???

Everyone was exalted and thrilled when the magic knights announced that we're going to do the mock battles this very afternoon. We were instructed to follow them to the Castle Grounds in the middle of a city-like structure. In reality, this area is the widest of it all because it's where the enormous castle is positioned, and it has two massive stone steps that overtake you once you reach the fourth wall.

"To your right is where the fifteen people who will challenge that Magic Knight for a mock battle, and to your left is where you will face me! While this is only a mock battle, I suggest that you display your true strength when battling. Everything will be noted by the Scribes, and if you get injured, the cleric will heal you. So, do your best!"

After an armed man announced that we were going to perform two different simulated fights, four more younger men came out of the castle. Place parchment on the left and a crystal ball on the right. The armoured man points a huge stone stage to the left where we're going to have to fight.

"Are you ready, pal?"

Roe, who was too pumped up, skipped gently while raising his two hands and actively looking at me. It's as if he was fighting only with his bare hands. I mean, I haven't seen any of his weapons ever since. I wondered why he fell in line with no staff in the Magic Division after all. Unlike Pomell, who's having a hard time keeping on to his long belt, he 's obviously a magician. Thus he stood between me and Roe, holding out his weapons to show his staff a pale blue-gloss diamond crystal on the top.

"Inflamed with enthusiasm, are we, Roe?"

"Isn't it exciting to fight outside your castle, Pom?"

"I heard it's a one on one battle with the instructor. You think you can keep up using your grimoire?"

"I agree. I've been preparing all this time for this moment. Aren't you excited about it?"

Pomell just nodded and seemed to be excited as he waved his staff again. Yeah, he's using a grimoire, huh. Sprigg once explained the kind of method that normal humans could use to manipulate the power of magic, grimoire, as one of them. I'm just going to learn how it's going to work firsthand, huh!

"So, Twig, what is the weapon of your choice?"

He turned to me after he had displayed some odd poses like attempting to touch something from above.

"Uh, me? Nothing. I can directly use mana."

"Huuuuh?! You serious"—as though they learned anything interesting. I asked, "Why is that?"

Everyone seems so shocked to hear that statement from me, the four of them looked like their jaws were going to fall from their faces. Really, what the hell's wrong with that? I was thinking. I have the primordial magic, that's why I can use mana directly, but they don't know that, of course, and if I will tell them that. That can lead to a lot of trouble.

"That's absolutely frightening and impossible," said the young lady with jet-black hair and emerald-green eyes like Sprigg. Right, she's one of the five students who fell into line earlier in the Mage Apprenticeship Registration Sector. She 's similarly pretty like Thea and Gloriana, but she's taller than they really are. We really didn't get a chance to know her earlier, as the professor abruptly came into the room.

"Indeed. How are you able to channel the mana if you don't have a magic item, Twig?" asked Pomell. He has this curious look that is not going to back down. Thea and Gloriana are both staring at me as they 're waiting for me to address his question.

"Attention, young wizards and knights. I hope you are all excited! We will begin the mock battles now and we'll start with dividing each department by two. We'll have 10 Knights and 5 Mages from my team and the rest will be assessed on your left. Once your name is called, kindly come to me..." after he declared that, he took out a piece of parchment from his left where his satchel is located and start calling our first names.

"...Arthur, Thomas, Weldin, Frederick, Roben, Benedict, Bryce, Leofrick, Gavin, and Cedany from the Knights Division. From the Mage's Division: Rowan, Theanisia, Pomell, Lemure, and Arabella. Come now, young ones!" as he waved his hand.

Looks like the twins are not going to fight with us here. Gloriana happily waved her hand while she's walking towards her designated team. We also have the two young boys who intimidated our group earlier that backfired. Anyway, the only mage from our team that I didn't know of currently is this young lady wearing a huge wrinkled pointed hat and a dark blue vest with an insignia to her left side. I believe that's what nobles do when they are on a gathering. However, Pomell and Roe are not wearing theirs. Although you can see that the quality of their robes is higher than ours, they are simply dressed ordinary than this lady, though.

Everyone seems to be overjoyed and somehow ready to fight, except for Thea and the other two Knights. Since I have already struggled with monsters that successfully defend my life, I sure am not stressed. Sprigg claims it's only a lower classified intelligent species, it's still my first time dealing with it. Nevertheless, it's a victory, after all.

"As I'm excited to face all of you, we 're going to start with the Magic Division. There are some of you who have sparked my interest. So, we 're going to start with the only wand-bearer on this team, Arabella! Come on, let's see what you have, milady!"

As she was told to come over, she managed to jump to the huge stage of stone immediately. The tutor said he was the only wand-bearer. Does it have a power distinction when you are using another magic item?

"Hey, Sprigg? Do you have an idea why the instructor emphasized her weapon of choice?"

"...oh master, I apologies as I don't know as well. I am still analyzing everyone in here. He he!"

"That's fine," then I cut off the thought communication I used to talk to her. She seems a little occupied. I must not bother her doing what she said is necessary. I turned to Pomell instead and asked him why.

"Really, Twig?! You don't know? Where were you these days?"

However, Roe answered me with another question.

"...uhhh. I am..."

I scratched my head as I am hesitant to answer.

"There are four types of magical item that a mage can use. Death Spheres, Grimoires, Staff, and Wands. However, they are all using a special kind of gemstone to work. Some special mages can use gemstone directly like Thea over there. I also wonder if you are using a gemstone since you are not bringing one of the four basic magical items..." he raised his right hand, letting the robe slide from his arms while adding, "anyway, we'll talk about that later. As of now, we'll see how our teammate is faring with her match."

"Hey, Twig. I am a Grimoire-bearer. Want to see my spells?"

Roe took out his old book with a small crystal in the upper portion of its cover. So, this is what Pomell meant that every magical item needs to have a gemstone, huh. I mean, he also that kind of crystal at the top of his staff, I guess that's what they call it and not just an ordinary crystal after all, huh. I was about to respond to him but Pomell reached into our heads and forcefully made us watch the battle.

"No. stand to gain from the battle, you two! You need to concentrate. Remember the first rule, Roe. Don't take your eyes away from the opponent. You're fortunate that we're not the first to fight. We've got a chance to get to know his behaviour!"

"Yes. Yes! I know, Pom. Just let me show my spells to Twig." he refuted.

Inadvertently, in these two, I can see myself and Morning Dew arguing for a very small reason. I laughed and turned my attention to Arabella and her opponent. Let's see what these people can do in this new world of mine, where magic is a normal way.

"Attention: Mana fluctuation detected. Disturbance of mana is overflowing. Please be guided."

Just like her usual high-pitched childish and lifeless voice, Sprigg just informed me about what she can see. I already learned how to sense mana disturbances and I also know why is this happening. Her usual worries are never getting old.

"I know, Sprigg. Rest easy. Continue what you are doing." I responded to her and as a consolation I let our communication link opened for her to be at ease when things get rough.

"Understood."

It's been a minute now and yet, Arabella is still standing keeping the mana disturbance flowing within her wand. So, that's how they use the mana using a magical item. I mean, the only difference that I can see here is the mana is permeating my body like I am a ghost or something.

Just as I imagined, it's not for nothing to dub a magic knight. As soon as the instructor unsheathed his sword like a massive sword in a compact box, it started to stretch threefold and as he swings the sword to the young woman, but she just vanished like a thin air.

"Is this her magic?" I thought.

"Not bad, wand-bearer!"

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#IntoTheUnknownWorld

MakulotNaBuhok x Einvee

?2020