Chapter 8

### Chapter 8: The Reincarnation of the Great Mage - Chapter 8 (8/280)

#### Chapter 8

317 years after the Antarctic War.

The age of the Great Mage, Lin Rain Ludwig, is now fifteen.

In the midst of a bustling street where countless people rush by, the young boy lets out a short but deep sigh.

"Wow, the view is really great."

The First Magic Academy of the Holy Human Empire, <Delaiten>.

Founded by the progenitor of magic, Emmitsa Paige, <Delaiten> is located at the heart of the city of <Golden Rose>, the capital of the Page Dukedom, a leading magical family.

The magical city, <Golden Rose>.

From above, this southern city, which is intricately laid out in the shape of a rose, is always teeming with crowds.

"Magic books for sale! Plenty of reference books compiled by top-notch magic instructors!"

"Magic tools to amplify your magical power! This silver-grade adventurer, Kat, personally obtained it from the labyrinth!"

Most of the people were merchants and magic students, with a few adventurers from the Alliance (Adventurer's Guild) occasionally seen.

The center of magic, and thus the magical city.

The status of this city is so prominent that it is said that all the knowledge in the world first passes through <Delaiten>, which is <Golden Rose>. This was no exaggeration.

"Master!"

"Master!"

"Master!"

The problem was that this city, the fifth largest in the empire, often showed a very malicious attitude to first-time visitors.

It was incredibly complex.

Children and those with a poor sense of direction often got lost and became missing within just 10 minutes. On days like today, when the entrance exam for <Delaiten> draws a crazy crowd, it's even worse.

"Master Rain!"

"Where are you?"

"Ah, Master!"

The family guards, who had stopped the carriage by the roadside, were undoubtedly in the same predicament, shouting at the top of their lungs.

"Phew, it's going to take some effort to find him."

"Which family is it?"

"It's the Ludwig Dukedom. They're a magical family."

"If it's Ludwig... Ah, you mean the family with that famous talentless heir?"

What is Rain Ludwig doing right now?

Dressed in black silk, with black hair.

Wearing a cloak with the family crest embroidered in red thread on the back and sleeves, and adorned with a ruby earring and necklace, the young boy stands in the bustling street.

"How much is this?"

"Ten copper coins, please."

"Ten copper coins, you say?"

At every stall he passes, whenever he sees something interesting, the boy asks the price with a transparent smile on his lips.

– Is this ten copper coins?

In the year when the flames of war subsided and the abyss was driven south, there was a market day in a riverside village near the red city <Shuriganakus>.

At that time, Rista, dressed in casual clothes, would chat idly with the vendors and ask about the prices of various items.

When asked why he asked about prices even though he wasn't buying anything, the answer that came back was still vivid in his mind.

– You can tell what kind of era it is by looking at the prices of food.

– ...?

– Take these grapes, for example. In peaceful times, they don't cost more than two coins. Last year, they soared to twenty coins. Now they're down to ten? That's proof of how hard we've been working, isn't it?

For a boy who was always interested only in magic and his own affairs, this perspective was both perplexing and intriguing.

He can think like that.

He can see the world like that.

Then, Rista suddenly added with a sad smile.

– Lin, I can't live long. I've undergone the physical modifications required as a Feyquarian.

– ... ...

– So, in the future, after you've lived a really, really long time, will you tell me about it when we meet again in heaven?

Even though we had that conversation just the other day, I died before Rista, and Rista died waiting for me. Fate is truly ironic.

"Back then, it used to cost eighty copper coins, but now it's only ten. I wonder what that guy would say if he saw this."

While examining the red gem with interest, the stall owner cautiously spoke up.

"Excuse me, young master?"

"Hmm?"

"Wouldn't it be better to hurry? The clock tower is ringing, and the exam is about to start. You might already be late..."

That woke him up.

Oh...

When did I get separated from the guards? I must have been lost in the echoes of the past for hours after entering this street.

