Episode 136. The Extraction Test (2)
“Sir.”
Celesne stopped walking. Before turning around, she had one more request to make of Pondrian.
“… Please keep in mind what the young lady said earlier.”
“All right.”
Chloe’s request to keep a close eye on the students who are close to her. It was hard for an imperial noble to be friends with these three-level magic students. Although it was difficult to accept, Pondrian reluctantly nodded.
‘Among them, my close relationships are with Luden and Oscar. I can understand Dahlia Delin, but… she is an overly generous young lady, as the Brigadier General said.’
So the two of them bowed and parted ways.
Keegan, who had been waiting, sensed Pondrian’s presence and turned around. He exchanged a quick glance with Celesne, who was about to turn around behind him.
“Principal, please go.”
“Then, I’ll ride first.”
The gondola lurched violently as the giant climbed aboard. Keegan smiled, noticing Pondrian’s expression crumpled without letting on.
“Let’s go.”
With those words, the gondola moved forward.
The gondola passed through the city center and headed to Lake Capotin. The city was quiet at dawn, but the diligent citizens were already starting their day.
Some of them looked up in surprise at the gondolas moving busily since dawn. Then they found a familiar giant and smiled brightly. Along with a respectful greeting toward Keegan.
“Principal Keegan, where are you going so early in the morning?”
“I had some business on land. Have a great day.”
“The principal too!”
Pondrian narrowed his brows in surprise.
‘He was more prestigious than I thought.’
In his experience, those with a solid support base were usually stubborn. Stubbornness also meant being difficult to deal with.
‘… I’m a little worried.’
We have already arrived at the Matap area.
A thick barrier blocked the waterway.
If Pondrian had tried to enter without permission, the barrier would have been activated and a flood of security design magic would have been launched.
Keegan stood up and waved his arms, temporarily disabling the barrier and sending the gondola forward.
Phew.
As the gondola crossed Lake Capotin and headed north toward the school district, Keegan hurled a word at the officer.
“Fondrian Camouflage, I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“As far as I know, this is very rare, isn’t it?”
“Are you talking about suddenly holding a recruitment test without prior notice?”
Pondrian guessed that the principal was going to complain about the testing procedures. The way the Education Committee stormed in and conducted the tests was not easily understood.
“You may not know this, but the Education Committee designates one magic school every three years to hold an exam.”
“No, that’s not what I mean.”
“… … ?”
“Has the Magic Brigade’s tone suddenly changed? Isn’t this the first time that the Jang Education Committee has designated Samhwi’s magic school?”
Pondrian was momentarily silenced by Principal Keegan’s sharp remark.
As Keegan said, since the establishment of the Jang Education Committee, the selection test has only been conducted at Won-Hwi and Mo-Hwi’s magic schools.
‘That’s why most of the brigade’s officer magicians are composed of Won-Hwi.’
Most people would think it was because of the power structure of the wizarding world, but that wasn’t the only reason. It was a rational decision made based on Whisik’s personality.
Wonhwi, Mohwi, Samhwi.
Each style had different strengths.
Mohwi is a defensive magic, and Samhwi is an offensive magic.
And Won-Hwi was a special type of magic that excelled at range magic. Of the three types of magic, it was the most efficient in producing results.
‘The fact that Won-Hwi is gaining power also means that the empire is stable.’
Offensive magic and defensive magic are only the most popular forms of magic during wartime. Although there were still monsters, alien races, and foreign ethnic groups, the continent was currently established as a single system called the Lilic Empire.
There has never been a time when the Emperor’s authority was as strong as it is now. In times like these, area magic that makes it easy to control the majority is encouraged.
So, as long as Telmah held absolute power, it was natural that the direction of the Magic Brigade would revolve around Won-Hwi.
But then, all of a sudden, there was a selection test at the Samhwi Magic School that had never been seen before. Keegan couldn’t help but be puzzled.
“I wonder if the Imperial Army is preparing something.”
“Prepare? What do you mean?”
“As you know, isn’t Samhwi a type of magic that specializes in attack magic?”
The characteristics of Samhwi are that the recast speed of magic is much faster, and the power is easily maintained even when casting magic in a chain. It is specialized in magic that destroys something.
“… … .”
It was hundreds of years ago that the three wizards of the Three Kingdoms were in the spotlight on the continent. They were recruited from various kingdoms during the turbulent times of the continent, but once Lillic gained power and completed the empire, they were no longer given such opportunities.
