Individual Skill Assessment.

Given to first and second-year students.

This test, more like a health check-up than an exam, gauged individual capabilities.

"Next student, please step forward."

At that invitation, I walked into a room where a small glass bead and a woman awaited.

"This is the mana measurement room. Rest your hand on the glass bead and take some deep breaths."

As I followed her instruction, placing my hand on the bead, a light bloomed from within.

The brightness was gentle, not enough to blind, but it snuck through the crevices between my fingers.

"Alright, you're done. Please proceed to the next station."

Once finished, I exited the room, joining several other ongoing tests.

Wizards were primarily assessed for mana, but there were also evaluations for physical strength and endurance.

Unique screenings were conducted by the Alchemy and Elemental Departments.

The last test was the maximum output test, giving this series of tests its "assessment" label.

It measures the maximum amount of power one can exert.

This power is precisely quantified and it's this grading that gives the evaluation its name.

Yet, despite the precision of the measurements, it was a stretch to label the evaluation entirely objective.

Everyone had their unique style of fightingsome packed a powerful punch with each strike, while others preferred a barrage of weaker attacks.

The purpose of this assessment was to highlight these individual capabilities ahead of the joint practical for first and second-year students.

Mixed teams of first and second-year students would face off against one another.

So, the assessment was an opportunity to impress and secure a good team.

But the scores from this assessment also factored into our overall grades, so the aim was to balance showcasing skills with securing a respectable score.

I waited for my turn at the maximum output test, proceeding through the preliminary tests one at a time.

The maximum output test took place at the center, under supervision, and was not bound by the order of the other exams.

If you were summoned in the midst of another test, you had to report to the center immediately.

While I waited, a familiar name echoed through the room.

"Student number 73, Rie Von Ristonia, please report to the center."

The announcement, amplified by magic, sounded throughout the space.

"Hey, it's the princess's turn. Should we go watch?"

With Rie's name called, whispers stirred among the students.

As the murmurs grew, everyone broke away from the line, converging toward the center.

Joining the flow of students, I headed toward the center, curious about Rie's progress.

Over the vacation, I'd only seen her once.

"Rie Von Ristonia, signal when you're ready."

When I reached the center, an open field stretched out before me.

There stood a scarecrow, with Rie its only company.

Professors and students watched from a safe distance.

Rie drew in a deep breath, standing before her straw opponent.

This scarecrow was a bit different from those at the training grounds, mainly due to its angry expression.

I suspect it was fortified with various spells for this test.

"Sylph," Rie's voice echoed in the open field.

Suddenly, a hawk-shaped wind elemental, Sylph, materialized behind her.

Whispers of awe rose from the crowd.

A 1st-year magic department student using an intermediate elemental was a sight to behold.

However, instead of admiration, worry gnawed at me.

Rie, although having a promising future with Sylph, was still in the Magic department.

Would she have had enough time to refine her magic while also training with elementals during the break?

Rie was well aware of the limits of her elemental talents.

That was why she had joined the Magic department in the first place.

However, putting too much focus on elementals might hinder the growth of her magic later on.

My gaze rested on Rie, filled with concern.

Seemingly tense, Rie took a few calming breaths before staring intently at the scarecrow and extending her hand.

Mana surged from her palm.

It looked she was going to use magic.

Was she planning to use both elementals and magic simultaneously?

As the question flitted through my mind, a small flame ignited from Rie's hand.

At first glance, it seemed like a basic Ignition spell, the most elementary of fire-attribute magic.

But everyone present knew better.

It wasn't a basic spell.

It was Explosion magic, the evolved intermediate version of fire-attribute magic.

This was Rie's signature spell, known more for the shock it delivered rather than burns.

When the spell sparked into existence, a wave of anticipation washed over me.

Rie's leap in progress, summoning an intermediate elemental while simultaneously reaching the intermediate magic level, was a testament to her tremendous effort.

Yet, her shaky mana control betrayed her limited proficiency with intermediate magic.

Raising the small flame, she declared, "I accept the challenge."

-We now begin the evaluation of Rie Von Ristonia.

The wizards present readied their staves, preparing to shield from any debris caused by the explosion.

"Sylph."

At Rie's call, Sylph stirred, gathering wind.

A vortex formed, swirling toward the elemental's beak.

Rie raised the explosion spell to Sylph's beak.

Carefully positioning it, she waited until the wind swirled around the magic, the activity eventually ceasing.

In the ensuing silence, she uttered a single word: "Fire."

With a loud bang, Sylph unleashed the explosion magic, resembling a gunshot.

Like a bullet, the magic raced towards the scarecrow.

An instant before impact, it detonated.

A thunderous roar echoed across the field as the minuscule flame transformed into a ferocious inferno.

Amplified by Sylph's wind, the explosion was far stronger than usual.

"Barrier!"

The surrounding wizards hastily erected barriers against the spreading blast.

Despite their efforts, the explosion stubbornly persisted.

As it dwindled, Rie let out a sigh of relief.

The spectators resumed their chatter.

"Remarkable for a first-yearskillful application, plus high levels in both elemental and magic..."

"Truly a princess's performance."

The crowd buzzed with approval.

From my perspective, too, Rie's display was impressive.

Simultaneous use of an intermediate elemental and magic was uncommon, even among upperclassmen.

However, that was all it was.

Frankly, for this assessment that required a concentrated force to a single point, her widespread explosion wasn't the best choice.

"Rie Von Ristonia. With 2430 points, you are first in the first grade."

Nonetheless, her power was unrivaled amongst the candidates So far.

Naturally, Rie's first place standing was due to the absence of any strong competition so far, and the score was far from unbeatable.

Still, what she demonstrated was impressive.

"Rudy Astria."

Professor Robert's voice drew my attention.

I found him striding towards me, hands casually in his pockets.

"You can surpass that, right?"

His question left me pondering.

"I suppose I can."

But I had no intention of pushing myself to such an extent.

While my power was great when I put everything into a punch, my body wouldn't be able to withstand it.

A body like Borval's might, but mine, yet to be fully developed, wouldn't hold up.

"Then claim first place."

"What?"

I was taken aback by his sudden instruction.

"Secure first place, then return."

Suddenly deciding that I should claim first place?

It was definitely out of the blue, but for some reason, It felt good.

Robert has never pushed me to achieve anything specific.

But his bold statement to get first and come back gave me a sense of how highly he thought of me.

"If I secure first place, does that mean I become an official disciple?" I asked playfully.

"I'll consider it."

At that, I lifted the corners of my mouth.

I had been feeling a little competitive lately.

I will make him acknowledge me as a proper disciple.

"Understood," I nodded, grinning.

Professor Cromwell did say to take it easy, but that must've been a joke.

I doubted the professor would seriously tell me to take it easy.

The announcer's voice echoed.

-Student number 74, Luna Railer. Please proceed to the center.

Luna was up next?

Nearby, Luna promptly moved towards the center, her expression notably more serious than usual.

Extracting a small cube from her pocket, she declared softly, "Luna Railer, I accept the challenge."