The Woman Found the Will I Wrote

6 – Examination 2

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[Warning]

1. If a certain time passes, a hint will be provided, so please do not give up.

2. If you get no questions correct, there are additional learning materials.

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The first thing I saw when I opened the magic book was a warning.

A warning that all students are expected to solve at least one question.

I thought it was the first time that something like this was written so bluntly, and I skimmed the questions.

‘It doesn’t seem too hard.’

If you have basic magical knowledge, you can solve it.

Although, I did have to pause and think a bit for the fourth and fifth question.

I didn’t think the level was too challenging, so I slowly began to fill in the answers.

[Correct. Please solve the next question.]

Each time I wrote an answer, in real-time, it judged whether the answer was right or wrong.

I found this method quite fun, and as I was solving the problems.

I paused for a moment, looking at the last question.

‘Magic efficiency 10%.’

Actually, increasing efficiency by 10% isn’t that hard.

You just need to remove the useless formulas or modify the formula part that reduces power to a more suitable form.

So the problem itself didn’t take too long, but the problem was that I had become unnecessarily competitive.

‘… If I do well, I could raise it up to 30%.’

Whether it’s because I’ve been only doing research for a while, or because my specialty came out, I don’t know.

But I just thought 10% was too insufficient, and started to solve the problem.

‘Of course, the goal is to solve the problem as quickly as possible, so I can’t invest too much time.’

I filled in the answer, thinking it would be alright to invest a few minutes.

As I finished filling in all the answers for the fifth question, the magic book began processing it.

[Reviewing …]

After taking a few seconds, different from other questions as it had to activate the magic inside the magic book in real-time.

Soon ‘Correct’ was shown, and the magic book turned blue.

[“You have answered all the questions correctly! Please head out to proceed with the second test.”]

With that announcement, I saw my name displayed at the very center, with ‘1st Place – Derun’ and slowly started to step out of the auditorium.

Panicked voices echoed around the hall.

“Finished in 10 minutes…? Has he already solved everything in less than 10 minutes?”

“I’m still solving the first one…”

“Was Derun always this good at answering the theories?”

Even though the exam was ongoing, the hall was filled with around 300 freshmen and stopping the leaking chatter was seemingly impossible.

I stepped outside, the voices of disbelief trailing behind me.

* * *

As I came outside, one of the supervising professors spoke to me with a flustered voice.

“You’ve solved everything so soon?”

At my slight nod, the professor checked the time in disbelief and double checked again.

“All the questions in ten minutes?”

“…..”

I was too lazy to respond and just stared back at him.

Finally, the professor seemed to come back to his senses and spoke.

“Well done… I will explain the second test. The aim of the second test is to reach the designated goal.”

At my silent nod, he continued the instructions.

“Many illusions exist until you reach your goal, so proceed in a way that suits you. You can use an invisibility spell to sneak past, or a pushing spell to pass through, just like examples.”

In the case of Lumi, she had used a running spell as she had been continuously disturbed from her surroundings.

I thought I could try a different fashion since I didn’t need to do that.

“As long as you’re not using any magical artifacts unlawfully, you can use any methods to reach the goal. So try to reach as fast and efficient as you can.”

At my nod, he checked the time again and told me.

“Also, note that the practical test can be done in a team of four. Let’s wait for other students to come out.”

I pondered for a moment and asked a question.

“I thought I could proceed alone.”

“…Alone? Although it’s possible as per test regulations, it is risky, so it’s recommended to proceed with at least three people.”

“I don’t mind.”

“But… once the test begins, a reset is not possible. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes.”

At my stubborn insistence, the professor seemed to give up.

“Alright, I’ll note that you will proceed alone. Let me know when you’re ready.”

“Please proceed right away.”

“Right away? …Ah. No, if you wish to give up during the test, raise and wave your hand, we will come to rescue you immediately.”

I don’t know if the professor thought my actions were reckless, but he pointedly mentioned how to handle emergencies with a worried tone.

Listening to his instructions, I stood my ground, silently nodding my head, wishing the test would start soon.

*

“Well then, let’s start the test.”

At the professor’s words, the previously closed door opened.

