"Contestant number 13, Hoshizura Luciel."
The name echoed throughout the hall.
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent. Hoshizura Luciel stood up slowly, his breathing heavy but calm. He stepped into the center of the arena with slow but sure steps. The proven nature of his magic—his golden-red wand—glimmered faintly in the crystal light that enveloped the hall.
Lurie tilted her head. "Luciel, huh… I thought he was just excited, but…"
Shiromiko squinted, watching Luciel's body movements that barely showed any nervousness. It was as if those steps… were something she had known her whole life.
Luciel stopped right in the middle of the magic circle. The examiner stared at him sharply, his hand holding the crystal board that recorded the value of the magic vibrations.
"Alright, now it's my turn. Yoosh—let's go," Luciel muttered excitedly to himself.
"Please cast the most stable and controlled magic you can summon. The main purpose of this test is to demonstrate affinity and control, not strength."
Luciel nodded slowly. "Okay…"
But then—he just stood there.
No incantations.
No hand movements.
No visualization of magic like other students who prepared with chants or magic activation symbols.
Just… silence.
The instructor raised an eyebrow. "Participant number 13…did you not hear the instructions?"
Luciel lifted his finger casually. His eyes stared at the tip with a sharp gaze. Then in a low voice, almost as if he was thinking to himself…
"Fire, huh? Like this?"
And that was when—in an instant the world shook.
---
A heavy whooshing sound echoed throughout the hall. In an instant, the air around Luciel changed drastically. At the tip of his wand, fire appeared… but not just any fire. It wasn't red. It wasn't orange either. But…
Black.
A pitch-black flame, gleaming dark purple at the edges, like a living night flame. It felt like the magic was absorbing the light around it. The room's temperature rose, but not to the point of burning—it was a heat that made my chest tighten and my neck shiver.
The walls of the hall echoed. The magical barrier structure surrounding the arena—a crystal barrier that would normally block high-level magic—trembled violently, and then…
CRACK!!
CRAAAAASSSHH—!!
One of the magic measuring panels exploded, flying back and crashing into the stone wall. Quickly and responsively, the examiner created an instant barrier to protect the students sitting in the front row.
Kuromine Lurie stood up in reflex. "W-Wait… is that elementary magic?!"
Shiromiko Ayaka's eyes widened. "No way… that's not ordinary fire. It feels like—high-class magical fire…!"
Some of the other students let out small screams, others simply froze, staring at the black flames as if they were staring at a power they didn't understand.
---
> [ASSESSMENT SYSTEM: ERROR]
[MAGIC LEVEL NOT DETECTED - MEASUREMENT FAILURE]
[RESONANCE EXCEEDS BASIC MAGIC LIMIT]
---
The examiner standing at the edge of the arena was silent for a moment, his eyes widening. He slowly lowered the cracked and partially charred crystal board. He muttered to himself in astonishment and curiosity.
"…That's not… basic magic. That… can't be magic without summoning. You didn't chant at all. Moreover, it happened in an instant…"
"Who is that brat?".
The examiner immediately ordered the other junior examiners there to report this to the headmaster.
Luciel slowly lowered his ladder and exhaled. The black flames extinguished without a sound. He turned to the instructor, then scratched his head while bowing slightly.
"Eh… that? I was just… trying out basic fire magic, as instructed…"
Some of the students behind began to mutter.
"He… didn't chant anything…!"
"Incantation-less magic? Isn't that a technique that only noble-class magicians and above can use?"
"And the color of the flames… black? I've never seen flames that black…"
"Who exactly is he…?"
Shiromiko Ayaka stared at him without blinking. Something inside her was shaking. Not out of fear. But… like a deep curiosity, as if what she had seen came from a world that a beginner shouldn't touch.
Kuromine Lurie gripped the side of her chair. "Hoshizura Luciel… from a remote village, they say. But black flames… and incantation-less… isn't that amazing?"
"No. It's not that simple." Shiromiko suddenly muttered.
"What do you mean?"
With her hand on her chin as if thinking, Shiromiko explained.
