Chapter 4: The Entrance Exam
So, the Magic Knight Training Academy, commonly known as the Magic Academy.
“Here are the materials for the entrance exam.”
At the entrance of the academy, I was handed the exam explanation materials. Hmm, it seems there are four stages: magic, academics, swordsmanship, and an interview.
As I was glancing through the papers… huh? There’s something else at the end?
[To the Leader]
Whoa, it’s from the Arcadia Revolution Group, aka [The Troublesome Chuunibyou Urban Legend Army] (a name I came up with)!!
This handwriting is from Kirs, the [Magician]. Hmm, honestly, I’d rather pretend I didn’t see this, but as the leader, I can’t exactly ignore it.
Let’s see…
[It’s been a while, Leader. If you’re reading this letter, it means you’re about to take the entrance exam, right? I’ve also come to take the exam and plan to infiltrate the academy. Someone as intelligent as you probably doesn’t need me to spell it out.]
Hmm, the handwriting is round and girly. Kirs gives off a feminine vibe. She’s 15, the same age as me, with pink hair tied in a ponytail.
She’s a cute girl with a graceful demeanor and calm green eyes that are as beautiful as gems. She’s well-known within the revolution group for her beauty.
To put it mildly, she’s a beauty. Though she’s a bit too serious and worships me to the point where it’s suffocating. That’s her only flaw.
[I believe I mentioned during our last meeting that members of the Heavenly Realm are trying to infiltrate the academy. Back then, you listened to me more intently than anyone else.]
Sorry, but I wasn’t really listening. I just smiled and left it all to Reina.
[We’ve gathered intel that their target is the magic documents and artifacts within the academy. However, we’re still investigating their exact location. Since you didn’t give any specific instructions regarding this matter, I can’t fathom your noble thoughts, but I’ll do my best to act accordingly. Until next time.]
Hmm, the Heavenly Realm… they’re a dangerous organization that believes in urban legends. They’re all about manifesting gods in this world!!! They’re even conducting illegal experiments. As if gods actually exist.
Well, our group also believes in that stuff, so I guess it’s a tie.
[P.S. Also, can we talk sometime? Just the two of us, passionately discussing our mission. Late at night would be perfect. I’ll even prepare some drinks! When are you free? Oh, and please don’t invite Vice-Leader Reina.]
…I think it’s okay to refuse this kind of thing. Also, it’s kind of funny how Reina’s being left out.
Hmm, as the leader, I wonder if it’s okay to refuse. Honestly, I want to quit being the leader anyway.
But, as the higher-up, refusing might be a shock to her. I’ll just go along with it for now. After all, I was the one who initially said Everything is according to the One’s will……, and since she’s been fooled by that, I should at least humor her.
Honestly, I feel a bit guilty about deceiving her. But I’m sorry, I can’t exactly admit now that the whole “the One’s will” thing was just me winging it.
“Well then, let’s do our best on the exam for now.”
I’ll deal with Kirs later.
The theocratic nation of Rakildis.
It’s a country that worships one of the Six Great Gods, the Earth God Rakildis. Here, the royal family rules over the commoners, granting land to the nobles to manage. It’s what you’d call a feudal society.
Though it’s referred to as a theocratic nation, it’s pretty much like any other fantasy country.
──In the past, the descendants of the clan that most strongly worshipped the Six Great Gods became the current royal family, which is why it’s called a theocratic nation.
While it seems problematic for the country’s leadership to be so closely tied to religion, the strong faith of the past no longer exists. Not all commoners are deeply devoted to the gods, which is a characteristic of this country.
One of the traits of the nobles is their mastery of magic. Magic refers to the ability to cause supernatural phenomena by channeling mana, an energy that resides within the body.
Nobles tend to possess more mana than commoners. Though there are commoners with high mana levels, they often marry into noble families, which is why mana-rich individuals are concentrated among the nobility.
Those with high mana levels are expected to attend the Magic Knight Training Academy. Becoming a certified magic knight comes with many benefits: a salary from the state, the ability to flaunt one’s power, invitations from nobles if you’re a commoner, and even the possibility of being granted a title and rising in status if you achieve great feats.
──Behind this country lies the [Execution Unit], a group of magic knights.
