Magma Tortoise.
As the name suggests, it was a land-dwelling, turtle-shaped monster that carried lava on its back.
A large monster comparable in size to a decent-sized house, its mere presence in this space caused the temperature to skyrocket and the ground to crack.
Known for its powerful lava-based attacks and ferocious nature, it had once been registered as a rank 5 monster. However, due to its slow, turtle-like movements that didn't match its ferocity, it was later reclassified as rank 6.
Thus, the association ultimately decided on a rank of 5.5.
It was deemed to be an ambiguous level, not fitting neatly into any category.
Thud!
As Magma Tortoise took a step forward, the ground shook.
Even though I knew it was an artificial life form created by the facility within this space, its unique sense of intimidation remained undiluted.
An ordinary hunter might have swallowed hard in nervousness, but...
The first emotion I felt upon witnessing it was curiosity.
"It's quite big. For an illusion or a phantom, it's incredibly realistic."
I was busy observing it from every angle.
Intimidation from something the size of a house?
Given the tumultuous life I've led, I don't get nervous over something so trivial.
If you want to make me nervous with sheer size alone, it should at least be the size of a building.
Only then would I feel any sense of crisis or tension.
This size is neither too small nor too big.
In fact, it just seems like a slow, easy target.
The more targets like that, the better. Unfortunately, in a B-rank test, one is the maximum.
"Why on earth would they include such a monstrosity in a B-rank test...?"
"Who knows? Remember the news about the main instigator of the academy incident being killed on the spot? They must have some decent skills."
"Come on, even so, Magma Tortoise is overkill."
Outside the test room, association employees were debating.
At first, the prevailing opinion was that I could pass, but after seeing the opponent, many reluctantly switched to the opinion that I couldn't.
Well, the opponent was Magma Tortoise, after all.
The title of an upper-tier monster with an average rank of 5.5 and a peak record of rank 5 isn't easily earned. That's why Magma Tortoise is often used even in A-rank tests.
Regardless, the test had begun.
The fully formed Magma Tortoise charged at me.
──Uooooooh!!
With its hard beak wide open, a howl erupted from within.
Though not quite a roar, the significant shockwave forced me to immediately shape my mana and construct a spell.
[Flame]
Whoosh!
A basic spell that simply releases flames struck Magma Tortoise's body.
Despite investing a considerable amount of mana into the flames, they were swallowed by the magma flowing over its body, only fueling its firepower.
As expected, beginner-level fire magic won't work.
[Pyrokinesis]
Whoooosh──!
Flames with form surrounded the area, creating a massive barrier.
If these were ordinary flames, one might risk burns and leap through, but unfortunately, this was a barrier of shaped flames.
Unless physically broken, there's no way to pass through.
──Uooooooh!!
This time, an even louder howl.
The deafening noise struck my eardrums and mind, momentarily shaking the wall of flames.
"If it's not working, I'll just make another one."
I layered another barrier on top of the existing one.
Watching from outside the test room, people sighed in frustration.
Creating more barriers that are just hard and lack any real utility won't deliver a meaningful blow.
"Such a disappointing judgment. The magic proficiency seems high, but the experience in magical combat seems lacking."
"This is going to be a loss. Why would a pyromancer dare to face Magma Tortoise?"
"It's about time for the creature to dominate the field."
Thud!
As soon as their words ended, Magma Tortoise rolled its foreleg, shaking the ground. The floor split, and magma erupted.
This is precisely why Magma Tortoise holds a high rank of 5.5.
It transforms the surrounding terrain into a favorable domain.
As time passes, the magma will seep deep into the ground, turning the area into a fiery hell where even standing becomes impossible.
At that moment, everyone expected defeat, but the person in question showed no reaction to the sticky magma.
In fact, he was smiling.
The magma covering the ground wasn't a significant issue.
They had forgotten.
What the raw material of this barrier was.
"Just because it carries magma on its shell doesn't mean it's immune to flames."
Unless it's a ghost or a spirit, it has flesh.
Flesh burns and chars in flames.
No matter how resistant the skin and shell are to fire, I doubt the internal organs and bones share the same resistance.
[Pyrokinesis]
The wall of flames surrounding Magma Tortoise writhed.
The shaped flames formed long, sharp spikes and spears, creating an impenetrable wall. There was no way for the already doubly surrounded creature to escape.
Now, it's a battle of endurance.
Crackle!
Flame spikes and spears pierced through the skin.
The flames slowly cooked the blood vessels and flesh, gradually digging in to target the bones. Magma Tortoise began to writhe in pain, forgetting even to control the magma.
It looked like a turtle thrown into a boiling pot.
Perfect for turtle soup.
Now, let's close the lid.
I reached my hand toward the sky.
