Genius Gamer Reborn into a Family of Heroes

Chapter 87

Entrance Exam

After the mana test, the second part of the exam began. It was the written test, the one Harang was the most worried about due to his lack of confidence.

Even though he had the [Skill Book Acquisition] system, its limitations were clear. There was a limit to how much knowledge he could absorb at once, and most of what he had acquired pertained to attack and attack-support magic, leaving him clueless in other fields.

Potion making, astrology, herbalism, mana crystal refinement, the history of magic, ancient runes and symbolism, psychokinesis manipulation, and so on.

All these subjects were completely unfamiliar to Harang, and he hadn’t even grasped the most basic theoretical concepts of magic perfectly.

At this point, even the “Eyes of Truth” couldn’t help.

The Eyes of Truth could perfectly analyze magic that had already been cast, but it wasn’t very useful for answering exam questions.

Fortunately, it proved somewhat helpful in certain areas of magic analysis, which saved him; otherwise, he would have been in real trouble.

[Applicant 187, Deis]

[Written and Theory Comprehensive Score: 57]

[Result: Passed the second exam]

In other words, Harang scoring 57 on the written test—just surpassing the minimum requirement of 50 points—might have seemed like a miracle to others.

Of course, Harang had anticipated this outcome. He had researched beforehand and knew that, as the world’s most prestigious institution, the written test wouldn’t be easy.

‘It’s lower than I expected, but it doesn’t matter.’

Considering that most applicants scored an average of 80 points, with even the lowest not dipping below 70, Harang’s score was undeniably poor. However, what mattered for now was passing the cutoff.

Generally, performing poorly in the written exam implied similar performance in the practical, so others would assume Harang’s failure was a foregone conclusion.

However, Harang was confident.

The third part, the practical exam.

He had already researched what kind of practical test Arniel would conduct and had tested how effectively the Eyes of Truth could be applied in this area.

While the Eyes of Truth had been of little use in the written exam, the moment the magical conditions were physically implemented before him, its analytical power manifested at 100%.

Of course, if he suddenly achieved high scores in the subjects where he had failed the written exam, he might be accused of cheating. Therefore, Harang had no choice but to showcase his best abilities in the areas where he had scored well in the written test.

‘Introduction to the Five Major Elemental Magic’

‘The Meaning of Spells and Spell Studies’

‘Basic Magic Theory’

These subjects were where Harang had some confidence. However, they were also the most common and mainstream subjects, so most applicants at Arniel tended to score high in them.

In the end, this meant that Harang had to display an overwhelmingly superior performance, beyond that of an average teenage mage, in these mainstream subjects…

No matter how much support he received from the system or the Eyes of Truth, that was no easy task. However, he hadn’t spent the last month doing nothing.

It wasn’t that he had simply studied for the Arniel entrance exam.

Genius Gamer Reborn into a Family of Heroes, Chapter 87

Harang had analyzed the characteristics of the Arniel entrance exam and researched ways to maximize his strengths.

One of the defining characteristics of Arniel, the world’s greatest magic school, was that it valued “uniqueness” more than the overall average scores.

In other words, even if an applicant’s average scores were slightly lower, possessing a quality that other mages did not have could earn them significant bonus points, greatly increasing their chances of admission.

Thanks to Natalen, Harang had already learned a sufficiently unique magic.

That was none other than the [Revelation of Mythic Descent].

However, this magic was known as a legendary spell that had not been passed on to anyone since Natalen, and had become lost over time. Therefore, it wasn’t something he could reveal recklessly just yet.

Even though it might not have the same impact as Dragon Speech, publicly displaying this magic would cause a huge uproar. So, until Harang had enough strength to handle it, it was best to keep it a secret.

‘Even without Dragon Speech and Mythic Descent, I have other spells to showcase.’

Even if he set aside all his ultimate-level spells, Harang had already learned several secret spells in the Flower Tower that Natalen had established.

Moreover, Natalen’s avatar had left behind an incomplete spell exclusively for Harang.

That spell was [Memory Cube].

This magic had been developed by Natalen as an attempt to utilize “Memorize,” but its performance wasn’t satisfactory, so it was discarded and never known to the public.

