The Sword Genius of the Magic Empire - Chapter 42



Only Noblemtl

The day after the meeting.

The Knights Templar exam was held as scheduled.

Swish.

Enoch checked his outfit in front of the mirror.

Lien, who had been quietly looking at the side, finally opened her mouth quietly towards this side.

“This time, I can’t help you.”

“know.”

Enoch nodded.

It was something I had already heard from Lien yesterday. But as if that wasn’t enough, she warned me again, as if it were a nail in the coffin.

“Because outsiders are prohibited from entering the Knights Templar’s ​​examination hall.”

As Lien said, the Knights’ exam is a test conducted within strictly defined regulations.

It would be natural that I wouldn’t be able to get help from her.

But even so, Enoch’s doubts had to be resolved somehow.

If the family is branded a warlock right now, Enoch’s body will be destroyed as well.

‘Perhaps Lien understood that too, so he probably didn’t object to this test.’

Sarak.

Lien, who had quietly approached me without me noticing, began to adjust my clothes as usual with a blank expression.

“… … .”

Still, regardless of his antipathy towards this side, he acts as if he originally thought that taking care of Enoch’s body was his job.

That contradictory yet consistent attitude was no longer surprising.

“Keep that in mind.”

Lien, who was gently smoothing Enoch’s shirt collar, opened her lips slightly in a cold tone.

“If something goes wrong with your body inside the examination room… … .”

Lien stopped talking and looked at me coldly for a moment with her usual emotionless expression.

A look of transparent anger at the fact that he was in a mission where he couldn’t even care for Enoch.

Enoch, who received her cold gaze, responded calmly.

“I’ll be careful.”

I know how important Lien’s presence is.

Up until now, it was thanks to Lien’s help that I was able to meet 10th level magicians and save my life.

Of course, it’s true that I want to accompany you on any mission, if possible…

“But this time, it’s okay.”

Enoch added, looking down at the beautiful silver-haired maid reflected in the mirror on the wall.

I don’t know about Lien, but this is an exam that I have taken countless times, from the first test to the final test.

“At least I don’t need your help.”

But at that time.

Lien paused for a moment as she adjusted her clothes.

Lien looked up at me with a sharp look, as if possessed by something.

For a moment, an unusually soft voice leaked out faintly from her lips.

“……master?”

A wave of emotion that seemed as if it would never be seen before passed through Lien’s silver-blue eyes.

It was the first time I had seen an expression on Lien, who had always been emotionless.

Enoch also looked at her in confusion.

“what?”

I just said that I didn’t need any help with this test.

Why are you suddenly showing such a rare reaction?

Lien stared at this for a while, then muttered quietly.

“… … Sometimes. Why do you keep… … How can you be like that person… … ?”

But in a split second, the blue-green eyes that had been dyed with vivid emotional colors returned to their usual coldness.

“……no.”

She looked this way for a moment, then turned her head and spoke in a transparent tone.

“It’s nothing.”

***

Enoch adjusted the black cloth bag he had been carrying and looked up for a moment.

The chilly early spring sky was now dyed a clear blue at noon.

Enoch, who had been walking along the road to avoid the crowd for a while, stopped for a moment.

A building, casting a huge shadow over its surroundings, stood firm before my eyes.

“Nemesis Knights: 1st Test Site”

… so dirty big.

That was my first impression when I saw the testing room.

As expected of the Magic Empire, it was a tall, large, and splendid gray building. When I saw it in person, it was even more impressive.

It’s a place I’ve seen dozens of times in-game, but seeing it in person really makes me realize how vast it is.

‘And maybe this is where it starts.’

Enoch took a moment to recall the events of yesterday.

As soon as Enoch had said at the regular meeting that he would prove himself fit for this mission, Nemesis put him to the test as if it had been waiting for him.

Perhaps, from their perspective and that of their family, they are holding out for this in order to resolve their doubts about our abilities…

They probably didn’t know.

‘This route was also included in the options.’

[First entrance exam for the Nemesis Knights]

Needless to say, this is one of the essential scenarios that was cleared countless times in the original.

