Chapter 280: Solitär Takes the Exam
At the Magic Association tower, the overwhelming pressure usually emanating from Serie's presence had faded slightly, replaced by an atmosphere of orderly bustle.
Flamme sat in a spacious room, rubbing her slightly sore wrist. Spread across the desk were dossiers of over a dozen prospective students here for the mage exam.
As the Magic Association's fame grew, more and more mages came to take the basic assessments. Flamme had been incredibly busy lately.
Not only did she have to handle the daily affairs of the Association, but she also had to find time to tutor Frieren in magic. Fortunately, the elf was obedient and intelligent, so she didn't consume too much of Flamme's energy.
Flamme took a deep breath, feeling the burden on her shoulders heavier than she had imagined.
But she didn't complain. She had already given Carlo what was necessary; now, she only needed to wait quietly.
"Next. Ariel." She read the name of the next examinee from the list.
At the entrance of the hall, a woman with rare green hair, dressed in a white mage's robe, walked in response to the call.
Her appearance was ordinary, with nothing particularly eye-catching, but her gaze carried a barely perceptible scrutiny as she quietly sized up Flamme.
"Hello, Lady Flamme." The woman named Ariel withdrew her gaze discreetly and bowed respectfully.
"No need for formalities. If you are ready, let us begin. First, the theoretical assessment."
Flamme pointed to the seat beside her in a businesslike manner.
For Ariel, the theoretical exam posed no difficulty whatsoever. She answered extremely quickly, demonstrating a solid and profound reserve of knowledge on numerous magical theories.
Flamme nodded repeatedly, a trace of admiration flashing in her eyes.
This foundation was considered excellent even among mages from orthodox academies. It was possible the woman belonged to a faction that leaned heavily toward theoretical research.
In the subsequent practical assessment, Ariel's performance was even more effortless.
Her magical control was precise and stable. The shields she constructed could withstand standard offensive spells, and she even skillfully cast several obscure but practical support spells.
She had clearly suppressed her total mana output, but that exquisite control could not escape Flamme's eyes.
"Congratulations, Miss Ariel." Flamme signed the passing evaluation on the form and smiled. "Your strength is outstanding. You have passed the Third-Class Mage exam."
"My personal suggestion is that you take some time to settle down and prepare properly for the next level: the Second-Class exam."
The Second-Class Mage exam was a true combat duel. The examiner would be at least a Second-Class Mage, and sometimes, if Serie felt like it, she would step in personally.
However, Ariel shook her head at Flamme's suggestion. The urgency in her eyes became more apparent. "Lady Flamme, I would like to proceed directly to the Second-Class Mage exam today."
"Today?" Flamme was surprised.
Although taking consecutive exams didn't violate the rules, it was a massive drain on the examinee's mental energy and mana. People rarely did it.
"Do you not need to rest or prepare more thoroughly? The difficulty of the Second-Class exam increases significantly."
"I cannot wait at all!" Ariel blurted out, her tone tinged with pleading. "Please allow me to take the exam now!"
Flamme frowned, scrutinizing the green-haired woman before her.
Her strength indeed far exceeded the level displayed in the Third-Class exam, and her urgency didn't seem feigned. It was as if something were chasing her.
Does she have some unspeakable difficulty?
Flamme pondered for a moment.
The Association's principle was not to interfere with a mage's personal choices.
"Very well." Flamme nodded. "Since you insist, I will conduct the Second-Class exam for you personally."
As Flamme had warned, the difficulty of the Second-Class exam spiked sharply.
Flamme showed no mercy, utilizing nearly half her strength. She wanted to see just how much power this Ariel was hiding.
Facing Flamme's attacks, Ariel's defense was watertight. She displayed an extraordinary, almost instinctive combat intuition and danger prediction, which astonished Flamme immensely.
This didn't seem like the traits of a theoretical mage who buried her head in research. Could she be a combat-oriented mage after all?
The exam ended quickly.
Although Ariel's forehead was slightly sweaty and her breathing a bit rapid, there was no doubt her performance fully met the requirements for passing.
Flamme looked at her, the surprise in her heart growing.
The Ariel before her seemed breathless, but Flamme could sense that she hadn't used her full strength.
This level... she has probably touched the threshold of a First-Class Mage.
Flamme remembered the rule set by her teacher, Serie: anyone who passed the First-Class exam could wish for any spell from her.
Her heart moved, and she probed tentatively, "Miss Ariel, your strength is astonishing."
"Have you considered attempting the First-Class Mage exam?"
"Although my two teachers are currently away from the Association, I can apply on your behalf when they return. Once you pass, you can even make a wish to Master Serie."
Make a wish to Serie?!
Solitär's heart skipped a violent beat!
To say she wasn't tempted by the countless powerful forbidden spells and lost ancient magic mastered by the Elven Saint would be a lie.
She wanted every type of magic; she wanted to research it all.
However, the moment this tempting thought arose, it was instantly crushed by a stronger fear.
First-Class Exam.
That meant she would have to go all out, revealing her full strength without reservation, in front of Serie or that Rhodes?!
No! Absolutely not!
The reason she had dragged this out until now, waiting for the gap when those two ominous stars were away to take the exam, was precisely because she was afraid of death.
Although she had researched Disguise Magic to the extreme and was confident in fooling the vast majority of human mages, facing those legendary figures... she had absolutely no confidence!
If her true identity as a demon was seen through during the exam...
Thinking of Serie's fierce reputation for showing no mercy to demons, Solitär felt a chill on the back of her neck.
That wasn't something to joke about!
"No! No need!"
Ariel shook her head almost immediately, her tone stiff with lingering fear. "I am still far from the First-Class exam. I need more accumulation. Thank you very much for your kindness, Lady Flamme."
Flamme was slightly surprised by her excessive reaction but didn't think much of it, assuming it was lack of confidence or awe toward the First-Class exam.
She smiled and reassured her, "No need to be nervous. I was just suggesting it."
"The First-Class exam is indeed no small matter. Being cautious is good. Anyway, you couldn't take it now even if you wanted to. It must wait until Master Serie or Master Rhodes returns."
Must wait until they return?
Hearing this, instead of disappointment, Solitär was instantly drowned in massive ecstasy.
Does that mean they won't be back for a while?!
Wonderful!
This is simply a god-given opportunity!
She forcibly suppressed the corners of her mouth that threatened to curl up, trying to make her voice sound like a normal inquiry. "I see. Then may I ask, when will Lady Serie return?"
Flamme shook her head. "I do not know. Teacher has matters to handle. The return date is unset, but I imagine it will take quite some time."
Quite some time?
YES!
Solitär felt like she might faint from happiness.
Opportunity! This is the opportunity I've dreamed of!
Without the life-threatening danger of having her identity exposed, she could research the human magical knowledge here peacefully and to the maximum extent.
"I understand. Thank you, Lady Flamme." Solitär lowered her head, hiding the excited glint in her eyes, her tone becoming exceptionally submissive. "Then, I will be disturbing you quite a bit for the next while."
"Welcome to the Association."
Flamme nodded with a smile, slightly puzzled by her sudden obedience, but didn't mind.
There were plenty of mages with eccentric personalities in the Association. A genius who was a bit hasty and then suddenly humble wasn't too special.
Holding her freshly minted Second-Class Mage badge, Solitär left the exam hall with brisk steps.
She couldn't wait to reach the Association's library. Looking at the vast ocean of magical books on the shelves and sensing the rich mana elements in the air, she almost couldn't resist laughing out loud.
That man isn't here!
For the next precious period of time, I am free!
She began browsing impatiently, her mind already planning which fields of magic to research first.
Human magic is truly something to look forward to.
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