There's something inside that crystal… a flame?
This year's practical exercise is all about mana provision!
This giant crystal can measure
the amount and quality of your mana!
But don't think it's just a boring old measurement device!
We're testing your ability to supply mana
to an entity through a physical barrier
by having you supply mana through the crystal
to this amorphous flame!
As such, you'll pour as much mana
as you can into the contained flame!
The amount you're able to provide
will determine your score!
W-wow.
That sounds kinda easy.
So we just need to fill the crystal with mana, right?
All right, let's start with Student #1!
No... there's no way this is going to be THAT easy.
Shiro ka kuro kongaragatte gray
Itsudatte aimai na mama de
Tayorinaku aruku tonari de hohoenderu kimi
Akogare wa tashika da toshite
Hateshinaku tooku mabushii
Chippokena kono genjou Abracada-Boo mahou kakete yo
Kimi no hitomi no yami ni kakushita
Samishisa wa yasashii uta de dakishimeteitai no ni
Sekaijuu ga uso datte sawagihajimetatte
Kimi ga kimi naraba
Kirameku kaze o makiokoshi shinjitsu o sakebu
Sekaijuu ga tsumi datte togameta toshitatte
Tatta hitori demo
Kimi o rikai shi tsuzuketai
I'm on your side mamotte ageru
THE MAGE OF HEAVEN'S WILL
Dammit! Come on!
I'm giving it all I've got!
Next number!
GO!
Next number!
Seems most are having a rough time.
Yeah. It'll be less than 10% at this rate…
They're failing because they assumed it'd be easy!
The proctor even warned them!
Next number, #87!
Watch this.
I know the trick to this test.
We're funneling mana into the flame, not the crystal.
Crystal is a mineral formation that excels at storing mana.
Pouring mana into it won't mean
the mana will make it to the center!
I'm going to give it all I have! Support me, Sylphide!
I just need to focus on the flame in the center!
If I get distracted, the mana will flow
into the crystal instead…
But controlling my mana that precisely
is a piece of cake for me!
Not bad. You're certainly the top scorer so far.
Yes!
Easy as pie!
I knew you'd do it, Lilia!
Next!
Sheesh, you don't need to go to Ortigia to ace this test.
Watch real close, now!
What's with him?
Seems he's a student at another school.
Wow, not bad.
Yeah.
We can't let ourselves be outdone.
Absolutely!
Ortigia's students certainly live up
to their institution's reputation.
Though this one only barely scraped by.
I suppose.
Great job!
T'was easy!
But if this is all Ortigia has for us this year,
I'll be disappointed.
All right, last one, #108!
Y-yes sir!
Why are two people going up?
Who is that girl?
She's huge!
THEY'RE huge…
What, did you bring your mommy with you?
What is this, preschool?
E-excuse me, only test takers and staff are allowed to-
No, they're fine.
Huh?
I got a note about this from Ortigia. She's his familiar.
What?!
A human familiar…
I've proctored this test for a long time,
and I've never seen nor heard of such a thing.
And she's ginormous…
It's much bigger up close.
Yeah.
I knew it.
Knew what?
Oh, when I was looking at it from far away,
I had a feeling…
It's just as I thought. This is no ordinary crystal.
The crystal itself is acting as a pseudomatrix of formulae.
The construction itself is simple, but it's enough
to guide mana along its path and out of the crystal.
However...
Why's Alto going around it?
Here!
Right here is where the formula
creates a straight line into the center!
Excuse me, um, do we have to do it in front?
No, you can apply mana from wherever you like.
He caught on to the real test being performed here:
measuring your ability to decipher
and understand magic formulae.
That crystal is a specially-made mana conduit.
The location you choose to supply mana from
greatly determines your success.
Average
Somewhat Weak
Weak
Strong
And of those potential locations,
the best spot to supply mana is from the back!
Unless you have sufficient knowledge
and a keen eye for magical formulae,
you won't be able to find that spot!
I'm glad we've got someone who's a little better
than the rest. He definitely passes.
Alto.
That's not the right spot, is it?
You're right. That's not it.
Whoa, whoa, not that!
I promised you…
...I'd get stronger!
What?! It's huge! And the flames have turned silver?!
Impossible! That's the most difficult spot to supply mana!
He chose that spot intentionally?!
Incredible… This feels like nothing…
…not compared to how crazy difficult
supplying mana to Vermeil has been!
This crystal might be thick and tough to get through,
but it's nothing compared to the contract with Vermeil!
He can supply even more?!
Alto.
Don't hold back. Scare the hell out of all of them.
All right!
Huh?
I-I-I-I... I-I'm...
I'M SO SORRY!
I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!
I, uh, I didn't mean to break it, I swear!
Um, I'm sorry! I really am! I'm really REALLY sorry! Really!
I can't believe the crystal shattered…
So, uh, does this mean…
...I don't pass?
Don't be ridiculous. You pass with flying colors.
Sir! They're supposed to find that out later!
How am I supposed to tell him
that he didn't pass after THAT?
Of course, you only pass this practical exam.
Do poorly on the written and you'll flunk.
So don't get cocky.
Y-yes sir!
If you're done, then get outta here.
