10

After lunch ended and the scheduled time arrived, the practical examination began.

Admission results were determined based on both the written examination and the practical examination.

According to what Ains had heard from Seidel, in recent years the weighting of the two exams had become equal. In the past, greater emphasis had been placed on the practical exam as a visibly measurable criterion.

However, with the rise of non-combat fields such as magical tools, scholarly knowledge and martial skill—mind and body—had both begun to be evaluated as equally important, without superiority or inferiority.

“For the practical exam, the contents are broadly divided into two parts: the chanting and manifestation of designated spells, and the presentation of a spell each examinee specializes in. Additionally, swordsmanship will be checked as a supplementary item.”

The practical exam was already underway, and before Ains’s eyes, examinees were demonstrating designated beginner spells, intermediate spells, and even advanced spells that many were unable to manifest at all.

“There’s nothing particularly eye-catching.”

Ains said to Seidel as he watched from a distance.

“That’s to be expected. After all, they are here to begin learning. Fully formed individuals are rare.”

Seidel replied with a laugh.

Hearing that, Ains nodded in agreement. Still, he felt that at this level, the advice he had given Laika might have been overly advanced.

“Next, Laika Brandy. Step forward.”

“Yes.”

Called by the examiner, Laika stepped forward.

Most examinees before Laika had manifested beginner spells with abbreviated chanting. For intermediate spells, they used full spell-form chanting, and even then, few could manifest advanced spells at all.

“We will begin with beginner spells. Please manifest Fireball and Water Sphere.”

“Understood.”

Laika nodded calmly and said, “I’ll start with Fireball,” as she opened her right palm.

“……”

A fireball slightly larger than a clenched fist floated above her palm.

The examiner, as well as the other examinees including Kirishiya, began to murmur.

“Hey, she didn’t chant at all!”

“I’ve never heard of someone manifesting spells without chanting before even enrolling!”

Ignoring the surrounding voices, Laika moved on to manifest Water Sphere.

“Next, I will manifest Water Sphere.”

“……Please proceed.”

Though surprised, the examiner maintained composure and continued the test without raising his voice.

“……”

Once again, Laika manifested the spell without chanting.

The murmuring did not subside.

“Next are intermediate spells. Please manifest Lightning and Fire Lance.”

Ice Spear, Fire Lance, and Lightning were considered highly versatile among offensive intermediate spells.

“Here I go—abbreviated chant, ‘Fire Lance.’”

The mana faintly cloaking Laika’s body caused her red hair to waver.

“No way!”

Seeing Laika attempt an intermediate spell with abbreviated chanting, even the examiner could not help but exclaim.

Laika continued to pour mana into the spell without breaking concentration.

A crimson spear approximately 1.5 meters long materialized above her head.

With flames flickering at its tip, the spear was of noticeably higher quality than those produced by other examinees using full spell-form chanting, or so the examiner felt.

“Ains-dono! Is Lady Laika already capable of abbreviated chanting for intermediate spells!?”

“Yes. I’ve been staying at the Brandy Marquess residence recently, and since I was allowed to live freely in the royal capital, I took on something like the role of a private tutor during that time.”

Ains added.

“Well, if I hadn’t taken on some kind of role, my sense of self-worth might have collapsed.”

This uproar in the examination hall was one of the major benefits that Kansas had gained by hosting Ains and Sophia.

For Kansas, who knew Ains’s true identity, it was easy to conclude that there was no teacher superior to Ains in the field of magic. The fact that Laika had received that instruction was precisely what was causing this commotion.

After that, Laika continued to manifest Lightning and Ice Spear, all with abbreviated chanting.

Once the intermediate spells were finished, the hall fell unnaturally silent.

A benchmark that students were expected to reach by graduation was abbreviated chanting of intermediate spells. And yet, before their eyes, a girl who had not even enrolled had accomplished it.

“N-now, lastly, an advanced spell…”

Even the examiner’s voice trembled with astonishment.

He had anticipated it. If it were her, she might manifest an advanced spell—perhaps even with abbreviated chanting.

However, that expectation, tinged with hope, was easily overturned.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t use advanced spells.”

Laika stated it plainly. There was no frustration on her face; rather, she looked as if this were entirely natural.

“……You may chant the full spell-form if you wish. Even if you cannot manifest it, that is acceptable.”

“No. I’ve been told not to use them yet—it’s still too early for me.”

“I-is that so…”

Though the examiner wondered who would impose such a restriction when it might negatively affect the result, he did not press further since Laika herself insisted.

“Then finally, please freely manifest the spell you are best at.”

Laika concluded by manifesting three Fire Lances simultaneously using abbreviated chanting.

Once again, a wave of astonishment swept through the hall as Laika returned to her place.

“Laika, when did you learn to use abbreviated chanting for intermediate spells!?”

Kirishiya exclaimed as she greeted her.

Kirishiya was still visibly excited, a rare sight even to Laika.

“It’s thanks to that excellent attendant over there. In exchange, I was thoroughly drilled on the very foundations of magic—right down to the way of thinking…”

Though Laika often teased Ains, she truly found his magical knowledge and approach to be extraordinary.

There was simply a difference in caliber.

At this examination venue, the center of attention was undoubtedly Laika. Yet the two weeks she had spent working with Ains had made her clearly understand the difference between an ordinary person and a genius.

“As expected, Ains-san is truly amazing! I’d love for him to teach me too.”

Kirishiya said, her voice filled with admiration.

Within Kirishiya, Ains’s evaluation rose even further.

Kirishiya’s own performance, when she was called afterward, was excellent compared to the others, but coming after Laika, her presence inevitably felt diminished.

After the magic practical exam, a swordsmanship test was conducted, consisting of light sparring with wooden swords.

Thus, the entrance examination that had begun early in the morning concluded as the sun began to set. The results would be determined through a comprehensive evaluation and announced at a later date.

For most people present, this marked the end—but for Ains, the real event was yet to come. A swordsmanship bout with Talidge, the attendant of Darius, was about to take place.