It’s spring.
After a downpour, the weather was finally warming up.
Through the window, flowers could be seen sprouting long leaves on the branches. In the central courtyard of the magic faculty’s main building shaped like the letter “ㄷ”, branches had begun to bend under the weight of blooming spring buds.
A peaceful scene of bees and butterflies together drowsily signaled the return of spring.
Just… kill… me…
Of course, for someone with no time to look around, it was just another dull view.
“Countess, what’s that?”
“Don’t you know? It’s a ‘Perfect Score Stone’. A handmade jewel I created myself.”
“Perfect Score Stone…? Let me see… Huh? What is this? It’s just a ‘Wish Stone’. That fake gem.”
“Oh my, how could you call it fake? I put my own wish for a perfect score into it, so from now on it’s a ‘Perfect Score Stone’.”
“Wow… I can’t believe you buy into that kind of superstition.”
“It’s not a superstition. It’s a treasure that will bring me good luck…”
“You’d probably do better just copying Adel’s answers over there. Didn’t you hear? About the terror incident?”
“Hmph… That’s nonsense. I’ll be the top of the class in these midterms, just you wait…”
“Dunno… just look at Adel, Countess. The way he’s sleeping so peacefully right before the test. Isn’t that the kind of composure that suits someone who’s first in the year?”
“Urgh… I can’t deny it… But that ends today… Get ready… Adel Bliss…”
Everyone’s lost it.
Even the classmates spouting nonsense looked completely drained. It was all due to the string of nonstop exams.
Not even a terrorist attack by demon worshippers had been enough to cancel midterms.
Starting Monday, it was now the fourth day of exams. Thursday, the final day at last.
Taking them right after getting out of bed from the infirmary had been brutal.
Maybe it was the caffeine I’d been using instead of proper nutrition, but even staying conscious felt like a challenge.
Still, this is the end of it.
Today’s exam was just an attendance-based one. Once it was over, the ordeal would finally be done.
Tomorrow, the entire academy would be on break.
A three-day vacation from Friday to Sunday, for the sake of both students and faculty who had worked hard.
At least I avoided failing.
I wasn’t sure about the reports, but I’d probably scored above average overall. I did have the experience from gaming.
Of course, being an “early admission student” meant that just being above average wasn’t enough for peace of mind…
In truth, the reason I was confident about not failing was something else.
“All right, everyone. Last test. Three minutes until the start of ‘Understanding Magical Substances’. Stay focused.”
“Yeeees—”
Before I realized it, the assistant professor had come in and started passing out the test papers.
Let’s get this over with.
I accepted the test paper being handed to me and closed my eyes.
Crackle—
◆ [Total Magical Structure Analysis] Activated.
The reason I was confident I wouldn’t fail the attendance exam—
Was because of a certain feature of the test paper handed out in Tane’s class.
It was a special sheet printed using a magic printing tool. Simply put, it was paper imbued with a basic spell.
A concentrated product of magical technology. It helped simplify grading while preventing cheating. Manufactured and supplied directly by the Magic Tower.
But perhaps they picked the wrong opponent.
Those complex, magical inscriptions characteristic of the Magic Tower’s designs… looked a bit different to me.
Ⅰ. List at least three precautions when consuming magical substances.
Answer: __________________
(◆Analysis complete: Must include ‘Temporary disruption of mana waves’. Must include ‘Duration of effectiveness’. Must include ‘Side effects after ingestion’…)
Ⅱ. Describe the unique properties of magical substances.
Answer: __________________
(◆Analysis complete: Must include ‘Sensitivity to mana waves’. Must include ‘Inherent instability’. Must include ‘Paradox of high-tier mages’…)
Too easy.
Of course, it was bound to be easy. Thanks to my unique trait, the answers were visible to me.
In fact, if I deliberately wrote a wrong answer—
Ⅵ. Explain the differences between standard, high-grade, and unique magical substances. (X)
The system would even mark the error with a red “X” at the end of the question.
In an environment like this, it would be harder not to get a perfect score.
