RotDG Chapter 55: Midterms IV

I only had one more midterm before the week was over, and it was for my class on the Fundamentals of the Arcane. As the basis of all magic, I was already quite familiar with the arcane, so I didn’t struggle with this class at all.

My teacher— a [High Mage] by the name of Edmund— was a tall man who looked to be in his late 20s or early 30s, although considering his Class and Rank, it was very likely that he was older than he looked.

As usual, I tried my best to make a good impression, just like I did with all my classes. And at first, it seemed like he was skeptical of my abilities. But as I continued to excel in his class, he eventually warmed up to me, even stopping to briefly chat with me after each lecture.

Today, however, after I was finished with my written test, he approached me with a grim look on his face. He brought me to the side as he met my gaze.

“Mr Eli, is it true that you have chosen to take Archdeacon Emmett’s accelerated exam?” he asked in a serious voice.

I nodded back at him with a polite smile. “That is correct, [High Mage] Edmund. I’m surprised word of it has spread even amongst the staff members of the school.”

“That is because it is not something that has ever happened before,” Edmund said, shaking his head. “While I understand that you are quite… keen to prove yourself to the faculty. After all, I, myself, was doubtful of your capabilities before your enrollment here into the Holy Academy. But I must advise you against doing this.”

I tilted my head as the [High Mage] explained, pursing his lips.

“Whether it’s to become a Divine Scholar, or to be The Headmaster’s Honored, it’s not worth the risk. I should not tell you this, but right now, you are already very much considered to become the former. And the latter… well, you are certainly a candidate, amongst this year’s batch of students. But if you fail this accelerated exam, you will not reach either of those goals.”

My eyes flickered when I heard that. Before even planning to enroll into the Holy Academy, the Archnecromancer Zerek, a former student of the school, had told me about both becoming a Divine Scholar and The Headmaster’s Honored, since they were some of the greatest achievements that students could attain, which came with many benefits.

However, they differed slightly, since a Divine Scholar was a part of an elite group of students who were carefully chosen midway through the year. Meanwhile, the Title of The Headmaster’s Honored was awarded to a single student every single year. 

Apparently, Zerek had been awarded that Title twice in a row. So it was a Title that could be given to any student, whether they were an Initiate or a Disciple.

Nevertheless, while joining the Divine Scholars and becoming The Headmaster’s Honored at least once was a goal of mine, that was not the reason behind my decision to take part in Archdeacon Emmett’s accelerated exam.

So I just raised a placating hand as I spoke reassuringly. “Don’t worry, [High Mage] Edmund. I’ve made adequate preparations to pass this accelerated exam.”

“But—” Edmund started.

And I cut him off as I drew back, waving a hand off dismissively, “Besides, even if I don’t make either this year, I’ll always have next year.”

Edmund hesitated, before nodding as he bowed his head. “Very well, I can only wish that the Goddess will bless you with her guiding light.”

***

While I understood everyone’s concerns for me, it was not like I was going in unprepared. Yes, it was hard to make preparations for something so last-minute. But I had my connections, and I used them to give me as much of an advantage as possible.

“This is everything you asked for, [Healer] Eli,” Sister Frida said as she handed me a Bag of Holding in my room.

I looked through it, eyeing the numerous glistening objects within the bag. I was only allowed to bring three artifacts and five potions into the exam with me— and none of them could exceed E-grade. Since the Bag of Holding counted as an artifact, that was already one out of the three I was allowed to bring into the exam.

The other two which I was bringing were a Scroll of Frostwind, and a Lightningsmasher Mace. These were all E-grade artifacts which would not have been relatively expensive for me to acquire on my own. But thanks to my friendship with the Luna Gez Sect, I received them all for free. 

The same went for the potions.

I was given an Potion of Weaker Speed, a Potion of Lesser Lightning Resistance, a Potion of Lesser Ice Resistance, and two stamina potions. It was everything I was going to need to win my battle against the greater spirit I was going to be going up against.

I turned towards Sister Frida and nodded at her gratefully. “Thank you.”

“If there’s anything else you need, just request it,” she said as she bowed back at me. “I will do my utmost best to deliver it to you before your exam.”

“I think I’ll be fine with this.” I sealed the Bag of Holding shut as I spoke. “I know you’re probably concerned, just like everyone else, but I’ll be fine.”

But Frida shook her head at me as she smiled. “On the contrary, [Healer] Eli, I am certain that you will succeed with ease.”

I blinked when I heard that, before remembering, Oh right, she thinks I’m the next [Hero]...

