How a Wizard Lives 25

Chapter 25- Pass

Koweylak Ruins.

Located in the western district of the city of Balamagos, this place was famous as the site of an ancient battle between demons and heroes.

It was here that three heroes, including Isidore, fought the great demon Gorgon and ultimately beheaded him, securing victory for humanity.

To commemorate that day, the ruins were left untouched as a memorial.

Now, people began to gather here, not to honor the past victory, but to compete for a position in the demon subjugation force.

Grand Mage Violette stood in a clearing not far from the ruins, watching the crowd with one eye closed and her index and middle fingers resting on her eyelid.

The city’s main source of income, the mines, had been blocked by demons, leaving Count Galante with no choice but to address the issue.

He had invited the Grand Mage, who had a long-standing connection with the Count’s family, to assist.

She had requested to personally select the members who would accompany her, and the Count’s estate had agreed, spreading notices not only in Balamagos but also in nearby towns and cities.

Most of the applicants were likely mediocre, but among the mages residing in the south or those who had migrated here after the southern crisis, there were bound to be some capable individuals.

She had already heard that a few promising mages had applied.

When about fifty people had gathered at the ruins, Yurik finally appeared.

Seeing the impressive lineup of applicants, Yurik truly grasped the weight of the title ‘Grand Mage.’

The six Grand Mages recognized by the Mage Tower! And the Matron of Arpenheim was also one of the six Grand Mages acknowledged by the tower.

Yurik’s gaze was particularly drawn to two individuals among the applicants.

One was a brown-haired woman with a faint smile, observing the other mages as if savoring each one.

The other was an exceptionally large, muscular man.

“They’ve systematically trained in body enhancement magic.”

The density of mana within these two mages was superior to the others.

The woman’s mana circulation speed was especially noticeable, and the fact that it remained stable indicated exceptional control.

The man’s mana was finely distributed throughout his body, a characteristic of enhancement magic.

Yurik recalled his mentor and senior, the Grand mage Yelni, who had single-handedly slain a dragon using only enhancement magic.

While most mages didn’t consider enhancement magic particularly impressive, Yurik knew that mastering it to the extreme could create such monsters.

Just as Yurik thought those two were the only notable ones, his gaze fell on a man who had just arrived at the ruins.

He was impeccably clean, as if not a speck of dust had ever touched him.

His attire suggested he came from a wealthy family.

Like the previous two, his mana density was remarkably high.

However, there were no other distinguishing features, making it impossible to tell what kind of magic he specialized in.

After about a dozen more mages arrived, a barrier enveloped the entire ruins.

The mages murmured among themselves, wondering what was happening.

Yurik felt an overwhelming presence approaching.

‘It’s finally starting.’

Someone appeared atop the ruins.

It was a tall, slender woman and a middle-aged man leaning on a long staff.

Yurik sensed the immense mana emanating from the woman. It was comparable to that of the demon Wiglaf.

He immediately recognized her identity, as did every mage present.

Grand Mage Violette.

She truly lived up to the title of Grand Mage.

Of course, she also scanned the applicants.

A few caught her eye—mages who stood out despite their age, undetectable by ordinary sight magic.

Then her gaze landed on the handsome mage. Her expression subtly shifted.

‘……’

While all the other mages were circulating their mana normally, only one had circuits running through his body.

The distance made it impossible to discern the exact nature of the circuits, but it was clear they were extraordinary.

Moreover, he wasn’t on the list provided by her informants.

However, the Grand Mage couldn’t focus solely on him. It was time for the trials.

“You’ve probably figured it out by now, but I am Violette.”

Her introduction was brief yet impactful.

“Before we begin the trials, I want to make something clear. The demons we will be fighting are beings that defy common sense. They are beasts of pure mana, monsters that slaughter humans.”

Spheres of mana emerged from her body and began orbiting around her.

“Some of you may have come here thinking you can just provide support from the back. But let me tell you, you’re mistaken. If that’s your mindset, you should leave now.”

The Grand Mage spoke with a stern tone.

“I’m not looking for people to laze around in the back. I need those who can hunt demons alongside me. Let me make this clear: anyone who can’t withstand a demon’s attack will die. Don’t expect your comrades to protect you. I, too, will prioritize an offensive spell against a demon over a defensive spell for an ally. Remember, our goal is subjugation, not survival.”

This caused a stir among many of the mages.

Satisfied that the warning had been delivered, Violette explained the trial process.

“The trials will consist of several stages, but don’t worry—it won’t be complicated.”