"It's not just a chanting spell. Indeed, chantless spells are a high-class technique. But it is still limited to thought acceleration and activation to cast magic. Anyone can probably do this if they are used to casting magic through will."
"Yes, that's right. Like what I did before. I cast magic through thought, but it still takes about 5 seconds for the magic to come out. But what he did was different. Instantly without any time lag, he cast magic so casually without chanting."
"Eehh...?? Doesn't that mean Luciel is on a different level"
"Maybe"
---
Luciel tilted his head, still not realizing the situation he had caused.
"Eh...? Did I do something strange?"
The examiner finally stepped forward. His voice was trembling, but he still tried to sound calm.
"...What was your name just now?"
Luciel raised his hand hesitantly. "Hoshizura Luciel."
"Where... are you from?"
"Thalrin. A small village in the eastern hills of Fauren. Probably not on the map."
The instructor stared at Luciel deeply, as if trying to read his past through his eyes. Then he turned to the shattered panel, and muttered softly…
"Impossible… a country boy… B-rank noble magic… and without chanting?"
Then, he took a deep breath and spoke to the entire hall.
"...Test complete. Score—cannot be calculated. Sent directly to the main examiner board for special evaluation."
The hall suddenly became noisy with whispers, and even some students began to stand up from their seats, trying to peek closer at Luciel.
"By the way, examiner... What is meant by B-class magic and spells?"
"I don't understand." Luciel suddenly asked.
The examiner averted his gaze and was about to explain.
"Listen carefully"
❖ Magic Level Explanation ❖
> In this world, magic level abilities are divided into five levels of power based on capacity destructive.
> Class D– Elementary: Minor magic with simple spells such as basic elemental magic, basic physical enchancement. Usually taught to children and beginner students. All magicians in this world can use it without exception.
> Class C – Intermediate: Spells used by general students with little training. High-level elemental spells. At least able to destroy buildings. Examples such as those used by Shiromiko and Lurie earlier.
> Class B (Military) – Advanced: Noble class spells. Spells that not only have great destructive capacity, but also affect things beyond the physical. Usually used by examiners, magic teachers and royal guards.
> Class A –: Only higher noble-level magicians and great magicians are able to control this power. Spells at this level can completely manipulate the essence of magic at a higher level. Such as control and destroy all metaphysical things and laws inherent in the world.
> S – Higher realm: Great magicians and holders of the title "Magus" as well as ancient magicians. Magic spells that allows control and destroy all things that are fundamental and comprehensive. Can even replicate reality and override the laws of the world that have been created. Higher levels are capable of destroying worlds depending on the capacity of the layer.
"Is that so?"
"Is there anyone in this academy who has reached class A or S?"
The examiner answered... "All examiners can only use class B spells. But there are some who can even use class A spells. One of them is Kurosaka Aoi".
"Aahh?? Kurosaka Aoi?"..
Luciel was surprised to hear that. He froze and turned his head slowly.
The examiner tilted his head. "Why, do you know her?"
"Ah! N-No! Just... I happened to have heard of her!"
"By the way, thank you for explaining."
Luciel quickly lowered his head, his cheeks twitching.
---
Luciel returned to his seat as if nothing had happened. He sat down next to Lurie and Shiromiko, then let out a small sigh.
"Eh... it was a bit hot earlier, huh?"
Shiromiko looked at him. "Do you know... what you just did?"
Luciel turned his head with a confused face. "Hmm? I just tried out ordinary fire magic... Nothing more."
Lurie looked at Luciel.
"...That spell... It shouldn't be an ordinary spell."
Luciel nodded as he leaned back.
"Well, I don't know. I don't know either. After what happened to me and Shiromiko on the journey, my magic suddenly became stronger"
"Huh? What do you mean what happened? Didn't nothing happen during the journey"
"Ah—you're right. Maybe I was just imagining it."
Luciel turned away awkwardly, realizing what he had just said.
He whispered in his heart, "So the memory wipe worked after all. I'm glad she won't carry that weight..."
"Speaking of that incident, where is that noble magician named Kurosaka Aoi? Isn't he also a magic teacher at this academy?"
