#659 Graduation Exam Supplement – Witch Proficiency Test

The graduation exam that recently ended had an additional test imposed on only one part of the students—specifically, the mermaids.

Just like the other two major races in the world—the humans and the demons—mermaids were invited to our farm for an exchange study program. However, they differ slightly in terms of background. 

Mermaid Witch Academia is a prestigious all-girls school in the Mermaid Kingdom.

Some of its students came to the farm as part of their studies.

Unlike the human and demon teens whom the Demon King’s Army entrusted, the mermaids were registered under Mermaid Witch Academy. Therefore, they also need to obtain their graduation qualification from their home academy.

The mermaids passed the interdimensional exam together with their classmates from other races, but they still had to take another exam to obtain their graduation qualification.

But after going through the hellish trials of the pyramid (or should I say, the trials of Hell itself), which they were able to overcome, there was no way they would fail a simple paper test. They all passed without a hitch.

Now, they’re aiming for another stage with a supplementary test.

* * *

“Discus.”

“Yes!”

“Veiltail.”

“Yes!”

“Heckelii.”

“Yes...!”

“Batrachus.”

“Y-Yes!”

Four mermaids step forward as their names are called.

“You four have shown remarkable growth among the mermaids studying on this farm. Your abilities are now on par with first-class potion compounders. That’s why I felt the need to put you through a test befitting of witches,” says my wife, Platy.

She’s a mother of two and has fully embraced this role, but today, she has set aside her maternal side and taken on the ruthless and fierce demeanor of a top-class potion compounder.

“I’m going to give you a test to see if you’re worthy of being called witches.”

...No.

The look on Platy’s face differs from the one she had as a witch who simply boasted about her power. 

Now, she looks like a leader who wants to guide tender individuals while displaying her own strength.

Before she had children, she probably never had such thoughts, so perhaps becoming a mother brought about various changes in Platy’s mindset.

She’s probably thinking the young mermaids before her are someone else’s precious daughter.

“Witch wasn’t always an official title. It’s just what strong and fierce potion compounders are called and feared by those around them. But I want to change that tradition today,” says Platy. “As the Crowned Witch, I will personally assess your qualifications. If you can impress me with your concoctions, I’ll recognize you as witches. You can even call yourselves one!”

“...?!”

Four mermaid girls quiver in front of the great pioneer, Platy.

Discus, Veiltail, Heckelii, and Batrachus weren’t sent to the farm from the Mermaid Witch Academy but had come here on their own. 

They were peculiar girls who were brought along by Angel—Platy’s sister—to challenge her, which ended in their crushing defeat.

Ultimately, they were forced to help at the farm due to a shortage of manpower. 

It’s been years since then. 

They acquired the witches’ technical knowledge by directly assisting the top witches in the mermaid realm. 

They are no longer innocent girls but fully-capable and mature ladies.

They’re supposed to have surpassed the level of a typical potion user long ago. 

Platy recognized their abilities, which probably explains this supplementary trial.

“As expected of the girls I had my eye on! Go get her! Beat up my sister!!!”

Angel cheers them on from the sidelines.

Angel is Platy’s sister and the second princess of the Mermaid Kingdom. 

Wait, now that Arowana has succeeded Mermaid King Nagus, what should she be called?

Royal sister?

Anyway, Angel is also here.

“...Are you not participating in the exam?”

“I’m not! I wasn’t invited!”

Don’t say that with confidence.

“But it’s my duty to support my friends who’ve been working hard! Go, go, go, girls! Slaughter my sister!!!”

She should’ve settled on the farm around the same time as her friends...! 

But let’s put aside her development for now.

The problem is the four people who are about to head into battle.

“The exam method is simple... It’s a battle.”

A most straightforward method.

What is this, a shounen magazine?

“Come at me with all your might. Show me all the knowledge and skills you’ve learned about magic potions, your determination, and your fighting spirit. If you impress me, you can call yourselves witches who terrify all of merfolk!”

“W-We’ll do our utmost best!”

The first to speak up from the four girls is Discus.

“Every day I’ve spent on the farm until today has been like a dream! After all, I received direct guidance from my admired Sis Puffer!”

“I also learned a lot from Master Lampeye, whom I worship like a goddess! I never even imagined such fortune before coming to the farm!”

Next was Veiltail.

Lampeye, the Witch of Hellfire, has now left the farm, but Veiltail admires her the most.

“I learned how much of an average person I am when I came into contact with Master Garra Rufa’s lunacy! But even ordinary people have their own way of life! I’ll show you how to make use of the ounce of madness I inherited from Master Garra Rufa!”

The achievements of a genius are passed down to a prodigy who will use them for society’s benefit.

Heckerlii, who trained under Garra Rufa, the Witch of the Plague, is burning with passion. 

“I-I’ll do my best!”

Lastly, the fourth member, Batrachus, had run out of things to say after the others had pretty much covered everything.

“Hehe... That’s the spirit! That’s why I took a personal interest in all of you...!” Platy laughs boldly.

Perhaps her final-boss-like demeanor is what’s left of her mischievousness from her days as a witch?

“Come! Fight me! I’ll teach you all about the heights of witchcraft you have yet to see!!!”

“Mommy, fightooo.”

“Ahhh! Junior! Norito! Take a good look at Mommy’s valiant figure, okay! I’ll obliterate them all within ten seconds and show that Mommy is the strongestttttt!!!”

As their mother is about to go into battle, I take care of both of our children.

Or maybe Platy planned this battle to show her sons how cool she is...? I hope not.

“Gather ‘round, guys! We need a strategy meeting!”

Meanwhile, Discus and the others are determined to take on the challenge...

“We can’t win against Lady Platy just by fighting her normally, no matter how much we’ve improved! But if we gang up on her four against one, we should have a chance!”

“Agreed! It’s impossible one-on-one, but with four of us, three can distract her while one sneaks up behind her and strike! It’s a doable fight!”

“One for all! All for one!”

They strategize a tragic but brave plan.

Is being able to tolerate such desperation without hesitation a sign of their growth?

“Heeeehehehehe... You guys misunderstand something. Do you think passing the test to become a witch is a piece of cake?”

“HUH?”

“I may be an invincible beauty, but I’m not so arrogant or optimistic as to think I can take on all four of you by myself! Besides, there are other people who want to see your growth.”

So, Platy has invited special guests today.

“Puffer! Lampeye! We’re fighting them together!”

“GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH?!”

The girls let out foul screams as the senior witches they respected and feared appeared.

They used to live and work on the farm, but after getting married, they hadn’t visited for a long time. Today, they have returned to witness how their proteges have grown!

“It’s not a bad idea to visit for this reason. My duties as Mermaid Queen are stuffy, so I need events like this to loosen up once in a while, ya know?”

“Their growth is also beneficial to the Mermaid Kingdom. As the Mermaid Queen, I hope you take your position seriously and look for rare talent for the sake of your nation.”

Beside me are Arowana and Hendra, looking after their children like me.

A fierce fight between three witch moms and promising girls on the brink of becoming full-fledged witches begins!