‘In other words, there’s no problem with revealing it here. If this spell turns out to be ineffective, I can always resort to using Mythic Descent.’

Even if he had to reveal his hidden cards, Harang was determined to gain admission to Arniel at all costs.

“Applicant number 1, Zelka Ainglass. Show us your magic.”

Zelka Ainglass raised both hands with a confident expression. Without relying on a staff or magical tools, he chanted his spell. The magic he displayed wasn’t particularly special.

He simply cast two spells simultaneously.

However…

Whoosh!!

Fire.

Ssshh…!!

Ice.

The critical part was that these two opposing elemental spells were cast simultaneously!

Both spells were near the 3-star level, and they were fire and ice, attributes that were fundamentally contradictory. Naturally, the audience was shocked.

“D-Dual casting?”

Casting two spells at the same time was something that even high-level mages could rarely pull off.

Yet here was a mere fourteen-year-old 3-star mage demonstrating it, leaving the Arniel examiners with expressions of utter disbelief.

Moreover, it wasn’t just regular dual casting—it was dual casting with two opposing elements, making it an even more complex and difficult feat!

“This is a completely different world than ours…”

Some of the applicants lost their will to continue the exam altogether. That was how overwhelming the magic Zelka Ainglass had displayed was.

It wasn’t some kind of special vision magic; because he was using an ordinary spell, the difference in talent felt even more extreme.

Harang, who was watching the scene, thought to himself.

‘…What the? So it’s fine to just show off something like that?’

Dual casting of fire and ice was something Harang could also do.

Since he could do it, he had assumed that the applicants for Arniel, the world’s most prestigious magic school, could naturally do it too, so he hadn’t even considered using dual casting.

“He didn’t use the Ainglass family’s vision magic at all.”

“I thought he’d at least use ‘End of Days’…”

“He’s trying to overwhelm us on purpose with just basic magic.”

“It’s too much…”

While the applicants grumbled, Zelka Ainglass confidently descended from the platform.

Next in line was Citrinne, the princess of the Herael Empire. Naturally, people expected her to use the imperial family’s unique golden magic.

Fwoosh! Sizzle…!!

However, she too suddenly displayed dual casting.

As if she was saying to Zelka Ainglass, ‘You’re not the only one who can use dual casting.’

“D-Dual casting?! Even the princess is using dual casting?”

“The imperial family isn’t even a magical family…”

“You fool. Though the imperial family isn’t known for magic, they boast a history comparable to that of the greatest magical families.”

“Why did such monstrous people have to come when we’re taking the exam…?”

Next up was Ailka of the Willed family, one of the five great magical families.

Even if she had only demonstrated her family’s unique vision magic, ‘Blue Hole,’ passing the examination would have been a given, but she chose to use dual casting instead.

Unlike Zelka and Citrinne, she seemed a bit strained, showing an incomplete performance, but the fact that she succeeded was what mattered.

The applicants who followed Ailka displayed their magic with a somewhat intimidated demeanor. Most of them were from prestigious or elite families, but witnessing such overwhelming talent had left them disheartened.

‘They’re worrying about pointless things. If they just keep at it, they’ll catch up eventually. Well, I guess that’s how you feel at that age.’

However, not every applicant was an overwhelming genius.

As the test proceeded, a rather peculiar applicant appeared.

“Applicant number 39, Renches… It seems your written exam scores were the worst.”

“Haha, is that so? But I still passed, didn’t I? That’s what matters!”

“Phew, just barely. Why did you apply to Arniel with skills like that?”

“I heard that most of those arrogant guys who flaunt their little magic tricks are from Arniel, so I came running!”

“…How arrogant. Very well. I will let you take the exam. Show me the one spell you are confident in.”

“Yes! It’s reversal magic! I’m currently practicing it!”

Reversal? Laughter broke out.

To use Reversal Magic, known to be impossible to perfectly manifest!

Reversal is a magic that cancels every magic in the world by turning it backward. If, in theory, it were to be completed, no shield or encryption could hinder the Reversal Mage, and no magic would be able to attack them.

Additionally, success in reversal means that one has perfectly understood the magic circle that exists in two dimensions. There was also a theory suggesting that they could construct a magic circle in three dimensions if they accomplished this…

But why does this theory only exist?

