Chapter 10

What is the reason for being so fixated on that examinee?

There’s no intention to hide anything from his ally Philbus. Carlisle began to speak smoothly about his thoughts.

"Originally, someone else was supposed to go for the audit at the academy."

"Hmm?"

"But, the results of the stargazing—there was a sign that a 'great possibility' would appear there. So, I adjusted things to go myself."

"A great possibility... Is that him?"

"Perhaps. I happened to receive his Magic Arrow... It had an abnormal power. My Hard Protection was almost shattered. I hastily added Diamond Protection—yet I couldn’t completely nullify its power, so I had to slam it into the ground."

Carlisle raised his right hand smoothly.

"The power was so great that my right hand was numb for a while."

"Even your defensive magic couldn’t nullify it... I can’t believe it."

"Want to hear something even more unbelievable?"

"Hey, there’s more?"

"Merely a powerful Magic Arrow wouldn’t make me recommend him so strongly. The examiner said that the Magic Arrow was not normal, and there was suspicion of cheating. I thought the same. Otherwise, I couldn’t understand that power. So, I secretly cast a spell on him. A type that would analyze the magic he used and inform me."

"Really, and?"

"Second practical exam. What do you think he used?"

"Second? Isn’t it supposed to be Magic Dispel? The test for that, right?"

Carlisle shook his head.

"Magic Arrow."

"Huh?"

"Albert used Magic Arrow in the second practical exam. He didn’t use any other magic."

"No, wait. According to the scores you read out, he succeeded in Magic Dispel, right?"

"That’s right."

"So... you mean Albert used Magic Arrow to dispel magic?"

"That’s what it seems."

"Impossible!"

Philbus laughed loudly.

Carlisle also wanted to think so. If it were true, it would be a shock that would overturn the magical theories humans have built up.

"Is it a mistake, Carlisle... or rather, could you have made a mistake with magic?"

"…That’s why I want to keep him under my control. If he enters the school, it will be easier to observe him… right, Academy teacher Philbus?"

Philbus shrugged.

"…So, it’s my job, huh?"

"Of course. I expect you to investigate and report on the mysterious student Albert."

"Ah, come on! You’re just passing the buck!"

Philbus waved his arms and shouted, but his face wasn’t entirely displeased.

"Well, hearing such a story, I’m interested too."

"Thanks a lot."

Carlisle continued with a gloomy expression and voice.

"Peaceful times won’t last long. The hands of darkness are reaching out all over the kingdom. If Albert—could be the star of hope to save it… that would be good…"

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

On the day of the results announcement—

I arrived in the capital again, riding Magic Arrows, and met up with Laura, heading towards the main gate of the Magic Academy.

"For these three days, I haven’t felt alive… I thought I might have failed…"

Laura, looking a bit worn out, said this.

"How about Albert?"

"He doesn’t seem to care."

"His composure is amazing!?"

"It’s not like that…"

I was also anxious, but I know how to handle such emotions.

Just read magic books relentlessly.

Of course, I read the pages on Magic Arrow over and over again. Many times.

Thanks to that, I feel my understanding of Magic Arrow has deepened even more.

Finally, the main gate came into view.

"Ugh… my stomach hurts…"

Laura’s voice.

In the distance, there was a group of examinees gathered, looking at a large wooden board—papers were posted on it.

A boy was quietly bowing his head, a girl was raising her hands in joy…

The results that would decide their fates were there.

Eventually—

We arrived in front of the board.

Laura was the first to speak.

"There it is! There it is! Number 390! And 389! We passed! We passed!"

Looking in the direction Laura pointed, the numbers were indeed there.

389 is me, and 390 is Laura.

I let out a sigh.

It seems I barely made it. I was marked down in the first practical, and the second was almost a time-out… the written test was probably just average.

It’s a miracle I passed.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, my siblings, and everyone in the village! Laura did it!"

Laura really looked happy.

"Thanking the whole village?"

"Ah, sorry! I got carried away…"

Laura blushed, looking embarrassed.

"No, it’s fine. Did they help you so much?"

"Yes. Everyone supported me… the whole village pooled money to send me off! I want to meet their expectations!"

"That’s great."

"Yes! And—of course, thank you so much, Albert!"

Saying that, Laura bowed.

"Eh? Why?"

"If Albert hadn’t taken care of me—hadn’t brought me to the capital—I would have been disqualified before the exam. This passing is thanks to Albert!"

"No… hehe, I get embarrassed when you say that."

"Really! Really! Thank you so much!"

"…I’m also grateful to Laura."

"Really?"

"Yes. It’s hard to explain… but seeing you fall and then deciding to try again one more time—without finding you then, I would still be living quietly in that house."

Laura smiled.

"It makes me happy to hear that. If our meeting has meaning—then it’s wonderful!"

"Indeed."

I looked at the school building.

A building I couldn’t face before. Now it’s different.

Because I decided to challenge it again.

Because I vowed not to run away this time.

The pain in my heart is still there. The failure from ten years ago still lingers in my chest.

But I can look at the school building head-on now. I can see it.

I will challenge the limits of Magic Arrow here. I will prove that the miracle I glimpsed is not a miracle.

"Albert."

Laura smiled and held out her hand.

"From now on, as classmates, please take care of me!"

"Sure, I will."

I said that and firmly shook Laura’s hand.