Chapter 14 - The Exam

Kairen and Serria stood in the middle of the vast stadium, facing each other. Kairen could see professors and students sitting at their designed seats and looking at them.

The referee came closer and asked if they were ready or not and then told them to start.

Kairen took a deep breath and started preparing to cast his spell. The first one to attack was Serria, shooting balls of fire on his face. Kairen dodged the first one and destroyed the 2 others by water magic then counterattacked by casting another spell.

Mana condensed in one spot and took the shape of a huge spear. The spear flew towards Serria, who created a shield and arranged her other attack at the same time. Kairen cast another magic that made her attack change its direction and return back to Serria. They followed what they had planned step by step.

"What do they think they are doing?"

"I don't get it either."

Looking at them, the professors were confused. It was because both of them were using simple and low-level spells. The speed with which they cast the spells and reacted to the upcoming attack was impressive, but the spells they used were just… too plain.

"Are they going to suddenly change their tactic or something?"

"But it has already been 3 minutes and they have just exchanged simple moves. There isn't that much time left!"

"Why aren't they fighting properly!"

It wasn't only professors, even students were confused. Here, most of the people knew about these two mages. The two top students in the magic unit that everyone expected to get to a high position in the future. There weren't many cadets here who could cast as many high-level spells as those two could. But they were now exchanging low-level attacks as if to mock everyone.

"What the hell do they think they are doing?"

"Wow! Look at what that energy beam did!"

"HO! The ground is burnt!"

But it wasn't the only thing that made them surprised. They could see the destruction caused by their attacks. Even though they were casting simple spells, their scale of power and destruction wasn't comparable to what they expected from those spells.

The ground was burnt black by Serria's fire magic and a hole was created in the floor by Kairen's spear. Serria's shield, supposedly the simplest form of shield was completely protecting her from Kairen's unending energy beams that created cracks on the walls.

"How can those spells be so strong?"

"They really are something else!"

"Wow, as expected of top students!"

"So you could be this strong even with low-level spells?"

"Maybe we should think about using them more!"

Hearing those voices, Kairen was dumbfounded.

'Seriously? That great master of mine wasn't mistaken!'

Kairen looked at Serria with sparkling eyes while preparing his other spell. Serria was visibly feeling proud and was holding back her laughter. She cast her last attack, which hit the ground and destroyed the place Kairen was standing in a few seconds ago. Kairen cast explosive magic, but the moment he did so, his mana suddenly went out of control and turned in a weird way. This spell was the latest and hardest spell he knew and couldn't perform perfectly. This damn spell was the reason for half of the beatings he got!

'AAAAAA NOO'

He could see the delighted eyes of his master suddenly turn cold. It was a bad sign! He felt the flashbacks of every single beating he got playing in front of his eyes.

'She will kill me this time!'

Kairen concentrated, it was hard but he had done it before. He slowly filled the empty slot created by his escaped mana with more mana and released the magic without hesitation.

The explosive magic hit Serria's shield and exploded, finally destroying the shield.

'I did it!'

-The time is up.

"Wow, that was impressive!"

"Excellent!"

"You shoved us something great!"

'My god! Are they really believing it?'

-Kairen Steyton, Serria Bleand. Your grades will be announced in a few days. You can leave.

Like that, they both exited the stadium. Kairen was expecting a scolding but Serria burst into laughter.

"Pfft. Ahahaha! Those guys are stupid! Really stupid!"

"Ho! I still can't believe it! They really think too much!"

"See Kairen! I told you to believe your GREAT master! See! See the results!"

"…Oh GREAT master!"

"Yes yes."

Their plan, to sum it up, was to use people's expectation and their own fame to bury Kairen's inability. It came to Serria's mind a few days ago, when she saw how Kairen's low-level attack had more destruction than it was supposed to have. They didn't know the reason behind it, by decided to use it anyway.

According to what Serria said, Kairen always showed excellent abilities and power. That was why people expected him to do the same this time as well. But what if they did the exact opposite?

'They most probably will think that there is a hidden intention in doing so! Or something that you want to show them.'

'How can you say that? They can just think that I have become dumb!'

'That's right. They can think like that if you are the only one doing so!'

'What do you mean?'

'Look, if even I, the great magic swordswoman, uses simple but strong magic as you do, would you be the only one who has gone dumb?'

'….'

'Either we have both lost our minds or we have another intention! It is a 50% 50% situation. If they don't react the way we want them to then I, your GREAT master, will fill their mind with some bullshit to persuade them.'

'You really believe that will work?'

'Do we have any other choice? Besides, even if what we do doesn't turn out the way we want, you won't be expelled if you just take the exam without fail. Kairen was a truly remarkable student, they can't expel you that easily if you finish your exam properly. So that's why I also have to use simple spells not to kill you accidentally!'

'….'

Just like that, they arranged a bunch of attack and defense situations with simple spells. Serria changed the formula of some of the spells slightly to make them more destructive and used them. Kairen didn't think it would really work, but it did!

'I won't be expelled!'

Kairen was filled with joy. Wasn't this girl what they call a genius? Kairen who was now feeling a little bit envious besides joy heard the next announcement.

-Reyan Heartz, Dain Ranber

"Oh, it is Mr. Sword-crazy's turn!"

They walked up the stairs. There were seats placed for students to watch others' matches.

"Oh Kairen, Serria! That was amazing!"

"How could you destroy the floor with that magic?"

They both just smiled at people greeting them, actually hiding their laughter, and moved on. There were some empty seats left. From there they could completely see Rayan and his opponent standing in the middle of the stage.

Just like before, the referee asked whether they were ready or not and then started the match.

Dain, Reyan's opponent, drew his sword and held it with both hands staring at Reyan. Reyan did the same. But before Dain could even move, Reyan was in front of him. He moved like a flash of light and punched Dain in the stomach.

The poor guy flew back, hit the wall, and dropped down to the floor. Once again, Reyan was beside him. He moved his sword upward, its blade slowly getting wrapped in light. And the sword descended towards the man who was trapped by the wall.

"I SURRENDER!"

The blade stopped just in front of his nose.

-Reyan Heartz, Dain Ranber. Your grades will be announced in a few days. You can leave.

"Holy shit what was that?"

Kairen was stunned. That was… that …

'Are you an anime character Reyan?'

That was super cool! He had chills on his back and had his mouth wide open. He made a note in his mind to never ever get to any kind of argument with Reyan in the future. He would die if Reyan just slapped him!

"Tch. Too boring!"

"What?"

"He is too boring I said! Anyway, let's go back and celebrate having passed our exams!"

"What about your other practical exam?"

"Oh? That was yesterday."

"What?"

Yesterday? Kairen didn't know!

"Oh Kairen, it seems like you succeeded!"

Reyan who appeared out of nowhere said that while smiling.

"Yeah, you too. That was really fast!"

It didn't even take 10 seconds! Reyan scratched his cheek and smiled.. Just like that, their exams came to an end.