Extra Of The Magus Academy-Chapter 54: The Selection Event

In the following weeks leading up to the Academy Exchange, registrations for the In-House Selection Event came pouring in.

Practically every single Alpha Class student registered for it.

The reason behind such enthusiasm was due to the benefits that came from the Exchange—or rather, distinguishing oneself in it. There had been several cases of Mages being revered right after graduation due to their participation and performance in Academy Exchange events.

If one won an Academy Exchange, they were recognized as undisputed powerhouses with immense potential.

Which student would want to say no to that?

*********

[Day Of The In-House Selection Event]

"Okay, the rules are simple… last the longest on the platform in this battle royale. The last ten people remaining on stage will be the winners of the Selection Event and will represent the Akashic Academy in its Apprentice category."

Once again, Beatrice Lampshade was present as the judge, and after sharing the rules with everyone, she looked at one student in particular—Dexter Morgause.

"Haha! There’s no need to worry about me. I won’t do anything crazy this time… promise."

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freeweɓnøvel.com.

Ever since the incident where he brutalized the Beta Class Student, a lot of people could see Dexter for the kind of unhinged individual he is. To ensure he remained stable in the Academy, there were mandated therapy sessions he had to take.

And… surprisingly, he was making decent progress in them.

Many students remained skeptical of him, though, and they made sure their reservations were evident by just how much distance they put between him and them. There was only one student who broke this rule—and it was simply because he didn’t care.

That was Seth Zephyr.

With jet black hair and shiny blue eyes, the young man simply stood where there was most room as they all listened to the words of the Head of Student Affairs.

"The platform is large, so it might take some time before you get off the stage. In order to motivate you all more, a Time Limit will be set. Once time is up, if there are still more than 10 people remaining on the platform, we’ll calculate the winners based on their contributions in the Battle Royale." A lot of students expressed discomfort with the rules, but Beatrice’s firm expression remained unchanged. "I believe that is fair."

There were a total of 24 contestants in the Battle Royale, and this was because practically everyone from Alpha Class was present. Even Dustan was on stage, though he planned to throw away the match almost as soon as it started.

"You may begin!"

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

The hall rang with explosive power as the incredibly large stage for battle was instantly plunged into commotion.

Students utilized their most powerful defensive attacks to ensure they remained on stage, while others took more risky methods of attacking first, surprising their enemies with an unexpected attack, or breaking through their defenses even if they were expecting an assault.

"Dustan out! Please move away from the platform and head to a point of safety." After Beatrice said this, she looked at the forlorn boy and squinted her eyes in mild disappointment.

’I thought he’d surprise me, but… did I expect too much from him?’

Perhaps she did.

After all, Dustan had barely been an Alpha Student for a month. He could barely hold his own in a battle royale against students who had been there for longer. Also, since he was formerly a Beta Class nobody, and he was a commoner, he was naturally the target of a lot of people.

This, inevitably, led to his swift downfall.

’Take this as a learning experience and use this to grow, young one.’ Beatrice smiled as she focused on the match before her. "Natalie Anderson out! Philius Louvrehard out! Please move away from the platform and head to a point of safety."

**********

[6 Minutes Later]

"Looks like there’s only ten of you left… and with a lot of time to spare too."

Beatrice stepped forward as she addressed the winning students.

Standing among them, she saw the expected ones—Seth Zephyr, Justin TImberdrake, Lyla Nagant, and Jane Deckhart. These were considered the Alpha Class students with the most promise… at least according to her assessment.

Then, there were certain outliers that she didn’t want to win… namely, Dexter Morgause.

And then, there was the surprising one.

’Ashfelt Zephyr… he won by method of elimination… a nice stroke of luck.’ Beatrice noted as she looked at him. ’I wasn’t paying much attention to him, since I was keeping my eyes on Dexter, and I was also captivated by the performances of the other students, but from what I could see… he didn’t contribute to anything."

He was just a slippery person who managed to avoid getting hit or struck out.

’If they exceeded the Time Limit, I would have probably had to eliminate him first based on lack of contribution.’

Still, since there were only ten on stage, she didn’t have to do that.

’He won according to the rules…’

A part of her didn’t like it, and she could already feel a strong dislike for the student, even though they were yet to have a proper interaction.

’What a lucky guy… he’s made it this far without having to do anything.’

**********

[Meanwhile]

’What a brilliant guy…’

A certain man in all-black who stood in the shadows remarked to himself as he watched the conclusion of the In-House selection from his own obscure corner.

Raven Nightshade only had one exposed eye, but even that was enough to tell him about the match he just won—and the person who caught his eye the most among all the competitors.

’Ashfelt Zephyr… he truly is as sly as I predicted.’

And not only was he extremely intelligent, but he was also very powerful… yet no one seemed to be aware of this fact.

’He’s definitely hiding his true abilities, but to what end?’

The biggest reason that Raven came up with as a theory was that Ashfelt was Elma’s accomplice, and was choosing to remain lowkey to keep that fact hidden. This would explain a lot of things, including why Elma tried to kill him.

’That still runs inconsistent to the nature of their relationship that I am aware of.’

Of course, that relationship could be manufactured.

In essence, not real.

’Should I try interrogating him again? No, he’ll wiggle his way out of it…’ Raven sighed to himself. ’And even after asking specific questions relating to Ashfelt, the murder culprit is also not budging or giving me any valuable information.’

This still confused him.

’Why would she keep protecting him? Even now…’

Raven had a sneaking suspicion that the two of them had to be under some kind of Soul Contract, but the reason this remained in the realm of speculation was that he could find no trace of a Contract in Elma’s Soul.

That discovery—or lack thereof—threw him in for a loop, and he was yet to recover.

’I’m so close, though…’ He clenched his fists. ’So close.’

All he needed was one more piece of the puzzle, and he would finally be able to piece everything together.

’And it’s only a matter of time before I find what I’m looking for.’