Book 1 Chapter 43

The first-year magic students were gathered in the great hall of the Magic Academy.

Sitting in the temporary chairs set up in the great hall, the students were nervously reading their notes.

"Ugh! I'm so nervous! My stomach hurts!"

Kal popped a few of the antacid tablets he had made himself into his mouth.

Seeing this, the surrounding students rushed over and bought the antacid tablets from him.

"You're still good at business, even at a time like this?"

"I have a feeling about the test scores, so I have to do my best with this. By the way, Leo, you're a top student, so you don't seem nervous?"

"That's not true."

"How can someone say that when they're not nervous?"

Kal, grumbling as if envious, glanced at Chloe's back, who was sitting in the very front row.

Chloe, who had been a mess like a shut-in during the exam period, looked incredibly neat today.

It wasn't just Chloe.

All the magic students were dressed up.

The presentation of unique magic today was not just a test, but also a forum to present their achievements as mages.

Given that they chose the path of a mage, it was inevitable that they would have many opportunities to present their magic theory papers.

Therefore, this was also a practice session for future presentations.

Just then, the hall doors opened, and three mages entered.

All of them were impeccably dressed, and they walked onto the stage with stern expressions.

"It's been a while, Associate Professor Ren. Ah, now you're a Professor, aren't you?"

"Heh heh. It's nice to see you all again. Yes. I am a professor now."

Professor Ren greeted them warmly and then spoke from the stage.

"Now, everyone, pay attention."

Professor Ren called for the students' attention as he stood on the stage.

"I will introduce them. From the left, Lilda Fedni, Aidman Slack, and Shin Hudsda. All three are your seniors who graduated from Lumene's magic department three years ago. Today, they will evaluate you not as seniors and juniors, but as judges."

At his words, the students' eyes sparkled.

Professor Ren was very popular among the magic students.

While he had a handsome appearance and a good personality, his teaching ability was exceptional.

However, he was also known for his strict standards.

Therefore, he was a very daunting opponent as a judge.

Naturally, the tension eased when graduates, not Professor Ren himself, were the judges.

Kal also exclaimed, "Oh~! Lucky!" with delight.

"I don't think this is something to be happy about."

"Huh? Why?"

"Professor Ren specifically brought in outside judges. Do you think they'll be easy on you?"

"……"

At his words, Kal's face turned slightly anxious.

Meanwhile, the three people took their seats in the judges' seats in front of the stage.

As they took out their papers and pens, and their expressions indicated they were ready, Professor Ren held up the list and called out the students' names.

"Iliana Laden."

*Scrrrape-*

At his words, Iliana walked onto the stage.

"Hello, seniors. I am Iliana Laden from Class 5! It is such an honor to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too, student Iliana. We're looking forward to hearing the presentation of our cute junior."

Lilda Fedni adjusted her glasses and smiled gently.

In response, Iliana swayed her body slightly and smiled as cutely as possible with a shy expression.

She was diligently acting like a cute junior, as if appealing, "Will you say harsh things to such a cute junior?"

"Leo, seeing that tomboy act makes my stomach churn."

"Bear with it."

"Then, please take care of me."

"My main attribute is light."

"Ho ho, you have a rare magic attribute."

Seeing the seniors show interest, Iliana inwardly rejoiced.

'The atmosphere is good~'

"…By adding the magic formation of the 'flame' attribute to the light attribute magic system like this, you can unleash powerful 'heat ray' magic!"

Iliana pointed to the blackboard, where she had written down her self-created magic formation system, with both hands and looked at the graduates.

After raising her eyebrows a few times to appeal, Iliana hid her hands behind her back and smiled shyly.

"That's all."

As the presentation ended, applause erupted from the students.

Lilda, sitting on the far left, adjusted her glasses and said.

"Indeed, among light attribute mages, many choose powerful 'laser' magic as their unique magic. In the past, unique magic was literally one's own original creation… well, in this world where the inheritance of power is taken for granted due to the world of heroes, unique magic itself doesn't need to be special. However, there must be originality in the process of its completion."

By now, she was looking at Iliana with a blank expression.

"What is the difference compared to existing laser-type magic?"

"Uh… well, that… that's related to our family's secret magic formation…"

"A formula related to secret magic. How careless."

Lilda clicked her tongue and pointed out the deficiencies in Iliana's magic formation one by one, pushing her.

In the drastically changed atmosphere, Iliana, breaking out in a cold sweat, struggled to answer.

"Finally, I'll ask one last question. Student Iliana. What is the hierarchical rank you are aiming for with this magic you have conceptualized?"

"Th-that… I haven't decided yet."

Iliana fiddled with her hands and avoided Lilda's eyes.

"It's good to have grand dreams, but you should present what you perfectly understand. Did you think we came to see a talent show for juniors?! C-! Next!"

"Hick!"

Lilda, who had suddenly changed, shouted with her eyes wide open, and Iliana, intimidated by her momentum, fled the stage as if in terror.

The faces of the other students stiffened.

From the students' perspective, Iliana's presentation was excellent.

And yet, it was only a C-?

