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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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Time flew by, and the students had grown accustomed to Allen’s class. Just as they were finding their rhythm, the inevitable trial arrived.
“Now, as promised, I’ll announce the midterm practical exam.”
The class was finally starting to take shape, and now a midterm?
He clicked his tongue in disappointment.
During the assembly, he stared at the back of Hines’s head as he addressed the students. This wasn’t a general assembly for the entire student body.
The students gathered here were facing their last midterm exam. In other words, graduating students.
“As you know, unlike other years, the graduating class’s midterm will be held… here, in accordance with Minerva tradition.”
Hines snapped his fingers, and a large screen appeared before him, a magical display resembling a projection.
“On the ‘Island of Wisdom’, an uninhabited island owned by the Empire.”
A map of the island appeared on the screen. So, this was the famed Island of Wisdom. Honestly, judging by the map, it just looked like a large island… but the graduating students wore tense expressions.
“Here, you will be tested on everything you’ve learned at Minerva.”
Living up to its reputation as the Empire’s most prestigious academy, Minerva’s graduation exam was notoriously difficult.
Only after passing both the midterm and final exams could a student receive their diploma.
Students who failed the final exam had to retake the midterm the following year…
He’d heard
many students dropped out, unable to bear the pressure.
“The theme of this exam is… ‘Survival’.”
“Oh…”
“Oh no…!”
Groans of despair echoed through the auditorium as the word ‘Survival’ appeared on the screen. Hines, unfazed, continued his explanation.
“There are three conditions for passing the exam.”
As Hines raised his index finger, an illustration of a character wielding a sword and staff appeared on the screen.
“First, combat. Defeat at least three other students.”
He raised his middle finger, and an illustration of a character hiding in a tunnel appeared.
“Second, survival. Survive for the three days of the exam.”
Finally, he raised his ring finger, and an illustration of a character opening a treasure chest appeared.
“Third, wisdom. Obtain the Token of Wisdom from the treasure chests hidden throughout the island.”
He’d heard that seven out of ten students who passed the exam did so through combat. Two through survival, and only one through wisdom. Harsh conditions, indeed, but…
‘It’ll be a piece of cake for those who took my class.’
As expected, his students were already wearing triumphant smiles. The ‘Survival’ theme was a stroke of luck for them, if not for the others. After all, his class was called ‘Survival Techniques Against Savages’. It was practically a cheat code in a competition among students. Well, as long as they didn’t turn on each other, they should pass without any problems.
“Now, please follow the instructors to the gate.”
The doors of the auditorium opened as Hines finished speaking. The graduating students, wearing various expressions, began to follow the professors.
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The ‘Gate’, the pinnacle of magical engineering, a technology exclusive to the Empire. He snorted, looking at the massive, brilliantly glowing portal.
“The day I get to use this has finally come.”
The Gate allowed for instantaneous travel, regardless of distance. Whether it was the risks involved or the exorbitant operating costs, the important thing was that it required Imperial permission.
“Haha, is this your first time, Professor Allen?”
Hines approached, stroking his beard.
“Yes. I haven’t had the opportunity.”
“It’s quite an experience. I remember my first time.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Hines chuckled at his words, then narrowed his eyes.
“Hmm… I wonder why she’s here in person…”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ll find out soon enough, Professor Allen.”
Just as he tilted his head in confusion, an immense pressure descended, as if the surroundings had transformed into the depths of the ocean.
“This is…”
“Haha, it seems she’s lost control of her magical power, being out in public after so long. I suppose this old man will have to step in.”
Hines slammed his staff on the ground, and a vast amount of magical power surged forth, enveloping the area in a protective dome.
The oppressive feeling vanished.
“Be careful, Master. You’ll crush the students.”
He looked around and saw the students slumped on the ground, groaning weakly. Some seemed to have fainted. And if Hines’s master was here…
“These youngsters are so weak. How will they survive in this harsh world?”
He looked up at the voice and saw someone standing atop the Gate. Deep navy hair that shimmered like the Milky Way. Empty eyes that reminded him of a desolate desert. A petite woman in a robe of autumnal colors.
“…Good heavens.”
If his memory served him right, this woman was the Sirius Empire’s greatest and strongest archmage, Aerius Saturn, the Aquarius of the Zodiac Knights.
“Haha, you’ll strain this old disciple’s neck, Master. Please come down.”
