New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Second Examination (1): The Examination Begins

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Upon entering the martial arts hall, I noticed that a partition had been set up, with a sign indicating the reception. Five examinees were already lined up before it, and I joined them at the end of the line.

As I observed the examinees, I was struck by the unexpected diversity in their ages. However, this was a university. Perhaps, such a variety was to be expected. The examinee at the very front wore a military uniform. I presumed this was one of the military-affiliated students I had seen outside, although naturally, that was contingent upon passing the examination.

The examinee just ahead of me turned around to glance backward. She was a woman, probably two or three years older than I, with sharp and finely formed features. She smiled gently and bowed slightly, and I returned the gesture in the same manner. Being the child of a merchant, I possessed a natural facility for instant facial expression, and I trusted my ability to convey it smoothly.

As I considered this, a conspicuous, almost stomping set of footsteps approached from behind. When I turned, I saw a group of soldiers advancing toward us. They appeared considerably older than I.

“Clear the line at once. This is for the Lieutenant.” (Soldier)

Eh!?

“L-Lieutenant, this way, please.” (Soldier)

The soldier at the very front of the line gestured with his arm toward the partitioned area.

It was an outrageous act of unfairness.

As they attempted to march past me, the woman who had bowed earlier stepped in front of me, blocking their path. She inhaled deeply and then raised her voice.

“Yo… ‘You all!’” (Female Examinee)

The female examinee halted the soldiers.

“What is the meaning of this, scoundrels?” (Female Examinee)

The adult male soldier responded haughtily.

“I am an examiner! Your behavior here will affect your interview results. State your examinee numbers immediately.” (Examiner)

“Hmph. Are you unaware that the military provides substantial subsidies to this university?” (Soldier)

“And what of that? I still demand your examinee numbers immediately!” (Examiner)

“You insolent.” (Soldier)

“Move along, or you will start over.” (Examiner)

“Yes, sir!” (Soldier)

With exaggerated stomping, as if to flaunt their presence, the group exited the martial arts hall.

“Next. You will enter together.” (Examiner)

“Yes.” (Leon)

The lead soldier entered the partitioned area.

“Hmph. Serves them right.” (Female Examinee)

I met eyes with the voice. Had the examiner not intervened earlier, this woman would have surely voiced a torrent of complaints.

“It seems there are also staff members of this university with integrity.” (Female Examinee)

She pivoted gracefully on her heels and faced forward.

 

—

 

It was now my turn. I handed over my examinee ticket.

“Examinee number 11-23. Residing in Count Emily’s territory, Emilia, commoner. Leon-san, fourteen years old, aspiring for the Department of Science and Technology. Is this correct?” (Examiner)

“Yes.” (Leon)

She confirmed the documents.

“Very well. You will now undergo the aptitude test and the practical examination. Afterwards, if no issues arise, you will likely proceed to the interview this afternoon. Is that acceptable?” (Examiner)

“No problem.” (Leon)

“Then, please enter.” (Examiner)

I was guided into a section partitioned with drapes.

“Very well. Please proceed.” (Examiner)

A middle-aged man in a white coat, presumably an examiner, was present and reviewing the examinee ticket.

“Yes. Leon-san, please approach the desk.” (Examiner)

“Yes, sir.” (Leon)

On the desk lay a brass plate, some tubing, and a cylindrical apparatus fitted with a violet magic stone at the top.

“This is the Lennart-type Magic Flux Measurement Magical Apparatus.” (Examiner)

Ah. My first time seeing a magical apparatus that is not a wand.

“Place your dominant hand upon the round top plate. Measurement will commence, as the apparatus draws a small quantity of your mana. Do not worry, it is only a minute amount. By analyzing the slope of mana absorption, the total mana will be estimated. Do not resist or apply force with your arm.” (Examiner)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Ah, so the slope is used for estimation. Perhaps a time constant is employed. Interesting. Lennart-type, she said. It would be useful to research it someday.

