Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Chapter 47 Magic Academy Exam (5)

William was expecting the youth to be quiet and ignore what he said, but the man actually answered him.

"Please, find someone else," the youth pleaded, his voice trembling. "I-I need these points to get into the school and give my family a better life, please!"

With a quick analysis, William noticed that the youth had simple clothes. He even spotted a hole in the shirt the young man was using it. It was evident that the boy was one of the commoners.

"Are you speaking the truth?" William asked, "I don't want to get the spot of a commoner who really needs it."

"Yes, of course I am! Look, I know where a noble is hiding, so you can get his points!" the commoner blurted out, desperation clinging to his voice.

William exchanged glances with Altair. "I think it's better to target the nobles," Altair said, echoing William's own thoughts. "They have other options, other magic schools, private tutors... For commoners like them, this is their only chance."

"Fine," William agreed. "Where is this noble?"

The commoner's expression brightened slightly. "Actually, there are two of them," he revealed. "I saw them heading towards the waterfall." He gave them detailed directions.

Following the commoner's instructions, William and Altair located the river and the cascading waterfall. Behind the torrent of water, a hidden cave beckoned. They plunged through the icy spray, their hopes high, but the cave was empty. Either the commoner had lied, or the nobles had moved on.

"What do you think?" William asked, his voice laced with disappointment.

"He seemed honest," Altair replied, frowning. "I think they must have left."

Just as they were about to leave the cave, a figure materialized before them. It wasn't another student, but Headmaster Tholfnir himself. His long robes billowed around him, his presence radiating an aura of immense power.

"You two," he boomed, his voice echoing through the cave, "you have accumulated enough points to advance. Remain here. I do not wish for others who are also passing to be unduly disadvantaged. Remember, I require at least half of the participants to succeed. You cannot simply hoard all the points for yourselves."

William's heart sank. He had hoped to impress the headmaster, but it seemed he had done the opposite.

"Do not be discouraged," Tholfnir said, sensing their dismay. "I am issuing the same warning to all those with high scores. I shall see you in a few hours." With a subtle gesture, he cast a teleportation spell, vanishing in a shimmer of light.

"That was scary," Altair admitted, letting out a shaky breath. "I thought we were in trouble."

"Me too," William agreed, his heart still pounding.

Relieved of the pressure to hunt down more students, William and Altair settled into an uneasy truce with the forest. They had secured their place in the next phase, and now all that remained was to wait.

"It's nice to finally relax," Altair sighed, sinking onto a moss-covered rock.

"Definitely," William agreed, stretching out his legs. "Do you know what the next part of the exam will be like?" Though Gorn had briefed him, he wanted to confirm the details.

"I believe it's a tournament," Altair replied. "A series of one-on-one duels. But honestly, I think everyone who made it this far will pass."

"Really?" William asked, surprised.

"Yes," Altair explained. "Considering the number of participants left, they won't cut many more."

Altair estimated that perhaps five more applicants might be eliminated in the next round, but no more than that. The final stage of the exam, the true test of their abilities, loomed on the horizon. That was the challenge William needed to prepare for now.

The remaining hours of the trial passed in a blur of conversation and nervous anticipation. William and Altair discussed their hopes for the future, their dreams of mastering magic within the academy walls.

The trial's end came abruptly, heralded by Tholfnir's booming voice echoing through the forest.

"Return to the academy courtyard, now!"

The remaining participants, along with those who had failed, assembled before the headmaster. As predicted, roughly half had been eliminated. Tholfnir addressed the dejected group, offering words of encouragement before guards escorted them from the grounds.

Those who remained, their rings glowing green, faced the headmaster.

"Congratulations," Tholfnir said, his gaze sweeping across their faces. "You have proven yourselves worthy of continuing. You will stay at the academy tonight, and the next stage of the exam will commence tomorrow morning. I shall show you to your accommodations."

Tholfnir guided them through the sprawling academy grounds, finally arriving at a secluded building tucked away in the northwest corner. It appeared deserted, not due to neglect, but simply because it lacked the bustle of student life.

"These are the dormitories reserved for entrance exam participants," Tholfnir explained. "The regular students reside in other accommodations."

That explained the eerie quiet. Tholfnir assigned rooms at random, William receiving number eleven.

"I'm all the way in room thirty-eight," Altair grumbled. "Damn it, that's miles away."

Separated from his newfound ally, William offered a reassuring smile. "We can talk more tomorrow. See you then."

He entered his assigned room, surprised by its comfortable furnishings. A large bed with a plush mattress dominated the space, accompanied by a sturdy desk, a bookshelf stocked with intriguing titles, a small balcony overlooking the grounds, and a private bathroom.

It exceeded his expectations, and he imagined the rooms for regular students would be even more luxurious. But that was a concern for another day, assuming he passed the remaining trials.

Exhausted from the day's challenges, William simply closed the door, kicked off his boots, and collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep slumber without bothering with dinner or a shower. Those were concerns for the morning.

He awoke hours before the designated wake-up time, a habit ingrained from his training with Gorn. With time to spare, he indulged in a hot shower and set out in search of sustenance. Unfamiliar with the academy layout, he wandered the grounds until he encountered a young girl with round glasses and vibrant green hair, sitting on a bench amidst the gardens.

"Why are you awake so early?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. The morning air was frigid, but she seemed unfazed by the cold.

"I'm hungry," William admitted with a sheepish grin. "The exams are tiring."

"Ah, you're one of the applicants," she realized, her eyes widening slightly. She seemed eager to engage in conversation, but William pressed for the information he needed.

"Do you know where I can find some food?"

"Of course," she replied, pointing towards a grand building in the distance. "Head to the main building, turn left, and keep going straight. You'll find the dining hall there."

"Thank you," William said, offering a grateful nod.

He followed her directions, arriving at a spacious hall filled with long tables and bustling cooks preparing breakfast. At this early hour, only a few other students were present, their voices hushed in the quiet morning air.

William approached one of the cooks, an elderly man with a kind smile. "Excuse me," he asked, "but may I eat here? I'm participating in the entrance exam."

The cook's smile widened. "Of course, young man," he replied. "Grab a plate and help yourself."