Chapter 2: The Exam Truly Begins
Riné stood aloof as he looked around at the opposing Notus approaching slowly.
The spectators in the stands were left in awe as their attention turned toward the section where Riné was taking the exam by storm.
"This guy's trying to go for Sophis?!"
"Wait that's a guy?"
The chairwoman and even the headmaster, concealed in shadows in his private spectating lounge, turned their eyes toward the section with confusion as they whispered to their aides, asking for information on the examinee.
'Perhaps Ive overdone it. The mission stated
Never having been in a school setting formally his sense of normalcy was skewed after all his childhood as a noble was ripped out of his hands the second he was placed into a national soldier corps…no it was even before that however he loathed his past so to forget he never thought back. His entire point of being here was a mission requested specifically to have Riné Verocai by an unknown employer and Riné took it without a choice. Honesty it benefited him in several ways. He got to escape his home sweet home and has given a chance to perhaps experience a new life even for a bit except now he's a foreign agent in the Daelk Empire from the Kapsuet Dominion attempting to compromise their education system. Not the greatest situation to consider.
'Master if you were here-what would you do…?'
Feeling his chest Riné alleviated some of the pressure recalling his mentor whom he owed his life to as Riné locked in to the situation at hand as the Notus Brute raised its hulking spear to crush Riné side stepped as mana bolts struck the chest of the brute stunning it.
"You really didn't leave us any time to prepare for that-but dont think we'll leave you to take the credit all for yourself!"
Kairi smiled nervously as he wiped a dribble of sweat from his cheek. The puzzle he solved gave him a choice of three different abilities
1. Increase Troop Speed
2. Grant Weaponry
3. Magician Factory
Thinking quick he selected option three as one of the clock soldiers promoted to magician began casting to support Riné from a distance as their teammate the purple-haired commander promoted ten of their fifty troops to magicians as backline.
"Support the Vanguard with an arrow formation! Mages hold the brute down and you lightning boy! Take out the hooded one!"
The ally clockwork soldiers created a forward offensive moving forward at a mild pace reaching the enemy Notus's line of corpses as they. Their movement forward caused isolation between the Notus as they were quickly picked off by the ally soldiers and a few by the plain sentinel as he struggled holding his own with a broadsword against a few Notus biting off more than he could chew. Riné moved forward after a breath of contemplation before drawing mana from his chest into his body as he sprinted into a Notus snapping their arm and using the other as a hold lifted them and used them as a shield slamming forward into the army as he aimed to escape to the side. Heading straight into the center of the army was simply a death sentence for solo combatants unless you were that strong but Riné's strength was explosive using it all once was a foolish idea both toward his mana supply and stamina. It was better to go for short bursts to create opportunities and use them at any openings just now the opening created from his horizontal lightning slash opened a path for the army to pick off stragglers now Riné aimed to make it out and go for another burst.
Fortunately, the Notus at this level were unable to stop the escape as Riné burst from the sides as they threw off the Notus body shield onto the ground they grabbed their saber and slashed the neck making its movement stop as he took a second to turn towards the Notus. The brute was being bombarded by the mages however still took down a few ally soldiers while the hooded Notus had a group around it acting as a guard at the back of the army.
Kairi moved to the side of the commander as he looked down at his tablet. A logic puzzle this time over the imaginary supplies of the war and shippers was flowing in his mind as in his mind two circles of bright mana revolved around a bright light blue core. This would be the equivalent of a college-level logic puzzle asked as examples for high-level colleges.
"Give me a couple of minutes to crack this but in the meantime support Azure over there with a mage!"
Beads of sweat were beginning to appear as these questions weren't for the faint of heart and the temptation to take a second to read your mind seemed sweeter than ever however seeing a powerful teammate meant he had to pull his weight or be left behind. He wasn't alone in this as the commander and the plain vanguard felt relieved and mortified each respectively. A strong ally mwant they wouldn't be embarrassing themselves while also figuring out a way to shine some light on themselves.
"By 'Azure' I believe I can tell who youre referring to but since you asked so kindly I'l-oblige!"
One of the magician clockwork soldiers with an oversized pointy wizard hat over its head left the firing line toward Riné's position.
