The Obsessive Regressor of The Academy

15. Entrance Exam

Three weeks had already passed since the New Year’s dawn.

Winter still held the season in its grip. Yet, the biting cold of before had long since retreated. Though even at its harshest, the deep freeze was barely noticeable in Wiheim, it had nonetheless been winter’s due.

However, the chill lingered, the sky now shedding snow instead of rain. The city’s systems could halt the snow, or rain, but unless it grew excessive, a certain amount was permitted, allowed to craft an atmosphere.

Such was today. Snow, light enough not to accumulate, drifted through the streets. Asel briefly watched it, then turned his gaze back to the desk.

Upon it rested a letter. Delivered by Norium, courtesy of the Academy. Its contents announced the Academy’s entrance exam, set to begin in three weeks, and specified its location. Asel confirmed the enclosed map, then settled onto the edge of his bed.

‘The Academy’s southern forest, is it?’

Luminous Academy resided in the Empire’s southwest. It commanded its own territory, vast enough to easily dwarf a sizable city. Not for naught was the Academy known as an educational city.

The crux of the matter was the considerable distance between the Empire, where the Academy stood, and Wiheim. Even upon reaching the Empire, several days would be required to reach the Academy itself.

Wiheim and the Academy were supposedly on good terms. He’d certainly heard they were friendly, yet their physical distance spoke of something far from camaraderie, closer to enmity. At this distance, they were virtually strangers. Even by carriage, it would likely take at least two weeks. Perhaps longer.

‘To minimize variables, departing tomorrow is the prudent choice.’

Asel crossed his arms, leaning back and sinking into thought.

If only he could transform his body into lightning, as Ena did, all would be simple. It was a regret that he hadn’t yet reached such heights.

In the end, he would have to hire a coachman and travel the roads. But along the way, bandits might lie in wait, or the roads might be broken, forcing detours. In that case, much more time than anticipated would be spent.

Ultimately, only one solution remained.

‘Yes, beg forgiveness and just leave tomorrow.’

An abrupt decision, but there was no other recourse. He simply had to depart as soon as possible. With that thought, Asel rose to inform Ena.

Just then, something flew and tapped against the window.

Tap, tap.

“?”

Turning his head, he saw a winged metal bird perched outside, pecking at the glass with its beak. A marvel of magical engineering used to deliver messages in Wiheim, though this was Asel’s first time seeing one firsthand. The Academy’s letter had been given to him by Evelyn upon his return from an outing, after all.

‘Well-made.’

Asel narrowed his eyes, studying the metal bird.

Power was supplied via a magical energy drive, the overall frame and tendons crafted from metal with high magical conductivity. To allow it to think for itself, an autonomous enchantment had been placed where the brain should be, and the wings had some wind magic embedded in them to reduce air resistance.

Such a design would evenly distribute the magic flowing through its entire body, allowing it to fly more quickly and accurately. Asel mused as he watched the mechanical messenger. But the bird seemed to interpret his curious gaze differently, trembling and alternating between looking at the sky and the window.

It seemed terrified, as if afraid he was about to dissect it. Asel, astonished that the metal bird was capable of such imaginings, opened the window. The messenger bird gingerly crept into the room, opened its belly, and retrieved a letter from within.

Examining the exterior, he could see the word “Norium” scrawled on the front, and the feeling of magic from the bird felt similar to his. Asel tore open the envelope and stroked the cold metal head of the messenger bird, then spoke,

“Thank you.”

[Beep!]

The messenger bird made a cute noise and nodded, then beat its wings powerfully and flew into the sky. Asel closed the window, sat in a chair, and read the letter.

[Asel, the date of the Academy entrance exam has been set. I have already sent a letter to your side, so you know, but I wanted to reiterate it just in case. You remembered, didn’t you? I trust that you did. If you are having thoughts like “I’m entering through recommendation, so why do I have to take an entrance exam?” then I would like to say that we have to rank the test takers and check to see if we were sent a strange one to enroll. Please indulge us.]

