As soon as all the classes were over, a poster announcing the festival was put up on the bulletin board, just as Aman had said.

[ Magic Academy Grand Festival! ]

Fields

Magic Potion (Manufacturing)

Magic Defense / Buff

Magic Application / Attack

Engraving / Code-breaking

Prize Money

1st place in each field (1 person) - 100 gold.

2nd place in each field (2 people) - 80 gold.

3rd place in each field (3 people) - 60 gold.

.

.

.

Students were lined up in front of the poster that introduced the prizes for each field, including the prize money.

"Wow! It's incomparable to the last festival, isn't it?"

"I know. There are five 5th place winners for each field! And it's 20 gold?"

"And the 1st place winner even gets a chance to get a job at the Mage Tower!"

The students who saw the poster were talking in excited voices.

It was the same for Lucas and his group who were standing behind them.

Although they had heard from Aman in advance and knew the first-place prize, they were once again surprised to see the other prizes, including the prize money.

"Wow... the 5th place prize for the magic potion is also amazing. It's a potion of courage."

"I know..."

In fact, it wasn't that amazing. It was a potion that literally added courage, and it was originally made for the knights who went to the battlefield.

But to be able to receive the potion of courage, which he had only seen in books, in person, it was a pretty good prize.

"Wow! Look at that! The 2nd place prize for code-breaking is a golden compass! They say you can get a job as a guide in any guild with that... they're giving something like that as a prize?"

"That's what I'm saying. The 3rd place prize is a silver compass, isn't it? No, how difficult are they going to make the problems to offer such a prize?"

"Looking at the prizes... ha, it's going to be really difficult this time. They said only up to the 3rd place prize came out last time, right?"

"That's right. It would be a relief if even the 4th place prize came out this time."

The expressions of those who were talking while looking at the poster quickly became gloomy.

And for good reason, the competition held at the academy's festival had strict rules as much as its large scale.

There were a total of five tests for each field, and those who passed the test automatically moved on to the next stage.

For example, if a total of fifteen students passed the first test, it meant that there was no share for the students who had failed.

In addition, if all fifteen of those students failed to advance to the next stage, they would have to compete again in a tournament format for the 4th place prize, and the 4th and 5th place prizes would be divided according to their ranks.

That's why there were many cases where not even the 2nd place prize, let alone the 1st place prize, came out.

"Come on, the 5th place prize is also out of the question this time. But just in case, I'm going for magic engraving. What about you?"

"Hmm... I think the competition for magic engraving will be too fierce..."

"What does that matter? Most of them won't even get the 5th place prize anyway."

Pola's expression also darkened as she listened to their words while looking at the poster.

"Ha... it meant that the test was very difficult."

"I guess so."

"Rookie. Then what are you going to do?"

Lucas was lost in thought for a moment at Pola's question.

'That's right... what would be good to do.'

To be honest, Lucas also wanted to participate in the magic engraving competition and get the top-grade engraving book.

'Or a master key would be nice too.'

He prioritized the hard-to-get items over the expensive ones. In any case, there was no item he couldn't get if he talked to Aman, but since it was a chance that had come, there was no need to waste it.

In addition, since the magic application and defense fields were fields where skills were determined by class, it was a difficult field for Lucas, who did not need to show his strength, to participate in.

"Rookie?"

"Ah, hmm... code-breaking."

"Code-breaking!? It's going to be very difficult there, though?"

"Yes. Well. I'm just going to try to participate."

"Why? Isn't application... better for you?"

Pola also knew that Lucas did not want to show his strength, so she asked in a low voice.

"I wanted to try code-breaking. What about you? Have you decided on engraving?"

"Haa... no... I think engraving will be a little difficult. I heard the competition is very fierce..."

"Then?"

"...I'll have to think about it. It will be difficult to win a prize no matter what I do... What about Nella?"

Nella, who was staring blankly at their conversation at Pola's words, raised her head.

"Hmm... I... magic potion."

"Huh? Magic potion? You haven't even taken the magic potion class for long! Magic potions will be more difficult. How about magic defense instead?"

"I think magic defense will be more difficult... I think I only have magic potions for now."

Nella's words also made sense. It hadn't been long since she had started using magic, and since the code-breaking and engraving fields were fields like mathematics, it would be even more difficult for Nella.

"Right. Magic potions are also good. Ha... should I go for magic potions too..."

Then Skir opened his mouth.

"I've decided too. I'm going for magic potions."

"...You too?"

He also seemed to have decided that magic potions would be better than other places.

"Oh, I don't know! Then I'll go for magic potions too!"

"...You too?"

"Why? Are you annoyed?"

"It would be better to refine your language a little. Such harsh words from a lady's mouth... ugh!"

Skir, who was giving Pola advice on her words, held his stinging back of the head.

"What. Are you annoyed by this too?"

"Ugh... a lady with such a hand habit... ah, I understand! S-stop! Stop the violence!!!"

As Pola raised her hand again, Skir quickly stepped back and stopped her.

"F-ck! Try saying 'lady' one more time! It won't end with just one slap on the back of the head then!"

"..."

Pola's appearance, which had become somewhat aggressive. But Skir's lips were twitching even while he was constantly rubbing the back of his head.

'Is that bastard... laughing after being hit?'

Goosebumps appeared on Lucas's arms as he looked at him.

'Hmm... is it love?'

***

The day before the festival. The eve of the festival was held.

