Left or right.
1 or 0.
The symbols might be different, but the concept remained the same.
Turn left for 1, right for 0—simple.
However, even if I converted the 108 branching paths into binary, it would still result in a 108-digit number. Memorizing that much information would be difficult, even for someone like me who excelled with numbers.
But if I converted the binary into hexadecimal, it would shrink to a 27-digit number, drastically reducing the amount I had to memorize.
'Just 27 digits...'
Short-term memory is an essential skill for mental arithmetic.
For someone like me, who could mentally calculate multiplications in the millions, memorizing 27 digits wasn't a big deal.
All that remained was to follow the memorized sequence to navigate the maze.
'Next is right. Then right again, then left...'
Using the hexadecimal sequence I'd memorized, I began making my way through the maze.
---
One week ago.
At a meeting of professors to discuss the entrance exam.
One professor questioned Professor Twintail.
"A test based on the Illusory Mirror Maze? Isn't that far too difficult? You'd need to be at least 3rd Circle to break through that magic circle."
"That's true under normal circumstances," Twintail replied.
There are two ways to overcome the Illusory Mirror Maze magic circle:
One, trace the flow of mana and follow its path to deduce the way forward.
Two, overwhelm the magic circle with brute force and break it.
The former is called "decoding," while the latter is "destroying." Although the methods differ, the outcome—breaking through the magic circle—is the same.
However, none of the examinees were capable of either method.
Miho Twintail explained, "That's why I'll reveal the solution in advance. Like this."
Snap!
With a snap of her fingers, the map of the Illusory Mirror Maze appeared, complete with the solution path marked.
Even though the solution was provided, the professors remained skeptical.
"Won't this just let anyone memorize their way through?"
"Can young students even memorize such a complex maze?"
"This doesn't seem to test magical ability at all."
In response to their doubts, Miho said, "Take another look at the solution."
With another snap, she removed the map, leaving only the red path marking the solution.
The maze's entrance and exit were almost in the same place. The red path wound through the maze in a long, convoluted route, eventually forming a large circle.
The professors stared at the red circle in recognition.
"That's…"
"A 1st Circle mana rotation?"
The enormous red circle floating in midair resembled the shape of a 1st Circle mana ring.
This meant that by rotating their mana slowly along the 1st Circle ring around their heart, students could deduce the correct path through the maze.
"This isn't a bad test, don't you think? It evaluates basic magic skills, the ability to deduce mana rotation from observation, and the determination to navigate the maze. All of these are essential qualities for a mage."
Her reasoning was sound.
While high mana affinity is often considered the pinnacle of talent for mages, the ability to observe, deduce, and act decisively were also critical traits.
The professors nodded in agreement, but one raised his hand.
It was Professor Cowmil, who taught Introduction to Psychokinetics. A strict-looking middle-aged man with graying hair, he adjusted his glasses and spoke.
"However, these are examinees, not students. A 1st Circle mana rotation can only be sensed by those who've already learned magic. Isn't this unfair to those who haven't studied in advance?"
"That's true," Miho acknowledged.
"And yet, you want to proceed with this test?"
"Think about it. These students are from the regional quota track. They're less talented than others. Without at least pre-learning 1st Circle magic, they'll struggle to keep up in classes."
"Hmmm."
"To be honest, how many incoming students fail to form a 1st Circle mana ring before admission?"
Although teaching magic to those under 15 was discouraged, this guideline was rarely followed strictly. Most students learned at least 1st Circle magic early if they could handle it.
Miho Twintail concluded, "If a student can pass this test without prior study, wouldn't that prove they have exceptional talent?"
And so, the regional quota track exam was set as navigating the Illusory Mirror Maze.
---
Now, standing on the podium in the examination hall, the Crimson Witch, Miho Twintail, focused on one particular student.
The student who had entered the maze faster than anyone else.
Noah Ashborn.
With ash-gray hair and deep eyes, he had stood out since the moment he entered the hall.
'He noticed my illusion magic. Could he have an SS-grade mana affinity?'
Mages with high mana affinity could perceive subtle mana flows in the air and deduce spells from them.
But even for those with talent, sensing the magic of Miho, a 7th Circle mage, would be nearly impossible for an examinee.
'He must have just had a vague feeling that something was off.'
Her illusion magic didn't just alter appearances—it also disrupted perception. Most wouldn't even notice her presence unless she spoke to them.
Yet, Noah had made eye contact and spoken politely. That alone was remarkable.
'His observational skills are excellent. He's quick to catch on.'
If he could deduce her illusion magic and guess she was a professor just from vague clues, this test would be a breeze for him.
And as expected, Noah Ashborn emerged from the maze's exit before any other student had even entered the magic circle.
He was a student worth keeping an eye on.
---
Navigating the maze wasn't easy, even if you knew the sequence of paths.
As the name Illusory Mirror Maze suggested, the surroundings were filled with mirrors that made it confusing and disorienting. I bumped into walls multiple times.
Wandering through the maze made my head spin, but I eventually reached the final branch.
"This is the last one."
I passed through the last turn and exited the maze. The moment I stepped out of the mirror-filled maze, my eyes felt relief.
"Phew. I did it."
As shown on the map, the exit was right next to the entrance.
The maze had looped back to the starting point after a full circuit.
Looking around, I saw no one else.
The auditorium was still packed with students.
"Why are they all still there?"
