Chapter 21
“Didn’t they only have one event last year?”
“…Yes, not just last year but always, there’s only been one event.”
“Is that so? Then what’s this?”
Elaine couldn’t answer as I pointed to the bulletin board announcement.
Well, it wasn’t as though she had chosen the events herself, so how could she know?
“I… I don’t really know, either.”
Elaine lowered her head, fidgeting with the handle of her sword. For a moment, I thought she was about to draw it, but it seemed that handling the hilt was just a habit.
The bulletin board on the first floor of the freshman lecture hall displayed the detailed schedule of the Academy Tournament.
As the representative of the first years, Elaine and I had rushed down as soon as we heard the announcement had been posted.
<This year’s Academy Tournament will be divided into three distinct events.>
I merely accepted it with a “So that’s how it is,” but Elaine read the phrase with a look of disbelief.
This year, the tournament would consist of three separate events.
The reason was rather convincing.
It was difficult to assess if Academy students possessed all the virtues necessary with just one event, so this year, they had divided the tournament into more categories to objectively evaluate the abilities of each grade’s representatives.
Thus, the three tests announced were as follows:
First Test: Theory.
A written exam focusing on the basic knowledge of magic and mana, considered essential for all Academy students, even non-mages.
Second Test: Application.
A test on how well students can apply their mana-based abilities in various scenarios.
This second test would once again take the form of an “Academy-designed obstacle course.”
Third Test: Practical.
Though the term “Practical” sounds grand, it’s essentially the same dungeon exploration as last year.
At first, I was pleased to see the word “dungeon exploration” in the announcement, but this year’s Academy Tournament didn’t end with just one simple event.
Why did such a grueling schedule have to fall on my turn?
I really have no luck.
“Haa, this… It looks like an entrance exam.”
“Does it? Wasn’t the entrance exam easier?”
“…It’s because you’re good at it, Ryu. The Golem Hit is not an easy test.”
“Hm. I can’t quite relate, but sure.”
“Sigh, and to think we’re doing this with only four people…”
As Elaine rubbed her forehead, looking pained, another voice came from behind.
“They announced the events for the tournament?”
“Oh, Surplus— no, Miss Cynthia. Look at this, sigh.”
“Hmm?”
The voice that approached us in a lively tone was Cynthia.
Perhaps sensing Elaine’s unease in her actions and voice, Cynthia began reading the announcement carefully, her expression showing slight dismay as she went.
Her reaction was similar to Elaine’s, indicating that this year was indeed different.
“This is just… one of those things.”
“Those things?”
“Ugh, don’t you know? There’s a lot of gossip surrounding you.”
“Oh, really?”
I asked Cynthia in surprise, and she shook her head, continuing to explain.
I knew that people were interested in me because I had entered at the top of the class, but I hadn’t realized there were rumors going around.
I hadn’t paid attention to such things.
“The main rumor is that you supposedly conspired with the Academy professors to enter as the top student. They even say you were recruited by the Headmaster himself.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“I’m not even on good terms with the Headmaster, though.”
“…What are you talking about? Anyway, I heard that certain noble families demanded an official explanation from the Academy, and it seems the Academy Tournament is the response.”
“Hmm.”
After hearing Cynthia’s explanation, I started to get the picture.
The nobles were envious of a commoner entering as the top student, leading to intrigue and complaints, questioning how a commoner could take first place, and the Academy’s internal plan to address it.
“So, in other words, they want to test me?”
After piecing things together, it became clear that this year’s Academy Tournament wasn’t just about pushing the schedule forward. It seemed to have another purpose.
“So, this is basically a second entrance exam for me?”
“…It’s absurd, but it seems like it.”
“Oh! That’s why the events are structured this way.”
Elaine, who had been quietly listening, suddenly clapped her hands as if realizing something.
Now that I think about it, Elaine had commented earlier that the events seemed like an entrance exam.
I’d laughed it off at the time, but in hindsight, she’d been spot on.
“It’s not just your test, you know. After all, we’re also participating as part of the representative team.”
“I guess… that’s true.”
“Hah, this really doesn’t sit right with me. They already announced that there was no foul play. If it were some other noble scoring as high as you did, Ryu, this would never have happened.”
“That’s right. Ryu’s abilities are legitimate.”
I hadn’t thought much about it, but for some reason, Cynthia and Elaine seemed more upset about it than I was.
Whether that was a good thing or not, I couldn’t tell, but it did feel reassuring.
