A mage? A spell engineer!

Chapter 3 Examination for Becoming a Mage

The Imperial Royal Magic Academy, established at Diane Castle, a residence sponsored by Duke Wilhelm von Imann Jr., and also funded by His Majesty the Emperor and the Imperial Diet, is located in the Queen's District of the capital.

Today, its open-air courtyard has been transformed into a special examination room to welcome the formal Dharma Master certification exam.

The magic guilds that dominate the entire continent of Ferroren divide mages into nine ranks. Those who pass the exam are not only registered as official spellcasters by the Empire, but are also recognized by the guilds as first-rank mages who are accepted throughout the continent.

The assessment requires apprentices to select their three best-practiced spells from a list of basic spells. Each basic spell on the list has a pre-defined assessment method and quantifiable criteria. Each spell has two attempts, and an apprentice must pass all criteria to pass.

Completing the three spells according to quantifiable targets was neither easy nor particularly difficult for a four-year apprentice in the Empire. In addition to teaching general theory courses, the academy's teachers also mentored about ten apprentices, teaching them practical skills. The apprentices, in turn, assisted the teachers with magical experiments and instruction. Under normal circumstances, apprentices would master 5-8 basic spells within four years.

To Rorschach's dismay, the original Rorschach was a fireball maniac. Besides mastering the magical theory he had learned, he devoted most of his energy to mastering fireballs, only hastily learning the relatively simpler water-making and basic decomposition spells to pass the exam. While others dreaded the spellcaster theory exam with its numerous subjects, many points, and difficult questions, the original Rorschach was the opposite.

"This guy is definitely up to something big. My time travel has truly contributed to building a harmonious campus!"

After a moment of reflection, Rorschach headed towards the testing center for his exam. The silver sheet in his hand was engraved with a magical circuit; it would emit a blue light when he reached the section he was registering for.

First is the basic decomposition technique, which is a popular choice for apprentices, as it is arguably the simplest technique.

Next to the examiner were neatly stacked square stones, all roughly the same size, about the size of a fist, which Rorschach could see were all limestone.

"Once you're ready, you can begin. Please dismantle this stone without touching it. If you accidentally dismantle other items, the spell will be considered a failure."

A magical light flashed across the stone, and the stone quickly crumbled.

The examiner first checked the table for any magical damage, and after confirming there was none, he gently raised his right hand.

Luo Xia watched as the examiner used a mage's hand to transfer the stone fragments to a coarse metal sieve, shook them off, and then weighed the sieve along with them.

The examiner carefully read the scale and read aloud: "A fragment with a particle size greater than 3 centimeters has a mass less than one-third of the original stone."

After taking notes, the deputy signaled to Luo Xia: "Congratulations, you have passed this test."

"Thanks."

Next up is Fireball.

Not many people apply for the Fireball spell, but the sound and light effects are absolutely remarkable. Passing through the soundproof array to enter the testing area, the explosive sound of the previous examinee's attack still assaulted Rorschach's eardrums.

boom

The examiner instructed the apprentice to launch fireballs at a huge black iron block, which was also equipped with guide rails underneath.

After the bombardment ended, the assistant, disregarding the heat, quickly pulled out a color card and compared it with the center of the iron block that had been hit. Then, he read the scale markings on the iron block as it moved on the guide rail.

"Temperature level 14, momentum level 12!"

With both indicators at the maximum level of 15, the examiner was taken aback. "Your fireball spell is very good, very good." He added, "With this score, the Imperial Army would welcome you to become a special forces mage."

Measuring the temperature of a fireball by the red-hot metal and its kinetic energy by the displacement of an iron block are indeed good methods for measuring power. Wait a minute, why does this exam seem so scientific?

"Thank you." Without a moment's pride in the fireball examiner's praise, Rorschach's next challenge was water magic!

This is the moment to test his newly created magic, a crucial moment that will determine his fate.

The test method for water-making magic involves condensing a water sphere of a specified volume within a specified time. In Rorschach's familiar terms, this means requiring the water-making magic to achieve a certain flow rate.

The measuring tool was a brass balance about half a person's height, with weights on one side and a large glass cup on the other, estimated to have a capacity of one liter.

The examiner for the project was Rorschach's mentor, and also Caroline, the instructor who taught them the course "Space, Time, and Astrology." Caroline seemed to be somewhere between a young girl and a woman, with a braid draped to one side of her chest, possessing both vitality and mature charm, which Rorschach liked very much.

"Give me a signal when you're ready, and I'll start the timer after I count to three."

"Okay, please begin."

"Three, two, one!" The examiner pressed the button on the exquisite pocket watch to start the countdown.

Caroline was paying attention to this student. She had instructed Rorschach in practical magic and knew that he wasn't good at water magic. She couldn't help but be concerned, but she was relieved to see that Rorschach's expression was very calm.

Then Caroline was not relieved, but surprised.

Rorschach inverted the vector cup, abandoning the water-generating magic and beginning to spray violently. Under Professor Caroline's incredulous observation, the scales quickly tilted and balanced after the vector cup was filled.

"Ding!" It turns out that the balance makes a crisp sound when the measuring cup and weights are balanced.

"The water is clear and transparent, and the time taken is 3.35 seconds. You pass the test!" Caroline looked at it for a while longer. "Rorschach, I was worried that you were just a dullard who could only recite books and cast fireballs. Congratulations, Mage Rorschach."

"I might have been a fool in the past, but I'm not anymore. Thank you, Professor Caroline." Rorschach bowed and left the courtyard.

Caroline watched Rorschach's departing figure thoughtfully.

……

"How is it?"

"Passed on the first try."

"pass."

"Great, great!" Bart was still very excited after they reunited—he would enter this state when he was taking an exam or casting a spell, like a rooster that had just crowed.

"To celebrate the three outstanding young men of the Empire officially embarking on the path of magic, I have the honor of inviting two of them to lunch at the Moonlight Lake Restaurant. What do you gentlemen say?"

Bart exaggeratedly imitated the aristocratic manner of making jokes, and even bowed to Rorschach and Richard with one hand on his chest and the other outstretched.

"OK."

Unexpectedly, Richard earnestly returned Bart's hand, saying, "Richard, it is an honor to accept your invitation."

Bart laughed heartily, "Don't do that, it makes me uncomfortable!"

There is a large woodland surrounding the college, and beyond the sparse woods lies the bustling city of Queens.

Moonlight Lake Restaurant is a popular spot frequented by both teachers and students, making it practically an off-campus canteen. However, it's too expensive for Rorschach, and he can only afford to eat there when he's with Bart and Richard.

The bright hall was filled with the sound of elven harps. The floor was inlaid with polished light and dark blue stones, and the ceiling was a starry sky. Combined with the soft lighting of the magical lamps, it perfectly matched the name Moonlight Lake. Rorschach looked around and saw many apprentices wearing the academy's insignia.

(End of this chapter)