The classroom was still noisy.
There were the constant sounds of students flipping through the test papers, looking for easier problems, and sighs from those who had no idea how to solve anything.
But Horizon didn’t stop them.
In fact, he looked around the classroom with a satisfied expression.
“Obvious questions are boring, don’t you think?”
On the first day, the Transmission Department had probably given out the predictable type of exam.
Then the Producing Department had done the same on the second day.
If the third day’s exam was just as predictable, everyone would find it boring… so he had to spice things up with something fresh.
That was Horizon’s thinking.
“Don’t worry. If you studied properly, you’ll be able to solve at least a few.”
The average score for the Top Class was usually around 90 points.
But this time, it was hard to predict.
Even for the Top Class, the average might drop to around 40 or 50 points.
“It’s best to scan through the problems and start with the ones you can solve.”
In fact, question 1 was the hardest on the test.
Anyone who stubbornly tried to solve it first would end up running out of time.
Finding and solving the problems you can solve is the shortcut to a good grade.
“As expected, the smart ones found the questions they’re confident in quickly.”
He saw Senia Artian beginning with question 5.
That problem required a solid understanding of the wind element. Senia had shown skill with the wind element during recent practicals, so it was likely she felt confident.
Others like Cain Trigger and Monarch Orson were also seriously working through problems that suited them.
“But…”
Horizon’s attention was on one student in particular: Eriol Valencia.
He was fixated on the first page.
“Is he planning to start from question 1?”
Plenty of students had started with question 1.
But most of them likely didn’t grasp the true nature of the problem.
“It’s riddled with traps.”
The question provided a technique meant to artificially replicate the flame emission of a subspecies of salamander native to the Eustapio volcanic region.
The task was to simplify that technique to achieve at least a level-2 efficiency in the Kefton Evaluation Scale.
They had learned about simplification in last week’s class, so students might think they just needed to apply that.
But that was the trap.
“Just reducing the amount of spell structure isn’t enough.”
The spell provided in the question was extensive.
It had unnecessary phrases and unnecessary support structures.
If you went through and trimmed all of that, the spell would be shorter.
At that point, most students would probably cheer—“Yes! Nailed the first problem!”
Without realizing they’d fallen straight into a trap.
“With that, you can’t replicate the salamander’s flame emission.”
The salamander subspecies in the Eustapio volcanic region had a flame emission that lasted over three minutes. That duration was key.
The spell provided was built to ensure a flame duration of over three minutes. But if you remove what looks like unnecessary lines, the spell becomes too efficient—and the flame duration drops to under two minutes.
“They seem like meaningless filler lines, but they’re actually there to extend the magic’s duration.”
The salamander had been briefly mentioned in class. Even if you didn’t remember that, you could understand the question’s intent by thoroughly analysing the spell.
“You can’t just remove lines—you have to add a spell that extends the duration to get it right.”
With that thought, Horizon approached Eriol’s desk.
He wanted to see how the boy was solving the problem.
“……!”
And then—
Horizon unconsciously gasped.
“This kid… he’s reconstructing the spell from scratch?”
It looked like Eriol had completely understood the given technique.
He was now rebuilding the entire spell from the ground up to achieve the same effect.
And he was doing it with a clean, efficient, almost artistic precision.
“Wait… This isn’t something you could make with elemental theory alone.”
Horizon felt a twinge of confusion.
Eriol was using a rare method to extract power from the fire element and output it.
He was adjusting the flame’s power and range by incorporating the wind element.
It didn’t change the result of the spell, but it made the spell’s activation smoother and more efficient.
“No one taught him this… so how did he come up with it?”
Amazingly, the real salamander subspecies used a similar mechanism to emit flames.
Just how had Eriol Valencia come up with this?
“What is this kid, really?”
Horizon felt a deep sense of awe.
“I had a feeling, but yeah… this is a more efficient version.”
I let out a breath of relief as I double-checked my answer.
“I’m glad I read ‘Study on Eustapio Volcanic Creatures.’”
Professor Horizon had mentioned the salamander in class once.
