Chapter 96: Mana Control Exam (5k)
“Mil, don’t sleep! Morning prayers are about to begin, cheer up! You are a great hero of Holy City!”
“Hiss—— I’m not sleeping! My eyes are just a bit dry, so I closed them for a bit.”
The stubborn Mil squeezed his eyes, emphasizing with a hint of impatience. Beside him, White Magic Miss blinked, muttering softly:
“But—you’ve been nodding for quite a while—”
“Does nodding mean I’m sleeping? I’m thinking!”
The first rays of sunlight, diffracted into several light gratings from behind the wings of the angel statue, illuminated the dozens-of-meters-high cathedral arches,
Casting a golden-red glow on the smooth floor.
Lina tiptoed to straighten the silver candelabra, her chestnut curls trembling slightly by the edge of her snow-white nun’s habit as she moved.
Mil clicked his tongue, crossing his arms and glaring at the divine statue.
If he were to rule Holy City and smash this place to smithereens, he would blame all the monks who made him attend morning prayers!
Alice’s good sister, Lina, a church apprentice White Magic, a girl as slow as an automaton—
She was also Mil’s biggest obstacle to catching up on sleep at the church in the mornings!
Stars sparkled in Lina’s eyes, full of longing and admiration:
“Mil, after you successfully dealt with the Hero Goblin matter, your monthly salary will increase to eleven thousand five hundred Thalers starting next month!”
“Only an increase of 500? I’d rather sleep a bit more!”
“Miss Alice said—”
“Stop! I know what she wants to say, no way.”
“Mil, if you’re really sleepy, after morning prayers, I can lend you my lap!”
“No need.”
A 20-year-old man asking for a lap pillow from a 14-year-old girl would surely be laughed at.
The bells for morning prayers rang, and the divine officials gathered in the cathedral. Sunlight, like a golden-red curtain, passed through the stained-glass windows and swept over the shrines.
When Alice, holding her gilded skirt, stepped onto the altar, the air in the entire church rippled.
Compared to the 30-meter-high church, her figure was so small—
She stood before the pontiff’s seat, dressed in a pure white saintess gown, appearing noble and sacred under the light.
Without any stage fright, she recited a hymn for everyone; afterward, the Pope himself conducted the mass.
Mil still remembered the first time Alice recited a hymn in front of everyone; she was so nervous she couldn’t utter a single word.
Or rather, she did, but no one could hear her.
At that time, Mil, as the Saintess’s attendant, stepped forward and quietly reminded her in her ear:
“If you can’t recite it, your pay will be docked.”
Alice’s voice suddenly grew much louder, but she was, after all, suppressing her inner fear. She cried halfway through and couldn’t be pulled away, stubbornly finishing it with snot and tears. Mil had to coax her for a long time.
In a blink of an eye, two years passed, and she could now effortlessly “deceive” in the church.
“Miss Alice being able to stand on her own like today is all thanks to Mil!”
Lina still smiled, but Mil shook his head:
“It has little to do with me. It’s still thanks to the church’s salary; otherwise, she might not even come.”
“How could that be? Miss Alice once said that she was willing to come because Mil was in Holy City.”
Upon hearing this, Mil fell silent.
Two years ago, he dropped out of Heinrich Seminary, having already packed his bags, ready to leave. Then Alice arrived, and now someone is telling him she came because of him?
Morning prayers ended, and it was time for breakfast and daily work. Adjudicator Kramer also repeatedly urged Mil to find a way to capture the Black Magician Aserville.
After a busy morning, Mil lay on the desk, just about to take a nap—
“Mil, someone is looking for you outside.”
At that moment, Mil felt like killing someone, but when he went out, it was Diana.
He could only say he couldn't beat her.
This was the highest point of Holy City. She leaned against the waist-high stone railing, and behind her, the entire city was visible.
In silver armor and a light blue underskirt, she stood outside the door with her arms crossed, looking up at the clear blue sky.
Her delicate jawline and high nose bridge were particularly pleasing to the eye.
“Mil, this is for you.”
Diana pulled out a letter and handed it over. Mil, propping open his tired eyes, took it:
“What is it?”
