5. First Magic
"So, when is the entrance exam and what do we have to do?"
"The exam is in six months. There's a written test, a practical test, and then an interview. However, since you have a recommendation letter, you’re exempt from the interview."
"Then, I have to focus on preparing for the written and practical tests for the next six months!"
"You can still get in without preparing. Also, you should be fine with the written exam. You already have the knowledge from the magic books you've read."
"If I do nothing, I'll just fall behind after entering the school!"
"Alright, I got it. Then, from tomorrow, we’ll focus mainly on practical training. On days when there's no school, I'll teach you."
"Really? Thank you!"
Thus, Emma began preparing for the entrance exam to the Arcana Academy of Magic under Louis' guidance.
The day after Emma decided to apply to the Arcana Academy of Magic, Louis came to her room early in the morning, carrying a small antique wooden box.
"Good morning, Louis! What's that wooden box? A magic tool case?"
"Well, sort of. For now, let's go inside."
Saying this, Louis placed the wooden box on the floor, opened the lid, and placed his hand inside. Then, it was as if he was being sucked into the box as he entered it.
Left alone in the room, Emma was stunned, but she followed Louis' lead and put her hand in the box and entered it as well.
With a scream, Emma arrived in a vast room filled with numerous magic books and magical tools. There were tables and chairs where she could read the magic books or try out the magical tools, and even a space where she could practice spells.
"What's this place! It's amazing! Is all of this yours, Louis?"
"Yeah. All the magic books I lent you came from here. But I didn’t give you any books about magical tools, so you’re probably lacking in that area, right? Here, you can try out the actual items. Also, there are rules for using magic in the human world. Since you're not familiar with them yet, you shouldn’t use magic there for now. However, this is a different dimension. In this space, you can use magic freely—just as long as it’s not a forbidden spell."
"I can't believe there's such a vast room inside such a small box! Thank you, Louis!"
As Emma looked around the room, Louis took a wand out of his pocket and handed it to her.
"I promised I'd give you a wand someday."
"A magic wand!"
"This is a beginner's wand used by young wizards to practice magic. Once your magic power increases a little more, we can go to the magic world to find a wand that suits you."
"I'm happy even with a beginner's wand, thank you!"
Emma didn't remember the promise, but the thought of trying magic filled her with excitement.
"Want to try practicing levitation magic? It's basic, but once you get good at it, you can apply it in various ways."
"Sure, I'll aim for that pen."
"Start with something light."
Emma pointed her wand at the quill pen on the table and cast a spell.
"Raizen!"
The quill pen began to tilt slightly and slowly floated into the air. However, it quickly fell back onto the table.
"Your magic control still needs work. Once you can make the pen float and control it freely, that’ll be enough as a basic skill."
"It’s difficult… but I’ll keep trying!"
Though Emma’s first magic didn’t go well, she continued practicing.
After about an hour of practice, she was able to make the quill pen float quite well.
"You're using up too much magic power. Let's take a break."
"That means I’m wasting magic power, right? I’m starting to feel tired…"
Saying this, Emma sat in a chair at the table where the quill pen was, while Louis waved his wand towards a shelf in the back.
Then, after hearing clattering sounds from the back, two cups flew towards the table. When Emma looked into the cups, she found that they were filled with tea.
"You really did the housework with magic."
"With levitation magic, I can do most housework."
"That’s way too convenient… Oh, by the way, what kind of questions are on the written exam?"
Louis then waved his wand in front of Emma, drawing a circle in the air. As he did, a lot of words started to float before her.
"These are some of the questions from last year's written exam."
"These… might be things I’ve read about in magic books."
"Yeah, so there’s nothing to worry about. Don’t stress."
"Thank you, Louis."
Thus, the days of intense training for Emma’s entrance to the magic school officially began.
