The secret passage in the library.
It had already been nearly a week since Adel began going out through it.
Before he knew it, the calendar had turned to the fourth month out of the twelve.
It was lunchtime, a brief pause shared by both students and professors.
The professors of the Magic Department were seated around a table set up behind the main building of the Magic Department.
April. The gradually warming weather was pleasant enough that even the professors had decided on a sort of picnic.
But for something called a picnic, the conversation was far too serious.
Unlike their usual chats about personal research or magical theories, today’s talk was clearly different.
And for good reason.
“So I’ve got nothing to put on the exam. I’m thinking of just skipping the latter half of the material.”
“That’ll be a disaster for the students….midterms and all.”
“Is that so? Then I suppose I’ll just assign it as homework instead.”
Midterms.
Time had flown since the semester began, and now it was midterm season, with flowers blooming everywhere.
Each professor had to write the exam questions for their own course.
It was something they did every year, but there was an added pressure. They were teaching at none other than Tane’s Magic Department.
To maintain their dignity as professors, they had to create good, well-thought-out questions.
Serious discussion was inevitable.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason things felt tense. The head professor of the department was also present, so everyone was being extra cautious with their words… and, frankly, there weren’t many other topics they could all relate to.
That’s why, when Adel’s name came up, it felt like a natural continuation of their “midterm conversation.”
“Come to think of it, the top score for written exams is already a given, isn’t it? That’ll be Adel.”
“Oh, you mean that early admission student? I’ve heard he has outstanding theoretical talent.”
The conversation started like that, and soon the focus shifted entirely to Adel.
Naturally, what came up next was Adel’s recent attendance…or lack thereof.
“Now that you mention it, that student hasn’t been showing up to class lately.”
“I haven’t seen him in my class either. I actually thought he might be sick.”
“Hmm. Then doesn’t it seem like he’s skipping class a bit too often? Professor Sedin, is it the same in your course?”
“Yes, now that I think about it. Especially lately. It’s been several days in a row…”
One after another, professors chimed in, saying they hadn’t seen Adel in their classes either. It kept going like that.
“……Hold on a moment. That makes seven professors now who say they haven’t seen him. At this point, isn’t it safe to say he’s been skipping class entirely without permission?”
“It certainly seems that way.”
“Hmm… this is a bit much…”
Even among professors who normally don’t put too much weight on attendance, there’s still a limit to what they’ll overlook.
From what they were saying, Adel Bliss had been absent without notice for nearly a week. He hadn’t attended a single class.
“As an early admission student, he ought to be more mindful of his position…”
“You’re absolutely right. If the only early admission student in the Magic Department behaves like this, doesn’t that send a message of disrespect to all the others we’ve rejected over the years?”
Poor class participation from an early admission student, especially unjustified absences, was a direct violation of school policy.
“We agreed to his early admission because of his remarkable magical knowledge and potential… But now he’s becoming a disruption to the learning environment.”
“Indeed, I’m concerned about the negative influence it might have on the other students. We’re only just over a month into the semester. Isn’t it a bit early to be skipping class like this?”
Adel Bliss was likely admitted early in the hopes that he would become a shining example of the Magic Department.
But now, from signs of losing focus to full-on unexcused absences—
It was more than enough to provoke criticism from the professors who had been keeping a close eye on him.
And these weren’t just any professors.
This was Tane Academy. One of the Empire’s top three prestigious institutions.
And these professors had been with the Magic Department since its very founding.
What’s more, unlike other departments, the Magic Department was structured as a single, unified faculty of Magic Studies under the Magic Department.
This unique structure was a point of pride not only for its students but also for the professors themselves.
“This isn’t behavior befitting an early admission student.”
“Indeed… I have to agree.”
But someone rose to challenge this growing consensus.
“Still, his talent is real. Even if he isn’t attending class, no one can deny that he’s an extraordinary individual. In fact, he’s even been a great source of inspiration for my own research.”
“……Professor Quinoron of Applied Magical Tools.”
