CH 11

Magical Ability Test

“Those who wish to obtain a Type-2 License, please head this way.”

We followed the receptionist to the back of the Guild, where we were approached by a woman who seemed to be the examiner.

“This is the examination hall.”

We followed the woman’s lead, and eventually arrived at a large room.

The room had pure white walls on all sides. It gave off an atmosphere similar to that of the school’s training grounds.

“Right now, there are also some students from the Bildarz Academy, like you, who are taking the exam.”

The woman pointed to a place where there were four boys wearing the uniform of the Hero Course.

I remembered that before Sieg left, he said “Let’s go ahead and take the exam.”. Apparently, they were also aiming to get a Type-2 License.

The four of them were just about to leave the room, probably having just finished the exam, when they noticed us.

“You’re kidding me. These guys also want a Type-2 License?”

“Ha ha ha! Someone from the Common Course couldn’t possibly get a Type-2 License!”

As usual, it seems that we, the Common Course, are being looked down upon by the Hero Course.

Two months have passed since the entrance ceremony. I’ve gotten used to it, but it still is mentally tiring.

They insulted us until they were satisfied, then they eventually left the room and headed for the Guild’s counter.

“Uh, uhm, well then, let me explain the test for you.”

While I was inwardly apologizing to the examiner for the awkward situation, she began to explain.

“As applicants for the Type-2 License, you will be required to take two tests in order to ensure that you are capable of dealing with the Demon King’s Legacy. The first test that you will be taking is the Magical Ability Test. After that, you will be asked to take the Basic Combat Ability Test.

Magical Ability is divided into four aspects: Magical Power, Magical Speed, Magical Stamina, and Magical Control. Each of these will be quantified and ranked to determine whether you pass or fail. The ranking will range from A to E. The average rank of a trained soldier or a professional Type-2 adventurer is B. The average rank for a knight of the Royal Guard or the Commander or Vice Commander of the Knights of the Orthodox Order is A.”

Elysia reacted with a slight twitch.

The former Commander of the Knights of the Orthodox Order- Elysia’s father, Galia Esperand- was most likely an A-ranked knight before he died.

Elysia seems to be aware of this information.

“However, you should take note of this point. In this world, there are not only those who fight using magic, but there are also those who fight using other ways…such as martial arts and physical techniques. If you are one of those people, we will be able to properly check your abilities in the next exam, the Basic Combat Ability Test. So, a low rank in the Magical Ability Test will not necessarily mean that you will fail the exams.”

I silently nodded at the examiner’s explanation.

The Adventurer’s Guild has a long history. The contents of the exams seem to have been optimized to ensure fairness.

“Well then, please fall in line over here.”

Following the examiner’s instructions, we headed for the centre of the room.

In the centre of the room was a long desk, with transparent crystal balls on it.

“The first step is to measure your Magical Power. Please pour your magic power into the device when you are ready.”

Magical Power.

This aspect of magic, which can be described as its instantaneous firepower, is very important in combat.

A high value in this aspect signifies that the magic cast can affect a larger area and have more firepower.

There were five crystal balls available, so the four of us lined up appropriately and placed our hands on the balls.

As instructed by the examiner, I poured in as much magic power as I could muster, and the crystal ball began to glow.

Apparently, this crystal ball is a magical tool.

Magical tools that emit light when magic power is poured into them are used as lighting in ordinary homes. However, it seems that this crystal has a feature that changes the amount of light depending on the amount of magic power poured into it.

Elysia’s crystal was shining the brightest.

The runner-up was Gran’s crystal, then mine and Mize’s crystals were shining with the same amount of light.

“Elysia-san is amazing.”

“Well, yeah. I’m pretty confident in my firepower.”

Elysia proudly replied to Mize, who was giving Elysia a gaze full of respect.

“Next is Magical Speed. Please observe the patterns that will be displayed in the crystal ball.”

Magical Speed.

It refers to the speed at which magic can be activated. Soldiers who normally engage in close-quarters combat often have a high value in this ability. On the other hand, soldiers who normally provide fire support as the rear guard may not value this ability as much, depending on their strategy.

