Surviving in the Magic Academy - Chapter 207

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Coughing Baby

Chapter 207: 207.

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It was finally my turn to be judged.

I quietly stepped forward and stood before the platform. I could feel the gazes looking down at me. As I stood there, cold sweat slowly dampened my back.

It was not simply because I was nervous.

The chilling magical power contained in those gazes made my body shrink back on its own. I swallowed as I sensed magical power brushing past me from all around.

Emery had received a unanimous passing judgment from them earlier. Gang had also received six votes in favor. Gang still failed because his point total was too low, but his determination had come through clearly.

Had Gang and Emery both stayed so confident under this powerful pressure?

It reminded me once more that they were far more impressive than I was. Then I needed to follow their example.

After taking a slow breath, I raised my head and looked at the owners of the magical power pouring down on me. There was a little interest in their eyes as they watched me.

If I received the votes of five of them, I could pass this exam.

That meant I had to persuade them as best as I could, just as the people judged before me had done. Even if I failed, I did not want to leave any regrets.

As I gathered my resolve and looked at them, I wondered who would speak first.

The Black Mage man gave a small nod and met my eyes.

“I will begin. Hari wants that as well.”

Hari, the girl riding on the man’s back, lightly pulled on his leash. The man smiled faintly and politely bowed his head toward her.

I swallowed and waited for them to speak.

The girl and the man had played the Black Mage in Chapter 1. That gave me some idea of what they might ask.

“Was it Ivrio? Like Gang before you, you ran away and left Emery behind. Unlike the others, though, you were the only one who returned and faced me. Why did you make that choice?”

I let out a sigh of relief inside.

Fortunately, his question was not too different from what I had expected.

The fact that I alone had remained by Emery’s side was why I had not lost as many points as Gang in the Chapter 1 story. I had returned to the center of the story, so the point deduction had been reduced as well.

I had expected them to ask about it. I had roughly seen the questions Gang received before me. I had also already decided how I would answer.

I remembered what Gang had said earlier.

Gang had spoken about human decency and the mindset of not abandoning a group member. Through that, Gang had won passing votes from the people appearing in Chapter 1.

That let me notice, at least a little, what they favored and what made them declare someone passed. Gang stepping forward before me had not been pointless.

All I had to do was imitate Gang and say something that could persuade them. Something plausible, like saying I had moved for Emery’s sake.

Yet for some reason, my lips would not part.

The words I had prepared could not leave my mouth. They only circled inside me.

The magical power stirring in my chest was stopping me.

I quietly placed a hand over my chest. Inside, I felt the Sapling tremble slightly.

The pattern of my unique magic emerged clearly across it. As the Sapling gathered magical power, a path revealed itself before my eyes once more.

It was an extremely faint path that broke off halfway through.

I blinked as I watched the path drawn by magical power. It felt as though the Sapling was giving me a warning.

As if it were saying that was the path I wanted to walk.

Then why was it warning me about it?

This was the path toward passing.

Then a realization suddenly came to me, and I looked at Gang.

Gang had no regrets about what he had done during the exam. Leaving Emery behind and failing the exam had both resulted from following his beliefs.

But I had no beliefs like that.

I had helped Emery only because I followed my magic. It had not been an action I took through my own clear will.

In that sense, anything I said would be a lie.

Maybe I could gain votes this way. But would that truly help me?

A lie was an attempt to dress up one’s actions. It was no different from an excuse.

I would be running away from what I had done.

When I realized that, I quietly closed my eyes.

I could understand a little why the Sapling had shown me this path.

Earlier, I had decided not to run away. I had chosen to move forward.

The Sapling was reminding me of that choice, so I would not run away here for the sake of passing.

Thinking back, paths like this had appeared during the Chapter 1 story as well. The reason I left the safe place and returned to Emery’s side was because I followed my magic.

At the time, I had not properly understood why that path appeared.

My instincts always wanted to survive. This unique magic had been created from those instincts gathering together.

There should have been no reason for such a path to appear.

But now, I understood clearly why it had appeared.

This was not magic that belonged to me alone.

It was magic created by me and the Sapling together. Just as I wanted to survive, my Sapling also wanted to survive.

That was why it led me to Emery.

If I only ran away, the path for it to grow would be blocked. The same was true now.

