Chapter 22

EP.22 Different Ways of Thinking (1)

The results of the class assignment test were announced.

First place was Resty from the Western Sector.

She had her hand on the mana stone from the start of the test until the end. She was the only one who passed in the Western Sector.

Second place was Ayla from the Southern Sector.

She touched the mana stone for a little over half the time and gave up the remaining half.

"Take it if you want."

Then, she watched the mages fight each other for the remaining time. That's how the third and fourth places in the Southern Sector were decided.

There were also those who passed in the Eastern Sector.

Since the time they touched the mana stone was similar, it was difficult to determine their ranks, but... as there were only five spots in the advanced class, the student who spent the most time was chosen as the fifth place.

And, in the Northern Sector.

Not a single person passed.

"What are you going to do about this?"

An uneasy atmosphere filled the meeting room where the assistant professors had gathered. Cesar, who was leading the meeting, raised his voice.

"Assistant Professor Rania, what happened here?"

His gaze turned to Rania.

"What do you mean, disqualify both of them? I told you to mediate if the competition got too heated, not to disqualify them."

The plan had gone awry. There was no avoiding responsibility. All the assistant professors gathered here could sense that.

The top apprentices of the Black and White Magic Towers.

It wouldn't have mattered if one of them had failed. Black and White were in competition, and if one failed, the other would likely defend the fairness of the test.

However, if both were disqualified.

Then things would get a bit more complicated.

'How did you stop it, and even if you did, it doesn't make sense...'

Did they get tired from fighting?

That was more likely. However, what was important to Cesar now was not that.

'If it comes to this, I, the overall supervisor of the test, will have to take responsibility.'

There was a chance he might have to step down from his position. This made Cesar anxious.

"How do you plan to take responsibility for this?"

Trying to shift the blame, Cesar snapped at Rania. However, Rania only blinked, showing no particular reaction.

"Huh?"

Then, she tilted her head.

"They weren't disqualified, were they?"

Her casual remark brought silence to the meeting room.

Not disqualified?

What did she mean by that? The results of the test had already been reported, and the class assignments were almost finalized. Cesar frowned.

'Decided to go all out, huh?'

Cesar sneered, as if mocking, and spoke.

"This isn't something you can decide on your own, Assistant Professor Rania. The results are already out, and who can just...?"

"I did, though."

A cold voice.

"Is there a problem? Assistant Professor Cesar."

The assistant professors' gazes turned to the door of the meeting room. No one knew when it had opened. What mattered was the figure leaning against the door.

Roselle von Trias.

He looked at Cesar and spoke.

"Isn't the reason for categorizing students simple? For more discerning classes. I decided to teach those children in the advanced class."

He asked.

"Do you have any objections to this?"

"Uh, well... that... that is..."

"Of course, given that the test was conducted, it's understandable to question its fairness. I understand your concern. Assistant Professor Rania submitted a detailed report, though."

...Submitted a report?

The assistant professors' gazes turned to Cesar. Cesar swallowed hard and glanced at his seat.

The stack of reports.

However, he hadn't read them all yet.

He was too busy calling the meeting when he realized the two hadn't been included in the rankings.

"It seems hard to find. I'll help you."

Roselle snapped his fingers. Soon, the reports flew through the air, and one document landed right in the center of Cesar's desk.

- Northern Sector Supervisor: Rania von Trias.

- Article 2: The competition was expected to result in serious injury. The test was temporarily halted and resumed at the students' request.

- The rules requested by the students are as follows.

- One, the principle of... shall be maintained...

It was there.

The report was definitely there.

"Uh, uh, um..."

Cesar lifted his stiff neck. Roselle's cold gaze was directed at him. Even though Roselle didn't actually click his tongue, Cesar felt as if he had heard a click.

"I understand your desire to quickly resolve the situation after the test ended, but..."

Roselle pointed to the stack of reports on Cesar's desk.

"Rushing to conclusions based on partial information is something a mage should always be cautious about."

Roselle said casually.

"Isn't that right, Assistant Professor Cesar?"

Cesar's face turned pale.

2.

After the meeting.

Roselle was walking through the academy with Raniel.

"Why did you go to the meeting room, Master?"

"I just happened to pass by."

"Oh..."

Roselle sighed inwardly.

Honestly, he had expected this to happen. He remembered that Raniel used to lead meetings this way even in the Ashen Tower.

'You sent them all?'

'...Yes?'

'You didn't check the documents? You sent them all.'

'Yes, yes? No, the documents... that... that...'