Thank you, sir!
Sorry!
That was wild!
I'm so glad...
I still can't believe this happened.
Could the crystal have been defective?
Not a chance.
I'm surprised someone could even shatter the crystal.
A Gold Square couldn't do that.
Hell, a Platinum Square might find it tough…
Is something wrong?
Nope.
This kinda stuff is why I love working with young mages.
All things aside, I'm shocked you shattered the crystal.
I swear, why is it always like this with you?
I hear you won't have to reimburse them
for the crystal, either.
Yeah, thank goodness…
You passed, and that's all that matters.
All you have to do now is ace the written portion.
R-right.
Speaking of, Marx, you said you had a secret weapon,
but I didn't see you use it back there.
Yep, because it wasn't for the practical exam!
I'll be using it to its utmost potential in the written exam!
Behold, my incredible secret weapon!
Ta-da!
The Perfect Scorer Six-Sided Pencil!
This is how I got myself past Ortigia's entrance exam!
Well? I bet you're all wishing you had one,
but this one is mine!
W-well, we'll just have to give it our best shot!
That practical exam was harder
than I thought it would be.
Like, it made me wonder if there are even people
who pass Bronze with a perfect score.
There aren't many perfect scorers, correct.
Even Platinum Squares trip up on at least something.
Though I believe there was one person
who got a perfect score on every exam.
Every single one?
Yes. Bronze, Silver, Gold,
every exam, every question correct.
E-every question…
Why's that getting you scared?
You want to be a Platinum Square, right?
Beardy back there said you got
an easy perfect score on practical.
You're good at written exams, so you'll ace this one.
And then, what do you know,
you're right up there with that perfect scorer.
Vermeil…
She's right, you know! Don't get scared on us!
But who cares about who got all perfect scores?
Just focus on this one test for now!
We got past the practical, let's go pass the written!
Yeah.
Got it, Alto? Don't space out on this test!
You never know what'll trip you up on there!
R-right!
Let's go! We've got this!
Yeah!
Vermeil, the… the test is going to start soon.
We've got time. There's no point
cracking open your textbook now.
Besides, you used up a lot of mana back there, right?
I did, but… I don't need mana for the test.
C'mon. Remember what she just said?
You never know what will trip you up.
Besides, I hear your heart. It wants this right now.
Fine. J-just a little more, all right?
Ugh! We're going to be cutting it close now, Vermeil!
Really? You still have a little time.
Look…
before you even take the exam,
you need to make sure you have your writing utensils,
check that you have your test ticket,
that you're sitting in the right seat, and lots more!
There are tons of things you need to do!
I knew this before, but boy, are you a serious scholar.
He was that guy at the practical…
I hope he passes, too.
Hey, Alto?
Can I have one more?
No more!
Meanie!
I'm not a meanie! You know we don't have time for that!
Those cocky Ortigia bastards.
Bet they think they're better than us.
Especially that white-haired guy.
What the hell was that stunt he pulled?
Asshole. Just you watch. I'm gonna
blow you out of the water on the written…
Hey! Hi there.
Uh, could you not stand there? You're in the way.
Sorry. It's nothing personal.
I'm gonna borrow your name, though.
Well done.
You've gotten better, but you've got
a long way to go before you can beat me.
Still, I'm surprised.
About what?
About Alto Goldfield. I couldn't have imagined
he had made a demon his familiar.
I still can't believe it's true.
When I was little, I was terrified
an evil demon would steal me away.
And a Platinum Square might be involved, too…
the situation's getting dire.
You're such a worrywart, Jessica.
Do you truly believe she poses no threat?
I wonder.
Still…
I think it's a splendid thing.
Human and demon, master and familiar…
If their bond is true, then it is our duty
as the Council to believe in their miracle.
I honestly don't quite understand.
Whyever would he let her give him her heart?
Goodness, you truly don't know?
He did it for love. Love!
He's in love with that demon.
But you know something, Jessica?
People just call these things "miracles"...
...because they don't exist.
Goodness, it's already this late?
It's about time for the written exam to begin.
I certainly hope it concludes without incident.
I-I'm sorry, I got held up! Please let me in!
The test is about to begin. Hurry to your seat.
Th-thank you!
Aw, man! Why can I never say no to her?!
Oh, Vermeil, we can't bring our familiars in
for the written test, so could you go kill time somewhere?
Will do! Break a leg!
Let's go, Cheryl.
Right.
Let's meet up after!
Yeah!
Um, I'm supposed to sit…
Right here! I'm so glad I made it…
The person sitting next to me isn't here yet?
Hey! You're almost late!
The test is about to start, get moving!
Gosh, that was a close one!
Good luck on the test, yeah?
Does it get easier with time for the immortal?
If I was born normal, if I become normal, can I stay close?
With the children, we link our arms
Make a circle and sing a song
Knowing there was no chair for me all along
You locked me into the dark, I'm your preserved flower
The world is too slow to understand
Not all blossoms spark, And spikes may be sharp
They only want to see the beautiful parts
Sitting in a shower of scarlet rain
It all used to be ours, I'm counting the hours
Hours that stood between us like a river
Once I crawled through the water
All I ever knew have become distant past