'Oh no. What was I thinking?' Yi-Han quickly came to his senses.

Of course, the educational environment at Baldurguard was slightly more comfortable than Einroguard, but that didn't necessarily correlate with magical prowess. Graduates from Baldurguard could also be outstanding mages.

Moreover, his opponent was a graduate. As a mere first-year student, Yi-Han couldn't afford to underestimate him.

"Wardanaz. I'm ready," Asan whispered with a determined expression.

"Mr. Wardanaz. Please let me know if you need a pickpocket," Ratford also whispered, looking resolute.

The back of the room was quite busy as people cleared tables and pushed chairs aside, preparing to witness the magic.

"Ratford. I'm sorry, but this is just a test of magic. It's not a duel."

"But if the opponent's staff disappears, it might be a bit easier, don't you think?"

Asan perked up at those words. Yi-Han spoke firmly, "If we do that, the commotion will take a strange turn. Just use magic, that's all."

"But Wardanaz. We don't know what kind of magic the opponent will use."

This wasn't a duel, but a setting to confirm the mage's abilities. In such cases, rather than clashing with full force, it usually flowed with one side presenting a challenge and the other resolving it with magic.

This time, it seemed that Doin, the mage from Baldurguard, would give the test, and Yi-Han and his friends would solve it.

"Don't worry too much. We're first-years. The other party will take that into account when presenting the test. Giving an excessively difficult test would be a blow to their own dignity."

There was no way someone who came to the Dargard family's residence would deliberately embarrass the Dargard family's mage. Doing so would immediately invite backlash.

"So don't fret unnecessarily, and focus on not making careless mistakes. Understood?"

Asan nodded. Ratford also nodded.

"Just in case..."

"I said I won't steal it."

"Yes, sir."

Unlike Yi-Han and his friends who had a strong aversion to Baldurguard, Doin had no particular resentment towards Einroguard.

Of course, it would be a lie to say he wasn't envious of Einroguard, which always held the reputation as the empire's best magic academy. However, Doin loved and believed in Baldurguard, the academy he attended, even more.

'It's only because the empire's people are complacent. If they could truly see properly, they would think Baldurguard is the most excellent and outstanding magic academy!'

If Yi-Han or other Einroguard mages heard this, they would immediately challenge him to a duel, but at least that's what Doin believed.

As such, Doin had no particular resentment towards Einroguard. His current concern wasn't how to embarrass the Einroguard students, but rather how to save face for them.

'Asan from the Dargard family is quite a well-regarded young man, and the other is from the Wardanaz family, so they won't make absurd mistakes, right?'

Confirming magical abilities in such a setting was akin to a play. The one giving the test had to present it well so that the other party could pass.

What if the test involved a difficult or unfamiliar school of magic to the opponent? The atmosphere would instantly turn as cold as ice.

And the mage who presented the test would undoubtedly be scorned by the Dargard family and everyone associated with them for a while. Just thinking about it was a terrible nightmare.

'What kind of test would be good...?'

Doin pondered over what test he should give so that the students could easily pass and the people present could be impressed in an understandable way.

"Come to think of it, what kind of magic are you three interested in?"

"I'm interested in divination magic."

"For me, it's illusion magic."

"I... um... haven't decided yet."

It wasn't surprising for a mage who had only been learning magic for a short time to not have chosen a school yet, considering that even mages who had trained for over a decade changed schools as needed.

Thinking that way, Doin failed to notice the two students looking at Yi-Han in surprise.

'I should choose the easiest magic possible between illusion magic and divination magic.'

Having made his decision after contemplation, Doin waved his staff.

"Illusion, transform into chains of elements."

One of the advantages of illusion magic was its flashy appearance. It might sound like a joke, but this was a more important advantage than one might think.

Most people, when viewing magic, didn't see the mysterious flow of mana or profound philosophy within it. They just saw what was visible on the surface.

Thanks to that, while dark mages struggled to find investors and had to rummage through tombs, illusion mages could comfortably conduct their research with the support of some nobles.

That advantage was evident in this setting as well. As the illusion magic sparkled and took form in the spacious hall, applause and exclamations erupted from various corners.

'Isn't it too slow?'

However, Yi-Han inwardly found it strange. Compared to the professors at the magic academy, Doin's casting speed was too slow.

Of course, from Doin's perspective, it would be an unfair situation where he could only say, 'If I could cast faster than Einroguard professors, I would be a professor myself,' but it still seemed slow no matter what.

Clank!

"Do you see these chains made of illusion? They are connected to the handcuffs binding my wrists."

"We see it, Sir Doin!"

The mage, Doin, raised his wrists to show the connected illusion handcuffs and chains to the people.

The illusion chains hanging down to the floor were connected to four points, and at their ends stood illusion pillars.

"If you cast the appropriate element on the pillars, the chains will be released one by one. Can the mages of Einroguard rescue me? Everyone, please cheer them on!"

Another round of applause and cheers.

Doin's showmanship and eloquence in entertaining people were even more outstanding than his magical abilities. He was a mage who couldn't help but be popular at salons and gatherings. Even Yi-Han was slightly impressed.