[Anyway. I already sent the letter, but the reason I’m sending another is because I forgot to tell you this. My memory’s getting hazy as I get older. Even a wizard can’t escape the flow of time, it seems.]

Balderdash. Reaching the pinnacle of Archmage extends one’s lifespan exponentially. Not immortality, but near-agelessness is within reach.

Besides, one can alter their appearance as desired, so what consequence does aging hold? They can only revert to their younger or older selves, but it’s still a departure from the relentless march of time.

Norium’s elderly visage was purely his choice. Moreover, his mind was likely far sharper than in his youth.

Still, the fact that he forgot was likely true. That spared no one, wizard or commoner.

Asel continued to read the letter.

[Enough with the preamble, let me get to the point. I suspect you were quite startled by the date and location of the entrance exam in the letter, but do not worry. I will open a spatial tear for you on the day of the exam. That is why I’m writing this. And just in case, there’s no need to reply to this letter.]

“Ah.”

He exclaimed, impressed by the contents.

If the Guild Master of the League personally ripped space to connect the coordinates, there was no need to depart by carriage tomorrow. He could relax until the day of without much issue. Asel nodded and carefully folded the letter, storing it in a drawer.

It said there was no need to reply, so there seemed little point in wasting time to express his gratitude. He could convey it in person on the day.

‘Plans entirely scrapped then. For the time being, let’s focus solely on magical research.’

Asel thought, retrieving a book he’d placed in the bookshelf.

Three weeks remained. He had to refine several high-level spells he hadn’t quite mastered, and he needed to conduct research on revising the foundational spell, ‘Lightning Barrier,’ into a greater diversity of forms. As Ena had said, creating new magic required starting with the revision of the most basic spells, so that should be achieved first.

‘I should also refresh my grasp of fire magic, which I haven’t practiced in days.’

Beyond that, he planned to learn how to weave a delicate barrier over his skin and to familiarize himself with circuits suited for using different types of magic.

He had much to do. He wasn’t particularly free.

And so, without hesitation, he immediately began his research. He repeatedly drew and erased formulas on paper, simulating the flow, fluidity, repulsion, expansion, compression, and decomposition of mana. He accumulated data by casting spells directly and repeatedly failing.

It was not research that would conclude in a single day. Asel only ended his research for the day at dawn, and before sunrise the next day, he rose and resumed his research.

That routine continued for three weeks.

*

Tired.

Asel thought, pressing on his throbbing temples.

Looking in the mirror, his already sharp features appeared even more so than usual. Dark circles were heavily etched beneath his eyes. He clicked his tongue in displeasure and left the room.

He’d pushed himself too hard because it seemed like the experiment would yield results, and he ended up pulling an all-nighter. He did achieve a satisfactory result, but it was undeniably taxing. He’d drastically reduced his sleep for nearly three weeks and then pulled an all-nighter, so it was only natural.

“You pulled another all-nighter?”

Descending to the dining room, Evelyn, who was setting the table, asked with a stern expression. Asel gave a wry smile as he sat down.

“I can manage.”

“Honestly. Couldn’t you restrain yourself today of all days! It’s an important day!”

“That’s right, Asel the idiot probably doesn’t even know what today is.”

Haley, setting down the breakfast, spoke with a playful lilt.

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what day it is.” It was a fact that Asel knew better than anyone.

“It’s the Academy entrance exam. I’m well aware.”

“And yet, you pulled an all-nighter?”

“My apologies.”

With no excuse to offer, Asel readily apologized. Evelyn, hands on her hips, humming a disapproving tune, plopped down beside Asel. Haley, finding a vacant spot as well, began twirling the knife in her hand with practiced ease.

“Our little brother. Why can’t you take care of yourself? Do I have to do everything for you?”

“It’s just this once, just this once. No need to make a fuss.”

“That’s what you said last time, and you emerged from your research two days later looking like a corpse.”

Nothing to say to that.

