Book 2 Chapter 10

Chapter 34

"With this, the exam will conclude."

Professor Kyle smiled faintly, and the assistant standing next to him projected the rankings into the air with a magical tool.

1. Logan & Rain Ludwig: 00:59.

2. Crista Warden & Rumlow Besley: 04:13.

……

……

……

Most teams that passed the exam set records in the mid-20s to early 30s of minutes.

The two teams that failed either ran out of magic, failed to control the power of their magic and were caught in the backlash, or were hit by a summoned beast more than three times and had to retake the exam.

Not only the F-grade students who were forced to retake the exam, but also the E-grade students who were given the opportunity for a re-exam, sighed in despair.

"It's over……"

"No way……"

Conversely, the qualifiers with D grades or higher each let out a sigh of relief and exchanged good wishes with each other. Rumlow said.

"Thanks to you, Princess, I'm getting a good grade… Thank you…"

But what was etched in Crista's eyes was something like… anger, stemming from fiery frustration and bewilderment.

'Lost again?'

I lost again to someone who just talks about "enjoying magic"? Since only the first place would get an S grade, she would get an A grade.

'Why didn't I think of collapsing the labyrinth? No, even if I did…'

Professor Kyle, seeing Crista's intense gaze, let out a soft sigh.

'Is your competitive spirit still burning?… That's a good attitude. Though the path to chase after him will be an incredibly thorny one.'

Although it's common wisdom that a short-tailed bird trying to follow a stork will tear its crotch, it might someday fly like that stork. For now, it might be better to offer a small comfort.

"Originally, the S grade was going to be given to only one team, but since the content of this exam was unique, I will give it to two teams."

"!!!"

"Because I thought it was somewhat against fairness that Rain Ludwig and Logan paired up based on their entrance exam scores."

At that, the other students also nodded to each other, agreeing that it was right. Rain and Logan had no objections.

"Therefore, Team 12, which collapsed the labyrinth with an idea and initiative that no one else conceived."

Among the students, no one was whispering, "What, we just had to collapse the labyrinth?" Because it wasn't such a simple problem.

It's good that the labyrinth was collapsed, but what if even one summoned beast survived inside?

You would have to clear all the collapsed debris with magic and find the summoned beast, but there's no way that's possible within the time limit.

"And Team 2, which completed the general option most excellently with perfect judgment and magical ability, I will give S grades to both teams."

Rain grinned and clapped hands with Logan cheerfully. Logan's eyes shone with excitement.

"You're really amazing, Young Master!"

"It was only possible because you were here, that's all."

Although she received the same S grade, Crista simply couldn't smile in this situation. Unable to smile, she just clenched her fists so hard they bled.

It was mortifying, the situation of losing so overwhelmingly in a battle she was sure to win.

And it was mortifying. Her own inability to object to this judgment born of pity…

"……"

Rain glanced at Crista, then let out a soft breath as if contemplating something, and walked towards her.

"So, this first assignment is a tie, huh? You're actually pretty good."

As if that had touched a raw nerve, tears of anger welled up in Crista's eyes, her body trembling as she clenched her fists.

"Don't come near me!"

"……?"

"Do I, do I… look like I would accept this kind of outcome?"

"What, do you dislike an S grade?"

"Don't mock me! A noble of an influential family, a mage! Should not receive pity! They should always receive respect bordering on awe! But, but…!"

Mortified, mortified, and utterly mortified, her fragile nature finally couldn't suppress the indignation, and tears streamed down her eyes.

Crista whirled away from Rain, wiping away the freely flowing tears.

"Damn it, to receive pity from the professor on the very first exam… It's the worst, it couldn't be worse, it's so bad I want to die!"

Crista, aged 16.

Her life, having just shed her girlish innocence, had been stained with pain and effort since the age of six.

Far from enjoying a happy daily life, she had dedicated her entire life to academics, so losing a competition was akin to losing everything for her.

She couldn't trust or lean on her family. She had to become someone her family could trust and rely on. Because only she could accomplish that.

She had lived such a life since she was six. She didn't even have friends with whom to share joy and pain. Because there was no room in her life for such a presence.

Was that also why she became absorbed in novels? Because through the world of books, through the protagonists of books, she could at least feel human connection.

Sacrificing everything, suppressing all emotions and desires, she had barely reached this current stage.

She had reached a level where she was called a genius of the century.

Indomitable, undefeated, overwhelming; it was as if the tower she had built by dedicating her heart to nothing but magic had collapsed all at once.

"You, do you like magic?"

The boy's voice cut through such thoughts. With a chuckle, and a voice that seemed lost in long memories.

"Me, I… I liked magic from the start. Of course, I still do. Naturally, memorizing theories and solving problems wasn't enjoyable from the beginning, but…"

"Why are you telling me such nonsense!"

"But you know, even though it was hard and painful, as I studied, I started to gain some value. I was a penniless nobody before."

The boy's expression, with his gaze fixed on his palm, was faint, as if it might break at any moment. A spring breeze blew, rustling the fresh green of the mountain range.

"That made me so happy. So, at some point, studying magic became enjoyable for me. Haven't you had an experience like that?"

Crista closed her mouth.

The joy of magical achievement… it would be a lie to say she hadn't felt it. But she always pushed herself not to get absorbed in such emotions. Fearing she might become dull, or complacent.

Because she had no room to feel such things.

"Were you angry when I said to enjoy magic earlier? If so, I'm sorry. But I don't say such irresponsible things to just anyone."