Following the examiner’s instructions, I bring my face closer to the crystal ball.

Inside the crystal ball, there was a geometric pattern floating around.

“There is a large circle in the centre of the pattern, right? From that point, try to let your magic power flow through the entire pattern. The crystal ball will glow as the magic spreads throughout the entire pattern…However, the pattern will change every 30 seconds, so please try to let your magic power flow through as quickly as possible.”

After giving an explanation, the examiner gave a signal to begin the Magical Speed test.

When I poured my magic power into the crystal ball, the circle at the centre began to glow faintly. When I consciously tried to spread the light over the area, it slowly extended to the edges of the pattern.

Gradually, more complex patterns appeared, and several times the pattern would change before the magic could complete the pattern.

“…whew.”

After the Magical Speed measurement, I relaxed my shoulders.

In terms of the number of times the crystal glowed, I would say that Elysia and I are tied, followed by Gran and Mize.

“Next, we will measure your Magical Stamina. Keep pouring your magic power into the crystal ball and make it glow for as long as possible.”

Magical Stamina.

It is the aspect which relates to how long a soldier can continue fighting. A soldier who can continue fighting in battle over long periods of time is likely to be valued in the battlefield.

The measurements were simple.

The crystal would continue to glow even if it was fed a small amount of magic power. So, the trick would be to continue pouring as little magic power as possible into the crystal, but not so little that it would stop glowing.

However, people would feel tired after spending a large amount of magic in one go.

All of us were covered in sweat as we continued pouring magic into the crystals.

The first to drop out were Elysia and Mize. Then after some time, my crystal lost its light.

The only one left was Gran—.

“Oh, um…are you having any difficulties?”

“Eh? I can still go on.”

Gran answered, seeming a bit confused.

If you look at Gran closely, he wasn’t even breaking a sweat; he didn’t even look tired.

“…I understand. That’s enough. We’ll end the measurement here.”

With that announcement, Gran removed his hand from the crystal.

This…will probably have an interesting result.

“Finally, we will be measuring Magical Control.”

Magical Control.

In simple terms, it is the aspect which prevents magic from failing or going out of control.

— Magic can fail.

When magic is constructed with a crude image, or used outside its designated purpose, it can produce a result which deviates from the intent of the caster.

For example, one of the magics that I am fond of is <Fixation>, which uses magic power to create matter. This magic can only be used if the caster has the knowledge of the shape, feel, and density of the imagined item. If this magic is casted with a lack of knowledge, it will not take shape and dissipate instead.

Failure to activate magic will result in a waste of magic power, and in the worst-case scenario, the caster might end up injured.

One of the first things I was taught in the Organization was the importance of Magical Control.

“Please look inside the crystal ball. You should be able to see a something similar to a maze. When you pass magic power through the crystal ball, the sphere in the upper right corner will light up, and you can freely control it to move it to the goal in the lower left corner. However, if the ball touches a wall of the maze, you will have to start all over again.”

It looks like a maze, but if you observe carefully, there is a path that leads from the start to the end. However, the path leads through many twists and turns.

When the signal to start is given, we move the sphere to try and reach the goal.

“Guuuhh…almost…dammit…!”

Beside me, Gran was making frustrated groans.

When the sphere touches a wall of the maze, it goes back to the upper right corner and the crystal ball glows.

Gran seems to have trouble with his Magical Control, as his crystal ball glows repeatedly.

“— The test is over!”

The examiner announces as soon as Gran’s measurements are completed.

“Please wait a while at the reception counter. We will call you when your results are ready.”

At the examiner’s words, we leave the room.

Author’s Note:

It’s kind of crude, but here’s an example of each aspect:

Magical Power: Punching machineMagical Speed: Drawing in 30 secondsMagical Stamina: Lung capacity testMagical Control: Irritating Stick

Translator’s Note:

Irritating Stick (Iraira Bou) probably refers to the Video Game, Ucchan Nanchan no Honō no Challenger: Iraira Bou Returns.