—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Huh. So this is what the magicians of the Imperial Academy were trying to hide.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
In the imperial palace.
Seated in his office, the Emperor repeatedly examined the paper that had been submitted as a report.
It was a document detailing the characteristics of the magic that had occurred in Whist Forest.
A power with lethal force that covered the entirety Whist Forest.
It was said to be lightning magic used by Schlus Hainkel.
Even the Emperor, who couldn’t use magic, knew that lightning magic rapidly loses power over distance.
“This is not magic that a mere human could unleash.”
“Yes. That’s our assessment as well.”
“What’s the probability that multiple people injected mana?”
“Unlikely. The only person remaining in the forest at that time was Schlus Hainkel.”
“Ho ho. Well, well.”
“We’ve heard that Chairwoman Alexia from the Imperial Academy has gone to inspect the southern front. We cautiously speculate that she might have left to contact another Majin.”
“Is there a Majin behind this?”
“It’s just speculation at this point.”
If he had received a Majin’s authority, it wouldn’t be strange for him to burn or scorch the entire forest.
But the problem was, which Majin would sacrifice their life to give power to a mere human?
Such a foolish Majin had been executed by other Majins hundreds of years ago.
“I don’t smell a Majin’s involvement.”
It was just intuition.
There was no evidence, but he felt somewhat certain.
There was no one behind Schlus.
No one.
He must be alone.
He must have obtained such immense power on his own.
How on earth?
This question could be explained by examples like Gawayn or Henderson.
It happens occasionally.
Humans born with inconceivable power.
The Emperor strongly felt that Schlus was one of them.
“Gather information on Schlus Hainkel’s combat capability. Find out what level of military force he could face.”
“Are you ordering an assassination, Your Majesty?”
“For now, just analyze his capabilities. It’s too early to make a judgment.”
“Yes, understood.”
Individuals born with excessive power were often more dangerous than helpful to humanity.
They had barely chosen the path of coexistence with Majins because there was no way to exclude them.
Both Gawayn and Henderson were eventually made to naturally exit from the stage of history.
In Sergei’s case, he wasn’t killed because he seemed to have sensed something in advance and quietly retired from the military.
He had believed that all those with talents too great for a human body were under control, but then Schlus Hainkel suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Of course, he couldn’t jump to conclusions based on this one incident alone.
However, if Schlus Hainkel was deemed powerful enough to be beyond human control, if people and public opinion started to revere him as a hero…
Then they would have no choice but to make him meet the end of a hero.
Because they couldn’t let the Empire repeat the mistakes of the past.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Tournament.
A method of determining the final winner through repeated one-on-one battles.
Here, luck in the draw was as important as skill.
So for the students, it was essentially accepted as a declaration that they would take the midterm exam based on luck.
“Professor! This isn’t right!”
“What if we get knocked out early due to bad luck?”
“Let’s do a league system instead!”
“Hahaha! A league system would take too long!”
Indeed, if all 32 people were to compete against each other without exception, they would have to hold exams for an entire week.
Then was this Battle Magic midterm exam about luck?
The answer to that question should be no.
Luck in drawing the tournament bracket absolutely did not apply.
“Don’t worry! I’ve compiled the data collected over the semester and created the bracket to match your levels. So weak ones will face weak ones, and strong ones will face strong ones.”
The bracket was created based on figures calculated from the students’ combat abilities, dividing them into tiers.
This meant there was no chance of them facing an overwhelmingly strong opponent from the start and being eliminated.
Everyone had at least a chance to achieve a mid-range score.
If they could just defeat opponents of similar skill.
But continuing to win and achieving a high score was a different matter.
From that point on, it would become a real battle of skills.
“Any objections?”
“…”
Everyone wore displeased expressions but didn’t voice any complaints.
It was an unfamiliar evaluation method, but at least it was fair.
I wasn’t surprised since I had expected this from the start, but the more I thought about it, the more bizarre it seemed.
To think that the Empire’s top university would hold midterms as a tournament…
It seemed like a part where the original author’s capacity was revealed, but I decided to ignore it and move on.
“I’ll explain the rules for one-on-one battles. Magic and physical attacks are both allowed. However, since actually using magic would be dangerous, everyone will use this simulation device. When you use mana to execute a formula, instead of actual magic being cast, the simulation device will visually represent its effects and project them onto reality.”
