Chapter 54


    Lichten Academy boasted a vast campus, matching its renowned reputation.


    Thanks to this, several sizable buildings existed on the grounds, with one of them being the Grade Assessment Hall of the Academy.


    The Grade Assessment Hall rivaled the size of a ser field, and the surrounding stands resembled a stadium. Of course, with students from all grades gathering there, the spacious area felt quite cramped.


    If it was going to be like this, wouldnt it have been better to divide into groups by day?


    Ian sighed lightly.


    Of course, he knew that hisint held little significance. External figures sat in the stands, and if their time was valued in gold, it would have been priceless.


    Nevertheless, simultaneously assessing the grades of an entire year was undoubtedly an ignorant approach.


    The only constion was that the first assessment that day was the Mana Measurement Test.


    Ian thought to himself that the process would have been quick with the use of magic engineering equipment.


    As he walked, grumbling to himself, someone called out.


    Ian! Over here!


    Turning around, Ian spotted Danya, with her perky ears sticking out.


    Here!


    Danya was bouncing in ce, as if worried Ian wouldnt notice her small stature.


    Surrounded by familiar faces, it seemed that they were in the gathering ce for the Mezai ss.


    Youre early.


    Ian approached Danya and greeted her.


    Hmph!


    Danya immediately bumped fists with him and let out a small snort.


    The energetic cat-like mode had reced her previous yful jumping.


    However, it didnt seem like she waspletely angry.


    Rather than keeping her distance, she came closer.


    It was as if she wanted him to notice her.


    Whats going on?


    Slightly puffed cheeks hinted at some dissatisfaction


    Did she get upset because I left her alone in the dormst time?


    Ian recalled a recent incident.


    He had called Danya to the dorm, but soon after, he left her behind with his mobility idea.


    Certainly, calling someone else for help and leaving as the host first was a bit against etiquette.


    I apologize for leaving you alonest time.


    An apology flowed directly from Ians mouth.


    However, Danya, unexpectedly, was taken aback.


    Her intention wasnt for Ian to apologize.


    Instead, Danya was pleased that Ian had invited her to his ce.


    No, its not like that! I was actually grateful back then!


    Well you also gave me the elixir, so I was really thankful. It was delicious.


    Danya, seeming embarrassed to express her gratitude, lowered her head and mumbled.


    Dont worry about it.


    But, lets talk about gratitude a bitter


    Danyas eyes widened as she said that.


    She asked.


    Were colleagues, right?


    Uh-huh.


    Well, but! You, you, you


    Saying so, Danya opened her eyes wide. She had a slightly pouting expression, genuinely cute, though the reason for her dissatisfaction was unclear.


    After lingering for a while, she asked.


    Other than me, has anyone else been in your room nyah?


    What?


    Other girls, or people, have they been there?


    What a question.


    Perhaps there was a feline territorial instinct at y due to her being a cat-like supernatural being.


    Well, such racial differences needed to be handled calmly in aradeship.


    Has anyone else been in your room?


    Before the possession, there probably hadnt been anyone, and even after the possession, there was no reason for anyone else to be there until Danya needed help.


    I dont think so.


    Really?


    There doesnt seem to be a reason for someone else to enter, other than you.


    Danyas expression immediately cleared at his words.


    Hehe, really? What about Silvia?


    No, but why Silvia?


    Oh, its nothing, nyah.


    Now she was chuckling, perhaps finding joy in expanding her territory?


    Surely, understanding these racial differences will be necessary in the future.


    While Ian misunderstood Danyas jealousy as a feline characteristic, a small cheer came from the Knight Department.


    Kyaahhh!


    Miss Sharon, youre amazing!


    The first stage of the Grade Assessment, the Mana Measurement, had begun.


    As Sharon approached the measurement device, the surroundings buzzed with excitement.


    With each step, she approached the measurement device.


    Sharon stood in front of the measuring machine.


    A moment when the attention of numerous students was focused.


    The noisy surroundings suddenly became quiet.


    A silence where not even the sound of breathing could be heard.


    ce your hand in front of the machine.


    The mechanical sound of the device echoed dryly.


    Sharons eyes were as cold as the machine. H


    er hand touched the device, colder than the machine itself.


    F Grade test passed.


    D Grade test passed.


    C Grade test passed.


    In less than a second, she breezed through the lower-grade tests.


    This meant that her mana far exceeded the lower grades.