“A letter from Mr. Machilo, the Hero Goblin.”
Diana always spoke in a straightforward, businesslike manner, somewhat aloof and impersonal.
After reading the letter, a sudden surge of passion filled Mil’s heart:
“No?! What does he mean he also wants to be a light in the darkness?!”
“Mil—in darkness, aspiring to light. Your spirit is inspiring everyone. Mr. Machilo has decided to tour Atla Continent to spread your spirit and will to the world.”
Although Diana’s tone was cool, it was firm and powerful. But Mil instantly lost all his sleepiness. Whose spirit and will was he spreading anyway?!
He was still pondering how to use his family to coerce him into signing a contract, and now, he ran off?
The world is so big, can he just see it as he pleases?
Drawing water with a bamboo basket at least gets it wet, but him? Even though the matter wasn’t accomplished, at least he got tired.
“Princess Diana, I thought you had already returned to Holy City.”
“Hmm—the church has received a clue that the Demon God's Child may have descended, and as the Holy Sword Bearer, I might be assigned to guard the Heart of Chaos.”
Diana gripped the holy sword tightly. Although it wasn’t a good assignment, she didn’t seem to resist it.
“So you’re here to make things difficult for me,” Mil muttered softly, sighing helplessly:
“Isn’t that equivalent to arresting you and putting you in jail?”
“Not really. As long as I stay near Holy City and can provide support whenever needed, that’s fine. The Swan Castle Royal Knights that I lead will also be stationed here in a while.”
As she spoke, the breeze lifted Diana’s long hair, and against the clear blue sky, it dispelled some of the summer heat.
She rarely smiled and usually didn’t talk much, like an exquisite and silent crown, always proud and solitary.
Upon hearing this, Mil nodded. This was probably another power struggle between the Empire and the Theocracy.
But just as Mil was about to say goodbye, he heard her ask again:
“I have nothing to do. Do you want to take a walk together?”
Her cheeks were slightly flushed. She picked up a strand of silver hair and tucked it behind her ear, lowering her head and frowning slightly.
“You have nothing to do, but I do. I still have to go to class.”
“Then let’s go together. I also want to visit Sibyl Magic Academy.”
Diana blurted out, as naturally as if she had done the same thing countless times with an old friend. In the past, Mil would always call Diana to go to school together; after school, he would also wait for Diana at the sword training ground to go home together.
But now, Mil was full of embarrassment, refusing somewhat reluctantly:
“Another day. It’s not convenient today.”
After speaking, he turned and went back to the church to pack his things.
Diana stood outside the door, pondering for a long time.
She had thought the two of them could still be like before, but now she felt that Mil didn’t seem to want to treat her as a friend.
However, when she saw Mil leave, Diana was still curious and quietly followed him.
When they reached Throne Angel Bridge and saw Lilith waiting at the bridge entrance, she suddenly realized.
The morning mist dampened Lilith’s raven-feather-like hair, and her dark brown braids hung over the shoulders of her deep blue school robe. When she noticed Diana’s dodging figure, the little witch’s lips curved into a sneering arc.
All the senior students in the school who failed to advance to the first rank of magic apprentices were preparing for the Tian Geng Beyond trial.
In the class on Essence Entanglement, Professor Viktor, with a stern face, continued to lecture on the relationship between soul and light. Of course, he also mentioned Tian Geng Beyond.
After deeply understanding the meaning of Tian Geng Beyond, Mil suddenly had a bold idea!
Not only for the school, but for the church, the Tian Geng Beyond dream was also a very important place.
Because the original site there was the closest place to the thrones of the gods.
Although it was a dream woven from memories, there was still a special connection between the dream and the original site.
Most importantly, sibyl's golden prophecy would also be announced through that dream.
Mil suddenly clapped his hand, a flash of inspiration hitting him:
“Lilith, if the Tian Geng Beyond dream is destroyed, will sibyl's golden prophecy then be unable to be revealed to the public?”
“You—I’m not very clear about that either. What do you want to do?”
Hearing Mil’s terrifying statement, Lilith’s expression showed some fear.
But for Mil, if it was truly possible, he might not have to worry about the “box weapon” three years later!
