Mana Evaluation (2)

When my turn came, and Professor Ferdinand called my name, I stepped forward to the testing area.

I was a bit nervous about this evaluation. After all, I had never used magic before. On Earth, magic was a thing of the past, and very few people could use it, and even then, they hid it.

I then held the mana-measuring device in my hand and stretched my arm forward.

Currently, my maximum mana is 450—

Now that I think about it, I really don't know the standard for mana evaluation in this world. After all, details like this weren't mentioned in the game because they were considered unimportant.

I was a bit curious. How would my tiny amount of mana be judged by this world's standards?

"Start"

After Professor Ferdinand's command, I started pressing the mana meter as hard as I could, struggling to release all my mana.

Controlling this... is so difficult!

As I expected, I'm not used to the existence of mana!

Due to my poor mana control and my previous ignorance of mana's existence, a rough rainbow-colored aura appeared.

Shortly after, just as I heard the hum from the mana meter, I looked up.

Well, what's my score? I'm guessing it's really bad, right?

Ignoring my pessimistic thoughts, I immediately checked the value displayed on the mana meter.

....It's grade "F."

Haaahh, as I expected, this is bad...

"..."

The worst possible score. Someone would clearly get a better result if they brought a random person off the street who had no knowledge of magic, no experience using mana, and had never measured their mana.

Yup, this is really bad.

Definitely...

I'm sure I remember that Kevin Islana would get a grade "E" in this evaluation and eventually be labeled a failure.

Ah, wait, does this mean I'm the failure, not Kevin?

Seriously, this is the worst.

Once again, I lamented my unfortunate fate.

I just wanted to live peacefully while keeping important characters alive, but a grade "F" will clearly get me into trouble.

As I organized my thoughts with a bitter smile, Professor Ferdinand's voice reached my ears.

"Number 52, grade F—?"

At the professor's words, the room fell silent for a moment, and then the students began whispering among themselves.

"Grade F...?"

"Seriously?"

"Wait, did he really get a grade F? Worse than a random person on the street?"

"How could trash like him get accepted into the prestigious Sirius Academy?"

"That's ridiculous, no—he must be a great man in a different sense, huh?"

Then—the room erupted in mocking laughter.

"Bhahahaha!"

"He's grade F!"

"Trash! Get out of here!"

"Failure, ahahaha! He's a failure!"

In addition to the mocking laughter, the female students also looked at me, the center of attention, with disgust.

"Just ruining the mood."

"Tch, so incompetent."

"You should leave this academy before you embarrass yourself further."

Even Celine looked at me with a pitying gaze that seemed to say, "Don't be discouraged, Rei! Keep your spirits up!"

Hah...?

So what?

I don't really care.

It's going to be troublesome, but whatever, I already expected it.

However, I can understand their laughter and insults. After all, this is the prestigious Sirius Academy. A place where only the chosen ones who passed the extremely difficult entrance exam are accepted.

So, in other words, the fact that someone with a mana capacity equivalent to grade "F," the lowest, managed to enter Sirius Academy is nothing short of a questionable miracle.

For comparison, our protagonist, Kevin Islana, who would later be rated as grade "E," slightly better than me, was able to enroll thanks to the "rarity" of his element. It was the result of Kevin's unique ability to use "light" magic. He also had a special attribute that fell under the "Holy" class, Holy Fire.

On the other hand, what I've had since the beginning of this character's existence might just be theoretical knowledge—nothing rare at all.

Then it's a shame because I've lost the theoretical abilities this character had.

Well, I can learn it again, no need to worry.

As I tried to fully convince myself, a thought crossed my mind.

...Hah?

...Wait a minute..., Does this mean I have nothing special to offer?

What about Colorless Mana? It's limited to chosen heroes, but is it special?

I don't know. Assuming it's not special, I'll just have to work hard to avoid getting expelled in the future.

While the students were busy gossiping among themselves and insulting me, Professor Ferdinand suddenly interrupted, "If you can enter our academy with this amount of mana, your theoretical scores must be very good. Then, your goal must be to become a 'Magic Scholar.' Of course, the role of a magic scholar is just as important as that of a mage, as they are the ones who develop magic systems. You should respect each other and control yourselves. Also, don't be discouraged. Whether you choose to be a scholar or a mage, both contribute to the advancement of civilization."

"..."

I fell silent upon hearing his words. He said it as if he was sure I would become a scholar.

Well, it's not something to dislike because his words were very logical. After all, that's just like Professor Ferdinand, who values others without looking down on them. At the very least, as long as my goal is stated to be a scholar by Professor Ferdinand, even with my tiny mana capacity compared to the other students, I won't be mocked by them.