Simultaneously, intense flames, drawing heat from the surrounding magma, covered like a pot lid. A bizarre sequence of magic that felt like cooking the monster.
But the essence of this magic isn't cooking.
The motif of the magic is the medieval torture device, the Iron Maiden.
A metal coffin lined with spikes.
The infamous cold iron torture device was reborn in modern times as a blazing magic. Given my expertise in torture, creating it wasn't difficult.
Though it looks like a pot.
What matters is the contents.
Squeeak!
I slowly lowered my outstretched hand. The sensation of closing a heavy pot lid was palpable.
As the lid closed.
[Pyrokinesis─Iron Maiden]
Kwaaaaaaa──!!!
Flame spikes poured out in all directions.
Hundreds, thousands of crimson flame spikes pierced through Magma Tortoise's shell. The spikes pierced bones, reached internal organs, crushing, cooking, and burning everything.
The shockwave was so intense that it shook the ground and was felt even outside the test room.
The association employees and students watching the scene were more dumbfounded than surprised.
Unlike their startled expressions, mine was far from satisfied.
"...That was boring."
A rank 5.5 shouldn't be an easy opponent, and it should have been a natural counter to someone like me who primarily uses fire magic.
It died far too easily.
Perhaps I've been overestimating this world's standards.
Regardless, moving my body after so long left me craving more.
Since I'm already taking the test, I wanted a proper fight.
An opportunity to objectively assess my combat abilities was a bonus.
"Excuse me, is there a staff member here?"
─Ah, yes, yes! Here I am. Do you have something to say...?
"No, not that. Um, should I come up there to say it?"
─If you would, please come up... Ah! It's not cleared yet. Just a moment, I'll clean it up right away!
As I spoke into the air, a reply came.
Hearing the flustered and urgent voice, everything in the area began to disappear as if hastily cleaning up trash. Magma Tortoise's corpse, the magma it spread, and even the traces of my magic were all neatly erased.
It was proof that the test had ended.
'This seems quite useful.'
Illusion magic.
Creating illusions that are nearly indistinguishable from real creatures is one thing, but treating all traces of my combat actions as 'illusions' and erasing them with a snap of the fingers is quite a skill.
I wonder what it would be like if I mastered that magic.
As I seriously pondered the synergy and harmony of fire, telekinesis, curses, and incantations, a door opened before me.
Stepping outside, the same scenery as before and the changed demeanor of the people came into view.
Just moments ago, everyone seemed to have no expectations, but now they were all wide-eyed in surprise.
Especially the students' reactions stood out.
Those who had moved with me in Efnell's garden before, like Lee Ji-han, who had been saved from a rank 5 monster, showed no significant change from before. They simply nodded with trusting expressions and clapped.
Seo Yerin, who had sprained her ankle during the attack and couldn't properly observe my combat, blushed and raised her fist above her head, saying it exceeded expectations.
Isis and Seong Yeon-hwa were wide-eyed, exclaiming how amazing it was. It seemed they hadn't expected my combat abilities at all, but fortunately, I surpassed their expectations.
Finally, Isabelle opened her mouth with a look of disbelief.
"You... did you take some kind of stimulant?"
"Stimulant?"
Was she referring to the poisonous herbs?
Suddenly, I felt the pouch in my pocket.
Seven types of poisonous herbs I had brought to consume throughout the day. Each had excellent effects for paralysis and sleep, with strong pain-relieving properties and the ability to enhance mana and magical performance by one level.
But of course, I didn't use them in a test where objectivity is crucial.
I'm not so petty as to cheat in a test. The original owner of this body might, but not me.
"Of course not, why would I take stimulants? Do you want me to take a drug test? There's a place in the association for that."
"R... right? Right? Phew, that's a relief. I thought you might have gotten stronger through illegal drugs."
"What are you... Oh!"
I understood why she brought up stimulants.
She was suspecting that the magic I performed in the test room was achieved through doping. Given that my magic is based on beginner to low-level spells, it was a natural suspicion.
Though I've mastered intermediate fire magic, I still rely more on beginner spells for efficiency.
"Well, as long as it's not that."
"What exactly do you think of me?"
"A failed fiancé. Trash who laid hands on his fiancée."
"..."
Every time I talk to her, I end up frustrated. It's been like this for a while now. Maybe it's time to get used to it.
As I struggled to retort, a woman in a suit ran toward me from a distance.
She was the association employee who had spoken to me through the test room's speaker and responded.
"Congratulations on passing the B-rank test! Your license will be issued within an hour. Oh, right. What was it you wanted to say earlier?"
A newbie, perhaps.
Her speech was a bit awkward, but compared to the people around me, it was nothing. I nodded nonchalantly.
"It's nothing much."
"Yes, yes."
"Is there a higher-level test available?"
"...Excuse me?"
Her eyes widened as if to say, 'Are you serious?'
***
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