What meaning was there in passing through lies? That would only be another way of running away.

So passing was not what mattered most to me right now.

I needed to deepen this mindset, this belief that had begun to settle into my body. The Sapling was reminding me of that.

I lightly tapped my chest. The Sapling shook its branches a little.

I had learned something else from it.

For some reason, my heart felt lighter. With a faint smile, I met the man’s eyes.

It seemed seeing Emery pass and Gang make a sacrifice had made me impatient.

But I had already made up my mind.

I would not run away.

If I failed this time, it would only mean the person I had been was still lacking. Then next time, I could use that as a foundation to move farther forward.

For now, I needed to hear an honest evaluation.

“I do not have beliefs like Gang’s. Nor did I have outstanding skill like Emery. Even so, the reason I stopped running and headed toward her was because Evron gave me advice.”

“Advice?”

I glanced at Evron.

He gave a small laugh at my words and waved his hand. If he had not made me realize the existence of unique magic, I would not even have tried to leave that place.

The man tilted his head. Hari, who sat on his back, also pulled her leash and let her eyes shine slightly.

I nodded toward them with a bitter smile.

“Yes. His advice gave me a little courage. Even then, I had no intention of fighting. I only intended to take Emery and run away. I ended up fighting because Emery refused to leave that place.”

It was beyond my control, I added, shaking my head.

The man frowned slightly. His eyes seemed to carry a red glow.

“It is true. Your magical power carries no trace of a lie. How unexpected. I thought you would at least embellish your story a little.”

Could he distinguish lies from truth?

I carefully studied his eyes, which held magical power. His pupils released strange magical power, as though something had been mixed into them.

That was probably how he judged lies.

I swallowed.

Something like that existed? It was not something that could easily be judged even with magic.

It was good that I had only spoken the truth. If I had dressed things up with lies, he surely would have immediately declared me failed.

As expected, there was no paradise waiting for anyone who ran away.

That did not mean things went well, though.

The truth I spoke was not enough to persuade them. I watched the man slowly shake his head.

“Hari seeks happiness. Happiness is revealed not through an action, but through the intent contained within it. In that sense, Gang, who spoke with us earlier, seems more complete. We do not believe we can give you a passing judgment.”

The moment he finished speaking, two opposing votes appeared on my screen.

So this was how it would go.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Still, I did not regret refusing to lie.

This was a place where my past actions were judged. There was no point in turning away from facts I could not deny.

If anything, that question had helped me steady my heart. That alone made this place helpful to me.

Then I felt someone release a little magical power.

I looked toward where it flowed and saw Cassian, who was being held in Bear’s arms, raise a hand slightly.

“Um, I disagree.”

She played with Bear’s belly fat as she looked down at me.

It was unexpected.

Cassian tilted her head with the same blank expression.

“Even if that man gave him advice, and even if his intent was unclear, he still acted.”

Bear clapped and nodded as though agreeing with her words. Cassian made a proud expression and gave me a small thumbs-up.

“There is no need to view the world in such complicated terms. People say hypocrisy is still goodness in the end. And he did a good deed. That also means he has the potential to move forward. So I will give him a passing vote.”

“Thank you.”

I deeply bowed my head.

I had not expected her to give me a passing vote even after hearing my story. It was a great relief.

She was not the only one who gave me a passing vote.

I quickly pulled my body back from the danger stimulating my senses. Several tentacles fell where I had been standing.

They belonged to the Evron-like shadow.

It stretched several tentacles out from its body and sent them toward me again. As I retreated further from the bizarre sight that stirred my instincts, it began clapping as though satisfied.

The shadow stroked its tentacles and nodded.

It had declared me passed.

It was clearly very interested in me. My escape during the Chapter 1 story must have left an impression on it.

I let out a sigh of relief.

That made two votes.

I only needed three more votes from the remaining six to pass. It almost felt like an easy goal.

But I quickly learned that thought was wrong.

I slowly looked at the screen.

It had turned a deep black.

Too many opposing votes had piled up. Those votes came from the axe, which was still angry even now.

[Slaughter!]

The axe released magical power as though it found me unforgivable. It clearly could not forgive my attempt to steal its power.

“Slaughter... Slaughter!”

