Over the next half month, Lilith spent most of her time sleeping, only dedicating a small portion of her day to messing around with Super-tier magic.
Specifically, she had finally begun to make some sense of that time-attribute Super-tier magic scroll Veen had given her.
Though she had only scratched the surface, it was at least no longer a completely incomprehensible celestial script.
What she could manage now was to perform a Time Restart within a certain range.
However, Lilith didn't feel like this skill was particularly useful.
“It feels... kind of useless,” Lilith commented after a test, rubbing her chin as she looked at the training field where she had just blasted a hole and then restarted time to restore it to its original state. “Using this in a fight isn't as practical as just throwing another offensive spell.”
Consequently, she categorized this magic as a support skill, thinking it might be handy one day if she needed to repair something she accidentally broke.
As for the other, more advanced applications of time magic recorded on the scroll...
“I'll deal with those later,” she said, tossing the scroll back into her personal storage space. “I don't have a use for them now anyway.”
For the remainder of her time, she continued to refine her high-level magic and occasionally attended classes. Other than that, she spent most of her time sleeping in her dormitory.
She had secretly observed Karl a few times. The guy was indeed a solid Rank 4 now, and he was even on the verge of breaking through to Rank 5. His magic was stable, showing no signs of being forced or artificially accelerated.
However, Lilith could sense a certain power flowing within him that did not belong to him.
It was faint, almost imperceptible. If Veen hadn't warned her, she likely wouldn't have noticed it at all.
“The handiwork of a god, huh...” Lilith thought at the time. “He’s hiding it quite well.”
She didn't do anything to alert him. The Freshman Test was approaching anyway, and there would be plenty of opportunities to observe him up close on the stage.
And so, the half month flew by in a cycle of slacking off, sleeping, and the occasional practice session.
...
On the day of the Freshman Test.
Lilith actually managed to wake up early for once.
She washed up slowly, changed her clothes, and wandered out the door.
Inside the classroom, the atmosphere was markedly different from usual.
Normally at this hour, half the seats would still be empty. Students would be rushing through homework, catching up on sleep, or chatting.
But today, everyone was present. They sat upright with serious expressions, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Even the most lax students were sitting properly in their seats today.
Lilith stepped into the classroom exactly as the final bell rang.
Instructor Arret was already standing at the podium. The gentle smile he usually wore was gone, replaced by a rare gravity.
When he saw Lilith enter, he adjusted his glasses. His gaze lingered on her for a second before moving away.
He didn't tease her for cutting it close like he usually did.
Lilith walked to her seat in the back row by the window and let out a yawn.
“Looks like things are getting formal today...” she thought.
Arret looked around the room, cleared his throat, and spoke.
“Students.”
The classroom fell silent instantly, every eye focused on him.
“Today is the Freshman Test.”
He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over every young face.
“I know many of you have been preparing for this for a long time. Some of you might not feel fully ready yet.”
“But regardless, the test has arrived. This is your first official assessment since entering the Holy City Magic Academy, and it is the first combat baptism of your magical careers.”
“Grades are important. They will affect your comprehensive evaluation for this academic year, influence future resource distribution, and even impact your future career paths.”
“But some things are more important than grades.”
Arret's voice dropped an octave.
“Rules.”
“Dean Horn has already explained the rules of the test in detail, so I will not repeat them. I will only emphasize one point.”
His gaze became sharp.
“Intentional killing or similar behavior is absolutely forbidden during the test.”
“Even though there are protective barriers in the Mirage Corridor and referees will be monitoring everything, barriers are not omnipotent, and referees have blind spots. If any of you harbor malice and attempt to kill a classmate during the test...”
“Then the academy will no longer view you as a student. You will be immediately expelled and handed over to the Royal Capital Tribunal to be prosecuted for attempted murder or murder.”
A dead silence fell over the classroom.
Many students instinctively shrank back.
Arret’s gaze, whether intentional or not, swept toward Karl.
Karl was sitting near the front of the middle section, his back perfectly straight, a confident smile on his face.
Feeling Arret’s gaze, he turned his head slightly to meet it, a hint of defiance seemingly hidden in his eyes.
Arret looked away and continued.
“Victory is determined simply: one side surrenders; one side is attacked until they completely lose the ability to fight; or a referee declares that one side can no longer continue.”
“Remember, this is just a test, not a life-or-death struggle. Your opponents are your classmates and your future comrades, not your enemies.”
“Alright.”
He took a deep breath, his expression softening slightly.
“Everyone, stand up.”
“Follow me to the Central Plaza. The opening ceremony for the test will be held there.”
The students stood up one after another. Lilith rose and silently followed the crowd out.
In the corridors, students from other classes were also emerging, merging into a stream of people moving toward the Central Plaza.
The atmosphere was heavy yet exciting. Low voices and whispers intertwined.
Lilith walked in the middle of the group, saying nothing.
Beside her, a girl from her class whispered to her companion, “I'm so nervous... I heard that magic interference appears randomly in the Mirage Corridor. What if I get stuck in a terrain I'm not good at?”
“Don't overthink it, just do your best,” her companion comforted her. “We’re not aiming for the championship anyway. Winning a few rounds is enough.”
“True... Hey, look at Karl. He looks so confident.”
“Obviously. He’s Rank 4 and ranked first in talent. He’s definitely going for the championship.”
“Lilith is Rank 2 as well, but she doesn't look nervous at all...”
“That's just her being calm. You wouldn't understand.”
Listening to the discussions around her, Lilith let out another yawn.
The group passed through the teaching building and arrived at the plaza in the center of the academy.
The plaza was already a sea of people.
Hundreds of first-year freshmen stood in sections according to their classes.
At the front was a temporary high platform where several high-ranking academy officials sat, including Dean Horn, several vice principals, and representatives from various department heads.
On either side of the platform stood massive magic projection screens. They displayed the test schedule, the rules of the competition, and... the Freshman Talent Rankings.
Lilith looked up.
First Place: Karl (Class A), Rank 4 Mage.
Second Place: Lilith (Class A), Rank 2 Mage. Third Place: A name she didn't recognize, Rank 2 Mage.
Below them were quasi-Rank 2s and Rank 1s.
According to the rules, the top three students would be given a global marking within the Mirage Corridor. All participants would be able to see their locations on the map.
This meant the top three would become targets for everyone. Everyone would want to challenge them and defeat them to prove themselves.
“How troublesome,” Lilith grumbled quietly. Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly felt a gaze on her.
Turning her head, she saw Karl standing not far away, looking at her through the crowd.
Their eyes met.
Karl’s lips moved, silently saying something.
Judging by his mouth, it was likely: “Just wait.”
Lilith turned her head back to the platform.
Complete ignore.
Right then, Horn spoke from the stage.
Rate on N.U.