Because it’s impossible.

Fwoosh!

“Haha, I failed.”

“…Return to your seat.”

With mocking laughter, Renches returned to his seat, and thanks to him, the atmosphere lightened considerably. Seeing such a fool among them gave everyone a shared sense of confidence that they could do it too.

However, it was too early to be relieved, as the next hurdle awaited the applicants.

“Applicant number 49, Ferta Rendella. Show us your magic.”

It was now Ferta’s turn, who, like Zelka Ainglass, surprised everyone by displaying magic power close to a 4-core.

The other applicants looked at Ferta with expectant eyes, wondering if he, like the other geniuses, would display dual casting. Contrary to their expectations, however, he showcased his family’s secret magic.

The Rendella family’s secret passed down through generations, ‘Material and Magic Enhancement.’

A type of buff magic, Rendella’s magic, which enhances spells or materials, is known for making a significant impact on the battlefield. Its inherent value alone guaranteed success in the entrance exam.

Naturally, everyone knew that using the family’s secret was advantageous for the entrance exam, but for the other prestigious families’ descendants who expected some performance, it was slightly disappointing.

But then.

What if an unexpected performance burst forth from where it was least expected?

“Applicant number 187, Deis. Show us your magic.”

The previous applicants had already displayed all their magic.

During the magic capacity test, Harang had not shown anything outstanding, so he wasn’t receiving as much attention as before, but still, many eyes were on him.

In particular, the magic examiners were fixated on Harang, staring at him so intensely that it felt a bit ticklish.

“It doesn’t have to be magic. Herbalism, alchemy, astrology, spiritism, anything is fine. Show us the best of what you can do.”

Since commoners often lacked special secret magic, they added such words, but they were meaningless to Harang.

Fwoosh!

Harang raised his left index finger, and at its tip, a flame magic circle flared up.

Though it was small in size, there wasn’t a single person present who failed to recognize that this was a miniature form of the 3-star magic ‘Burst Ball.’

After all, it was one of the most basic offensive spells.

“It’s impressive that he cast it with just one finger, but that alone is… hmm?!”

At the very moment when the examiner frowned at Harang’s unimpressive magic…

Sizzle…!

Harang extended his middle finger, casting a second spell, ‘Cold Ball.’

A 3-star offensive magic that freezes anything it touches in an instant!

“W-What?!”

“One-handed dual casting…?!”

Casting different attributes with each hand was already a difficult feat. One had to channel the mana of burning heat into the right hand and the mana of chilling cold into the left.

In other words, casting two different attributes with just one hand was close to impossible for a mere 3-star mage to perform.

The fact that Harang had confidently displayed this left everyone in the room completely speechless, their mouths hanging wide open in shock.

Harang was a former professional gamer.

Professional gaming was a kind of sport, and it required showmanship to captivate the audience.

For Harang… he had a natural talent for such showmanship.

The third finger.

Whoosh…!!

A green magic circle unfolded for the third time, and as the wind began to stir, some of the applicants couldn’t help but scream in astonishment.

“H-How is this possible…?!”

Thud! The examiner, who stood in front of Harang to assess his magic, ended up dropping the evaluation sheet.

Harang’s actions were just that shocking.

‘There’s no point in hiding my magic and power now.’

Harang had no intention of holding back and letting his hand rot away.

Since the mission to recover Estelle was critical, he was ready to reveal everything except his dragon words.

Though he was forcefully hiding his swordsmanship and dragon words due to potential issues, the idea of concealing his power in other ways simply didn’t suit Harang’s personality.

Rather, boldly revealing his talents and secrets to receive admiration, envy, and attention from many—that was precisely who Harang was.

The current triple casting had pushed his synchronization rate to the maximum, causing a cold sweat to trickle down his back and giving him a splitting headache. But for the sake of his swagger, he could endure it!

“…Y-You pass the third test, the practical magic test.”

Even the examiner stuttered and had to address him with respect, overwhelmed by Harang’s monstrous talent.

With a faint smile, Harang extinguished the magic.

‘A good start.’

Though he had been ignored and looked down upon, in the end, he left everyone in utter shock.

This was exactly the start he had wanted.