As I recall, Professor Ferdinand also said the same thing to Kevin in the game [Flame Chaser].

However, Kevin got angry and shouted, "My dream is to become a magic knight, not a scholar!"

And of course, after making that unrealistic claim while shouting loudly, he ended up getting laughter and ridicule from the other students as a response. Truly a protagonist's journey.

Then, as I was about to return—

"Excuse me!"

Suddenly, Liana Astralin raised her hand and shouted.

What's with her? Does she suspect me?

"Has there ever been a case where there was an error in the process of evaluating someone's total mana? For example, a case where someone's mana was measured incorrectly..."

"What?"

Both Professor Ferdinand and the other students responded to Liana's question with surprise.

I was the same. I didn't understand what Liana meant.

Perhaps this is a question of doubt that's been weighing on Liana's mind, like why is someone as bad as me in Sirius Academy?

Maybe so, and her doubts about my identity are gone.

Although I can't be sure myself.

"Hmm... I see. First of all, there's nothing wrong with the current mana evaluation," Professor Ferdinand answered her question while taking my mana meter, which should have been the source of Liana's question.

Professor Ferdinand then began channeling his mana into the mana-measuring device, ignoring the gazes of those around him.

Indeed, as expected of a professor. Not a single trace of elemental aura was released during the process, and with a sound as a marker, his mana was quickly evaluated.

Grade A.

Professor Ferdinand confirmed the result and showed it to Liana.

"As you can see here, the mana-measuring device is functioning properly, with no errors whatsoever. At the very least, there has never been a case of incorrect measurement. If there's even the slightest error, the device itself won't function due to its structure."

"....I see."

Liana now wore a disappointed expression, as if Professor Ferdinand's answer wasn't what she wanted to hear.

Seeing this reaction, Professor Ferdinand continued his explanation about the second possibility, "Of course, there are some cases where the measurement ends up incorrect without any errors occurring. It's possible, though rare."

Professor Ferdinand suddenly gave an unusual argument, which confused the students.

Despite their confusion, he continued his explanation, "It's said that someone at the level of an Archmage for a mage, or a Swordmaster for a knight, who has mana control that surpasses common sense, can manipulate the amount of mana in their body. In other words, it's possible for them to manipulate the results of such mana evaluations to achieve the results they want. However, this only happens to those at the level of an Archmage or Swordmaster, as knights use mana as the basic source of their aura, although the amount of mana they have isn't considered as important as it is for a mage. And you all know that those who have achieved this only have two paths: being blessed by the gods or honing their abilities through rigorous training, meditation, and countless repetitions."

Hearing Professor Ferdinand's explanation, the students finally nodded in understanding. They understood what the professor meant. Of course, that didn't happen to Liana.

"Without exception? Like a method where even without becoming an Archmage or Swordmaster, you can adjust your level—"

"I guarantee it. There are no exceptions to this. If there were, they might be superhumans who have mastered everything. Well, if it's about mastering everything in this world, that's only possible for a 'Hero' or someone on the level of a 'Hero'."

Everyone fell silent upon hearing Professor Ferdinand's words. A hero—that's a word symbolizing those who saved this world from destruction 5,000 years ago.

"Of course, that's impossible in this day and age. Heroes are the past of this world. They died long ago after saving the world from destruction. So, it's impossible for it to happen at the student level, even if you're a genius considered irrational by global standards."

Ignoring further objections, Professor Ferdinand firmly asserted his opinion.

After all, that's the official setting, even in the game [Flame Chaser].

An Archmage, considered close to a transcendental being who knows the truth of magic, or a Swordmaster who can sweep continents with their sword, living outside the influence of laws—even the Emperor, let alone the kings of other countries, can't act recklessly against them. Especially if it's a [Hero], that's a different story. They are beings who can even kill the gods.

"Is that so...?"

For some reason, Liana seemed surprised by this obvious fact.

Could she be suspecting me? If she did see me fighting the demon, it's natural for her to suspect that I manipulated my mana.

Well, technically, I am a hero. It's clearly stated in my title, [Otherworldly Hero], but I'm not as good as the heroes from 5,000 years ago. So, it's impossible for me to manipulate the amount of mana I have.

Well, let her be...

After Liana's question was fully answered by Professor Ferdinand, and the atmosphere calmed down, I returned to my seat.

Or so I wanted...

But...

