Chapter 75
The Siers clan's 'Test' is divided into two main categories.
First, a written examination to assess how well one has memorized the theories learned in training.
Second, a practical examination to verify the application of those theories and to gauge a disciple's, and thus a magician's, ability to respond effectively in real-world situations.
These two examinations are used by the Educational Building to assign individual evaluation scores to each disciple.
So, what are the benefits of receiving a high evaluation score?
Firstly, it increases the likelihood of catching the eye of instructors, the Director, and even the Elders and the Clan Head.
This is because performance within the Educational Building is regularly reported to higher-ups, and the names with high evaluation scores are bound to stand out.
‘Even gaining favor with the lowest-ranking instructor offers advantages.’
This is because instructors are responsible for assigning personnel to missions that the clan undertakes or independently initiates.
‘Disciples with high evaluation scores have priority in mission assignments.’
Alternatively, if an instructor deems someone particularly suitable for a certain mission, they might directly propose it.
Successfully completing a mission also reflects positively on one's evaluation score, creating a virtuous cycle.
‘Because evaluation scores are cumulative.’
However, this doesn't mean that a disciple who falls behind once loses all opportunities.
This is because the evaluation scores obtainable from excelling in the 'Test' are significantly higher than those received from missions or regular training.
Therefore, a disciple who performs well in the examination and also achieves results in minor evaluations or missions can continuously climb the ranks.
Even if a disciple hasn't performed many missions, if they diligently study theory and practice magic, they can gain an opportunity to surge ahead all at once.
‘Achieving such a high score and catching the Director's eye would be even better.’
If one had a prior interest in the Research Department or the Pharmacy Department, they could even appeal to the respective Directors.
In any case, a higher evaluation score meant an increase in one's standing and freedom within the clan.
And secondly.
Upon achieving a higher circle, if one's evaluation score meets a certain standard, they are given the opportunity to take a 'Promotion Exam' to ascend to the upper floors of the Educational Building.
This Promotion Exam is conducted additionally after the written and practical examinations.
Naturally, it is more difficult and carries higher risks than the regular practical examination.
‘Of course, instructors do track and observe from a distance, intervening if an extremely dangerous situation arises.’
If one fails to meet the standards in the Promotion Exam, they cannot ascend to the upper floors, even if they have achieved the next circle.
‘This is also for the disciple's safety.’
Consider this: If a disciple cannot demonstrate sufficient performance even with the safety net of an instructor observing from a distance and intervening in dangerous situations, could they truly perform missions or properly handle magical beasts on the upper floors?
‘Of course, that won't happen to me... but there's a separate issue.’
That issue was that Kain's current evaluation score was insufficient to take the Promotion Exam.
‘Which makes sense, as I haven't been enrolled in the Educational Building for long.’
Rowen had previously granted him quite a few evaluation points in exchange for sparring with the disciples, and he had also received a fair amount through the recent mission.
However, his score still fell short of the Promotion Exam criteria.
But there was a way.
-Kain. If you wish to challenge the Promotion Exam this time, you'll need to achieve near-perfect scores in both the written and practical examinations.
These were the words of Curtis, the instructor on the third floor.
‘It's plausible. The Promotion Exam is held after all prior examinations are concluded.’
If he receives a near-perfect score in the current examination and that evaluation score is included, he would barely meet the qualifications to take the Promotion Exam.
"Hmm."
Kain looked at his watch.
He felt as though he had been sitting lost in thought for quite a while, yet the written examination time still hadn't ended.
"Did I come out too early?"
Even though he had meticulously written his answers to ensure a perfect score, particularly to avoid deductions for illegible handwriting, and had even completed all his double-checks, there was still a lot of time left.
‘It's not really time for lunch yet either.’
The examination would continue without a break until before lunchtime, so Kain was currently the only one sitting alone on a bench outside the Educational Building.
In Kain's hand was the lunch box Alice and Neftys had packed for him that morning.
He subtly opened it, and indeed, it was filled with food prepared with great care.
It looked appetizing, but Kain closed the lid again.
‘It's better to eat together when they come out later.’
This was a decision made for efficient nutrient intake.
‘Then, until then, perhaps I'll analyze the Elven Tears a bit more.’
Kain rose from his seat.
The results were not very significant.
For the past few days, he had tried to analyze the imitation of Elven Tears from various angles, but the conclusion of 'unknowable' only became more certain.
‘I can't even begin to guess how it was made.’
The limited quantity meant he had to conduct experiments carefully, but even sacrificing some to finely disassemble it yielded the same results.
‘This... it's a substance with such perfect cohesion that one would believe it was like this from the very beginning.’
The term 'imitation' seemed absurd, as it appeared to be a perfect substance in itself.
‘The effects are also very clear.’
Literally, Alice's skin had been glowing more day by day recently.
Even on the day after Neftys scolded her for staying up late reading her favorite novel under the lamp, her skin condition somehow seemed even better.
‘My skin is also continuously maintaining its optimal condition.’
Kain's skin was naturally good, so it wasn't very noticeable, but seeing it subtly improve whenever he looked in the mirror at night gave him the feeling that it was restoring itself to its best state whenever it was about to worsen.
‘Even the scar healed overnight and became so clean it's as if it was never there.’
The effects were so clear, yet he couldn't find any clues.
‘It's been a really long time since a research project had absolutely no progress like this.’
However, a smile played on Kain's lips.
‘It’s actually good. An alchemist aiming to manufacture elixirs should be able to create something of this caliber.’
