Chapter 53 : Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Entrance Exam (1)

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Eidon decided to personally escort me to the magic tower.

Meanwhile, Keldric would continue tracking demons with the Crow crew.

“We just met, and now we’re parting! What a shame.”

“…Siriel, bear with it. We’re on the same mission as Polarin.”

Even if Blaze didn’t say it, his reluctance was palpable.

I felt the same.

But I had much to do, and my schedule would only get busier.

I was grateful they all understood.

“How’s life as a Crow? I’ve always been curious.”

“Don’t even get me started! Fighting beasts day in and day out—it’s chaos!”

“…It’s fighting until you’re sick of it.”

“Don’t talk about the Crows like that.”

I wanted to make the time we had together enjoyable. We stayed up all night catching up on missed stories.

* * *

The next morning, Eidon asked, incredulous.

“You guys really didn’t sleep a wink?”

“Haha, we had a lot to talk about since it’s been so long.”

“Crows are used to going without sleep, but you’re not.”

At Eidon’s worried scolding, Blaze, half-asleep, glared and said,“Senior, don’t talk about the Crows like that.”

“Good grief… Anyway, we need to report to Nofen.”

“I already did. My superior approved too.”

“Quick work.”

Nofen sent encouragement instead of concern.

Ostrum wasn’t far from the imperial capital.

I’d worried Nofen, wary of the Empire, might object, but he approved surprisingly easily.

- Ostrum’s fine! The magic towers are untouchable, even for the imperial family. Mages fear nothing in this world.

What kind of people were mages, unafraid even of the imperial family? The question lingered.

Among the five final companions of Adjak’s expedition was a grand mage, unpredictable but not beyond reason.

Eidon himself was a bit prickly but communicative.

- You must know Eidon-nim is among the most socially adjusted mages!

Nofen’s warning, added just before ending our communication, stuck with me.

He was always protective of his subordinates.

“You’ll barely get any sleep at the magic tower. You should’ve rested well beforehand.”

“Yes, I’ll rest plenty before the entrance exam.”

“Not sure you’ll have time for that.”

Since agreeing to help me get to the magic tower, Eidon’s nagging had intensified.

I humored him.

“Luckily, the regular entrance exam is in two weeks. We’re leaving today, so get ready.”

“Yes, understood.”

Keldric, who’d been dozing off but snapped upright when Eidon appeared, gave me an awkward smile.

“Keldric, you need to find clues while I’m gone.”

“Yes! Understood!”

As I grabbed my bag to leave, Eidon clicked his tongue.

That guy… is supposed to be one of the nicer mages?

A chill ran through me.

* * *

Kiyot comforted Siriel, whose eyes were slightly red. Keldric and Blaze, looking somewhat relieved, waved me off.

I bid a temporary farewell to the Tello-Crow coalition, promising to meet again soon.

Before leaving, I spoke briefly with Arandir.

“You really won’t come along?”

- Too many humans. I don’t like it. Call me if you’re in danger.

“It’d be reassuring to have you. It’s a long way to Ostrum—can you make it?”

- I’ll slip into the spirit realm and pop out there.

Arandir’s long ears twitched as if the mere thought of human crowds annoyed him.

It was oddly cute, but I didn’t say it. I knew he took pride in being a dignified high-ranking spirit.

“Then please help track demons too. I’ve told Derix, so ask him if you need anything.”

- Will do. There’s a suspicious place where low-ranking spirits keep vanishing.

“Please take care of it.”

With that, I stepped into the portal Eidon created.

Whooom.

I arrived in Ostrum instantly.

As I fought nausea from the portal, Eidon, following behind, asked,

“Are you used to the mana flow portals create? To become a mage, you must view everything through a magical lens. Only then…”

Eidon rambled on, but I barely heard him.

I was captivated by the unfamiliar scenery.

Towers soared as high as modern skyscrapers, countless in number. The streets buzzed with life.

Colorful orbs floated in the air, casting vibrant light, while robed mages gracefully conjured fireworks with elegant gestures.

Shops lined the streets, displaying mystical items. I was drawn into the enchanting, lively atmosphere.

Then, a woman in a red cloak grabbed my hand with a bright smile.

“Young man! Here for the entrance exam? Buy this! It’s an artifact that helps with mana control…”

“Get lost.”

I was startled when Eidon snapped at the friendly merchant.

He wore a brooch with three leaves on his chest. Rubbing his thumb and index finger, an ice flower bloomed above it.

“Oh, you’re from the Frost Magic Tower! I’ll take my leave.”

Despite Eidon’s rudeness, the woman remained courteous.

When I looked at him, dumbfounded, he said irritably,

“They’re all scammers. Preying on people coming for the entrance exam.”

