Chapter 24
Clink—
Elaine took a deep breath, feeling the familiar weight and coldness of the armor she hadn’t worn in a while.
Today was finally the day of the Academy Tournament. Normally, it was a lighthearted event held around May when the weather warmed, and everyone enjoyed it. But this year, the Academy Tournament felt like an entirely different affair.
“I have to do well, no matter what.”
Elaine resolved to herself, recalling Ryu, who was always smiling lightly, playfully, yet never seemed foolish or frivolous. This year’s tournament was not just the usual fun event sparking friendly rivalry; it had become a test of Ryu’s abilities. And Elaine didn’t want to see Ryu being disregarded in such a setting.
Honestly, Elaine herself didn’t fully understand why she was so invested in Ryu, why she felt compelled to look after him. Their connection had started on the day of the entrance exam when Ryu had saved her and Maria from an attack by the Black Crows.
Elaine had immediately sensed that Ryu’s movements were unusual. Appearing without a single sound, he subdued the assailants with a seemingly casual but precise efficiency. He hadn’t just defeated them effortlessly; he’d made it look effortless.
Moreover, as a commoner, Ryu was different from the other powerful figures Elaine had encountered in her life. He had a sense of “freedom” about him. He was undoubtedly strong, yet unbound by any rules, not even by the social distinctions of nobility and commoners. Elaine found his presence deeply inspiring.
When talking with Ryu, Elaine also felt a unique sense of ease she didn’t experience with others. She didn’t know exactly why. Just talking to him made her feel comfortable, and his playful manner often made her smile.
Having lived her life as a rigid knight since childhood, Elaine had never felt this way before. Ryu, who treated her just like everyone else, regardless of her title as part of one of the Six Great Houses, was something entirely new to her. It allowed Elaine to be more at ease around him as well.
Nod—
Briefly checking her reflection in the mirror, Elaine nodded to herself before leaving her dorm and heading toward the lecture hall. Her thoughts had drifted, but ultimately, her goal today was to do well in the Academy Tournament.
Though split into three tests, the tournament still followed the same two-day format as previous years. However, there was a new twist this year: as soon as a team completed the first test, they could move immediately to the second, and then to the third. The team that finished the third test first would win.
“Phew.”
While stretching and breathing in the fresh morning air, Elaine reaffirmed her resolve to excel in today’s tournament.
“Hey, let’s go together.”
“Eek!”
“Aah!”
Elaine let out a startled shriek, half-drawing her sword at the sudden voice that came from right behind her without a sound. It was Ryu, as always, his black hair tousled, his face showing a surprised expression as he mimicked her scream.
“Oh, goodness! Where did you come from?”
“…Oh? Did you just speak informally?”
“…Ah, no. I was just startled for a moment.”
“But, Elaine.”
“…Yes?”
“You screamed like that girl just now. It was a full-on maiden’s scream.”
“…”
Elaine felt her face heat up at Ryu’s words, and she quickly turned her head, hastily sheathing her half-drawn sword and covering her embarrassment with a small cough as she walked on briskly.
“Oh, wait up! I said let’s go together!”
“…Then hurry up and keep pace.”
“Wow, I’ve never seen that outfit before. Is it for battle? It’s definitely knightly and suits you well.”
“…”
Elaine pressed a hand to her warm cheek as she walked faster, trying to avoid showing her face to Ryu by staying a step ahead of him. Just Ryu’s presence alone had a way of changing the atmosphere.
Just a moment ago, she had been tense, feeling a little weighed down by the thought of the tournament. But after just a few words with Ryu, those emotions had all but vanished.
‘…Does the knight’s outfit… really suit me?’
“Why are you walking so fast today? Let’s go together!”
Leaving Ryu’s words behind, Elaine continued to stride ahead, subtly glancing down at her clinking armor, a faint smile spreading across her face as she listened to his complaints.
***
“Let’s do our best!”
“It’s a bit shameless, but I’m counting on you.”
“I’ll… do my best, too!”
As soon as I cheered, “Let’s do this!” each person supported Emily in their own way, and she quietly nodded in response to Elaine’s and Cynthia’s gazes of encouragement.
