Skip Magician 19

Test

Chapter 19. The Midterm Test Begins

It’s been a little over two months since we enrolled at Chronos Magic Knights Academy. Freshmen duels have started, causing the rankings to shift. I, however, have remained at rank 250 since my initial placement, without engaging in any duels. No challenges were issued, and none were received. Frankly, it’s a situation I find quite pleasant.

Despite forming our faction on a whim, our leader Elixira has been diligently training, aiming to master swordsmanship by the midterm. We haven't gained any new members yet, but Nina believes that if we prove ourselves in the midterm, people will naturally want to join us. If it were just a written test, I could do well with minimal effort, but the practical test depends on the type of beast we face.

So, here we are, moving to the capital outskirts for the midterm. Yet, the number of students around us doesn’t seem like 984. Maybe the test venues are different based on rankings. It would make sense; gathering everyone in one place would be too much.

"Now, ranks 299 to 200… This midterm will test your ability to respond swiftly. Each of you must find the optimal solution on the spot and return. I wish you good luck."

As soon as the instructor, a Magic Knight, finished speaking, a large magic circle appeared beneath us.

“What the…!?”

“What’s happening!?”

“Ins… instructor!?”

Ah, this magic circle looks familiar. It’s said that a group of Magic Knights can activate this large-scale transfer barrier magic.

Before I knew it, we were all transported to a dense forest and my vision turned white.

“A transfer barrier magic… I didn’t expect it to be practical. According to the book I read, it's still difficult to teleport to specific locations. But it seems they managed to give it directionality.”

The other students are panicking, but I’m more amazed and excited that the transfer barrier magic works so well. I’ve already analyzed its structure and have a rough idea of how it specifies locations based on the magic circle we saw before the transfer. Still, returning immediately might be a bit difficult.

By the way, the quality of this transfer barrier is impressive, but I’m curious why there’s no explanation after the transfer. Many students are gathering and discussing things. Since the midterm is about testing our response skills, we probably need to do something from here.

“Everyone! Let’s calm down first. Panicking won’t help.”

A guy is trying to organize everyone by clapping and shouting… Sorry, but I’ll go ahead. If this test affects our ranking, as Princess Elissa suggested, it’s crucial to act fast. Doing something in this forest is part of the test.

Besides, I’m not good at group activities and can’t afford to linger in a race against time.

The goal of this midterm is likely to return to where the instructor was. They said to find the optimal solution and return, so returning must be part of the test.

“Seems like my kind of test.”

Sorry to the others. But I’ll get a head start.

I deciphered the transfer barrier’s components just before we were teleported. Comparing it to the unaltered transfer barrier elements in books, I identified the specificity in the one that brought us to this forest. From this, I deduce the original location.

“I don’t know which way is north, but this forest is southwest of where we were. So, heading northeast should get me back! Though I don’t know which way north is.”

Dam. If I knew north, I could return right away. Judging by the sun’s position is tricky because this forest makes it look like there are multiple suns.

A forest southwest of the capital with multiple suns...

“There’s a forest called the ‘Illusionary Forest’ across the Stella River from the capital.”

This forest is filled with illusionary plants that distort reality, making it hard to escape once you're inside. The beasts here aren’t particularly strong but have unique magic. Or so I’ve read. I don’t know if that’s true.

“They expect first-year students to find their way out of the Illusionary Forest without any explanation… That’s impossible.”

Finding north seemed crucial, but escaping this forest should be the priority. Direction can be managed later. First, I need to get out of this forest.

I understand the academy’s inclusive policy, but throwing first-years who haven’t mastered the basics into this situation is too much. It's not like we’re short on Magic Knights due to wars anymore.

I’ve heard the training is traditionally tough, which makes sense given the academy’s reputation for strong Magic Knights, but this is overkill. Even the top-ranked student couldn’t breeze through this.

“…Are you an illusion?”

“Are you human?”

While wandering aimlessly, I encountered a girl with black hair and eyes. She had a bust as impressive as Elixira’s and was about my height, carrying a huge double-edged sword. Even I, who usually doesn't care about rankings, immediately recognized her.

“It’s troublesome to be teleported to the Illusionary Forest, isn't it?”

“You’re not that troubled, are you, rank 5?”

“Oh, you figured it out.”

Ivy Meraldas, the highest-ranking commoner student Nina was interested in, smiled with her suspicious-looking eyes slightly open.