'Strange. Didn't you check them all? Do you have nothing to say? I have a lot of questions.'

He prepared a mountain of documents that he didn't even want to read. And among them, he inserted evidence page by page, using 'I told you so' at every meeting.

Then, when the mages who read the real reports were left speechless, Raniel would push them until they were on the verge of tears.

The more surprising thing was that there was no malice in her actions. Really, surprisingly, none. It was more like, 'Why didn't you read them carefully?' Her way of thinking was different.

'If I hadn't stepped in...'

If he hadn't, the assistant professor Cesar or someone like him would have probably wiped away tears and resigned from the academy. Roselle didn't want to waste the few capable people they had.

"Sigh..."

"Why are you suddenly sighing?"

"Nothing. So, how did those children look to you?"

Raniel hummed and stroked her chin.

Her contemplation didn't last long. Soon, she spoke.

"Honestly, if we raise them well, we could form a hero party, don't you think?"

"That good, huh?"

"Velnua used the Offering ritual."

"That's surprising. Did she handle the cost well?"

"She only lost a finger even after pushing it into the mana spring. She seems to have a natural talent for rituals. With a bit of training, she might be able to use the Balance."

Roselle listened to Raniel with interest. Raniel had been known for her harsh evaluations since the Ashen Tower days.

'If this child is saying this much...'

Her talent must be certain.

"Especially, that Lac. If we throw him into a battlefield, he'll do his part."

"Lac... the son of the Northern Duke?"

"Yes. His quick judgment from intuition and his persistence. I want to teach him."

She added.

"For some reason, his magic seems similar to mine."

"That's because they are Battle Mages, isn't it?"

"Yes, but why?"

"Huh?"

"What?"

Roselle tilted his head.

Raniel followed suit.

"Did you not read any books on Battle Mages?"

"Huh? No, they seemed boring. Besides, a mage should use magic, not engage in physical combat. The body is just a support, magic should be the main focus."

Roselle couldn't help but laugh at her answer.

"Hmm... that's not something you should say."

"What do you mean? Anyway, I don't like Battle Mages. What? Magic for surviving on the battlefield? Fuck, if that existed, I wouldn't have suffered so much..."

What a mess.

Roselle swallowed those words.

3.

"Hurry up. You're getting so old, Black, your back is bending. Can't you walk without a cane?"

Selly, the head of the White Magic Tower, is a gentle person.

Assuming it's not related to the Black Magic Tower.

"Shut up. You talk a lot for someone who maintains their youth with elixirs, White."

Yetoal, the head of the Black Magic Tower, is a calculating person.

Assuming it's not related to the White Magic Tower.

"Huh! Youth elixirs just slow down aging. I naturally look young..."

"What a mess, White. Just hurry up and walk."

At the Aphria Academy.

All eyes were on them as they walked side by side through the halls. The owners of the colored magic towers, admired by countless mages.

Normally.

No matter how high their status, they were outsiders and couldn't enter Aphria. They were only able to enter because they requested a meeting as 'guardians' rather than 'tower heads.'

"Anyway, that slum kid, Velnua, must have used some underhanded tactics. Lac wouldn't lose so easily..."

"Oh, thank you for the compliment. If he won using underhanded tactics, wouldn't that be fine?"

"He didn't win. It was a draw. Be careful what you say."

In the infirmary where their top apprentices were unconscious.

They were heading there.

"There they are."

They soon arrived at the infirmary. When they opened the door, only two of the empty beds were occupied. And a woman was sitting between them.

The wind from the open door stirred her hair. Ashen, that symbolic hair color revealed who she was.

Rania von Trias.

The tower heads reacted differently to her presence.

"Hmm."

White smiled, finding it interesting.

"Cough."

Black turned away, coughing.

"Why are you here?"

"I was the supervisor of the Northern Sector."

"I mean, how can you stand here after failing to manage the students during the test?"

"Cough, cough! Cough!"

"...Black, why are you making a fuss again? If your throat is sore, go get some water."

Whether Yetoal coughed or not, Selly didn't care. She approached Rania, her heels clicking.

"Are you laughing at me? How can you sit here after failing to manage the students during the test?"

Her sharp, direct tone.

Yet, it ended with a respectful 'yo.'

Twitch.

Rania's eyebrows moved at her tone.

'Why the hell does Sara come to mind?'

Unconsciously, a spell formed on her fingers. Selly didn't notice it. Only Yetoal, who read the spell, coughed as if shivering.