“Are you only here for the General Magic examination?”

“Yes.”

Once again in the guise of Nicolaus, I arrived in Bavaria to officially get my mage registration card issued and proceeded to the Royal Mage Association’s examination site.

It’s best to update all core-related official documents now while the school is likely to mess things up. There’s no time to delay.

“Your Highness, you are…”

“I am not.”

Leo, standing beside me, waved his hand slightly.

The staff member smiled, nodded, and spoke to me.

“Then, Sir Nicolaus, please proceed to Examination Room 1 on the upper floor.”

“How long will the examination take?”

“There are five sections, each taking about 1 to 5 minutes. Including the time to compile results, it should take less than 40 minutes in total. Ah, it might take twice as long for you, Sir Nicolaus.”

Twice as long?

Anyway, unlike the abbreviated core exam at the school, this examination, which will determine the values on my registration card, involves multiple assessments.

“What are the sections?”

“First, we will check your core, then measure the purity, intensity, and total amount of your magic power. Finally, we will test a spell at its maximum power to see if there are any blockages during the casting process.”

It was as I had researched beforehand.

I nodded briefly in greeting and went upstairs, opening the door to the examination room.

The examination room was completely empty.

I took off all my artifacts and placed them in the storage box, standing in front of the red tape marked on the floor.

A signboard was placed in front of me.

‘Raise your dominant hand.’

It was stated that the test would assess various aspects such as the hardness, capacity, and stability of the core.

Since I’m doing this, I hope I score at least 8 out of 10.

‘Where did your conscience go?’

Expecting to jump to an 8 after training for just two months, having been at zero, is a bit much.

Anyway, below that, it mentioned that the skin might tingle when the test magic flows.

A very… discouraging statement.

However, there was no need to delay what had to be done, so I raised my hand right away.

Crackle―!

“Ugh!”

I reflexively pulled my arm back and took a step back.

It felt like a needle had traveled through my veins to stab deep into my heart.

‘Whoever wrote that doesn’t understand the definition of a tingle.’

More importantly, do I need to redo it since I stopped midway?

I really don’t want to put my hand up again… let’s see.

Beep―

As I was looking to see if anything had changed, a red light appeared above the signboard.

Below the self-evaluation score, a percentile appeared.

Core Rating: Top 1%

“…1%?”

I couldn’t believe what I saw, so I closed my eyes for a moment and reopened them, but nothing changed.

It was truly 1%.

‘No matter how comprehensive the factors are, a core soaked in poison for over half a lifetime shouldn’t be this good.’

The examination is complete. Please proceed to Examination Room 2.

As soon as the message appeared, I left Examination Room 1 and moved next door.

And…

After pulling out the grade sheet from the final room, I returned to the staff member.

“All sections are within the top 1%. How is this possible?”

“That’s expected for someone of Sir Nicolaus’s caliber. Why are you asking how…?”

Leo murmured from behind.

The staff member nodded in agreement with Leo’s comment.

“It’s because of the recent adjustments in the examination. For those in the top 1% of each section, there’s a special examination for a more accurate measurement.”

“There’s another test?”

“Yes. It’s a recently added procedure, so it’s understandable you weren’t aware.”

If it’s within the top 1%, they transfer to a special test?

So I’ve passed the general level easily.

‘It’s surprising… perhaps I’ve underestimated my condition.’

From observing the status windows, it’s clear that many people have magic stats between 0 and 1.

Society doesn’t usually classify them as mages, but technically they are.

Given that 78% of the population falls into this category, my core surpassing 100 average mages isn’t too surprising.

My core rating being in the top 1% owes much to this statistic.

Now, I’ll compete with those who’ve also surpassed 99 out of 100 mages.

I wonder where I’ll rank among them.

I pondered over this while stroking my chin.

‘Anyway, I have to do the test again.’

Feeling my pulse quicken slightly, I returned to Examination Room 1.