Well, at the very least, someone believed in me. Even if it was not for the right reasons, I was going to take it. I was getting tired of hearing everyone warn me against what I was going to do.

Because I had a reason for it, even if I couldn’t share it with anyone else.

For me, doing this was necessary.

***

And the day of the accelerated exam came. It was held in the middle of a small arena with rows of seats surrounding it for an audience to watch. My classmates who were in my summoning class were all gathered here to watch me give them a first ever live demonstration of what it was like to summon and tame a spirit.

I stood before a ritual circle that Archdeacon Emmett had drawn for me. He inspected it one last time, before drawing back and placing a hand on my shoulder.

“Remember, you will have to pour enough mana into it to fill the runes,” he said as he nodded at me. “Otherwise, the ritual will fail.” 

“Got it, thanks for the advice.” I smiled at him back in response.

He drew away from the arena as a magical domed barrier flickered into existence, separating me from the rest of the world. Now, it was only me, the ritual circle, and soon, the spirit I summoned.

I swept my gaze over my classmates, seeing Julie and Cecil sitting towards the front of the audience, concerned looks on their faces. Prince Claudius say further back with his two goons next to him— while they weren’t grinning, they looked like they were hoping I would fail this test.

I just ignored them and turned my attention back to the ritual circle. Taking in a deep breath, I dropped to a knee and placed a hand onto the ground.

A blue light began to fill the runes of the ritual circle as I exhaled slowly. As Archdeacon Emmett said, if I didn’t pour enough mana into the ritual, it was going to fail. But he didn’t mention what would happen if I did the opposite— because why would I do that?

It would be utterly ridiculous. It would make this test only harder for me. It might even risk my life.

However, that was what I did anyway.

The runes in the ritual circle filled with a bright blue light, before they began to sizzle with blue sparks. It was overflowing with mana. Just as I intended.

And much to the surprise of my audience.

A susurration washed over the watching crowd as I focused, trying not to pour too much mana into the spell circle. Because if I accidentally summoned an archspirit, I would not survive, unless I had access to my death magic abilities in this battle.

But with everyone watching… I would never risk doing that. So I just had to make sure I summoned a greater spirit and nothing more.

As the spell circle shone brighter, and a rift began to appear in space, Archdeacon Emmett realized what was going on. He stepped forward as he called out through the barrier.

“Eli, what are you doing—” 

But I ignored his muffled voice. Instead, I continued to pour out more and more of my mana into the ritual circle, focusing on summoning the type of spirit that I wanted.

Most people thought that spirit summoning— well, demon summoning, in my past life’s case— was like playing the lottery. That it was completely random.

But I knew that wasn’t the case. That I could influence what I summoned as long as I knew what I wanted to summon, calling for it with my soul. 

And I knew what I wanted to summon. I knew exactly what I wanted to tame.

It was a spirit I had seen in battle before— that had impressed me with its strength and tenacity. Which was why it was perfect for what I needed right now.

The spell circle flashed brighter, before a giant metallic arm began to reach out of the portal. My lips curled up at the sight, while gasps resounded all around me. The watching audience gaped in shock. Except for Prince Claudius and his goons. They leaned forward excitedly, seeing this.

Archdeacon Emmett desperately turned to the [Mages] in charge of the barrier in the arena. “Turn it off—” he started.

But I raised a hand, cutting him off. “No, don’t stop this.”

He paused— and even the [Mages] who were upkeeping the barrier exchanged quizzical glances. Cecil, Julie, and the rest of my class stared at me as I turned to face the archdeacon.

“This is exactly what I want. So just let me deal with it, alright?” I said casually as I strode forward.

All the while, the armored figure continued to pull itself out of the portal. It was shaped like a knight, but its armor was rusted, despite its ethereal appearance. The connecting plates of its armor glimmered with a blue light, and a pair of blue flames burned beneath its visor. It took a heavy step forward as it towered over me, standing at nearly ten feet tall.

I stared at this behemoth that was my enemy as the portal closed behind it.

“That’s—” Archdeacon Emmett just stared in shock. “A greater spirit…”

“It’s not just any ordinary greater spirit,” I said, correcting him as I gave him a sidelong glance. “Greater spirits range in strength from Gold to Sapphire. And this greater spirit is a spectral sentinel.”

I looked back towards the spectral sentinel as it towered over me, facing me with a piercing gaze. I just smiled as I spread my arms wide.

“Which means… it’s a Platinum Rank threat.”

And right as the words left my mouth, the spectral sentinel moved. It charged forward, creating a giant blade of blue flames behind its back as I braced myself for its approach.

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