Running frantically through the vast streets of <Golden Rose>, he stopped passersby to ask for directions and finally arrived at the exam venue. The instructor guarding the school gate said:

"I'm sorry, but according to the school rules, even the descendants of noble families are disqualified without mercy if they are late. Besides, the exam has already been going on for five minutes..."

"Is there any way around this?"

How incredibly stupid.

I had resolved to meet Rista's note, yet I messed up the first step.

"Speaking of methods, well, there is an additional exam for those who fail the written test. It's held at the second examination hall."

"Am I eligible to take it?"

"The professor in charge will decide, but it's not impossible. It's for those who failed the regular written test, but for the descendants of noble families, it might be a bit... hmm?"

The instructor, scratching his chin in a perplexed manner, blinked.

Wait, where did they go?

* * *

The second examination hall was set up near the third clock tower on the university grounds.

Being naturally directionally challenged, by the time he finally found his way, the failed written test candidates had already gathered, forming a bustling crowd.

It was to be expected, but most of them looked grim. The boy observed them carefully.

Since it was an additional exam, there were few students from the eight major schools. Even the relatively famous Kastu school from a minor school was visible, but there were no students from major or mid-level schools.

"But why are there so many people for an additional exam?"

The boy had long since taken off his family's silk cloak, folded it carelessly, and tucked it under his arm. A maid or butler would have been horrified.

<Golden Rose> was really hot.

This place is in the south, Sunsetland, a land influenced by the Red Mountains that divide the territory of the Dragon Republic and the Holy Human Empire.

Unlike the blessed land of Richland, which maintains a clear and cool climate year-round, this place is different, especially in terms of temperature.

"Of course, there are many. What is <Delaiten>?"

A boy answered Rain's mutter. He had a fresh appearance and was wearing a robe of the Epicuro school.

"Admission is one thing, but getting a diploma from here is like picking stars from the sky. This is the top magic academy in the empire."

"?"

"Graduating from here means a bright future. You'll be welcomed at any magic tower and can earn a good sum as a private magic tutor. Taking the additional exam is not at all shameful."

The boy smiled and extended his hand to Rain.

"I'm Lim. I belong to the Epicuro school. What about you?"

Lim. Clearly not a noble name, and no surname.

"I'm Rain Ludwig. I don't belong to any school. I learned family magic."

As soon as he said that, Lim's face twisted with disdain. His fresh smile suddenly disappeared.

"Ah... You're the heir of the Ludwig family."

"?"

"This is not a place for those who only have family and blood. It's a place for those with a natural talent for magic."

What's with this guy?

His attitude suddenly changed 180 degrees after hearing the name, which was puzzling.

"Look. The guy walking over there is a student of the Torei school. The one over there is the ace of the Rentami school."

Hmph...

A descendant of a noble family taking an additional exam?

How could they be so incompetent... or are they trying to get in through connections? A female student said to Lim, who turned away with a sneer.

"You're pretty bold, challenging the heir of the Ludwig family."

"What's the big deal? He's so incompetent. He deserves to be ignored."

"Incompetent? What do you mean? Hey, I graduated from <Libarden> magic school. When we were students, I used to be a teaching assistant..."

At that moment, two female mages walked into the second examination hall.

"Welcome, candidates. I'm Caroline, a professor at <Delaiten>. You can call me Cat."

She was young but exuded great experience. However, what was more concerning was the girl standing next to her.

A beautiful girl with short brown hair that reminded one of wet mud. Her left forehead was clearly visible, held back by a hairpin. A natural beauty, typical of those from the eastern mountains, with a pure charm that bloomed from her ruggedness.

She looked familiar.

'<Delaiten> uniform...'

The boy tilted his head.

That girl, who was clearly the same age as him, why is she already wearing the school uniform?

Cat smiled and said.

"Actually, my teaching assistant suddenly fell ill yesterday and couldn't help with your exams."

"..."

"So, this girl will help with your additional exam, Krista."