The Treasure Keepers lightly nodded, as though they agreed with the axe’s opinion. Like the axe, they had cast opposing votes.

I blinked in confusion.

This happened before I could even make an excuse.

I looked at the screen.

Two in favor and five against. The opposing votes had piled up in an instant, pressing down on me.

To pass the university now, I had to persuade every remaining person.

Then Isabella looked around and gave a gentle smile. She lightly shook her head and began writing words in the air.

[I knew treasures were sensitive about their own power, but I did not expect them to declare you failed so quickly. Ivrio had already given up that power and remained here, after all.]

“Slaughter!”

Rabbit shouted firmly.

Even if I had given up, I had still tried to take it. That intent came through clearly from her.

I could only lower my head and accept it.

It was true that I had wanted to gain the treasure’s power and escape. It happened because I had failed to overcome my desire. How could I make excuses for that?

[Is that so? That is true as well. Then I will ask a question in accordance with their opinions. There is one thing I am curious about. As I wrote just now, Ivrio gave up power and came here.]

Isabella narrowed her eyes as she looked down at me. I could feel her deep curiosity.

[That also went beyond my expectations. I thought Ivrio would leave, like Jaun. That is why I am very curious what Ivrio was thinking. Could you tell me?]

I scratched my head slightly.

This was another question I had expected. I had even prepared a plausible answer.

But now, I only needed to show things as they were.

I had finally learned that there was something more important than passing.

With a light smile, I opened my mouth.

“That was also because I received advice.”

I glanced at Emery.

The reason I changed my mind was entirely because of her. Throughout this exam, she had shown me the path I needed to follow through her words and actions.

“Emery told me that I could not move forward just by running away. When power was right before me, I realized that leaving as I was would decide my limits. That is why I was able to stop.”

It would have been impossible without Emery’s advice, I added, bowing my head toward her with gratitude.

Isabella gave a gentle smile.

[Hehe, that is growth as well. Stopping even after seeing power right before you means you held great determination. The two of you are pleasant to watch, so I will give you a passing vote.]

Isabella’s writing seemed full of interest in Emery and me.

She was not the only one.

With a meeeh, another passing vote appeared on the screen.

The girl carrying the shell had also declared me passed.

The small girl nodded as she looked at me. Her quiet meeeh carried a sense of interest toward me.

I slightly bowed my head to her and checked the screen.

Four votes in favor. Five against.

I swallowed and looked at Mira.

Only she remained.

Her choice would decide whether I passed or failed.

Mira looked around, then met my eyes with a smile in her eyes. She shrugged with a mischievous smile.

“Oh my, I am the only one left. Once I choose, will the story end? It was such an interesting story, so that is a little disappointing.”

A sweet scent wafted from her as she spoke softly.

Unlike that scent, her eyes were completely cold.

“It is an interesting story, but not everyone can be happy. I have one standard. Are you someone who can stand alone? If not, you are worthless.”

Someone who could stand alone.

As I met Mira’s eyes, I felt as though I could predict the result.

I quietly closed my eyes as I listened to what she said next.

“In this story, you were too dependent on Emery. You wanted to lean on her rather than stand alone. So I have no choice but to judge you failed as well.”

Failed.

So this was how it would end.

The opposing votes had reached six. My failure was confirmed.

This was the end for me.

There was some regret, but it was also a result I could accept.

I had never had beliefs like Gang’s. I had neither the wisdom nor the strength of someone like Emery.

I had only been full of shortcomings.

This Trial was practically a process that made me realize the limits of who I had been. Now that I knew those shortcomings, I only needed to fill them.

I only had to keep moving forward.

If I tried again next year, I could receive a different result.

So it was time to accept the result and step back.

As I moved backward, I felt someone approach my side.

“This one cannot agree with your words.”

I widened my eyes slightly and turned my head.

Emery stood beside me. She was facing Mira.

Why was she stepping forward? I had no idea.

“You only say this one depends on me, but I see it differently. The reason I continued to give him advice was to repay the debt I owed.”

“A debt?”

“Yes. When we fought the Black Mage, this fool came to help me. Whatever he may have been thinking, the fact that I was saved by him will not change. I may not have been eliminated, but I still would have been badly injured.”

Emery waved her fan and examined me from head to toe. She clicked her tongue slightly and shook her head.