The Academy Tournament that had stolen away the easy, joyful Academy life I’d imagined was finally here. Expecting a big event, I’d thought there would be the usual formalities: an opening ceremony, introductions of participants, a word from the headmaster, maybe even some remarks from a distinguished guest. But surprisingly, none of that was part of today.
Professor Amilion, after ensuring all four first-year representatives were present, immediately guided us to the exam site, saying we could begin the test as soon as we received the signal.
“Although not for the first test, starting from the second test, everything will be broadcast live for everyone to see.”
Professor Amilion, looking halfway—or rather, completely—resigned, told us to give it our best shot, not to give up, and then left. Though she seemed full of enthusiasm at first, her motivation had visibly dwindled over time, and today, she seemed fully at peace with it.
<The first test will begin soon.>
“Phew.”
“Oh, is it starting?”
“They said the questions will appear on that board. When you enter the correct answer, it moves to the next question, but if it’s wrong, you have to keep solving until it’s right…”
As the words “The test will begin soon” floated in the air, Emily let out a quiet sigh, barely audible, while Elaine repeated the instructions that everyone already knew.
A brief silence followed, then a large board, even bigger than a classroom blackboard, began to light up as letters started appearing in glowing mana.
The first test, the “Theory” section, was beginning.
“Emily, good luck!”
I had absolutely no intention of solving the questions myself. I stepped back from the board, cheering for Emily, while Elaine and Cynthia stared at it intensely, as if determined to try and help.
It’s probably better to assist Emily early on while the questions are easier.
Flash—
As the words filled the board, a bright light flashed.
“Uh…”
“Mmm…”
While Emily stared at the board, eyes wide, Cynthia and Elaine sighed and took slow steps backward after seeing the question. I almost laughed but managed to hold it in.
“This… the first question is hard.”
“I can tell it’s about mana circuit placement, but…”
“Ah-ha!”
Unlike Elaine and Cynthia, who had backed up near me, Emily studied the question intently, then began summoning mana to perform something. With swift gestures in the air, the visible mana moved accordingly, arranging into some kind of pattern.
“Being a mage is tough.”
Finally, Emily’s hands stopped, and she entered something into the answer field, something incomprehensible to me.
Flash—
The board flashed again, and the text disappeared, replaced by new words.
“Oh, did she get it right?!”
“Well, it was only the first question… so it was a bit easy.”
“T-That was easy?”
Emily started to respond to Elaine, but as soon as the second question appeared on the board, she closed her mouth, focused, and returned her gaze to the problem.
I’d never seen Emily this concentrated before.
“…Ah, this one.”
Emily scanned the question, muttering to herself as she began shaping mana again.
“…”
Elaine, Cynthia, and I all stood back, silently watching Emily solve the problem.
The second question was even quicker for her than the first. She confidently entered her answer into the field.
Flash—
It was correct again.
“…Wow, Emily’s amazing!”
“Absolutely incredible!”
As the third question filled the board, Emily shot us a shy smile but quickly focused again, her expression turning serious as she tackled the next problem.
And that was the start of Emily’s solo show.
No matter how tough the question, Emily took no more than ten minutes to solve it.
“Is… is she really getting it right?”
Cynthia, watching in awe, couldn’t hold back her astonishment.
“Guess being a mage requires a whole different level.”
Watching Emily make precise gestures, fully focused, that thought hit me.
Is being a mage about solving problems this quickly?
Emily continued to solve question after question.
At one point, I felt she was taking a bit longer on a problem, so I couldn’t help but blurt out a quick, “Hang in there!”
“Agh!”
Emily shot me an irritated glare, which caught me by surprise.
“Oh… uh, sorry?”
“…Sigh.”
With a short sigh, she turned her gaze back to the board.
“What… What was that glare?”
When I glanced over, I saw that Elaine and Cynthia seemed to have had the same reaction.
After that, the three of us decided to stay quiet, making sure not to disturb Emily as we continued to watch her work.
How many questions are there, anyway?
—
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