Zero Magic, Zero Hope... Until She Broke the Exam

The Royal Magic Academy entrance exam was the kind of event that made even nobles sweat.

But Rin?

She was confused, slightly bored, and wearing a borrowed school uniform two sizes too small.

(It was from the merchant’s niece. Don’t ask.)

Still, she stood tall in the lineup of hopefuls, hands behind her back, cloak gone for once, trying to look like just another magic hopeful.

Which, unfortunately, she was not.

Stage One: Basic Mana Measurement

An orb floated before her, glowing gently. The examiner, a tall elf woman with a clipboard and visible disdain for everyone under six noble titles, waved her forward.

“Place your hand on the orb and channel mana.”

Rin blinked.

“…Channel… mana.”

“Yes. Like breathing. Reach inside, feel your mana, and push it into the orb.”

Rin placed her hand on the orb.

Nothing happened.

She frowned.

The orb dimmed.

“…Hmm.”

The examiner squinted. “Do you… not have any mana?”

Rin shrugged. “I think I misplaced it?”

The room snickered.

One particularly loud noble student let out a mocking laugh. “She’s a squib! A non-magical peasant!”

Rin turned to glare at him but remembered she was trying to blend in.

So she just smiled.

Very ominously.

Stage Two: Spell Casting Basics

“Cast a basic elemental spell. Fire, water, wind, earth—whatever your affinity.”

The instructor handed Rin a starter wand. It looked like a child’s toy. Rin gripped it like it was a rat.

She waved it. “Fireball.”

Nothing.

“Water blade?”

Nothing.

“Wind sneeze?”

The instructor frowned. “That’s not a spell.”

“Sorry. Desperation kicking in.”

The class laughed again.

Even the instructor sighed. “Next.”

Stage Three: Dueling Assessment

This was where most students proved themselves—by dueling another applicant. It was controlled, refereed, and usually very flashy.

Rin was paired with Lazian Velhart, a smug noble prodigy with bright white robes, two personal servants fanning him, and a grin that screamed “I’ve never been punched in the face and it shows.”

He stepped into the dueling circle and raised his staff.

“I shall end this quickly, commoner. Try not to cry.”

Rin rolled her neck. Her cloak still fluttered slightly behind her.

The instructor called out: “Begin!”

Lazian didn’t wait.

“Flame Lance!”

A swirling bolt of fire shot toward Rin.

She stood still.

The flame hit her chest—

—and fizzled out like a wet match.

The arena went silent.

“…Wait,” someone muttered. “That was a tier-two spell.”

“Did she use a barrier?”

“No, I didn’t see her cast anything—”

Lazian narrowed his eyes. “Frost Barrage!”

Shards of ice rained down.

They bounced off her harmlessly.

Rin blinked. “That’s cold. Slightly annoying. Also, you got some in my hair.”

Lazian snarled. “Lightning Spear!”

ZAP.

It connected with her face.

She yawned.

“…Do you have any spells that don’t feel like a mosquito bite?”

By now, the entire arena was staring. The instructors were whispering among themselves. A few mages were scanning her with detection spells, which all came back as: “???”

Finally, the instructor cleared his throat. “Stop the match.”

Rin tilted her head. “Did I win?”

“You… didn’t lose.”

She grinned. “Close enough.”

Lazian stomped off, furious, his pride shattered into powdered fragments.

Later That Day…

The results were posted.

Despite scoring a perfect zero in the first two stages, Rin’s name was listed under:

“Accepted with Exception – Special Observation Category.”

She raised an eyebrow and muttered, “Wow. I’m the magical version of ‘Needs Further Testing.’”

But she smiled anyway.

Because despite everything—

She was in.

Let the magic school arc begin.