Chapter 36 – Magic Power Test (Part 2)
While recording scores, Vanessa also praised the silver-haired beauty before her.
“As expected of the Duke of Daylight’s daughter. You’re already one of the standouts among the new students. I’m sure your father must be proud.”
“I don’t need his pride. I don’t need anyone’s praise.”
Isana withdrew her hand and replied calmly, as if entirely indifferent to her results. As if everything was a matter of course, she quietly returned to the lineup.
Her gaze then turned toward Erika, and her lips curled in a slight smirk—either flaunting or mocking, either way, it irritated Erika to no end.
Unable to bear it anymore, Erika—already mentally checked out—fired back.
“You’ve got issues or what? You keep staring at me like that. Do we even know each other?”
“Hmph, can’t I look if I want?”
Isana didn’t back down. “If you don’t like it, I can get you a hood. Cover that face up.”
“You—!”
“Erika Blaniel!”
Just as Erika was about to retort, Vanessa called out sternly from the front, “It’s your turn! Step forward!”
Gritting her small fists, Erika suppressed her anger and forced herself into a nonchalant attitude.
“Whatever. Not worth it.”
She then obediently walked toward the crystal orb.
Everyone had been keeping an eye on Erika. Though they didn’t expect much from her in terms of results, especially after the blank test earlier, they were all curious what antics she’d pull this time.
Erika, after all, had the Dragon Core Crystal inside her. She could clearly feel the magic power in her body.
But sticking to her slacker attitude—she had already submitted a blank sheet, after all—she planned to release just a bit of magic, pass or fail, didn’t matter anymore.
However, when she placed her small hand on the orb, something awkward happened.
The crystal orb... didn’t react at all.
...
...
“???”
A moment passed, and the students looked baffled.
“She... she’s doing it on purpose?”
“Who knows... but this girl’s nerves are insane. That’s Director Vanessa watching her!”
Even Vanessa squinted suspiciously at Erika.
Not just them—even Erika herself was stunned.
Huh? Where’s my power? Why isn’t it working?
She touched the orb again—but still nothing.
What’s going on?
Blinking her eyes, Erika couldn’t understand why her magic wouldn’t activate at such a critical moment.
Normally, every human body has at least some magic—enough to make the orb glow, even without talent.
But now, the orb wasn’t responding at all—it looked like Erika was continuing her slacker act.
“Erika, come here,” Vanessa called out.
“Yes...”
Erika obediently trotted over—but regretted it instantly.
Vanessa showed no mercy. Right in front of everyone, she pinched Erika’s soft little cheek.
“Ow ow ow... that hurts!”
Vanessa had strong hands, and the sudden pinch brought tears to Erika’s eyes. Her cheek flushed red instantly.
“Don’t think I can’t tell—you didn’t try at all.”
Letting go, Vanessa’s voice was stern. “I expect you to take this test seriously. I’ll give you one more chance. If your attitude doesn’t change, I’ll inform Gladys. Let her straighten you out.”
“Ugh...”
Holding her sore cheek, Erika looked pitiful—almost crying.
That grip was too strong! And even worse, she threatened to report her to Gladys.
If Gladys found out about today, she’d definitely be upset. Would that mean less food for her later?
Under everyone’s gaze, Erika returned to the orb.
Pressing her red lips together, she centered herself. It wasn’t that she wanted to slack off—she had felt her power, but just couldn’t release it.
But why?
She remembered back in Luka Town—she had let out a Dragon Roar at Dervick. Her magic had worked then.
Could it be... that a dragon’s power is used differently from a human’s?
Closing her eyes, Erika began to reflect.
“Hoo...”
She let out a soft breath. Following her intuition, she started gently channeling her inner strength.
Guided by instinct...
Finally, immense power surged forth—an invisible force spread outward from Erika’s body, making dust swirl up around her.
A heated aura spread.
The terrifying force Erika now released was clearly far beyond her apparent age.
Shua!
