Chapter 11

As the reverberation caused by the sonic boom dissipates, silence began to take over the building .

Likely due to that attack — Or rather, the sound of it — being rather flashy, I’ve gathered a fair bit of attention to myself .

Somehow, even the neighbouring examinee’s opponent is looking over here with an open mouth… Is it fine for you to not focus on the match?

[…An opening!] (Examinee)

It’s not fine at all .

While the student’s attention was focused here, the examinee managed to score a hit with a sword thrust .

…Took the [Fair] right out of [Fair Match] huh?

Well, I can understand the desperate feeling of wanting to pass, so I’ll refrain from further comments .

Now then, since the match has concluded, I’ll head over to where the magic test will be held

Right as I planned to leave…the examiner blurted out something ridiculous .

[Ca…Cadie-san has been spirited away!] (Examiner)

The examiner was making a commotion while moving about, all flustered .

…Oi, oi . How on Earth did you come to that conclusion?

[…She wasn’t spirited away . She just fell out of the arena . ] (Varius)

I can’t be having my examination results nulled due to some ridiculous reason, so I pointed towards Cadie who was blown out of the arena, proving my victory .

[H… . huh…? You’re right… . For that excellent Cadie to be blown out of the arena with the first hit…am I having a bad dream?] (Examiner)

The examiner’s hand has stopped writing…is he all right?

Praying that he does his job properly, I went over to the location of the next examination .

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The location of the magical examination .

It’s an outdoor facility normally used as a training ground .

The examinees and I lined up, forming rows .

While I was looking at the other examinees’ magic… I discovered one weird point .

For some reason, every single one of them is using chantless magic .

I can understand the reasoning behind using chantless magic if the content of the examination was to [Defeat a monster using magic] . Casting speed is vital during close combat afterall .

Beyond that, if one focuses on only the strength of the magic, I believe chant magic is better…so why?

[……Next!]

After much consideration — and no conclusion to show for it — my turn came .

Well, its fine . They are they, and I am I . I’ll properly go through with it using chant magic .

The examinees used the various magic specific to their profession but…since Sages generally use Fire Arrow, I guess I’ll go with the upgraded version of that .

[Oh mana gathered within me, become Uemon’s Great Flame and pierce my enemies—! Barbeque Arrow—!!] (Varius)

The exam’s content was to [Shoot down, in sequence, the 5 targets prepared using magic . ], although…my magic hit the 3rd — in other words, the centre — target .

Barbeque Arrow exploded upon hitting the target…and the shockwave destroyed the remaining 4 targets .

Although it wasn’t 5 shots of magic, but since it achieved the intended result of destroying the targets, this should just as well give me the score .

Thinking so, I was going to leave the area but…the examiners who were silently recording the results suddenly started making a commotion .

[……The targets were…destroyed?…Wh…what the Hell was that nonsensical power?!] (Examiner)

[…Was I not supposed to destroy them?] (Varius)

I became a little uneasy .

Now that I think about it, since the thought of a Tamer taking the exam did not cross their minds, the targets’ durability was probably set to the lowest setting .

If they do not have spare targets, in the worst case, I would be regarded as having obstructed the examination . I could repair the targets using magic but…they probably won’t acknowledge a target repaired by an examinee……

As my thoughts were going into such a direction, the examiner continued .

[No, we do have spare targets just in case . Wait, that’s not the problem here! Putting aside the fact that the power of that magic was so stupidly strong…how did you even get that sort of power from chant magic?!]

Somehow, I felt that the examiner’s tone started becoming stronger . Still, what does he mean? Rather, it would be [Because it was chant magic] that I was to produce that kind of power .

[Chant magic is able to raise the basic power of chantless magic right?] (Varius)

[There’s no such thing . Chant magic is only able to display power that is predetermined by the chant itself, which makes it fundamentally inferior to chantless magic . ] (Examiner)

Hearing that…a thought popped up in my head .

Could it be that this world do not know of True Chant Magic?

[It’s true that the strength of a chant magic is closely related to its associated chant, and does not provide the user the freedom to manipulate mana unlike that of chantless magic . ] (Varius)

[……That’s right . ] (Examiner)

[However, later on it was discovered that『If one chants with a certain tone colour by controlling the opening and closing of the vocal cords, as well as the positioning of the Adam’s Apple, that problem would be solved . This method was then given the name True Chant Magic . Right? 』] (Varius)

[What’s with that ridiculous logic?! That’s the first I’ve heard of it!] (Examiner)

……He really didn’t know about it .

In any case, as long as there is my magic to serve as proof, I don’t think it can be considered ridiculous .

[Well, it’s fine . I don’t really get what you were saying but…I’ll be giving you full marks . ] (Examiner)

Saying that, the examiner began recording the marks .

He seemed to have some doubts, but well, whatever .

I moved to a place where no one can see me, took the Nimbus Cloud out and left the academy .

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3 days later .

As the results are out, I head towards the notice board of Elite Academy .

A crowd had already formed around the notice board .

Those making small guts poses, those who broke down crying on the spot, those being tossed up into the air…there really are many kinds of people .

Well, it seems that there are those among the ones being tossed into the air that are just pretending to be one of examinees that have passed — something known as [Air Elite Academy] . [1] Hence, it’s unclear whether those celebrating have actually passed the exam or not .

Now then, time to see if my name is on the board or not .

Notes:

[1]: A reference to [エア東大受験](Air Todai Examination) where those who didn’t even take the exam plays a game where they pretend to be one of those who passed the exam . They “win” if no one finds out they are lying . Could only find this link to explain although its in Japanese . Well, Google page translate helps .