Looking back, there were quite a few elements that I was able to gain from here.

In particular, the ‘Certificate of Merit’, one of the items you can obtain upon passing, is very useful, so much so that it was one of the essential courses for clearing the stage in a standard manner.

And the most important thing of all… .

‘The first test held in Nemesis is a private test that is not revealed to outsiders.’

So this is the perfect place to pass through while hiding the sword from other people’s eyes.

Because the original setting says so.

“The details of the first test of the Nemesis Knights are traditionally kept under wraps. However, it has been announced that the theme of the first test is ‘cooperation between team members.’”

At best, the test was only open to the public with the theme of proving basic cooperative skills.

Maybe that’s why Enoch was included here.

As Dionil said in yesterday’s meeting, you will need to demonstrate ‘cooperation’ to participate in the joint mission.

‘Nemesis’s entrance exam consists of three stages.’

Only those who pass all three exams are granted the right to challenge the ‘final exam’.

As for the content of those tests, the details have never been leaked to the outside world.

According to rumors going around, it seems to be a harsh ordeal with many casualties.

‘Especially if you don’t have the ability to cooperate, it’s not easy no matter how much practical experience you have as a wizard.’

Although it is only a rumor, such a sense of fear of the unknown may also be a device to put considerable pressure on the participants.

Of course, I know this because I’ve done it so many times that it’s tiresome.

Enoch reminisced about the grueling test.

How many people have actually cleared the episode , ​​which is considered an essential route in the original work?

Thud, thud… .

Let’s walk down the gray hallway for a while.

Finally, a large space like an auditorium was revealed.

At that location, many wizards participating in the exam had already arrived and gathered.

The origins, families, and clothing of the participating wizards, as well as their horsemen, are all very different.

“Long time no see! Nice to meet you.”

“Ah, it’s been a while since our last mission.”

Some of them are just acquaintances, so they gather in groups of three or four and exchange brief greetings.

In contrast, there were many who sat quietly on the countless metal chairs placed in the auditorium or leaned in the corner to observe the participants.

On the other hand, there are those who have already started arguing and exchanging words.

“You’re brave. I heard that your family is not a great one when it comes to battle magicians. There are many children of famous magicians attending this event, so please be careful about your safety.”

“Haha! Well, I wonder if the same thing will come up in the test. Let’s both try hard.”

At first glance, they appear to be inconsistent.

But there was one thing they had in common.

Enoch was quietly convinced, using his mana sense to roughly gauge their abilities.

‘Most of them are wizards backed by their talent and experience in battle.’

They were not magicians who wanted to join the Nemesis Knights, a group known for only gathering elites.

A testing ground where all wizards, who are called geniuses or prodigies, gather with their natural talents and hard work behind them.

Surely, there will be many participants who have played at least one song somewhere in the empire.

‘furthermore….’

Enoch’s black eyes scanned his surroundings.

At some point, I started to feel the gazes of the group of wizards watching me.

‘It’s as exciting as expected.’

I had a rough idea, but there were more participants paying attention to this than I expected.

It seems that rumors about Enoch have already spread.

The other magicians who are preparing for the exam will probably also know that this one has suddenly joined.

‘You have to be careful.’

Even though the exam is private, I’m sure I’ll have to be extra careful to hide my sword since I’m getting this much attention in the exam room.

at that time.

“I see you here, Master Enoch Elseid.”

Just then, someone came forward.

A boy with rather handsome but narrow eyes.

“Meet Enoch, the 9th rank.”

Through the crowd of people who had made their way, three or four men followed the boy and bowed their heads briefly in his direction.

The man with the narrow eyes who seemed to be their leader spoke with the corners of his mouth raised.

“I am the third son of the Philemon family, one of the supporting families of Lord Dionil. My name is Adonic.”

For a moment Enoch’s eyes narrowed.

‘Adonic, if it’s Adonic…!’

…who was it?

Enoch thought for a moment and then tilted his head slightly.

