Chapter 8

Bahil's assistants showed up and prepared one practice set for each student.

On the right side, a plant resembling a cactus was placed on a sandboard, and on the left side, a 'magic circle frame' that resembled a cast or a mold was placed. It was a magic circle rectifying tool for beginner necromancers.

"It's a shame for Kizen students to use the rectifying tool, but since it's our first class, there's nothing we can do about it."

Said Bahil.

"It's good to get the hang of it, but please be careful not to rely too much on a rectifying tool as it can develop a bad habit. Now! Let's start practicing the fatigue curse, 'Exhaust'!"

Bahil kindly taught how to use the rectifying tool, and Simon followed him exactly as instructed.

He grabbed both handles on the rectifying tool, squeezed the jet-black, and poured it into the handles.

The jet-black flowed in the rectifying tool and gradually formed a magic circle.

"The key is how well you establish the main rune."

To put it simply, 'Runes' were letters with magical power, and by writing these letters using jet-black, a magical effect could be created.

Simon concentrated on writing the primary rune and the activation formula on the edge of the magic circle.

Of course, since it was an operation done using a mold, he could draw the magic circle without understanding the structure in his head.

"Now, students who have completed it, please float the magic circle in the air."

Simon swallowed his saliva and tried to raise the completed magic circle. A dark blue jet-black magic circle broke out of the mold and floated in the air.

'Woah!'

It was a real magic circle. He was able to create the same technique that his father, Richard, used at times too!

He had some doubts about whether this would really activate dark magic, but he couldn't help but look forward to it.

Looking around, about half of the students in the class had their magic circles floating in the air.

'Ah!'

While he was spacing out for a moment, one side of the magic circle that Simon had made turned into a liquid and flowed down.

"I can see some students whose shape of the magic circle breaks down."

Said Bahil immediately.

"It happens when the jet-black isn't refined properly or when the solidarity of the magic circle is weakened. Try again."

Simon clenched his teeth and started all over again.

"And for those students who can keep their magic circle in the air, let's get into the action right away! Use the curse on the plant in front of your desk!"

The successful students took a deep breath and activated the magic circle all at once.

Whish!

The black gas fired from the magic circle was directed at the cactus-like plant.

Half of them didn't show any change, and the other half had their plants droop.

"Congratulations. If there's any significant change to the plant, the magic circle is working properly."

"Yes!"

The male student next to Simon clenched his fist.

Simon held back his envy and resumed his magic circle work.

"The gap can be observed already. For the successful students, please repeat it to increase the speed of magic circle completion, and for those who think that the speed is sufficient, let's practice creating a magic circle in the air without using a rectifying tool."

Time passed quickly, and Simon tasted his fourth failure.

There was no problem with creating the magic circle, but it turned into a mushy porridge and fell to the floor when he floated it in the air.

'What's the problem here?'

Simon became nervous as the number of successful students increased.

Of course, Kizen was a gathering place for the best talents on the continent, and most of the students came after preparing the lessons in advance.

It was natural for Simon to be at a loss—it was his first time encountering dark magic—but such self-justification didn't exist in Simon's head.

Why did it fail?

-But it still has the properties of mana. To see it surging like fire means that it hasn't been able to get out of the gaseous state.

-He needs to learn to use his core more effectively.

The moment he recalled the voices of Nefthis and Lorain, whom he met in Langerstine, Simon took his hand off from the rectifying tool. He then closed his eyes and focused on the mana in his body.

'Back to the basics.'

Drawing mana into the body through breathing and transferring that mana to the core below the heart.

Same so far. However, Simon didn't drain his mana into his core right away, but first gathered as much as he could.

'Ugh!'

He felt a tingling pain in the lower part of his heart, but he clenched his teeth and endured it. Then, he shoved the lump of mana he had gathered to the limit into the core at once.

When he powerfully inserted a large amount of mana at once, the jet-black became harder and flowed out of the core. It was a temporary measure that Simon, who had not yet learned how to use the core, came up with.

'Now, here I go!'

Simon opened his eyes and grabbed the handle of the rectifying tool.

The jet-black color with increased purity was placed in the mold faster than before. Simon quickly finished working on the rune and formula before floating his magic circle in the air.

'It's working!'

Now it wouldn't break.

Simon moved the magic circle and aimed at the plant on the sandboard. He wanted to succeed while he got the hang of it.

'Exhaust!'

When the magic circle was activated, the gray smoke from the center of the rune hit the plant.

Swish.

The stiff body of the plant drooped.

'It worked!'

"Now, enough, everyone."

Bahil clapped his hands.

"For the students who haven't succeeded until the end, please continue practicing in the dormitory."

Voices of frustration could be heard from here and there. Bahil returned to the platform and held up the roll book.

"Now! We'll hold a practice match with the magic we learned today for the rest of the time. For the students who are called, please come forward."

Suddenly, a huge tension struck the lecture room. The students were busy avoiding Bahil's eyes.