Asel cleanly ignored Evelyn’s words and took a drink of water. To be caught up in an unwinnable argument was the sort of thing a third-rate mage would do.

“The water tastes good.”

“Don’t ignore me!”

Evelyn, pouting her lips, poked Asel’s side with a finger.

“Ouch. Ouch.”

Asel willingly endured the attack. Not long after, Ena, still in her sleepwear, appeared in the dining room, rubbing her eyes. Asel rose slightly from his seat to greet her. “The other two are already up, Ena-nim,” he said, bowing his waist.

“Have you risen, Master.”

“…Mmm.”

Ena replied in a voice thick with sleep, then narrowed her eyes at Asel’s appearance.

“Stayed up all night?”

“…It just happened. Haha.”

“You’re laughing.”

“…”

Asel fell silent. Ena sighed deeply and took a seat.

“Staying up all night on the day of the exam. What about your condition?”

“I’m alright. It’s not the first time I’ve been awake all day.”

“Is that something to brag about?”

“…”

“Haa… There’s a potion to get rid of fatigue, so drink that before you go. I’ll also gather a few items you’ll need for the exam.”

“Thank you.”

Acel bowed his head, speaking softly. Ena, regarding him with a displeased look, soon picked up her spoon and began to eat. The other three followed suit, each consuming their breakfast in silence.

After the meal, Acel, carrying a pack of modest size, made his way to Ena’s room. She retrieved several vials of medicine stored away in a chest and handed them to him.

“Drink the yellow one first. It’s a stimulant.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Acel downed the yellow liquid from the vial without hesitation. The effect was immediate. His slightly muddled mind cleared, and his heavy eyelids felt lighter. Ena watched him, amused by his impressed reaction, as she explained the remaining medicines she had packed.

“I don’t know how this exam will be structured, but there’s bound to be combat. So, I’ve brought along some things to help you with that.”

“What do they do?”

“Each one is a nerve stabilizer, a mana amplifier, an instant healing potion, a mana regeneration potion, a local anesthetic, a pain reliever, and a hemostatic agent. I only chose the most useful, so they should be potent enough.”

Ena stated with confidence. Acel looked at the medicines in his hand with a dubious expression.

…*Wouldn’t bringing these be considered cheating?* Even so, he placed the vials in his pack. If it turned out to be against the rules, he could simply return them at the site. There was no penalty for having them.

“Thank you, Teacher. I’ll be sure to pass the exam.”

Acel said, carefully arranging the vials to prevent breakage. Ena, as if dismissing his words, pointed to a box sitting in the corner of the room.

“There’s still more to give you.”

“Pardon? More?”

“Yes. A mana augmentation ring, a cloaking pendant, a lucky charm, a mana recovery amplification ring, a heating device, a disorienting bomb, a mana flow control device, an external mana power source. And there’s more than just that. Take it all.”

“…Isn’t that a bit much? I’m not going to war.”

“You might need them. Take them.”

Ena’s attitude was firm. In the end, Acel could only head towards the Federation after equipping himself with every artifact Ena offered.

The ten rings on his fingers and the various necklaces around his neck jingled with every movement. The spectacles, which he was wearing for the first time, were incredibly uncomfortable.

He arrived at the Federation in that state. Thanks to Norium’s advance notice, the path to the Guildmaster’s audience chamber was straightforward.

Arriving at the audience chamber along with the entire household, he knocked on the door. A welcoming voice came from the other side.

-Come in.

“Excuse me.”

Acel slowly opened the door and entered the audience chamber. Norium, who was preparing tea, met his gaze, along with the others in attendance. Acel immediately bowed, greeting him.

“Good morning, Guildmaster.”

“Yes, yes. A good morning indeed. Come, sit down… Wait a moment.”

Norium’s voice, which had been cheerful, turned cold. He noticed the numerous artifacts adorning Acel’s body and let out a chuckle of disbelief.

“Are you off to war, son?”

“That’s what I’d like to know.”

Acel replied with a frustrated look on his face.