Chapter 3

EP.3 Magic Power Measurement (2)

In each temporary class, the students lined up in a row. They gripped the magic power meters tightly and released their mana in the direction where no one was present.

The aura of elemental magic corresponding to each student's attribute flowed out. This aura leaves a 'mana residue,' serving as evidence of which elemental attribute magic was used.

There is a hidden evaluation factor in this magic power measurement: 'magic power control ability.' When releasing magic power, it's easy for the traces of magic to splash out, especially for those with high magic power.

So, if a high grade in magic power measurement is achieved without any magic aura splashing out?

The student would receive a very good score in magic power control ability, which would count as a bonus point in the class assignment evaluation.

The magic power measurement of the first group of students was completed.

Professor Fernando used telekinesis to line up the magic power meters in the air and read out each grade.

"Temporary Class 3. Number 1, C- grade. Number 2, C+ grade. Number 3, C- grade. Number 4, C+ grade. Number 5, C grade."

These students won't get any bonus points. With that level of magic power, the magic aura splashed out.

"Next!"

The magic power measurement continued.

Suddenly,

Whoosh!

"Ouch, what a surprise. I couldn't control my strong, great, powerful mana..."

The vain noble, Tristan Humphrey, cast a strong wind magic and shook his head. His face was full of confidence, and his words sounded like a theatrical line.

The wind's aftermath made the hair and uniforms of the professor and students flutter. Some female students grumbled and tidied their hair. Meanwhile, Professor Fernando remained expressionless.

Tristan Humphrey's magic power was B- grade, placing him in the upper echelon among the magic department students. His arrogance wasn't unfounded.

Of course, his magic power control ability would receive a negative score.

Matteo Jordan, who was supposed to be a villain in the early stages, also received a B- grade. A bit of the aura of the rock element splashed out, but that was enough to earn bonus points.

Next were the top student, Luce Eltania, and the second, Kaya Astraen.

The atmosphere became suddenly quiet as the two girls, exuding an aura of nobility, appeared. The air felt heavy, and all the students' attention was focused on them.

"Wow."

Exclamations of admiration burst out. Luce was incredibly beautiful.

Her smooth rose-gold hair was adorned with wide ribbons on both sides, designed like a morpho butterfly with a blue hue within a black border.

Her eyes, like the sea, were clear and serene, and her fair skin and delicate face exuded a pure and gentle beauty.

When I wished to see her level, a system window appeared before my eyes.

[ Luce Eltania ]

Level: 110

Race: Human

Attribute: Water, Lightning

Danger Level: X

Level 110. Among the freshmen, she is overwhelmingly dominant.

Luce is my second favorite character in <Merhen's Magic Knight>. She is one of the official heroines and is expected to be involved with the protagonist Ian in the class assignment evaluation a few days later.

Kaya Astraen, the second, was equally beautiful. But I'm sorry, I'm a Luce fan, so...

Of course, if my favorite character, Dorothy Heartnova, were here, the story would be different...

Let's drop the nonsense.

Luce and Kaya, like the other students, held the magic power meters and extended their arms forward.

While the other students' elemental magic auras splashed out,

The two girls remained calm.

"......?"

Luce and Kaya lowered their arms as if nothing had happened.

The students who didn't know about the hidden evaluation criteria were naturally confused, thinking that the magic aura should have splashed out.

At this level, they would have received a perfect score in magic power control ability.

Professor Fernando used telekinesis to collect the magic power meters from the students.

"Since they are the top and second, I won't announce their magic power levels."

Professor Fernando read the grades displayed on Luce and Kaya's magic power meters.

"Luce Eltania, A+ grade. Kaya Astraen, B+ grade."

The students were speechless. The 'A+' grade, which seemed impossible, was announced by the professor.

Kaya's 'B+' grade is at the level of a professional magician. It's an absurdly high value for a first-year student, but Luce's 'A+' grade left such a strong impression that it overshadowed it.

An A+ grade is the level that most magicians can handle. It's a stage where achieving an S grade is a realistic goal.

The highest grade an ordinary person can reach through effort alone is A-.

An S grade is a realm that cannot be reached without talent.

This is a setting that can be understood by playing <Merhen's Magic Knight>.

Luce, with her talent and effort, is expected to reach S grade before becoming a second-year student.