“Early admission is based on potential, isn’t it? Even the most gifted students go through difficult periods. And in his case, we’re talking about someone born without the ability to use magic. A little confusion or struggle is only natural. In that case, wouldn’t it be our duty, as professors, to give him some time?”
Every professor in the Magic Department held a respected position in their field.
And so, while they may have been critical, they understood that Professor Quinoron’s words were, at their core, valid.
After all, the very discipline of magic itself demands flexible thinking to reach its highest levels.
“We’re aware of that much, Professor Quinoron. You may not know since this is your first year, but most of the professors here were the ones who approved his admission.”
Still, the personal potential of someone like Adel and his conduct as an early admission student were two entirely separate matters.
While it was true that believing in one’s students was the right stance for a teacher to take, it was also true that misconduct warranted appropriate consequences.
As the professors fell into thoughtful silence, the one who finally spoke up was the head professor of the Magic Department.
“Hmph. Then let’s do this. I assume everyone’s aware that midterms are just around the corner.”
“We were just discussing that a moment ago, in fact.”
“If Student Adel fails to achieve a meaningful result in the upcoming exams, how about we make him repeat the year?”
“…Repeat the year…?!”
The professors, who had been quietly sipping their tea after the meal, turned in shock to face the head professor.
And it was understandable.
Adel Bliss who had earned the prestigious title of early admission student was only sixteen. He was one year younger than the others.
If he were held back a year, it would make no difference from having enrolled normally.
To be forced to repeat the very year he’d entered as an early admission student—
That would be a serious humiliation for the student.
On the other hand, such a move would cement the Magic Department’s reputation for its strict internal standards.
In that sense, it could actually serve to enhance the academy’s prestige.
“Such a serious decision as repeating a year can’t be made based on just a single exam, Head Professor.”
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not suggesting we fail him arbitrarily. Only if he doesn’t achieve a meaningful result.”
“…Well, that’s true, but still…”
“Hasn’t everyone here read the essays Adel Bliss submitted? If a student like that fails an exam that’s entirely written, no practical component like the finals, wouldn’t that be more strange? And if his scores are high, it could help improve the current academic atmosphere that’s under scrutiny.”
“……”
That was the justification.
Now came the real goal.
“Therefore, starting this year, we’ll post the test rankings in large print on the Magic Department’s main bulletin board.”
“…Th-That’s…”
The head professor stopped there.
But every professor present understood exactly what he meant.
Saying Adel’s high score would help raise the academic atmosphere—
That sentiment was rooted in an unspoken prejudice against his inability to use magic.
Most magic users couldn’t stand the idea of someone with no magical power outperforming them.
Of course, if that happens, some students might devote themselves to academics just to surpass Adel… but humans don’t always work that way.
Adel Bliss’s theoretical strength was nothing short of genius of the century.
There was simply no way ordinary Magic Department students could beat someone like him.
And once they came to that realization, all that would be left was inferiority and resentment directed at Adel.
They would envy him, grow jealous, and belittle him. It would inevitably lead to bullying.
This was something that could eventually happen. Even without his grades being publicly known.
But what if, on top of that, a bulletin was posted showing the full ranking list?
And what if it said that Adel, unable to use magic, ranked first overall?
The bullying would only intensify.
Professor Quinoron instantly realized this and shot to his feet.
“You’re going to post the grades on a public bulletin? That’s never been done before…!”
“Not true. It’s been done from time to time. We are the Magic Department founded alongside Tane itself, after all.”
“I agree that full disclosure of grades could help foster an academic atmosphere. But the timing is—!”
“…Professor Quinoron. Are you someone who serves the Magic Department of Tane? Or someone who serves a single student?”
“…That’s…”
“Favoritism is unbecoming. As head professor, I’d like you to keep that in mind.”
Quinoron looked around at the other professors. Some had expressions that said, “What’s the big deal?” while others simply shrugged, despite understanding everything.
“This wouldn’t even be happening if he’d attended class properly.”
The head professor said that and then rose from his seat.
“That concludes today’s retreat.”
