Chapter 2

EP.2 Magic Power Measurement (1)

[Congratulations! You have defeated [Trevion of Evil (Lv 80)] and gained experience!]

[Level Up!! Your level has increased to 25!]

[You have gained 10 stats!]

[You have achieved the achievement [The Beginning of a Legend]! You have gained an additional 15 bonus stats!]

"Oh."

My level increased by 5 all at once.

As expected, my stats increase by 2 for every level up. It seems the achievement rewards are also being distributed normally.

By the way, the high enemy level is due to this place being on Hell difficulty. Even if the level difference is significant, a crazy power-up won't happen.

[ Status ]

Name: Isaac

Lv: 25

Gender: Male

Grade: 1

Title: Freshman

Magic Power: 305 / 320

- Magic Recovery Speed (D-)

- Health (D-)

- Strength (D)

- Intelligence (D)

- Mental Strength (B)

'My magic power increased by 20... The other stats have returned to their original levels.'

A characteristic of <The Mage Knight of Merhen> is that the player's level up does not directly affect the improvement of their stats.

While the character's ability cap increases with each level up, it's not something to be overly concerned about.

To increase your stats, you need to train separately.

The stats accumulated from leveling up can be invested in growth 'efficiency,' so the growth curve becomes an upward curve as the game progresses.

In other words, Isaac's stock is expected to soar.

Incidentally, the higher the opponent's level compared to yours, the less damage you take. However, since Trevion's level was 80 and mine was 120, the damage seemed to hit me fully.

'Ah, does it also give cooperative experience?'

I looked at Ian, who was unconscious.

[ Ian Fairytail ]

Lv: 31

Race: Human

Attribute: Light

Danger Level: X

His level increased by 1.

In <The Mage Knight of Merhen>, teammates who fight together receive experience points based on their performance.

For example, a damage dealer is evaluated based on how much damage they dealt, and a healer is evaluated based on how much healing they provided.

The more people there are, the more the total amount of experience points increases. Therefore, it's not a system where you feel bad about the experience points being divided.

Even in my current possessed state, the cooperative experience system works the same.

'The first bad ending was avoided, and the next one is... '

Now I need to go to the opening ceremony.

I still haven't fully grasped the fact that I'm in this world. I need to face the events that will unfold and organize my thoughts.

'...Ah, right. Kaya.'

Come to think of it, Kaya Astraen hasn't appeared yet. According to the story, Kaya Astraen should appear while Ian is holding off Trevion...

I looked around, but there was no sign of Kaya.

Well... It makes sense when you think about it. Ian was holding off and buying time until Kaya appeared...

I defeated Trevion in one go, so it's clear that Kaya hasn't arrived yet.

'Fortunately.'

It's a good thing she didn't see it.

If Kaya, the second-year freshman, had seen me one-shot a level 80 demon... I can't even imagine what would have happened.

If I continue to stay in this world, I need to prevent the bad endings. I can't afford to cause any disruptions by showing off my strength.

Since the [Freezing Explosion] I cast was quite loud... it's best to run away quickly.

I headed towards the opening ceremony venue.

* * *

'W-What?'

Kaya Astraen, who was hiding behind a tree, couldn't close her mouth.

She was enjoying the forest when she sensed a powerful mana and quickly flew to a clearing using wind magic.

There, a strangely shaped, unidentified demon was facing off against a man.

The appearance of demons is generally considered a natural disaster. It wouldn't be strange for a demon to suddenly appear here.

However, the demon was clearly very dangerous based on the mana she sensed. But... how did that man instantly crush such a demon?

A silver-haired, red-eyed student with a bluish aura. He seemed to be of average height and had a cute appearance.

But when he was about to fight, his eyes turned cold. The atmosphere changed dramatically, and the air around him seemed to freeze.

And... it was a clean strike. A 5-star ice attribute magic, [Freezing Explosion]. The level of proficiency was extremely high, leaving her in awe.

Moreover, the mana Kaya sensed when the man cast [Freezing Explosion] was far more overwhelming than her own.

Kaya was confident in her mana. She had entered the prestigious Merhen Academy as the second-year freshman.

But this person... what exactly is he?

'From his uniform, he seems to be a freshman like me...'

He was wearing a school uniform, a blue cape with silver frames over his shoulders, and a small brooch on his tie that emitted a red light, symbolizing a first-year student.

He was definitely a freshman like her.

'Could he be the top student?'

Kaya realized she was a frog in a well.

The days when she was praised for her magical talent flashed before her eyes.

...A strong sense of doubt overwhelmed her.

"Ah...!"

The silver-haired man started to move.

Kaya quickly turned around and hid behind the tree.

Her twin-tailed green hair swayed on both sides.

She held her breath. She was afraid of the man's strength.

However, the silver-haired man seemed not to notice her and calmly left the clearing.

* * *

The opening ceremony was just as I had seen in the game.

A sunny day after the rain. Students gathered in an outdoor square.

I was sitting in an ordinary chair among the students. Thanks to the light barrier magic set up by the school, the square was protected from the early morning rain.

On the stage, the top student, Luce Eltania, and the second student, Kaya Astraen, were receiving awards.

For some reason, Kaya was looking back and forth between the top student and the seated students with a doubtful expression. Was she surprised to be the second student?

In the game, I couldn't see the expressions of the top and second students. Now I know what they looked like. It's a new feeling.

The protagonist, Ian Fairytail, fortunately arrived on time for the opening ceremony. He seemed to be in good condition. Kaya Astraen must have quickly healed him with a healing spell.

