Chapter 43

"Master, there's a sign that says 'Examination Hall This Way' over there!"

"Right."

Led by Kaito, I headed towards the venue.

It seemed to be an outdoor training ground.

There were already a number of boys and girls gathered, presumably hopefuls for admission.

The entrance examination was said to take place over several days every year at this time.

It was now during that period, which was why I had come to this city to coincide with it.

The weather could have delayed it further, but I arrived earlier than scheduled, so I could take the exam with plenty of time to spare.

Well, the weather wouldn't have been much of an issue anyway.

"Please fill out the registration form here, candidates."

Upon entering the venue, a woman who seemed to be a staff member called out to us.

Following her instructions, I filled out the necessary information on the form and handed it over.

"Um, Mr. Areru, right? You're from the town of Kainz. Your occupation is...? Uh, did you make a mistake?"

"No, it's not a mistake. I am unemployed."

"So, the fact that you haven't written any skills...?"

"I don't have any."

"..."

The woman fell silent.

Hmm.

It seems things have unfolded as I expected.

If this continues, I won't be able to take the exam and will be turned away at the door—

"Then, your examination number is twelve. Please wait over there until you are called."

Huh?

"Is that okay?"

"Well, regardless of occupation, everyone has the right to take the exam..."

It seems I can take it after all.

Thank goodness.

If I hadn't even been given the chance to take the exam, I was planning to go directly to the top and negotiate, but it looks like I won't have to go through that trouble.

Kaito also finished his registration and came over.

"Come on, Master! Let's go!"

"Sure."

"Still, someone like Master should be exempt from the exam, right?"

I wonder what the staff member from earlier would have thought if she had heard that.

The content of the exam was quite simple.

It involved casting a spell at a target—a metal figure—located about several dozen meters away. They probably evaluated the power of the magic, accuracy, and the time it took to cast.

Candidates were called one by one by their numbers, and they cast their spells.

Since it was a school for learning red magic, everyone used red magic.

Most used Fireball, but some used Fire Lance, which shot a spear of flame.

However, the metal figure used as the target wasn't just ordinary metal.

Despite being hit by flames multiple times, it remained completely unscathed.

Even iron or copper should have melted to some extent.

Perhaps it was made of mithril or something similar.

"Next, examination number eleven."

It was the number before mine.

A young boy was called out by a middle-aged man who seemed to be an examiner.

"Hmm. A Mage at your age?"

The form I filled out earlier must have been given to the examiner, who was now checking it and speaking with admiration.

A Mage is an advanced occupation.

The boy must have been given this title during his first blessing. Of course, this is quite rare.

"...Honestly. This exam is so simple, it's boring for someone like me."

The boy, who had a dignified appearance despite his youth, spoke with a somewhat pretentious and smug tone. He was dressed in fine clothing, which might suggest he was from a noble family.

He asked the examiner,

"Is it okay if I destroy that figure with my flames?"

"Yes, it's fine."

"Well, that gives me a bit more motivation."

Kaito, standing next to me, said with a displeased look,

"Master, that guy is pretty arrogant, isn't he?"

"You're one to talk."

The boy raised his hand towards the target.

"Burn to ashes, Eruption!"

A massive pillar of fire, as if reaching for the sky, rose from the figure.

A wave of heat followed a moment later, searing my skin, and a large amount of ash rained down.

This red magic, reminiscent of a volcanic eruption, was of a different caliber compared to what the other candidates had used.

"Wow..."

"That's a Mage..."

"Are we really taking the same exam as him...?"

Kaito, standing next to me, also had wide eyes,

"Sure, he's pretty good, but my master is way better!"

Why are you boasting like that?

"Right, Master?"

Seemingly hearing Kaito's words, the boy came over.

"That's quite a claim. You're saying your master is better than me?"

"That's right!"

Kaito responded.

"Haha, as expected of a commoner, you tell jokes that we nobles can't understand."

"What did you say?"

He was indeed a noble.

But Kaito, even knowing this, was not intimidated and seemed ready to punch him.

"Hey, calm down."

"Master..."

"It seems your master is still a reasonable person. He understands the difference in our abilities. After all, melting a metal target with flames is impossible for just a Mage."

"No, the target is still intact."

"Huh, what are you talking about? My Eruption should have—!"

The boy, who had snorted at my comment, was now gasping in shock as he saw the figure standing there unchanged.

"That's not just ordinary metal. It's probably made of mithril."