The basic competency test was successfully completed and the practical test began.

　The practical test is a real battle.
　The practical test is a real battle format.
　The test is judged on the content of the battles.
　The results are not reflected in the test, but they are judged by human beings.
　The examiners would be more impressed by a victory.
　And even if it doesn't matter if you win or lose, I have no intention of losing.

　And I'm not the only one who thinks so.

I won't hold a grudge if I get hit.

　Cecil was breathless.
　The feel of the basic ability assessment test was probably good.
　Even though he had the eyes of a dead fish on the written and essay exams....
　He's a cash fellow.

'Yeah. Let's do our best.

　Sarasa is also doing well.
　She was able to put together a basic ability test that she had said she was weak at, but she was able to do so without any problems.
　She said she was not confident about her written and essay exams, but when she checked her answers with her mouth, she got most of them right.
　That's what I'm talking about.
　It's just that she wears glasses.

By the way, I saw that the examination room for measuring magic power was a mess, what's going on?

There was a rumor. The sound was all over the other hall.

　Cecil and Sarasa ask me, rolling their eyes.

　Well.
　I'm sure the magic silver (mithril) that they used was a shoddy product.


　◆◇◆◆◆.


　My first round opponent was a nobleman who was in the judgment test group.
　He still has the same scowl on his face.
　And smelly. He smelled like perfume.

'I was surprised at the magic power judgment test, but that was some kind of mistake. But if it's a real-world test, you can't fool me. Prepare yourself, you crook.

　The [Wizard] noble raised his staff.

　The [villagers] call me a crook this time, huh?
　They really don't want to believe it.
　They don't want to believe it at all, the difference between their own strength and that of the [villagers].

　Before the practical test began, the examiner handed me a magic jewel.
　The magic jewelry is a magic tool that is filled with magical power.
　It's also a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　This time, what was on the magical gemstone was 【Magic Destruction】 and 【Slash Attack Resistance Enhancement】.
　The former is a magic that erases the effects of magic.
　The latter is a magic that increases the resistance to slashes and stabs.

The only thing you'll receive from this magical gemstone will be shock waves. Of course, the stronger the damage, the stronger the shock, so be careful. ........because it's the body that your parents have entrusted to you. It's a measure to prevent you from getting hurt.

How's the magical gemstone's durability?

'Haha..... You're scared, examiners. Don't worry. This magical gemstone has a treasure armament - in other words, it has an effect similar to a divine tool. As far as I know, it's never been broken.

　The examiner gives the examiners a treatment to acclimate the effects of the magical jewels to the candidates.
　When he finished, he moved away from me.

　I see. Does that mean I can do this seriously?

　I stare at the front.
　A nobleman, already prepared, was waiting for me.

　A cylindrical martial arts hall with a diameter of 50 paces.
　Candidates gathered in the bleachers, looking down at the martial arts hall.

　I stepped with a light thump.
　I made sure I felt the hard sandy ground.

　The examiner stands between me and the nobleman.
　We looked at each other and raised our arms.

"Haj--

　[Flaming Ball]!

　I suddenly heard a magic chant.
　A huge fireball was thrown at me.
　The hall was immediately dyed red lotus.

　I was swallowed by the whirlpool of flames.

''Hahahahaha!　How's my magic?　It's an intermediate level fire magic that I've acquired after accumulating a few tricks. Unfortunately, it can't burn insects directly.

'Terrible!　I hadn't even heard the signal to start yet.

　Sarasa stood up in protest.
　Then the nobleman glared at her with a guileless stare.

''Hey, hey. What are you flirting with, glasses ugly!　Your eyes are knotty. Now that's a foul?　Huh?　I said it right after the beginning. Hey, examiner.

　Asked.
　The examiner did not say anything.
　It's because he doesn't want to say anything that could be used to his opponent's advantage.

　Beside Sarasa's indignation, Cecil was calm.

'You've been targeted for a foul threshhold. It's hard to admit that with that timing. But this is a test. Bad behavior will be deducted from your score.

Yeah, but still.... That's a foul, Cecil-chan.

'You're instantly pissed off when it comes to Lacelle. You're so cute, Sarasa.

'Hey!　Ka, don't tease me!

It'll be fine. There's no way Lacelle can get beat up like this.

