Magna Voldric found himself trapped in a storm of panic. His breath was heavy, his heartbeat thundered in his ears, and sweat trickled down his forehead.
"If this is how hard the exams are…" he muttered, struggling to steady his stance. "Then nobody's going to pass."
His opponent—Examiner Lilia Meldric—smiled lightly, like a predator playing with her prey.
"Magna dear… you're losing focus but don't worry I help you with that."
Before he could react, her figure blurred. She appeared in front of him in an instant and slammed her fist into his stomach. The blow rattled his bones, nearly knocking him unconscious. He stumbled backward, coughing violently.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to use this… but I'm getting my ass handed to me." Magna gasped, clutching his abdomen. "… If I don't I'll have to face him."
His mana flared wildly as he chanted.
"9th Grade Spell—Absolute Armor!"
Flames erupted around him, hardening into an obsidian-red shell that encased his body like molten steel. His aura surged, and for the first time, the crowd roared with excitement.
"Ohh?" Lilia tilted her head, amused. "Absolute Armor? Impressive. But still pretty useless."
She tossed aside her staff with a grin and lunged straight into him, fists blazing with enchanted water. The arena shook as their blows collided flame against water, steel against flesh.
For a moment, they looked evenly matched. Each strike rattled the ground beneath them. But then… cracks began to spread across Magna's armor.
"No… no I can't lose!" Magna screamed, mana exploding from him in a desperate wave. "One day, I'll be the strongest mage alive and kill that son of bitch! So I refuse to lose here!"
His armor repaired itself under sheer willpower, glowing even hotter. He charged forward once more.
But Lilia only smiled. "It's still not getting through huh? Your weak little noble."
Her staff reappeared in her hand in a flash of water.
7th Grade Spell—Magic Disruption
The crowd gasped as Magna's Absolute Armor shattered like glass, dissipating into sparks of molten mana. His defenses were gone.
"Jokes aside your not bad Magna," Lilia said coldly. "But against us me? You never stood a chance. We were given strict orders not to hold back… especially against the four of you."
Magna's eyes widened. "The four of us…?"
"Magna let me send you of with a big bang... for the crowd you know?"
9th Grade Spell—Hand of the Sea God
A titanic fist of water materialized above him, slamming down with monstrous force. Magna was crushed into the arena floor, the impact sending shockwaves through the stands. Dust filled the air.
When it cleared, Magna lay unconscious.
"The fight has ended!" the announcer declared.
The audience erupted into whispers.
"Damn… the examiner wasn't that harsh with us…"
"Why go so hard on him?"
"Is he going to be okay after that?"
---
In the waiting room, the other examinees watched silently as Magna was carried to the healers.
Alys Voldric's voice cracked with uncharacteristic worry. "Magna… why did that teacher go all out on you? They're supposed to be testing us, not trying to kill us!"
Still groggy, Magna gritted his teeth. "She said… they were ordered not to hold back. Against us four specifically."
Ragnar blinked. "I get why they'd want to test you three—you're nobles. But why me? I only just learned how to use magic…" He crossed his arms, a pit of doubt forming in his chest.
'Wait do they somehow know that I Vincent's brother... this is bad I was trying to avoid this'
Alys frowned, studying him carefully. "Yeah, why would they? You're just a commoner. It doesn't make sense."
Light Excalibur chuckled, stretching his arms. "It's not about birth, Ragnar. They only go this far with students recommended by someone powerful. Nobles, royals… or prodigies noticed by an influential mage."
"But…" Ragnar frowned. "I don't know anyone that powerful."
'Or Vincent must have put in a word for me.'
Light smirked knowingly. "Doesn't matter. Someone saw potential in you. That's all it takes."
Magna clenched his fists, a faint smile forming despite his wounds. "If there going all out it means we don't necessarily need to win to pass as long as we do our best... and maybe I still have a chance."
"You better believe it," Light said, standing tall. His eyes gleamed with anticipation as his name was called. "Well, looks like it's my turn."
"Light Excalibur, step forward!"
"Excalibur?... never heard of that name before." No matter how hard Ragnar tried he couldn't remember that name.
"Actually come to think of it I don't think I've heard of it either." Alys responded in confusion.
---
The arena doors opened, and a massive man stepped onto the field. His presence alone made the crowd go silent. His muscles were like boulders, his height towering above all.
