episode_0065

In the subject-specific exams, having scored well in the introductory courses for swordsmanship and magic, there was no longer any worry about failing.

Now, all that remained was to secure first place in the upcoming group exam, and everything would be smooth sailing.

While I might miss out on scholarship benefits, I could easily earn enough money during the break using the means I am familiar with.

“By the way, why did I act that way towards Professor Seigen? Was I out of my mind?”

Upon reflection, I realized I had gone berserk, brandishing a sword in front of the professor and shouting about physical magic.

Seigen’s exams are conducted individually, so it’s unlikely that other students were exposed to my outburst.

Since I will have subjects under Professor Seigen next year as well, I should strive to show a better side of myself in class or other aspects going forward.

“Or perhaps, I should prepare a decent gift for the professor during the break.”

Anyway, while I was busy preparing for the magic department exam to avoid failing, I had only given advice to Victor and James. Now, I needed to actively participate and monitor their progress.

Although I had to cram hard to avoid failing, Victor and James were well-prepared both in terms of their aptitude and regular practice, so there was no need for me to invest extra time.

Feeling slightly guilty towards them, as Victor and James opened the training ground door, a scene that made me doubt my eyes unfolded before me.

“If I have this, I can sweep away those vulture-like knights! I can’t believe how foolishly I fought until now.”

“Hey, you magic geek, the seedlings of knights hearing that kind of talk feel offended. Cancel that right now and fight fair and square!”

It seemed like Victor and James were engaging in a simple sparring session, but the content was quite intense.

James strategically laid various magical traps around him, creating an ice rink between himself and Victor, making it difficult for Victor to approach, then unleashing low-cost spells to chip away at his opponent.

“James believes that attacking the opponent unilaterally without giving them a chance to counterattack is the most ideal situation. To achieve that, controlling the space is paramount. Think about how to deal with that first.”

Considering my previous advice, it was evident that he had incorporated his own interpretation and style into constructing such a combat strategy.

While James’ magical prowess was not significantly different from what I remembered back in our first year when he was perennially ranked third, his skill in utilizing it had improved immensely.

Moreover, being able to manipulate all elements due to his unique ability, James could leverage this advantage to pressure opponents in diverse ways.

Watching this scene now, one might think that James could make even the Helena High users, who always evaluated him as inferior, reconsider their opinions.

Helena excelled in frost magic and protective spells like barriers. While she could handle other elements to some extent, the disparity in her affinity for different attributes led to significant differences in output, making it almost unnecessary for her to use them.

If James were to utilize his unique ability, he would definitely have the upper hand, but in the Academy exams, Helena wouldn’t be willing to waste her life, so James, coming at her with various attributes, would prove to be a formidable opponent.

Furthermore, Victor’s impressive display of dodging and blocking with his shield while evading magical attacks by running around was also remarkable.

Even though he had consistently trained and had a good baseline physical specification, observing his current evasion speed indicated that he was not just relying on that but also utilizing aura.

I haven’t reached the stage of extracting and utilizing aura externally yet, but it is excellent to use it to enhance physical abilities by converting mana into aura internally.

“Victor thought that even until the start of the group test, he might not be able to utilize aura.”

One of Victor’s efforts and talents may have far exceeded my expectations, maybe both.

Just by showing Victor a few processes of converting mana and aura and carefully training him not to get hurt while putting my aura into Victor’s body, he achieved such accomplishments.

“James Emma! Come forward and fight. Are you still a man even after doing that?”

“Why would I give the opponent an advantage in a fight? And I think the one who wins and survives is much more of a man.”

Listening to the conversation between the two throughout the fight made me wonder if my advice had a negative impact on their personalities… But there were still meaningful achievements.

After several rounds of such contests, it felt like they knew each other’s ways well.

As they know each other well, there should be no problem reconciling later.

The prolonged confrontation between the two ended with Victor lightly kicking James, who was exhausted from running out of mana and unable to cast spells anymore, declaring Victor’s victory.

“Cut the magic user! You tried so hard, but in the end, you got beaten by a knight like a beetle, right?”

While helping James up, Victor smiled slyly and extended his hand, and James also took it without refusal.

Then, noticing my presence, he ran towards me and started talking.

“Oh, Yukal, when did you get here? How did you do on the subject tests you prepared for?”

“I avoided failing, so you don’t have to worry now. Let’s just train hard.”

In response to my words, James seemed to express doubt and replied.

“You said you would come first in the group test, so based on that calculation, I know that I have to get a perfect score in one subject to avoid failing. Yukal, are you saying that by considering taking an additional subject, you managed to at least avoid failing in one subject in the Department of Magic?”

The exams overlapped, and now that James knows I can’t use magic, he must be asking with curiosity.

“That’s right. I promised the professor not to show it off casually, but I do have one spell I can handle.”

Before James could ask further, I drew my sword and rushed towards them.

“Wait, I’ve used up all my magic power right now! Ahh!!”

James’s sad scream echoed as our training continued.

*

Proceeding with training under such resilience, the group test began in a tournament style, facing other teams smoothly without struggling, advancing victoriously.

“There are some slight issues…”

Even though I didn’t step forward that much, seeing James approaching a gloomy opponent who lost due to a significant gap in skill made me feel uneasy.

“Frontline, both of you should retire as knights. Isn’t it pitiful for your swords to be wielded in your hands? How can you not properly deal with a few spells? Your talent doesn’t even reach Victor’s toenail. You are inferior even to Yukal’s claws.”

While it’s good that the combat style was adjusted, in the process, whether he turned evil or became as naive as Rachel, James, who was once close to Rachel, seemed to have disappeared, leaving only the James who insults opponents like that.

“Do we really need some character education here?”

Victor pulled James away, apologizing to the opposing students. However, James had also become strange.

“I’m sorry. James has been getting a bit rough lately. We should be considerate of our opponents, not hitting them like this, or rather, attacking vital areas.”

Even in exams, he had become quite cowardly, throwing sand in the eyes of opponents and attacking crucial areas.

Moreover, there were instances where, judging that he could handle the vanguards, he threw his sword at the opponent mage and only used a shield for defense.

While progress is good, it made me think that maybe they are the ones who really need Iris’s psychological therapy or character education.

I sighed, wondering how to make up for this.

Seeing the opponent female student starting to tear up, Victor and James each gave themselves a slap on the head and properly apologized again.

“I told you to rethink your combat style. When did I ask you to change your behavior like that?”

“But I only spoke the truth. I don’t understand what the problem is.”

James continued to babble nonsense, so we defeated everyone in the tournament and easily made it to the finals.

When we weren’t fighting, we watched Claire, Rachel, and Helena’s matches, and their side wasn’t bad either.

I thought there might be some creaking parts, but there weren’t any, and even considering that Rachel was alone in the front line, it proceeded smoothly with stability.

In addition to casting buffs and enchantments on Rachel, Claire helped Helena by casting spells and even picked up nearby rocks to enchant and throw, showing her dedication.

“I thought you wouldn’t just cast buffs and wait quietly from behind, Claire. Why are you throwing rocks?”

Preparing throwing daggers or other auxiliary weapons would suffice.

Still, it was admirable to see Rachel, especially Helena, not backing down, trying hard to coordinate and put up a good fight.

With their level, they should be able to make it to the finals easily.

As the group stage exams neared completion, our two teams met in the finals.