The Academy's classes were infamous for their rigor.
High-quality lessons tailored to the talents of the individual.
A slogan that everyone knew.
It was relatively common for several class years to share one classroom as per the Academy's ethos. This was because students were allowed to choose the classes that best suited them, according to their prior understanding and knowledge on the topic. Should they prove their skills, underclassn would be allowed entrance into the sa courses as their seniors.
"In essence, the acquisition of magic takes place in three stages. The first is the discernnt of the form of mana that you perceive. The second is the acquisition of knowledge pertaining to that magic system most similar to the characteristics of the mana for which one is able to develop an affinity."
Of course, first-years were excluded from this practice.
"Does anyone know what the last step is? Hmm Let see, the blue-haired student sitting near the window there?
The professor locked eyes with Allen.
Allen stood, trying his best to hide his boredom.
Vestla spoke to him. Whats wrong? Is this too hard for you?
Are you kidding? No way.
Then, what?
It's just too easy.
"Could you tell us about the final step in the progression of learning magic?"
The sorcerer stores the knowledge about their system of magic in their mind, and then is able to use that mana by twisting their knowledge into reality according to his or her own creativity and understanding.
He didn't feel like properly dealing with the class, which was way too simple for him.
"That's right, that's right! That's why different sorcerers have different spells. Good! Next?
Allen sat down again.
Then why are you here? What about a more advanced class? You said earlier that this isnt what you ca here for.
In his heart, he thought it would be more useful to stay in the library and rummage through books than to take classes at this level.
But Allen couldn't.
"Y-yes! My na is Louis
"Yes, you. Do you know why towers and schools for magic exist, even though magic varies from sorcerer to sorcerer?
"Hmm
He needed to assess the present level of each incoming student.
Why is he covering this?
Every ti Vestla spoke to him, the round bracelet on his wrist vibrated slightly.
What they tested during the entrance exam was potential rather than skills.
In order to make sure they would and could take classes suitable for their level, it was necessary to check the skill level of the students on an individual basis.
This class was part of that.
"Hmm You don't know? If you don't, you can say so. Students are here to learn. It's nothing to be ashad of."
"No, I don't know."
Grades were determined via evaluations of individual students, and starting next month, they would be able to choose the courses theyd be taking in the future.
"Well, its actually quite simple. It's because of magic books! And its important to note, also, that regardless of any sort of hierarchy associated with each tower, tradition dictates that the title of Master is given to anyone leading either establishnt, and also, the very foundation of knowledge upon which to establish
After that, what he learned in his classes on basic magic theory overtook his life.
From the way that the range of his sensing power correlated to his mana stores, the compatibilities and natures of each of his current attributes, classification according to those attributes
After two long hours of class, the bell rang.
"There will be a test next class, so please make sure to review this material."
The aged professor in charge of basic magic theory calmly organized his books and left the classroom.
"Oh, do we really have to do this for a month? Can't I skip a class?"
"Then you want to go to the supplentary class with those commoners? Just like that guy?"
"Oh, shut it."
As soon as the professor left, the students gathered together. The aristocracy with the aristocracy and the commoners with the commoners.
Here, too, there was a division of species. The elves congregated together, and the beastn gathered together.
However, the humans were a little more complicated. The nobles of each country divided themselves, and internal factions divided them even further.
'It's like this on the first day, but how will it change tomorrow?
Wasnt the Academy aware of what a problem this could cause?
Allen took a look at them before losing interest. His current concern did not lie with them.
Sitting in the far corner, with a head of black hair resting upon the desk Was he sleeping?
Hes got guts. If he gets caught, hell get a lot of points deducted.
Well, it's not my business. Allen moved toward him.
Right then, soone called his na.
"Allen Reinhart."
When he turned his head, he saw a young man weighed down with a gloomy air. The dark circles under his eyes were striking against the paleness of his white face.
It was the youngest mber of the Draghias family.
"Elnix Draghias."
"This is our first eting since I saw you at the entrance exam. Let introduce myself officially. I am of the Draghias family, Elnix Draghias. Please call Elnix."
There was a tinge of courtesy in his voice.
Allen had no choice but to feel more suspicious because of this.
"Nice to et you, sir. I am Allen Reinhart of the Reinhart family. That said, how may I help you?
Elnix smiled brightly to show his white teeth. "I should hope that well get along, Sir Allen."
Was that it? Allen couldn't shake the mory of his gaze at the entrance exam, piercing through him.
His dragons core.
I dont really want to do this right now, but I really cant afford to be hostile right now either.
From the mont Elnix started talking to him, perhaps even from the mont he first started to move in Allens direction, the attention was on them.
As the youngest lord in the Draghias family, being the object of that level of interest was natural. Although Allen won the runner-up position in his entrance examination, he was no match for him. At least now, hed beco closer to figures of authority important outside of the Academy.
"Thank you very much, but why did you call for ?"
"Could I invite you to lunch?"
He approached Allen rather aggressively. There was a person next to him who frowned, seeming to be dissatisfied with Elnixs behavior toward Allen. Perhaps a henchman or a follower.
"I'm sorry, but I have a previous engagent."
