Chapter 7

The second practical exam was magic cancellation—Dispel Magic.

Unfortunately, the only magic I can use is Magic Arrow.

...In other words, my failure is decided here.

Lola said to me, who was in such a state,

"It's okay!"

"Huh?"

"Let's learn it now! I'll teach you!"

"Hmm—"

I couldn't answer immediately.

Because I already know the outcome.

Ten years ago, I studied hard at the magic academy. From morning till night, I kept studying to prove the talent I believed I had.

Despite all the hard work, I didn't learn anything.

Dispel Magic was one of them.

So, even if Lola teaches me on the spot, the result won't change.

...But.

"Alright. I'll count on you."

I answered Lola.

If I judge it as a waste of time and go home, I'll only gain a little time.

Unfortunately, I, a man with nothing to do, have plenty of time to spare.

If so, it's not bad to struggle until the end.

Besides, since Lola said it out of kindness, it would be hard to refuse her.

The examiner shouted loudly,

"The next exam will be held in the classroom. Follow me!"

The examinees started moving in a group with the examiner.

I followed them while listening to Lola, who was quickly teaching me Dispel Magic.

As soon as we arrived at the classroom, the examinees were seated.

The examiner said,

"We will now conduct the written exam! At the same time, the second practical exam will also be conducted. The examiners will call you one by one, so when called, leave the classroom and follow the instructions!"

Then, the written exam began.

After a while, another examiner came into the classroom.

"Number 389! It's your turn for the second practical exam!"

Number 389.

That's me.

Just like in the first practical exam, it seems I'm the first in this group.

The examiner led me to a study room in another part of the school building.

There were small rooms neatly arranged, separated by partitions.

The examiner who led me to the room picked up a pot on the desk. Then, he muttered something. The pot emitted a faint light.

The examiner handed me the pot and a small device.

"I have cast a spell on this pot. Your task is to dispel it. The time limit is ten minutes. The bell on this device will ring after ten minutes, so even if you haven't completed it, come back here when it rings."

I see. That's how it works.

I moved to one of the small rooms.

There was a small desk inside. I placed the pot and the device on it and sat down.

Well.

Let's give it a try...

I placed my hand on the pot and recalled the theory of Dispel Magic, which I had practiced many times during my student days.

It's been over ten years since I last practiced.

I hope it works by some miracle.

I took a deep breath and spoke the trigger words.

"Dispel Magic"

...

Nothing happened. The pot still emitted a faint light.

As expected, I can't use Dispel Magic.

That makes sense.

I haven't done anything. There's no way I can suddenly use something I couldn't use ten years ago.

Such a convenient miracle won't happen.

I sighed.

But, it has to happen. I have to rely on it. There's no other way to pass this test except by using Dispel Magic.

"Dispel Magic"

"Dispel Magic"

"Dispel Magic"

"Dispel Magic"

"Dispel Magic"

I tried many times. I retraced my student days' memories and repeated the trigger words many times.

There was no response.

It felt like a replay of ten years ago. No matter how much I wished or hoped, no magic except Magic Arrow would acknowledge me or lend me its power.

Such unpleasant memories surfaced in my mind.

"Ugh...!"

My concentration broke. Feeling sick, I exhaled deeply and scratched my chest with my right hand.

Damn... So it's no good after all...

I glanced at the device, and only one minute remained. There was no time left. It seemed inevitable that the time would run out.

But, just as I was about to give up—

A flash of insight raced through my mind.

Huh?

The insight told me this:

Shoot the pot with Magic Arrow.

No, that's not quite right.

It should be:

Shoot the spell on the pot with Magic Arrow.

I still didn't understand the meaning of this revelation. I stared at a point on the wall and thought about these words repeatedly.

Not the pot itself.

Pierce the spell on the pot.

Is it really possible? If it works, it might have the same effect as Dispel Magic.

My common sense interfered.

There's no way that's possible.

Magic Arrow is a spell for physical destruction. It can't affect something that doesn't have a physical form like magic.

However, I also think this:

Magic Arrow is the only magic that never abandoned me, from the beginning to the end, even though 999 other magics ignored me.

Maybe—

It can do it?

Only ten seconds left.

There's no more time to think.

I exhaled and gently pressed my hand against the pot.

I bet on the direction my heart believes in. It's been ten years since I last tried. I want to end this without regrets. Even if I fail, only a cheap pot will break. I can apologize and be forgiven.

I closed my eyes and traced the surface of the pot.

I concentrated, trying to imprint the traces of magic residing there in my mind.

There's no time.

But, I don't panic.

Improve the accuracy—just a little...

Eventually.

Beep.

The device started making a loud noise. At the same time, I opened my eyes wide and spoke the name of my partner, which I had repeated countless times.

"Magic Arrow"