Watching this, Ren crossed his arms.

'She's doing well. It's time for them to feel the wall.'

Ren had invited some of the graduates he was close to during his time as an associate professor, especially those who were meticulous about magic theory.

The reason was simple.

First-year students often found Lumene's class difficulty overwhelming.

However, by the time of the midterms, they would gradually begin to adapt to the classes.

Moreover, in a short period, they would grow to a level incomparable to when they first entered.

It was a time when the entire first-year class would become complacent and arrogant.

Professor Ren knew from his long experience that if he didn't curb them at this point, they would neglect their studies.

'There are many professors who let the ones who will succeed move on and don't worry about those who won't, saying they won't make it… but it doesn't suit my temperament to let those who *can* succeed go.'

Ren believed that providing new stimulus to make them look upwards again was also part of being an educator.

'Besides, it's unreasonable for first-year students to complete unique magic with their current level.'

He had assigned the task, but it was solely to emphasize the necessity of unique magic.

No matter how talented the mages entering Lumene were, it was impossible for them to complete unique magic, which other mages devoted their entire lives to, in just a few months.

'Well, there are geniuses who can do such things.'

Ren looked at a few students.

Meanwhile, the students' presentations continued.

"I expected these first-year students to be special, but their level is quite disappointing."

"In terms of originality, I even think they're worse than previous batches. Well, what the higher-ups called special was only 'combat prowess'."

Lilda and Shin Hudsda said, as if they could be heard.

They too had been told their role by Ren.

Would they not care about their juniors?

They had a strong desire to pat their juniors on the back and praise them, but they willingly took on the villainous role for the sake of their juniors.

They themselves had suffered greatly after becoming complacent around this time in their first year.

As the first-years were thoroughly beaten down by the graduates, Ren called out the next student.

"Abad Rwalin."

At his words, the graduates' expressions changed.

The magic pinnacle of the continent's strongest nation, the Rodren Empire, the heir of the Rwalin family had been called, so anticipation was inevitable.

"The name of my unique magic is Tempester."

Abad, who had stepped onto the stage, gave a brief greeting and began his presentation.

As they listened to his presentation, everyone let out a gasp.

Abad's magic was, quite literally, a magic that maximized the power of wind, approaching a natural disaster.

"When it reaches completion, the expected hierarchical rank is the highest."

At his words, the students murmured.

'Truly, it is the ultimate magic that symbolizes him.'

"Crap! How annoying, but so cool! That's why it's even more annoying! Anyway, it's cool!"

"Pick one."

Kal said, crossing his arms, and Leo burst out laughing.

Seeing Abad, who had a refreshing smile, the female students let out gasps of admiration.

Chelsea's eyes sparkled, with an expression that said, "My brother is the best!"

'Leo-oppa's magic formation is amazing, but brother is not to be outdone either! Sigh~ Who should I cheer for?'

"Amazing. As expected of the heir of the Rwalin family."

"It's magic that lives up to the name of unique magic, which is a summation of a mage's values, philosophy, goals, and aspirations."

The graduates praised Abad profusely.

"There's always a monstrous friend in every batch. Abad Rwalin, you get an A+."

Abad stepped down from the stage, receiving applause from the graduates.

"Phew~ Poor guy who has to present next!"

"Next presenter, Kal Thomas."

"Huk!"

Kal's face, which had been chuckling, turned pale.

The pitying gazes of some students fell upon him.

Kal, who went up to the stage like livestock being led to slaughter, returned to his seat in a pathetic state, as expected.

Kal, with a hollow expression, received comfort from the surrounding students.

Meanwhile, Chelsea also had her presentation.

While Abad showcased magic with absolute destructive power as his original magic, Chelsea chose field magic that could influence the surrounding area with wind as her original.

"Amazing?"

"Even for a Rwalin, it's hard to believe she's only fourteen. A!"

"Thank you."

Chelsea, with a bright smile, bowed her head and left the stage.

With Chelsea, only two presenters were left.

"Next presenter, Leo Flove."

*Rattle-*

At his words, Leo rose from his seat.

All the students' eyes turned to Leo.

Before going on stage, Leo's eyes met Chloe's, who was at the very front.

He waved his hand with a smile, but Chloe just gazed at Leo blankly.

Leo, with a slightly awkward expression, stood in the center of the stage.

"The unique magic I have prepared is a non-attribute magic formation system."

"Non-attribute magic formation system? What is that?"

Lilda asked, adjusting her glasses.

It was a concept she had never heard of.

"It's simple. Existing magic formations all have attribute manifestation formations, right?"

"Of course. It's the minimum requirement to activate any magic."

Shin Hudsda answered as if stating the obvious.

At his words, Leo smiled.

"It is a magic formation system that can be compatible with all attribute manifestation formulas."

"What?"

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

The three judges wore expressions of shock, and the students looked stunned.

Professor Ren stared at Leo, his eyes wide.

"Leo Flove. So, you're saying… you're going to create a new magic formation system?"

Aidman asked for confirmation, and Leo shrugged his shoulders and replied.

"Yes."