Looking at the signboard instructing me to raise my hand again, I cleared my thoughts and placed my right hand on it. I just wanted to get it over with.

Bang― Crackle―!

“Whew….”

This time, knowing the intensity, I handled it smoothly.

Beep―

Core Rating: Top 40%

‘Hmm.’

Within the top 1%, my core ranks just above the median.

‘Not bad.’

Luca’s core was at level 9.

In two months, I’ve surpassed about 100 average mages and roughly 60 out of 100 top 1% mages.

I expected a lower score, but the fact that it’s above average suggests my core’s innate traits are good enough to counteract the damage.

The examination is complete. Please proceed to Examination Room 2.

Outside, I told Leo my percentile. Leo clicked his tongue with a dissatisfied look.

“Your core isn’t great. You should get treatment at Wittelsbach later.”

“…….”

I almost asked why he was still using formal speech here but kept quiet.

It’s wise to maintain decorum while moving around as Nicolaus, just in case.

I nodded at Leo and asked.

“What’s your percentile?”

“…What kind of phrasing is that…. When I first measured after the system was introduced, I was at 1%.”

“In the special examination.”

“Of course.”

“…….”

Silently, I moved to the next room.

Even without exceptional magical talent, he reached this level because his core was strong enough to support any effort. No amount of magic potions would burden him.

‘This test is for magic purity.’

I had checked it out earlier.

Fortunately, this test doesn’t involve being attacked by a machine. I just need to channel magic into holy water.

I briefly channeled magic into the holy water radiating divine energy.

Beep―

Top 0%

‘Hmm.’

As mentioned in the guidance note earlier, the values are rounded.

Anyway, the result was 0% in the general test, and it’s still 0% here.

I had guessed this might be the case since I can freely use Divine Power, but seeing it with my own eyes was even more satisfying.

Next, in terms of magic intensity and total amount, I scored in the top 4% and top 1%, respectively.

“I had a feeling when you could warp five or six times a day, but to be in the top 1% for total amount? That’s impressive.”

Leo chuckled.

Warp magic consumes an excessive amount of magic power, so for our school’s students, the maximum is one or two times a day.

But… for someone who says that, Leo never seemed to struggle with warping.

“What’s your total amount score…?”

“Top 13% or was it 11%? I didn’t think it was low, but maybe I’m wrong.”

His school friends would want to punch him for that.

He’s got 89 people behind him in the top 1% category, and he thinks it’s not low?

‘Anyway.’

My core is in the top 40%, and magic power is no lower than the top 4%.

With such a large gap between the core and magic power, it’s difficult to fully utilize my abilities, and the core gets continuously damaged.

Even with regular reinforcement potions and training, reaching this level, I might need to consider alternative methods.

‘I really should get treated at Wittelsbach or something.’

Another issue….

Knowing that only the core score is poor could make my brother suspicious.

I cast a soundproofing spell and spoke to Leo.

“Leo, do you know who can access my test results here?”

“What, you used formal speech well enough before, now you can’t?”

“Yeah.”

In usual settings, it feels like work.

He’s a student and a politician, and he’s had to use formal speech with his parents since childhood, but I haven’t.

Of course, I should cast a soundproofing spell since you never know who might be listening.

Leo nodded, understanding my discomfort.

“That makes sense. Only the person who guided us earlier can see your information. He’s the general manager here.”

“Really? Thanks for letting me know.”

“Worried your brother might check?”

“Exactly. He’s definitely the type to do that.”

“Don’t worry. Since this place was established, there has never been a leak. And there are actually many people with only bad cores.”

“Hmmm, okay….”

There really are many people with bad cores.

It’s like having good contents but a bad container. It’s something you’re born with, so it can’t be helped.

Anyway, now for the last part.

I entered the examination room at the end of the hallway.

* * *

For the final section, the magic demonstration, I scored in the top 10%.

It’s not a score I’m particularly pleased with, but considering the state of my core, it’s not bad.