The upcoming midterms.
The public posting of grade rankings was now confirmed.
Lunchtime came to an end. It was marked not by the conclusion of a minor dispute over an early admission student’s attitude, but by a far more significant change.
***
“…Hmm.”
I crossed my arms.
It had already been a week since the first day I used the secret passage to visit Black Alley.
I hadn’t attended a single class during that time.
I never imagined I’d be skipping school in another world.
Back in modern times, I never once missed a perfect attendance award, so this stirred up some strange emotions.
I don’t have the time. Grades can wait.
But I had gained more than enough to justify skipping class.
I grinned as I looked over the now almost fully packed sheet of text.
[One Method to Kill Camilla]
From her estimated stat values to a full breakdown of the skills she’s likely acquired by now.
This sheet, meticulously analyzed piece by piece, was the sum total of everything I’d prepared to kill Camilla.
I’d made significant progress. I could now say I had about a 30% chance of success.
I looked down at the words I’d written on the page.
Strategy Against Camilla.
Step one—
[Curse of Simultaneous Blindness].
I’d secured the cursed doll for it from another black market stall.
The drawback was that even I, the caster, would be blinded but I had [Total Magical Structure Analysis].
Even without sight, I could use magical tools to disperse mana waves through the air, creating an effect nearly identical to vision.
On the flip side, I’d be able to shut down Camilla’s [Trajectory Analysis].
Of course, thanks to her monstrous resistance, it would only last about a minute at best but that was enough.
Second—
[Curse of Forced Binding].
This one also wasn’t exactly what you’d call proper magic. It was the kind of spell that gave you pause.
When physical contact occurs like holding hands, the curse pierces straight through both my hand and the opponent’s, binding us together.
The third was a method to neutralize Camilla’s [Rapid Adaptation] trait.
A collection of magical tools I’d obtained from Professor Quinoron and Deeks.
Each tool could only be used for a single spell. Any second attack would be useless anyway.
It was only possible thanks to my [Shifter] trait, which let me instantly cast spells by consuming magical tools.
The fourth—
Two magical prosthetic arms I’d received from Deeks, just in case I lost mine. If my arm got severed, I could immediately attach one and counterattack, catching her off guard.
And finally, the fifth—
A pendant necklace engraved with the [Wound Transfer] magic enchantment.
This was something I bought for a huge sum, purely for a last-resort reversal when cornered.
Even if I received a fatal wound, I could use this to inflict the same injury on Camilla. More precisely, it could transfer about 80% of the damage I sustained.
After that…I’d have to rely on my natural healing powers, even if only for a moment, in demonic form.
The activation condition is close physical contact… If I kill Camilla with this, I’ll probably be on the brink myself. Hopefully, I won’t need to use it.
It was the kind of item you’d only use when completely backed into a corner, when you couldn’t even afford to think about the aftermath.
As for NP-based magic….I couldn’t learn it yet.
It required me to first rapidly charge my mana reserves, then learn the spell while holding onto that surge of power.
Most high-level spells required “a minimum mana threshold” to even be learned, so there was no helping it.
Right now, I didn’t even have the time to slowly build up my base mana, so I was resorting to every trick I could think of.
“Hoo…”
On top of all that, I also planned to take a variety of drugs.
This was practically the same as smearing my whole body with the dirty tricks I used back in the game.
“Now that the urgent stuff is done… I’ll just add things bit by bit from here.”
What remained was getting my body used to actual combat. After all, there’s a big difference between using a mouse and keyboard and doing things in real life.
I looked out the window for a moment.
Classes were over. It was the afternoon.
The sun was still bright. The days were getting longer.
“…Looks like I’ll need to ask for a spar.”
Come to think of it, I still needed to return Sasha’s student ID.
It’s been a while since I’ve moved around in broad daylight. With that thought in mind, I slowly left the dormitory.
Aaron would be the perfect choice.
If I brought a small gift when I visited, it wouldn’t seem suspicious.
And once again… sorry in advance, senior Ada.
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