“Tsk, a child so much younger than me…”
Grumbling, Aerius jumped down from the Gate. Ah, white…? He inadvertently caught a glimpse of pristine, untouched skin.
Aerius promptly whacked him on the head with her staff.
“Such lewd thoughts in such a young mind!”
Thwack
“Ow!”
He wanted to retort that she was the one who exposed it, but he dared not speak. He could be informal with his mentor because they were close, but the Zodiac Knights were notoriously eccentric and not to be trifled with.
That hurt like hell, probably because she’d swung down from above.
“Ahem, what brings you here, Master? Shouldn’t you be busy with matters at the Magic Tower?”
He remembered she was also the Headmaster of the Magic Tower.
“I wanted some fresh air. And I wanted to see the face of the one Taurus praised so highly.”
“Excuse me? Me?”
“Is there anyone else?”
Aerius glared at him.
He blinked, surprised by her youthful appearance. If he hadn’t known beforehand, he would have guessed she was a middle school student. Of course, no one knew her real age…
“Hmm, not bad.”
“Could you withdraw your magical power now? This tingling is killing me.”
He didn’t know what kind of magic it was, but Aerius’s magical power was pricking him like needles. It wasn’t painful, but it was incredibly irritating.
“Tingling… you’re more impressive than I thought. Taurus wasn’t exaggerating.”
Aerius muttered something cryptic, then chuckled and started hitting Hines on the back with her staff. It looked like elder abuse.
“This year’s graduates are lucky.”
“Indeed, blessed by Minerva. But this is rather painful, Master…”
“Good. Now that I’ve seen this interesting fellow, I’ll lend a hand myself.”
“Excuse me? W-Wait…!”
Before Hines could protest, Aerius’s magical power swept through the area.
He didn’t even have time to think about what kind of magic it was.
The students, still slumped on the ground, vanished, enveloped in a magic circle.
It was a transcendental spell, a Divine Power unique to archmages. Spatial Transfer.
“Ha… so I don’t get to experience the Gate after all.”
This was why he didn’t want to meet any of the Zodiac Knights except his mentor. To think she’d ruin one of his bucket list items. He’d get her back next time. He made a firm resolution as his vision faded to black.
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“Tsk, he doesn’t appreciate a far more valuable experience than a mere Gate.”
Aerius glared at the spot where Allen had vanished.
“So… tingling, he said. Hehe.”
Curious about Taurus’s words, she had focused her magical power on Allen as a test. It was enough pressure to tear apart most magical beasts, but… Allen had dismissed it as ‘tingling’.
“Is this the result of accepting the power of heteromorphic races? His body is too resilient to be called human.”
Since the founding of the Sirius Empire, no human had ever accepted the power of heteromorphic races.
Perhaps it was an unprecedented feat, even considering the history before the Empire’s founding.
Aerius had to suppress the urge to kidnap him to her laboratory at the Magic Tower. That was how intriguing Allen was to her.
“Becoming a Master was a stroke of luck. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have a year left to live.”
It was impossible for a frail human body to accept the power of heteromorphic races.
But Allen, with his unique talent and life-burning determination, had done it.
It was a power gained at the cost of his very soul.
Becoming a Master might have healed his worn-out soul somewhat, but… Aerius had a feeling his life wouldn’t last forever.
The moment he embraced a power beyond his limits, the cracks would begin to show.
“We shall meet again, Child of Destiny.”
Anticipating their destined encounter, Aerius turned towards her home.
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“Tsk, where am I…?”
Allen regained consciousness after being briefly knocked out by Aerius’s Spatial Transfer. But he was alone. Well, no ‘humans’ around, at least.
Growl…
There were plenty of non-human beings. Like the massive wolves staring at him, drool dripping from their fangs…
“Ha…”
Realizing his predicament, Allen sighed deeply.
Roar!
As the wolves, having decided he was prey, charged towards him, Allen uttered a familiar phrase.
“…Damn it.”
Would there ever be a day he didn’t have to use that versatile word? He shook his head and activated his Divine Power.
Primordial Crushing Pillar.
An ominous energy, born from the fusion of magical power and Aura, enveloped his hand.
The power to destroy everything.
Allen slammed his fist into the ground and roared.
“Get lost, you mutts!”
Boom!
A massive pillar descended from the sky, crashing into the forest. The earth-shattering sound reverberated throughout the island.
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