Chapter 31

Chapter 31

The two professors were at it again. Sienna and Thad’s heated exchange caused the others to furrow their brows, though none of them intervened.

In the realm of magic, skill was paramount. Despite their relative youth, Sienna and Thad held undeniably high ranks. In their mid-twenties, both of them had become certified level-six mages, making them esteemed assets to the school alongside Etala.

Headmaster Alpheas, observing the dispute, couldn’t help but smile. Passion fuels these debates.

Their passions were simply directed differently. Thad’s were toward the institution’s legacy, and Sienna’s were toward the students’ growth.

Alpheas found merit in both. He sympathized with Sienna’s stance as a professor and acknowledged Thad’s perspective as an alumnus.

“That’s enough. Take your seats,” Alpheas said.

Both professors ceased their argument. Perhaps the only common ground they shared was their profound respect for him.

“Both arguments have their points. Sienna’s is logically sound, but as professors, we must also consider the students’ sentiments to prevent bias.”

“That was my point, Headmaster,” Thad agreed, a smile breaking through.

Sienna maintained a neutral expression.

However, Alpheas wasn’t finished yet. He seemed like he was pondering something until a mischievous yet courteous smile crept onto his face. He finally looked up at them and said, “I have an idea.”

A new notice appeared on the advanced class bulletin board, sparking excitement and curiosity among the students. Those who had already read it were astonished.

“What is this?” they murmured in disbelief.

The announcement outlined a unique opportunity for advancement open to all students of Class Seven. The notice detailed the following points:

—1. In light of the widespread dissatisfaction with Sirone Arian’s early advancement, all Class Seven students will now be given the chance to compete for early advancement.

—2. The advancement test will select one candidate who, upon success, will move directly to Class Five.

—3. To address students’ concerns, the evaluation will focus solely on magical ability, setting aside the usual emphasis on the Spirit Zone.

—4. The assessment criteria will be teleportation.

“T-teleportation? I haven’t learned that yet. Have you?”

“Of course not. It’s a spell that’s taught in Class Five.”

“I tried it once two years back, but it was too scary. I couldn’t dare try again.”

“Well, the spell itself isn’t hard if you follow the formula closely. It’s the practical application that’s tricky.”

The students’ chatter abruptly ceased as they cleared a path in front of the bulletin board.

Approaching from behind was Sirone. Calmly, he read the notice under the watchful eyes of his peers. The decision made during the faculty meeting seemed to pave the way for a real test of one’s abilities.

Teleportation. The word echoed in Sirone’s mind, a stark reminder of the formidable challenge ahead.

***

The so-called “Class Seven bullying incident” had become a hot topic among upper-class students, particularly because Sirone was the victim. The rumors were rampant.

“Can you believe it? When did all this happen? Were you aware, Amy?”

It was only after her last class that Amy finally stopped at the bulletin board and read the announcement. Her face was expressionless. As Seryel relayed the specific details about the rumors she had heard, Amy’s fists trembled. He was bullied? Because of me?

Seryel explained that Sirone’s classmates wouldn’t even look him in the eye, and some people who had greeted Amy warmly during integrated classes would turn around to openly mock him afterward.

So that’s why he’s been avoiding me...

Seryel asked, “What’s your take on this? I mean, there are a lot of young kids in Class Seven. Even I went through something similar, but it wasn’t a big deal since I advanced through classes quickly.”

“But being young isn’t an excuse. By that logic, aren’t we also young?” Amy countered.

“Age is one thing, but we should also consider their class. A lower-grade class like Class Seven is likely to be less mature.”

Amy didn’t feel like nitpicking over these details. Her thoughts were too jumbled to focus on anything else. That idiot! Why didn’t he tell me? If Sirone had been open with her, they could have worked out a solution together. He’s too kind for his own good. He should have at least acted a bit more confident, using the excuse of dating me.

The juniors who tormented Sirone were nothing but underclassmen who wouldn’t dare meet Amy’s gaze.

“I’m going to talk to Sirone.”

“That’s fine, but what’s your plan?”

“I’ll give him a piece of my mind. Then I’ll round up all the kids in Class Seven. We’re officially together, so I have the right to step in, don’t I?”

“What? Are you crazy? You can’t!”

“Why not? Should I just stand by and let this happen, especially when everything happened because of me?”

“Ugh, you really don’t understand men at all. Why do you think Sirone hasn’t said anything? Because it hurts his pride! If you confront his classmates for him, it’ll only make things worse,” Seryel explained. “Men like to seek approval. They live and die by their pride. Admitting he was bullied by the girl he likes? That’s the last thing he’d want.”

Her logic made sense, but it assumed there was real romance between them. We’re not really dating, though. However, Amy struggled to interpret the fact that he hadn’t said anything.

Seryel went on, “But look on the bright side. If he aces the advancement test, he’ll move up to Class Five. Choosing teleportation for the test was smart. It’s new to everyone in Class Seven. It won’t put Sirone at a disadvantage.”

Amy’s thoughts were different. There would undoubtedly be a noticeable disparity in skill between students who struggled with specific magic and Sirone, who couldn’t use magic whatsoever.

To make matters more challenging, the test was about teleportation. The first encounter with teleportation commonly instilled fear in the students. It was entirely different from flight magic—teleportation was instantaneous. The inherent risks of colliding with an obstacle due to its short-range nature made it a potentially life-threatening endeavor.

