"This is all the mana you have?" The golem, confused, asked again. Makoto was just as surprised at the golem that was now staring wide-eyed, not because he had little mana (he had no idea how much he needed) nor because he coughed out blood (Makoto was a little strange like that) but because of how the golem broke its script.

Was it sentient or not??

The golem helped Makoto stand upright. Even though Makoto had just used up all his mana, he looked too well in the golem's eyes. People usually turned pale, and if mana was used up while running a spell, they could even die. Makoto took it all in stride, it couldn't be because of his constitution since even the winner of the Empire's Beefiest Body Builder Comp would writhe and collapse in pain from mana exhaustion, Makoto was just slightly beefy in comparison, like a calf.

"Well, without the magic... you can't really pass..." The golem looked back, the previous spell was still active, but he had to vet everyone. The golem turned to Shea again. "Alright, you come up—"

While the golem was distracted and looking away, with the intensity of a calf jumping down on a wild spread of grass, Makoto reached into his pockets and pulled out the stone he had grabbed before. Without a single moment of hesitation, he rammed the stone on the head of the golem.

"AHK!"

The wooden golem stumbled forward. Makoto, who had just learned to use his mana, instantly applied it. He summoned all his mana again and brought it to his hand. The mana leaked out and seeped into the stone as he swung it again.

"KUH!"

"Cough!"

The Golem and the assailant both coughed, Makoto with blood and the Golem with shock.

"WHY!?" The golem asked, but it was hit again, and then again. After the fourth strike, the golem's eyes finally lost light and it fell headfirst.

Makoto pocketed the murder weapon like a professional and dusted his hands. His blood had fallen on the wound of the golem, making it look like a first-rate crime scene.

"That's why I always keep a plan B. In case the first one fails."

Joana and Shea could only look on as Makoto stepped over the golem, then stopped and looked down. The golem was aiding with the magic... he pocketed the golem's wooden hands and then started walking toward the mist—the exit of the forest.

He did well to pocket the stone when he saw the principal. It worked as well against golems as he had expected it to work against humans. Makoto was prepared from the moment he saw the golem to have to break through.

"Aren't you guys coming?"

"Yes... of course."

"How fearsome, such skill... You might be my rival, Barabanki..."

***

Mist and fog covered their sight, but the trio continued walking undeterred. After covering a brief distance in zero visibility, the three students found themselves standing on the side of a road. In front of them, behind the stone-paved paths, was a building labeled the Auditorium, and behind them were a few dark, dense trees that eventually gave way to zero visibility behind it, except with darkness, unlike the bright mist.

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

The trio stepped away from the forest.

"Is this really ok?" asked Joana. Makoto crossed his arms and nodded.

The auditorium was right in front of them, it was probably the place where the banquet mentioned would be held. With no other place to go, the three of them headed toward the auditorium. The building was far larger than they assumed since it seemed to be far away. On their way, now far more relaxed, Joana stepped up and turned her back to the auditorium, looking at the two in front of her.

"Again, Joana Vego. I believe that our family's closeness with the spirit should be shared with everyone, so I plan to learn here a lot and make spirit magic more accessible outside. And rake in cash. I hope we get along, Makoto, Shea."

Shea smirked and stepped up next. He ran a hand through his hair. "Shea Eit Valker Raisner. It's your pleasure to make my acquaintance."

Makoto almost slapped the guy but held back—A thwack rang out as Joana slapped the back of his head instead.

"You should start by not being this smug. Say it's a pleasure."

At Joana's strict words, Shea had no choice but to bow. "I-It's a pleasure."

'Is this alright? He seems like a noble from his name.' Makoto's thoughts remained inside. If he didn't acknowledge it he could hit him too, and anyway, everyone was equal in Wrydhaven. Sensing their gazes, Makoto smiled softly.

"Makoto Barabanki. I want to live a smooth and quiet life. I hope we can have a good time together."

***

The three students stepped into the enormous auditorium. The lights turned on as soon as they stepped into the auditorium, but there was nothing inside the vast space.

Makoto tilted his head in confusion. Was this not where they were having the welcome banquet? Makoto was about to turn around when their path was blocked.

A tall woman, a good couple of feet taller than Makoto, stood at the door. The light illuminated her face to reveal a chiseled look. The woman with long red hair reaching down to her feet stood with her arms at her waist. She might have passed for the sculpture of someone's muse if not for the long tail finicking around her back.

"The hell? You kids are out already!? How did that happen—" The woman's pupils had a vertical slit, clearly inhumane. The presence emanating from her made Joana and Shea step back, but Makoto was unaffected. Her eyes stopped at the pendant on Joana's neck. "An artifact, huh? How did you pass the golem though, I would understand if a spiritualist..."

Her eyes narrowed. She was staring into Makoto's soul, the boy was a little confused. But when he saw the eye up front, he seemed to have recognized it.

"Are you... the principal?" asked Makoto. The other two gasped while the woman smiled.

"You guessed it right."

Makoto was a little pissed at the principal, but what could he do? He bowed respectfully and said. "We have completed the test."

"Indeed. You were the first ones, it has been a long time since someone has finished it this quickly."

Shea interrupted then. His voice quaked, completely different from how he had tried to portray himself. "Um, what about the banquet?"

"Oh? That was a lie." The principal answered and turned back to Makoto with interest. Her eyes narrowed. "What did you do with the golem?"

"We destroyed it," said Makoto.

"Hah!" The principal scoffed. "How brazen. Well, that is a technique for a wizard too."

"So, that means we won't be expelled for breaking the golem, right?"

"Expulsion? That was a lie too. Wizards are rare, why expel them?" The dragon principal grinned. "Interesting... what's with your mana? Well, whatever. All four of you did well escaping, you are the first group to come out. You are assigned to the Libra Tower."

'Four?'

Along with the words of the principal, a person appeared from behind the door, dragged out by a golem. It was a wolf-kin student.

"This one followed you three here." The Principal turned around and waved at the kids as she walked away. "Classes start tomorrow, that one wasn't a lie."

The three of them were taken aback by the presence of the new friend. The wolf-kin brazenly shouted at the principal. "Wait, where is the Libra Tower?"

"Figure it out yourself!"