Ian's body heals itself with a special power, so a little healing magic is enough.

After finishing some conversations, he must have rushed to the opening ceremony.

Still...

'The protagonist getting beaten from the start...'

I have a bad feeling...

From the beginning, Ian Fairytail was defeated by Trevion of Evil.

This means it's uncertain whether he can defeat the enemies that will appear in the future.

If Ian Fairytail dies and a bad ending occurs while my soul is in this world, it's uncertain what kind of disaster will happen.

The best way to survive is to prevent the bad endings and clear the hell difficulty <The Mage Knight of Merhen>.

'I feel conflicted...'

Excitement and a sense of unknown fear crept up on me.

It felt similar to buying all the stocks of a certain electronics company, hoping its stock price would reach 100,000, but seeing the stock chart gradually decline.

A feeling of simultaneous hope and anxiety, thinking 'It will go up eventually,' but unable to let go.

...

After the opening ceremony, the orientation was scheduled to begin.

I checked the bulletin board and found out that I, 'Isaac,' was in the temporary 3rd class. I headed to the temporary 3rd class lecture room.

Thanks to playing the game countless times, I knew the layout of the vast Merhen Academy inside and out. I easily arrived at the temporary 3rd class lecture room.

A lecture room with a university-like stepped seating arrangement. About 50 students were seated, and about 10 more would fill the remaining seats. The magic department has a total of 300 students per grade, and there are 5 temporary classes.

I sat in the middle.

The protagonist, Ian Fairytail, wasn't there, but I saw some familiar faces.

[ Matteo Jordana ]

Lv: 75

Race: Human

Attribute: Rock

Danger Level: X

Matteo Jordana, who is supposed to be an early villain and Ian Fairytail's supporter. He has a brown fringe and a muscular build.

[ Tristan Humphrey ]

Lv: 71

Race: Human

Attribute: Wind

Danger Level: X

Tristan Humphrey, a vain noble who likes to look down on the weak and commoners. He has a smug smile and blonde hair.

[ Kaya Astraen ]

Lv: 90

Race: Human

Attribute: Wind, Ice

Danger Level: X

Kaya Astraen, the second student and one of the heroines, was visible. She had dark green hair tied in a ribbon with black cloth, forming two braids.

...Why is she surprised to see me? Is she shy?

Anyway, Kaya Astraen is a kind and meddlesome character. She has a reserved side, but it's a defense mechanism to hide her shyness.

She tends to act like a follower towards people she admires. She's the type most likely to fall into a cult.

She's also good at making assumptions. She was a cute heroine who would get excited and find meaning in every action Ian took without much thought.

'Guh.'

Seeing the characters from the game I enjoyed made my heart swell strangely.

"Welcome, future mages."

Soon, the professor opened the front door of the lecture room and entered.

The female students exclaimed, "Oh...," "Wow...," "He's so handsome..."

The professor stood in front of the podium and scanned the students with a cold gaze.

[ Fernando Frost ]

Lv: 98

Race: Human

Attribute: Ice, Water

Danger Level: X

He wore a blue uniform with a gold frame, the standard attire for an academy professor. He had neat silver hair, blue eyes, and a tall stature.

Fernando Frost.

He always has a poker face, appearing emotionless, but in reality, he is a man with a strong sense of sacrifice and deep consideration for his students.

He ranked 5th in the popularity of <The Mage Knight of Merhen> characters.

His level is 98, which is higher than most students but average for a mage. For reference, the levels of characters are primarily based on combat power, with knowledge levels also factored in, but the ability to cast magic is the most important.

If the level criteria were based on theory, Fernando's level would be extremely high, as is the case with most professors.

"I am Professor 'Fernando Frost.' I will be in charge of the temporary 3rd class for the next week."

Fernando spoke in a calm tone. The female students seemed to be swooning over his cool charm.

He must know he's handsome. This reaction is probably a daily occurrence.

...I'm envious.

"Let's skip the small talk and get straight to the point. The orientation will last for a week. After the class assignment evaluation is complete and the classes are divided, the formal classes will begin, tailored to each class's level."

Fernando spoke in a calm tone.

"So, to evaluate you and make you aware of your current level, we will measure your magic power now."

"Magic power?"

Ah, right. The first orientation session involves measuring magic power. It's a minor part, so I usually skipped it in later playthroughs and forgot about it.

The results of the magic power measurement are useful for future exams.

In the story, the protagonist Ian Fairytail is assigned the lowest 'E' grade for magic power and is looked down upon by the students.

However, as Ian rapidly grows, the students gradually reassess him.

"Come out now."

Following Fernando's guidance, the temporary 3rd class arrived at the training ground.

A wide training ground with a spectator stand. The floor was filled with fine sand.

Other temporary classes also gathered. I could see Ian and the heroines.

"I will measure the magic power of all the magic department students here."

Fernando held a small wand with an amplification spell, which is essentially a microphone, and addressed the neatly lined-up magic department students.

The other temporary class professors were seated in the stands.

"Take this first."

The teaching assistants began handing out devices that looked like grip strength testers.

I took one. The solid texture was distinct.

"This magic power measurement device measures the maximum magic power based on the concentration of mana. Hold it tightly and release your mana, and a grade will be displayed. This grade represents your current level and will be a reference for future evaluations."

Fernando explained in a calm tone.

"During the measurement, magic may accidentally be released, so for safety, we will conduct the measurement in an unoccupied area. Each class, come out in groups of five, starting with the lowest numbers."

The magic power measurement began.