Finally, the first round of the Empire’s Bumaga Selection Tournament began.

The preliminary rounds were held simultaneously throughout the empire.

Because one circular arena was not enough to accommodate everyone.

Participants flocked to this tournament because it didn’t consider status, race, or even age.

Inside the Viscount’s training room.

Irtis, Luca, and Ed held the admission tickets sent by the royal family.

Fortunately, all three of them were assigned to the same circular arena, so they could take the test together.

The three men, prepared for the test, stood in front of Prodia.

According to the rules, no one other than participants could enter the test area.

Therefore, this was the farewell with Prodia.

She had considered communicating with Irtis telepathically during the test.

However, she decided against it because he didn’t want it, and there was a fear of being exposed to the royal mages.

“Now, there’s nothing more I can teach you. You’ll do well for sure, so don’t be nervous and show your skills.”

“I’ll be back, sis.”

Luca smiled, his golden eyes sparkling.

It was thanks to Irtis wearing the magic lens he had prepared in advance.

Prodia approached him and stared directly into his eyes.

The craftsmanship was so exquisite that it seemed like she could see through his soul.

“Oh, fascinating. You really look like Papiere.”

While she was amazed, Luca’s heart began to beat twice as fast.

Blushing, he spoke.
Unlike the admiring girl, Luca’s heart began to pound like a drum.

Blushing, he said, “Sis, if you come so close, I won’t feel like going to the test.”

“Seeing you talk nonsense confirms Luca. Have a good test.”

Prodia quickly withdrew her hand from him and shook it.

Luca, with a regretful smile, tore the magic scroll he held in his hand.

The other two men followed him to the competition venue.

The area in front of the circular arena was already bustling with people.

The three men read the guide attached to the entrance of the test venue.

Seeing the instructions to take a seat according to the number on the admission ticket, it seemed that the written test would be conducted first.

While moving to their respective seats, Irtis looked around with a puzzled expression.

“Something’s strange. Right now, there’s not a single demon here.”

Other races like dragons and elves were noticeable in small numbers.

Luca, seeming indifferent, spoke as if it were nothing.

“He probably went to another testing venue.”

“All the demons?”

It was a bit strange, but it wasn’t impossible.

The three soon moved on to another topic.

Luca asked Ed, “By the way, where are your competitors, Ed?”

“That guy got assigned to the western testing venue. It would have been nice if he had dropped out today.”

Irtis laughed.

“It wouldn’t be fun if someone dropped out from the preliminary rounds. I’ll make sure to crush him more definitively next time.”

“Then I’ll trust only the Archmage.”

With such a simple conversation, the three men finally entered the test venue.

They soon noticed numerous desks filling the circular arena.

The written test had begun.

Participants could now see why the royal family had not restricted qualifications.

‘How can non-nobles answer such questions?’

Irtis, who took the test paper, was bewildered.

The difficulty level was such that without Prodia’s help, he wouldn’t have been able to lift a finger.

Damn those royal folks.

But now is not the time to worry about that.

Irtis quickly proceeded to solve the problems.

Then, he unexpectedly laughed at one problem.

[Among the following, choose the correct title of the 6th emperor of the Avm Empire.]

It was the same question Prodia had given on the first day.

So, that’s why they call him the crab tutor.

I want to go home quickly and tell her.

You’re re
“Ed, the answer to the first essay question is Southern Immovable Harbor, right?”

“That’s correct.”

Fortunately, with Ed as the answer vending machine, Irtis and Luca could resolve most of their frustrations.

The three men, after leaving the stadium, found a scenic spot and sat down.

Then, Prodia opened the lunchbox she had prepared in advance.

But.

“…….”

They stared at the lunchbox in a state of suspension for a few seconds.

A fist-sized onigiri with animal faces drawn on it. Heart-shaped dumplings and soup made from beans and vegetables. Pickled fruits as well.

Moreover, each lunchbox lid had a small note attached.

[I deliberately made it easy to digest. Good luck on the test. Prodia]

Did Prodia have such a side to her?

Even looking at it, it was hard to believe, making them blink in disbelief.

Luca, with his mouth covered, was trembling with emotion.

“How do you even eat something so adorable…?”

Irtis silently picked up one onigiri and put it in his mouth.

Then, unknowingly, tears welled up in his eyes.

It was because memories of his childhood in Matap suddenly came to mind.

Most of his peers carried lunchboxes packed by their mothers.

How envious that was.

But Matap’s inspiration always created food with magic.

So this was Irtis’s first lunchbox in his life.

Then, Ed, surprised, asked, “Archmage, are you crying now?”

“W-What nonsense.”

Irtis hurriedly wiped away the dust from his eyes.

But Ed’s situation wasn’t much different.

Normally, Irtis would have teased him, but the moment he saw the lunchbox, his heart wasn’t normal either.

The top-notch guy, that rugged man, would never have packed a lunchbox like this.

When growing up in the orphanage, he did even more.

He also took a bite of the dumpling.

It even went well with the liver.

Ed looked up at the sky to avoid crying.

Today, the sky was unexpectedly clear.

Prodia, she’s not only smart but also good at cooking.

Suddenly, a voice shattered their contemplation.

“… I think my sister made this.”

Saying that, Luca showed the back of the note.

[PS. Tasty, right? The head chef worked hard on this.]