The violent aura continued to rise. Dust spun wildly around her. The energy burst forth like an explosion—chaotic and barely containable.
“What... what’s going on?”
“This magic power... it’s coming from Erika?”
“No way... she’s so young—how could she have this kind of power?”
“Who else could it be?”
“Oh my god, this is unbelievable. That magic power rivals some of the teachers. Is that really Erika’s magic?”
The crowd gasped in disbelief.
Even Isana, who had just been arguing with Erika, was stunned. Her beautiful eyes stared wide at the girl in front.
Even Vanessa was momentarily speechless.
She too could hardly believe such terrifying power was coming from this small girl.
Squinting, she confirmed that the one before the orb was indeed Erika. She couldn’t help but murmur,
“Heh... Gladys, this little one you recommended... really is something else.”
...
Oblivious to the commotion, Erika kept her eyes on the orb.
A smug smile curled her lips, her small fangs showing with pride.
She now felt full of confidence.
Just as she expected—her endless magic came from her blood.
Dragonkind didn’t need chanting to cast magic because their power source was fundamentally different from humans. Realizing this now, Erika had to credit Jocelyn for her early insight.
Gladys had said Jocelyn was also a non-human. Back when Erika bit her, she had tasted the power in her blood.
It seemed that each race had its own method of using power.
Erika now understood—controlling the magic in her blood was simple. She just needed to regulate her emotions.
Gladys probably knew this too. She really should’ve asked earlier.
As her emotions swelled, the magic in her blood began to boil.
Once it peaked, Erika thrust her hand forward.
Scorching magic tore through the air. As the aura surged, her hand touched the orb.
Shuooom!
The orb lit up—yet no numbers appeared.
“Did it break?”
Everyone’s eyes fixed on the orb in confusion.
The next moment, the orb started shaking violently in all directions. Its light grew brighter and brighter.
Crack...
A crisp sound rang out—the orb cracked.
Boom!
With a loud bang, the orb exploded into pieces.
Silence fell once more...
Only the soft whisper of wind could be heard.
Everyone stared, mouths open in stunned disbelief.
Broken...
The academy’s prized testing orb had been shattered by a little girl’s magic.
This was the first time anything like this had happened during a new student test.
“No way...”
“Was the orb already broken?”
“Yeah... no way that girl Erika’s power is that strong... right?”
Just from magic output alone, Erika now surpassed many senior students—and possibly even some teachers. It was only natural some suspected the orb was defective.
“Ah?!”
The explosion had startled Erika.
Thinking she had caused serious trouble, she quickly withdrew her magic and ran over to Vanessa.
“V-Vanessa-sensei, I didn’t mean to!
I didn’t want to break it... maybe it was already faulty… really!”
“...”
Vanessa blinked, unsure how to respond. She had expected Erika to set a record, but never imagined she’d destroy the orb.
As Vanessa stayed silent, Erika bit her lip—she thought she was doomed.
That orb looked really expensive.
If she had to pay for it, she definitely couldn’t afford it...
Maybe... she should try looking cute...
Blinking her large red eyes, her long lashes trembled. Her cherry lips pursed in a pitiful pout.
With the softest, sweetest voice she could muster, she said,
“Teacher... I didn’t mean to... You’re such a generous lady—you won’t... make me pay for it, right?”
“Alright, alright...”
Snapping out of it, Vanessa glanced at the shattered orb and scratched the back of her head.
“There are plenty more of those in the academy. It’s fine.”
“Phew, good...”
Relieved she didn’t have to pay, Erika patted her chest.
If she’d had to pay... where would she even find the money?
Peeking up at Vanessa, Erika decided she’d better leave now—before the woman changed her mind.
“Then... Can I go home now?”
Go home?
Vanessa couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. What was going on in this girl’s head? Was this really the same kid who handed in a blank test?
Now she even wondered—was that blank test deliberate?
Could someone with this much magic power really not know basic knowledge?