'Is this how a mage should act at gatherings to gain popularity?'

It was certainly educational in many ways. Yi-Han nodded, thinking he should try imitating it later when needed.

As Yi-Han was nodding, Asan whispered in a worried voice, "Wardanaz. Can we succeed in one go?"

"I don't think we necessarily need to succeed in one go."

The illusion magic Doin had cast was a kind of puzzle. Four chains connected to four pillars. Now, if they cast the appropriate elemental magic, the pillars would be released one by one, and the chains would disappear.

In other words, even if they cast the wrong elemental magic, they could simply cast a different magic again...

"But my brother and sister are watching. If we don't succeed in one go, they'll say something."

"Then why don't you tell them to try it themselves?"

Asan shook his head with a sorrowful expression. Yi-Han clicked his tongue in pity.

'Just because they were born a few years earlier, he has to take it so one-sidedly.'

Originally, these things were meant to be solved through trial and error, but he was being so mindful of others.

Yi-Han didn't say anything further. As an aristocratic family, there were advantages and disadvantages. It wasn't something for others to comment on.

"There is a way to solve it in one go, though."

"How?"

"By breaking it with force."

Yi-Han briefly explained the dispelling method he had learned from the excellent illusion mage, Baldoorn. It wasn't about understanding the structure of the illusion magic and finding its weakness to dispel it, but rather using a strong surge of mana to blow away the illusion magic itself.

"Is that possible?"

"Of course, it might not work. A magic with a sturdy structure can withstand it quite well."

"No, Wardanaz. What I meant was, can you release that much mana?"

Asan spoke in disbelief. He understood the theory. If hit with that level of mana, the magic would inevitably waver.

But could they really draw out that mana?

"We don't need that much. This should be enough..."

Yi-Han raised his staff to demonstrate to Asan and lightly released his mana.

Crack!

Even without a direct hit, the illusion chain that was slightly grazed made a creaking sound and collapsed on the spot. And the other chains connected to the illusion chain also collapsed, along with the handcuffs...

Crack!

"..."

"..."

Yi-Han, who had intended to demonstrate, was startled, and Asan, who was watching, was also startled. And naturally, Doin was startled as well.

'What the...!?'

They had asked him to solve the illusion puzzle, but he suddenly shattered it with a single wave of his staff. Anyone would be surprised.

'What did he do? It didn't seem like he cast any particular magic. He couldn't have just brutally broken it with force. Did Einroguard teach him some magic I'm unaware of?'

His mind was in turmoil, but Doin reacted first.

"Excellent! Excellent indeed! Everyone must have seen it! The mages of Einroguard solved the magic in one go!"

The guests who were watching applauded in amazement. Among them, those who knew a bit about magic tilted their heads, feeling it was different from what they expected, but they applauded nonetheless.

It was solved well, after all!

'That startled me.'

Doin inwardly sighed in relief. The students from Einroguard had acted unexpectedly, and he had almost been late to react.

If he had made a mistake, the atmosphere would have turned chilly...

"Sir Doin! Show us one more!" someone who had already had a drink and looked slightly intoxicated shouted excitedly.

"!"

"!!"

Both Yi-Han and Doin were surprised.

"When and where else would we get to see such magic!"

"That's right!"

"Seeing the magic performed by the most outstanding mages in the empire is an eye-opening experience!"

Excited people always wanted to see more, no matter what. Doin realized it was too late. Everyone was eagerly anticipating.

"Al... Alright. Then, for the next magic..."

Doin tensed up once again. The people sitting there could shout 'One more time!' while raising their glasses because it wasn't their business, but for Doin, who was giving the test, his mouth was dry.

He couldn't give a test that was the same or easier than before. It had to be slightly more difficult.

And it had to be intuitively understandable to the gathered people, and also be a test where the atmosphere could be salvaged even if the young students made mistakes.

Moreover, he had to keep in mind that the students might have consumed a lot of mana by now, so mana exhaustion could occur midway...

"You're not tired or dizzy, are you?"

"No. I'm fine."

"I'm fine too."

"...Alright. Then, for the next magic..."

Poof!

As Yi-Han evaded the fourth summoned illusion monster with his eyes closed and dispelled it, the people erupted in cheers once more.

Clap clap clap clap clap-

'Oh, no.'

Doin was surprised. Honestly, even while casting the previous magic, he had regretted it, thinking, 'This is bad! I made it too difficult!'

But they solved it so easily just like that. A nearby seated nobleman asked with concern, "Sir Doin. No matter how skilled the mages from Einroguard are, they're still first-year students. Isn't it too difficult..."

"No need to worry! Aren't they solving it so well?"

"The next magic! Show us the next magic!"

Regardless, the people gathered were excited that Yi-Han and his friends were solving it so well. Doin thought to himself, 'They're doing too well, and that's why this commotion is happening! Can't they just perform moderately well?'

He was at a loss as to how long he would have to keep casting magic. He needed to stop at some point...!