The unknown element

Ryoko stood up gracefully, moving forward with an air of confidence. All eyes were on her as the officer instructed

"Place both your hands on the magic ball and focus your magic power into it."

Without hesitation, Ryoko placed her hands on the glowing orb, closing her eyes to concentrate.

The room was filled with silent anticipation as everyone waited. Five minutes passed, and the ball remained unchanged, sparking murmurs of confusion.

Suddenly, the magic ball began to glow, slowly transforming into a bright white hue. It radiated a shimmering light that filled the room.

"Whoa, it's the Ice Element—at A-level!" someone exclaimed, astonished.

"What's happening today? Two students with A-level magic! This is unprecedented!"

The excitement in the room grew, but before anyone could process it, the light from the ball intensified further.

The blinding light enveloped the room.

"What's going on? Why is it getting brighter? I can't see anything!"

a panicked voice cried out.

Crack!

Without warning, the magic ball shattered into countless pieces. Ryoko slowly opened her eyes, unfazed, and glanced at the shards scattered on the floor.

The room was silent with shock. Then, one of the officers spoke, his voice trembling with awe.

"I-it's S-level magic! The highest level of magic possible! How could a student control such immense power? This is terrifying..."

Gasps echoed around the classroom as everyone realized what had just occurred.

No one could believe it—a student had shattered the magic ball and revealed mastery over S-level magic.

It was a feat unheard of for decades. The last time anyone witnessed such raw power was thirty years ago when Japan's legendary S-level mage, Tanaka Hiroka, emerged.

"This is a monumental achievement,"

The officer continued, regaining his composure.

"Miss Ryoko, we will need to report this immediately. You are required to visit the Magic Board's Association within three days for further evaluation.

Your cooperation is essential."

Ryoko merely nodded, her tone as cold and distant as ever.

"Understood."

She returned to her desk without a hint of emotion. Meanwhile, Ryuu stared at her, eyes wide with shock.

He had sensed she was strong, but this—S-level magic—was beyond anything he could have imagined. And the knot of anxiety tightened in his chest as he recalled their earlier encounter.

Why had his heart hurt so intensely when he first met her? What did she want from him?

Ryoko, sensing Ryuu's gaze, turned her head slightly, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks, though her expression remained icy.

"Why are you staring at me like that, Ryuu-kun?"

she asked in her usual cold tone, though her blush betrayed a sliver of emotion.

Ryuu blinked in confusion, unsure why she was suddenly facing the other way.

Before he could respond, the officer brought out a new magic ball for the next student.

One by one, the students approached the ball. Some displayed impressive power, while others revealed modest magic.

Yet the atmosphere remained tense, overshadowed by Ryoko's stunning display.

Then came Sengoku's turn. He placed his hands on the magic ball, focusing intently. The orb glowed a bright blue.

"Wind magic at A-level!" the officer announced. "What is happening today? Three students with A-level magic or higher! This is beyond extraordinary."

The class murmured in awe. Three exceptional magic users in one class. The teacher stood in disbelief, filled with both pride and astonishment.

Finally, it was Ryuu's turn. His hands trembled slightly as he approached the ball. Sweat trickled down his face as the officer instructed him to place his hands on the magic orb.

Taking a deep breath, Ryuu did as he was told, closing his eyes to concentrate.

But nothing happened.

The room grew tense with confusion. Time seemed to stretch on as the magic ball remained unchanged.

Murmurs of concern rippled through the class.

Then, at last, the ball began to shift. Slowly, it turned a bright azure color, but the light it emitted was dimmer than even F-level magic.

The room fell silent.

No one knew what the color meant. This was the first time the ball had ever turned azure, and no one could decipher its meaning.

Except for Ryoko.

She was staring intently at Ryuu and the glowing ball, her expression unreadable. It was as if she had just uncovered something she had been seeking for centuries.

(I knew it....!)

Ryoko thought, her heart racing.

(It's really you.!).....