That reminded me of a book I’d enjoyed reading ages ago, so after class that day, I’d rushed to the central library to re-read it… never thought it’d show up on the exam.
“Thanks to that, I was able to create a more natural and efficient spell.”
Reading really is the best way to prepare for life.
With that thought, I moved on to the next question.
“This pace… let’s keep it up.”
In a classroom still thick with tension, I confidently solved one problem after another.
“Good work, everyone! Enjoy the holiday, and I’ll see you next week!”
“Thank you!”
At last, the exams were over.
Everyone was exhausted after the grueling elemental theory and applied magic tests, but even so, the joy of being done was overwhelming.
“Hey Monarch, how was the test today?”
“Don’t ask. I don’t even want to think about it.”
“Still, you answered everything, right?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Sigh… I couldn’t even answer half of them. And I’m pretty sure those are wrong too.”
“Nothing you can do. That exam was designed to screw us over.”
“Anyway! Exams are over, let’s go have some fun!”
“Yeah, like we promised, let’s head off the island.”
Since a four-day holiday was rare at the academy, lots of students were already planning to leave the island.
“Eriol, do you have plans for the break?”
“We’re taking a boat to Paravos City tomorrow morning—want to come with us?”
Charis and Milia seemed to have their own vacation plans.
“Sorry. I’m just gonna stay on the island.”
“Huh, you’re not planning to study during the break, are you?”
“Of course not. I just plan to read.”
“Can’t say I understand spending a golden break reading books…”
Sorry, but for me, reading is the best kind of rest.
“All right then. Have a good break.”
“See you next week.”
After Charis and Milia left, Cain walked over.
“Eriol, you really gonna just read books for four days?”
“What else should I do?”
“Haha. Feast your eyes on this.”
Cain pulled a small card from his pocket.
“A temporary ranger license.”
“How’d you get that?”
“I have my ways.”
Maybe he also asked one of the professors for help, like I did.
He’s from the Trigger family, after all. It’s possible he has academy connections I don’t know about.
“You’ve got a ranger license too, right? I already know you do.”
“Man, you know a lot.”
“So how about we head into Labyrinthos together? You’re planning to enter the upcoming dungeon challenge, right? Gotta train for that.”
“Hmm…”
He wasn’t wrong—I did need to train.
I didn’t want to keep relying on Helios, and if Cain had a license, going with him wasn’t a bad idea.
“Sure, let’s go.”
“Nice! Let’s have an awesome dungeon adventure!”
Like most students, Cain had probably been dying to dive into a dungeon again ever since the last one.
“How about we go every day for the next four days?”
“I said I wanted to read, remember? Besides, four days straight is a bit much…”
“U-um.”
Just then, Senia, who had been hesitating nearby, finally stepped in.
“What’s up? You want to come too?”
“No, I don’t have a ranger license yet…”
Shaking her head at Cain’s comment, she turned to look at me.
“Eriol are you really going to spend the whole break exploring dungeons and reading?”
“Not necessarily. Why?”
“If it’s okay… would you mind practicing magic with me?”
“Magic practice?”
I’d originally planned to spend the break relaxing with books…But it looked like my schedule was getting busier and busier.
Boom!
A thunderous explosion echoed along the eastern coastline that we had used since long ago.
It was because the massive fireball I had thrown crashed into the sea.
“Wow, even your throwing accuracy has gotten really precise now.”
Standing beside me, Senia clapped her hands.
“Did you keep practicing even after the Rookie Tournament?”
“Now and then. But mostly, I practiced in my head.”
“You really are amazing…”
Senia looked at me with eyes full of admiration.
“Is this to prepare for the dungeon conquest tournament?”
“Yeah, I wanted to get better at fire magic.”
Of all the spells I had learned so far, the most useful for offense was elemental fire magic.
Charlotte seemed skilled with ice-type elemental magic, and Helios had learned electric-type lightning spells… but fire magic was the best fit for me.
“I’ve mainly been working on three offensive techniques.”
“Can I hear about them?”
“First, there’s the Fireball—like what I just used—a strong fire sphere that I throw.”