This test of extraction was certainly not typical. In a way, it was natural to suspect that a new trend had emerged.
but.
“I don’t know. I’m just following orders. Well, maybe it’s because there are so many talented freshmen among the Capotini freshmen this year.”
“Right. Even if he knew, there’s no way an Imperial Army officer would tell me.”
“hmm…….”
Pondrian deliberately avoided Keegan’s gaze.
In fact, he had the same doubts as the principal. So when the brigade commander gave the order to hold this year’s exams at Capotini, he was willing to raise the question.
‘Commander, if we take magic cadets from Capotini, there will be opposition from other magic schools.’
‘Fondrian.’
‘… … ?’
‘This is a trend that even I, a brigade commander, can’t do anything about.’
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‘Are you saying that it is an order from the Grand General? Or from the High Commander of Magic?’
‘It is an imperial decree. It is an order given to me directly by His Majesty the Emperor. And the recruitment examination, which was conducted every three years, shall be conducted once a year for the next five years.’
This was also said to be the Emperor’s order. Even the target would not change for five years. Every year, only officer cadets would be selected from among the new students admitted to Capotini.
The whole thing was groundbreaking. As Keegan points out, there has never been anything like this since the Jang Education Committee was founded.
Are they trying to conquer the elven jungle, the land of the non-humans?
If not, was there anything the Imperial Army could put that much effort into?
No matter how much he guessed, the curiosity that Pondrian harbored could not be resolved. It was nothing more than an imperial order. He had no choice but to follow it.
“Okay, we’ve arrived.”
Just then, the gondola stopped at the lakeside. Keegan, who had gotten off at the schoolyard, strode ahead, followed by Pondrian.
The place where the extraction test is conducted is the Arpeggio Hall of the Matap. In the basement of this Matap, commonly called the ‘Student Hall’, there is an air-raid shelter built during the war, and the test site was built right there.
“Fondrian’s disguise. I have a word to ask.”
“What is it?”
“After you are drafted and become an officer cadet, it may be different, but before that, don’t forget that all the cadets inside are Capotini’s magic cadets.”
Although he was smiling, his attitude was sharp. Pondrian frowned. He was already quite annoyed by the fact that he was being watched.
“You don’t have to worry.”
“That test tool, they say it’s safe, but I know how dangerous it is.”
“Well, nothing has happened so far.”
“That’s the story so far.”
“… The principal seems to be very worried.”
Keegan didn’t back down. He didn’t even show his usual good-natured smile.
“I also know a little about this test, so I hope you pay attention to it.”
“… Yes. I know you were once a member of the Magic Brigade. But-”
Pondrian looked up at Keegan, his voice growing stronger. His expression was just as stubborn as his, unyielding.
“I can’t be that soft-spoken, just because I’m a retired officer and I support everyone.”
“… … .”
“Just wait and see. If you want to have the honor of having even one Imperial officer drafted from here in Capotini.”
“I don’t need that kind of honor. If I feel there is danger, I will intervene immediately. I believe you understand.”
At Keegan’s warning that wasn’t a warning, Pondrian laughed inwardly. Was it the big headmaster or the Capotini School itself that was the problem?
‘I guess I’ll have to make a formal report to the Ministry of Magic through the Brigade Commander.’
Even though he is the headmaster of a magic school, he is still only a third-class officer. What the Imperial Army needs are officers from this school, not the meddling of this headmaster.
Moreover, the public relationship between the Jang Education Committee and Principal Capotini was one that would have to be faced for the next few years. If things continued this way, it would be difficult.
Pondrian reported to Conrad Witherspoon that he felt it was necessary to moderate Keegan’s influence at the school.
“… … .”
Pondrian shook his head and said nothing more. He simply walked out and opened the basement door. Keegan’s voice was heard again behind him.
“I’ll watch from somewhere else. From now on, Professor Eggler, a much more polite old professor than me, will be your guide.”
‘Anyway, you’re still being annoying to the end.’
Pondrian bowed politely and entered the examination room.
The place he entered was the upper level of the underground bunker. The lights were pointing towards the test site below, so the upper level was relatively dark.
Pondrian turned his head and looked towards where the test tubes were gathered.
As he approached, his immediate adjutant noticed him and saluted him.
‘Is the author Egel?’