"Whoa… this thing has a mic!"
The magician soldier held its hand as the commander's voice spoke through. Riné turned his head before sprinting forward not meaning to waste a second of the split-up Notus and their forward.
"Ahem walk and talk will do! How many of those did you get in you?"
The soldier making a sprint not able to catch up to Riné could only keep some audio at a distance as Riné began to estimate in his head. Since he was a Seeker his mana supply was larger than a mage's or sentinel which meant he could do a solid twenty or so however knowing this was the beginning he wanted to finish quickly.
"More than a dozen before I get to a moderately risky position."
"This is complete conjecture but my intuition is bursting through right now. Clear a path to take the head of the leader and we'll easily clear this with possibly a reward."
The commander's speculation was founded in fact that the Notus were units similar to a game of chips in gambling where the winner takes the pot. Taking out the leader possibly meant their army was for the taking. This was an insane gamble seeing as carelessly aiming for the leader in the middle of the battlefield has to be done as a coordinated attack not a Hail Mary as it holds a high chance of failing and blowing up in your face.
The commander waved the tablet pretending it was a fan as if he were a general strategist as he contemplated his efforts.
'I need to establish my ability here and while I could rely on that lightning mage I'd simply be seen as a toddler commanding a pitbull. Not really doing the legwork. I can't bully logistics here into submission as they'll ally with the vanguard but the odd one out here could be useful.'
Swiping orders on the tablet the commander proceeded to continue ordering the ally clockwork soldiers as they sent a message to the logistics magician Kairi.
"What's your ETA?"
Kairi was scratching his head straining his eyes calculating and plotting the question with great difficulty.
"Er..? Give me five minutes..!"
The commander shook his head in dissatisfaction. Too long!
"When you're done give me the options of upgrades I'd rather we make an agreement than act willy nilly especially if there's the chance we face other examinees or instructors."
Kairi contemplated before relenting as he saw it as rational and making a decision quickly to focus back on the problem gave an affirmation as Riné moved with the mage reaching the backline.
"Here should be close enough."
Planting a foot into the ground mana gathered in Riné's saber creating a lightning stream across its edge along with moving throughout his body causing sparks to burst from his movement.
"Lightning Magic: Specter Charge"
"To tell you the truth my specialty isn't power. It's speed."
Flashing forward rapidly the saber extended forward toward a group of Notus in the flank. The group of soldier Notus around the hooded Notus went into guard as the Hooded Notus turned toward Riné. Raising the clock hour hand of its body mana began to form into a circle as Riné moved forward toward intercept before it could finish charging.
The Notus guards stepped in front forming a wall as Riné used the same move from prior to cleave down the guards however something was different this time.
His attack was slowly diminishing in power!
'Damn, so the leader is a cast type magician."
Magicians were categorized into three different types. Construct, Form, Cast. Construct magicians create larger constructions and have the ability to create engravings and mana circles into objects and affect the world physically long term. Form magicians create wide equations and circuits that allow for large outputs and new effects. The perfect example would be the Archmagician of the Hernin Empire whose skill in creating mana circuits allowed him as an Adjudicant Stage mage kill an Emperor Stage mage and establish him as a True Emperor stage mage in the eyes of many. Riné personally considers himself a fan of his compared to the Sword Saint who are both in the same category and empire. His master is also a magician!
However, the cast type magician is the type Riné loathes the most. The cast magicians are the most ancient type in terms of their history and abilities to manipulate phenomena directly with mana. Using hexes, illusions, and support skills they can be an insane nuisance!
"Tch. Magician canceled out the hex!"
Bringing down the saber it was still holding a great deal of power backed by the explosive nature of lightning magic however it was decreased a great deal.
'This must be the counter to single strong examinees. I can't expect this to be a one-time issue.'
Ruffling hair hour similar to pouting Riné took a second before charging all his mana into a single point in the handle of the saber. Taking a deep breathe he readied himself to clear the clockwork soldiers in front of him
"Lightning Magic: Voltage Increase."
"Imperial Saber Style: Officer Hunt."
