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From the first day of class, the Training Grounds were brimming with fierce duels, unlike the calm and quiet atmosphere of the Department of Magic buildings.

The difference in ambiance stemmed from the fact that the aim was not to train soldiers like ‘Knights’ but to explore the study of magic.

The essence of magic was not combat; their goal was to elevate their intellect rather than to gain formidable military power like warriors.

Of course, there were those who sought strength, but that power was merely a byproduct of their pursuit of greater knowledge. In magic, power was ultimately another form of applying their understanding.

As evidence, there was no dedicated combat-related department in the curriculum of the Department of Magic.

Combat as a mage was merely the application of one’s knowledge, so while there were various branches of magic, students learned to utilize it within their respective specialties.

Certainly, some branches specialized in combat, so there were slight differences in how much combat-related material was taught in each department, but it would never be enough to warrant a separate classification as combat magic. The combat methods varied significantly between branches.

Therefore, in any department of magic, there were no classes from day one where students engaged in physical confrontations like in the Department of Knights.

“Now that we’ve finished our brief introductions, let’s proceed with a little exam. Don’t worry too much; this is just my personal test to gauge your foundational knowledge in Spatial Studies, so I can assure you it won’t affect your grades at all.”

Of course, this only applied to ‘direct physical confrontations.’

Melina Cobbs, the professor for first-year Spatial Studies, had a languid voice, and perhaps because of that, the students could not hide their disappointment.

In the previous class on Spellcraft, there had been a brief explanation about the meaning and history of the subject, but this time, suddenly jumping into a test from day one was unexpected. Although Melina claimed that it wouldn’t affect their grades, it was still uncomfortable.

Who in the world likes tests?

Regardless, a test is still a test.

Even if it was claimed that it wouldn’t influence their grades, the results would undoubtedly catch the professor’s eye, affecting how they were treated in future classes. This was not a test to be taken lightly or without thought.

This sudden exam, not a tradition handed down from the Department of Knights, was instigated by Melina’s character, but the students picked up their pens without complaint. Thus began a quiet duel with pens instead of swords.

With a snap of her fingers, a test paper appeared before each student.

It was a simple exercise using Spatial magic, but this display left a strong impression on the anxious students—one could call it a kind of dramatic effect.

“Regardless of whether you get the answers right or wrong, anyone who completes all the problems can leave the classroom. But please, don’t be too careless.”

Melina attempted to lighten the tense atmosphere with a smile, but her face was likely invisible to the students, who were focused on the exam before them. Meanwhile, Robert declared the start with a slightly disappointed voice. The students’ hands began moving busily.

While the students solved the problems, Melina observed them.

She monitored for any cheating, but she also wanted to see how the students perceived the carefully crafted questions she prepared.

Especially among the new students this year, who were known as geniuses labeled the ‘Golden Generation,’ Melina put considerable thought into even this simple test.

Overall, she balanced the difficulty with questions that, while not too easy, were manageable for anyone with basic knowledge of Spatial Studies. However, there were definitely some questions that seemed intentionally difficult.

Some gifted students occasionally overestimated their abilities, looking down even on the professors, so these tricky problems served as a preemptive strike against that. Melina seemed somewhat successful in her intentions.

“Um… I’m pretty sure it was this one…”

Richard mumbled in a very soft voice.

His mutterings were too quiet for anyone else to hear, but it was impossible to hide the troubled expression etched across his face. Seeing Richard like this made Melina smile with satisfaction; he was definitely one of the students she had been most wary of as a professor of Spatial Studies.

The seven Magic Towers established across the continent are the headquarters of each branch of magic.

Among them, Richard’s family, the House of Ertuven, was responsible for the Tower of Twilight, the center of Spatial Studies.

Having once studied at the Tower of Twilight, Melina couldn’t help but hear many stories about Richard. Even though Richard was young at the time, he was rumored to be exceptionally talented. Melina had personally witnessed how skilled Richard Ertuven was as a magician.

She could never forget the little boy who used to sit in the Magic Tower library, perplexing the researchers with his questions.