A middle-aged man stood next to the immediate adjutant. The two nodded and exchanged brief greetings.
“My name is Eggeler. Have you met Principal Keegan?”
“I just met you.”
“I bet that guy never thought he’d be meeting the Jang Education Committee in Capotini. Did he have any advice?”
“Advice. I don’t know about that, but he was being stubborn.”
Eggler smiled lightly and handed me a caponiglia, the specialty drink of this place. But this guy is much more gentle than the principal.
“This is the first exam held at Samhwi’s Magic School, so I also have new feelings. It’s my alma mater and the school where I am a professor.”
“Egel said, approaching the railing.
Now the test is at the end of the introduction. In fact, the real test can be said to be from the third stage, and now is that time.
“It’s amazing in many ways. It really seems like a test to find the right soldier.”
Professor Eggler was looking with interest at the test conducted by the Education Committee.
When he was in the brigade, Egeler’s military position was not that of an officer, but of a special branch. His specialty was magic mines and magic traps. Therefore, this was his first time taking the selection test for a high-ranking officer.
At that moment, the immediate adjutant approached Pondrian.
“Sir, here are some binoculars.”
Since the mana was blocked by the effects of the test magic tools, the test subjects were also unable to directly cast magic. Instead, they had to use magic tools or magic stones.
“And your Majesty, I have something to report to you.”
“Why, what happened?”
“We have a slightly strange applicant.”
“weird?”
“No, I don’t know if I should say it’s strange or amazing… I’ve recorded the test, so please take a look.”
The immediate adjutant took out a magic stone from his bosom. It contained recordings of the first and second stages of the test that had been conducted while Pondrian was away.
* * *
About an hour ago. Stage 1 of the test.
The cadets were gathered in the bunker on the basement floor of the Arpeggio building. Oscar was still being persistent.
“Dahlia. Can you just explain to us plainly why we’re here?”
“It’s annoying, so just follow the others. Then at least you won’t be eliminated alone, right?”
“Tch, that’s fatal.”
Oscar grumbled. The other cadets didn’t look much different. Unlike the first time, they no longer looked scared. The skeletons that had driven them away had also disappeared.
I was just curious. Why on earth were there so many ‘doors’ in front of me?
Oscar grumbled, ruffling my hair.
“What the heck are these doors? Why are there so many of them? I’m going crazy.”
A thick wall stood before the cadets. And there were doors placed at equal intervals. There were a total of 20 doors, and the exterior shapes of the doors were all different.
“Luden, do you think you know anything? Is there a monster beyond the door?”
“Well, maybe.”
There was a monster beyond the door. It seemed plausible, but it wasn’t. Rubin knew exactly what was beyond. He had already sensed everything by spreading the dark smoke.
‘Two doors beyond that door. Two more doors beyond that. It’s the same old thing. It’s a maze.’
Rubin thought for a moment. Clearly, there is no danger no matter which door you open and enter. However, there must be a certain way to enter the correct door.
Entering only through the correct door was the key to this step.
‘To successfully destroy the test magic tool, you must first catch their eye.’
Rubin looked around the upper levels of the darkened basement, wondering what kind of method would be best to make a strong impression on them.
Several methods came to mind, but the most certain way would be the fair way, the way they want to do it.
Rubin looked at the other cadets.
‘By the way, we’re all magic students, so there’s nothing we can do. Since mana is blocked, we can’t do anything.’
“Luden! Look at them.”
Oscar pointed to a group of about twenty D class cadets. They included Eric. It seemed like they had decided to move first.
“Those guys from Class D. You’re trying to break through with numbers, what’s going on?”
They chose one of the twenty doors and lined up in front of it. The strategy was to line up and try to enter, not knowing what danger lay beyond the door.
Naturally, Eric Ielos was positioned between the rear and the middle of the line, the safest spot. He glared at the other cadets with contempt.
“It’s frustrating.”
Eric looked at the cadets who couldn’t make any decisions and laughed at them. He even shook his head when he looked in the direction of Rubin and Dahlia.
“Luden, did you see their faces?”
Oscar jumped up and down, but Rubin didn’t care. Instead, he grabbed his shoulder and pulled him away.
“Let’s go too.”
“Are you saying you want to know what to do and how to do it?”
“More or less.”
“…What? Really?”
At first I thought about asking Haneke, who created this test, for help, but there was no need.
This was such a simple problem.