I think I’ve heard it vaguely somewhere, but it’s not a name that I particularly remember.

‘Come to think of it, was he related to Dionil?’

After thinking about it for a long time, I vaguely remembered the guy’s name.

Although he is not particularly important, he appears briefly in the original work as a follower of Dionil.

I was surprised at myself for remembering such trivial details.

‘Come to think of it, wasn’t it mentioned in the official history that this guy also took the exam for the knighthood?’

I don’t know if it was a coincidence or if he heard about Enoch’s mission and followed him.

But anyway, he was someone who didn’t really matter.

If it gets in the way, just throw it away.

“Please don’t think too strangely of it. We, as a family of followers, simply took this exam to prove our abilities. The reward for passing the exam is also attractive.”

Although he was polite with his mouth, his eyes were clearly looking down at me with an arrogant look as if he was trying to pick a fight.

He continued talking, oblivious to the gazes of those around him.

“As for Enoch, it seems that our Lord Dionil is also quite concerned. In my opinion… I think he is a bit overly worried.”

Enoch almost looked at him with pity when he heard those words, but tried to suppress it.

If this was really Dionil’s fortune, it was quite low-level.

If that’s not it, and if it was just an action to gain Dionil’s favor by establishing some kind of achievement, then he must be a man who doesn’t know his place.

Enoch figured out the guy quickly.

‘The level that can be sensed by mana is around level 12.’

Even based on the battle magicians of Elseid, a 12th level talent is considered quite skilled.

‘Come to think of it, in the settings, it was said that this guy passed the Nemesis Knights’ test three times.’

So that was the problem.

Although he was a skilled person who could make it to the third test in the original work, we don’t know anything about him.

‘Anyway, since he revealed that he is a follower of Dionil, his purpose is as clear as day.’

If Enoch fails the test, Dionil, whom they serve, will succeed in restraining this side.

In other words, it must be a ploy to deliberately participate in the test and fail this person.

‘Adonic… I’m going to get a little annoyed when the ‘test’ really starts.’

If not only that guy, but all of Dionil’s other followers come rushing in, it’ll be a headache.

Even a sword cannot be used openly.

It was clear that it was disadvantageous one way or another.

However, this one knew a lot of information that they didn’t know.

For example, ‘How will Nemesis’ first test proceed?’

That is precisely why we had to take action now.

‘If you knew everything that was going to happen, you could just use that to your advantage.’

We can’t catch all the menaces hiding in this testing center all at once, but we can take care of the ones who are brazenly showing off.

So then here… .

“You said Adonic? This too is fate. To meet you in a place like this.”

dump.

Enoch deliberately walked closer to the guy and sat down on the makeshift chair in front of Adonic.

The bastard’s eyes shook for a moment as if he was taken aback by my overly brazen behavior.

While the guy was hesitating like that for a moment.

Suddenly, a strong wave of mana surged from the podium set up in the auditorium.

-Woooow!

As the participants’ attention was focused in that direction, a figure appeared on the stage.

It was a natural appearance that would have been difficult to detect if there had not been such an intense flow of mana.

All the participants in the room, including Adonic, naturally focused their gaze on him.

A tall man wearing the black and gold-decorated uniform of the Knights of Nemesis, with a hat pulled down low.

Enoch also sat on his chair and looked at him calmly. Everything was going as expected.

‘As expected, you came out.’

The first examiner in charge of conducting the test in the original work.

“Nemesis Knights – Scout Knight: Teleos”

Enoch knew his identity well.

‘Teleos is a 10th-grade battle wizard who appears in the work.’

“Spatial Transfer” is considered one of the most difficult magics.

He was a powerful man who created numerous unique magics related to it and used them freely.

His unique magic and fighting prowess are described as being outstanding even in the original work.

“Nice to meet you all.”

-Wooooow… .

He deployed his teleportation magic circle once again, and instantly brought over a chair from under the stage.

dump.

“It’s annoying, so let’s get straight to the point.”

Teleos sat down on his chair without hesitation and continued speaking listlessly.