“I led this fool to settle that debt. Therefore, it is wrong to say that he depended on me. The debt and gratitude remaining between us led him to this place. That can also be called entirely his own achievement.”

Mira narrowed her eyes at Emery’s words. Then she slowly opened her mouth.

“Hmm, I gave you a passing judgment because you were perfect in every way. But now you yourself are showing an opening. Then I have no choice but to change the judgment I made earlier. The others will be the same, I am sure.”

Several people nodded as though agreeing with Mira.

What Mira meant was clear.

She intended to lower Emery’s score.

Emery only scoffed.

“My intent will not change. As a guardian, how could I turn away from someone who helped me? I will gladly accept that much loss.”

Mira was about to speak to her again when clear applause began sounding from somewhere.

The claps held magical power and spread through the enormous space as though making it ring.

I looked toward the source.

Professor Irian was clapping.

Mira’s eyes crinkled into a smile when she saw the Professor.

“Oh my, Professor has taken an interest.”

As if proving Mira’s words, Professor Irian slowly rose and looked down at us.

Her sparkling eyes held an extremely deep interest in us.

“I heard those people had priority in this exam, so I was getting a little bored. But seeing this woke me up a bit. This is very interesting.”

Professor Irian waved her hand, and my screen flew toward her.

She lightly rubbed her chin, then swept magical power over the screen. The screen, which had been filled with a deep black glow, began to release brighter light little by little.

“Pass.”

Professor Irian pointed at me and spoke as though declaring it.

Pass?

I had not reached the minimum score.

As if she had read my thoughts, Professor Irian gave a small laugh.

She sent the screen back to me.

I could only blink at it.

Every opposing vote vanished as the entire screen turned bright, overriding the earlier verdict.

“You are a little lacking, but you showed me something interesting, so I will count you as passed. You also have quite an interesting magic.”

Professor Irian lightly curled a finger.

Magical power rose from my chest and began drawing my unique magic. She had naturally begun guiding my magic.

The path it created gave off a light that was incomparably clearer than any magic I had used before.

That path also seemed to connect with Emery somehow.

“You should be careful not to get eaten. Though watching that might be fun too.”

Professor Irian seemed able to see it as well. She met my eyes with an amused smile.

I could only nod in a daze.

“All right, the Trial is over. Wrap it up.”

Professor Irian gestured at Evron.

He gave a small bow and approached us.

“Congratulations on passing. Seventy-one points, so you should still place around the middle.”

I stared at him blankly.

I could not properly understand what was happening.

Evron saw my expression, clapped, and laughed.

“This exam was created by Professor. That means it is also up to Professor who passes. Did I not tell you earlier? If Professor likes you, you will pass.”

Evron winked and pointed at Professor.

Then he lowered his voice and continued in a whisper.

“It seems Professor liked how Emery stepped forward for Ivrio. Professor really likes stories between men and women...”

Evron could not finish.

Professor Irian struck his head with magical power.

Evron glanced at her and lightly shook his head.

“Ahem. It seems I will be severely scolded if I say more. Everyone, gather around. The Trial is over, so I will now send you outside.”

Evron raised a finger and began writing something in the air.

A small screen floated before us. It was the same one we had continued to see throughout the exam.

Chapter 4. Trial

You have received your judgment. The exam is over, so everyone, leave.

I looked at Evron.

Had he written all this the entire time?

He gave me a small smile and bowed his head.

“Then, farewell, everyone. I will see those who passed next time.”

With those final words, the surroundings began growing hazy.

The world was beginning to collapse.

I tightly shut my eyes amid the torrent of intense magical power.

At some point, I felt the magical power around me become thin.

I slowly opened my eyes.

The scenery from before entering the examination hall spread out before me.

I glanced behind me and saw the small university gate.

I had left the examination hall.

I blinked in a daze.

I had prepared myself to fail. I never expected to pass so absurdly at the end.

No, maybe it was a misunderstanding.

Maybe I had actually failed, and my mind could not accept it.

But I quickly learned it was not just a delusion.

A scroll was in my hand.

I quietly unrolled it, and my eyes widened.

Total: 71 points. Passed.

Rank: 5,632 (5,632 / 10,112)

It was an acceptance certificate.

I had really passed the university.

My chest swelled as I carefully held it close.

Passed.

I could not believe it.

“I was worried you would fail, but it is fortunate Professor liked you.”

I flinched and raised my head.

Gang stood there.

I quietly watched Gang’s expression.

Gang was the only one among us who had failed. I had no idea what I should say to someone in that situation.

But Gang only wore a faint smile, as though there were no lingering regrets about failing.

Gang looked at the scroll in my arms and gave a small nod.

“Congratulations on passing.”

“It is thanks to Gang.”

I deeply bowed my head toward Gang.

If it were not for Gang, I would never have passed the exam. Gang’s beliefs and attitude had stayed deeply with me.

“It is time for me to leave.”

“You are leaving already? At least let me treat you to something.”

I caught Gang’s sleeve.

But despite my attempt to stop Gang, he lightly brushed my hand away. He touched the scabbard and shook his head.

“The exam is over, so it would be best for our story to end here as well. I will get going first.”

Gang slowly began walking into the people pouring out beyond the university gate, just as we had.

I silently watched Gang’s back.

If Gang left now, I did not know when we would meet again. Once I entered the university, I would have no reason to see Gang.

That was why I had wanted to treat Gang.

I bit my lip in regret, but Gang, who had walked a short distance away, turned back slightly.

Gang met my eyes and smiled.

“I will accept Ivrio’s treat next year. Inside the university.”

With those final words, Gang stepped into the flow of people.

Gang’s figure was soon swallowed by the crowd and disappeared.

But I no longer felt regret.

Next year.

I nodded.

Gang clearly intended to challenge the university again next year.

With Gang’s skill, there was no way he would fail again. He would pass the university even if only to keep that promise.

So, as Gang said, we could meet again next year and talk.

I deeply bowed once more toward where Gang had left.

Then something lightly bumped against my head.

It was a familiar touch. It had to be Emery’s fan.

“Enough moping.”

I looked at Emery as she waved her fan.

She was frowning slightly, perhaps because the crowd all around us annoyed her.

I deeply bowed to her as well.

“Mere thanks would never be enough for what Emery did for me.”

Her help had played a major part in my passing the university.

I never imagined she would try to help me even at the cost of her own score.

“I must repay this kindness. If there is anything I can do, I will do it.”

“Anything?”

Emery narrowed her eyes.

Was she doubting my sincerity?

I nodded firmly.

The help I received from her went beyond passing the university. Her advice had completely changed the direction of my life.

How could I repay that kindness with words alone?

Whatever she asked for, I needed to fulfill it.

Emery waved her fan and gave a small laugh.

As I looked at her face, my chest stung slightly.

I felt a little uneasy.

“It seems this one judged a person correctly. You are somewhat foolish, but your heart seems quite upright.”

I scratched my head at her praise.

Thinking about it, this might have been the first time she had praised me.

I glanced around.

More and more people were coming through the gate. The area had become quite crowded.

It seemed difficult to keep talking here.

“Then I should get going as well.”

I slightly bowed to Emery.

We had been placed in the same group, but the wall between Emery and me was huge.

How could I casually speak to someone from a great family?

I slowly turned around.

Now that I was outside, I needed to go to the slums. I had to repay the debt I owed those sword-users there.

I had passed the exam.

I was free now.

I smiled and tried to move forward, but something wrapped around my body.

“My words are not finished. Where do you think you are going?”

Emery’s magical power had taken the form of a serpent and wrapped around me.

The serpent flicked its tongue, its magical power radiating menace.

I swallowed and looked at Emery.

She covered half her face with her fan and smiled.

“You said you would do anything, so there is no problem with this one putting you to work. Serve this one at the university from now on. Your magic is fairly useful.”

Emery began dragging me away.

With my body frozen stiff, all I could do was roll my eyes.

Emery looked down at me and waved her fan.

“To serve this one, you must learn many things. This one will personally educate you so you can shed that drifter’s air.”

I had not expected this.

Was that uneasiness I felt earlier because of this?

Then I felt a little magical power flow from my chest.

My Sapling began drawing my unique magic.

A clear path appeared before my eyes.

I could only blink.

My path and Emery’s path overlapped halfway.

The Sapling showed it to me and lightly swayed its branches.