"Hah!? Grade F!? Why should we respect trash like him who's so incompetent!? How dare a lowly creature like you stand in a prestigious place like Sirius Academy alongside noble people! You're nothing but the descendant of a despicable whore!"

Yes, that's right. There was a crazy person shouting, and he had insulted both of my parents.

I immediately looked at the person. He was a red-haired man I recognized from the game [Flame Chaser]. I then identified him.

[Wilson Edmenish] 

Level: 75 

Race: Human 

Element: Fire, Wind 

Danger: X 

Yes, I remember this bastard. Wilson Edmenish, one of the third-rate villains who would later be beaten up by the protagonist, Kevin. He's a status-obsessed person, meaning he dislikes commoners.

"What did you say, bastard?"

My voice turned cold, and my gaze was filled with hatred at his words.

"Hah? Are you deaf? I said you're nothing but the descendant of a despicable whore!"

He replied playfully while scratching his ear with his pinky finger. Truly the behavior of a bastard.

That's right, he seemed so stupid that he didn't understand the situation. Even the other students who had been mocking me fell silent upon hearing Wilson's outrageous words.

I wanted to refrain from unnecessary involvement, but not now. How dare this bastard insult my parents! Calling me the descendant of a whore is the same as calling my mother a whore and my father a philanderer! I can't forgive him!

[Warning! Warning! A sudden extreme increase in emotions has been detected!] 

[The world's restraint has been forcibly weakened! An anomaly has occurred in your body!] 

[Stop immediately before you destroy your body!]

[Rei] 

Level: ??? (!!!) 

Race: Human 

Element: ??? (!!!)

I ignored the blood-red warnings from the [System].

Then, a gray aura emanated from my body, and my entire body screamed as power beyond my limits was forcibly manifested.

I then disappeared from my position.

BRAKKK—!!

I immediately choked the bastard with my left hand and slammed him to the ground.

Boom—!!

As I slammed him, the floor of the hall shattered, leaving a crater-like explosion mark.

Then, in my right hand, I held a transparent sword that I had unconsciously created and was about to stab his neck.

But before I could stab him—

Bzzzt—!!

My body was suddenly hugged from behind by someone, and my movements stopped instantly.

"Calm down, Rei! Calm down! Snap out of it! You'll destroy your body if you continue this! Please snap out of it!! Please, I beg you!!!"

Yes, I heard the sound of crying in my ear, and I recognized that voice well because today was the day when I met her. It should have been her usual playful, annoying tone, but this time it was completely different. It was a sincere cry and a plea for me to stop destroying myself.

Yes, that's right. Celine was crying for me.

I finally calmed myself down and took several deep breaths to release my anger.

I finally stood up and released the chokehold, and the transparent sword I had unconsciously created disappeared.

Then, I looked around. The students stared blankly at me, even Liana and Kevin. They were utterly shocked by what I had done, and Professor Ferdinand—he looked at me coldly, but it was clear that he had prepared his magic to stop me forcefully if I lost control further.

Finally, I stood up and stepped away from the unconscious Wilson, then I looked at Celine, who was still hugging me, and gently patted her head.

"Thank you, Celine. Thanks to you, I came to my senses. Thank you so much."

I gave her my sincere gratitude, but she continued to hug me and didn't want to let go. So, I let her be for now.

Then, I looked at Professor Ferdinand.

"I'm sorry, Professor. I went too far."

I then bowed slightly to apologize, but Professor Ferdinand just shook his head.

"It's okay, student Rei. I can understand your feelings. Student Wilson said something outrageous. If it were me, I would have done the same as you because my parents were insulted, so it's okay. However, in the future, please control yourself. Don't destroy yourself. I'll take care of the rest, especially the consequences you'll face for attacking a noble. His family will definitely be angry, but I'll defend you, so now you can leave the hall and calm yourself for now. Today is only the mana evaluation, and there are no other activities. Please use the time to clear your mind."

I nodded upon hearing Professor Ferdinand's words.

"Thank you, Professor. Then, I'll take my leave now. Excuse me."

I then left the hall with Celine still hugging me, and she followed me out of the hall.

Meanwhile, Professor Ferdinand, who had witnessed this, was deep in thought.

That mana earlier...

He definitely released a rainbow aura during the test, and earlier he released a gray aura when he charged at student Wilson.

There's only one type of mana that can do all that...

"Pure" mana, or what's commonly called colorless mana, mana that allows its user to use all elements, as mentioned in the legendary prophecy written by the heroes in the hero records...

Could he be...?

Ferdinand then looked at Rei and Celine's departure with an unreadable expression.