I wonder what it's like...

　While preparing for the practice that they were already used to, Wraith's attention was focused on the test that would be administered later on.

　Are the students somewhat nervous by now? Are they going over the procedure or are they quietly concentrating on it?

　I can imagine all sorts of things when I remember the students asking me enthusiastic questions. They, too, are desperate for recognition.

　Fortunately, it's not raining today.
　It would be a perfect day to do the test.

'Ah, that feels good...'

　Wraith murmured lazily, taking in a lungful of cold morning air. Looking up at the sky, the birds were flapping their wings, chirping in high-pitched tones.

　Wraith is swallowed up as he just watches over the test.

　As Wraith was waiting for her to finish her preparations and feel calm, a group of students who looked a little tense visited the ground.

''Oh, you're so motivated!

　He is so motivated that you can see it at first glance. Since his reputation at this academy will have a bearing on his future life, it's no wonder.

　As I wonder if Seth was like this too, his sister, Lisha, comes into view. While the other students were somewhat restlessly soaring, she was standing quietly with her eyes closed.

　Apparently her dignified appearance has not changed even right before the test. Perhaps she's confident in her own abilities. That sort of thing doesn't resemble Seth. It's a good thing that you can't be nervous, even if it's a test for her, because she always achieves the highest grades in her grade.

　Lace had never taken a test in her life, so she could only vaguely understand how the students were feeling. ........Well, he had learned alchemy with survival in mind. I don't need to think about which one of them would be happier. With Wraith, it was much better to learn through friendly competition with friends of the same age.

　Just as the clean mood was slowly being painted over with sadness, Helgar stepped in front of the students.

'We will now begin the examination.

　At those words, seriousness dwelt on the students' faces.
　As if it was finally going to start, the Wraiths also corrected their appearance.

　It seems that the test is held for up to five people at a time, so they go out in front of you in order of the list.

　The material prepared for this test is iron. It's not only incomparably more durable than clay, but also moderately less expensive. It's a sufficient material for training purposes.

　It is a little more difficult to deform compared to soil, but as this is a test, it is useless even if it is easy.

　Then the first five tests begin. Some of the students came to ask Wraith questions. The five of them all exhaled deeply as if to release the tension and faced the prepared magic stone and iron.

　And then they went straight to work on them.

　Since everyone can't create a golem in an instant like the Wraiths, they take their time to create the shape. However, of course, taking too much time is a point deduction.

　Quickly and sturdily, you create the shape of the golem. The task is simple, but the level of difficulty is high. The students were also struggling with the unfamiliar iron transformation, and their expressions were painful.

　The earliest the shape was completed out of the five of us was five minutes after we started making it. Then they finished one after another, the slowest being about seven minutes.

　It was at this point that the evaluation other than durability was decided.

　While there were some students who looked like they had done it and others who looked frustrated, Helgar ran his pen over the paper in hand while looking at the golems lined up in front of him.

　After that, he immediately went to check the durability. Helgar himself lightly activated his magic to see how well the golem was able to hold its shape.

　The results vary from slightly dented to greatly distorted in shape. Wraith doesn't know what kind of evaluation criteria are used, so he watches the progress with concern.

　Then more and more turns come around, and finally it's Leisha's turn. Even as Lace, I'm curious about her skill as I know her face.

　I know that she is excellent, but how good is she?

　Liesha looks calm and begins to create a golem. Her handiwork was very smooth, and I could not see any confusion due to the difference in materials.

　Even when it comes to the actual construction stage, Risha's hands never stop working. Leaving the other students behind, the golem was completed in no time at all.

　In the end, Risha completed the golem in about three minutes. The other students, including Helgar, let out an exclamation of admiration at this. The next test of durability also did not change the shape of the golem that Risha created at all.

　It was nothing short of perfection.

　Even from Lace's point of view, the girl named Leesha was extraordinarily talented. The fact that this wasn't confined to alchemy alone would be her great point. She has never neglected her magic or her studies and continues to get top grades.

　There's no doubt that she's a person who lives up to the name of the four great nobles.

　Lace couldn't very well believe that Risha was younger than him. It may be that the environment in which he was raised was too different, though. Lace's parents were adventurers, so she had no family background or anything else. Well, for some reason, many of the people her parents knew were famous.