If only I’d had more time to prepare my report, I might have even taken first place overall.
Well… that’s not going to happen.
The report carries more weight, after all. It was considered much more important in terms of scoring.
Since I wrote three of them in just a few hours, it was obvious their quality would fall short compared to others.
This is Tane Academy. A place for elites.
It wouldn’t do to take that lightly. Taking the top spot was out of the question.
The real problem is Camilla.
Honestly, I was more worried about Camilla than myself.
At Tane, from the second year onward, students are placed into departments and classes based on their grades. Class A of the Knight Department, where Camilla is, consists of only the most promising swordsmanship students.
They were clearly all putting in incredible effort. Especially when I remembered the madness I saw back at the Robine Dorm…
“……”
Camilla had been ranked first overall in such a group. But this time, she probably lost a few days because of our fight.
Her grades might fall. That could affect her chances of becoming an Imperial Knight.
If that happens…
Huh. I paused, scribbling down answers on the test sheet, and tilted my head.
…Wait. Wouldn’t that actually be a good thing?
If she joins the Imperial Knights, she’d have less personal time. Naturally, that would mean less time to spend together.
After all the trouble I went through to gain such a reliable ally, losing her to some prestigious title would be a waste.
Can’t let that happen. More importantly, Camilla’s more useful when I’m the one raising her.
A new dilemma arose. If I had to describe it… I was now considering how to block my sister’s path.
How to lower Camilla’s grades… I see. I just need to show that stoic genius swordswoman the joys of having fun.
I thought back to my time in the modern world.
During my university years, I’d occasionally tutored students just to afford a PC capable of running Empire of Kohonbach.
Based on that experience…
Romance usually tanks grades the fastest.
But it would be a problem if she ended up getting married or something. That might leave her with even less personal time.
The second best option would be alcohol or games. Even better if it’s a drinking game.
I imagined it.
Camilla discovering the joy of alcohol that makes people speak honestly… and before long, using her natural reflexes to dominate drinking games.
The rabbit that came down from the sky says! Bunny bunny bunny bunny!! Wahaha! You’re it, Adel!
“……”
…That might actually work better than I thought?
This is it.
Smiling, I felt the plan for Friday through Sunday come together in my mind.
Tap.
I set my pen down.
Then raised my hand.
“Teacher Assistant, may I submit my test and leave if I’m finished?”
“Ah. Yes, if you’ve completed everything…”
“I’m submitting it.”
“Sorry? Already…? W-Well, alright then.”
The students, still tearing their hair out, looked over at me.
“Wow. Who is that?”
“Adel Bliss.”
“Unreal. He’s already done with this…?”
“Did he just give up? I heard he was sick…”
“Alright, quiet down! There’s still plenty of time left. No need to rush!”
Leaving those voices behind, I walked out of the classroom.
Midterms. The first semester was safely completed.
***
At that moment.
The professors received Adel’s report for each subject.
“Applications of Magic Fundamentals” taught by,
Professor Topyren.
“Truly… a once-in-a-generation result. No—”
He shuddered.
“It’s nothing short of a revolution in magical studies!!”
Adel’s report, so thoroughly read it had become crumpled.
Stamped onto it in bold, impassioned handwriting: the symbol of the wand and laurel crown.
The mark of the highest grade, awarded to only one student per year in the entire Magic Department.
“You’re going to soar, Adel Bliss…! Being an early-admission student isn’t nearly enough.”
Adel Bliss, in “Applications of Magic Fundamentals”.
Grade: A+
***
“Understanding of Mana Waves” taught by
Professor Sedin.
“…Rough, but sharp insight. What… what did he call it? The ‘Droplet Theory’? This is, this is truly…”
As she cast the spell exactly as described in the report… she looked like a madwoman who had just discovered something she’d longed for.
“A new understanding of mana waves that overturns all the outdated theories we’ve had until now. A new perspective…! This is….yes. This is violence!! A violent blow to the complacent academic world!!”
As expected, she marked it with the emblem of the highest grade.
“A talent comparable to that of Heinel Shifter. With this, you’ll be a great asset.”
