For a mage, it’s not just how much magic power they have that matters. How well they can control it is just as important.

So the second test was all about control. The mages had to cast an apprentice-level spell—Magic Missile—and fire ten shots in a row at a ring target. Their score would be based on their average accuracy.

Loran was the first to step up. The beautiful mage with glasses bowed to everyone, drawing a wave of enthusiastic cheers from the men. She was incredibly popular in the Donghui Kingdom.

“Loran’s the standard for the strongest of the new generation of mages,” Fio muttered to herself from the corner. “I need to watch closely and use her as a reference. I can’t pull off another conspicuous score this time.”

Loran raised her staff and chanted, summoning Magic Missiles. Then she swept her staff through the air. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

The Magic Missiles came at the target from all directions, striking the ten-ring area and leaving marks of various sizes around the red bullseye.

To score a 90 percent hit rate from that distance was incredible. Only one Magic Missile had grazed the edge of the ten-ring. She was a true genius among human mages.

The crowd erupted in cheers. Even the Great Sage was moved, stroking his beard with satisfaction.

The others took their turns, one after another. From what Fio could tell, only Loran had reached that level. Now she had a good idea of what counted as average.

“Got it! So that’s how it works… Then a seven should be about right for an advanced-level score,” Fio realized. “No problem! Nothing’s going to go wrong this time.”

When it was Fio’s turn, she made a point of glancing at Leon. Her confident expression seemed to say, “Daijoubu, mondai nai!”

“Ahem, ahem. The test is about to begin, little girl… I mean, mysterious mage.”

After what had happened earlier, the staff member no longer dared underestimate Fio. The field fell strangely quiet again as everyone watched her with curious attention.

Uh…! How did Magic Missile go again?

Thanks to her bloodline, Fio could pick up ice magic in an instant. But she’d been too lazy to learn any other kind of magic. Myron had taught her before, but with everyone watching, she was nervous and had forgotten it all.

In her panic, Fio gave up on Magic Missile. If this was target practice anyway, she could just use something else to hit the target.

“I am the bone of my ice.”

Thanks to her talent, Fio didn’t need to chant to cast any non-advanced ice spells. But she mumbled a few words anyway, just to put on a show.

Dozens of Ice Swords instantly formed behind her, hovering in midair.

Oops. She’d summoned too many!

Fio gritted her teeth and snapped her fingers. The Ice Swords shattered with a clatter, leaving just ten magic-controlled ice blades behind.

“Can I use these for target practice?” Fio asked.

“...Huh?” The staff member stood frozen. When she called out to him, he nodded quickly. “Oh! Of course!”

“Good. I almost didn’t notice I’d summoned too many just now.”

Fio wanted to argue, but turned her attention back to the target and pointed the Ice Swords toward it.

At this distance, controlling the Ice Swords and hitting the bullseye would’ve been easy. But she was trying to keep a low profile, so she couldn’t go overboard. She’d just hit the seven-ring with all of them.

Aim carefully, aim carefully… Fio looked ahead. After her rather extravagant display, everyone in front of her was staring.

They were looking at her like she was some kind of weirdo. Fio couldn’t stand it, and it threw off her concentration.

Forget it, forget it. No more aiming. She’d already set the direction, so that was enough.

Fio closed her eyes and turned around, raising her hand and wrist. The Ice Swords shot out all at once, each from a different angle in a flashy display.

“Oh my god!!!”

The staff member shouted. An unbelievable sight had just unfolded before him.

The ice blades had flown from different directions, tracing beautiful arcs through the air. Every one struck the seven-ring—and they all hit the very same hole, without the slightest deviation.

“S-So, how was that?”

Fio tilted her head and asked the staff member.

The staff member turned his head mechanically, sweat covering his face.

“Hey, say something! What’s my score?!”

“Uh… Well, I’ve been a test official for many years, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like it.”

Even Loran couldn’t make all ten Magic Missiles hit the exact same spot. That was precision down to the centimeter—and no one had ever managed it before!

“Did they all hit the seven-ring?!”

Fio grew impatient as she watched him stammer.

“Y-Yes!”

“Then I got a seven. Got it? That means I’m average!”

“According to the rules, yes. A seven is an average score…” the staff member said helplessly.

Thank goodness! She’d completed the task. She’d kept a low profile without making Leon look bad.

Fio flashed Leon a victory sign, then left the testing area, thoroughly pleased with herself.

The staff member sucked in a sharp breath. “This girl’s really good at pretending she’s nothing special!” he couldn’t help saying.

…

Leon had watched the whole thing from the side, and he was at a loss for words. Fio’s behavior was so bizarre that he couldn’t even begin to figure it out.

Somehow, this only drew more attention. Fio had surpassed Loran and become the center of everyone’s attention.

As Leon stood there, troubled, someone came up beside him.

“Sword Saint, it’s been a long time.”

It was the Great Sage, his expression complicated.

“Great Sage?”

“Sigh, Sword Saint. What you brought here isn’t some little apprentice mage,” the Great Sage said with a sigh. “I’ve never seen a mage with such incredible skill. Her fine control is truly at the pinnacle.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Heh… You don’t need to play dumb with me. I may be old, but I’m not senile. I know a thing or two when it comes to judging people!”

“Great Sage, the more you say, the less I understand.”

That was what Leon said aloud, but inside, he was startled. Had the Great Sage seen through them?

“I’m not a fool. I understand! Keeping a low profile, right? Powerful people like to stay out of the spotlight. That expert’s name is Fio, isn’t it?”

Leon didn’t respond, and the Great Sage continued.

“Sigh, it’s embarrassing when I think about it. I was so pleased with myself just because I was a level 70 mage…”

“I feel like you’ve misunderstood something. Fio’s actually a bit of an idiot. She isn’t as powerful as you think…”

“No, no! I’m the fool here! Just look at Lady Fio. She has such terrifying strength, yet she deliberately held back so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed. I realized it during the crystal pillar test earlier. What incredible generosity! I’m in awe!”

“…”

“Sword Saint, don’t worry. We’ll make sure Lady Fio’s test result shows her as an advanced mage. With our mages’ guild in decline, it’s an honor to have someone as powerful as Lady Fio on our side. We’ll do everything we can to help her! In return, we hope Lady Fio will lend us her aid…”

The Great Sage’s expression was earnest. He didn’t look like he was joking at all.

Leon figured things were going smoothly anyway, so he didn’t refuse outright. For now, he let the Great Sage believe what he wanted.