Aura, The High-Hatted Demon Reaper

The rule of assessing magical levels through actual combat was finally implemented.

After reading the [Mage Grading Assessment System] submitted by Zanze, Serie was extremely satisfied. After her revision, she changed the mage grading system that Aura used to classify human mages into [Inferior][Passable][Good][Excellent] based on actual combat into [Ungraded Mage][Third-Class Mage][Second-Class Mage][First-Class Mage].

Only First-Class Mages were qualified to discuss the ways of magic with Serie. After the exchange, those recognized by Serie and rewarded with any desired magic would be titled [Great Mages].

Becoming a Great Mage means that one has carved out one's own path in this barren era of human magic, enough to establish one's own school. This recognition was more than just a title; it symbolized a profound achievement and influence in the magical community.

Records would be kept with Serie, and the names of Great Mages would be etched into the history of human magical development.

However, after the new assessment method was promoted, significant problems arose during its implementation. 

The group of human mages following Serie were powerful and recognized by her. If a mage could battle them without falling behind, they naturally deserved the title of First-Class Mage.

But combat is a subjective process, influenced by many variables.

Human mages in this era are rare, and most of them fight against foreign races, and have very little experience in fighting against their own kind.

Thus, when holding a magic wand and facing their kin, they couldn't help but hold back.

This resulted in:

1. Many people who were not strong enough to become Third-Class Mages, but were able to survive the magic suppression due to the examiner's leniency.

2. Those unfit to be Second-Class Mages were able to gain the qualification because the examiner was not wary against fellow humans, was struck.

3. And those undeserving of being First-Class Mages getting the chance to meet Serie because they were familiar with the examiner, who didn't go all out.

When these people stood before Serie, they showed their cowardice. Their magic power was weak, their own theories were not perfect, and they could not play any role in the research on the promotion of human magic.

Serie was angry, but there was nothing she could do. The disappointment was palpable as she realized the glaring gap between expectation and reality.

After all, you can't expect human mages to attack their own kind with intent to kill just for a magical level test.

It seems that the phenomenon of leniency in the magic level test is inevitable. The candidates who come to participate in the magic level test have also heard that although the test content sounds very strict, in fact, the examiners will all hold back because they are afraid of accidentally hurting people.

Except for that purple-haired woman with the high hat.

Among all the examiners who assessed the magic power of the candidates, there was only one who was merciless and the most ruthless. Her magical suppression overwhelmed examinees, making it hard to breathe. Every time she attacked, it was so sinister and vicious that the examinees were exhausted from dealing with it. Every time she deployed defensive magic, it was so solid that even if the magic power was tilted all at once, light could not hurt him at all.

To be honest, when facing her, it didn't even feel like an assessment and more like a brutal battle with a demon.

Or rather, being massacred by a demon.

The sensation was visceral, the fear real, as if one's life truly hung in the balance.

—That's how examinees described it. The rumors spread quickly, painting a vivid picture of the ordeal they faced.

The examiner named Aura was strict to the point of being indifferent to the rules. Her moves were ruthless, and her pretended murderous intent was thrilling, as if she really wanted to kill them.

This is exactly the same feeling as fighting against demons who have absolutely no regard for human life!

"Lady Aura is too impartial!"

Since the name of the responsible examiner will be engraved on the certification badge awarded after the magical level test, mages who have obtained the same level of certification will privately exchange magic experiences with each other and occasionally practice against each other.

Over time, everyone discovered that only the mage with the badge engraved with the name "Aura" had the strength corresponding to their rating.

They were the ones who truly applied magic in combat, not just talking theories. Upon returning to their countries, they became the main force against demons, trusted with significant responsibilities.

As for the badges other than the [Aura] assessment, their levels were uneven. In actual combat, they always lagged behind and behaved ugly. In most cases, their magic levels did not match their supposed levels, which was disappointing.

Especially when compared with the mage with the bearing [Aura], the difference is like heaven and earth.

Eventually, the only recognized badges were those bearing [Aura].

Even Serie had to admit that no one did better than Aura in assessing human mages.

Only First-Class Mages emerging from Aura's assessments were worth Serie's attention.

Moreover, surprisingly, even though everyone said that the examinations conducted by Examiner Aura were cruel and horrifying, mages who had passed Aura's examinations rarely got injured.

They were physically intact but mentally traumatized, and their faith was shattered by the trash talk. Some even began to doubt their original intention of learning magic, but more were inspired by those heartfelt words, and threw themselves into the practice of magic with a revengeful mood that bordered on resentment.

These mages, who soon made significant magical progress, fondly referred to Examiner Aura as:

"The High-Hatted Demon Reaper."

One reason is that examiner Aura's assessment method is similar to that of the demons. Every move is lethal, and the taunts after being defeated are even more soul-piercing. When the examinees are beaten to the point of being unconscious and appearing on a revolving lantern, many mages reflect on their original intention of entering the field of magic. It is like the god of death judging the hearts of humans at the moment of death.

Another reason was that mages who passed her trials are more ruthless when facing demons on the battlefield, and are more adept at dealing with the demons' attacks, causing the death of a large number of demon troops, like an invisible scythe of death harvesting.

The High-Hatted Purple-Haired Reaper—this title spread widely among human empire and demons alike.

What a joyous occasion—

Aura herself did not know this.

It's really sad and lamentable——

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Don't worry, next chapter shall be posted shortly (>‿◠)✌