Once a student receives the symbol of the wand and laurel crown, they are considered a verified talent.
From the Tower to Tane… maybe even the very top could be within reach.
Without hesitation, Sedin engraved the mark to the end, then slumped over with a sigh.
“I’m… a little jealous.”
Adel Bliss in “Understanding of Mana Waves”,
Likewise, awarded an A+.
***
“Applied Magical Tools” taught by,
Professor Quinoron.
“…Truly, Adel never fails to surprise.”
He smiled warmly as he gave the score.
Adel Bliss in “Applied Magic Tools”,
Grade: A.
***
Academies, schools, and learning institutions…
You may not know it, but these kinds of places all have magic cast on them.
The moment a test or class ends, your exhausted body comes back to life, almost like magic.
“Not bad at all.”
A spring afternoon was a beautiful thing. Walking past the elegantly maintained courtyard of the Magic Department, both old-fashioned and refined…you come to a fork in the road.
Both paths lead to the Knight Department, but the atmosphere is different.
Take the right, and you’ll find a narrow path lined with benches here and there. A quiet place by a small pond.
The same spot where Camilla and I had our falling out. In the daylight, I noticed all sorts of new sights…
Meeooow…
Right. Like a cat, for example…
“…A cat?”
When I moved toward the sound, I found a black cat curled up.
“……”
Even as I approached, it only stared without running away. A sociable cat. Come to think of it, I once heard that darker-colored cats tend to be more docile. Supposedly, it’s because their coloring helps them hide easily, so they’re less sensitive to threats.
After petting it for a while, I stood up.
It was nice listening to the purring, but the knight department’s exams would be ending soon. If I didn’t hurry, we might miss each other.
“…Adel?”
“Hmm?”
Suddenly, I heard someone’s voice. A voice I could now recognize without even checking.
Silver hair in a ponytail and blue eyes. It was Camilla.
“Oh, hey, big sister. I was just about to come find you.”
“…Is that so? Are your exams over?”
“Yeah, pretty much. What about you?”
“I just finished and was on my way.”
But the Robine dorms are in the opposite direction.
This path definitely connects the Magic and Knight Departments.
Did she finish her exam early and come this way? I guess she’s starting to worry about her little brother more these days.
If that’s the case, I’m glad we both chose this path. We really might’ve missed each other.
“Hey, sister. Do you like cats?”
“…That’s sudden. If I had to say, not particularly.”
“Really? That’s too bad. I was going to ask if you wanted to pet it.”
I looked at the cat I’d been stroking.
It hadn’t even been a few minutes since I found it, but with how cute it was, anyone would let their guard down…
“…Huh? Where’d it go?”
“…Are you alright, Adel?”
The cat that had definitely been there just a moment ago had vanished. When did it disappear?
“That’s strange…”
More importantly, there was something I needed to ask Camilla.
“By the way, sister. What are you doing this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday?”
“…Hmm. Probably training, I’d guess.”
“How about taking just those three days off? We haven’t had a proper outing as siblings. We didn’t even get to eat together last time.”
“…An outing, you say.”
“I’ve gotten taller, so I need to buy a new uniform too.”
“…I see. Haah. Alright. I’ll make time.”
What was that? She looked like she was mentally preparing herself for something.
“Don’t worry. You must have something you want to talk about, right? It’s totally fine. As your sister, I’m always ready to listen to anything you have to say. Speak freely. I’m on your side.”
“Something I want to talk about?”
I tilted my head, then suddenly realized.
Now that I think about it, after that incident, after I turned into a demon, I never really explained anything, did I?
…Oh wow… Wait, does that mean—
Could it be that Camilla didn’t just wait the 10 days I was unconscious but four extra days on top of that…? So, two whole weeks, without saying a word?
“……”
An incident involving something as taboo as demon worship… And she stayed silent, just because I’m her brother?
“……Sister!!!”
“Wh-What is it!?”
“I’m so glad you’re my sister, Camilla!!”
“…Q-Quit clinging! You’re not a kid anymore!”
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