Mana Evaluation (1)

The next day, I arrived at the academy early in the morning. You might be wondering, why did I come so early? Of course, to gather information. I'm currently lacking information because I passed out and stayed in my room yesterday, so I had no choice but to wander around and listen to rumors, sometimes even asking other students to get the latest updates.

Good, Kevin is fine. According to the information I gathered from other students, they mentioned that it was Liana who brought Kevin to the medical room. It seems Liana also healed Kevin a bit with her healing magic to help him recover.

Well, with his unique constitution, Kevin can return to his prime condition just by receiving a little healing magic. Maybe Liana took him to the medical room just to make sure he was okay.

Still, I feel sorry for him for having to experience a near-death experience even before he was officially accepted as a new student at Sirius Academy. What an unfortunate protagonist.

Now, looking at the current situation where no academy authority has approached me, it seems Liana didn't tell anyone about me, including my battle with the demon. She probably manipulated the information she gave to the academy and only reported the appearance of the demon in Sirius Forest to a certain extent.

This is a good thing, so she really didn't act recklessly.

This is just like Liana as depicted in the game [Flame Chaser], and it's also what 'C' wrote in the letter.

Finally, after gathering some other information, I hurried to the new student enrollment ceremony.

The enrollment ceremony in this world is similar to the ones on Earth. Maybe the developers of [Flame Chaser] adapted it here.

The enrollment ceremony took place on a bright and cool morning, making all the students gathered on the academy grounds feel comfortable.

I then sat quietly among the other students, not chatting with anyone. Thanks to the thorough preparations by the staff, the enrollment ceremony went smoothly, even though the academy was still on high alert due to the demon's appearance yesterday.

Standing on the podium were Luna Stella, the top-ranked first-year student in the Magic Department, and Liana Astralin, the second-ranked student beside her. They were currently receiving awards as the best students in the academy entrance exam. Oh, of course, if you're wondering where the representatives of the Knight Department are, they're somewhere else. The enrollment ceremony is divided according to each department.

However, for some reason, Liana kept looking around between the top-ranked students and the students sitting among the audience with a confused expression on her face.

Hm, is she looking for me?

Damn, I hope she doesn't find me...

This time, I really hope my presence isn't visible to her.

I don't know much about what's on her mind because the enrollment ceremony was only briefly shown in the game [Flame Chaser], but if she saw me fighting yesterday, she must have assumed I'm the top-ranked student. That's why she has a confused expression on her face because the top-ranked student isn't me.

Fortunately, the enrollment ceremony went well. Liana, who kept a confused expression, couldn't find me, and now I'm heading to the new student orientation.

After checking my name on the announcement board, I found the name "Rei" listed in temporary Class Y, so I started heading to the designated classroom.

After playing this game for several years, I'm already familiar with the layout of the vast Sirius Academy campus.

Maybe as large as a noble's castle or a royal family's estate?

Thanks to that knowledge, I managed to find temporary Class Y without any issues and immediately entered.

When I entered the classroom, I could see many students already sitting in the seats they personally chose. Those students started chatting with each other, truly reflecting the behavior of new students. Then, there were also those trying to build connections by approaching important people.

Well, in a world where someone's status is determined by the family they're born into, this is normal and understandable. In a world where nobles and royal families hold full power, connections are very important. It's not only important for commoners but also for the children of nobles, especially those who can't inherit their family's noble titles.

But they have nothing to do with me. I also have no intention of approaching them at all. My goal is only one: the safety of the world.

So I chose a seat at the far back, away from the crowd of students. I did all this to prevent unnecessary interactions.

As I sat down, I looked around once more. My eyes could see a few people I knew well from the game [Flame Chaser]. They were named characters.

Well, that's not too important to me. Knowing their existence is enough. As long as Kevin is safe and grows well, then it's fine. I don't need to intervene unless absolutely necessary. All of this is to prevent the story from being disrupted.

After all, all I need is Kevin and maybe a few named characters, especially the heroines. Since I don't know which route Kevin will choose, I have no choice but to keep them all safe. Well, that's not too difficult. Aside from them, I'll just leave the rest alone. There's no need to bother the unnamed characters. As long as they don't mess up the story and create unnecessary anomalies, I don't need to get rid of them. But if anyone causes trouble, I'll deal with them when the time comes.

After organizing my thoughts, I immediately pretended to sleep so no one would approach me to introduce themselves or chat until the teacher arrived.

Then, a few minutes later, a well-built man in neat clothes, radiating the aura of a teacher with the Sirius Academy emblem, entered.

Rei, who saw this man, tilted his head for a moment and then pretended to sleep again.

I don't know who he is.

That means he's an unnamed character in the game [Flame Chaser]. Well, I guess that's normal since this isn't the protagonist's class. Our protagonist, Kevin, is in temporary Class Z along with some heroines.

Could Kevin end up taking the harem route? Honestly, I'm not expecting the harem route. I'm really sick of harems.

