First Day

The examination went on just fine. I showed what I'm capable of. After I finished my exam, the top scorers were asked to wait a little bit longer because we're supposed to be further interviewed.

After my turn, we waited for about 35 minutes until all the examinees finished. Through out that time span, I've seen many people either pass or fail. I observed the other courses' examination too.

The exam ended, and all the staff of the school started to pack things.

I see the people that were ask to wait a little bit more. From our course, only three passed. Me, Ingrid and Percival. It wasn't only us three there.It appears that Ceres is here too. Some examinees came from the other two group.

I was surprised, I counted, and only 16 people were asked to wait. Shame. I was expecting a high number of people being recognized.

The group was quiet. Unlike earlier, people from the other groups and our own were chatting among themselves but now, it was like as if no one knew each other. I think it was safe to assume that no one knew each other, we're all from different courses, so it was likely.

"Okay. You guys. Let's see. You're all right here now because you all outperformed the others from earlier."

Someone introduced himself. It looked like he was in his mid-twenties.

"I'm Merlin Bismonth. I'll be your final evaluator."

Wait. Did he just say Merlin Bismonth? The guy who wrote the research that I was reading the other day. I was surprised to see him here.

I've kept a straight face throughout the exam, but knowing this, I was about to break character.

"First things first, who among you are wielding weapons?"

Nine people from the group raised their hands, I myself included of course.

"So, which of you don't use magic? 1, 2, 3, 4. Only four people. Okay then, could non-magic users proceeded to where that man is."

He pointed at someone. To my surprise, it was Mr. Toto. Oh yeah, he said he was evaluating this year. So that's why he wasn't evaluating earlier, he's supposed to evaluate right now.

"Okay. 12 people. Seems fair. I'll be able to finish here earlier. You 12, line up."

We followed his instructions, lined up facing his direction.

"This extra test will likely be over after 30 minutes, so how about we proceed? Everyone, I'll be asking all of you one by one questions. If I see someone unfit, their acceptance in this school will be rebuked."

Rebuked? No one reacted but it was clear that all of us were surprised. By the tone of his voice, he was serious. Things just got a little harder.

I stiffened myself as a proper reaction.

"Let's start. Who here is using mana dome instead of mana cycle?"

I raised my hand and the girl beside also did. She had a short white hair complementing her big pupils. She was about the height of my shoulder. I looked at her based of instinct.

"So we have two. I assume all of the remaining ones use mana cycle."

They nod their heads in unison.

"You two, kindly show us how you two use mana dome. Come in front."

The two of us stepped forward.

"Name please. What's your name, young lady?"

"Ah-ah. S-Sava Gundurband," she answered.

"How about this young gentleman?"

"Trent Faer."

"Okay then, you two, cast."

She casted a fair size of mana dome. As for me, I made one about the size of the stadium. Oh shoot. I've made it really big. All of the people inside noticed it. As fast I made it, I immediately uncasted it.

I looked at everyone, and all of their attention was directed towards me.

"I'm sorry sir. I've made it really big, so I uncasted it."

"What is there to apologize about?"

"Eh?"

"It was amazing actually. Some one who can use mana dome is going to be my student. Kindly use mana dome again, preferably about the size like earlier."

"Yes sir."

I once again casted mana dome. It was the size like the earlier one. All of the lined up student felt the dome spreading out. They had those amazed faces.

"Marvelous. Well done. Now you two, go back to your lines. "

"Yes."

Merlin stomped his feet, and from a distance, rows of dummies appeared. The number is just about the students he's examining. Those ones aren't like the ones used. They were rock-solid. I think it was made using creation magic integrated with the [Earth Affinity].

"You may be wondering what those dummies are for. The real test begins now. All of you are going to destroy them using long ranged attacks. Okay, start."

One by one, all of the examinees started firing. Seeing them, I also started to ready my range spell. For this particular occasion, I've decided that I'll use an Integrated spell.

Mana dome: activated.

Mana Gathering: finished.

"[Lightning Call]"

Usually lightning strikes are not accurate, but with my knowledge, I'll be doing something a little different.

I held out my fingers.

* Boom *

An accurate ray of lightning made an impact on the dummy, scattering all around the place. I was the first to finish, but eventually everyone had done the same after 2-3 spell blasts.

