HTNSA 52

Chapter 52

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A wave of unease passed across the students’ faces.

Binding a slippery slime with a restraining spell was no easy task.

The test required students to control a chain using only their mana—without touching it—and successfully bind the slime.

It was a practical exam that tested one’s finesse in mana control above all else.

Perhaps because the task was so difficult, most students failed to even get the chain onto the slime.

As time went on, Professor Arina’s expression darkened.

Watching this, Coco couldn’t hide her smug grin.

“This group is just full of weaklings.”

She was easily the most skilled of the bunch, and that alone spoke volumes.

She waited for her turn in high spirits.

“Next, Coco.”

At last, her name was called. Coco stepped forward confidently and began her spell.

The slime squirmed and gave her some trouble, but she managed to partially wrap it in chains.

With a satisfied smirk, she returned to her seat.

“To be safe, I even nicked the chain earlier. All that’s left is for Eila to embarrass herself.”

Professor Arina already looked displeased, and if anything, Eila would be judged even more harshly.

Coco watched with a sneer.

Then came the cold voice.

“Eila.”

At the sound of her name, Eila stood up.

Professor Arina’s face showed clear fatigue. His indifferent gaze made his expectations—or lack thereof—obvious.

But in the next instant, his eyes widened.

Chains that had been lying limp on the floor suddenly floated up smoothly.

He stared in disbelief.

The chains moved as if alive, fluidly wrapping around the slime.

The slime squirmed violently, but the chains tightened with practiced precision.

Squelch.

The slime gave up and went limp.

Arina blinked.

“Did I imagine that?”

But no matter how many times he rubbed his eyes, the scene didn’t change.

Eila had effortlessly bound the wriggling slime. As naturally as breathing.

Murmurs broke out among the front row of students.

Arina should have called the next group, but he couldn’t open his mouth.

One thought consumed him:

“She can use magic? That perfectly?”

It was hard to believe.

He finally managed to speak.

“Can you feel mana now?”

Students in the back tilted their heads.

“What did the professor just ask?”

“He asked if she could sense mana.”

“But I thought she was a commoner who couldn’t.”

Eila felt all eyes on her.

“Yes. My mana insensitivity was cured recently.”

“Recently? When?”

“About a week ago.”

Professor Arina’s face tightened with disbelief.

“What? Controlling chains to bind a slime is extremely difficult. Only qualified tower magicians can do it.”

“True.”

“And you’ve only had mana for a week? You shouldn’t even know how to handle it properly.”

His piercing gaze bore into her.

The murmurs grew.

Eila hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head slightly and said quietly:

“Maybe I’m just a genius.”

Silence fell.

Professor Arina stared, dumbfounded.

A crack appeared in his usual composure.

If she was telling the truth, then genius didn’t even begin to cover it.

His eyes reflected awe—the kind shown only when witnessing rare magical talent.

Eila hid her amusement.

Even “a week” was an exaggeration.

Two nights ago, she’d spent all night making the potion, and the next day went into preparing and waiting for it to set—no time for proper practice.

Yet here she was, acing the practical.

“In fact, the chain had been damaged. If I hadn’t quickly fused it with heat, it could’ve failed.”

The moment she channeled mana into the chain, she sensed its weakness and adjusted instantly.

It was incredible.

She’d never used magic before—everything came from theory.

Now, her mana flowed like a natural part of her body. Her senses were sharper.

She finally understood.

Why Blanche’s daughters were hailed as prodigies.

Why people attached so many lofty titles to her name.

“Now that I can feel mana, I feel like I could use almost any magic.”

And this wasn’t even her full potential.

“If this is what I can do with just a temporary cure… then with the full version…”

Her fingers twitched.

She could still feel the mana pulsing inside her.

She clenched her fists, trying to remember the sensation.

The exam period flew by.

Students buzzed with excitement as they waited for results.

At the end of each exam period, Riod Academy posted the names of the top 30 scorers.

Naturally, a crowd had gathered early in front of the board.

Soon, one of the professors would bring out the rankings.

Everyone was dying to know who took first place.

Not just magic students—those from swordsmanship, divine studies, and politics were here too.

Among the crowd stood Freya and Rosia.

Students gazed at them with admiration.

“Lucky Rosia. She must be so relaxed.”

“I’m not even gonna make top 30. Why did I come?”

“Still curious. Will it be Freya or Rosia?”

Most expected Rosia to win.

Then one student hesitantly spoke up:

“Maybe not. Freya was always first before Rosia transferred. And Rosia didn’t even train formally as a child.”

Rosia’s face twisted slightly.

The idea that Freya might top her was laughable.

She hadn’t let her guard down once during the exam.

She was sure of her victory.

Meanwhile, Freya wore a calm smile but clearly had some hope.

She’d praised Rosia outwardly, but in truth, she wondered.

Maybe, just maybe, she got lucky.

“Of course, being a real Blanche daughter, Rosia probably won’t need luck…”