Due to the nature of thrown spells, this one would be necessary to unleash maximum power.
“Second is Firebolt—a spell that shoots flame like an arrow.”
“If it’s you, even that should be powerful enough.”
This one focused on accuracy and rapid fire.
Since it activated faster than Fireball, it would probably see more use in battle.
“And the third is…”
I raised my hand to demonstrate.
Moments later, several small fireballs launched into the sky, lighting it up.
“Fire Missiles—guided projectiles using a homing spell.”
“W–wait, did you just create five of those at once? It was only two during the rookie tournament!”
“Yeah, I figured two wouldn’t be enough anymore.”
Controlling five fireballs at the same time was no easy feat.
But through repeated image training and optimizing the formula, I could now guide all five without difficulty.
“With this, you’ll definitely shine in the next tournament!”
“But they’re not that powerful. They won’t work against monsters with strong defenses.”
They’re basically for pressure and distraction.
If I could increase their firepower, they’d become a real threat, but… with my current abilities, that wasn’t possible yet.
“I’ve shown you my skills, so… Senia, can you show me yours?”
“O-oh, sure.”
Senia shyly took off her jacket.
Once she was in lighter attire, she limbered up a little.
“Alright then, Eriol… I’m ready.”
“Okay.”
I raised my hand and fired a Firebolt.
A blazing arrow shot out at tremendous speed… but Senia dodged it effortlessly.
“You started moving after I cast the spell, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
She hadn’t predicted it in advance—she was just faster than my magic.
“I won’t be disqualified anymore for relying only on martial arts.”
“Yeah, you’re handling the power of wind really well.”
The power of wind.
Senia was now using wind-type elemental magic to boost her own speed.
‘In the rookie tournament, she beat Charlotte with just martial arts. Now that she’s adding magic too…’
Senia still hadn’t learned her goal, the magic sword.
Once she did—just how strong could she become?
‘Anyway, I couldn’t ask for a better training partner.’
Feeling my heart race, I began preparing my next spell in my head.
“And since I’ve already deployed a Wind Shield with magic, even if something hits me, I won’t get hurt badly. So go ahead and fire as much magic as you want.”
“Got it. I won’t hold back.”
She really is the perfect sparring partner.
I began unleashing magic at full strength against Senia.
Exploring the dungeon with Cain, training magic with Senia—before I knew it, the holiday break had flown by.
I had less time to read, but it had been a fulfilling few days.
‘Still… at least tonight, I want to relax and read.’
The final night of the break. I finished preparing everything and sat in my chair.
I planned to read late into the night and fall asleep with a book in hand.
‘Come to think of it… I still haven’t decided who I’ll team up with for the tournament.’
I had spent the break with Cain and Senia, but… we hadn’t talked about that yet.
If I did ask them, I’d need to explain that they’d have to participate under the Rangers name.
Since the promise with upperclassman Joshua was made by me and Charlotte, Cain and Senia had no obligation to join under that banner.
‘They’ve at least seen the past questions… I’ll talk to them about it at school tomorrow.’
The conquest tournament was happening next weekend.
I needed to make a decision before then.
With that thought in mind, I turned my full attention to the book—
But just then.
“…?”
Knock knock.
Someone tapped on the door.
Who would come at this hour?
‘Who is it?’
Without thinking much of it, I opened the door.
Standing there was…
“Eriol Valencia…”
Charlotte, dressed in elegant casual clothes.
She looked a little more flustered than usual.
“What’s up?”
“…”
Charlotte bit her lip for a moment, then spoke in a stiff voice.
“Have you decided who your partner for the tournament will be?”
“I haven’t decided yet, but I have someone in mind. I was planning to talk about it tomorrow.”
“….”
“What about you? You said you’d ask a friend.”
Last time, Charlotte had turned down teaming up with me because she didn’t want people mistaking us for a couple.
So she said she’d partner with a friend of hers instead…
“I don’t have one.”
“…What?”
Charlotte lowered her head and mumbled in a barely audible voice.
“A friend… I don’t have one.”
“…”
A heavy silence fell between us.
A very heavy… and very sad silence.
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