"Splendid. You guys finished in just under a minute. Now, one more test before this exam is over for you guys. Back off a bit."

We gave him a space for what he's doing.

"Creation magic. Summoning: Iron Golem."

From the ground below, a golem emerged. It stood tall. Our heights was never able to compare. My fellow students readied themselves. At this point we already know what the exam is.

Some prepared magic blasts on their hand. Some prepared their weapons.

"I know you all know what the last exam will be, that is to defeat this golem. You all have the time limit of 20 minutes before you defeat the golem. If it doesn't fall, I've said this earlier, your school application will be rebuked."

"Wait! Isn't that a little bit unfair!?" a guy with blond hair complained.

"It is, but I'm just following orders. Begin!"

"Tch!"

The ground began to shake. The golem is starting to move. I moved to the side, evaluating the possible things that I can do.

"Height:approximately 25 meters. Material composition, Iron."

Everyone started to attack. Different spells were thrown, but it would just deflect it.

"God damn it! Why won't my sword damage it!?"

We just got started but they charged it without any plan.

"Trent!"

"Huh?"

It was Ceres.

"So, Trent, you got any plans?"

"I have one. Could you help me?"

"Of course."

"Here's the plan..."

"That's great. We'll try it. I'll go talk to Ingrid now."

She ran towards her, and whispered something in Ingrid's ears. I was waiting if Ingrid agrees to work with us. After a few seconds, Ceres gave a thumbs up. Ingrid started to run away, going to an area she can shoot better.

"Time to move."

I started to run around the golem, evading it's attacks, waiting for Ingrid's shot.

For the meantime, I joined in attacking the golem.

"Kyaah!" a high pitched scream sounded.

It was the white-haired girl from earlier. The golem's right hand is about to crush her. Upon seeing her, I had my feet run to her as fast a possible.

"Ceres! Speed buff please!"

"You got it! [Wind Break]"

After she gave me a buff, I felt as if my body was faster and lighter.

"Kyaah!"

The hand draws closer. Just right before the hand reaches her, I swooped her right out.

"Huh?"

She still got that scared face, but it disappeared when she saw me carrying her.

"Are you alright?"

"I-I am. Thank you."

"Okay then. I'll be on my way. Be careful next time."

"Yeah..."

I went back in. I made a mana sword, integrated with the fire affinity, and started to slash the golems feet.

(Merlin: This boy... He can do Integrated spells.)

* Bang! *

A sound from afar. I can it was Ingrid so stepped back a bit. The bullet started to fly above my head. It was now time. It hit the ground, covering it with ice.

"Nice one."

It was now time to do my part. The golem started to lose it's balance, but it did not brought it down. That's where I come in.

I stood near it, fairly close. I bend my knees, and started to put my palms on the ground.

"[World Pillar]!"

I casted [World Pillar], and a big pillar of earth started to emerged from below. It was aimed towards the golem with purpose to bring it down. With the frozen floor beneath it and the big pillar that flew towards it, it was downed, but still moving.

Everyone saw what just unfold. seeing the downed golem, they started to shoot to stronger spells and attacks.

I started running towards it. I passed through a row magicians, and made another mana sword. I activated [Spatial Acceleration]. I jumped, with my sword pointed down, towards it's head.

Every golem has this gem-like stone inside their head. As one could guess it, it was the source of it's life, core you may call it. Knowing this, I went for the head. The sword went inside but it still doesn't reach the gem.

I begin collecting mana, and poured it all to the mana sword. The golem's head begun to melt due to the heat pressure of the blade. Little by little, a glowing red stone came into view. It must be it.

Few inches away from the gem, I drove the sword deeper and deeper until it reaches the gem.

The gem started to crack, and a big amount of mana bursts throughout the examination grounds.

With the core destroyed, the golem started to crumble and turn into mana remains.

The people cheered seeing the golems is defeated. Tears of joy enveloped the face of others and others feeling triumphant being able to take down the golem. As for me, I only did what I could to help, but as I started to leave the center area, I could hear the others applauding.

I returned to Ceres' side and waited for Merlin's final remark.

* Clap * Clap * Clap *

"You all did well, considering that was comparable to a Valient Tier monster. Kudos to you, kudos indeed."

With that, the extra exams finished with all of us passing.

END OF CHAPTER