Magic has a very deep history in each branch. Therefore, most people choose one branch to delve into, as excelling in everything is exceedingly difficult. Perhaps it’s different for geniuses, but eventually, they too walk only one path.

So Melina found comfort in the fact that Richard struggled with the questions she had posed.

It meant that the difficulty level was certainly high enough to challenge even Richard Ertuven, who was hailed as a genius in Spatial Studies. True to her expectations, most of the students struggled with the trap questions she had laid out at the beginning.

“Hehe… I suppose no one can leave now if they want to, huh? After all, I don’t like students who give up without trying.”

A test that did not influence grades.

She might allow students to leave if they answered all the questions but knowing they faced questions they couldn’t easily tackle, none could casually throw in the towel, for they knew Melina wouldn’t look kindly on such behavior.

She had made those intentions clear before the test began, and considering they would be seeing each other’s faces for the next few years, it made sense for them to want to leave a good impression. It wasn’t just about grades.

“I’m done.”

Of course, exceptions exist.

Just a little over five minutes after the test began, Elena Edelweiss stood up.

At her declaration that she had completed all the questions, the eyes of her fellow classmates naturally turned toward her, despite the short duration. Melina’s attention was caught, but Elena’s striking appearance was enough to disperse the previously tense atmosphere momentarily.

Melina, now in bewilderment, turned to Elena and asked, “Are you really saying you’ve solved all of it? Right now?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. Please hand it over.”

Elena responded with a calm tone to Melina’s inquiry. Her demeanor was not that of someone who simply handed in answers haphazardly. The moment Melina received the test paper, she immediately began to verify how Elena had solved the problems.

‘What… they’re all correct…’

The paper Elena handed to Melina was not merely a sheet with answers; it included a very detailed explanation of her processes. The five minutes it took for her to submit the test was clearly spent on writing out those explanations.

It wasn’t surprising for Melina’s face to fall at that realization. Just earlier, she had been feeling confident seeing Richard struggle, and now, a perfect student had emerged in just five minutes.

Elena submitted her test paper and exited the classroom without saying a word. There was no reason to stop her, so Melina simply watched her leave.

Richard submitted his test paper fifteen minutes later.

*

As soon as Elena stepped out of the classroom, she headed straight to the Training Grounds where the swordsmanship class was in session. Having spent several years in Estelia, finding her way, even to a building of a different department, was not an issue.

Since she had learned about the department schedule from Hailey the day before, when Melina said she could leave after finishing the problems, a lightning bolt struck in her mind.

The Training Grounds in the Knights’ Department had seating areas for outside observers, so if she could finish the exam early, there would still be time to see Damian.

With that thought, Elena’s hands moved very quickly. This was not her first time experiencing Melina Cobbs’ tests, but her third, so the answers to the questions were already in her head even before seeing the test paper.

No matter how difficult the questions might be, they were merely at the level of the sixth rank: Gebura, akin to simple arithmetic for Elena.

All the students had gone to their lectures, leaving the outside of the building empty and quiet. Not sensing any presence around her, Elena immediately used Spatial magic to transport herself to the seating area of the Training Grounds.

As soon as the location changed, the silent atmosphere of the Department of Magic was replaced by the sounds of steel clashing against steel. Along with this familiar energy, Elena knew she had arrived at the right place.

“Damian.”

It was the first time she had seen Damian since awakening this day.

For a moment, she felt the impulse to call out his name, but the fact that they were in class brought her to her senses. After calming her heart, Elena slowly watched as he swung his sword.

Watching Damian spar with Noel and Reinhardt brought back nostalgic memories that began to bubble up. Was it because she was recalling moments from the past alongside the present? A sense of longing arose.

But that feeling only lasted for a moment. The past faded away, leaving only the present in her sight.

Suddenly, she focused her gaze and found that she and Damian were making eye contact.

Damian continued to clash swords with Noel and Reinhardt, so she had no idea when he had noticed her. But perhaps this realization felt good, as Elena found herself smiling without even realizing it.

 

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