Almark – Northern Sword, Southern Wand

As Almark stood up, Illmis said with no expression.

"At first, I wondered what to start with."

Almark blushed with embarrassment.

"This is the first test of its kind....."

I thought it was just an excuse, but I said it.

"I was losing my mind."

Illmis laughs thinly.

"If we were going to start using stone carving like that, we'd have you do meditation lessons all summer."

It was close.

Almark sweats cold inside.

It was almost activated.

The magic was about to spill from my fingertips.

"I just remembered everyone's words. Do what you can. So I thought about it."

I see, Ilmis murmurs.

"Challenging life comes with it. I don't know if I'm going to succeed, but there's always a time when I have to put my life to the test. However, this exam is not of that kind. I want to see if I can demonstrate what I've learned in my regular classes, and I don't want to see if I can succeed by challenging something I haven't done."

"Yes"

That was exactly what I was going to do until just now.

"You're smart. I think I told you before. Clever, but with a little thought, I can easily get to the answer that seems like it. At first glance, it seems like the answer is correct."

Ilumis told me the same thing in the infirmary the day I failed in the flames of the dragons.

"But fortunately, you have the measure of listening to people, and you have good friends around you."

"Yes"

Yes, my friends helped me this time.

"Never forget how grateful you are to them."

"Yes, of course."

The dean told me the same thing. Almark nodded immediately, but Ilmis shook his head.

"I didn't say that to you in front of me."

Almark is puzzled by the words. Illmis continued with a harsh face.

"I said to you in the future. In the not too distant future, after you reach far higher heights than them."

"Doctor, that's..."

He tried to buy me too much, but I was softly restrained by Ilmis.

"I know how you feel now."

Then, gently relax your expression.

"Good meditation today."

Almark's face shines with unexpected praise.

"It's because of your hard work. I suppose he worked tirelessly. Well done. I've done this in a short time."

"Thank you."

And Ilumis proclaimed strictly.

"When the vacation is over, I'll start teaching you magic. Keep up your meditation practice during this vacation."

"... yes!

It was the moment Almark waited since he joined the academy.