Chapter 8 (2/2)

The level of the monster depended on the year and level of the student, and their performance was then graded.

Obviously, I had never even set foot into this testing ground.

And finally,

It happened inside a special mana barrier that reduced the destructive power of a magician’s magic by 99%.

It was a match between fellow students and they were graded depending on their performance.

My results were… obviously the worst.

So these were the 4 main subjects.

Disregarding the small minority wanting to become Healers, most magicians were striving for an excellent grade in each of these tests.

Well, it was like this every year, but this year was the most important.

Excluding the graduation exam, this was the last test we did in school.

Maybe because of that, there was already an excited atmosphere between the 6th year peers.

“Who do you think will come 1st on this test?”

“This is the last school test, It’s really important! This test decides if I’m going to be invited to the magic tower or not…”

“There’s no way you’re getting in, so don’t worry about it.”

“Shut up! You’re the same as me!”

Even in this excited state, in the corner of everyone’s hearts, they had a desire to be the main character of these tests.

Everyone was like that.

Including me.

Since I failed every practical for the last 6 years, it had to be different this year.

There was no one who desperately needed this grade more than me.

However, I was not part of their prediction for the 1st.

I wasn’t even picked as a candidate in their heads.

“Who’ll be first this time?”

“It’s probably gonna be Michael.”

“Well, yeah. Michael’s practical results are insane.”

“Probably the most talented in our year.”

Michael Galehill.

The third son of the Galehill family, the reputable magic family that existed for a long time in the kingdom, and was considered the main magic family.

So much so that most court magicians were either from the Galehill family, or a family related to them.

Considering that he was the son of such a prestigious family, his arrogance and impudence knew no bounds.

“Who the hell’s talking about me?”

“Uh… Michael…”

“You said my name? To make me spend time with ‘friends’ who I won’t even see after graduating. They need to change how the academy does things.”

“S-sorry…”

“I endured so well for the last 6 years, right?”

His arrogance had ruined the notion that everyone in the academy was a student, regardless of their family’s authority or peerage.

But unfortunately for us, he had the talent to back up his arrogance.

It wouldn’t be too much to say he represented our academy.

“Haa… Fucking can’t be bothered doing the test. Should’ve just let me graduate.”

The third son of a powerful count family.

Outstanding grades.

A pretty decent talent.

From a glance, it looked like he had everything, but he also had one weakness.

That weakness was…

“…Ruin?”

Me.

“Yo, what are you doing here?”

Since I held on so tightly to the position of first for the written exams, Michael was always pushed to second place.

So he had always been hostile towards me.

Constantly, from enrollment till now.

Michael narrowed his eyes like a snake and asked me,

“You… There’s no way! Are you going to take the practical exam?”

And in his mocking tone, he provoked me while shaking his bright blonde hair.

“With that body and that condition?”

His lackeys nearby started laughing loudly.

“To even think about the test while being disabled.”

“I know right? He’s probably here to embarrass himself again. Kek!”

The lackeys were eating up everything Michael was doing.

That’s probably what their roles were.

To laugh with and match Michael’s antics.

So that after they graduated, they could get some help from the Galehill family and boast to others of their connection.

Ben Polt, the one who attacked me, was a similar entity.

I was used to it.

Since it was a pattern I was so used to, I shrugged without being phased at all.

“I came here to take the test.”

At that phrase, for just an instant, Michael’s eyes twitched.

“What?”

“I’m here to take the practical test.”

“You will?”

The fact that I was here to take the practical exam shocked them quite a bit.

Michael also looked a bit shocked but regained his usual composure.

“Ah. Since it’s the last test you’ve come to at least struggle a bit… Something like that?”

“You could say that.”

“Well, that’s only right. There are no rules that say a disabled can’t take a test. Whatever you do, you won’t be able to do it anyway.”

After laughing mockingly, he tapped my shoulder.

“But Ruin, I’ll give you one piece of advice.”

“……”

“It’ll be pretty bad and unsightly if you struggle that much, just to collapse in the end. If you don’t want to get embarrassed, you should probably lea-”

“I don’t need it.”

“…what?”

“I don’t need your advice.”

Seeing my smile, Michael’s face became colder.

The mood also followed his expression, as the room became frosty.

In contrast, my heart became a bit hotter.

“Hoo…”

Michael cracked his neck and put on his most threatening look.

And said to me in a tone that gave the impression that he was being quite patient,

“Ruin, I’ll give you a warning. Don’t cut me off while I’m talking. Just listen with your mouth shut. Ok?”

Ah, I didn’t want to hold back.

Why was I like this?

Maybe this was a disorder as well.

“Michael.”

“What?”

Since I had to say something as well.

“Just worry about yourself.”

Michael’s face hardened with rage.

——