Chapter 8
***
Bahil's assistants appeared and provided each student with a practice set.
On the right was a sand-filled tray with a cactus-like plant, and on the left was a "magic circle frame" resembling a mold.
It was a magic circle correction tool for novice necromancers.
"It's embarrassing for a Kizen student to use a correction tool, but it can't be helped for the first class,"
Bahil said.
"While it's okay to get a feel for it, relying too much on the correction tool can lead to bad habits, so be careful. Now! Let's start practicing the exhaustion curse, 'Exhaust!'"
Bahil kindly explained how to use the correction tool, and Simon followed his instructions.
He gripped the two handles on the correction tool and channeled his Jet Black into them.
The Jet Black flowed through the frame of the correction tool, gradually forming the shape of a magic circle.
"The key is how perfectly you can create the main rune."
'Runes' were essentially characters with magical power.
By drawing these characters using Jet Black, one could produce magical effects.
Simon focused intently on drawing the main rune and then wrote the activation formula around the circle's perimeter.
Of course, since he was using a frame, he could draw the magic circle even without understanding its structure.
"Now, those who have finished, try levitating your magic circle."
Simon gulped and attempted to raise the completed magic circle.
The dark blue Jet Black magic circle detached from the frame and floated in the air.
'Wow!'
A real magic circle.
He had created the same technique his father, Richard, occasionally used!
He wondered if this would actually activate dark magic, but he couldn't help but feel excited.
Looking around, he saw about half the students in the class had levitated their magic circles.
'Ah!'
While he was momentarily distracted, one side of Simon's magic circle liquefied and dripped down.
"I see some students whose magic circles are collapsing,"
Bahil said, as if expecting this.
"This happens when the Jet Black isn't properly refined or the binding force of the magic circle is weak. Try again."
Simon gritted his teeth and started over.
"And those who can maintain their magic circles in the air, let's move on to practical application! Use the curse on the plant in front of your desk!"
The successful students took deep breaths and activated their magic circles simultaneously.
Whoosh!
Black gas shot out from the magic circles, heading towards the cactus-like plants.
Half of the plants remained unchanged, while the other half wilted.
"Congratulations. If there's a noticeable change in the plant, your magic circle worked correctly."
"Yes!"
The male student next to Simon pumped his fist.
Simon swallowed his envy and resumed working on his magic circle.
"We're already seeing a difference. Those who succeeded, practice repeatedly to increase your completion speed. Those who think they're fast enough, try creating the magic circle directly in the air without the correction tool."
Time passed quickly, and Simon experienced his fourth failure.
Creating the magic circle wasn't the problem; when he levitated it, it turned into a wobbly mess and fell to the ground.
'What's wrong?'
Simon grew anxious as more and more students succeeded.
Of course, Kizen was where the continent's top talents gathered, and most students had prior learning.
It was natural for Simon, who was encountering dark magic for the first time, to struggle, but such rationalization didn't exist in Simon's mind.
Why did he fail?
- Your Jet Black still has the properties of mana. The flickering like flames means it hasn't transitioned from its gaseous state.
- You need to learn how to use your Core more effectively.
The moment he recalled Nephtys and Lorain's voices from Langerstein, Simon removed his hands from the correction tool's handles.
He closed his eyes and focused on the mana within his body.
'Back to basics.'
He drew mana into his body through his breath and moved it to the Core below his heart.
So far, so good.
Instead of channeling the mana through the Core immediately, Simon gathered as much as possible in front of it.
'Ugh!'
A tingling pain shot through his chest, but he gritted his teeth and endured.
Then, he forced the compressed mana into his Core all at once.
By forcefully injecting a large amount of mana at once, the Jet Black that flowed out from the Core became denser.
It was a makeshift solution Simon came up with since he hadn't learned how to utilize the Core properly.
'Here we go!'
Simon opened his eyes wide and gripped the correction tool's handles.
The purified Jet Black filled the frame faster than before.
He quickly finished drawing the rune and formula and levitated the magic circle.
'I did it!'
It wasn't collapsing anymore.
Simon moved the magic circle, aiming it at the plant in the sand tray.
He wanted to succeed in one shot when he felt the right moment.
'Exhaust!'
He activated the magic circle, and gray smoke shot out from the center of the rune, hitting the plant directly.
With bated breath, Simon observed the plant.
Droop.
The stiff plant wilted.
'I did it!'
Simon pumped his fist.
A thrill ran down his spine. He was so overjoyed that he almost shouted in the middle of the classroom.
This was the first dark magic spell Simon had ever cast.
"Alright, that's enough."
Bahil clapped his hands.
"Those who haven't succeeded yet, please practice when you return to your dormitories."
Groans of disappointment echoed through the classroom.
Bahil returned to the podium and picked up the attendance book.
"Now! For the remaining time, we'll have a practical exercise using the magic we learned today. The student whose name I call, please come forward."
A tense atmosphere suddenly filled the classroom.
The students avoided Bahil's gaze or pretended to be busy with something else.
Bahil smiled and looked at the attendance book.
"Oh, Special Admission Number 1 is in this class?"
The students turned around in unison.
"Simon Polentia. Come forward."
"...Yes."
He had a bad feeling about this.
Simon composed himself as he walked to the podium.
He had succeeded in the end, so there was no need to be nervous.
He just had to do what he had done before.
"Now, who would be a good opponent for our excellent Special Admission Number 1?"
The students flinched and avoided Bahil's gaze.
Bahil, amused by their reactions, grinned and flipped through the attendance book.
"There are two students with impressive entrance exam scores."
Bahil pondered for a moment, deciding between the two.
"Hector Moore. Come forward."
"Yes."
It was the large male student Bahil had said he would remember.
Hector rose and walked to the podium.
The two stood facing each other on the podium.
Simon gulped.
Seeing Hector up close like this made him seem even larger.
"I'll explain the rules."
The assistants placed stand-up desks in front of Simon and Hector.
On top of them were the Exhaust correction tools they had used during class.
"The only spell allowed is Exhaust. Cast Exhaust and use it on your opponent! The first one whose knee or buttocks touch the ground loses."
Simple rules.
Simon steeled his resolve.
Since he was standing in front of everyone, he wanted to win.
"Professor,"
Hector raised his hand.
"Yes, what is it?"
"I'll compete without using the correction tool."
Ooh!
Whistles echoed through the classroom.
The tension eased, and the students were ready to enjoy the match.
"An excellent mindset."
Earlier in the class, Bahil had implied his disapproval of using the correction tool.
Hector, having noticed this, had made a proposal that appealed to Bahil while showcasing his skill and confidence.
Despite his rough, bear-like appearance, he was quite astute.
Bahil turned to Simon.
"What about you, Simon?"
Simon's lips were dry.
Everyone in the classroom was looking at him expectantly.
Honestly, it was difficult to refuse the proposal in this atmosphere, but...
"I'll use the correction tool."
It was better to face reality than to indulge in childish pride.
It would be worse to accept the proposal and then be humiliated by failing to cast Exhaust even once.
Bahil smiled wryly and looked at Hector, who replied as if expecting this.
"I have no intention of retracting my statement."
"Very well."
Hector had seized control of the atmosphere.
The petty Special Admission Number 1 versus the straightforward and confident Hector.
It was obvious who everyone would be rooting for.
"Begin when I give the signal. I expect a good match from both of you in front of your classmates."
Hector lowered his stance, and Simon gripped the handles of the correction tool.
"Begin!"
Simon channeled the Jet Black he had prepared into the correction tool.
The Jet Black quickly spread, filling the magic circle frame.
'I can do this!'
Perhaps due to nervousness, the Jet Black wasn't flowing as smoothly as during practice, but he patiently waited for the magic circle to complete.
The main rune in the center of the magic circle was drawn, and he was about to connect the detailed formulas when...
"...!"
His body suddenly felt heavy, and his legs trembled.
'No way!'
Simon looked up.
Hector, having already completed his first spell, was grinning triumphantly.
"Oooh!"
"Good job, Hector!"
"He's really fast."
Hector, riding his momentum, immediately prepared his second spell, while Simon gritted his teeth, trying to maintain his pace.
'Even just one hit makes me feel so heavy!'
Cold sweat trickled down his back, and his legs trembled.
Simon could feel firsthand why curses were so threatening and why they were such an efficient means of attack.
'It's complete. Now to levitate it!'
The moment Simon levitated the completed magic circle from the correction tool, one side of the circle collapsed like pudding.
Ugh.
Groans of disappointment rippled through the audience.
Even if he could activate it now, the damaged formula would render it ineffective.
Simon discarded it without hesitation and started preparing a new magic circle.
'Ugh!'
Hector's second Exhaust struck.
Simon felt his stamina drain, and his body grew heavier.
This was terrible.
He could barely stand, let alone focus on casting.
His concentration wavered.
The match was one-sided.
Hector mercilessly unleashed his third, fourth, and fifth Exhaust spells.
Simon's knees trembled, threatening to buckle.
The students, initially excited by Hector's relentless assault, now looked at Simon with pity.
'It's over. He's no match.'
'He can't even land a single hit?'
'Is he really Special Admission Number 1?'
Simon, his condition and concentration severely depleted, failed to construct a magic circle twice in a row.
Hector, unleashing his sixth Exhaust on Simon, said,
"Give up. It's pathetic."
Simon gritted his teeth and forced his legs to stay steady.
He absolutely, positively wouldn't back down like this.
'Again!'
His third attempt followed immediately.
Hector sighed and prepared his seventh Exhaust.
'...Hmm.'
Bahil watched the two students' battle with his arms crossed.