What?

　The flames cleared.
　What appeared was an empty space.
　Only what looked like a charred mark on the ground.

''Hiya!　Jeez, man. You're gone. Has he really been turned into charcoal? Examiner.... It's not my fault, is it? As you might expect, if you say you killed someone, the family name will be damaged.


　It's okay, [Mage (Garbage Bug)].


　My voice echoes through the cylindrical martial arts arena.
　However, there was no sign of me.
　Only a nobleman and an expanse of sand.

'I'm here.'

　The voice rang loud and clear.

　Everyone's eyes went up.
　They were directed from the martial arts arena to the sky above it.

''Hey......... This can't be true........''

　Cecil falls out of his chair.

'Wow...... I'm floating.'

　Sarasa stood up and folded her hands, as if she were praying to God.

　That's right. I was floating.
　The magic of the [Mage (Wizard)] - [Levitation].
　It's an intermediate level of magic, but the heart of this magic is really the control of magic power.
　Even if you acquire it by accumulating skill points, it's difficult to manipulate and many of them are frustrating.

''Oh no!　You're flying!　I mean, there's no such thing as magic.

　Even the nobles were astonished.
　All the people in the hall had their eyes peeled and their mouths open in amazement.

　What is this nobleman talking about in his sleep?
　[Levitation] is the magic of a [Mage (Wizard)].
　It's not too difficult to acquire.

　It's not that hard........
　It's not like 300 years have passed and there are no more users due to technological degeneration, right?

　It's possible.
　The magic of [Levitation] was used on the battlefield for surprise attacks and transmissions from the air.
　But its versatility is extremely low.
　In times of peace, it might be nothing more than a showpiece by people with special skills.

　Oh well.
　In any case, it's my turn.

　I held up my hand.

''Nobleman's [wizard]. Your magic is a child's game of fire.

What?

I'll tell you. This is what magic is all about.

　I finally activate my magic.
　An explosive flame spreads from my hand.
　The hall is dyed in red lilies.
　It was as if a small sun appeared in front of me.

　A mass of fire slammed into the 【Mage】 at high speed.
　Instantly, it was engulfed in flames.

''Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

　It was like a scream of decapitation.
　War Fire tried to swallow even that voice.
　The examiner beside him gulped and was overwhelmed.

　The temperature in the exam room was suddenly hot.
　Even though sweat was floating on their foreheads, no one tried to wipe it off.
　Everyone was mesmerized by the flames.

　After a while, the flames stopped.
　What appeared was a naked nobleman.
　The clothes they were wearing had been erased by the magic fire.

　You were saved by the effect of [Magic Erasure].

　It looks like he was gorgeously damaged, but the skin was only lightly burned.
　If you treat it immediately, there won't be any scars left.

　The examiner checks on the fallen examinee.
　The demonic jewel that was hung from its neck was naturally tattered as well.

''Nonsense........ How could it exceed the magic output of the magic gemstone? You, what kind of advanced magic did you use?

I don't use advanced magic.

"What--!　You didn't use advanced magic?

That's [First Flame]. It's a beginner's magic for a [wizard].

　I answered bluntly.

　Then the examiner froze.
　Even the students who had been listening with their ears close to the screen froze.
　The room went silent.

　Soon, time began to move.


''Sho, beginner's magic ooohhhhhh!


　I shouted out loud.

''I thought I was taking it easy on you, but...''

　When I approached the nobleman and checked the magical jewel he carried around his neck, I saw that it was already in tatters.
　Just as I expected.
　It seems that even with the beginner level magic, the effect of the magic jewel has been overwhelmed.
　Next time, I'll have to reduce my magic output a bit more.

　I'm not going to be able to get it right.

You're going to be able to have a look at it. By the way, examiner-dono.

Ha, yes..... What is that?

　For some reason, he was being respectful.

'I hope this is the end of the first round, right?

'Oh, oh.... You win!　Rasael Singh Stark wins!

　The examiner came forward to win.
　Then, all at once, the audience's voltage went up.
　I stand up and clap my hands.
　It was supposed to be an exam, but a thunderous applause enveloped me.

　I stand alone on the stage while everyone else is buzzing, and I tilt my head back.

　It's funny.
　Didn't it matter if we won or lost?