While waiting on the first floor, an employee called us.

“The comprehensive results are finished. The results we are giving you now include the weighted calculations.”

Level 4, three Level 1s, and Level 2.

The weighted average is 92.2.

“You are ultimately classified as Level 2, Sir.”

“Within the top 1%, you mean?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

It’s much better than I expected.

Once my core fully recovers, it should get even better.

The employee handed over two palm-sized identification cards.

Interestingly, one was printed on bright blue paper.

“You will normally use the standard mage identification card. The blue card is for special circumstances, usually requested by institutions.”

I looked at the identification cards silently.

‘General Magic Standard Level 1, General Magic Special Level 2.’

I’ve been living well without official documentation, but now the paperwork is complete.

This was clearly a talent-testing examination.

Although recovering my core involved effort, had my brother not ruined it, my level should have surpassed this.

This kind of certification is something Luca could never achieve in his life. I wonder what he would think if he saw it.

“Let’s go, Sir.”

Hearing Leo call me from behind, I pocketed the identification cards and left.

* * *

The next day, the school predictably brought up the core examination.

They said not to mention it until the day after tomorrow, so they must have planned to announce the restricted area trip tomorrow.

‘They really set the schedule as if they have dormitories….’

Anyway, I feel sleepy after taking two and a half bottles of potion to suppress my core.

Reinforcement potions have similar ingredients, so taking them now would be counterproductive.

But if I really fall asleep, I might never wake up. I must stay awake as much as possible.

The result was successful, anyway.

I checked the table handed out by the school.

Core Rating: Top 97%

General Magic Standard — Core Level 9

‘Level 9 in the standard test… that’s quite different from Nicolaus.’

Everything else is also Level 9, so Luca’s identification card perfectly states [General Magic Standard Level 9].

In a 9-level system, Level 9 is perfect to fool my brother.

He should feel much more reassured now.

At that moment, Narce warped in and cast a purification spell, patting me loudly on the back.

“What’s got you smiling alone?”

“I got the grade I wanted.”

“Haha, you’re probably the only person who wants Level 9. I understand it’s better for you, but still… it’s interesting.”

“It is. Thanks for the purification.”

My heavy body was gradually getting lighter, and the drowsiness was fading.

It’s time to check the survival possibility.

Dawn777

—Final Outcome ‘Chapter X. Death’ in 702 days 23 hours 31 minutes 58 seconds

—Change Probability: 15.4% (+1.0%p)

‘15.4?’

I couldn’t help but let out a gasp at that number.

Two weeks ago, the last time I checked, it was 7.9%.

‘So it increased by 7.5 percentage points.’

It increased as much in two weeks as it had in two months before.

And obtaining Level 9 this time and disturbing the information reaching my brother added another 1 percentage point.

Excluding that 1 percentage point, it still increased by 6.5 percentage points, showing how much Nicolaus affects my survival.

Narce nodded at my words.

“By the way, the kids mentioned something. Apparently, your level has been famous since last year? Even the knight department has an average core level of 3, but there’s someone with Level 9 in the magic department.”

“…Sharp observation.”

I’ve heard all sorts of things today.

‘How did you even get in here?’ to ‘What’s the point of being in the top 97% in the standard test?’ and ‘You’d better be good at studying.’

Of course, none of this was said to my face, but I heard it all.

‘Actually, they shouldn’t be worrying about others.’

Most of the magic department students are around the top 5% in the standard test.

It’s high in the general pool of mages, but still, none of them qualify for the special test.

Well… not my problem. They can worry as much as they want.

“Haha, but in terms of the situation, it’s good. This grade was something you led yourself to, right? More importantly….”

Narce thought for a moment, then smiled and continued.

“How does it feel to be Level 2 special and Level 9 standard? I’m genuinely curious.”

“…….”

When did I ever say that? Of course, I never did.

I just let out a dry laugh at Narce’s comment.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep