Kays Translations

Chapter 42: Mocked, but Leaving an Impression

Even after Yuri Catreya stunned all the examinees, the exam continued. The target was replaced with a new one, and examinees took turns casting spells. About seventy percent had already finished, and Rest's turn was gradually approaching.

"Next is... Cerolic Brute-kun."

"Yes."

A voice was heard from behind Rest, followed by a forceful push on his back.

"Ugh...!"

"Get out of the way. Clear the path, commoner!"

The one who pushed Rest was an exceptionally well-dressed boy. Considering that he mentioned his family name, could he be a noble?

"I'm from the Brute Marquis family's branch! Don't get in my way!"

(Oh, so he's a commoner.)

Among old nobility, there were families that branched off from the main house. Although they often used the same family name, unlike the main house, they had no title or territory, making them legally commoners.

(Even though he's a commoner, he acts so high and mighty... His name is similar to Cedric's, and he seems like a troublemaker.)

While inwardly expressing disbelief at the boy named Cerolic with a similar name to his brother, Rest obediently stepped aside. Even though the exam was still ongoing, he didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble.

"Hmph!"

Cerolic sneered, confidently advancing to the line.

"Watch, commoners! Behold my splendid magic, bearing the glorious blood of the Brute Marquis family!

 [Thunder Cannon Thunderbolt]!"

What Cerolic unleashed was an intermediate-level lightning attribute magic. Intense, flickering lightning struck the target. Despite his arrogant attitude, it was a reasonably powerful magic. The displayed score on the target was '98', making him the second-highest so far, following Yuri.

"Hmph! This is what it's about!"

Cerolic arrogantly laughed, proudly strutting back.

"Next is... Rest-kun from the royal capital."

"Yes."

Finally, Rest's turn had come. Heading toward the line, he heard a disdainful voice from behind.

"Haha! What can a shabby commoner like that do!"

"..."

The voice belonged to the earlier Cerolic. What on earth didn't he like about Rest?

(Is he Cedric's clone or something? He's really bothering me...)

Despite his exasperation, Rest composed himself and stood in front of the line.

"Here I go."

Rest took a deep breath once and activated the magic.

"[Fireball]!"

A fireball appeared in front of Rest. It was the lower-level fire attribute magic he always used.

"Haha! What can you do with that!"

Mocking voices echoed among the examinees. It was obvious who had uttered them.

(Laugh all you want... I'll make you stop laughing soon.)

"[Amplify]."

Rest simultaneously cast a magic to enhance the power of the fireball. The fireball grew larger and eventually surpassed the size of a human.

"Huh...!"

"Incredible, it's so huge!"

Surprised voices came from other examinees. Though he didn't check, Cerolic must have been dumbfounded too.

(But... this is not the end.)

"[Compression]."

Rest compressed the enlarged fireball. Most onlookers wouldn't understand what was happening, but compressing the flame increased its power.

(This magic is proven effective against magic like fireballs. And, the finishing touch is...!)

"[Acceleration]."

A magic to increase the speed of an object. It was often used to enhance one's speed, but it could also be applied to magic attacks. Rest directed the highly reinforced strike, enhanced to the utmost by the Quartet, at the target.

"Launch...!"

The accelerated and penetrating fireball raced through the air. The fireball, flying at nearly the speed of sound, hit precisely, causing a massive explosion at the center of the target.

"Huh...!"

"Incredible... what power...!"

"No way... to a commoner like him..."

(That's what you get for underestimating me.)

After the flames subsided, all that remained were the scattered remnants of the destroyed target. Although the target was completely broken, only the numbers indicating the power were left.

The displayed number was... '387.' It was undeniably the highest score in the main exam.

"Was [Acceleration] unnecessary? It seems like it was more than enough to pass without adding unnecessary speed."

"Lies! There's no way such power can come from a lower-level magic! It must be cheating!"

Without time to revel in victory, protest voices arose from the examinees. As expected, it was Cerolic.

"Cheating! Invalid! There's no way I could lose to a commoner like him!"

"Be silent, you there."

Though Cerolic vehemently protested, the supervising school director scolded him.

"Magic becomes stronger the more you compress it. Even with lower-level magic, if you enhance it with other magic, you can exceed the power of higher-level magic. Moreover, using magic with a quartet... Even among court mages, there are only five people who can do it. It's quite an impressive feat."

"Ah... uh..."

"Rather than belittling those superior to yourself, try to learn and emulate. It will be beneficial for you."

"..."

Cerolic fell silent, looking frustrated. It seems his argument was recognized as invalid.

"I did it... Dibble-sensei."

Relieved by the satisfying exam result, Rest heaved a sigh.

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