Stepping through the open door, I quickly scanned the area.

‘It’s strikingly similar to the main building of the academy described in the novel.

Although it has been significantly downsized, the resemblance is undeniable.’

I embedded these geographical features in my mind and raced forward.

‘Two goblins of illusion, I suppose.’

The weakest monsters erupted, appropriate for the start.

I had gathered mana to use an attack spell, as I watched the thick wooden clubs they wielded.

‘But, aren’t they just illusions?’

A quicker way to handle them than attacking sprang to mind, and I changed the plan.

I decided to use ‘Magic Dispelling Ritual’, something I learned in my research, and rushed forward.

‘To dispel isn’t difficult. Understand the magic, shake the opponent’s magic, snatch the ownership, and destroy it. That’s all.’

The method itself was simple and not difficult.

However, there was a downside that it becomes exponentially challenging to snatch if the opponent’s level is similar or higher to mine.

Therefore, there exists a drawback that you have to use it according to the situation.

‘Fortunately, the professors far away are watching the test.’

The magic bestowed on each illusion wasn’t very powerful.

‘In addition, there might be some intentionally weakened for the adjustment of the test difficulty.’

With this thought, I believed I could easily get rid of it, and after snatching the ownership of the magic.

I tried to crush the magic itself, but then wondered: ‘There’s no real need to burst it, is there?’

It just occurred to me that reversing and using it would be better.

On a whim, I gave the goblins a brief order.

“Kruk!”

I tried it out, and it actually worked.

I watched the illusion goblins, whose ownership I’d snatched, rush straight towards the enemy lines and as this filled me with satisfaction, I laughed, soon composed myself and summarized the situation.

‘If I can handle the mana, I can snatch as much as I want and give it back.’

Thinking that even the magic cast by the opponent could be burst before being executed.

I decided I would explore more on this aspect later.

* * * * *

“…What exactly is that student doing?”

With the bewildered voice of the head professor, Melvin, the professors each started to voice their shock.

“It appears he’s forcefully taking over the ownership of someone else’s magic… And then using it.”

“Can that even happen? Snatching ownership, is it even possible?”

“…There’s no other explanation that fits.”

The professors were astonished to see magic theft before their eyes, something not even the 5th level magicians, considered core forces, could easily do.

Of course, none of the professors present were unable to use that magic.

However, they couldn’t believe it came from a student who was only a first-level magician.

“I can’t imagine how that’s possible…maybe it’s his Lerche lineage?”

“Just because he’s from a noble family doesn’t mean he should be able to pull it off. Others from distinguished families have been unable to.”

“That means that this student – Dern is unusually outstanding…that’s fascinating.”

Given the character of the academy where all sorts of geniuses gathered, it was rare to be surprised by a student’s talent.

For the first time in his 20-year teaching career, Melvin encountered a case that excited him.

“I don’t know if it’s coincidence or not. No, it can’t be coincidence. Seeing how he seizes the possession of the fantastical entities and utilises them. I don’t know how this is possible, but if it is solely the student’s power, it will certainly cause a considerable ripple effect.”

At these words, the professors looked on at Deron with expressions soaked in greed and expectation.

It might be difficult for them to make Deron their student given the prestigious family he comes from, but if they could, it would be of great help to their research.

So, each of them contemplated the different ways they might ensnare him.

Then, the alert appeared that Deron had successfully defeated the final boss.

“The one certainty here is that he has confirmed the top spot. No one else could possibly obtain a higher score.”

At this, all the professors nodded in agreement.

* * * * *

Having seized possession of the Ogre, the final boss of the test, and defeated it, I took a moment to look around.

Perhaps because I had completed the test perfectly, congratulatory messages were appearing in various places, celebrating my success.

‘Whatever happens, that isn’t what’s important right now.’

I had enough confidence to pass the test easily, so it wasn’t something I was too worried about.

What really matters is the upcoming incident with Lumi.

I had given Arielle the hint to attack Lumi from the rooftop, so I decided to prepare accordingly and sighed.

‘Let’s loosen up.’

After making sufficient preparations, I decided to wait on the rooftop until the incident occurred.