The magic academy exam (7/7), CH 23

Kyle sheathed his sword again and continued walking forward as if nothing happened. He wasn't sure of what that dark void was or why his father had appeared. He would look for answers later, right now he had an exam.

The demi-human gave him an odd glance but turned to the centre of the large hall. There stood several individuals wearing grey robes and their hoods lowered. Kyle found no fault in their secrecy and followed the demi-human. At the centre was a crystal orb atop a marble altar and a mirror.

The mirror was a bit distracting and from where Kyle stood he saw no reflections. He was led to the crystal ball and the demi-human stepped to the side. "Hello examinee Kyle, we are the examiners and we shall be recording your performance in this test. First please confirm that you are ready to begin."

"I am ready."

"Very well...we shall now begin. Kindly place your hand onto the orb and release your magic into it. We shall record everything and when you feel resistance let go immediately and await further instructions."

Kyle did as instructed and placed his right palm on the surface of the orb. He then suddenly realised something for the first time since coming here.

He was an average angel. He was incapable of performing any kind of magic.

He was now lost on what he should do but the demi-human next to him nodded for him to begin. He was now scared, he would look like terrible if they found out he had no magic. But that was when a voice entered his head in a tired tone.

[why're you, agitated kid? I am in no mood to have your emotions repeatedly disturb my sleep.]

{Sir sword!}

[Don't name me that...my name is Rhyderrch and this is my sword. I have been trying to sleep but you repeatedly keep swinging me around and pressuring me.]

{Sorry about that sir but...I was just using a sword for what its made to do.}

[I'm well aware that a sword is meant to be swung. It's just that I'm in the sword and its really uncomfortable, but back to the topic of why you're agitated]

{I'm doing a magic test and I have no magic.}

[Magic? wasn't that thing banned within the kingdoms.}

{What are you talking about?}

[Is this not Alt clut? Am I in Hen Ogledd at all?]

{I'm not sure of what you're talking about sir...but I think you may be lost on what's been going on around you for the past few days...}

[I should be back within my castle! I was not aware of this place but it sure isn't looking like Erthe...]

{Erthe?]

[The world, it is where my kingdom is located and I rule a large fraction of it!]

{I'm not aware of any place called Erthe...but I would like it if we could focus on the current issue I'm facing.}

[What was that again?]

{I can't use magic.}

[YES YOU CAN...I MEAN YOU'VE HAD IT INSIDE YOU AND IT FORCED ME TO WAKE UP!]

{I was just using my ability...}

[What's that?]

"May the examinee please begin the exam."

"Oh sorry about that I'll begin immediately."

Kyle couldn't delay anymore and he tried to inject magic into the orb the way he thought it would work. He closed his eyes and counted to 100 while focusing more on the orb itself and releasing magic. He doubted it would work but he was willing to try.

When he reached the number 100 his focus reduced and he opened his eyes to hear loud clapping.

"Amazing!"

"That was great!"

"He definitely has a great gift!"

Kyle was shocked and looked to the crystal orb and was surprised.

The orb was glowing white and was surrounded by floating rings with ancient scribbles. 6 rings rotated around the orb and were glowing white as well. They were unreadable to him and were glowing brighter the longer he stared at them. That was when a thought crossed his mind.

There was no resistance whatsoever.

He continued to stare at the seven rings and felt his hand shaking a bit before an eight ring appeared.

"I-IMPOSSIBLE!"

"HE-HE'S A TRIPLE S RANK!"

"That shouldn't be possible!"

"Examinee please step away from the crystal orb. You have passed the first half of the exam and I would like to kindly request you step in front of the mirror before you."

All the figures in cloaks turned to stare at a single individual who was holding a large staff. He was relaxed even when he saw this. Kyle did as followed and stepped before the mirror. There was no reflection and eventually, kyle asked if the mirror was broken.

"No it's fine...please follow the assistant towards the waiting room."

Kyle followed the demi-human and they disappeared behind another door that was farther away from the examiners. The examiners were then left in the dimly lit hall with the orb quickly losing its brightness.

"S-Sir...why did you just let him walk by without double-checking for any cheating devices."

"Because it was pretty obvious to me he wasn't...he walked in here then stopped time for an hour. You lot may not have noticed it but I could feel it stop and I'm sure that he could be stronger than we imagine."

"Like the elf king?"

"No. But somewhere close to that."

********

Kyle was led to a lavishly furnished waiting room. He sat on an extremely comfortable sofa and waited until a student council member brought him tea on a tea tray. The council member smiled at him before disappearing behind a door at the end of the waiting room. Kyle watched them go and picked up the teacup and took a sip. He wasn't familiar with it but it was sweet and delicious. Not long after Kyle finished taking the tea and neatly arranging the teacup back onto the tray, he turned to see Hannah walk through the door and wave to him.

"So how was the exam?"

"They said something about another triple s rank."

"I'm guessing that means you passed as well."

"I think I did. They didn't actually say but now that we both are here we only have to wait for Alicia."

"Yea."

Kyle then shut his eyes for a quick nap and Hannah decided to be silent. It was some time before somebody walked through the door into the room but it wasn't Alicia. The person was a female elf who looked to be their age and was carefully inspecting them both. The elf took a seat opposite from where Hannah sat and started playing with her hair idly. She had white hair and bright blue eyes that had a sharp gaze. She was a bit shorter than them both but she had a wave of authority surrounding her.

Hannah tried to wave to her but the elf turned away with a harrumph. Hannah took no offence and returned her gaze to the door. She was waiting for her sister to walk through and after a few minutes, Alicia did enter the room. Her bow got stuck in the doorframe and she had to slightly bend to enter the room properly.

"So how was it?"

"I broke the crystal orb..."

"eh?"

"They said something about how the orb had been overloaded with so much magic and ended up breaking. They also said that I was a triple s rank."

"Well, that's great! Kyle and I also got the same rank."

The elf who was sitting on the other side stared at Alicia with wide eyes. She had just finished her own exam and had got a decent rank but this girl was saying that she had reached triple s rank at that age!

Then she stared at Hannah who was smiling and Kyle who was sleeping peacefully.

{THEY ALL ARE TRIPLE S RANKERS!!}

********