"A+ grade...? Wow..."

"Is she a freshman like us...?"

"Is she our age...?"

However, currently, Luce Eltania cannot unleash her full A+ grade power. The magic power measurement only measures the maximum magic power, not the remaining magic power.

She constantly consumes a large amount of magic power to suppress her familiar, 'Brain God Galia.' Only after the Brain God Galia extermination battle at the end of the semester can Luce unleash her true power.

By the way, how will the Brain God Galia extermination battle go? The protagonist, who is supposed to play a major role, seems to be a failure...

Anyway, amidst the students' murmurs, Luce and Kaya left. Kaya was clenching her fists and trembling.

'She seems frustrated.'

Kaya is expected to feel inferiority in front of the solid wall that is Luce.

Later, Kaya will become strong enough to use the ultimate skill [Yggdrasil], an 8-star level magic.

The 9-star level magic, the highest, is on the level of world destruction. The 8-star level magic is a powerful magic that can be used in large-scale battles. Even so, Luce is expected to defeat her.

That doesn't mean Kaya is a character who only feels inferiority when she sees someone better than herself. She tends to admire and follow those who are overwhelmingly strong, even if they are far superior to her.

As mentioned before, she is the type who would get into trouble if she falls into a cult.

"Next."

The professor called out. Now it's my turn.

I stepped forward and joined the students, standing in line with them.

I extended the magic power meter forward.

'My current maximum magic power is 320... '

I don't really know the magic power level standards. It's just a part of the game story.

I was curious. What level is 320 magic power?

"Start!"

At the professor's command, I gripped the magic power meter tightly and released my mana.

'This control... is a bit difficult...?'

A cold aura flowed out, creating small ice fragments.

Soon, the magic power meter beeped, and I stopped releasing my mana.

What is my grade...?

With a slightly excited heart, I checked the grade displayed on the magic power meter.

...It was 'E' grade.

"......"

The worst grade. It's the grade that would come out if you randomly picked a passerby and measured their magic power.

This is... serious...?

...Ah, I remember now.

'There was another E grade besides Ian... Was it me...?'

I remembered that after Ian's turn in the game, a student mentioned, "There are two E grades."

Now I clearly recalled what kind of character this body, Isaac, was. He was an extra with no significance, but his inferiority complex towards Ian was outstanding.

Kaya, who feels inferior to Luce, at least has the strength of a second-place student.

Isaac, who feels inferior to Ian, is pitifully weak.

So, in the early part of the game, he joins Matteo's group and tries to bully Ian, who is also an E grade, but ends up being thoroughly beaten.

Moreover, while gnashing his teeth at Ian's rapid growth, he eventually becomes a third-rate extra, his significance reduced to dust...

He is a small shadow that adds to Ian's growth and the weakest character in <Merhen's Magic Knight>...

"Temporary Class 3. Number 21, C- grade. Number 22, C grade. Number 23, C+ grade. Number 24, C+ grade. Number 25... E... grade...?"

The students, including me, returned to their places.

Professor Fernando, while checking the magic power meters, showed a puzzled expression when he read my grade, Number 25.

"E grade...?"

What.

What do you want me to do.

"E grade?"

"E grade? Really?"

"How did an E grade get into Merhen Academy?"

"That's unbelievable... He must be something special in a different way."

The students' attention focused on me, Number 25. Some sneered, some expressed admiration. That admiration probably means, "How did someone like you get into this academy?"

This is the prestigious Merhen Academy, the best in the continent.

In other words, an E grade magic power student entering the magic department of Merhen Academy is almost a miracle, close to being suspicious.

For reference, Ian Fairytale, who is also an E grade, was able to enter because of his 'rarity.' Ian can handle 'light attribute' magic.

In contrast, I can only use ordinary ice magic, with no trace of rarity.

Perhaps this body, Isaac, entered the academy with an overwhelming theoretical score.

But the theoretical knowledge is not in my head, which is a flaw, isn't it?

No, it's not a flaw. It's just a flaw in a piece of junk.

'...Huh?'

...The more I think about it, the more I realize I have nothing to offer...

What... should I do...?

While sweating in the midst of the students' murmurs, Professor Fernando intervened.