“I want the Golden Prophecy to never be able to convey information again. Can you help me investigate the way Tian Geng Beyond conveys prophecies?”
As he spoke, a fierce glint flashed in Mil’s eyes.
He had to go all out this time. As long as he could silence Sibyl’s prophecy, he would have more ample preparation time, and might even be able to relax a bit.
Lilith put her hands together and sighed helplessly. Seeing Mil’s enthusiastic demeanor, he indeed didn't seem like a traitor to the Abyss.
But a thought flashed through her mind, and her workload was about to increase significantly:
“Sigh, should we try? But that’s magic laid down by an Arch-Mage.”
“Please, you’re the great genius of Sibyl Magic Academy!”
Mil gave a thumbs-up, his eyes burning, but Lilith had heard such words too many times and merely waved her hand dismissively.
Mil was still filled with excitement, his gaze passing through the window to see Fafner on the castle path. He had changed back into men’s clothes, but his style was no longer as unconventional as before; instead, he had tied a small low braid and cut off the excess hair.
He was still surrounded by a large group of girls, making countless boys envious.
This afternoon was the magic comprehensive assessment at the end of the semester.
Everyone hoped to get a good score, except for Mil, who didn't want to arouse suspicion by progressing too quickly.
However, this assessment also largely determined the rankings students participating in Tian Geng Beyond could achieve.
Besides the enlightenment fruit for the top spot, students in other ranks would also receive some generous consolation prizes, and winning the competition itself was a great honor.
The assessment location for the afternoon was the Academy Cathedral, which was where Mil had read love letters for Fafner.
Inside the magnificent auditorium, streams of light shone brightly, and magic spheres made of metal rings emitted bursts of light and ripples in mid-air.
Different professions had different testing directions, but in the center of the auditorium, magic control was a compulsory item for everyone.
It also represented the level of each person’s magic.
Professor Mary, a Sixth-Tier Great Magician, served as the chief examiner and arranged for a Hexagram magic array to be set up.
The magic stones at the six corners represented the four main elements, plus light and darkness.
The crowd was bustling, lining up from lower grades to higher grades for the test.
The Hexagram array pulsed with rainbow light, and the crystal ball at the tip of Professor Mary’s staff reflected hundreds of nervous faces:
“Zero-Tier Six—Zero-Tier Eight—First-Tier One, good—Zero-Tier Nine—”
Even among the entire senior class, very few had entered the First-Tier, and those who reached the latter half of the First-Tier could already walk around the school with swagger.
However, those who could participate in the Tian Geng Beyond trial were still Zero-Tier apprentices.
Everyone’s burning gaze was still observing the late Zero-Tier competitors.
“Alright, next up is the ninth grade.”
When Professor Mary finished speaking, the previously noisy auditorium suddenly quieted down, and everyone’s gaze turned towards the ninth-grade team.
There was only one genius in this school, and that was Lilith; other students, no matter how talented, could only be called outstanding students.
Although everyone already knew that Lilith had entered the Fourth-Tier, they were still curious and wanted to see what level she had reached.
Before going on stage, Lilith handed Mil a special magic-imprinted gem:
“Take this with you. This is magic suppression, adjusted according to your situation. Be careful with the rest yourself.”
Lilith walked to the center of the magic array and politely bowed to Professor Mary.
Then, she activated the magic stone, awakening her entire magic nervous system.
A bluish-green glow lit up the edges of her purplish-red pupils, her brown hair danced without wind, and surging magic power pushed outwards like a tide.
The green light emanating from the Wind Element Stone lifted her off the ground, and the hem of her school robe churned like a deep whirlpool.
In the magic array, the greenish-blue Wind magic stone began to resonate, emitting dazzling light.
“Excellent! Fourth-Tier Five!”
Professor Mary led the applause.
The auditorium instantly erupted, and many people began to doubt their lives.
“Didn’t she just become Fourth-Tier half a month ago? How is she already Fifth-Tier?”
“Why? Is it possible that some Ninth-Tier Witch did something before reincarnating?”
“By the time I become Fourth-Tier, she’ll probably have already moved into the High Tower and become an Arch-Tier!”