Bahil smiled and looked at the roll book.

"Oh? The Special Admission No.1 was in this class, huh?"

The students looked back simultaneously.

"Simon Polentia. Please come forward."

"...Yes sir."

I was feeling kind of uneasy, but it ended up like this after all.

Simon pulled himself together while going to the platform.

There's no reason to be nervous since I succeeded in the end. Just keep the ball rolling.

The students flinched, avoiding Bahil's gaze. Bahil browsed his roll book with a smile, as if seeing the students acting like that was fun.

"There are two students with impressive entrance scores."

Bahil, who had been thinking about who to call between the two of them, finally opened his mouth.

"Hector Moore. Please come forward."

"Yes sir."

It was that huge male student Bahil said he'd remember. Hector got up and went up to the platform.

Soon, the two of them stood facing each other on the platform.

Simon held his breath. This male student named Hector felt much bigger when face to face like this.

"I'll start explaining the rules."

The assistants put a stand desk in front of Simon and Hector. On top of that, there was the rectifying tool for Exhaust that they used in class.

"Only Exhaust is allowed for the both of you. Complete the Exhaust and use it on your opponent! Whoever hits the floor with the knee or butt first loses."

The rules were simple.

Simon strengthened his resolve. Since it came to this, standing up in front of everyone, he wanted to win.

"Professor."

At that moment, Hector raised his hand.

"Yes? What is it?"

"I'll battle without using the rectifying tool."

Whew-

You could hear whistle sounds from the room. The students were now relaxed and ready to enjoy the match between the two.

"What an excellent mindset."

At the beginning of the class, Bahil had a nuance that he wasn't happy with using a rectifying tool. As Hector observed this, he appealed his skills and confidence while earning a score with an offer that Bahil would like.

He was clever, contrary to his rugged bear-like look.

Bahil turned his head to look at Simon.

"How about you, Simon?"

Simon's mouth went dry. Everyone here was watching him with eyes full of expectation.

Honestly, it was a difficult atmosphere for him to refuse the offer, but…

"I'll use the rectifying tool."

It's better to face reality than to be arrogant.

It would be worse to accept that offer and diminish powerlessly without a single successful Exhaust.

Bahil looked at Hector with a bitter smile, and Hector replied as if waiting,

"I have no intention of withdrawing what I said."

"Very well."

Hector completely grabbed the influence of the crowd.

Hector imprinted the impression of Simon being the petty Special Admission No. 1 and him being honest and confident.

It was obvious who people watching would cheer for.

"Begin the match on my cue. I hope that both of you'll show a great match in front of your classmates."

Hector lowered his posture and Simon grabbed the handle of the rectifying tool.

"Start the match!"

Simon raised the jet-black he had prepared and put it in the rectifying tool. Jet-black quickly spread and filled the magic circle mold.

'I can do it!'

Maybe because of the tension, the jet-black wouldn't extend as it did during the practice, but he patiently waited for the magic circle to be completed.

Just when he was about to continue the detailed formula after the main rune in the center was written…

"...!"

Suddenly, Simon's body felt heavy, and his legs started to tremble.

'No way!'

Simon raised his head. Hector was smiling triumphantly, already completing his first spell.

"Wooooooah!"

"Way to go, Hector!"

"He's so fast."

Hector was riding on the momentum and started preparing a second spell immediately, while Simon clenched his teeth and tried to maintain his pace.

'My body feels heavy, even if it was just one shot!'

He was sweating and his legs shook.

Simon could feel why the curse was threatening and an effective means to attack his whole body.

The moment Simon floated the magic circle completed with the rectifying tool in the air, one side of the circle collapsed like porridge.

Ah~ Groans could be heard from the room.

Even if he could activate this, it wouldn't have any effect since the formula was damaged. Simon let go of it and prepared a new magic circle.

'Kugh!'

And Hector's second Exhaust burst on Simon. He felt his stamina draining, and his body got heavier.

It was the worst. Even focusing on casting was already tough, and now standing upright was becoming exhausting.

A situation where you inevitably couldn't concentrate.

The progress of the battle flowed one-sidedly.

Hector activated the 3rd, 4th, and 5th exhausts and fired them at Simon without mercy. Simon's knees trembled as if they were about to give away.

The students liked Hector's fierce attack for a while, but now they were looking at Simon with pity.

'It's over. He's no match.'

'He can't even hit a single strike?'

'Is he really Special Admission No.1?'

Simon failed to build a magic circle twice in a row as his condition and concentration was extremely low.

Hector spoke as he fired the 6th Exhaust on Simon.

"Just give up. You look pathetic."

Simon became desperate and gave strength to his legs.

I can't, I can't back off like this.

'One more time!'

Following the third attempt, Hector sighed and prepared his 7th Exhaust.

'...…Hmm.'

Bahil was observing the battle of two students with his arms crossed.

That boy named Hector was definitely the real deal. Aside from being talented in Curses, he had a great mindset as a student.

