Practical Drill ~Magic~

Author: Unicoon
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8138gc/7/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

The day after Lady Ulrika transferred to the human world.
Under a clear sky, this was the soldiers’ training ground at Romulus Castle.

“Mm. Fine weather!”

“Yes… it is…”

Lady Ulrika, all smiles, and Olivia, tense.
And then…

“Ha ha ha! Fine weather indeed!!”

“Haa… why me…”

King Zenon, booming with laughter, and Holy Knight Govan, sighing deep.
On the wide training ground, only the four of them stood.

“Um… Your Majesty, may I ask a question?”

“What is it, Olivia? Speak.”

“Why is Your Majesty here?”

“I heard Ulrika would be doing a preliminary drill for the exam, so I came to cheer her on as a friend.”

“Ohh! I’m glad, Zenon. As expected of my friend!!”

“It’s only natural. Ha ha ha!”

Lady Ulrika delighted, King Zenon roaring. A cheerful Demon King and king.

“Um… then why is Sir Govan here?”

“I can’t leave His Majesty alone… I’m the escort…”

Govan answered Olivia without looking at her, voice sunk.

“Honestly… why me… there are plenty of other escorts…”

King Zenon clapped Govan’s sullen shoulder.

“Don’t say that, Govan. You know Ulrika’s circumstances. It was convenient.”

“Well… I understand, but…”

“Now, Ulrika. A drill on the training ground means a practical drill, yes?”

“I don’t know! I’m leaving it to Livi!!”

“Ohh… you don’t know…”

“Mm. Not at all! Crunch, crunch…”

Lady Ulrika answered with total confidence.
This was her own drill, and she was absorbed in cookies from a tin.
King Zenon and Olivia both held their heads.

“Today is a practical drill in magic and swordsmanship, Lady Ulrika. I explained that yesterday.”

“Hmm… did you say that?”

“Please actually listen… I’ll explain again.”

Olivia cleared her throat.

“Romulus Academy’s entrance exam has four parts: written, magic practical, sword practical, and field monster subjugation. Today we’ll drill the magic practical and the sword practical.”

“I see. The written exam is common knowledge, so set that aside. The concerns are magic, swordsmanship, and the field exam.”

“As Sir Govan says. I was told Lady Ulrika is the Demon King, but her actual ability is unknown… I thought it best to drill first.”

Olivia took out a small staff that fit in one hand.
She held it out to the blinking Lady Ulrika.

“Shall we begin at once? Lady Ulrika, please use this.”

“This is?”

“A staff used as a magic medium, for the magic drill. I couldn’t prepare a new one, so it’s the one I used years ago, but…”

“I don’t mind whose it is… but I can use magic without a medium, you know? Is it better to use one?”

“Normally the power drops without a medium, so I think you should use it.”

“I see. Then I’ll do as Livi says.”

Lady Ulrika spun the staff, playing.

“So. What should I do?”

“I’ve set a target over there. Please fire attack magic at it.”

“All right! I’ll do it!!”

The next instant, mana surged off Lady Ulrika with terrifying force.
King Zenon rushed to stop the dense mana that had boiled up in a heartbeat.

“Wait. Keep the power down—”

Before he finished, Lady Ulrika flicked the staff without ceremony.
Matching the motion, a jet-black sphere some ten meters across appeared in the air.

“Hey! What is that!?”

“Your Majesty, fall back!”

“Kyaaa!?”

A scream that stabbed the ears poured from the sphere.
It swallowed the surrounding air and swelled.
It ate the target, erased part of the castle wall, and vanished into the far sky.

Left behind: gouged earth and a hole punched in the wall.
And Lady Ulrika, standing with her arms folded, looking proud.

“Will that do?”

“””It will not!!”””

Olivia, King Zenon, and Govan.
All three shouted together.

“Ulrika. What was that magic!?”

“Hn? Just annihilation magic…”

“Annihilation magic!? I’ve never heard of such a thing! I told you to keep the power down!!”

“That was plenty restrained! If I did it for real, a castle like this would be gone in an instant!!”

“That was restrained…?”

“The castle, in an instant… impossible…”

Olivia and Govan went pale listening to Lady Ulrika and King Zenon.

“Ulrika. That magic is forbidden at the exam.”

“Then what magic should I use? How about demise magic?”

“What are you planning to bring to an end! Can’t you do something safe, like fire magic!?”

“Fire? Then extreme-flame magic, or purgatory magic…”

“Don’t use magic with names that dangerous! The academy will be charcoal!!”

King Zenon held his head.

“Fine. Magic is over. Get to the next thing, quickly!”

“If I must… then on to the next!”

And so Lady Ulrika’s magic drill was forcibly ended.
The stormy practical, however, was far from over.