Chapter 6

"Magic Arrow"

The white arrow released from my hand flew straight toward Carlisle.

My arrow and Carlisle's shield—

the two collided head-on.

A deafening sound echoed.

Everyone probably thought my Magic Arrow would be easily deflected and disappear by Carlisle's shield, but that didn't happen.

It slowly but surely penetrated Carlisle's shield.

Zu—

A faint sound was heard. It was the sound of Carlisle's feet being pushed back as he tried to hold his ground.

Carlisle's right hand, which was supporting my Magic Arrow, was trembling. The elbow, which had been straight, started to bend under the force.

Carlisle's face, as he looked at me—

smiled slyly.

"Interesting, aren't you?"

The moment he said that, Carlisle shouted.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

At the same time, he changed the angle of his arm and pressed my Magic Arrow into the ground.

The white light exploded like a bomb.

After the flash disappeared, Carlisle stood up with a cool expression.

"I enjoyed it."

The moment he said that, cheers erupted from the other examinees.

"Of course, Sir Carlisle!"

"Still overwhelming! Amazing!"

In the midst of the cheers, Carlisle walked over to me with a calm gait.

"The third shot is over. Are you satisfied with this, young man?"

"…Yes. I'm satisfied as long as I can fire the Magic Arrow."

"That's good. Then the test is over. Good work."

"Thank you for sparing me the time."

I extended my right hand for a farewell handshake.

But—

Carlisle did not return the handshake. He just stared at my hand without saying a word.

"Huh?"

When I tilted my head, an examiner intervened between Carlisle and me.

"Fool! To ask for a handshake from Sir Carlisle! That's incredibly rude!"

Ah, so that's how it is…

Indeed, I'm just an unknown examinee. It's impossible to shake hands with a genius court magician, a national treasure.

"I apologize for the rudeness."

I turned my back to Carlisle and tried to return to where Lora was waiting.

"Wait."

Carlisle called out to me.

"What's your name, young man?"

"Albert."

"Albert, huh?"

Carlisle smiled.

"I'll remember that name."

With that, Carlisle left.

I returned to Lora.

"Good job! Albert! That was great!"

"Really?"

"Yes! After all, you got to have your magic tested by Sir Carlisle! Such an opportunity is rare!"

"Ah… indeed."

I hadn't really thought about it, but it is indeed a rare opportunity.

I wonder if I should have fired a full-power Magic Arrow. Since he said, "No need to hold back," I fired the first and second shots with the same force, but it wasn't my full strength.

Well, the goal isn't to defeat him—just being able to create a good memory is enough.

"Ah! My number was called! I'll go now!"

"Sure, good luck."

Lora ran forward with a pat-pat.

"Magic Arrow! Magic Arrow! Magic Arrow!"

Three white arrows Lora fired flew toward the target.

All three hit the target, though not the center. It's not a bad score.

Considering how other examinees couldn't even reach the target 30 meters away or fired in completely wrong directions, it's a decent performance.

When Lora returned, I said to her,

"Not bad at all."

"Yes! I was nervous, but I'm glad my hands didn't falter!"

But she tilted her head with a worried expression.

"I hope I get a good evaluation… I wonder how it will turn out."

Magic Arrow is the foundation of all magic and the first thing many magicians learn.

So, as a Magic Arrow researcher, I can tell a lot about a magician's strength just by looking at their Magic Arrow.

Lora is well-trained for her age.

She must be a magician blessed with both talent and a good environment.

Far more than I was ten years ago.

So—

I smiled and said to Lora,

"Don't worry. I think you'll pass."

"If you say so—"

She suddenly looked surprised and said,

"No! If you say so, I really feel like I'll be okay!"

It seems she trusts me.

…For some reason, but if it gives Lora confidence, I'm happy.

And so the first test ended.

According to my memory, the practical test is over. The next step is the written test, which will conclude the examination.

That's what my memory says—

The examiner raised his voice.

"Then, we will now begin the second practical test!"

It's not over, huh.

It seems ten years is a long time.

"The second test is Dispel Magic—removing magical effects. We will give you an item with a spell cast on it. You are to remove the spell within the time limit."

"…This is bad."

As soon as the examiner finished speaking, I muttered.

Lora, who was standing next to me, tilted her head.

"What's bad?"

"I can't use Dispel Magic."