"Given that you entered our academy with this level of magic power... Your theoretical scores must have been very excellent. Your goal must be to become a scholar. The role of a scholar is also very important for the development of the magic system. You should strive, but don't be discouraged."

"......"

He speaks as if being a scholar is my definite path.

Of course, it's not something to be angry about. This is Professor Fernando's consideration. At least, if you say your goal is to be a scholar, you won't be mocked as much for your actual magic power.

According to my memory, Professor Fernando is supposed to say the same thing to Ian.

Then Ian will get angry and declare, "My dream is not to be a scholar! My dream is to be a magic knight!" with enthusiasm.

He will be thoroughly mocked by the students.

"E grade? E grade? Such a lowly existence, daring to stand on the same level as me?! It's laughable, truly laughable!"

As expected, the vain noble, Tristan Humphrey, mocked me unpleasantly.

His lines are funny and annoying, that kid.

"Hey!"

Then, the second, Kaya Astraen, raised her hand and called out.

What is it? I don't remember this happening in the game.

"Is there any possibility of a problem with the magic power measurement? Like, if the grade is measured incorrectly...?"

"Huh?"

Professor Fernando and the students all showed a reaction of not understanding.

I was the same.

Is this a question stemming from the doubt, 'Even if you're a Merhen Academy student, how can an E grade come out?'

...I don't know.

"Hmm... I see. First, there is no possibility of the magic power measurement being incorrect."

Professor Fernando calmly answered in a mature voice and picked up my magic power meter, which he assumed to be the cause of the question.

The professor gripped the magic power meter firmly and released his mana. No elemental aura splashed out, and the magic power was measured with a beep.

'A grade.' Professor Fernando showed it to Kaya.

"The magic power meter is fine. This morning's inspection showed no abnormalities. At least, there is no possibility of incorrect measurement. If there is an error, it won't even function."

"...Is that so."

Kaya's expression was unimpressed, as if she wasn't satisfied with Professor Fernando's answer.

Seeing her reaction, Professor Fernando continued to explain.

"...Of course, there is a possibility of incorrect measurement. It's impossible, but possible."

Suddenly, Professor Fernando started speaking in a way that was hard to understand.

Soon, he explained his words to the students.

"Great magicians are said to have the ability to decompose or reconstruct the mana flowing in their bodies, achieving an incomprehensible level of magic power control. If that's possible, they could adjust the grade to the one they want during the magic power measurement. However, this is only possible for great magicians who have honed themselves through countless meditations, training, and solitary time, blessed by the heavens."

"Without exception? Even if it's not necessarily the level of a great magician, can the magic power grade be adjusted...?"

"I assert that there are no exceptions. If it's possible, they would already be superhumans who have mastered all magic. Even if someone is born with the combined genius of all the world's irrationalities, it's impossible at the student level."

Professor Fernando asserted.

That is the official setting.

In this world, great magicians are transcendent figures, almost above the law. Even the emperor must consider their opinions.

"Is... that so...?"

For some reason, Kaya was sweating and looked surprised.

Is she shocked that an E grade can actually exist in Merhen Academy?

She is proud of being admitted to the prestigious Merhen Academy. In other words, an E grade that lowers the academy's standards is a thorn in her side.

Ah, of course, this is an exaggerated expression. She is a good person, so she probably just feels a bit uncomfortable.

However, it's a pity. Next is Ian. The fact that there are two E grades will scratch her pride a bit.

40 minutes later, the magic power measurement was completed.

The story progressed as I remembered.

Ian was designated as an E grade and revealed his dream of becoming a magic knight, drawing ridicule from the students and firmly establishing his presence as the protagonist.

Facing the neatly lined up magic department students, Professor Fernando said,

"The magic power measurement is complete. Remember your position and keep it in mind at all times, using it as motivation to strive. You may already know, but I will firmly state it. The culture of our Merhen Academy is survival of the fittest. The strong prey on the weak. The weak are preyed upon. Therefore, become strong thoroughly. Strive with all your might. That's all."

The discriminatory educational culture of Merhen Academy is something I have experienced many times in the game.

Ha, being an E grade, the weakest... It's the perfect target for bullying, isn't it?

I will have to be careful for a while...

"......"

For some reason, Kaya's gaze felt piercing.

I've been pretending not to notice it, but apparently, being an E grade is annoying...

It seems I can't be careful from the start.