“Wasn’t she a mage?”

“You think everyone with a cloak and staff is a mage? Listen up. In Ostrum, avoid anyone smiling.”

“Why?”

“Mages in the magic tower don’t smile. They don’t have the energy. Or they’re crazy.”

A creeping fear of the magic tower began to grow.

“Smiling means they’re either mad or a con artist. Remember that.”

“Yes, understood.”

Afterward, several people approaching to solicit us flinched and fled upon seeing Eidon’s ice flower brooch.

“That brooch makes people back off.”

“Of course. Scammers wouldn’t dare approach a mage like me. Especially with three petals.”

Eidon explained the Frost Magic Tower’s hierarchy.

One petal was for apprentice mages, two for full mages, and three or more granted significant roles.

Only a few, including the Vice Tower Master, had four petals.

Five petals were reserved for the Tower Master alone.

Though Eidon had left the Frost Magic Tower early, he boasted his position there remained solid.

“You must be tired from lack of sleep. Let’s head to an inn affiliated with the Frost Magic Tower.”

Before coming to Ostrum, Eidon had spoken of the magic tower with disdain, but now he strode forward eagerly.

As he walked ahead, several smiling people approached me.

A cold sweat broke out.

I pushed through the crowd to follow Eidon closely.

* * *

Eidon’s influence in the Frost Magic Tower was real.

Though he hadn’t notified the inn in advance, the innkeeper rushed out upon seeing him and gave us the best rooms.

Seeing a soft bed for the first time in a while, I considered a quick nap, having had little rest.

“There are two ways to enter the magic tower. Do you know them?”

Eidon, tossing his bags in his room, came to mine and began lecturing.

“I’d be grateful if you told me.”

I forced my sleepy eyes open to respond.

“Those who can use magic can apply to any tower. That doesn’t apply to you, right?”

“Yes, I don’t know any magic.”

When I looked a bit dejected, Eidon brushed it off.

“It’s fine. Only those born into mage families or rich kids tutored by mages from childhood can use that method.”

He added a touch of bragging.

“I didn’t know magic either but got in. And I earned quite a reputation in the Frost Magic Tower. Curious about the second method?”

“Yes.”

“Take the exam. There aren’t many restrictions. Anyone at Third-Rank or above can try. You’re already Third-Rank, so no issue there.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Thankfully, just nodding along kept Eidon talking.

Another exam, though.

Just like on Earth, exams persisted in this world.

The Coming-of-Age Ceremony was a kind of test too.

“The exam is easy. If you’re Third-Rank and can handle mana decently, most pass.”

Eidon pulled out a few plates from his bag.

They were filled with sand-like material, seemingly treated with special magic.

He gathered mana at his fingertips and drew on the sand.

A circle, a star, a square.

Simple shapes.

“Draw over them with mana. Copy them exactly, and you pass. Simple, right?”

“Yes, it’s clear.”

“It shouldn’t be too hard.”

Eidon spoke casually, and I felt confident it wouldn’t be difficult.

“But what does drawing with mana have to do with magic?”

Eidon’s eyes lit up. After my half-hearted responses, this was my first real question.

“Magic is fundamentally about how well you draw mana into a magic circle. The exam tests your ability to finely control mana and draw.”

The explanation didn’t fully clear my doubts.

In the game, I’d played mage characters, and Adjak’s mage companion didn’t use magic circles.

I’d fought alongside Eidon too, and he never drew them either.

“I’ve seen you use magic a few times, Eidon-nim, but I don’t think I’ve seen you draw a magic circle.”

“Of course. I memorize entire magic circles and release mana in their shape instantly.”

Eidon snapped his fingers, and an ice crystal formed in the air. I could tell mana moved briefly, but I couldn’t grasp the specifics.

Seeing my stunned expression, Eidon grinned.

He’d said smiling mages in Ostrum were crazy…

He began slowly tracing a magic circle in the air.

Mana unfolded, countless strokes intersecting. It looked like simple lines and curves, but the completed circle was intricate and beautiful, like a work of art.

Whoom.

An ice crystal rose in the air.

I was amazed that even a small crystal required such a complex circle.

It was a skill I couldn’t replicate yet.

I looked at the sand plate before me.

First, the circle.

Like Eidon, I placed my finger on the plate and slowly drew up mana.

I’d crossed countless hurdles with mana.

I was adept at using it.

Plus, I had my Dragon Heart.

Focusing entirely on my fingertip, I felt the mana flowing from my heart.

All I needed was to draw a circle…

Whoosh.

A flood of white mana poured out.

The specially treated sand changed color, like it was wet, upon contact.

But I’d released too much mana, and the entire plate was soaked.

Seeing this, Eidon clicked his tongue.

“This won’t be easy.”

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