My name is Arad Ludwig, a genius magician who became the youngest Atlas (3-star) in the Empire at the age of twelve!
If I ever think I've forgotten them, memories from 300 years ago resurface somewhere in reality as déjà vu. Isn't that quite a contradictory way to put it? After all, for me, it was just a little while ago.
"Wait a minute. Wasn't Lynn the youngest in the Empire?"
As Frieda, the Priestess of the Fire Dragon, tilted her head while biting her smoking pipe, I replied with a yawn.
"No, I got mine at thirteen."
To be precise, I obtained Bandoran (1-star), Limites (2-star), Atlas (3-star), and Glados (4-star) all at once when I was thirteen.
"Huh? What? Why?"
"Because it was a hassle."
Taking ranking exams was a pain, so until the headmistress dragged me out by the ear, I remained an unranked magician.
"Face me, Lynn! I'll defeat you and prove that I, not a clueless nobody like you, am the one who deserves to stand beside noble and beautiful heroes like Lord Lista and Lady Frieda!"
Lista, who had been grinning and saying it felt like being caught in a love rivalry, flared up at those words, but Frieda grabbed her shoulder and chuckled.
"Let it go. He's just a kid who doesn't know any better."
Then, placing a hand on my shoulder, she lowered her voice so Arad wouldn't hear.
"Don't just overpower him. Think of it as teaching him a few things."
"No way. Why?"
"Because being strong isn't about forcing people to submit. It's about using your strength to push someone forward."
Frieda was usually too playful to handle, but once in a while, she would smile in a way that was more mature than anyone else.
Whenever I saw that smile, I couldn't even think of a rebuttal—I would just instinctively look away.
And then, with a strong push on my back from Frieda toward Arad...
As I recalled the impact, the memories of the past dissolved before my eyes.
"What...?"
Just like Arad from a distant past, Krista narrowed her eyes arrogantly and rested her left hand on her hip.
"You're challenging me? What are you up to?"
"I'm here for the exam, so I'm going to take it."
"What nonsense... You do realize this is an additional test site, right?"
"Yeah. I came to the right place. I was late for the main exam, so they told me to take the additional test."
For a moment, Krista's mind went blank.
This guy, the legitimate successor of the Sega family, taking an additional exam? Just because he was late? Does he not even feel embarrassed?
While Krista was in confusion, Professor Caroline stepped forward.
"Young master? Sorry, but do you even know who Krista is as a magician?"
"Yeah. Just someone with decent skills, I guess?"
"It's much more than that. She graduated at the top of the secondary education institution and was the only student chosen for its annual recommendation-based admission. She's already part of , an elite magician's school."
Hmph, self-proclaimed geniuses always have a crowd of people worshipping them, past or present.
I recalled how one of Arad Ludwig's lackeys once spent five minutes ranting about how great his master was. I didn't want to go through that again.
Yawning indifferently, I replied.
"I want to explore the city a bit more, so can we skip the introductions and just start already? It'll be over soon anyway."
"Over soon?"
While Caroline let out a faint chuckle, Krista's face turned red as she grabbed Rain by the collar.
"Over soon? Against me? Ha! Fine, come at me. I'll crush you like clay!"
Ugh...
Caroline gave a wry smile.
'This girl's competitiveness always kicks in at the weirdest moments…'
And whenever it did, her mouth got pretty crude. Caroline checked the test documents. These were the names of the additional test takers.
'Huh, Rain Ludwig's name isn't on the list?'
No, it was.
After flipping through the pages for a while, she finally found it at the very bottom. Then her gaze stopped at his records.
'No elementary or secondary school graduation. No competition awards. No ranking certifications…'
So far, it fit the rumors of the so-called "genius nobleman."
A sarcastic joke the lower ranks used to mock the privileged heir of a noble house.
But then, there was something strange.
[Served as an assistant to Skaldge Ludwig, principal of Magic School, for three years.]
An assistant to Skaldge Ludwig—the former leader of the Magic Alliance and a former Mage Lord?
As far as Caroline knew, that man wasn't the type to hand out favors just because of family ties.
If someone was useless, he would discard them without hesitation. She had seen senior Elin Ludwig break down in tears from his scoldings more than once.
'If he really assisted that man's lessons… why is he only known as a "genius noble" among the Eight Magic Schools?'
It was intriguing.
More than that, it was fascinating.
And so, she decided she had to see for herself, no matter the outcome…
"Alright, let's proceed with the test."
The marble floor of the test hall shimmered as two magic circles interlocked like gears, rotating in harmony.
Shock absorption. Damage reduction.
The shock absorption magic was to minimize damage to the structure, while the damage reduction spell protected the participants' bodies.
"The duel will follow the same rules as before: Illuweden."
Illuweden.
A word meaning "three" in the language of the gods.
A duel where each contestant may cast up to three spells to neutralize their opponent's magic and seize victory.
"If anyone endangers their opponent's life, they will be disqualified immediately. Understood?"
The two standing ten steps apart nodded.
"Yes."
"Good. Then, begin!"
At the signal, Krista raised her right hand.
Bwoong.
A magic circle hovered above her palm.
Constructing the circle, embedding runes, and calculating formulas—this was the standard process of activating magic, an act of rewriting the world's laws.
"A battle mage's duel is all about spellcasting speed."
It was the ultimate proof of genius.
Most magicians carried grimoires filled with pre-drawn magic circles, injecting mana into the appropriate one based on the situation. Mental calculation was the domain of true prodigies.
Krista's magic circle became more elaborate, runes inscribed at its center while the outer rim filled with intricate equations.
'With this level of spellcasting speed, no one her age can compete…'
Perhaps she was thinking the same thing because Krista glanced at Rain and frowned.
"Aren't you preparing your magic?"
She had to ask.
Building the foundation—spreading one's palm and summoning a magic circle—was the absolute basics of a magic duel.
Yet, the boy had done nothing.
"It's just a lower-tier duel. No need to prepare anything."
His answer was absurd.
"I'm just thinking of the best way to end this without hurting you, so keep going."
Krista's eyes turned cold.