The second semester at Alpheas Magic School had begun.
From the morning, the main gate was packed with carriages carrying students.
A spectacle unfolded as young students, accompanied by their parents, threw tantrums about not wanting to go to school.
Meanwhile, teenage boys, embarrassed to be attended by their butlers, walked through the gate with indifferent expressions.
The entrance ceremony was scheduled for 11 a.m., and the students returned to their dormitories to unpack.
Shirone, who had arrived early in the morning, arranged his books on the shelves and organized his clothes and necessities.
Neid: "Shirone!"
His friends burst through the door.
Shirone: "Neid! Iruki!"
Shirone greeted them with a wide smile, running over. Even though they had only been apart for 30 days, it felt like a year.
So much had happened. What expressions would they make if they found out he had been to heaven?
They grabbed each other's hands and shouted in unison.
Shirone, Neid, Iruki: "I've got something incredible to tell you!"
Then they stared at each other blankly.
They didn't know what had happened, but they could tell that today would feel too short.
Neid: "Alright, let's take turns. Shirone, you go first."
Shirone: "Okay. I went to Galliant Island with Amy…"
Suddenly, Neid grabbed Shirone by the collar.
Neid: "What?! You… don't tell me… that…! Damn it! You traitor! I'm so jealous!"
Shirone's face turned bright red.
Shirone: "No! It's not like that. Let me finish."
Neid: "Ahhh! This is unbelievable. Even though I've been single since birth, I thought I'd at least beat Shirone. How…!"
Neid was on the verge of losing his mind.
Even Iruki's pupils were shaking, showing that this was the ultimate dilemma for men.
Only after Shirone firmly denied it could he start his story.
An hour passed in the blink of an eye. But none of them noticed how much time had gone by.
Neid: "Wow. You really… came back from the dead. That was such a dangerous situation."
Iruki: "That's true, but the final war… It's so serious that it doesn't even sound serious."
The impression of heaven was so strong that Neid and Iruki were lost in thought for a long time.
Meanwhile, Shirone, who had unburdened himself, wanted to hear how his friends had been doing.
Shirone: "Now it's your turn. What amazing things happened during your break?"
The two looked at each other, and Iruki spoke first.
Iruki: "I ate ice cream that tasted like crayfish."
Neid: "A spider the size of a fist showed up in my workshop."
Shirone: "Haha! Sounds like you had a fun time."
Just imagining it was hilarious. Ice cream that tasted like crayfish? And a fist-sized spider? It sent shivers down his spine.
Neid: "Damn it!"
Neid shoved Shirone's cheek with his fist.
Shirone: "Ouch! What's wrong with you?"
Neid: "You went off and had an exciting break all by yourself! And with the super pretty Amy, no less!"
Shirone: "I almost died! And what do you mean 'super pretty Amy'? That's so childish! Ouch!"
As Neid kept shoving Shirone's face, Iruki was pounding the ground in regret.
Iruki: "What a waste. I should've pretended to be crazy and not gone back home. I'm curious about that Ataraxia magic or whatever. Can you show me sometime?"
Shirone: "Huh? Ataraxia?"
He could demonstrate it anytime, but the situation wasn't ideal. Not only would it drain his mental energy, but casting it in a crowded place would only complicate things.
Shirone: "I'd like to, but next time. I'll show you when I get the chance."
Iruki: "Oh? Keeping it to yourself, huh? Fine, I'll keep my new magic hidden for a while too."
Shirone's eyes lit up at the mention of new magic. As someone with Servant Syndrome, Iruki's new magic would undoubtedly be on a different level from what ordinary students learned.
Shirone: "What is it? Huh? What kind of magic?"
Iruki: "It's a secret. Let's just say it's a secret weapon that can beat you."
Iruki then turned to Neid and asked:
Iruki: "By the way, how about you? You weren't just lazing around during the break, were you?"
Neid: "Ah, I was crazy busy. I've been studying alchemy lately. I've been reinforcing the magic needed for that field."
Alchemy was a major branch of magic, but it wasn't taught at the magic school. Alchemy was a vast discipline, and the Alchemy Foundation separately trained alchemists.
Iruki was worried. In the end, Neid had focused on areas unrelated to their classes during the break.
Iruki: "Will you be okay? If you want to become a magical engineer, having a mage certification would be more advantageous."
Neid: "Of course, but I also want to study materials. Function starts from form, and form starts from essence. I thought I should at least learn the basics of alchemy."
From the hallway, the dorm supervisor's voice rang out.
Supervisor: "The entrance ceremony is starting. Please gather at the central event hall."