Then, the teacher, who introduced himself as a professor without further elaboration, explained the current situation of the academy. First, he explained the academy's chaos due to the demon's appearance and asked the students to remain vigilant. Second, he warned the new students not to believe rumors unless there was official notice from the academy. Finally, he informed the students about the upcoming mana evaluation.

After providing the information he deemed sufficient, the professor ordered the students to gather in the hall in five minutes and then left immediately.

A strange person for an academy professor.

Then, I hurried to the hall ahead of the other students for my own comfort.

---

In the academy hall, many students had gathered according to their respective classes. Some were chatting with students from other classes, perhaps they already knew each other before entering the academy.

I didn't need to pay attention to that, so I shifted my gaze and found someone. A blonde-haired man was seen chatting with several girls. And all of them were heroines.

Haahhh...

A long, heavy sigh escaped my mouth unconsciously. I hate this situation.

Godness, this is crazy...

He's really heading toward the harem route...

I knew there was a harem route, but on the second day, right after the enrollment ceremony, he's already gathering the heroines?

Is our protagonist actually a Casanova?

This is troublesome...

I hate harems...

And if Kevin doesn't take it seriously, Kevin might end up being stabbed by one of the heroines...

I shifted my gaze from Kevin, who was having fun, and hoped he would be okay in the future. Then, suddenly, a girl with dark brown hair and fair skin entered my view.

I reflexively stepped back because she was too close, and her blue eyes, clear like the ocean, weighed heavily on me.

"Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Celine Schulze."

The girl introduced herself to Rei with a bright smile.

What...?

Why does this girl seem so cheerful...?

It's blinding, you know?

And that name, doesn't it sound like a Germany surname?

I frowned unhappily at the girl's introduction and her cheerful attitude.

Her shining personality, which dazzled my eyes, didn't seem to suit me, but I couldn't respond half-heartedly, or I'd cause a scene if anyone saw it.

"Hello, my name is Rei. Nice to meet you too."

"Hehehe, you're stiff, Rei? That's cute."

The girl named Celine giggled at my stiff introduction.

What's with this girl? Seriously, she doesn't suit me. And I don't care about my stiffness.

I moved to another place to avoid her, but Celine kept following me, trying to chat.

Seriously, she's annoying...

Once again, I lamented my unlucky fate.

Why can't I just live peacefully for once...?

Then, after staying quiet for a while in a spot far from the crowd of students while listening to Celine talking to herself, a few people finally entered the hall.

They were dressed neatly and elegantly, and behind them were a few others who looked like zombies.

I could guess it—the ones in front were definitely professors teaching at the academy, and the ones behind...

They must be postgraduate students who became assistants. Poor them.

I clicked my tongue and looked at them with pity, seeing those zombies who seemed enslaved by the professors they followed.

Seeing the professors entering, the new students immediately lined up according to their respective classes, including me and Celine, who followed beside me.

"Welcome, aspiring mages."

One of the professors opened his mouth. He was a handsome professor, as seen from the female students whispering to each other, admiring his handsomeness.

The professor ignored the whispers of the fangirls and looked at the new students with a cold gaze while standing still.

I then identified the professor.

[Ferdinand Lumen] 

Level: 100 

Race: Human 

Element: Ice, Water, Fire 

Danger: X 

Unlike the students' uniforms, which had silver academy emblems, the professors wore dark blue uniforms with golden emblems. And the person speaking was Ferdinand Lumen.

So this is Professor Ferdinand's appearance in person...

He's a cold person who always maintains a flat expression, making it difficult even for players to understand him just by looking at his expressions.

However, contrary to his cold appearance and hard-to-read flat expression, Ferdinand is actually a good professor. He's a professor who prioritizes others and values people regardless of their status. He's also very concerned about the safety of his students. That's why he was the first to step forward to secure the academy after the sudden appearance of the demon was discovered.

Thanks to his unique and dignified character, he ranks 2nd in the male character popularity rankings and 6th in the overall character popularity rankings in the game [Flame Chaser], right after Kevin and the heroines.

And also, his level is 100. Although that's clearly higher than most of his students, as a mage, Ferdinand is at an average level. For your information, in this world, levels are determined based on their direct combat strength. The amount of magical knowledge a mage has only plays a part to a certain extent, but in the end, the most important factor is their strength in battle.

If the criteria for character levels were centered on theory, Ferdinand's level would be much higher. In fact, this would apply to most professors here.

Well, in Ferdinand's case, it's different. He's a bit special. Having three elements, especially opposing ones like fire and water or fire and ice, is already extraordinary, but he has all three. Moreover, he's studied all three elements well, even though the other two elements aren't as strong as his main element, ice, but at least they're above average.

After all, most people in this world only have two elements. It's rare to have more than two. But in the end, most people only focus on one element and keep the others as backups without studying them further.

"I am Professor Ferdinand Lumen. I am the professor in charge of this mana evaluation."

Professor Ferdinand spoke in a calm and gentle tone, which made the girls even more excited.

I'm sure he's aware of how handsome he is. For him, reactions like this must be normal.

Well, it's not like I'm jealous of him. I don't care about things like that.

