"Holy shit!!!" The proctor nearest the battlefield instinctively swore. The attack hadn't even been unleashed yet—just the initial stance generated such an overwhelming surge of power. It was almost impossible to imagine the devastation the full attack would unleash.
Waves of untamed Magic Power surged outward like it was free for the taking, nearly knocking the proctor off his feet.
As a proctor, he possessed exceptional observational skills and formidable strength. His keen eye was honed for evaluating student performance, while his strength allowed him to swiftly intervene in student battles when necessary, protecting the weaker combatant.
For instance, if he clearly sensed that Student A had reached their limit and Student B launched another attack, he would need to step in front of Student A, block the strike, and declare the examination over.
Logically, the Top Ten Glasses Guy probably... maybe... shouldn't be able to withstand this blow. So, should he rush in to block the attack himself?
Should I... should I go?
Can I... can I even block it?
Block it my ass! There's no way I can block that!
The Proctor's mind raced through a storm of possibilities, but in reality, only an instant had passed. The next moment, Lily flawlessly pronounced the entire word:
"—Excalibur!!!"
The young girl's clear, trailing note was swallowed by a deafening roar. The gilded patterns on the sword hilt suddenly surged to life, transforming into liquid golden flames that erupted into a colossal pillar of light, piercing the heavens.
During her training, Herta had emphasized the importance of gripping the hilt tightly, adopting a stable stance, and maintaining perfect posture. This wasn't just for show; it was crucial for channeling the Light Beam skyward.
Herta had never instructed Lily to point the blade at her enemies or brandish the sword. Instead, she insisted on keeping the blade oriented upward at all times. Otherwise, the Light Beam could obliterate her opponent and slice away half the spectator stands—a catastrophic outcome.
Herta wanted Lily to make a grand entrance, not commit a massacre.
Hum!!!
The hemispherical barrier enveloping the examination arena instantly overloaded. The twelve rune-engraved pillars groaned under the strain, their foundations trembling.
"Warning! Magic Power concentration in the arena has exceeded the threshold!" The pocket watch in the proctor's hand emitted a piercing alarm. "Immediate activation recommended... static..."
The next instant, the barrier shattered effortlessly. A golden beam shot into the sky, exploding into a massive golden cross with a deafening roar. The radiance it emitted briefly eclipsed even the artificial sun above.
One minute, two minutes passed in complete silence across the arena. Not a word was spoken as everyone stared in stunned disbelief at the slowly dissipating golden cross overhead.
Thud! The Top Ten Glasses Guy opposite Lily suddenly collapsed to his knees. His lips trembled as he murmured in a barely audible voice, "G-Great-Grandma? Have you come to take me home?" His eyes rolled back, and he fainted.
Only then did a tidal wave of murmurs erupt from the surrounding spectator stands, not even Principal Newman and Teacher Herta were exempt.
Newman exclaimed in utter shock, "Holy shit! What the hell was that?!"
Are British students really this powerful? he wondered. He couldn't fathom how the White Eagle could defend against such an attack if this child graduated and joined the military.
The principal stared in utter disbelief. "How is this possible? Can a human truly possess such immense magical power?"
His keen eye instantly recognized the essence of the spell: a specialized magic emission skill enhanced with visual effects. His shock stemmed not from the spell itself, but from the sheer magnitude of Lily's magical power.
Then, a realization struck him. This was far too strange. No ordinary student could accomplish this. Even the top student in the year wouldn't possess such skill!
His gaze shifted to Little Herta. The problem, he reasoned, must lie with this young genius.
Queen Elizabeth spoke up. "That sword... it's the key to this magic, isn't it? Did you make it?"
Little Herta showed no hesitation, declaring proudly, "Of course! The exam rules don't prohibit weapons, do they?"
The principal's lip twitched. Technically, weapons weren't restricted, but everyone else had brought knives, swords, spears, or axes. This girl had shown up in a Gundam! How could that possibly be the same?
It was foreseeable that the practical exam rules would soon be amended to prohibit weapons capable of automatically casting ultra-wide-range destructive magic.
"Artoria Pendric... Full... Full marks!" Only then did the proctor, who had been blown away by the violent wind and disappeared without a trace, return to the examination hall. Supporting the unconscious glasses-wearing student, he announced the exam results.
Lily stared blankly at the weapon in her hand, its golden light still seeming to shimmer, then glanced at the terrified proctor across from her. It finally dawned on her: she had won!
Just as Teacher Herta had said, simply reciting that one word would force her opponent to surrender instantly, guaranteeing her passage.
Though the process had deviated slightly from her expectations, the outcome remained the same, didn't it?
"This sword... it's incredible! Teacher Herta... you're amazing!" Lily murmured to herself.
However, with the barrier shattered, the exam had to be prematurely terminated. Otherwise, what if a subsequent examinee misfired and struck the spectator stands with their magic?
The barrier had been built precisely to prevent such incidents. Its Magic Power could have lasted for centuries against ordinary magic, but who could have foreseen someone detonating a nuclear bomb against it?
Just as the Principal rose to announce the postponement of the exam, Queen Elizabeth waved her hand. The shattered barrier visibly reconstructed itself at astonishing speed. She then turned to Little Herta, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Are you planning to use that sword to score full marks as well?"
"Huh?" Little Herta blinked, completely taken aback. She had never considered such a thing. Her original plan was to watch Lily's grand performance, then log off and leave.
As for the exam? That was Herta No. 002's problem. How Herta No. 002 would handle it was none of her concern.
Hearing Little Herta's ambiguous "Huh?" Queen Elizabeth assumed it was a tacit agreement. She continued, "How about this? I'll have the Principal award you full marks, exempting you from the exam. In exchange, you'll spar with me. What do you say?"
P.S.: Herta No. 002 doesn't know any magic. If she were to take the exam, she'd likely rely on her sheer toughness, enduring the opponent's attacks as she charged forward, grabbed them by the collar, and landed two solid punches.