    Wow


    Surrounding astonishment filled the air.


    B Grade test passed.


    A Grade test passed.


    The initial light admiration gradually gave way to the increasing weight of her grade.


    Passing through to Grade A so quickly.


    At that level, shes overwhelming evenpared to Aether students.


    She steadily climbed up to S Grade.


    Indeed, thedies of the Pierce family are different.


    From the beginning, theres a significant difference in lineagepared to ordinary students. Now it seems like shes perfectly bringing out that talent.


    There must have been some issues during the entrance exam.


    The first appearance of an S Grade, excluding Aether students, drew everyones attention, as expected.


    However, Sharon wasnt the only one who attracted such attention.


    Student Ian ckangers, pleasee forward.


    Although the focus was slightly different on this side.


    What? Didnt Ian quit the Academy?


    He hasnt been confessingtely; I thought he couldnte out since the incident.


    There are rumors that he has changed.


    Certainly, there were quite a few humiliations to swallow.


    However, Ian didnt care.


    He had confidence in his abilities.


    F Grade test passed.


    D Grade test


    The next announcement was slightly dyed.


    Gulp.


    Silence filled the measurement hall.


    However, it was a different kind of quietpared to Sharons time.


    It was more anticipation than tension.


    D Grade test failed.


    What did it just say?


    Hehehehe!


    Kahaha!


    And at the moment when Ians grade was revealed,ughter erupted in the measurement hall.


    Meanwhile, in the spectator seats where outsiders were located.


    The ce was set up for people to watch the students grade assessments.


    However, even within the same spectator seats, there was a ce where peoples attention gathered.


    Given the clear difference in social status among them, it was natural for the gazes to be drawn to figures not easily encountered even in normal circumstances, despite the purpose being student observation.


    Among them, thebination of a fluorescent-haired and an orange-haired girl clearly received the most attention.


    The woman with short fluorescent hair, small stature like a child, was Ray from the Magic Tower Lichten branch.


    The woman with a mix of pink and orange long hair, mature and sensual enough to resemble Lucias guardian, was Elisha from the Magic Guild Event Horizon.


    (TL: No idea what Lucias guardian is supposed to be, either a character that I havent seen yet, the Vtuber or some girl with raid hair from some manhwa.)


    The reputation of Magic Tower and the Event Horizon guild was top-notch, among the best on the continent. Moreover, they were organizations that only epted the elite of the elite, which made them hard to approach despite their reputation.


    Therefore, it was natural for numerous eyes to focus on them.


    However, seemingly ustomed to the surrounding nces, they were only observing the students.


    Although many students were being measured simultaneously in the assessment room, the eyes of the two were drawn to a magic academy student with ck hair.


    Student Ian from the Magic Departments Mezai ss. Magic power measurement result: Grade D!


    Wahahaha!


    Did you see that guy with the ck hair?


    Yes, Unni. His magic power is so pathetic.


    The fluorescent-haired girl answered dryly.


    Elisha shot her a nce.


    Ray?


    Why, whyyy are you looking at me like that? Its embarrassing.


    Rays eyes, which were clearly suspicious, rolled about.


    Plop.


    Veins popped on Elishas fine forehead.


    She immediately grabbed Rays cheeks with both hands.


    Hey.


    Nyeeeeee.


    Softly, gooey.


    Elishas long fingers unmercifully kneaded Rays cheeks like kneading dough.


    Did you see or not?


    W-ha.


    Did you see or not?


    I-I-I d-di-did!


    Only when she admitted seeing did Elisha release Rays cheeks.


    Ray, we agreed to exchange opinions and get along this time. Lets not make ourselves look ugly.


    B-But.


    But?


    The Magic Tower needs talent! I dont want to do weird overtime anymore!


    Crying with teardrops, Ray shouted. The Magic Towers traditional recruitment methods were undoubtedly challengingpared to magic guilds like Event Horizon.


    Oh, the poor thing.


    Sighing, Elisha pointed to Ian, who was returning to his seat, receiving the mockery of students in the distance.


    Still, I think that child would be of interest to even the Magic Tower lord. The purity of that childs mana is also unusual.


    Indeed, Unni. Did you see it too?


    Moreover, its difficult to contain earth elemental magic in a circle. Given that purity and quantity, theres definitely something about that kid.


    Right. We cant just overlook him.


    A thin tension eased between the two, who hadnt agreed on opinions in a while.


    We need to observe him closely.


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