Knowing the Academy Tournament wasn’t just a casual event but a test targeting me gave me even more motivation.
I’d already been excited about taking first place and earning skills suited to a mage class, but now I had another reason to give it my all.
“Alright, then. Let’s give it our best. From the looks of it, I’m confident about the second and third tests. Can I leave the first test to you guys?”
“Uh…”
“Huh?”
Both Elaine and Cynthia, who had been brimming with determination, paused, unable to answer.
Honestly, I could handle the second test, the “Obstacle Course,” and the third test, the “Dungeon Exploration,” by myself and still defeat second- and third-year students at the Academy.
If I were a total newbie, having just reincarnated into the Arkaria Continent, it would have been tough, but I was an experienced veteran by now.
However, I wasn’t confident about the first test, the written exam.
Although it was just the basics of magic and mana, I knew all too well that even those fundamentals could make your head throb with complexity.
Fighting the participants directly would’ve been easier and more comfortable; academic tests just weren’t my style.
“Huh? Why the faces? It’s just basic knowledge of magic and mana, right?”
“…Knights don’t study the principles of magic separately.”
“But it also mentions basic knowledge of mana?”
“I know a bit about mana handling, but not much in depth…”
Elaine trailed off, glancing naturally at Cynthia.
Caught off guard by both our stares, Cynthia waved her hands nervously.
“A-Archers are the same! We don’t study magic either. Sure, I know the absolute basics of mana, but most of my training involves shooting arrows and strengthening my body…”
“It’s the same for knights. We’re busy moving our muscles, so theory isn’t exactly our strong suit…”
“…”
In short, neither of them felt confident in theory.
“Wait… but aren’t you aiming to be a mage?”
“Me?”
“Yes. Didn’t you say before that you wanted to study magic properly?”
“I did say that…”
Elaine looked at me with a flicker of curiosity in her eyes after Cynthia’s question made her pause.
Avoiding her inquisitive gaze, I quickly answered Cynthia’s question.
“I said I wanted to learn it, not that I’m good at it.”
“…”
“Oh, come on. At least we have a proper mage on our team. Someone who seems super smart.”
“We do have a mage…”
“Exactly! Emily will handle the theory. You heard her talk last time, didn’t you? She seemed extremely knowledgeable about magic.”
“She certainly gave that impression.”
Cynthia seemed skeptical, but Elaine nodded enthusiastically, her blonde hair bouncing with each nod, agreeing with my assessment.
Yes, we had Emily, a magic-obsessed researcher.
It was actually a relief.
Based on her personality and actions, I’d been a bit worried that she wouldn’t fit into combat, but for a written test, she seemed more qualified than anyone.
“Um, excuse me.”
“Whoa! When did you get here!”
“I’ve been listening from the back for a little while now…”
“Oh, uh… right, I see.”
Just as we were talking about Emily, she appeared out of nowhere like a ghost, perfectly on cue.
As I quickly tried to remember if I’d said anything unkind about her, Emily fidgeted and then finally spoke up.
Elaine looked at her with genuine reassurance in her eyes, while Cynthia, like me, wore a slightly guilty expression, watching Emily intently to see what she would say next.
Cynthia was probably thinking the same thing as I was, worried if she’d accidentally said something wrong.
“Um, Professor Amilion asked me to gather everyone participating in the tournament and bring you all to the training ground… I figured I’d ask since you were all gathered here…”
“…Whew.”
I felt the urge to tease Cynthia as a sigh of relief escaped her, but I held back.
“Ah, that’s right. She did mention that when we had a chat. She said she’d personally oversee things once the events and schedule for the Academy Tournament were finalized.”
“Did you already have a consultation with Professor Amilion? That’s just like the top student.”
“Oh… you guys will have one soon too, right? You’re part of the grade representatives, after all.”
“Ooh, such an honorable opportunity.”
Elaine’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she fidgeted with her sword, excited about meeting with Professor Amilion, while Cynthia, not interested in the conversation between Elaine and me, shifted her attention back to Emily.
“So, Emily, you know a lot about magic, right?”
“Uh… I know a bit, but I wouldn’t say I’m an expert… Though I do know a bit more about ice and cold magic than most people! But it’s not like I’m highly knowledgeable… there are many people out there who are better and know more about magic than I do…”
Emily hesitated for a moment, considering Cynthia’s question, before mumbling a response.
So… does she know her stuff or not?
“Oh! Right! The professor told me to bring everyone to the training ground…!”
After Cynthia’s question, it took a while for Emily to remember her task.
—
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