---
---
The commotion had yet to subside. The students who witnessed the incident were still unable to close their gaping mouths.
"I... I didn't see things right?"
"He didn't... chant at all."
"Black flames...? That's not even mid-rank magic. That... what was that?"
Some students even started to slowly back away, as if standing near Luciel would burn them spiritually.
In the front row, Rudein Arvendale stared at Luciel with an unreadable expression. His hands clenched tightly under his blue noble robe.
"Tch... What the heck was that. Without a chant? And noble-class flames...?"
His eyes narrowed. Not out of fear, but clearly disturbed.
"Not just imitation. That's... a full manifestation. Is he really from that stupid village?"
In his mind, the duel he had planned earlier was no longer an opportunity to show off his superiority, but something that—for the first time—forced him to recalculate.
"Alright, Hoshizura Luciel. If you think you can beat the descendants of Arvendale just because of a single spark of magic... you'll regret joining the duel later."
"That's fine... let's see who'll cry in the battle later for falling into class D."
Luciel, who had just returned to his seat, stopped when he heard Rudein's sarcastic voice. He turned his head slowly, the corners of his lips slightly raised.
"Eh? Did you say something just now, Rudein?"
Rudein stood up, his hands tucked into his robe pockets, his face showing mockery.
"I'm just warning you. Don't get too proud just because you made a magic measuring device explode. It won't save you from the shame of the duel later."
Luciel shrugged with a feigned confused expression.
"Funny, I don't remember asking for your opinion."
Rudein snorted, now taking a few steps forward, his voice sharper.
"You're just a student from a remote village. No name, no reputation. Even your magic looks like an accident that happened to look great."
Luciel stared straight at him, his flat smile turning into a pressing gaze.
"Interesting. You sound very worried. Afraid of losing your place, huh?"
Small sighs and stifled laughter could be heard from several of the watching students.
Rudein hissed, his voice lower. "No need for a big mouth. I'll make sure you can't make it to the elite class. In the duel later, I'll drag you down."
Luciel didn't respond directly. He walked slowly, passing Rudein without turning around, then answered expressionlessly.
"Go ahead and try. But don't blame anyone if you can't stand up again afterward."
Rudein fell silent. No answer. But his eyes were blazing sharply.
Meanwhile, several other students exchanged glances with each other with expressions of mixed horror, awe, and amusement.
Shiromiko Ayako hadn't looked away from Luciel for a second. Her eyes didn't show the shock of the other students. However, there was something deep behind her calm expression—a small turmoil that disturbed his heartbeat.
"...What exactly did he do?"
Lurie nodded slowly, without answering. But her eyes also narrowed, observing Luciel's body movements. They both knew... that wasn't basic magic.
One of the female students behind them turned around with a trembling voice.
"Eh... Lurie-san, Shiromiko-san... is that kind of magic... possible for a new student to do?"
"...No." Shiromiko answered shortly.
"...It's not a matter of 'new' or 'senior'," Lurie added. "The problem is... the origin of that magic. Ordinary flames can't possibly have that kind of spiritual pressure."
The supervisors now looked even more tense. They exchanged notes that were starting to burn at the edges because of the exploding magic fragments.
One of them whispered, "That magic isn't recorded in the system. There's no pattern, no delay, and it doesn't fall into the category of standard elements."
"It's like ancient magic that hasn't been documented..."
Among the crowd, a short-haired student muttered as she stared at Luciel from afar.
"His name is... Hoshizura Luciel, huh? Is he... a natural magician?"
"What's a natural magician?"
"A rare type... They don't need theory or formal training. Their own bodies act as a catalyst."
"Ah—you're making it up!"
"Not really. Usually they don't realize that their abilities are abnormal. Like... it's not the result of learning, but a direct inheritance from something older than the magic system."
"...Don't joke around. That's just a myth."
However, no one could deny it. Because none of them could explain what they actually saw.
---
And in the distance, an old man in a black robe with a silver emblem stood on the balcony above the academy, watching the whole incident from the beginning. He narrowed his eyes.
"...Hoshizura Luciel, huh? You finally came..."