Extra Of The Magus Academy-Chapter 46: Winds Of Change

"Dustan wins the seventh match!"

As Arius lay on the ground, his body recoiling from the pain as he groaned softly, he heard those words.

’No… no… did I lose?’

"Congratulations, Dustan, you will now advance to Alpha Class"

His eyes bulged and his heart tightened as soon as those words trickled into his ears. He clutched his chest as he felt the weight of shame descend upon him.

Shame… and something else.

—Dread.

’No… if I lost, then that means…’

"Arius Inkwell… you will be demoted to Beta Class. Work hard and you just might be able to rise back to Alpha Class."

’... I’m now a Beta?’

He couldn’t believe his ears.

He, one of the Top 3 Apprentices in the whole Academy, was going to be a Beta Student?

How?

Why? It didn’t make any sense!

’It’s… it’s a ploy, I’m sure of it…’ Arius recollected the words that Ashfelt said to him. ’They were planning this from the very start… this awful plan.’

A plan to humiliate him—a member of the 4 Great Noble Households—before everyone.

That was why he lost.

That was the only reason why he lost.

’I won’t… I won’t forget this…’ At this point, Arius was already losing consciousness.

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He had taken far more damage than he had bargained for—more than he had suffered in a very long time.

Within a few more seconds, he completely passed out.

**********

’Impressive.’

Beatrice Lampshade found her eyes sparkling with surprise as she watched the scene play out before her.

’What a surprising turn of events.’ She marveled. ’Even I couldn’t have predicted this.’

Who would have thought that a Beta Student could utilize Externalization?

’The Grade of his Familiar is Medium, so it would be easier for a Familiar like that to be Externalized than one of a higher Grade, but since the Grade of Familiars usually reflect the talent of a Student, it all balances out.’

In essence, even though someone with a Low Grade Familiar could use [Externalizaton] far quicker than someone with a High Grade Familiar due to the difference in power between both Spirits, talent also played a huge part.

Those with less talent had weaker Familiars and those with more talent had stronger Familiars. Hence, their growth rate balanced out considerably, with a few exceptons sprouting out.

But, what would happen when someone with a high level of talent got a weak Familiar?

’They’d be able to achieve Externalization… and even Fusion much faster than every other person.’

But, what kind of talented person would pick a weak Familiar?

It made no sense.

Mages were respected, not based on their own individual ability, but the Grade of their Familiar and how well they could use the power within said Familiar.

’No matter how skilled a Mage is, they can never go beyond Rank 5 without a High Grade Familiar or above.’

That was how cruel the system was.

’And so, while it is with great joy that I see such a young sprout overcome the winds of adversity and rise to prominence… it still pains my heart to see that he won’t be able to keep advancing beyond the student he defeated.’

Arius Inkwell had a Greater Grade Spirit as a Familiar.

It was only a matter of time before Dustan reached his limits and Arius surpassed him.

’Until then, celebrate, young man.’ Beatrice smiled and rendered Dustan a round of applause.

The boy had proven not just her, but everyone else wrong.

He won.

***************

Arius was taken away for immediate medical care, and the Promotional Exams continued.

The contestants for the next match were called out, just like in the other rounds, and two students rose to the stage.

However, unlike before, where there was an overwhelming sense of superiority on one side and unfathomable despair on the other, the atmosphere in the hall was completely different.

The Beta Students had a completely different vibe, with many of them spreading hopeful smiles and encouraging their fellow Beta who was now on stage. While the boy wasn’t as strong or smart as Dustan, he scored the second highest in the End of Year Exams.

In terms of potential, he was right after Dustan.

Compared to him, the Alpha Student he was facing—while still superior to him in every category—looked like a flunkie who wasn’t as strong as his colleagues.

Many Beta Students believed he stood a chance.

’I can do this… I can win this!’ Even the Beta Student started to believe it. ’If Dustan can make it, then me too…’

For so long, Alpha Class had maintained an aura of unwavering dominance.

However, all of that was about to change.

The winds of change were already blowing, and the unease on the faces of every Alpha Student made it clear that they weren’t so invincible after all.

’Starting now…’ As the Beta Student was drowned in his thought, he noticed one Alpha Student whose expression was different from that of his other colleagues.

It was Ashfelt Zephyr.

He had a somewhat sad and distant expression on his face.

One would expect him to happy, since his friend, Dustan, had made it to Alpha Class, but he seemed slightly distraught. He seemed to be looking right at the boy as he sighed and shook his head.

’Well, whatever… I’ll just focus on my match!’

The voice of the Head of Student Affairs rang out, signalling the commencement of the match.

WHOOSH!

The Beta Student leaped forward, choosing to the more confident approach rather than shrinking back in fear like the rest of his colleagues had done. One thing he learned from Dustan was attacking the Alpha Class students head on.

’Bfore he can cast any big Spell, I’ll disorient him with—!’

"[Ironclad Severance]."

SWISH!

WHISH!

KWISH!

It all happened in an instant, like a blur of blood and death.

Several bladed atacks struk at once, slicing nearly every part of the Beta Student’s body in an instant.

The once-optimistic boy was now drowning in a pool of blood, coughing out thick red liquid as his entire body—or rather, what was left of it—shivered in severe agony.

This was a fatal wound… he was dying.

"You plebians think you can make it to Alpha Class? You think you can challenge us?" The Alpha Class Student approached him, casting a dark shadow on his frail body.

"I’ll kill you right now and end that stupid dream!"