“There will be those who grew up preciously in some prestigious magic family here, and there will also be trash who came in through document forgery after rolling in from here and there. I will give a warning that applies equally to all of them.”

He immediately looked around at the people in the auditorium, then sat down quietly in his chair and wrinkled the corners of his mouth.

“As you know, we hold a knight selection exam every five years, and without exception, there are deaths each time.”

Those words really started to make the room tense.

He added.

“There are healers from the church stationed near the testing site and on standby at all times, but there are no separate safety measures in place during the actual testing.”

The entrance exam for the Nemesis Knights has always been kept secret, in keeping with their policy of strictly selecting only a select few.

So, the point was that no one knows what it is about until they experience it firsthand.

Feeling the pressure of the unknown horror that was to come, the wizards each grabbed their steeds and focused tensely on Teleos’s words.

“If you value your life, you can leave now. This is your last chance.”

Under the shadow of his black uniform and his hat of the same color, Teleos smiled faintly and declared.

“Those idiots who apply without any skills should get out if they value their lives.”

But even after he finished speaking, no one moved.

Enoch sat on his chair, hiding in the crowd, and smiled faintly at the expected turn of events.

That’s right, even if you don’t become a member of the Knights. Just passing each test will give you enough of a ‘qualification badge’ to build a career.

“Qualification Badge”

One of the main items of the original work.

It is proof that you are a capable person who can be trusted with missions above a certain level, and is a noble item that is guaranteed various types of support, including priority selection for family missions.

In other words, it was the Empire’s greatest guarantee that a magician in the combat field would enter someone’s family of followers or possess the ability to become a member of a prestigious magic family.

In fact, it was a natural thing.

The elite of the Elseid clan.

Because it is a proof that you have passed the test of the ‘Nemesis Knights’.

This is literally a job cheat key for imperial magicians.

Certificates are awarded upon passing each exam, and those with higher grade certificates are given greater benefits and recognition.

‘A lot of flies with that much skill are also caught.’

Because of this, there were not only those who sincerely wanted to join the Knights of Nemesis.

It means that the examination hall is crowded with talented and powerful people who are trying to turn their lives around by taking even a lowly position in the Zhu family, the pillars of the empire.

And it was always the same every time Nemesis took the test.

“…good.”

Teleos looked around the motionless people in the room and said.

“At least there are no cowards. I like it.”

He rose slightly from his chair as if he was looking forward to it.

“The first test you will take this time is to see if you have the ability to keep up with the training of our knights. In other words, the purpose is to determine if you have the talent and skills to be a minimal combat wizard.”

Taaak!

Teleos said and snapped his fingers.

“But of course, this does not apply to incompetent people who are not qualified to do so.”

Clang, clang!

The next moment, the windows and doors of the auditorium closed simultaneously and the mechanical locks engaged.

Inside, only the soft glow of green lights illuminated the confused wizards eerily.

“Huh, huh?”

“Wait a minute, the door is….”

Inside a completely sealed testing room.

Teleus’ words echoed.

“Therefore, before the first full-scale test, there is a ‘screening test’ to weed out those losers.”

His eyes, revealed under the dark shadows of his hat, shone coldly as he looked at the participants.

“The rules are as follows. The selection test will be conducted within a limited time. Then, through the surveillance devices placed in the testing room, the Knights in charge of supervising the test will evaluate your abilities from outside.”

He twisted his eyes, hidden by his deeply worn hat, into a look of amusement.

“Okay. Do you understand what I mean?”

Then, as if it were only natural, he raised a finger and spoke to the participants below the podium.

“From now on, let’s kill each other.”

“… … ???”

At that moment, all the wizards in the testing room were dumbfounded and looked blankly at Teleos.

It was a statement that could never have been expected from a test for the elite knights of Elseid.

But at that moment, everyone was doubting their ears.

There was a boy who moved before anyone else, as if he had been waiting.

Ssuk-

As soon as the examiner finished speaking,

Enoch just got up from his chair….

Phew!

He immediately lifted the chair and hit the back of Adonic’s head, who was sitting in front of him.