Chit Chat 12: Entrance Exam
In one of the academy’s facilities, the multipurpose hall, Idle and the others were taking their entrance exams. Originally, the handwritten invitation from the king and Idle’s own S-rank guild card were supposed to exempt them from the test. However, since that would be unfair—and more importantly, “boring”—they decided to take the exam anyway.
Since it was only the two of them, the test wouldn’t take much time, so the director approved it. The teachers, curious about their abilities, also agreed without hesitation.
The First Test Begins
Idle and the off-duty instructors gathered at the magic training ground within the hall to receive instructions.
“First, you’ll hit that target with magic of all four elements. You must cast each attribute once in a cycle and continue the rotation.”
“What are the grading criteria?”
“Casting speed, accuracy, and endurance. Power isn’t a factor, so as long as your magic is efficient enough to last, you’ll be fine. Keep it up for at least five minutes.”
“Understood. Alright, let’s do this~”
“Yes~ Let’s do our best~♪”
Standing at their designated positions, the two girls stared at the targets and began using magic in completely different ways.
First, Idle pointed at the center of the target with her index finger and muttered:
“Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Earth, Wind.”
With no incantation or effort, merely uttering a single word for each element, bullet-like spheres of magical energy continuously struck the same precise spot on the target. Each shot was colored according to its element, and because they were pure magic, the mana consumption was kept to an absolute minimum.
Furthermore, her rotation speed was so fast that the impact sounded like a rapid barrage.
Meanwhile, Arena’s method was completely incomprehensible.
“Hmmm~ Hm-hm-hmm~♪ Hm-hm-hmm~ Hmm~ Hmm~♪”
“……”
As she hummed, four-colored magical bullets materialized from various points in the air, tracing unpredictable paths before perfectly hitting the target’s center. The monitoring device confirmed that the rotation was accurate, but the fact that her incantation was just humming left the instructors utterly speechless.
Result: The test was halted after both continued for over an hour. Since none of their attacks missed the target’s center, they passed automatically.
The Second Test
This test assessed their knowledge of magical tools and magic theory. Each of them was given three blank sheets of paper.
“You may write freely. You can use diagrams for explanations, construct spell formulas, or analyze theories. Express your understanding in the way you find most effective.”
“So as long as we use this paper, any method is acceptable?”
“That’s correct.”
“Teacher, may we use our own pens?”
“That’s fine. Any other questions? …No? Then, begin!”
The one-hour written test had started.
Idle’s Case
“Teacher, I’ve run out of space to write.”
“What?”
When the teacher checked Idle’s paper, they saw that she had written down a complex and precise spell formula detailing aspects of Beastkin Technology, complete with theories and diagrams. However, for humans, it was incredibly difficult to decipher—despite knowing it was correct, the text seemed like an indecipherable code.
The surrounding teachers, struggling to understand it, murmured:
“Oh? …Oh… O-oh?”
Since they were all busy trying to read her work, no one gave her additional paper…
Arena’s Case
“~~♪”
Arena, after writing down her spell formulas, suddenly started folding origami. She transformed the three sheets into an Ika Airplane, an Eagle, and a Flat Squid Airplane.
When she released them into the air, the paper planes flew around the hall, gracefully shifting speeds and trajectories without falling.
The secret lay in the pen she had used. The ink was mixed with powdered Revenant Ore, allowing direct transmission of magical energy into the spell formulas. This was only possible due to Radaria’s advanced technology.
However, the control spell and the paper airplanes themselves were Arena’s original creation. The sight of simple paper soaring and maneuvering through the air in such a dynamic way left the instructors utterly astonished.
Result
– Idle’s work was too difficult for the teachers to comprehend, so her evaluation was put on hold until they could decipher it.
– Arena reverted the paper to its original state before time ran out, even magically removing the fold marks, so she technically passed.
– However, both of them received a warning.
Third Test – Simulated Combat Against a Hired Adventurer
“The adventurer will only use wooden swords, but be careful—they can grapple you if they get close. You’re only allowed to use magic. The goal is to see how well you can handle this, but try to win.”
“If a phenomenon caused by magic results in an attack, does that count?”
“For example?”
“Holding magic in my hands and attacking with it. Like this.”
Idle placed her hand on the ground and created a spear out of earth magic. It was fragile due to being made of dirt, but it was still a magic-formed weapon.
Since no other student had ever attempted such a thing, the instructor hesitated before responding.
“…Ah, no. That won’t work as a standard for other students. You must maintain distance and fight using magic only.”
“”Okay~””
The opponent was a veteran C-rank adventurer, around level 60—slightly above mid-tier but highly experienced. He had been employed by the academy for years to participate in practical exams.
“Alright, let’s get started!”
Round 1 – Idle’s Turn
“Earth Wall, swallow the enemy!”
“Ha! I’m not falling for something so obvious!”
As the ground around the examiner rose to trap him, he leaped forward, avoiding the encroaching earth and rushing toward Idle.
However—
“Form into a fist and smash!”
The raised earth morphed into a giant fist and pummeled the examiner from behind.
“Ugh! Guh! Oof!!”
“S-Stop the test!! Cease the magic!!”
Since all the blows focused entirely on his torso, the examiner doubled over in pain. A support instructor healed him, but it took a few minutes before he could stand.
More than just the one-sided nature of the fight, the instructors were shocked by how Idle seamlessly canceled an ongoing spell and repurposed its remnants into a new attack.
“Ugh… That was nauseating. You fight in such a brutal way…”
“Well, you jumped forward, so I had no choice.”
“…Sure, let’s go with that.”
Round 2 – Arena’s Turn
At the start of the match, Arena chanted what sounded like a fairy magic incantation and conjured a human-sized sphere of water, suspending it in midair.
“A water sphere? What are you gonna do with that?”
“Obviously, it’s my weapon. Go!”
As the examiner charged, Arena commanded the water forward. The examiner swung his sword to disperse the liquid—
—but the water split before the sword even made contact.
“Hah!? Gah!? BLUBB!!”
The water swallowed him whole, trapping him inside the floating sphere. He struggled, flailing desperately, but no matter how much he thrashed, he couldn’t escape.
Eventually, he gave up, raising both hands inside the sphere to signal his surrender.
“V for victory!”
Result: Both Passed with No Room for Debate
Fourth Test – Interview
It was a 5-on-1 interview, but given their previous performances, admission was practically guaranteed. The interview was mostly a formality.
Idle’s Interview
“Why did you choose to apply to this academy?”
“I actually didn’t want to, but due to political reasons, I had to.”
“Even if it’s just for a short time, is there anything you’d like to do at the academy?”
“I’d like to explore the campus. Also, I want to check out the magical tools research facility. I’m interested in seeing the different ideas behind their designs.”
“Do you have any goals before graduation?”
“To enjoy myself to the fullest.”
Arena’s Interview
“Did both of you come here with the same purpose?”
“Yes. But I also plan to create something of my own.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“I’m not sure yet. But if possible, I want to make something that brings people joy and happiness.”
“Lastly, what’s your goal before graduation?”
“To make lots of friends!”
Final Result: Both Passed—But They Chose the Wrong Department
“And that’s how it went.”
“Was this helpful?”
“NOT AT ALL! What kind of thought process do you two even have!?”
“We tried to keep it low-key, right?”
“Yeah, if Dolly went all out, the hall would be gone.”
“I think it’s still better than La Veil.”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
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