Allen refused at once. He had no intention of coming into contact with them before getting more information about them.
A previous engagent? Well, then
"No, I cant reschedule," ca a playful, little voice.
When Allen turned his head, he found the speaker resting his chin on his wrist as if watching sothing funny, already awake.
"You were the top-ranked student, right
"Heisel."
"Oh, Sir Heisel. I'd like to invite you to dinner along with Sir Allen, would you like to co?"
Heisel nodded with a slick smile at the words, as if hed long ago decided his response. "No, I don't want to."
"Thank you for What?
"I don't want to eat with you."
One of his followers, who had been holding back angry words shouted loudly, "Do you know who you're dealing with?! You really think you're so tough shit just because you got the top spot right now!
"Ew, your little dog is freaking out.
Hearing that, the expression on the young Draghiass face was wiped clean in an instant.
"Watch your language in the!!"
"Stop."
"presence of
"I told you to stop, Matthias."
"Yes."
At that, Matthias finally closed his mouth.
Elnix, having silenced his screaming fanboy, shared a peace-making proposal. "I don't think today is the day. I hope we can grab a al so other ti."
The smile on his face was barely hanging by a thread.
Heisel's answer was simple.
"I don't want to."
His smile disappeared once more.
* * *
* * *
Thump.
"Was it really necessary to refuse him so harshly?
"Huh? Well I thought you knew. Its not ti yet."
"What do you an by that?"
Heisel grinned obligingly at Allen's words. "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you.
Allen let out a small laugh, but Heisel's eyes said he was being serious.
"I don't want to involve myself with those people any more than I already have.
"Were you not the one who asked to co?"
"I didn't think you'd really co. Oh, and you can drop the formalities. I have, too.
Allen felt a little surge of adrenaline. He wanted to shout. He wanted to yell out what he knew. But he didn't.
I can't get a read on his strength right now.
Though he stood right in front of Allens eyes, not even the smallest wave of force exuded from Heisels body. That ant that Heisel was in full control of all his powers, and without even putting in any conscious effortnaturally, as if it were just a part of his resting state.
"Sure. Will do. So could you explain? Who those people are, and about what you just said?"
"Maybe your little friend knows
He gave a clear wink in Vestlas direction, but she hadnt spoken since first entering into Heisel's vicinity.
As if she were just a normal sword.
Heisel shrugged at the inanimate sight and sawed off a chunk of his thick steak.
"I didn't expect much, but it's actually better than Id expected.
Allen played along as Heisel tried to change the subject. "Doesnt it make sense? Given the sociopolitical status of most of the students here?
The Academys dining hall was grand enough to put most others to sha. The fact that thousands of people visited it for every al yet the quality remained consistently high demonstrated the talent of the chefs.
He continued, "And also, considering that the Academys mission is to cultivate the next generation of warriors, I suppose offering such high-quality food is only natural."
"The next generation of warriors." Heisel looked faint for a mont, but imdiately did away with his uneasy countenance.
Allen stared at him silently.
Maybe he underwent a reincarnation
What sort of emotion must one feelresurrecting after hundreds of years, your greatest enemy long gone, with only his sword remaining?
Joy? Sadness? Satisfaction? Emptiness?
When the world had changed.
When no one rembered the na of other heroes, and only the faded title of the First Warrior remained.
What must one feel in such a situation?
Allen didnt know. He didnt think he could ever understand.
All I know of the original story is what Ive heard through Julius's monologues.
A one-sided retelling was not enough to allow him to properly grasp Heisels character.
All that Allen knew about him was the information he eventually learned from the black book.
"Co to think of it, why did you co here? Ive just realized that you never told . Heisel asked as if he had just rembered. Was it out of pure curiosity? Or for another reason?
He wouldn't believe if I said I ca to build connections, like all the other nobles.
But it didn't matter.
"Well I didn't really think about it much. I guess one day I really just
There was no reason not to tell him.
"Its because of my brother.
"Your brother?"
"Yes, I'm here for my brother, Julius."
"Hmm"
Heisel mumbled softly, tapping his finger on the table a couple of tis as if he were thinking hard about sothing, crafting his answer.
"Is he not ready to be coming to school yet? No, I don't think that's the case when I take a look at his body So what are you trying to do here?
After talking to himself for a while, he pondered his thoughts again several tis before finally opening his mouth:
"Ha. I'll tell you just this. Don't believe what you see. And one more thing.
The mont Heisel tried to share
Flip, flip, flip.
The book linked to detects danger in ! reacts to !
The book linked to detects danger in ! reacts to !
The book linked to detects danger in ! reacts to !
The white book opened in a furious flurry of pages, repeatedly warning them with the sa ssage.
The floor vibrated loudly with a roar.
Thud!
"What the fuck What's going on!"
"Is this an e-earthquake?"
"Wh-what is this?"
The disturbance started to subside after a few minutes.
Realizing that the disruptive vibration wasn't so severe of a threat, the seniors resud eating. Only the freshn continued to look around with puzzled expressions.
What just happened?
Did sothing that could trigger a reaction from the white book appear?
Just as Allen was about to rise from his seat, soone put their arm over his shoulder.
"Are you the top two freshn?"
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