The footsteps of the students who were busily heading to the banquet hall were all excited.

"The Rodrigo family is also sponsoring today, right? Then will the Count come too?"

"Yes. But they only made a donation. They won't be observing."

As the discovered mine hit the jackpot, Lucas's father, Count Cibie, also made a donation that was no less than that of the O'Neil Duchy.

But since there was no one in the capital who would welcome him, he did not observe.

"Phew... it would have been nice if they had come!"

As Pola pouted, Lucas, who smiled slightly, sat down.

"Kh... I'm looking forward to this eve of the festival too!"

"Oh. You said you participated in the last festival, right? How was it? Was it as grand as the rumors say?"

"Ah, of course! They said the last festival was also the best ever, but they say this time it will be even more amazing!"

The voices coming from here and there were all excited. Well, anyone who knew the scale and grandeur of the festival would be excited.

As the students sat in the seats prepared in the banquet hall, Aman, who was in charge of organizing this event, went up to the stage.

"Hello, everyone!"

The students sent cheers and applause at Aman's cheerful greeting.

"Yes. As you all have heard, I am Aman Tinore, who is in charge of organizing this event."

His voice echoed throughout the banquet hall, as if he had used a megaphone magic.

"Before announcing the event, I would like to express my deep condolences for the death of Headmaster Alberto, who was a shining star of the academy and a beacon of the Mage Tower. Let us have a moment of silence for him."

As all the students lowered their heads in deep sympathy with Aman's words, Lucas felt a curse rise up in his throat.

'You crazy bastard...'

He was truly a shameless and shameless dragon. No, to have sent him off with his own hands and to have such a hypocritical attitude!

'If I ever meet Hasel, I must tell him. Never to pass on the position of Lord to that bastard...'

As Aman opened his mouth again after the moment of silence, the students' eyes all turned to him.

"Now, then. Before the eve of the festival, I would like to invite the grateful people who have sponsored for the infinite development of the magic world. First, the official sponsoring temple of this time, the great Taras! It is the Demon God Cult, who have become their servants!"

'You crazy bastard.'

He was truly a crazy bastard. What? The great Taras?

Other races might not know, but the dragons, at least, shuddered at the Demon God. The reason was simple. Because he was the god who governed all the demons.

At the thunderous applause of the students, the person who came forward was a priest of the Demon God Cult, wearing a gray robe.

'An emblem on the back of his hand... is he a high priest?'

All the gods bestowed an emblem on the body of the priest who served them. The more visible the location of that emblem, the higher the position of the priest.

'You perverted bastards. It's not like branding cattle.'

To bestow an emblem on a servant who served him?

The intention was good. Well, it was acceptable up to the point where you could tell if a god had chosen you.

But when he looked at the high priests, there were those who had received the emblem on the back of their hand, their neck, and even their forehead.

Lucas felt a sense of incongruity every time he saw that emblem.

It looked like a brand that was stamped on a cow or a pig raised at home to mark it as 'mine'.

"Hoho... thank you. The great Taras-nim will also be pleased with today's work. Our Demon God Cult feels great joy just by sponsoring you all, who will lead the magic world in the future."

The pupils of some of the students who saw the priest of the Demon God Cult who had come up to the stage shook.

"I also know. That you all find our Demon God Cult unfamiliar. But all the gods in this world created by the main god love all the creatures that have descended on this land."

The high priest, who had paused for a moment, raised one hand, and the bodies of some of the students flinched noticeably.

"The great Taras-nim has brought down darkness for the brightest light! Entrust your darkness to us!"

Then a dark energy began to gather at the high priest's fingertips.

"W-what's that?"

Even at the students' murmuring, the faculty and Aman just silently looked at his fingertips.

'He's making a scene.'

Lucas felt annoyed again as he looked at him. He knew what that was.

The unique ability bestowed on the priests of the Demon God Cult. The encroached darkness.

It was a unique ability that could absorb all the darkness, including that of humans, and convert it into power.

It could also give a buff that strengthened the target's body or amplified their magic power using the darkness, or it could attack.

That's why the Demon God Cult, which had few believers, would dispatch priests to various places to help with the missions of large guilds, or sometimes they would go to the battlefield and fight.

Hiring them required a higher price than hiring priests with healing abilities, so the Demon God Cult was able to remain strong even after the demons had disappeared.

"Your darkness will descend as light!"

The dark energy that had gathered at the priest's fingertips began to gradually brighten.

"It will become your strength!"

-Flash!

A bright light burst out and filled the banquet hall.

"It will become your light!"

-Poof

The light began to fall like powder.

"Woooow..."

As exclamations burst out from here and there, the high priest smiled with satisfaction.

"Thank you."

As the high priest went down from the stage, Aman came up again and led the event.

"Now, as you all have seen, there must be darkness for there to be light. I would like to express my gratitude to the high priest once again."

Aman, who had given a short thank you, called out the sponsors in order and gave his greetings, and he also explained the festival schedule.

"Also, if you have any questions, you can go to the professor in charge of each field. Now, then..."

Aman, who had finished all his explanations, raised one hand.

"Everyone, please enjoy the festival!"

-Pew! Bang! Papang!

"Waaaah!"

The cheers of the students burst out as the colorful lights that had burst from Aman's hand became fireworks and decorated the high ceiling.

And so, the academy's festival began.

(End of Chapter)