Four Notus charged forward. The leading one leaped forward as they turned their hand into a spear. Riné side-stepped before slamming the blade edge on the offensive side of the spear as it slid off Riné used its movement to throw the Notus to the ground.
"One."
In an instant, the saber cleaved the head of the charging Notus, and before they hit the ground their head fell first.
The second and third held their arms out as mana charged Riné held the saber as shrapnel fired as mana orbs at a rapid pace Riné swung forward bloacking the shots before pointing the saber at one.
"Two."
Lightning shot out from the saber as a bolt of lightning struck the Notus it convulsed before falling as black smoke came from within its body.
"Three."
The Notus ran away from Riné to fall back and protect the hooded leader before the saber's edge protruded from its head sparking. Riné threw his saber!
"Lastly four."
The Notus stood next to the leader with a sword protracted from its arm.
"I didn't expect a special Notus to be hiding here. Forward!"
Grabbing the saber from out of the fallen Notus Riné went forward clashing with the Guard Notus. The strength of the guard wasn't to be expected however with the hex from the leader Riné had to blast more mana through his body before pushing back the guard. The guard took a firm step before lifting the other leg, and Riné stopped before the guard's blade almost cut open his face. The guard began to spin one leg extending the blade out similar to a spinning top!
Riné held their saber forward as it made contact with the spinning attack it was too difficult to end the spin sending the saber pointing toward the sky and almost thrown from their hands.
"Not bad however the move is useless without-"
Riné sent lightning down his foot as he slammed down with an axe kick onto the ground splitting the area beneath the guard as it toppled over.
"A axis to revolve on!"
The guard was unable to react in time as a communication spoke to Riné.
"Ive cracked the hex it should be off now!"
Riné held the saber once again.
"Four."
Riné finished the fight quickly before approaching the leader Notus who wore a hood before realizing something was off.
'Where's the noise of fighting?'
As he looked toward the army they were no longer in combat. Turning rapidly toward where the hooded Notus was there was only a fallen Notus with a blade in its chest and a panting man with sweat all over his face.
"You couldn't have supported me more with mages!?"
It was plain who killed the leader! Riné was shocked before realizing what exactly occurred. He was used as bait to lure out the guards to leave an opening for the leader to be beheaded by an easily usable pawn. The one who did this was relishing the gains from the Notus as he was whistling.
"Papa just got himself a new brute~"
Riné felt confused as he scratched his temple. It wasn't malice or pride it was an entirely new feeling of being outmaneuvered rather than simply used.
"This truly is something new… For some reason, I'm looking forward to more."
The earth wall began to shake as the next section opened up revealing a new section previously blocked off. The already tired group of four looked ready for combat before seeing a threatening army as they spotted at their head a group of five examinees. One sat on the shoulder of a brute as Kairi began to sweat.
'Counting their numbers they have ninety-nine troops… Assuming they faced fifty similar to us that meant they didn't lose a single troop except for killing the leader!'
Spotting the group of four from a distance the examinee on the shoulder of the Brute held their gaze on the group. His hair a mix of black and white stood out second to his eyes as he held his index and thumb creating a scope his eyes similar to that of a snipers examined them.
"A hundred meters. Two hundred. One hundred twenty-three and three hundred. They're all in range. Now should I say hi to a possible friend or enemies decisions-decisions…"
Battle One Over: Kairi's group Fifty originally now forty two. Additionally thirty and a Brute.
In the stands, the Chairwomen and Mr Platt held a table together as Mr Platt poured from his canteen a clear liquor into the cup meant for tea.
"This is where the interesting part comes in. When two conflicting allied powers come into contact, which one decides to submit or hold power over the other? The examinees will be viewed on how they react and hold themselves as they face greater pressure ahead."
The chairwoman sipped the tea from the cup as she nodded along before sighing.
"Ingenious however three Special Admission students in the same test is a bit unfair wouldn't you say?"
Mr. Platt spat out his liquor upon hearing the number.
"Thr-three?! I mean I could guess the lightning kid and sniper over there are special but you
You mean to tell me there's a third special admission student taking the test!"
The students of Sophis watched with excitement and gawked at the new student and exam as different displays showed the different groups showing the faces of different students three displays were being placed on a pedestal by the spectators.