Chapter 26
"I heard you used a modified spell at the training grounds?"
"At least a thousand. If it's higher, maybe even enough to surpass Sieghart?"
"Madness! Do you think breaking a thousand is that easy?"
"But rumors say it had enough power to destroy the training ground walls. Doesn't that mean he's reached at least the 3rd Circle?"
"If shockwaves came from a Firebolt..."
Even as Ian placed his hand on the orb, the Magic Department freshmen continued exchanging whispers about his capabilities.
Not all opinions were favorable.
Many watched Ian with sideways glances.
"They say even a worm will squirm when stepped on. Doesn't that fit perfectly here?"
A haughty female student spoke up, displeased by the excessive attention focused on Ian. She harbored a dangerous conviction - that all admiration should rightfully be hers.
This immature thinker was Ophelia, daughter of Marquis Drias.
"My lady, calling him a worm seems excessive."
The aristocratic-looking boy beside her offered a languid smile. His gaze toward Ian held no particular warmth either.
"Let's observe calmly. You'll wrinkle that lovely forehead."
"Since when do you care about such things, brother?"
"How cruel. Mother adores you, you know. As do I."
"Ugh! Disgusting! Get lost!"
Ophelia harshly slapped away his hand from her shoulder. The boy was Sebastian, eldest son of the renowned Kent Marquis household and second only to top scorer Sieghart in entrance exams. Ophelia herself held third place.
The saying "birds of a feather" proved true - Sieghart, Sebastian, and Ophelia had been clandestine rivals who now reunited at the Academy.
Recent rumors swirled about an insignificant baron's heir performing extraordinary magic. Too many witnesses prevented dismissing it as mere gossip.
"That nobody couldn't possibly surpass my score, could he?"
Ophelia anxiously bit her nails as Sebastian smirked.
"Theoretical mage families belong in libraries. Why fret over baseless worries?"
"He should've been crushed by Helios back then."
Sebastian attempted to soothe her, but Ophelia's eyes blazed with hostility.
"Studying with some lowborn brat makes my skin crawl. They call him a recluse - mentally deficient? If he can't socialize, he should rot under house arrest instead of tainting our waters!"
Sebastian chuckled. "He must be remarkable to spark such jealousy in our Ophelia."
"Who's jeal--"
"Hush. It begins."
Ian closed his eyes and released his mana.
Huummm!
The orb flickered blue as mana began filling it.
'This chance to confirm my exact capacity will be useful. Let's do this properly.'
The device Professor Frost had used previously couldn't measure precise values. This machine's precision to single-digit mana would provide clear answers.
Ian cleared his mind, opening all energy channels to let his heart's magic circle surge forth.
The result came unexpectedly fast.
Ian's mana, which had been filling the orb, began dispersing rapidly.
Students instantly grasped the implication.
"What's happening?"
"Could it be over already?"
The murmuring ceased as the mana measuring device signaled completion. All eyes turned to the screen.
Shock rippled through the crowd.
"Impossible!"
"Is the machine broken?"
"Nobody's ever scored below 100 before!"
Ian's mana level read 77 - the lowest recorded score among Magic Department freshmen.
"Pfft! 77?" Ophelia erupted in derisive laughter. "Is this some childish prank? How did this inferior creature even get admitted? Disgraceful! Send this trash to Natural Sciences!"
Sebastian relaxed visibly. "At least you kept third place. The Marquis will be pleased."
"What nonsense! I need to surpass you to please him! Must you always compete? This was my chance to impress Father!"
"Opportunities abound, my lady~"
Ophelia recoiled from his butter-smooth smile. "Let's leave! I feel contaminated just being near this filth."
While chaos gripped the freshmen, Ian remained composed. He bowed politely to the overseeing professor.
"Thank you for your efforts."
"Ah, yes. Ian Oracle. Don't dwell too much on the low score. Diligent training will yield results."
"Your advice is appreciated."
Ian turned with dignity that suggested he'd achieved top marks to casual observers. He approached his waiting roommates.
"Believe me now? I'm truly 1st Circle."
Miles hesitated, torn between the irrefutable measurement and memories of Ian's formidable magic.
"Then... what was that power I witnessed?"
"Try taking a hit sometime. You'll learn whether it's substance or spectacle."
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Ian chuckled and turned his head, catching sight of Sebastian and Ophelia exiting the hall. Other students wore puzzled expressions, but none displayed their usual contempt for low scorers.
'Success, for now.'
He felt grateful to Professor Frost. Without his advice, Ian might have left this hall disgraced.
"Let's head out. We should eat and prepare for afternoon classes."
"Where shall we dine?"
"The salon? It's been ages since we had proper tea."
"Oh! Splendid! You're treating, right Ian?"
"The highest mana scorer should pay. That's you, Miles."
"Highest? Four students outrank me!"
"Within Dorm 307's standards."
"Better to be a dragon's tail... Ugh, fine! Let's just go! You're unbearable!"
Though Miles suspected he'd been shouldering others' burdens lately, he dismissed it as imagination.
The trio departed, unaware of noble eyes observing their exit.
"Disappointing. I anxiously awaited his enrollment only for this?"
More than students awaited Ian's results.
Professors on the platform showed keen interest, particularly Dean Jessica - one of the few mages who'd anticipated Ian's enrollment.
"Explain this, Professor Frost."
The sudden demand made colleagues flinch. Frost calmly polished his glasses with a soft cloth.
"Raw power doesn't define a mage. Study and discipline bring true achievement."
"I heard he co-developed a new Lightning spell formula with Miss Ysera. They submitted a paper, yet he scores 77? You know what revolutionizing basic spells means!"
It amounted to rebellion against established magical theory. The paper's approval could cause significant upheaval.
"The paper remains under review. You speak as if it's passed. Have you read it?"
"Miss Ysera doesn't deal in falsehoods."
"Shall we retest if you doubt the results?"
"The device functions perfectly."
Frost smiled enigmatically as he replaced his glasses. Jessica had always loathed that calm demeanor.
"Efficient formulas enable powerful magic with minimal mana. You of all people should understand."
"Efficiency! I'm sick of that word! Must theoretical mages all lack flexibility?"
"Prejudice."
Frost descended the platform unimpeded. Colleagues exchanged glances - though similar in age, Frost stood far below Jessica's rank yet remained unflinching.
"We shouldn't submit approvals to the Dean temporarily."
"Frost's always had spine. To confront the fiery Dean like that..."
"Old history, perhaps."
Indeed, the two had been Royal Academy contemporaries - Jessica gaining fame in the world while Frost immersed himself in the Grand Library's archives. Their reunion at the Academy found them in vastly different positions: Frost a new professor without lands, Jessica a landed Countess and Dean.
Yet Frost remained unyielding, making him Jessica's most troublesome subordinate.
"Where are you going?"
"The event concluded. I have afternoon lectures to prepare."
Frost walked away without ceremony. Jessica followed, scowling.
"Those awaiting Ian's enrollment will be disappointed. Ourselves included."
"Exclude me from that. I'm perfectly satisfied."
"Satisfied how?"
"He's quiet yet commands presence when needed. Reminds me of young Lord Lefebvre."
"Explain that presence properly! Isn't elucidating concepts your theorists' specialty?"
"My, look at the time. Shall we dine? Lunch hour approaches."
Jessica sighed. "Of course. Nothing's free. I'll pay, Your Excellency Professor Frost."
"Most delightful words I've heard all week."
The two left the hall together.