Lilith gently lifted her robe, bowed to the professor again, and finally walked off the stage under everyone’s envious gaze.
The students behind continued to go up one by one.
“Zero-Tier Eight—Zero-Tier Nine—First-Tier Three—First-Tier Two—”
When it was Mil’s turn, everyone quieted down again, casting curious glances.
Looking at the Black magic stone in the magic array, Mil felt immense pressure.
His current level was Second-Tier, and he probably needed to control it to Zero-Tier 2-3 to reflect his F+ talent.
Everyone knew that Mil had come through connections as an exception, not even considered a formal student, simply there to learn knowledge, like an auditor.
But they heard that he also wanted to participate in the Tian Geng Beyond assessment, which felt a bit overconfident.
Arriving at the center of the magic array, Mil slightly activated his magic nerves and slowly began to exert power. About ten seconds passed…
No reaction.
He looked up, gave Professor Mary an awkward glance, then licked his lips, preparing to try again.
“Mil, you can do it!”
Shouts came from beside him, some from girls Mil had woken from dreams, others from enthusiastic boys in the same class.
Perhaps Lilith’s imprinted gem was too good? Mil began to exert power again, raising his strength to 50%...
20 seconds later, still no reaction.
The murmurs around them started to rise and fall:
“Could it be that his level is too low? He can’t even activate the magic array?”
“That shouldn’t be? When he fought Fafner, didn’t he fight quite smoothly? Three whips drew out a small Nan Liang.”
So, Mil began to go all out. However, just as he was about to exert force to break through, he suddenly discovered that the dark-attributed magic power suppressed within him began to be attracted by that Black magic stone.
It was like wanting to fart when having diarrhea, only to find that what was coming out wasn't gas, and he could only quickly clench.
Professor Mary frowned and asked,
“What’s wrong?”
“Excuse me, Professor Mary, it feels like my magic power can’t quite be released—”
“Then try using a normal spell?”
Mil looked up at the Black magic stone, cold sweat trickling down his sharp jawline, forming shimmering, precarious droplets on his chin.
He nodded, preparing to release his extremely proficient Wind Magic Barrier, but as soon as he tried to summon the magic power within him, he felt a sensation of one action affecting the whole body; as soon as he stimulated the magic power, dark-attributed magic power would begin to leak out.
It seemed that this magic array underfoot was intentionally attracting the dark-attributed magic power within him?
Mil frowned, squatted down, and gently placed his hand on the magic array.
Sure enough, within this magic array, an additional magic array designed to attract dark attributes had been appended.
Was the school doing this intentionally to weed out Black Magicians hiding in the academy?
No.
What could interact with dark-attributed magic power was also Black Magic.
Therefore, this additional magic array underfoot was made by a Black Magician.
The surrounding discussions were buzzing, Professor Mary frowned tightly and asked,
“Mil? What happened?”
“Excuse me, this magic array has been tampered with—”
The methods used by the school and the church to find Black Magicians both relied on the repulsion of light-attributed magic.
And the person who set up this magic array clearly wanted Mil to expose his identity as a Black Magician in public!
A Black Magician using the power of the Abyss actually wanted to harm the Master of the Abyss?
Mil smiled faintly. The Black Magic array under his palm was almost deconstructed. Then, with a gentle push of his finger— “Crack!”
The Black Magic array instantly shattered, and the overflowing dark-attributed magic power dispersed like black smoke.
Seeing this, Professor Mary suddenly stood up, her pupils contracting sharply:
“What’s going on? Who did this?”
“Professor Mary, it’s fine now.”
Mil smiled faintly and politely bowed.
The reason he deliberately destroyed the magic was mainly because he didn’t want others to find out the function of this magic array.
Otherwise, when they discovered that this magic array only attracted dark-attributed power, he would be embarrassed.
As for the culprit, it must be someone who knew his identity as a Black Magician—
Aserville!
Then Mil stood up and activated the magic power within him— “Zero-Tier Eight!”
Hearing Professor Mary’s voice, Mil gasped, his face instantly turning pale.
He got distracted and forgot to hold back his power!