I did not know my total mana quantity. Morgan-sensei had once remarked that it was insignificant. However, I had undergone four years of repeated training since then. I hoped it had improved to at least an ordinary level.

The examination guidelines stated that ordinary levels were sufficient for those aspiring to the Department of Science and Engineering, so I should be fine.

“Please place your hand for measurement.” (Examiner)

“Yes.” (Leon)

The surface was cold.

“Now, take a deep breath and relax.” (Examiner)

The magic stone atop the apparatus glowed.

Ah, it feels similar to using magic from one’s hand.

“All done.” (Examiner)

Already finished? That was fast.

The examiner’s expression was stern. Perhaps my total mana was rather low.

“Yes, you may remove your hand now.” (Examiner)

“Um…” (Leon)

“Next, please proceed to that section.” (Examiner)

“Yes.” (Leon)

I had hoped to ask how much mana was measured, but, tugged by curiosity, I moved in the indicated direction. This time, a partitioned section surrounded by black drapes awaited, with another queue formed in front. Examinees were seated.

As I approached, a person sitting at the end looked up at me. It was the female examinee from just before.

“Please sit there and wait.” (Female Examinee)

“Thank you.” (Leon)

I lightly bowed and sat beside her.

“This will take some time.” (Female Examinee)

“Is that so?” (Leon)

The previous section was for the aptitude test; the next would be the practical examination.

“When five examinees have gathered, the 30-minute practical test will commence.” (Female Examinee)

“Ah.” (Leon)

“The first five just entered, so it will still take thirty minutes.” (Female Examinee)

I was exactly the fifth in line. She seemed somewhat restless.

Ah, she probably wanted to converse to calm herself, much as I did when explaining something to someone.

I decided to make use of the opportunity.

“Well, it is reassuring that both the examination and interview will conclude within today.” (Leon)

“Yes, indeed.” (Female Examinee)

“Nevertheless, 30 minutes…” (Leon-san)

The practical examination involved measuring the activation time of the given magic symbol. There are not one, but two types of magic to perform. Even so, why would it take thirty minutes?

The examiner appeared. The same one who had scolded the military group earlier.

“Thank you for waiting. The previous group’s practical examination will continue for a while. In the meantime, I shall explain the details of the examination.” (Examiner)

Details?

“The examination is conducted using a dedicated magical apparatus. Here, we will evaluate whether the magic can be activated and maintained continuously. The strength of the magic is not a scoring criterion, so the minimum necessary effort is sufficient.” (Examiner)

All nodded. This was written in the examination guidelines.

“Now, for the detailed procedure. Each examinee will select two of the five pieces of parchment bearing the magic activation symbols. While you cannot view the activation symbols beforehand, you will alternate activation of the chosen two magics for one minute each.” (Examiner)

“One minute each!” (Examinee)

A neighboring examinee exclaimed. The method seemed unnecessarily convoluted.

“The dedicated magical apparatus includes a magical lamp. Upon successful activation of the magic, the lamp illuminates. After one minute, it extinguishes. Successful activation will ring a bell, indicating the next magic symbol. If the magic is interrupted before the lamp extinguishes, it is considered a failure and must be retried.” (Examiner)

“I see.” (Leon)

“Once a symbol has been activated, the examiner will collect the parchment. Each magic must be activated alternately five times, for a total of ten activations, which will be timed.” (Examiner)

10 times… How tedious. Surely the magic must be challenging to activate, otherwise it would not serve as an examination.

“If activation fails after the third attempt and the examinee requests, the parchment will be handed again, but each retry will add three minutes to the timing as a penalty.” (Examiner)

I understood.

“Of course, shorter timing indicates better performance. For the Department of Science and Engineering, this is not a direct selection criterion, merely a reference. Candidates for the Department of Skills should perform to their utmost.” (Examiner)

“Yes!” (All)

“That concludes the explanation.” (Examiner)

 

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