The Grand Mage leaped down from the ruins and landed gracefully on the ground.

The mana spheres that had been orbiting her now circled above her head.

“The first stage is a measurement of your mana reserves. Regardless of skill, the absolute amount of mana is the top priority in battles against demons. If you fall below the threshold, you’re out.”

The Grand Mage, accompanied by the middle-aged mage, moved swiftly through the crowd, pointing out those who failed with a flick of her finger.

With each “You, you, you,” applicants began to leave.

More than half of the applicants were eliminated in this first stage. Out of seventy, only thirty remained.

“The average level is honestly disappointing. I expected more than half to pass.”

After a brief jab, Violette moved on to the second trial.

“Demons are beings with immense mana reserves. The mana distributed across their skin acts as a natural barrier. Unless your offensive magic is powerful enough to break through, it’s meaningless.”

She flicked her index and middle fingers, and one of the mana spheres orbiting above her descended, spreading out to form a protective barrier.

“This is the second stage. Each of you will take turns attacking the barrier with your strongest spell.”

Of course, Violette didn’t expect the barrier to break. In fact, none of the mages present thought it would.

It was a Grand Mage’s barrier. It couldn’t possibly be that fragile.

The first to attempt was the muscular mage Yurik had noticed earlier.

“I am Galindus.”

He lightly shook his right hand and activated enhancement magic on his fist and legs.

Whoosh.

With a single breath, he charged at the barrier with incredible speed.

Boom!

The collision of magic created a powerful shockwave that rippled through the area.

It was undoubtedly a strong impact, but the muscular mage seemed dissatisfied and prepared to strike again.

This time, he created a mana bullet in front of his fist. He struck it with his enhanced fist, compressing and detonating it.

The impact was even stronger than before, but it also caused damage to his own fist.

He looked at the Grand Mage with a questioning expression, but she remained impassive.

Thinking that such an attack could defeat a demon was absurd.

Unless enhancement magic was pushed to its limits, it was largely ineffective against demons.

“Eliminated. Next.”

Galindus turned away with a wounded pride.

But what could he do? It was the Grand Mage’s decision.

One by one, the applicants were eliminated.

Half were gone before a single one passed.

Finally, it was the turn of the female mage with the intense mana circulation. She introduced herself with a chilling smile.

“I am Azverly.”

She spread her arms slightly, palms facing upward, and began chanting.

The speed of her mana circulation increased even further.

Soon, her spell was cast, and compressed mana transformed into curved blades that sliced through the air.

The range was impressive, cutting through the ground and parts of the ruins.

The barrier cracked slightly. Of course, it didn’t shatter.

But she seemed slightly dissatisfied.

“Pass. Next.”

The first to pass. If the barrier had cracked, it meant her attack had the potential to harm a demon.

The Grand Mage considered that sufficient.

After all, this was just about finding a little extra to draw attention.

Next was the handsome mage.

The one who had newly caught the Grand Mage’s attention.

‘He’s definitely an interesting one.’

A madman who had embedded circuits in his body to refine mana.

At the very least, his talent in circuit magic was rare even on the continent.

“But being too meticulous can be a flaw. You can’t fight while analyzing every circuit.”

It was rare for someone talented in circuits to also excel in combat. Combat was about instinct, not theory.

That’s what Violette thought.

……Until Yurik raised his index finger.

?!

In truth, Yurik hadn’t planned to use his index finger.

No, Titon’s index finger wasn’t something Yurik could control yet.

But the finger reacted to the presence of demons.

The thought that passing this trial would allow him to join the demon subjugation force moved the finger.

Yurik’s right index finger burned as if on fire.

It mercilessly drew in the mana coursing through his body, compressing it at the tip of his finger again and again.

Slaying demons.

That was its sole purpose.

The finger, which had been pointing at the sky, now pointed at the barrier.

And then, an overwhelming wave of mana erupted from the tip of his finger.

BOOOOOOM!

The mana wave completely swept through the surroundings.

That single attack nearly depleted all the mana in Yurik’s body.

The recoil was immense.

But, with just one strike.

With just one strike, the barrier was obliterated without a trace.

Everyone was stunned by the unbelievable sight.

Even Azverly, who always wore a smile, couldn’t close her mouth.

Grand Mage Violette clapped twice.

“Pass.”

Not just a pass, but an immediate qualification.

There was no need for a third trial.

In an unexpected place, she had found not just an extra, but a comrade to fight demons alongside.