I felt like I'd spent quite a bit of time in the maze. Had no one else entered yet?
Or was I just so late that others had already finished by using magic to take shortcuts?
But that didn't seem to be the case.
"Left, right, right, left, left, left…"
"Right, right, left, left, right… Ahh! I forgot it again!"
"There's got to be another method. There has to be."
"Place my hand over my heart?"
The students were still poring over the map and mumbling to themselves.
Thinking back, I had entered the maze immediately after seeing it. My quick start likely meant no one else had finished before me.
'Does that mean I'm first? A gold medal?'
Oh, a gold medal!
The first student to finish the test, breezing through the questions. The student who could confidently say, "There wasn't a single problem I didn't know."
I had always wanted to experience that.
Back in college, there were subjects where I scored high, even finishing exams early. But I'd never been the first to leave the room.
How could I beat the speed of students submitting blank answer sheets, ready to fail?
But this time, I'd done it. A gold medal!
"Noah Ashborn?"
Someone called my name as I was admiring the auditorium. Turning, I saw the red-haired beastkin, Professor Miho Twintail.
"Ah, Professor."
"You entered first and exited first. Congratulations, you've passed."
"Thank you."
"But the other students haven't finished their tests yet. Please wait in the passers' waiting room so you don't distract them."
Miho gestured toward a brick two-story building adjacent to the auditorium. That must be the waiting room.
"Ah, yes."
I started walking toward the building, stealing one last glance into the auditorium. Rudy was still there, hand over his heart, deep in thought.
'Good luck, Rudy.'
Though I'd only just met him, he seemed like a good person. Wishing him well, I headed for the waiting room.
The building was larger than it appeared from the outside. The interior was spacious enough that my footsteps echoed.
At the very front of the hall was the largest lecture room, with a sign on the door that read "Congratulations on Passing."
Clearly the waiting room for successful examinees.
I pushed open the door and entered.
Creaaak.
The large lecture room was empty.
It was tiered, with desks arranged in ascending rows toward the back. The high ceilings made the room feel vast, and the sound of the door opening echoed loudly.
"So I'm really first, huh?"
I walked to the front row and sat in the first seat.
Looking at the podium and large blackboard before me, it all began to sink in.
Me.
The guy who had lived an average, unremarkable life.
Had just secured first place at the Empire's most prestigious Astran Magic Academy.
"Haha…"
Laughter bubbled up from my chest.
Now I was an Astran Magic Academy student. If I could just graduate, my future would be secure.
Finally, I could claim the prestigious title I never achieved in my past life.
Of course, graduating wouldn't be easy. Elite schools were known for their brutal standards.
"Well, I've made it this far. Let's stick to what I do best—staying in the middle of the pack."
Mediocrity was my specialty. As long as I stayed average, I'd manage to graduate.
Just as I made this resolution, the door behind me opened.
Creaaak.
The second student to finish the maze entered.
It was a familiar face.
'That's the second son of the Mirhan Merchant Guild, Norka Mirhan.'
Rudy's earlier information proved useful.
The Mirhan family, wealthy from trade with the Eastern Continent. It wouldn't hurt to get to know him.
As I raised my hand to greet him, Norka spoke first.
"You're the one, right? The one who noticed Professor Twintail's illusion magic."
"Uh…"
I didn't actually notice her magic, but before I could deny it, Norka continued.
"I knew it. I'm Norka Mirhan. And you?"
"I'm Noah Ashborn."
"Ashborn? As in the Ashborn family…"
Well, here it comes. The part where they forget about my fallen family.
"The famous magical lineage!"
What? Why does everyone seem to know us?
"As expected. The blood of a magical family must be different. Even with the same 1st Circle training, your perception of mana movement is on another level. How did you figure it out so quickly?"
"Wait, perception of mana movement?"
I was about to ask what he meant when more students began filing in.
The maze was steadily producing more successful examinees.
"Woohoo! I passed!"
"This test wasn't so bad."
"Phew. Thank goodness."
The lecture room filled with chatter as the students settled in.
As more eyes were on us, Norka straightened his posture. He took the seat behind me.
Looking around, I spotted many of the students Rudy had mentioned earlier.
'But where's Rudy?'
Rudy finally entered near the very end.
The last to arrive was Mahim Dwayra from the Dwayra family, who had struck gold ten years ago.
"Ahem. Nothing to it."
Even as he closed the door behind him, he shrugged and muttered confidently.
"To be honest, I figured it out as soon as I saw the map. The 1st Circle mana rotation, of course. I just waited to see how many others would notice before starting."
Sweat poured down his face as he spoke, making his words hard to believe.
Rudy quickly sat next to me and whispered, "You came out first, didn't you? I knew it. If the Marquis of Deville recommended you, you had to be skilled."
At Rudy's comment, everyone's attention turned to me.
Was it the fact that I was first, or the recommendation from the Marquis of Deville that caught their interest?
Either way, 199 pairs of eyes staring at me felt a bit overwhelming.
"Well, um…"
"So, did you figure out the maze was based on the mana ring rotation immediately?" Rudy asked eagerly.
"Mana ring rotation?"
"Yeah, the solution! If you slowly rotated the mana around your heart, it matched the maze's path exactly!"
Even Norka, sitting behind me, seemed curious.
I shrugged and said, "Uh, no. I just memorized it and walked through."
"······?"