Chapter 7. Entrance Exam (6)
The Trich Hall of Iris Academy was a training facility created by Trich Kroha, the first Master of the Mage Tower.
Despite its simple cylindrical exterior, it was a cutting-edge facility embodying all magical technology—a second masterpiece of the Mage Tower.
Over generations, its functions had been expanded and refined, now offering the optimal training environment that could even distort reality itself.
Inside, there were hundreds of training rooms, making it a shelter capable of accommodating many people simultaneously.
Reina and I rented a training room from the Trich Hall supervisor and stepped inside.
The room we entered was an empty white space, save for a structure near the door.
Reina mumbled softly, seemingly disappointed.
“Doesn’t look like there’s anything special.”
In the game, the training phase would simply display [Training in progress…], but I knew how to use this facility thanks to the setting book.
I placed my hand on the structure.
Without even injecting mana, the structure reacted to my will and began to glow.
It probably contained complex magical formulas, but its use was incredibly simple.
Just imagine it.
I closed my eyes and slowly envisioned a vast grassy field. As the dull image in my mind gained flesh and detail, a picturesque landscape was formed.
Then, in sync with my imagination, the blank space began to transform.
Green grass sprouted across the floor, clouds appeared in the sky, and the walls disappeared—before I knew it, the training room had become a meadow.
I touched the area near the door to confirm—it really had expanded. The wall was gone.
So it didn’t just look different—it physically changed.
Now this is worthy of being called a Mage Tower masterpiece.
“Oh!”
Reina, amazed by the changing space, wandered around in awe.
“Ban! What is this?! Did you do that?!”
“Yeah.”
“That’s amazing! How did you know how to do it?”
She looked like a playful puppy—adorable.
“Well, I kind of figured it out by messing around.”
“Wow! As expected from the empire’s top scoundrel!”
…Not sure if that was a compliment or an insult.
Anyway, I manipulated the structure to summon two iron swords and handed one to Reina.
She examined it for a moment before pouting.
“Just an ordinary sword, huh.”
“What were you expecting…?”
“Well, with a facility like this, I thought they’d at least hand out some high-grade equipment, if not top-tier.”
“If they did, I would’ve hoarded them by now.”
“Ohhh. So that’s why they avoid good gear—because of people like you!”
“…You’re teasing me on purpose, aren’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
I stared at Reina for a long moment, but she just looked back at me with a puzzled face.
Well, that’s just her personality.
Sigh… What do I do with this pure evil…
Still, that confused expression of hers was cute.
Then Reina’s eyes lit up.
“Anyway! Let’s duel already!”
“Wait… Is that the real reason you asked to come here?”
“Of course! What else would we do here?!”
“I mean, yeah, but… why did you ask so shyly then?”
“Well, when a boy and girl train alone, it kind of feels like a date.”
Well, I’m glad you realize that—but saying it like that makes me misunderstand on purpose!
Still smiling, Reina twirled her sword confidently.
“Anyway! I won’t lose this time! Earlier, I was caught off guard and holding back because of the rules!”
Reina grinned and pointed her sword at me.
“Enthusiasm is great and all, but could you not point your sword at me?”
“Oh, sorry.”
She sheepishly lowered her sword.
I had expected we’d spar, but I didn’t think that was her actual goal.
Originally, I planned to go along with her and then, if time allowed, test out my skills. But I guess I had to adjust that now.
So I made her a suggestion.
“Well, we just ate. How about warming up first, then we duel?”
“Why? Can’t we warm up while dueling?”
“Then I won’t be fighting at full strength. You okay with that?”
“Oh. I don’t like that.”
“Right? Then let’s each warm up and duel afterward.”
“Okay!”
Her quick agreement made me smile.
Reina and I picked our own spots and began training.
After I explained how to use the control panel, Reina eagerly pressed buttons to spawn training targets.
Scarecrows and magi-tech traps appeared with each press.
It felt like giving a toy to a child and watching them entertain themselves.
Leaving her to it, I checked my skills.
[Name: Ban Astrea]
[Level: 10]
[Strength: 15 | Mana: 25 | Divinity: 10]
[Skills: Fire Magic (Basic), Water Magic (Basic), Wind Magic (Basic), Earth Magic (Basic), Dual Casting, Swordsmanship (Basic), Sacred Arts – Healing (Basic), ■■■]
The first thing that caught my eye were the elemental magic skills.
[Fire Magic (Basic) Lv.6]
[Type: Passive]
[Allows use of Fire Magic up to 2nd Circle.]
All four elemental magic skills were level 6. The brief descriptions were just like in the game, and since using them boosted proficiency, their low level wasn’t a big deal.
What did catch my attention was [Tracing Fire], which I had used during the entrance exam.
In the game, it exploded instantly, but during the test, it didn’t activate until I commanded it.
Same here now.
Could be useful if used right.
Next was [Dual Casting].
[Skill: Dual Casting Lv.2]
[Type: Active]
[Effect: Allows casting of two spells simultaneously. Efficiency increases with proficiency.]
As the name implied, it let me use two spells at once, though less efficiently than casting one.
I planted my sword in the ground, focused mana into both hands, and envisioned two spells—[Tracing Fire] and [Water Stream].
Channeling mana into each hand was easy, but forming two spells at once was tricky.
As I struggled, a strange sensation washed over me, and a system message appeared:
[Activating Dual Casting.]
Both spells fired simultaneously.
Water droplets floated from my left hand, while a long trail of mana formed from my right.
