Chapter 76

100 points.

The moment the students saw the score, they erupted in excitement.

"Whooaaaaa!"

"Beating Brain, of all people!"

"Indeed, you were taking down shadows with incredible precision!"

100 points for me...

I was surprised myself.

Could it be a mistake?

Come to think of it, Philbus mentioned that the device might break due to my Magic Arrow.

Perhaps something did break.

I'm sorry, Philbus.

But then, no, this is a fair result.

I did hit all the shadows with perfect accuracy. I can confidently say there wasn't a single mistake.

So, this must be my true ability.

I felt proud.

The fact that I managed it with just Magic Arrows was significant. I'm a bit better at Magic Arrows than the other students.

Plus, Philbus's advice.

The test also evaluated the judgment of which power to use. Philbus said:

Use one-tenth power Magic Arrows.

Thanks to that, I could make the judgment in zero time. I wouldn't have achieved this feat if I had to think about it myself.

You're amazing, Philbus.

Your advice turned a sheep into a tiger.

"Thank you, Mr. Philbus."

I said this to Philbus as he came out of the room.

Philbus, suddenly addressed, blinked his eyes rapidly.

The students then jumped in.

"Wait, did the teacher give you some advice!?"

"Seems like he said something before the test started..."

The students were buzzing with excitement.

Philbus cleared his throat and continued.

"Well... yeah... I am an excellent teacher... as expected, Albert..."

"As expected, Mr. Philbus."

I said it from the bottom of my heart.

"Hey, I didn't get any advice!"

"Even without advice, the result would have been the same for you!"

The students started to argue.

Philbus then said to them:

"Sorry, but I choose my students... you need to get strong enough to receive my advice..."

It seemed something had clicked for Philbus. He said it with a cool air.

The students' noise gradually died down. Then, their eyes naturally turned to one male student.

98 points.

Brain Milchis, the top student of the year.

The man who challenged me to a duel and lost.

Brain approached me and said:

"You win, Albert. It's an honor to be in the same class as a student like you."

His eyes shifted to look at Philbus.

"I didn't get any advice either. ...The teacher must have realized that Brain Milchis still has a lot to learn."

"Umm, yeah, well..."

Philbus averted his eyes. Even a seasoned teacher feels the pressure from the top student.

"Maybe, maybe so..."

"A happy environment... having classmates who are obstacles to overcome and a teacher who teaches you your immaturity..."

Brain said this with a satisfied tone.

Then he turned his gaze to me.

"You know some incredible magic. The white arrow—like a Magic Arrow. But it's fundamentally different from a Magic Arrow..."

"Magic Arrow, though?"

My words left Brain speechless for a moment.

Then he chuckled.

"Are you joking? That couldn't be a Magic Arrow—"

"Magic Arrow, though?"

Brain shook his head.

"During the water quality test—when you defeated that frenzied spirit, I saw it too... At first, I believed it was a Magic Arrow... but it's different. You must be using some trick to disguise the magic! Right!?"

I blinked and then replied:

"Magic Arrow, though?"

Brain looked into my eyes and said softly:

"...A secret, then?"

"No, that's not what I mean..."

I was at a loss.

Brain was completely misunderstanding. The magic I use is genuinely a Magic Arrow.

"Indeed, you wouldn't tell a stranger the secret of your magic—very wizard-like, a wise response."

Satisfied with his own conclusion, Brain extended his right hand to me.

"You're a man of depth, Albert Luminas. I want to compete with you as a rival. I look forward to working with you."

"Umm, yeah..."

I couldn't ignore the extended hand, so I shook it.

...The conversation feels off, though...

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

Rugarde was looking out at the capital from the room of the inn where he was staying.

The kingdom festival was about to begin.

Many people were bustling through the streets, either to enjoy the festival or to make a profit.

It used to be a period that stirred his heart—

But now, Rugarde felt nothing.

He looked down at the excited people with a cold eye.

"Rugarde, are you there?"

Falthima's voice came from the other side of the door, accompanied by a knock.

"...Yeah, come in."

Rugarde replied and turned his gaze back to the room.

Falthima entered and waved a piece of paper in her hand.

"I got a message from 'the student.'"

The student—spies planted as students in the academy.

Originally, they had titles like emblem masters, but they were called students after entering the academy.

The student had been using magic-infused ink given by Falthima before entering the academy to communicate. Writing on paper with that ink would transfer the message to Falthima through her magic.

"Here."

Rugarde took the paper and read it.

It said:

"Proceeding with the transaction. Delivery to you is scheduled for the next day. Come to the designated location."

The transaction referred to the "seizure of the Dark Emblem."

Below the text was a map with the time and place of delivery.

Rugarde recognized the location at a glance. It was the academy. As a former student, he could vividly recall the place.

"Attend the delivery, but if I'm not there, take the item without hesitation."

The message concluded.

The Dark Emblem, sealed in the academy, would be brought out for the festival. The student would seize it, and Rugarde, who had infiltrated the academy, would receive it.

Falthima spoke up.

"Troublesome. After seizing the Dark Emblem, why not just escape together instead of waiting until the next day?"

"...The student is an important card..."

We need him to continue gathering information and building connections in the academy without arousing suspicion—this was the dark side's intention.

That's why Rugarde had to go to receive it.

"Fine, whatever."

Then, Falthima snapped her fingers.

"Oh, right! Does the student know about the white arrow magic that defeated the emblem master?"

"...No, I haven't told him..."

The student has been living in the dormitory all along. To avoid suspicion, we've avoided face-to-face contact. There's been no opportunity to talk.

Falthima continued:

"Then, why not ask about the white arrow magic? It might be someone related to the academy."

"...That's not a bad idea."

Indeed, a magician powerful enough to defeat an emblem master. While I doubt it's a student, there's a possibility they have some connection to the academy.

"Falthima, can your magic send messages back?"

Falthima shook her head.

"Unfortunately, no. We can only receive messages from them. If you meet during the delivery, you can ask then."

"Right. I'll do that."

I doubt it will be that convenient, but it's worth a try. Rugarde thought so.

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