Students from Class One to Class Ten gathered at the training grounds.
Shirone looked for Alpheas on the stage, but for some reason, he wasn't there.
Shirone: "Huh? I don't see the principal."
Neid: "He's on a six-month suspension. Starting today, an interim principal will take over. I don't know who it is, but I hope they don't make us study too hard."
Neid closed his eyes and prayed. Although his dream was to become a magical engineer, he still needed to graduate from the magic school, so harder classes weren't appealing.
When the newly appointed principal appeared on stage, whispers broke out everywhere.
Iruki's face grew serious.
Iruki: "Oh no… Of all people, why did it have to be him?"
Shirone: "Huh? Do you know who he is?"
Iruki: "Jerome Olivia. Former principal of the Royal Magic School. She's probably a second-class grand mage."
Shirone observed Olivia closely. She looked much younger than her age and was strikingly beautiful. Teachers flanked him on either side, all visibly tense.
She's an impressive person. The former principal of the Royal Magic School…'
Olivia waited for the students' murmurs to die down before beginning his speech.
Olivia: "Hello. I'm Jerome Olivia, the newly appointed principal for this semester. Although it's a temporary position, I promise to do my best to educate you during my tenure."
Cheers and applause erupted. The students' expectations were higher than ever, as someone who had led the nation's top educational institution had come to their school.
Olivia: "I've heard much about Alpheas Magic School's reputation, so I don't plan to interfere much with the existing policies. However, modern magical society pursues high efficiency and practicality. Realism. That's the seed I want to plant during my time as principal."
Her words implied that Alpheas Magic School had been teaching lessons detached from real-world applications. While the students might have been offended, since a grand mage was saying it, they had no choice but to accept it.
Iruki: "This is serious. I knew this would happen."
Having attended the Royal Magic School, Iruki had sensed it the moment he saw Olivia.
He had heard that Olivia had retired from the principal's position years ago, so he didn't know what had brought her here.
Similar conversations were happening among the Class Four students.
Student 1: "I had a feeling, but it's true. The magazine's prediction was right. We're going to be worked to death starting tomorrow."
Student 2: "I heard his disciples are coming here too."
Student 3: "I know, I read it too. One of them is Dante, right?"
Shirone listened to their conversation. It seemed many students already knew during the break that Olivia would be taking over as principal.
Shirone: "Iruki, what's this magazine?"
Iruki: "It's an academic journal published by the faculty. Most magic school students are subscribers. It covers trends in graduation exams, the latest magic, and issues happening in schools."
Shirone: "I see. Do you read it, Iruki?"
Iruki: "Are you crazy? Why would I care what other schools are doing? I'm on my own path."
Shirone also asked Neid.
Shirone: "What about you?"
Neid: "I used to borrow friends' copies, but I don't read it anymore. I'm going to be an engineer anyway, so I'm not that interested."
Iruki chimed in.
Iruki: "But if it's Dante, the school will be turned upside down. He's practically the top-ranked student in the kingdom."
Top-ranked in the kingdom. Shirone couldn't even begin to imagine the weight of those words.
What kind of student was he? No, what did it feel like?
To be number one in the entire nation.
On the way back to the dorm after the entrance ceremony, Iruki asked:
Iruki: "Shirone, what are you going to do? It seems unlikely we'll see Principal Alpheas today."
Shirone: "It's the first day of school, so everyone's busy. I'll just go see him tomorrow after morning classes during lunch."
Shirone had a mountain of questions for Alpheas. How much was known about the existence of heaven? What was the story behind the labyrinth of time and space? But today wasn't the right time. With that, Shirone returned to the dorm, looking forward to tomorrow.
Early in the morning, Shirone joined his friends and entered the lecture hall for Class Four's first class, which would go down in history.
Half the seats were already filled. Shirone, who had always been the first to arrive in Class Five, felt a strange sensation.
As much as Shirone was nervous, the Class Four students were also subtly observing Shirone and his group.
Especially Shirone, who had risen from Class Seven to Class Four in half a year—an unprecedented feat—making him the top subject of interest among the students.
In the school's 50-year history, there had been outstanding students, but none like Shirone, who had started from a lower class and climbed so high.
Shirone felt strange seeing his former seniors become his classmates. Meanwhile, Neid and Iruki casually waved and found empty seats.
Chris Boyle: "You've finally arrived. Nice to meet you."
A hand suddenly appeared in front of Shirone. Looking up, he saw a boy with a round chin and a friendly smile.
Chris Boyle, ranked first in Class Four. A student specializing in summoning magic.