There were still some time-consuming methods he hadn't attempted, so Kain decided to take his time.
Soon, as lunchtime approached, Kain put his research aside and went outside.
"Aaaargh! I actually knew that problem! I think I miscalculated!"
Bolio's expected cry of despair greeted Kain.
"It was a bit difficult. Haaah... I don't remember the written test being this hard last time."
"Y-yeah, you're right. There were a few tricky problems."
"A few? You deceivers!"
"Bolio, you're always weak in written tests anyway. Let's do well in the practical."
"Ugh... Alright. I'm confident in the practical, aren't I?"
"Oh, it's Kain! Kain, why are you coming from that direction?"
It was Anias, who had just come down from the third floor, who answered that.
"He was moving his pen nonstop from the moment it started and was the first to leave. He must have had time to go to the training room or something."
"What? Kain has to get near-perfect scores on everything to take the Promotion Exam this time!"
"Are you confident you wrote it that fast and didn't make a single mistake, Kain?"
"Of course."
Kain nodded. He then held up his lunch box and said.
"If you're all done, let's eat."
"...You really have no worries, huh? Alright, let's eat."
"I-I got hungry from concentrating..."
Edward, Fohn, and Anias also held sturdy lunch boxes packed by their dedicated maids.
Bolio then subtly excused himself and said,
"Alright, then I'll see you during the practical after lunch!"
As Bolio walked towards the South Annex with a smirk.
"Hey, Bolio."
Anias called out to Bolio.
"Huh?"
Anias held up the lunch box in her hand and said,
"It's fine, just come eat with us. Nancy got excited because I reached 4th-circle and am taking the Promotion Exam, so she made a lot of food. I can't eat it all anyway."
Bolio's eyes widened at her words.
"...Is that really okay?"
Then Edward and Fohn also chimed in.
"We also brought a bit more than usual today, so we can eat this together too."
"W-we, let's eat ours together."
"I brought enough too, so you can eat it."
"Right! Kain's is really delicious!"
"You guys...! Thank you, I'll eat well!"
Bolio's mouth slowly opened.
And so, after Kain, Edward, Fohn, Bolio, and Anias all gathered and finished their meal.
They checked their magic once each in that spot until the practical examination began.
"Alright, then, let's go!"
For the practical examination, two types of tests are usually prepared.
The first involves demonstrating one's magical abilities with completeness before an instructor and measuring how much damage their primary magic inflicts on a barrier installed in front of them.
The second involves wearing protective artifacts and randomly pairing up with a disciple of the same circle for a spar, or directly sparring with an instructor for evaluation.
And.
"Hello, Kain? It's been a while since we last spoke."
Kain's practical examination sparring opponent, after he had just destroyed the barrier in the first test, was none other than Rowen.
"Greetings, Instructor Rowen."
"Yes. I thought your skill and potential were outstanding when I saw you spar with Bolio, but to think you've already achieved 4th-circle. My judgment truly isn't mistaken."
"You flatter me."
Rowen smiled as he watched Kain bow his head.
"Flattery? You've only recently entered the Educational Building, yet you're already preparing to ascend to the fourth floor. That is objectively remarkable, isn't it?"
"That is true."
"Good. But from what I hear, it seems you unfortunately lack enough evaluation points to immediately take the Promotion Exam."
"Yes. Even with your help last time, I was told I need to achieve near-perfect scores in both this written and practical examination."
Rowen's eyebrows shot up.
"Oh ho, well, I'm sure you did well on the written test. So, it'll be decided by the contents of our spar, then?"
"That's right."
"As much as I'd like to just give you a perfect score... you know I can't go easy on my beloved disciple, right?"
"Yes. Evaluations must be fair."
"Good. Then let's begin."
Rowen infused his mana into two protective artifacts and handed one to Kain.
Kain put on the artifact over his chest and took his stance.
The disciples waiting their turn to watch murmured.
"Ohh, it looks like it's about to start."
"Isn't Instructor Rowen famous for not holding back? Of all people, Instructor Rowen for our floor's test this time..."
"I messed up the written test a bit, so I need to do well on the practical, phew."
"Can't be helped, I guess. It's fate."
"So, who are you betting on?"
"What, you wanna make a bet? Then, obviously, Instructor Rowen. How could you possibly beat an instructor in the first place? This isn't even a test you're supposed to win."
"I'm putting my money on Kain."
"You're out of your mind. But what's the bet?"
"A flick on the forehead."
"..."
In a sparring examination between an instructor and a disciple, the instructor can only use magic up to the circle level corresponding to the disciple they are facing.
However, naturally, even if they use magic from the same circle, it's almost impossible for a disciple to defeat an instructor.
From the start, this examination was about observing the content of the spar, not who won or lost.
However.
‘This should be interesting.’
To be honest, the chances of winning weren't that high.
Considering how freely Kain handled magic two circles below his own, it wasn't hard to guess what the power and control of a 4th-circle spell cast by Rowen, who was a 6th-circle mage, would be like.
Still, Kain intended to do his best to win.
"Alright, then, it begins the moment that second hand points to twelve o'clock."
"Understood."
As Kain and Rowen, along with the disciples waiting their turn, fell silent.
The second hand finally pointed to twelve o'clock.
Kain immediately extended his hand.
"Flame..."
And the moment Kain opened his mouth to chant, Rowen flicked his finger.
"…!"
KABOOOM—!
The spot where Kain had been standing exploded.