"That's enough, please calm down. Stop discussing unimportant personal matters, and let's get straight to the point. The orientation will be held for the next week, and on the last day, there will be an evaluation for class placement. After the classes are properly divided, lessons will begin in earnest according to the levels."

Professor Ferdinand continued speaking calmly, ignoring the confusion of the new students.

"With the orientation and the upcoming class placement evaluation, it's important for you to know your current levels. So, I will measure them based on the amount of mana each of you possesses."

Just like in the game...

I don't remember the details well because it was a small part of the story. However, the method was indeed done by looking at the amount of mana, but I don't know the specifics.

Well, whatever the result, this mana evaluation is still important for future tests.

When the story begins, our protagonist, Kevin Islana, is evaluated in the mana evaluation as rank "E." He ends up being ridiculed as the lowest and considered a failure, becoming an outcast who is looked down upon by most students.

However, as the story progresses and Kevin grows rapidly, more and more students reevaluate Kevin's existence.

"Alright, I will call you one by one. Come forward when your name is called."

Following Professor Ferdinand's instructions, the new students finally quieted down and prepared themselves.

"Now, I will begin measuring the amount of mana each new student in the first-year Magic Department possesses."

Professor Ferdinand used a small wand that he enchanted with an amplification spell, which can simply be compared to a microphone, to explain the rules of the mana evaluation to the crowd of new students.

Meanwhile, professors from other temporary classes, along with their assistants, sat in the stands to observe their prospective students.

"First of all, please everyone pay attention to this object."

Hearing Professor Ferdinand's words, the new students immediately focused on the handheld device he mentioned.

"This special magical tool is a device that measures the maximum amount of mana by observing the concentration of mana a person possesses. All you have to do is focus on holding it tightly while letting your mana flow through the device. Your score will automatically be displayed in front of you. This score will determine your current position in the academy, so it will be an important reference for the class placement evaluation later."

As before, Professor Ferdinand maintained his perfect flat expression while explaining the steps of the mana evaluation.

"Every time you let mana flow while trying to measure your maximum mana, magic will usually manifest as a result. So, for your own safety, I will conduct the evaluation one by one in this open hall. So, please step forward when I call your name."

Thus began the first mana evaluation after entering Sirius Academy.

After that, the students stepped forward one by one as their names were called, starting from the students of temporary Class X. After standing in the correct position, they held the device and let their mana flow.

All of them emitted an aura related to their respective elements. After use, the aura would leave traces called "Mana Trail." This is proof that elemental-based magic has been used.

In addition to these two things—elemental type and mana capacity—this mana evaluation implicitly also tests the students' ability to control their mana, known as "Mana Control." When mana is channeled, trail of magic can also be left behind. This especially happens to those with large mana capacities.

So, if someone completes the evaluation of their total mana and gets a high score but doesn't have a magic aura, what does that mean?

Of course, it means that person has good mana control and will receive a high score, which will contribute to their score in the class placement evaluation.

Then, after some time passed, the last person from temporary Class X finished their mana evaluation. Professor Ferdinand then raised the mana meter and read the results in order of attendance.

"Attendance number 80, Grade C-."

"Next, temporary Class Y!"

After all of Class X completed their mana evaluation, it was now the turn of my class, temporary Class Y.

Oh, just for your information. The first year of Sirius Academy has a maximum of 240 students, with 80 students in each temporary class. Of course, there's a Drop Out system if you don't improve at all, which triggers the existence of transfer students in the future.

One by one, the students of temporary Class Y underwent the mana evaluation, and I, who was quietly observing, was tapped on the shoulder.

"Hey, Rei. It's my turn next, wish me luck~~"

It was Celine, speaking to me in her playful tone. But I ignored her and immediately turned my attention back to the mana evaluation.

Then, it was finally Celine's turn to be evaluated.

"Attendance number 25, Grade B+."

Professor Ferdinand's calm voice reached my ears, and my eyes narrowed. My brows furrowed as I stared at Celine, who was pouting, with a sharp gaze.

Celine got a Grade B+?

Who is she really?

I didn't know there was a new student as good as her in the game [Flame Chaser]...

She even surpassed Liana, who would later be evaluated with a Grade B...

I'm sure there's no Celine among the named characters, but if she's that good, is it possible she's just an NPC?

I kept thinking about various things in my head over this surprising evaluation result, and without realizing it, Celine had already returned to my side.

Then, she playfully poked my cheek.

"Hey, what's wrong? Why do you look so weird?"

Oh...

I forgot that my face would look weird if I thought too much...

My old habits from Earth haven't diminished at all...

I then shook my head to clear my thoughts and finally asked Celine directly.

"Hey Celine, did you make it into the top 10?"

"Hm?"

She tilted her head at my question.

"Well, yeah. But this isn't what I expected. I was hoping to get a Grade A..."

She spoke in a sad tone. Then, she looked at me and asked seriously.

"Could it be that I didn't get a Grade A because you didn't pray for me, Rei? That's mean, you know?"

I stared blankly at her over this statement.

...What's with this girl?

Then, I chose to look back at the mana evaluation process rather than answer Celine's unclear question.

Finally, it's my turn to take an evaluation