They were weak compared to single-cast spells, but it worked.
This is it.
I couldn’t quite explain it, but I understood how to use [Dual Casting] now.
I recalled the sensation and cast again.
[Activating Dual Casting.]
On the second try, the feeling became clearer.
It felt like someone else was moving my body—almost like a system-assisted correction.
Maybe it helps me cast magic I don’t fully understand.
If so, that’s a big deal.
It means acquiring a skill might let me use that spell right away, even without prior knowledge.
Still, I needed to be sure.
Maybe Ban’s body just happens to be attuned to magic.
So I moved on to [Swordsmanship (Basic)].
[Skill: Swordsmanship (Basic) Lv.2]
[Type: Passive]
[Effect: Allows use of basic sword techniques.]
Unlike other characters who had detailed sword styles, this one had a vague description—but that might be a good thing.
As card games say, the simpler the text, the better the effect.
The vagueness meant flexibility, and the lack of restrictions implied few limits.
“Allows use of sword techniques.” That’s it.
If system correction applied here too, I could test it by using a technique I’d never actually performed.
Thankfully, I had observed one swordsman for a long time—Reina—and had seen her moves in action today.
I glanced at her—still busy playing with the panel.
I grabbed my sword from the ground and lowered my stance.
The technique I had in mind wasn’t famous, barely mentioned in the setting book—but I remembered the name and effect clearly.
I recalled her strike again and again.
Like fire racing along a fuse—
[Serenia-Style Swordsmanship – Ignition]
In that moment, my body moved on its own.
I dashed forward, slashed my sword, and replicated her move.
Whoosh!
A sharp gust cut the air.
It wasn’t nearly as polished as Reina’s, but I smiled.
System correction exists.
I had worried about how I’d operate while in disguise, but this alleviated a lot of that concern.
I relaxed my stance and was about to check the next skill—
—but Reina stared at me with a serious expression.
“What was that just now?”
She marched over, eyes locked on me.
I knew why she reacted like that but pretended not to know.
“What? Was there a problem?”
“That strike just now—show me again.”
“Wait, let me explain—”
“You can’t fool me. It was rough, but that was definitely our family’s secret technique.”
“…”
I had hoped she’d be too busy with the panel, but she caught me anyway.
“Who taught you our family’s swordsmanship? Don’t tell me…”
“I didn’t learn it from anyone.”
“Then?”
“…I just copied what you showed me.”
I gave her the honest truth, but she wasn’t buying it.
“You copied our secret technique just from seeing it once? A mage family kid like you?”
“Well, to be a top-tier scoundrel, you need at least this much talent.”
“What does sword talent have to do with being a scoundrel?”
Why are you so sharp now, when you fell for it earlier?!
I scrambled to come up with a believable link.
“W-Well, a scoundrel’s way is to cause trouble and escape. You can’t always rely on magic, so I needed swordsmanship too.”
“…And?”
“But I’m from a mage family—no way to learn swordsmanship, right? So I stole techniques from others. Luckily! I had a bit of talent with swords!”
“…And because you stole it, your precision and mastery are lacking?”
“Exactly!”
Cold sweat dripped down my back, but I answered calmly.
Reina stared at me suspiciously for a while before reverting to her usual innocent smile.
“Sorry. Maybe I overreacted.”
“No worries. I understand.”
“Still, you shouldn’t use other families’ techniques, especially secret ones. It damages the integrity of their swordsmanship.”
In this world, family sword styles are like patents. If anyone can use them, the family’s identity and prestige suffer.
That’s why I tried to hide it—but I got caught.
“Sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“But…”
A mischievous smile formed on Reina’s lips.
“If I teach you myself, that’s a different story, right?”
“Wait, you mean…”
“Yep! I’ll teach you my swordsmanship!”
A completely unexpected offer—but a great opportunity.
If I play it right, I can justify staying near Reina and even learn swordsmanship systematically.
Though… I’m not sure how good of a teacher she’ll be.
Still, there was only one answer I could give.
“Honestly, I was planning to ask. But if you’re offering, I’m more than grateful.”
“Great! Then let’s start training!”
“Looking forward to it, Master!”
“Ahahaha! Good, my dear disciple!”
Her grin nearly reached her ears.
She was so simple, it made me laugh along.
She ran over to the panel, pressed a few buttons, and a stone platform rose from the meadow.
I could already guess what she had in mind, but I asked anyway.
“Master, what kind of training is this?”
“What else? A duel! Rather than explaining each move, I’ll show you the target first!”
“Don’t you usually teach the basic forms first?”
“You’re a special case! If I show you the technique first, then teach the forms, it’ll make sense and keep your interest!”
Honestly… her method sounds structured, but the process is half-baked.
“So you just want to duel right away, huh?”
“…N-No! I may have asked you to come because I wanted a rematch, but training is more important!”
“You do know you’re a terrible liar, right?”
“Eek! Disrespecting your teacher?! You’re getting punished with a duel!”
“Can you pick one? Is this training, punishment, or your personal grudge?”
“It’s a duel! Get up here!”
Reina called from the platform, urging me to join.
I still hadn’t tested [Sacred Arts – Healing] or the hidden skill, but maybe this was a good opportunity.
After all, Healing only activates when injured. And the hidden skill—
[Skill: ■■■]
[Type: Passive]
[Effect: ■■■ ■■■ ■■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■■ ■■ ■■. ■■■ ■■■ ■, ■■■ ■■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■.]
If I’m right, that skill only activates in combat.