A person who'd survive up to the 3rd year. He thought that he'd definitely take this guy.

'The Special admission No.1 on the other hand...'

To be honest, he was terrible. Learning the lessons ahead was entry-level for Kizen, and there were students who'd even gone through the actual fights.

However, the student who had the title of Special admission No.1 didn't have any basic skills at all. As if it was his first time learning dark magic.

'Why did Nefthis choose this boy as the Special Admission No.1?'

The special admissions 1, 2, 3, and 4 that were formally invited to Kizen by skipping the cruel entrance exam were really the talented people of the century.

Among them, the selection of special admission No.1 was the authority of Nefthis, the ruler and president of Kizen, and each one of them had grown into a big shot.

However, for a student chosen by Nefthis herself, he was hopeless.

If there was something special about him, maybe it was his physical strength.

Usually, students knelt after taking 4 exhausts. But now, Simon was holding up even after being hit a whopping nine times.

He was born gifted with physical strength. He must've been training his body too. And seeing him still holding on to magic in a situation where it was difficult to even stand, his mental strength was pretty good too.

However, that was it. If it was Professor Hong Feng of Combat Magic, she would've been drooling, but it didn't really appeal to Bahil.

"Kuhugh!"

Simon opened his eyes and floated his fourth magic circle above the mold. It was completely formed and didn't flow down in the air this time.

Simon immediately activated the magic. A gray gas shot out and hit Hector's body.

"...!"

Hector, who was preparing a spell, stumbled massively. For instance, he almost lost his balance as his knees bent, but he barely managed to stay up by putting his hands to the floor.

'It finally worked!'

Simon clenched his fist. A look of bewilderment appeared on Hector's face for the first time as he raised his head.

'What? Why is this so heavy?'

Hector had experienced Exhaust as a preparation in advance.

But was the curse this heavy? He almost got knocked out with just one shot.

Still, the score was 9:1. He was undoubtedly in the position of advantage.

But Hector, who had allowed Simon's first shot, felt an unknown nervousness. The opponent following him like a leech grabbing his trouser leg was supremely annoying.

'Just fall already!'

Hector pulled out all his concentration and activated the 10th magic circle floating in the air.

Thud.

Finally, Simon, who took the Exhaust 10 times, knelt down on one knee on the floor.

"Stop. The match is over."

Bahil came forward and said,

"The winner is Hector Moore."

The applause of the students filled the room.

Hector looked away, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

He saw Simon sitting there, sweating buckets.

'...'

He didn't feel like he won.

When Hector first hit his Exhaust, he could tell that his opponent was a beginner.

A person who never learned dark magic. So, the fight should've ended there.

It should've ended there, but…

He wouldn't fall down.

Even after taking 9 shots of Exhaust, even if his legs trembled, he managed to complete the magic and hit Hector once.

'…Creepy bastard.'

Before he got bigger.

Before, one day, he became so huge that no one could stop him,

Wouldn't it be better to crush him while I still can?

Hector thought that to himself seriously.

"You did a good job too, Simon. Please go back to your seat."

When Bahil snapped his fingers, the 10 stacks of Exhaust curse that had been holding Simon down were lifted.

The curse was lifted, but the tiredness he had endured in the meantime remained intact. A sour odor came out of his mouth.

But still.

'Pheww.'

He had no regrets. Simon got up with a sense of relief.

'It was fun.'

He felt good about coming to this school.

"Well then. I'll dismiss the class today."

Bahil immediately declared the end of class. The students ebbed away from the lecture room, and Bahil sat back in his chair. Then he closed his eyes and stayed still, as if meditating.

"P-Professor."

At that moment, a female student reading Bahil's face came up to him.

"I have a question about the cla—"

"Please wait a minute."

"Come to my lab after all the class for today is over, please. Then I'll answer all your questions."

"R-Really? T-Thank you so much!"

What a welcome windfall.

The female student ran out of the lecture room with a small scream at the fact that she had been invited to Bahil's lab.

Bahil was staring at her back with his bleary eyes.

'Gotta resist myself.'

Insults rose up his throat.

This feeling.

This emotion right now.

He didn't want to waste his lingering feeling on a cheap thing like that.

Bahil closed his eyes again and recalled the class, as if savoring it.

'...Simon Polentia.'

He was thinking of none other than Simon.

At first, he thought he was simply a guy with good physical strength, but that wasn't it.

All the students in the class probably thought that Simon was destroyed one-sidedly by a score of 10:1.

But that one strike of Exhaust he fired at Hector in the end.

In the eyes of the professor, who read the talents and possibilities of the students, the single Exhaust that Simon cast was several times, no, at least ten times more valuable than the 10 Exhausts Hector had cast.

Simon's Exhaust played over and over again in his head.

'This is the best!'

The side of Bahil's mouth tore open.

"I need to make a genius like that major in Curses no matter what!'

Bahil's inherent desire began to itch.

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