The girl standing next to her took a step forward. She had a confident demeanor rather than the arrogance of a noble.

"This is Krista Warden. She's a recommended student for this year. You all know her, right? She has official permission from the school, so there's no need to worry."

Ah, that's why...

Warden.

Warden Dukedom.

As the title suggests, Warden is one of the five magical families, along with Ludwig. Their roots are in the eastern part of the empire.

'I met her once when I was seven, I think.'

The meeting place was a family council.

Before Lin regained his memories.

– You need to try harder!

– Do you want to live like an idiot?

– You're a descendant of a noble family! Even the eldest son! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

I remember she said all that to me the first time we met, but I just let it pass. I didn't care much about the world.

"Krista Warden...?"

While the boy nodded in understanding, the candidates were whispering in fear.

"She's already achieved the Limitis rank (2-star) at fifteen and is aiming for the Atlas rank (3-star)..."

"She's a magic prodigy that comes along once in a hundred years..."

"Last month, she even obtained the provisional Battle Mage qualification..."

Krista Warden, familiar with such whispers and finding them trivial, crossed her arms and scanned the candidates one by one.

"Alright, if you can land a single valid hit on Krista in a magic duel using the Illuweden method, you will be immediately accepted. No fatal injuries, though. That will result in disqualification."

"..."

"As you all know, the practical part of the additional exam is conducted this way. You don't need to win; just landing a slight hit will get you accepted, so don't be nervous and focus on using your magic!"

Cat chuckled.

While the candidates alternately looked at her and Krista in a daze, Caroline flipped through the examination documents.

"Then, starting now, please come forward if you are candidate number 200 for the additional exam."

The 200th candidate, who had been hesitating, climbed the platform. Just as she was about to cast a spell from her magic book, Krista's magic hit her chest, and she fell backward awkwardly.

"Disqualified."

The immediate disqualification announcement was like a curse. The 200th candidate, trembling, pleaded.

"That's impossible... Just one more chance, please! I've been preparing for years..."

There was no mercy from the examiners of <Delaiten>, the academy that only accepts the best students in the empire.

"Impossible. Number 201, please come forward."

Another one.

This time, the candidate did cast a spell, but the coordinate calculation was wrong, and the fireball hit the wrong spot. Then, Krista's magic hit her chest, and she was disqualified.

"Disqualified."

Another one.

Next was Lim.

"Disqualified, number 216, please come forward."

"Disqualified, number 244, please come forward."

"Disqualified, number 267, please come forward."

Candidates were called, climbed the platform, and left with blank faces.

While many received disqualification notices, a significant number of candidates also withdrew after realizing the skill gap.

Each examination was completed in about 20 seconds.

After watching nearly a hundred candidates leave in about 30 minutes, Krista sighed.

"Those who only pretend to be great mages, like wearing the clothes of a great mage, are actually nothing. How did they even get the Halfdan (1-star) rank?"

"That's proof of how excellent Krista is. The old saying that an empty cart makes the most noise is true."

"So, is this it? Can I go back to my studies now?"

With her shoulders slumped, Krista walked out of the examination hall, and Rain, who had been watching her, had a bitter smile on his lips.

Right.

I used to be like that too.

So arrogant that it was annoying, with no friendliness, and only interested in self-improvement... With that level of skill, they could have been a bit more lenient.

– Lin.

– Lin?

– Lin!

If I hadn't met those three people, I probably would have spent my youth like that and aged into a similar state. That kind of life is too embarrassing. What should I do in such a situation? Should I teach them that the world is vast?

"Just overwhelm them with magic."

At this arrogant statement, Cat and Krista's eyes widened almost simultaneously. Among the nearly a hundred candidates who had left, a single boy remained.

'What did he say...?'

Under his black hair, a boy with eyes redder than rubies and an elegant smile. Rain Ludwig, the young boy, stretched his body and flicked his hand.

"You don't need to go back to your studies. I have an important lesson to teach you."