“I can’t help but think that it’s too dangerous for a test. What were the professors thinking?” Amy pondered.

“They’ll likely adjust the level of difficulty. Maybe it’s meant to gauge the determination of the class. It seems like more than half of Class Seven plans to take the test.”

“Really? Even though they haven’t learned it?”

“Yeah. If they succeed, they’ll jump straight to Class Five skipping two entire levels. Plus, since it’s teleportation, the playing field is even. No one should have grounds for complaint.”

Having already experienced the teleportation test, Amy thought about the process. Students likely to attempt the test would seek assistance from upperclassmen or hire tutors for intensive study. Sirone won’t be able to manage on his own. Without access to a tutor and facing social isolation, Sirone had little hope of receiving any guidance. What if he actually ends up failing? She recognized Sirone’s talent more than anyone else, but success in the test wasn’t guaranteed in such a short timeframe.

“Here’s an idea! Why don’t you help Sirone? You all can use this as a chance to make up too.”

“Oh, please. Do you think he’d want my help after keeping silent about everything? I’ll just continue pretending not to know anything about this.”

“Ugh, you guys are really exasperating. If you like each other, that’s all that matters. Why complicate things?”

“Mind your own business. This is how we ‘date.’ And I don’t have any extra time to spare either. The graduating class exams are coming up.”

“Oh, right! I forgot about that. Sorry.”

For students, advancement was paramount. Even someone like Amy couldn’t afford to divert her attention from the looming challenge of the graduating class exams.

“Sirone will figure it out on his own. If he can’t manage that, he shouldn’t even think about claiming he’s dating me.”

Amy, with her back turned, consoled herself silently. Even if it’s just pretend dating...

***

At midnight, a masked figure stealthily entered the boy’s dormitory courtyard. The intruder, as nimble as a cat, made no sound as they approached. Even the grass remained silent.

The figure was annoyed to see a light still on the seventh floor. I’m not doing this because I care. I’m only doing this because it’s partly my fault! Amy clenched her teeth. She attempted to brush it off, but her worries about Sirone prevented her from concentrating on her studies.

“Just you wait. I’ll make you beg for forgiveness.”

With adept utilization of her Schema, Amy ascended the tall wall and positioned herself in front of the window on the seventh floor. She knew sneaking into the boy’s dormitory at night could tarnish her reputation at school, but she was confident she wouldn’t be caught. It was a really good call to learn Schema.

Upon reaching Sirone’s window, she slipped inside without a hitch. As soon as she landed, the plan was set in motion. The goal was simple: subdue Sirone, pin him to the bed, and cover his mouth to silence any screams.

“Huh...?”

But her plan halted abruptly. Standing there, frozen, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Beside a bewildered-looking Sirone stood Professor Sienna.

“Professor?” Amy gasped, startled.

“Is that you, Amy...?”

Sienna scanned her once more, from her eyes to her facial features and her reddish hair, and there was no doubt that it was Amy.

Though aware of their supposed relationship, Sienna had assumed both were too focused on their studies to engage in such clandestine meetings.

“Have you two been meeting like this the whole time? Ignoring each other by day but secretly together at night?”

Amy rushed to explain, “N-no, Professor! You’ve got it all wrong!”

Sienna gestured for silence, mindful of the potential eavesdroppers next door. “Shh! The others might hear us.”

She found herself in the boy’s dormitory, of all places, so Amy covered her mouth and remained cautious of Sirone’s neighbors. If anyone were to hear a female voice in Sirone’s room, she would undoubtedly become the prime suspect.

Amy took off her mask and asked, “Wait a moment. Why are you here, Professor? Especially at this hour?”

Ironically, the person who seemed most out of place in this scenario was none other than Sienna herself. It was unusual for her to visit a student’s room after midnight when she could easily summon him to her office during the day.

“I asked you, why are you in Sirone’s room?”

Sienna, momentarily thrown by Amy’s understandable confusion, quickly regained her composure. “I’m here to discuss the advancement exam. With the current tension in class, I wanted to speak with him privately.”

Amy had nothing more to add upon hearing this explanation.

“Um, Miss Amy,” Sirone interjected softly, offering her a cup of tea he had prepared. “Please, have some tea first...”

“Hmm...” Amy took the cup, her senses briefly calmed by the aroma. Sirone had managed the basic courtesies of hosting a guest quite well, but she snapped out of her brief moment of calm and remembered why she was there. “What am I thinking? This is all your fault!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

Amy’s frustration grew. Does his inherent kindness make him an easy target for the younger students?

“Let’s all sit down. We need to finish what we were discussing.”

Sitting side by side on the bed, Sirone and Amy listened as Sienna adjusted her glasses and began to explain.

“As you’re aware, the criterion for the upcoming test is teleportation. This decision came directly from the headmaster.”

“What? From Headmaster Mirhy?” Amy felt like the pieces of the puzzle had finally fallen into place. It was Alpheas’ mischief at play once more.

“That’s right. I’m not entirely sure of his intentions in choosing teleportation. Especially since it’s too dangerous to teach to lower-level classes.”

Pondering the potential location for such a test, Amy ventured a guess. “Isn’t it likely to be conducted at the Pathless Bridge?”

“I can’t say for certain, but there’s no other location that comes to mind for such an assessment.”