“Ha. So this is what the magic users of the Imperial University were trying to hide.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
—
Imperial Palace.
As he sat in his office, the Emperor kept glancing at the reports on the paper.
It was a document detailing the characteristics of the magic that had occurred in Whist Forest.
It had covered the entire forest, possessing deadly power.
It was said to be lightning magic written by Schlus Hainkel.
Even though the Emperor could not use magic himself, he knew that lightning magic would have its power significantly reduced if the distance was too great.
“That’s not magic that a mere human could unleash.”
“Yes. That’s what we believe as well.”
“What are the chances that multiple people infused their mana?”
“Very slim. At that time, the only person left in the forest was Schlus Hainkel.”
“Well, well.”
“They say Chairwoman Alexia has gone to inspect the southern front. We cautiously speculate that she might have departed to contact another Majin.”
“Is there a Majin behind this?”
“That’s just a guess.”
If he had received the authority of a Majin, it would not be strange to burn down the entire forest.
But the question remains: what kind of Majin would hand over power to a mere human at the cost of their life?
Such foolish Majin had histories of being slaughtered by their kind centuries ago.
“It doesn’t smell like a Majin.”
It was a simple gut feeling.
There was no evidence, but he felt somewhat certain.
There was no one behind Schlus.
No one at all.
He would be alone.
He must have gained such immense power all by himself.
How? Just looking at examples like Gawayn or Henderson explained it all.
Sometimes, there are humans riding on ridiculous amounts of power.
The thought that Schlus could be one of them was strong.
“Gather information on Schlus Hainkel’s battle power. Up to how many troops can he take on?”
“Are you suggesting we carry out an assassination?”
“For now, just analyze his power. It’s too early to make a judgment.”
“Understood.”
A person born with excessive power poses a greater risk than being a help to humanity.
The Majin had to be excluded by nature; that was the only way they could coexist.
Gawayn and Henderson eventually exited the stage of history naturally.
As for Sergey, sensing the trouble in advance, he withdrew from the military and is living quietly; hence he wasn’t killed.
Believing he had them all under control, Schlus Hainkel suddenly popped up from somewhere.
Of course, a single incident can’t lead to a definitive conclusion.
However, if Schlus Hainkel is considered strong enough to break away from humanity’s control, if people and public opinion begin to worship him as a hero…
Then there would be no choice but to meet his end as a hero.
The Empire could not allow itself to repeat its past mistakes.
—
Tournament.
A method of determining the last person standing through repeated one-on-one battles.
In this setting, just as much as skill, luck with the matchups is also important.
In other words, for the students, it might as well have been declared that they would be taking their midterm exam based on luck alone.
“Professor! This isn’t fair!”
“What if you lose right in the beginning due to bad luck?”
“Let’s do it in a league format instead!”
“Hahaha! If we did a league format, it would take way too long!”
Considering that all 32 students would have to duel without any exclusions, they would have to conduct exams for an entire week.
So, is this midterm exam on combat magic based on luck?
To that question, the answer would be no.
The luck of the matchups definitely does not play a role.
“Don’t worry! I’ve collated data gathered over the semester and made the brackets to match your levels. Thus, weaklings will face weaklings, and strong ones will face strong ones.”
The brackets were created based on the calculated values of the students’ combat prowess, dividing them into tiers.
There was no chance of running into an overwhelmingly strong opponent right from the start; each would at least have the opportunity to place in the mid-tier.
If they could take down opponents of similar skill, that is.
However, continuing to win and achieve high ranks would be another story.
From that point on, it would become a true battle of skill.
“Is there anyone with objections?”
“……”
Everyone wore disgruntled expressions but kept quiet.
It was an unfamiliar evaluation method, but at least it was fair.
I wasn’t surprised since I had anticipated this from the beginning, but the more I thought about it, the weirder it seemed.
A school that conducts midterm exams in a tournament format is the best university in the Empire…
That part seemed to showcase the original author’s prowess, but I decided to ignore it.
“I will explain the rules for the one-on-one matches. Magic and physical strikes will be allowed. However, since using real magic can be dangerous, everyone must use these simulation devices. When you use your mana to cast spells, it won’t actually use magic; instead, the simulation device will visually project the effects into reality.”
