It's my turn now, huh? I had already completely thought through this process. I knew I wouldn't pass.
But now, I still hold onto the hope that I might.
It's a scary thing, and I'll be extremely disappointed if I fail. So I will pass this test!
"Applicant Three-hundred twenty-one."
Arthur walked up, identification card in hand, trying to act as confident as possible.
Wow, the examiner thought. He's the brother of the one Head Instructor Vigo warned us about? They look so similar.
They act so similar too: so calm, so arrogant. I bet he's also as God-damn gifted as him.
Why couldn't you have given me the same fortunes too, Goddess? Well, I'm definitely not going easy on him.
I'll grade him on the highest standards I can—without being punished, of course.
Show me what you can do!
"Body Hrett Scale Score: 12," the examiner said, reviewing the filled-out first page.
Arthur could not hear this over his heavy panting, requiring all his focus to keep himself on his feet.
Hm, while twelve out of fifteen certainly would put him in the top fifteen percent of applicants–hmm… Maybe he's more of a mage.
He's not that scrawny, so I thought he would be a swordsman, but maybe not.
"You should've told me that you wanted the mana capacity test rather than the Body Hrett Test. I'll make the change just this once, but make sure to tell me beforehand which option you prefer."
"No–pant–wait–pant–I want to keep this score."
Well, if that's what he wants.
"So, the standard evaluation, then? Body over mana capacity, elemental proficiency, magic control, Combat Trial, and blessings?"
"Yes, Instructor," Arthur managed to say through his lack of air.
"Alright, we'll continue with Elemental Proficiency once you catch your breath."
Body Hrett Scale: 12/15, Elemental Proficiency Hrett Scale: 7/10, Magic Control Hrett Scale: 2/10, Combat Trial Hrett Scale: 8/10.
He has a total score of 64% right now. And there is only one test left.
He has the worst score of anyone I've evaluated today.
Such a waste. These kids were given so much, but they don't train.
I know that if I had that much talent, I would be training every second of the day to become the strongest.
Kids these days are just so complacent, born into safe towns, not fearing that a wave of monsters would come and wipe them all out.
Regardless, he's just one point away from passing so he'll probably be accepted.
A single beginner-tier blessing would boost his score to a 74.
"Okay, final test. Let's get this over with. Where are your blessings located?"
Arthur's body twitched.
"Oh come on, please don't tell me there's one in a private place."
"Damn. It is, isn't it? Alright, pull down your pants."
Arthur didn't move.
"Listen, I don't want to do this any more than you do. I have a wife whom I visit twice a year, but a wife regardless. This is an exam procedure, so unless you want to receive zero points for this section, you're going to have to show me your markings. I promise, I won't look at anything else down there."
"I don't have any blessings, sir. You can give me a zero for this section."
I feel like this is supposed to be a dramatic scene, but the way he said it… he doesn't sound very sad about it?
Yet, I still feel inclined to mark up his score for whatever reason.
Could this be the effect of charisma? Have I been charmed? By a man? By a kid?
–well, I mean I did feel like I was too harsh on him in Combat Trial, and he is only one point away from passing–
He grabbed his face in agony.
I have been charmed. Okay, what did I learn from that one course I took?
That's right, the easiest way to dispel a charm is to give in. That settles it, I'll raise his score by one point.
Then, I'm going to go back to my wife and make a second child.
He flipped to the fourth page on his clipboard and turned eight tallies into nine.
That was easy enough. I feel better already. Now he's part of the thousands of people who "passed".
It'll be up to fate to really decide if he will be accepted into the academy.
He nodded to himself. With a step and a spin, he turned back to Arthur.
"That will be all for the exam. You will be notified of your results in five days at the residence address you submitted with your application."
"Thank you for applying. You may exit the academy through the same entrance. If you get lost, there are a few instructors patrolling the campus. You may ask them to escort you out. However, under no circumstances should you try to get further into the academy. If you somehow get past the barriers or interact with any of the current students at the School of Magic, it is a crime in seven nations, including the one we are in right now, and may lead to a permanent blacklist from the Mage Association and all affiliated organizations."
The pages above the last page fell back down as he released his hand.
"Thank you, Instructor," Arthur said.
"Oh!" The examiner suddenly called out. "If you are accepted, you will need to claim your seat within two days of acceptance and board by the morning of the fourth day, before the academy departs from Viera's capital. I forget the name, but you know—where we currently are."
"I understand," Arthur said, before he continued to leave.
These are all things I've practiced and researched. Now I might just be letting optimism cloud my thoughts, but I think I actually passed!
I actually managed to hold that spell for longer than a second.
My continuous training of Magic Control must've finally paid off!
I did so much better than I thought I would, in every section.
And I feel like I can finally breathe again. I should get back home and see Mom and Dad again.
Then I'm going to use this excitement to start packing!