The machine made by the Devil

===Status===

Name : Miren Porter

Rank : I

Strength : I

Speed : VII

Stamina : III

Intelligence : III

Mana Grade : I

Charm : ?

--> Battle Arts:[]

Silence filled the room. Neither of us said anything, we just kept staring at the text floating inside the orb.

"STRENGTH AND MANA GRADE I?!"

All of a sudden the old man had started yelling as if someone had died.

"HOW COULD THIS BE?! YOU ARE WEAKER THAN THE AVERAGE 10 YEAR OLD AND YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO ATTEND KIRKEGAARD?!"

With an exasperated voice he continued to spew out what I could only recognize as incredibly hurtful words right in front of me.

'Yes, yes. I know I'm weak and my mana grade should at least be grade II. Not to mention my strength...'

*Hu, hu hu*

Huffing, the old man started to collect what seemed to be not only his breath but his thoughts as well. I also started to think. Something was weird. Why was not my Inherent Disposition shown? As far as I know it should also be a part of the measurement. Unless... Maybe the mana orb couldn't recognize it because it was a side effect of something outside the boundaries of this world?

With my mind speeding up and thinking about several different explanations this seemed to be the most reasonable. Wait, this might have been a good thing, if he had seen my Inherent Disposition how would he react? Maybe I would have become part of some obnoxious research, where I would have gotten my freedom limited. At least like this I wouldn't get caught in something troublesome.

With both of us stuck in our own thoughts the old man broke the silence once again.

"Wait, maybe there is a chance.."

Grumbling he once again looked at the recorded status.

"Although your current combative ability seems to be abysmal, you have a speed grade which could only be described as in the realms of an unseen prodigy. A speed grade of VII as a new student is something unprecedented throughout the history of Kirkegaard. A grade only attained by high level heroes with, not only, innate talent but who have also honed it for many years. How ironic, for you to be a genius who cannot inflict any damage. At least if it seemed like you had some sort of talent manipulating mana there would be other ways to get around it, but then you wouldn't be a grade I at 16 years old. Incredibly unfortunate..."

"You don't even have a battle art yet. Although it might not be all too unusual for 16 year olds in general, when attending Kirkegaard it could only be seen as insanity. Most of the kids here have been practicing their combat art for years already. Some of them should have even started with their elemental manipulation at this point."

As the professor continued to spew out hurtful words, I couldn't help but retort internally. If only he knew that, even if I lacked talent, my mana grade could grow without a limit. It might grow fast, but with time I could surpass anyone as long as I continued my training and got the proper resources to facilitate my growth. Thinking about the possibility of him believing me telling him about my Inherent Disposition, I ended up swearing the fifth. There was no meaning talking about it to a person who is most likely more loyal to his data than any religious fanatic would be to their god.

Even though I figured it would turn out like this, it still hurt. The feeling of being pitied, being looked down upon. I wanted to prove him wrong right this moment but there was nothing I could do for the time being.

'Time will prove him wrong.'

With that in mind, I turned my attention back to the professor who seemed like he was finally about to actually talk about something meaningful.

"So, now we have your status recorded. I was also told that you hadn't got your physical measurements taken, so we will do it now as well. Follow me."

As he started exiting the room I could only follow. Walking down the brightly lit corridor once again we soon stopped at another room. The professor opened the door and walked in to a space where a desk with a computer was placed. On the other side of the room was a giant tube which seemed to be able to contain a person.

"Now, just walk over and stand inside of the measurement tube. We will analyze the structure of your body in order to get accurate measurements."

"Why do I need to get my measurements taken?! Isn't it enough to look at my pathetic status?!"

"Well, not only is it a standard procedure, we also need them in order to make your uniform. It's not like you would fit any standard one, now would you?"

'Why does everything have to be related to my stature? I swear, as soon as I get strong enough to travel alone, I will found a solution to my height. I will become so tall everyone else has to look up at me!'

Unsteadily, I dragged my feet over to what could only be explained as a device made by the devil. It was time to finally get to know just how short I really was in this new life. Although Miren, I, had lived with this body for 16 years, no one had bothered to take his measurements. Just like always the adults around him had tried to avoid him, not wanting to interact with him unless absolutely necessary. Even Cindy hadn't really forced the issue. Maybe she was just trying to be nice by not letting him actually see the cold, hard facts.

*Beeeeeeee*

After standing inside of the tube for what seemed to be only a couple of seconds a sound signaling the end of the test. Walking out of the tube I was met by the professor who handed me a single piece of paper. On it was my physical measurements. Ranging from arm span to muscle density, it seemed to contain a complete human in it.

[Height: 139 CM]

'Fuck...'

I really was short weren't I? Not even a full 140 cm. It seemed like my second wish of gaining a family might have to wait for quite a while. Don't get me wrong. I would love to find a partner no matter what height I was, but even with my limited experience with women I knew that very few would accept someone shorter than them. Even less someone more than a full head shorter...

"That's it, we're done here. You can make your way to the reception where your playboy of a guide should be."

With those words we both left the room, the professor walking further inside the facility and me starting to make my way back to Mike. As I got to the end of my walk I saw him talking and leaning toward the blonde girl at the counter. Although it looked to be for naught. Even from a distance one could see how uncomfortable the girl really was, as well as how oblivious Mike seemed to be.

"Yo, Mike. I am done now. Am I free to leave now?"

Mike turned around with a frown. Seemingly bothered to have been disturbed during his unfruitful hunt he answered.

"Sorry lad, we have one more place to go."

"One more place? Wasn't I just supposed to get my status recorded today?"

I could have sworn I wasn't told that there was another appointment today. It seemed like my plans to continue trying to get a feel for mana would be delayed once again.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? The principal wants to talk to you as well. Something about summer and snow and whatnot."

'Summer and snow? What the fuck is he on about? Is it something related to the uniforms they have?'

While I was trying to get my head around what he just said he continued.

"So we have to get going! Cindy, I'll talk to later okay?!"

Heading to the exit together, I could hear a weak voice coming from the tall lady behind me.

-It's Mindy you stupid ogre...

'Maybe Mike had a power type status with really low intelligence?'

That would be the only reasonable explanation for being so socially inept and awkward. Or maybe he just didn't care too much. Although I am not sure about his actual status grade I could to some extent feel that he was quite powerful.

As we headed out onto academy grounds I could see other students for the first time. It was still November, so winter break hadn't started just yet. All of the students at the academy had a long break for the entirety of December, starting their next semester at the 3rd of January. As for me, I would also start to attend classes in January. Although all 16 year olds were required to attend academies they wouldn't be recognized as official students until the next school year.

This created a situation where a lot of new students had quite some time to get used to the new environment. They could use the facilities to keep training and the library to get a head start in the theoretical subjects.

As we made our way past several different structures we finally stopped. In front of what could only be said to be a moderately sized cabin, on the side of the auditorium.

'Wait, where did this come from? I could have sworn I was here earlier this morning and didn't see it.'

Hypothesizing I must have missed it during my earlier walk, Mike opened his mouth once again.

"This is it lad, the principals quarters."