After considering all the criteria for admission into Ainzlark Academy, I had already deduced that there was no need to worry about it.
However, with the introduction of the third portion of our exams, that assurance vanished. If my guess was correct and our final score would be based on a culmination of the three areas, I needed to do extremely well in the first two.
‘I didn’t intend to go this far initially, but… I won’t be holding back for this exam… at least not too much!’ My thoughts trailed.
To achieve the most efficient result, I had to resort to [SPELLCRAFT].
Releasing the mana from my three Mana Cores, I resonated them with the environment. Fortunately, our very surrounding was rich in mana since hundreds of people had already used their spells before I entered the stage. Plus, the hall itself operated on magic.
That meant I had a nearly limitless pool to draw from!
Synchronizing my mana with the mana present around me, I created different reactions for three of my spells.
‘I have the spell and formula in my head, I just don’t have enough mana and speed due to my mana core grade…’
That meant the only thing limiting me, as well as most Magic-Users, was my Mana Core. However, using [SPELLCRAFT], that limitation was as good as gone!
“[Sylph’s Whisper]. [Ifrit’s Breath]. [Heavenly Spark].” I chanted simultaneously.
Three Basic Spells at the same time, all at the highest caliber.
The wind hurricane that Maria had used during her round appeared in a flash. Mine was even more powerful, as all my spectators felt the breeze blow across their seats. Such was the power of my [Sylph’s Whisper]!
[Ifrit’s Breath] was a fire spell that boasted the most destructive capacity of all Basic fire Spells. It took on the shape of a large ball floating high above my head. The heat was enough to send everyone sweating. The strong wind blew the heat across the entire hall, causing the uncomfortable heat to spread more rapidly.
Finally, [Heavenly Spark] was a Basic Lightning Spell, and like other spells, I cast, boasted the highest destructive capacity out of all the spells in its class.
Appearing with a roar above the examiner, my lightning stood still, waiting for the completion of my spell which would cause it to immediately descend.
With the three of the most powerful spells most people in the room hoped to achieve at my beck and call, the reactions of the examinees changed in an instant.
“W-what?!!”
“T-that is!!!”
“I-impossible!!!”
“H-how is he doing that?”
“He’s using three different elements at the same time?!”
“The spells themselves are top class! And he’s using three at the same time?! That’s impossible!”
Of course, this much was expected of silly kids who were extremely astonished by Maria’s display earlier. However, it was not their reactions I was looking forward to.
“A-Amazing… I always knew you weren’t normal. But this…” He muttered, looking at what I had conjured up for him.
The surprise clearly written on his face and the unexplainable display of awe in his eyes gave me pleasure. A wide grin formed on my face as I replied to him.
“Oh, please don’t be surprised now, examiner Sir Legris Damien. I’m just getting started!”
His eyes widened more in surprise as he couldn’t fathom what more I could show him other than this.
Sure, with this alone I was guaranteed a passing grade higher than any that had come before me and most likely after me. However…
‘This isn’t enough…’ My mind rang.
While it was impressive, three respective basic spells were still nothing in face of someone at Legris’ level. I wanted him to truly regret his decision of treating me casually. Plus…
“It would be a waste to settle for this, anyway!”
Once again focusing my mana that formed an integral part of the three spells, I sent more power into them, and slowly, connected the three spells through a mana channel.
While invisible to the natural eyes, anyone using mana to trace the particles would be able to see it clearly.
Just like strings tying various objects, my mana tied the three spells from their respective locations.
“Let us begin.”
FWOOOOOSSSHHHHH
I sent the roaring whirlwind toward Legris, at the same time pulling [Igris Breath]’s flames to the spinning cluster of wind.
Since both of them had been tied together and contained my resonating mana, both spells merged most fluidly.
The transparent wind took in the bright orange-red flames and instantly turned into an intense whirlwind of flames.
This instantly caused everyone around to scream in pain and fright, feeling the tingles on their skin.
The fiery whirlwind increased in speed and neared Legris quickly creating burn marks on the ground in its advance.
Legris grinned excitedly as he watched the joint spell approach him. I could hardly see him due to wind pressure and the distortion caused by the heat, but Legris was certainly smiling widely, having bulged eyes.
“I’m not done!” I declared, controlling the lightning that was dormant above him.
KRRRRUUUUIIKKKKKK!!! It crackled, drawing Legris’ attention to the spell over his head.
“Fall!”
The lightning instantly descended, swiftly making its way to the ground toward its target.
Legris took this as his queue and finally removed one of his hands from his pockets and raised it to stop the spell.
‘Wrong move!’ My mind rang.
Instantly pulling the lightning using the mana thread woven about it, I changed its trajectory, causing it to mix with the fiery whirlwind.
KRRRRRRIIIIIKKAAAVWOOOOMMM
Crackles and flashes of lightning from [Heavenly Spark], roaring flames of [Ifrit’s Breath], merged with the roaring winds of [Sylph’s Whisper], all woven together sped across the platform and charged at the examiner with an unexpected new speed.
Before he would descend his hand, the spell would hit. The look on his face confirmed it. He looked absolutely stunned beyond belief. However, I saw that he still had no intention of raising his second hand. Instead, he focused on the new spell, attempting to stop it with the force of his mana alone.
“Don’t even think about it!”