The examination for a Fifth Class Mage was not as easy as one might imagine.
Since the founding of the Continental Mage Association, fewer than six hundred people currently alive have achieved the title of Fifth Class Mage or higher.
This is a mere six hundred mages across the entire continent.
Even excluding hermits who have no interest in the Continental Mage Association’s certification, this number is still ridiculously small.
This is not solely due to the extremely high talent required for mages; the death of the Demon Lord is also a contributing factor.
Apart from the northern lands, the remaining demon population is no longer capable of posing a continent-wide threat.
Compared to a hundred years ago, the sharp decrease in the number of mages is an undeniable fact.
However, the association’s certification is a universal pass in the central kingdoms.
Sometimes, when encountering trouble, presenting a mage level certification can make things much easier.
Whether for money or privileges, it’s best to get certified if you can.
“So, Master, are you a First class Mage now?” “Uh…” Frieren put on her usual evasive expression and shakily pulled out a rusty necklace from her bag.
It was a wand-shaped pendant.
“I have this, the Holy Staff Certificate.
It’s pretty impressive, right?” “Oh, oh, oh.” Ethan was a little excited.
The mage of the Hero’s party, a mere First class Mage, must have passed easily.
“This is proof of being a First class Mage?
It does look kind of cool.” “No.” Frieren turned her face away.
“I didn’t take the test.” “Huh?” Ethan’s smile froze on his face.
Looking at Ethan’s shocked expression, Frieren chuckled and lightly poked his forehead with her slender index finger: “The Continental Mage Association has only been around for a few decades.
I can’t just join every mage group that comes along, right?” That’s true.
“Besides, when the Demon Lord died, the Continental Mage Association hadn’t even been founded yet.
Back then, other mage organizations unified the ability standards for mages.
And also, don’t ask, the answer is I don’t know.” Frieren…
no, not just Frieren, the entire Hero’s party, never actively pursued power or fame.
They just kept moving forward towards their own goals.
Ambition was completely absent from them, yet it was this very party that defeated the Demon Lord.
“Anyway, a mere Fifth Class Mage, you should be able to pass it with ease now, right?” Frieren’s gaze returned to the book in front of her, and she dismissively waved her hand at him.
“Go and come back quickly.” “Mhm.” Three days had passed since the Übel sisters came to freeload meals.
Ethan rushed and managed to register before the deadline.
Although the interval for the Fifth Class Mage exam was a bit shorter than the three-year gap for the First class Mage exam, the Fifth Class Mage exam was also held annually.
If he missed this one, he’d have to wait another year.
Frieren didn’t seem to mind, but he didn’t want to wait.
If he didn’t become a Fifth Class Mage, Frieren would remain in the capital indefinitely.
He wanted to see more of the world while he was young.
Otherwise, when he got old, Frieren would still be able to go, but he wouldn’t be able to.
That would be awkward.
…
The Capital, Continental Mage Association, Waiting Room.
Amidst the crowd of people taking the exam, Ethan curiously looked around.
The Fifth Class Mage exam did not require a Ninth class or higher mage certification.
One only needed to prove they could use magic to register.
However, it was very rare for someone like Ethan to skip directly from Ninth class to Six to take the Fifth class exam.
Besides Ethan, most were Sixth class Mages, accounting for over fifty percent.
The rest were Level Seven to Nine.
It was his first time seeing so many mages.
There were quite a few who looked like main characters, all dressed eccentrically with arrogant expressions, perfectly matching his stereotype of “XX exams.” Ethan was probably the only one dressed plainly among them.
Just as he was looking for some pretty sights, the noisy crowd suddenly fell silent, as if a teacher had appeared at the classroom door.
An old man wearing the standard robe of the Mage Association slowly walked in.
“Holy crap, no way?” “Wow, it’s Lernen, First class Mage!” The crowd couldn’t help but whisper, with over ninety percent of the emotion being shock.
“No, did I come to the wrong place?
Did I end up at the First class Mage exam?” “Wake up, the First class Mage exam is in two years.
You’re not in the wrong place…
Did Master Lernen come to the wrong place??” Ethan didn’t know any First class Mages, but hearing the shocked, yet pleased and worshipful voices of the other candidates, this First class Mage was probably a powerhouse with maxed-out strength and reputation.
“Everyone, the selection exam for Fifth Class Mages will now begin.” Soon, the old man’s steady voice spread throughout the hall, making the candidates who were previously speculating become serious.
The chief examiner is never announced in advance, and each First class Mage chief examiner has a different testing method.
Candidates usually only find out on the day itself, and low-level mages like them wouldn’t know Lernen’s testing method.
This is because First class Mages have never been responsible for testing such low-level candidates as Fith class.
“Now, I will announce the exam content.” Lernen’s gaze slowly swept across the candidates, seeming to linger on Ethan for a moment, though Ethan was completely oblivious to his gaze at this point.
“There are a total of one hundred and forty-four people.
Each candidate will be assigned a numbered token.” “Each numbered token corresponds to a golem I created with the equivalent power of a Fifth Class Mage,” Lernen announced expressionlessly.
“You will pass the exam by defeating the golem within five minutes.
However, this approach is too uninteresting, so I have placed one golem with the strength of a Level Three Mage among them.” Immediately, some of the mages let out groans.
These were candidates who were not good at combat, or whose fighting style was countered by the golems.
But mage tests were just that unreasonable; after all, in real combat, no enemy would choose not to exploit your weaknesses.
Almost as soon as the test was announced, these mages could be considered to have forfeited.
Not to mention, if they drew the Level Three golem, were they planning to die on the spot?
Ethan didn’t care.
His combat style was not restricted, and he could always resort to physical combat if necessary.
The examination site was outside the capital.
Everyone had to collect a bottle containing a golem from the staff and then enter a hundred-meter square clearing in the forest.
It was divided into five areas, accommodating up to five people taking the exam simultaneously.
Ethan’s assigned number was one hundred and forty-four, the perfect last number.
Even though there would be someone with that number, why did it have to be me!
Even if people forfeited, it was still the last number!
Fortunately, it wasn’t a one-by-one exam.
According to the rules, all the exams should be finished in about two hours.
He found a rock by the edge of the forest and sat down to meditate, though to others, it looked like he was just spacing out.