Is he mocking someone… For a moment, Crista frowned sharply and turned around, but the red eyes she met were utterly pure.

"Aren't you at a level where you can enjoy it plenty and still have more?"

A pure expression, in which no pretense could be found in anything he had said so far. A bright smile formed on that face.

"Thanks to you, the first exam was enjoyable. Let's compete again in the next exam."

That was it. As if the conversation was completely over, Rain turned his back without hesitation.

Why?

Why was that?

Looking at his retreating back, Crista felt her face turn beet red, as if it would burst.

Was it shame at receiving pity from a rival, or was it… but it didn't feel like a lump forming inside her.

"You're full of it! I said I wouldn't accept it! This outcome of the match!"

So she frantically shouted at the back of his head, and Rain, startled, stopped.

"Don't get cocky just because you won once! In the next exam, I'll definitely flatten that nose of yours flatter than modeling clay!"

Crista let out a roar-like yell, then gave a defiant snort, and spun around sharply.

The commotion was so loud that Logan and the other students all blinked their eyes and watched the scene blankly.

Professor Kyle was no exception.

'Overwhelming talent is truly remarkable.'

Even without intending to, it serves to pull other talented children forward.

As a stimulant.

As a wall to overcome.

And as a friend.

'I did well a hundred times over to take on the Delheiten professorship.'

Seeing Rain tilt his head at Crista's sudden outburst, Professor Kyle smiled gently.

'For the next three years, I'll be able to watch these children grow closer than anyone else.'

Yes, the youth of these geniuses who will shape the future of magic.

I'm going to be busy.

Because it will be our responsibility to give them the opportunity to make that youth as valuable and rewarding as possible. Kyle smiled as he organized his files.

"Those who need to retake the exam, please stay, and the rest of you may board the school's shuttle carriage and return to school."

* * *

"Generally, during exam periods, classes finish by noon."

"Really? Then after this, exercise Go?"

"Hehehe, sounds good."

So, when we returned to school in the shuttle carriage, I thought we would be dismissed right away…

In the [Cheonggang (Clear River)] classroom, Professor Owen was waiting for us. With a thick stack of documents piled on the podium, smiling wickedly.

"Here is a Math & Magic exam paper covering a total of 150 questions. Only those who solve all of them will be able to return to the dormitory."

"No way!"

"You're giving me a look that asks why I'm doing such a damn thing! It's because seeing your disgusted faces is unbearably amusing! What are you doing! Come forward quickly and get your exam papers!"

The students, too stunned to even be shocked, trudged to the platform, took their exam papers, and teared up.

"Don't even think about solving the problems carelessly, you monkey-like rascals. These scores will directly apply to your written exam grades!"

"!!!"

"And one more thing, I will collect the exam papers after 90 minutes. Any problems not solved within that time will all be marked as 0 points!"

At that, the movements of the students, who had been taking their exam papers with feeble and sluggish motions, sped up by at least five times.

"My head, my head isn't working…"

"When am I supposed to solve all of this…!"

"Damn it, if you chatter one more time, I'll expel you on the spot!"

Rain raised an eyebrow, as if intrigued.

'Are we doing practical and written exams on the same day?'

His curiosity surged, as it was truly an exam method that excelled at tormenting people. But seeing this vast amount of problems, everything in the world suddenly became bothersome.

1. Factorize the following expressions.

(1) x⁴- y⁴

(2) 9x³+38y³

(3) x²y + xy² + x⁴y + xy⁴

2. If the polynomial x³+ax-16 regarding x is divisible by x²+8x+b, what are the values of a and b (where a and b are constants)?

3. When -4≤ a<6, simplify the expression P = |a+3|+|a-2|.

4. Assume that 'binding' and 'exploding' properties are given to Earth-type magic. Find the runes that must be used here and the greatest common divisor of the polynomials applied to the two runes.

These are problems I've solved thousands and tens of thousands of times, beyond the point of already knowing them… Do I have to solve these? Isn't this forced labor, not studying?

"Bell Sidious."

Therefore, I decided to use a shortcut. No, can this be called a shortcut? It's just a part of my talent. Above all, my head was a bit tired to solve it with full effort.

"Professor, if I've finished solving it, can I submit it?"

Had about 10 minutes passed? When Rain raised his hand, Professor Owen raised an eyebrow.

"You certainly solved it quickly with that monkey-poop-like brain of yours. Of course, you may hand it in and leave. If you're confident in that damned answer sheet, that is."

As Rain confidently stood up, Crista, who was clutching her head at the next seat and frantically working her fountain pen on question 128, sneered.

"Hmph, are you really confident?! Really? Are you confident you can show a higher accuracy rate than this Crista Warden, after solving it so quickly and carelessly?!"

"Don't you even know how to be quiet during an exam, you piece of crap!"

"S-sorry!"

I submitted the exam paper and came out of the classroom. No one else seemed to have finished the exam yet; the normally bustling hallway was even quiet.

'Should I exercise first and then shower? Hmm, Logan said he's weak in theory, so…'

*Creak.*

Just as I was about to leave the hallway, a door opened from the other end of the corridor. Wondering if it was a familiar face, I turned slightly.

"……?"

Then I met a sharp gaze head-on, one that was close to wary rather than merely flustered. Under fiery red hair, eyes staring intently at this place were hotter than flames.

It was an expression as if her confidence that no one could have passed this exam before her had cracked.

That was the first encounter with Lilian Karaline, the girl considered the best among the prodigies currently boasted by the Eight Great Schools.