Sergei said, tapping a white artifact that looked like a refrigerator.
In short, he was saying they would move all magic into the realm of virtual reality.
“I’m sorry, but there are no safety measures for physical attacks. You’ll just have to be careful not to inflict fatal wounds on each other.”
“What?!”
“I’ll make the judgments. If I determine that someone has taken a disabling hit, I’ll immediately stop the match, but if there are objections, you can continue. Of course, the simulation device will continue to inflict pain equivalent to the damage you’re judged to have received, so only if you can endure it.”
Huh? Was there originally such a setting?
That it would inflict pain equivalent to being hit by magic…?
This was bad.
I was extremely weak to pain.
“Everyone understands the rules, right? If you didn’t, it’s your own responsibility! Now, I’ll reveal the bracket!”
What was the bracket like in the original work?
I couldn’t remember clearly.
I thought I would probably be in Hertlocker’s place.
“Ugh… Urk…!”
Sensing something odd about Ainz, I looked up at the blackboard.
My first opponent was Ainz von Wiegenstein.
The eccentric of the Wiegenstein family.
In the original work, Ainz was thoroughly crushed by Hertlocker, almost to the point of submission.
So this time too, if there were no major variables…
‘Huh?’
There was a variable.
The biggest variable that had changed from the original work.
Ainz, who had gone through the Whist Forest incident, was no longer the same Ainz as before.
The Ainz who used to live off his own conceit had now awakened, armed with the courage and mental strength to sacrifice himself.
And now I had to face him…
“Damn. There’s almost no chance of me winning. I’m counting on you, Schlus.”
“Right.”
“I’ll struggle to the end!”
“…”
No, I really wish you’d go easy on me.
To get first place, I have to beat you, Ainz, then knock down a few other guys, and finally face Trie at the end.
Was this even possible with just 5 seconds of ‘Selection and Concentration’?
Come to think of it, I couldn’t use all 5 seconds.
I still had to solve the Elemental Magic exam questions when I got back.
This was really…
“This is bad.”
“What a joke! I’m already excited to see how big the gap between you and me will be!”
I was screwed.
This time it wasn’t an exaggeration.
Because of what my past self had done, I might end up expelling myself from the Imperial Academy.
While I was in a daze, preparations for the first match had already finished.
Since there was enough space, all matches were to be held simultaneously.
I was sighing and stretching when Trie approached Sergei.
“Professor. Is the use of weapons allowed?”
“Hmm. What do you have?”
“This sword.”
“Permitted!”
Oh shit?
Come to think of it, Trie always carried a greatsword.
I have a greatsword at the mansion too…
No, damn it.
Could I ask Emilia to bring it now?
If I go and come back before it starts…
“The first match will start 5 seconds after I give the signal!”
“Ah fu-”
It was over now.
Once the midterm starts, I couldn’t leave the exam venue.
I had no choice but to focus on the immediate situation in front of me.
I took a stance ready to spring forward and made eye contact with Ainz.
If I could just get close, I should be able to take down Ainz without wasting my ability.
I hoped Ainz would be a little intimidated and not perform to his full ability…
“Hehe. I’ll clash with you at full power, Schlus!”
“…”
Ainz seemed to be in particularly good condition today.
Why on such a day.
“Start!”
Clap.
A sound like an explosion rang out.
At the same moment I was about to dash forward.
‘Oh shit.’
My vision went dark.
I instantly sank into darkness.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“I surrender!”
“Phew.”
After holding the blade to her opponent’s neck, she finally got them to surrender.
Trie wiped the sweat that had trickled down her forehead and sighed.
The match had been decided in just one second from the start.
She had heard that opponents were matched according to their level.
But it seemed that even so, it was difficult for a mage to face a swordsman at such a short distance.
“Let’s see…”
Having finished quickly, she could watch the other matches.
I wonder how Schlus is doing right now… Maybe he’s already finished and resting.
“Hmm?”
Schlus was standing still.
He wasn’t even looking at his opponent, but at empty space…
Why on earth?
“Huh?”
Bang!
At that moment, a yellow flash engulfed Schlus.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Was it blinding magic?
Wot?