True to his reputation as a model student, his appearance was impeccable. His collar was buttoned tightly, and his hair was neatly parted.
Shirone shook Boyle's hand.
Shirone: "Nice to meet you too. I've only just made it here."
Boyle: "Haha! No need to be so humble. This is the final gate of the advanced classes. Now's the time to showcase yourself, not be modest."
Though well-intentioned, Boyle's advice carried a hint of looking down on Shirone. But this was also part of Boyle's way of asserting himself.
Shirone: "Thanks. Let's get along well."
Boyle: "Sure. Though I don't know how long we'll be together."
Shirone: "Huh? What do you mean?"
Boyle: "What do I mean? Obviously, I'm talking about applying for the graduation class."
Students in Class Four could apply for the graduation class at any time. This year, Amy had been the first to start, followed by Seriel. So far, eight students had joined the graduation class, leaving only two spots open.
Boyle: "Usually, applicants pile up around the second semester, but Amy applied unusually early, so there aren't many spots left. First come, first served."
At Boyle's words, the students perked up their ears. From Class Four onward, achievements weren't as important. It was a game of deciding whether to push for the graduation class or solidify your foundation.
Of course, no one rushed to apply for the graduation class out of impatience.
Once you moved to the graduation class, there was no time to refine your basics. Moreover, the shock of failing the graduation exam, which was held annually, was said to be more impactful than expected.
In reality, 60% of those who passed the graduation exam did so on their first attempt, while only 20% passed on their second try across all magic schools.
Based on such data, students carefully considered whether to advance to the graduation class.
Boyle asked:
Boyle: "What about you? You're planning to prove your worth in Class Four and take one of the remaining two spots, right?"
Last night, Shirone had discussed this issue with his friends. They concluded it was premature.
Although he had scored above 80 in all subjects in Class Five, it was merely a stopgap measure to pass the exams.
There was also the option of directly taking the graduation exam upon entering the graduation class, so even if he spent half a semester solidifying his foundation, it wouldn't be a loss.
Shirone: "No. I'll stay in Class Four for this semester."
This was unexpected for Boyle. He had assumed Shirone, who had risen to Class Four in record time, would aim to break records by advancing further.
Is it a deception tactic? That didn't seem like his personality. In any case, it wasn't a bad thing if one strong competitor gave up.
Boyle said, "Well, then there's nothing we can do. Let's do our best, anyway. Iruki, Neid, I'm counting on you too."
Iruki replied, "Yeah, well… I don't know how hard we'll try."
Iruki spoke in a tone that suggested he was annoyed. The students instinctively felt that none of the three would advance to the graduation class.
They hadn't made that decision without reason, so it became an opportunity for them to reconsider their own thoughts.
It was no coincidence that the first person to greet Shirone's group was Boyle, the top-ranked student in Class Four.
This was also part of Class Four's power game.
As such, Azelio Pandora, who was ranked second, was in a bad mood.
When there was a top student like Amy, all other students were merely second-tier, so there was no need to worry. But now, the point difference between Boyle and Pandora, who were first and second, was only one point.
As Boyle's conversation was winding down, Pandora quietly approached Shirone and raised her hand.
Pandora said, "Hi?"
Neid let out a groan. Just the fact that he, who was friends with everyone, was disgusted was enough to tell you about her personality.
She was a well-known eccentric in the advanced class. A girl who thought she was the most amazing person in the world.
Shirone knew that too. But seeing her live so self-centeredly without any friends made her seem lonely.
Shirone replied, "Hi, Pandora. We're in the same class now. It feels a bit strange."
Pandora giggled, "Hehe, how does it feel to be in class with a beauty like me?"
Pandora leaned forward and flirted. Even Shirone couldn't help but feel embarrassed in this situation.
It wasn't that her appearance was unpleasant, but her heavy makeup was overwhelming. Just the smell of the powder made his heart feel strange. It must have been related to Pandora's specialty in fragrance magic.
Pandora teased, "Oh my, look at your red face. No need to be shy. Let's get along well from now on."
Perhaps determined to get closer, Pandora's blouse had two fewer buttons fastened than usual. In that state, when she leaned forward, Shirone couldn't decide whether to close his eyes or keep them open. Either choice seemed rude.
Neid interjected, "Hey, hey, what's this? Shirone already has someone."
Neid covered Shirone's eyes. And for his friend who couldn't see, he peeked inside Pandora's blouse instead.
Pandora was too annoyed to care about the boys' stares.
Shirone's "someone" was none other than Karmis Amy.
When she was in the advanced class, no student dared to boast.