"I'm your examiner," he said, voice deep as thunder, "The names Ordric. Try not to disappoint me."
Light smirked, mana already crackling around him. "Nice to meet you, sir. But I'm afraid I'm not impressed."
The crowd gasped at his boldness.
Light took a stance suitable for a person that uses daggers.
"Well then let's get started you over grown punching bag."
[10thGrade Spell—Dagger of the Thunder God]
[9th Grade Spell—Dagger of the Light Goddess]
Twin blades of lightning and light formed in his hands, humming with power. His body flickered, his speed increasing until he became a blur.
He struck first—slashes across Ordric's chest, arms, legs. Sparks flew. Blood spattered. But Ordric only stood there, unfazed, staring down at him.
Light panted, blades trembling in his hands. "Come on! If you just stand there, you're gonna die and this will turn out to be a boring match!"
Ordric smirked. "I was testing your limits. And I must say… I'm very disappointed kid."
He raised his massive hand, mana glowing faintly.
[8th grade magic spell—TearsoftheHealingFairy]
Before the stunned audience's eyes, every wound closed. His skin knitted back together, smooth as if nothing had touched him. His muscles bulged, his aura spiked.
"This spell doesn't just heal," Ordric said, stepping forward. "It boosts strength… and speed!"
He vanished. One moment he stood still, the next he appeared behind Light. He tried to turn around to block the attack but...
"Too slow, boy."
A colossal fist slammed into the back of Light's head, launching him across the arena. He crashed into the wall, coughing blood.
Ragnar's heart sank. "Shit… if he takes another hit like that…"
Ordric's voice boomed. "Is that all you've got, Light?!"
Light spat blood, standing shakily, his eyes burning with defiance. "No… I'm just getting started my guy."
Light dashed forward at Ordric and started slicing him all over his body but he just kept healing.
"Kid I've already told you your attacks aren't going to do anything against me so give up."
"You really think so huh?" Light chuckled a bit "my light dagger leaves little unstable shards in were the wound was so have fun with that."
Ordric suddenly coughed out blood as he felt explosion going off inside of his own body leaving him unable to defend himself.
"Well it's been fun big guy but I think it's high time I wrap this up."
The arena trembled as he raised his blades. Lightning roared in the sky.
[7th grade spell—BattlefieldoftheThunderGod]
The crowd gasped. A student casting 7th grade magic?!
Thunder surged across the arena, arcs of lightning splitting the ground. Light's speed multiplied again, his movements creating dozens of afterimages.
"Your spell is incomplete," Ordric warned. "You can't hold it for long. Can you defeat me in that short amount of time?"
"Three minutes," Light admitted. "But three minutes… is all I need."
He struck—slashes from every direction. Ordric blocked some, dodged others, but the sheer speed overwhelmed him. One blade struck his arm, another his shoulder. Lightning burst, forcing him back.
Finally, Light spun, blades glowing with divine thunder and radiant light, and plunged them straight into Ordric's chest.
Ordric was about to block the attack but decided not to and the attack landed.
The giant fell, pinned to the ground. Light stood above him, blades poised at his throat, his body trembling with exhaustion.
"Winner… Light Excalibur!" the announcer declared.
The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting his name.
Light stumbled, barely conscious. "Heh… guess I won after all."
Ordric laughed, his deep voice echoing. "Don't fool yourself, kid. I wasn't fighting at full strength. If I was… you'd already be dead."
Light smiled faintly. "Yeah… I figured." Then he collapsed.
Ordric caught him before he hit the ground and carried him to the healers.
Ordric let out a sigh.
"I just don't believe in this notion of not holding back on you guys because your talented. I mean come on your still just children."
---
Back in the waiting area, the announcer's voice rang again.
"Alys Voldric. Step forward."
Alys smirked, brushing her long black hair behind her ear. "Guess it's my turn. If Light could push that giant back, then I'll be fine."
Magna sat upright, eyes sharp. "Alys… don't underestimate your opponent. If you do, you'll lose."
She smirked confidently. "Don't worry. I've got this. After all… I'm the youngest mage to ever achieve the rank of 8th Grade Magic Knight."
Her aura flared like wildfire, and she walked into the arena with unshakable pride.
Ragnar couldn't help but stare at her.
'She sure is confident huh?'