A secret organization of elite magic knights. They operate in the shadows, investigating corruption, monitoring other countries, suppressing foreign threats, and eliminating those who oppose the state.
To maintain stability and smooth governance, a dirty job is necessary. Moreover, keeping these powerful individuals hidden prevents other countries from recklessly applying pressure or launching attacks out of fear of their military might.
However, while whispers of their existence circulate, almost no one has actually seen them.
“Well, Nadeko… I have a mission for you.”
“…Why?”
“Because you’re a member of the Execution Unit, of course.”
“…Sleepy.”
“You’re not sleepy.”
The girl named Nadeko responded sleepily. She had short black hair in a bob cut that suited her small face. She was a beautiful girl with black double-lidded eyes and a straight nose.
“…Captain, I’ve been working a lot. I’ve been defeating demons.”
“That’s true. Nadeko, you’ve been doing very well. Now, about the mission. Do you know of the group called [Heavenly Realm]?”
“…No.”
“I thought so. I only learned of them recently myself. [Heavenly Realm]… their founder, members, and scale are all shrouded in mystery. The only thing we know for sure is that they possess a dangerous ideology aimed at harnessing the power of the Six Great Gods.”
“…First time hearing about it.”
“Right. Even we only just found out. Their roots must run deep… If they’re just a cult or a joke group, that’s one thing. But, Nadeko, there’s a high possibility that members of the Heavenly Realm are hiding within the academy.”
“…Find them. Eliminate them.”
“No, I’m ordering you to capture them. Identify suspicious individuals, and if you’re certain, apprehend them immediately.”
“…Understood.”
“Make sure you’re not discovered. The Execution Unit must operate in secrecy due to the eyes of other countries.”
“…Got it.”
The woman addressed as the captain had red hair and red eyes. After giving her orders, Nadeko slowly left the room.
And so, she headed to the academy’s entrance exam.
“Make sure… you’re not discovered… Capture suspicious individuals.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
Well then, the exam has finally begun. First up is the magic test. Magic is considered the most important aspect here. It’s not just a noble’s pastime. Having high mana alone can allow a commoner to marry into a noble family or become a son-in-law.
Being able to use magic… that alone puts you at the top of the school’s social hierarchy. The Magic Academy is simple like that.
“Now, Kirs. Your magic, please.”
Oh, it’s Kirs, isn’t it? Seems she’s participating under her real name. Well, we usually call her by her codename, [Magician], so it’s not a problem.
Now, as for her magical skills…
“[Path of the Fireball – Road-Fire]”
BOOOOOOM!!! Wow, her mana control is as impressive as ever. I don’t even mind the burning smell. It reminds me of the incense at my grandma’s house from my past life.
“Amazing!? Who is that commoner!?”
“That was a short incantation!!”
“I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“And she’s cute.”
“The process of forming the fireball was instantaneous.”
“And she’s cute.”
“The time it took to activate the magic, the short incantation. Her mana control is insane.”
“And she’s cute.”
The “cute” comments are overwhelming. But I get it, she’s undeniably beautiful. Even so, everyone’s attention is on her magic.
In this world, there are monsters called demons, and magic knights are the ones who hunt them.
If you’re a noble, magic is especially necessary to protect your territory and commoners. The taxes you collect are for protecting commoners from demons. The ability to use magic is 100% a requirement for inheriting a family’s leadership.
Achieving great feats can raise your noble rank and increase your territory.
That’s why nobles value those with high mana, even if they’re commoners, and often bring them into their families.
Kirs is not only beautiful but also stands out immediately.
“…Suspicious. That person.”
Hmm? It seems there’s a student with a different opinion. A cool, black-haired, black-eyed girl with a detached demeanor. As a former Japanese person, I tend to like girls with a traditional Yamato Nadeshiko look, but… this girl seems a bit off from my type.
She’s staring intently at Kirs. Maybe she’s annoyed by all the attention Kirs is getting. There are quite a few people who are deeply envious.
Having mana alone can give you preferential treatment. In this world, your life can change based on your mana and magical abilities, so jealousy towards those at the top is natural.
“…What?”
“Nothing, never mind.”
Let’s not get into this kind of fight . I’ll just stay out of this female rivalry.
“Next, Nadeko.”
“…Yes.”
Oh, it seems that girl is up next. The test is simple: just hit the target with a fireball.
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