Sergey tapped on a white artifact that looked like a refrigerator.
In short, it meant they were moving all magic into the virtual realm.
“Sorry, but there are no safety measures for physical strikes. You’ll just have to be careful not to deal fatal injuries to each other.”
“What?!”
“I will be the judge. If I determine that you’ve received a crippling blow, I will immediately stop the duel. If you have any objections, feel free to continue the duel. Of course, the amount of damage determined will be inflicted on you by the simulation device, so if you can withstand that, you’re free to go on.”
Huh? Was that a setting all along?
If you got hit by magic, it inflicts that much pain…?
Big trouble.
I’m really bad at holding back when it comes to pain.
“Everyone understands the rules, right? If you didn’t, that’s your responsibility! Now, let’s reveal the brackets!”
What was the bracket like in the original work?
I couldn’t quite recall.
I thought I might be filling in for Hertlocker where he’d usually be placed.
“Uh… uh!?”
I felt that Aintz’s reaction was unusual, so I looked up to the board.
My first opponent was Aintz von Wiegenstein.
The weirdo of the Wiegenstein family.
In the original work, Aintz gets totally wrecked by Hertlocker and almost succumbs.
So unless something big changes…
‘Huh?’
There was something. A variable.
The biggest change in the original story.
After the Whist Forest incident, Aintz was no longer the same Aintz from before.
The old Aintz lived in self-pride, but now he had awakened with the courage and mental strength to sacrifice himself.
And now I have to face that guy…
“Damn. The chances of winning are almost nonexistent. Please take care of me, Schlus.”
“Sure.”
“I’ll try my best to hold on!”
“……”
Please let it go easy on me.
To come first, I’d have to take down Aintz, defeat a few more losers, and then finally face Trie.
Is it even possible to do all that within ‘Selection and Concentration’ for just 5 seconds?
I just realized that even if I used all my 5 seconds, it wouldn’t have worked.
I needed to get back and finish the elemental magic exam questions.
This is really…
“Big trouble.”
“You’re joking! I can’t wait to see just how much of a gap exists between us!”
Crap.
This isn’t a joke.
Due to my past misdeeds, I was on the verge of getting expelled from the Imperial University.
As I was lost in thought, the preparations for the first match were suddenly completed.
Since there was enough space, all matches would proceed simultaneously.
Taking a deep breath and loosening up, I noticed Trie approaching Sergey.
“Professor. Are weapon usages allowed?”
“Hm. What’s up?”
“This sword.”
“I will allow it!”
Huh, what?!
Come to think of it, Trie always carries around a greatsword.
I do have a greatsword back at the mansion, but…
No way.
Can I still ask Emilia to bring it now?
If I run over right before it starts…
“Signal in 5 seconds until the first match begins!”
“Ah, crap-”
Now it’s over.
Once the midterm begins, I can’t leave the exam hall.
For now, I have no choice but to concentrate on what’s in front of me.
I prepared to leap and made eye contact with Aintz.
If I could just approach, I should be able to take Aintz down without wasting my abilities.
It would be best if Aintz got a bit nervous and couldn’t showcase his true power…
“Hehe. I’ll give it my all, Schlus!”
“……”
Aintz seemed to be in exceptionally good condition today.
Why does it have to be on a day like this?
“Start!”
*Clap.*
The sound of applause echoed like an explosion.
Just as I was about to dash forward, everything went dark.
‘Oh hell no.’
My vision faded to black, and I was instantly plunged into darkness.
—
“Submit!”
*Huff.*
I barely got him to submit after pressing my blade against his neck.
Trie was wiping the sweat rolling down her forehead, letting out a sigh.
The outcome was decided just a second after it began.
I had heard that opponents were chosen according to their levels, but it seemed that a wizard had a hard time facing a swordsman from such a short distance.
“Let’s see…”
Having finished quickly allowed me to watch the other matches.
I wonder how Schlus is doing right now…
He probably finished up early and is relaxing.
“Huh?”
Schlus was just standing there.
He wasn’t looking at his opponent but at the empty air…
What on earth?
“Uh-oh?”
*Boom!*
In that moment, a yellow flash engulfed Schlus.