That boy, Hector, was definitely something special.
Setting aside his talent for Curseology, he had the mindset of a true student.
He was the type who would survive until the third year.
Bahil decided he would definitely recruit him.
'On the other hand, Special Admission Number 1...'
Frankly, he was terrible.
Prior learning was a given for Kizen students, and some even had practical combat experience.
Yet, this Special Admission Number 1 student lacked basic skills.
As if he was learning dark magic for the first time.
'Why did Lady Nephtys choose this boy as Special Admission Number 1?'
Special Admissions 1, 2, 3, and 4, who skipped the notoriously difficult entrance exam and were formally invited to Kizen, were all exceptional talents.
Among them, the selection of the "top" Special Admission Number 1 was the sole prerogative of Nephtys, Kizen's ruler and headmaster, and they had all grown into remarkable figures.
But this student, handpicked by Nephtys, showed no promise.
His only notable trait was his stamina.
Most students would collapse after four Exhaust spells.
Yet, Simon was still standing after being hit by nine.
He had innate stamina.
He must have trained his body regularly.
And judging by how he was still clinging to magic despite struggling to stand, his mental fortitude was also considerable.
But that was all.
Professor Hongpeng of Magical Combat might be salivating, but Bahil wasn't impressed.
"Grunt!"
Simon, with wide eyes, levitated his fourth magic circle onto the frame.
This time, it was properly formed and didn't collapse in mid-air.
Simon immediately activated the spell. Gray gas shot out and struck Hector.
"...!"
Hector, who was preparing a spell, stumbled.
His knees buckled momentarily, and he almost lost his balance, but he managed to steady himself by placing his hand on the ground.
'It finally worked!'
Simon pumped his fist. For the first time, a look of surprise appeared on Hector's face.
'What the... Why is this so heavy?'
Hector had experienced Exhaust through prior learning.
But was this curse always this potent?
He was almost taken down by a single hit.
Still, the score was 9:1.
He undoubtedly had the upper hand.
However, having allowed Simon to land a hit, Hector felt an inexplicable anxiety.
His opponent, clinging to him like a leech, was incredibly irritating.
'Just fall already!'
Hector focused all his energy and activated his tenth magic circle, which he had levitated in the air.
Thud.
Finally, Simon, having endured ten Exhaust spells, dropped to one knee.
"That's enough, we have a winner,"
Bahil stepped forward and said.
"The winner is Hector Moore."
Applause erupted from the students.
Hector wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around.
He saw Simon, drenched in sweat, slumped on the ground.
'....'
He didn't feel like he had won at all.
When he landed his first Exhaust, Hector knew his opponent was a beginner.
Someone who had never learned dark magic.
The match should have ended there.
It should have, but...
He just wouldn't go down.
Even after being hit by nine Exhaust spells, his legs trembling precariously, he managed to complete a spell and land a hit.
'...What a tenacious bastard.'
Before he grew any stronger.
Before he became unstoppable.
Wouldn't it be best to crush him while he still could?
Hector seriously considered it.
"Good work, Simon. You can go back to your seat."
Bahil snapped his fingers, and the ten stacks of Exhaust curses on Simon were lifted.
The curse was gone, but the exhaustion from enduring it remained.
He could smell his own sweat.
Still.
'Phew.'
He had no regrets. Simon rose to his feet, feeling relieved.
'That was fun.'
He was glad he came to this school.
"Alright, that's all for today's class."
Bahil immediately dismissed the class.
The students streamed out of the classroom like a receding tide, and Bahil sat down in a chair, leaning back.
He closed his eyes and remained still, as if meditating.
"P-Professor,"
A female student, after hesitating for a moment, approached Bahil.
"I have a question about the class..."
"Just a moment."
Bahil opened his palm without opening his eyes.
"Come to my office after all classes are over. I'll answer all your questions then."
"R-Really? T-Thank you so much!"
What a stroke of luck.
The female student, practically squealing with delight at being invited to Bahil's office, ran out of the classroom.
Bahil watched her retreating figure with narrowed eyes.
'I need to control myself.'
He almost cursed out loud.
This feeling.
This afterglow.
He didn't want to waste this moment on such a trivial matter.
Bahil closed his eyes again and savored the memories of the class.
'...Simon Polentia.'
He was thinking about Simon.
At first, he thought Simon was just a kid with good stamina, but that wasn't the case.
Probably every student in the class thought Simon was unilaterally crushed 10:1.
But that last Exhaust he landed on Hector.
To a professor's eye, trained to discern a student's talent and potential, that single Exhaust cast by Simon was several times, no, dozens of times more valuable than the ten Exhausts Hector had cast.
Simon's Exhaust replayed in his mind over and over.
'He's amazing!'
Bahil grinned widely.
'I have to get that genius into the Curseology major, no matter what!'
Bahil's hidden desires began to stir.
***
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