''Come to think of it, what are those two doing now?''

　I'm not particularly lonely, but I haven't been in touch with him lately, so I'm somewhat concerned about him. He even left his young Wraith with Lulimes, so he was an adventurer to the core. Nevertheless, he had received proper affection and letters were sent frequently.

　They came to see each other once a year, and I'm sure they're still investigating some unknown ruins somewhere.

　As I was looking at the scene of the test and thinking vaguely about something mundane, I felt the presence of someone next to me. When I turned my gaze in that direction, I saw Lisha, who must have finished her test, standing there.

''How did it go?''
What do you mean...?
'It's a test. You've been watching it here all along, haven't you?
'Yeah, well, the overall level is high and it's a good environment. Mr. Helger is a veteran, too.

　It could not be a better place to learn. It's much better than learning under a master who sends his own apprentice to a graveyard where demons writhe.

''In Wraith-san's eyes, how was I?''
Hmm?　Yeah, I think he's outstanding in this one, I think he's outstanding. For now.

　I can't say for sure as they are not all done yet. Maybe some of the students are more competent than Leesha. Well, either way, it doesn't change the fact that Leesha is excellent.

　Risha smiled bitterly at Lace's words.

''When Lace-san says it, I don't feel like I'm being praised, strangely enough.
Yeah, I mean that as a compliment, but...

　As a wraith, I couldn't have been more complimentary. In fact, I'm sure he does. It's just that his own level is in a realm where he doesn't need to be compared to his students.

　With a competence as good as Lace's, it no longer sounds like sarcasm.

　Perhaps Risha was satisfied to hear Wraith's evaluation, and immediately tried to return to the students. However, in the middle of that, she suddenly stopped. Since she stops with a quizzical expression, Lace also tilts her head to look at Leisha.

''What's wrong?''
No I have a feeling that the flow of magic is a little strange.
...the flow of magic?

　I just heard a similar story recently. Wraith couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and ask back.

''Yes. It wasn't like that until yesterday...''

　Yesterday.

　Wraith recalled last night's conversation.

　Sylvia and Rulimes had indeed said that the abnormalities in the flow of magic power were gone. But this time, the same thing is happening at the academy.

　For a coincidence, it seemed to be a very convenient time.

''I see. I'm sorry for stalling you.

　As I watch Leesha's back as she turns back to the students, I think about the cause of the problem. But I can't come up with anything so easily.

　While I'm deep in thought, the test is almost at the end of the day.

　Leith watched the rest of the test with a bad feeling.



　*****



Oh.

　When the test is over and the students have disappeared from the ground, Wraith makes an involuntary noise.

　The one in front of him is like a footprint carved into the soil of the ground. Those familiar footprints were erased without any particular thought the last time, but the second time, as expected, it becomes a concern.

''.........''

　The footprints look like scratches, like they belong to an animal. However, I've spent time at the academy since then, and I've never heard of any animal being kept there.

　As far as the footprints are concerned, the main body would also have a reasonable size.

　Perhaps it is something that has wandered into the academy.

　........well, what on earth would wander into an institute located within the royal capital?

　Suddenly, the idea of following in these footsteps comes to me.

　There is a possibility that something is happening in a place that Wraith doesn't know about. Maybe I'm being a little too sensitive due to the matter of magic power, though.

''Well, if it ends up being unfounded, then it's for the best.

　It seems a bit tedious, but it might tell us something about these footprints. Wraiths stop maintaining the ground once and begin to follow the faint footprints.

''In the end, I don't know about the flow of magic power...''

　Although I've thought about it a lot since then, it's still a difficult problem for Wraith, who is not a mage. I might as well consult with Rulimes and Sylvia in earnest once.

　As I was following the footprints while blurting out, I came to the end of the ground. From there, there were only pockets of dirt pieces falling, and it didn't look very traceable.

Huh, it's the end of the line too.

　Wraith's shoulders slumped as he gave up the chase and headed back the way he'd come. The anxiety that piled up in his chest was becoming greater.

　I can only think that the world is cursed with this kind of punishment at this time when I could almost finish my job as a teacher without any problems.

　I don't remember doing anything of that magnitude, though.

'Anyway, let's just go home for today.

　Sighing deeply, Wraith moved his heavy feet.