Chapter 252: A New Encounter?

“Before you temporarily enroll, I’ll have you take an examination.”

We thought our temporary enrollment at the Magic Academy was finalized, but Principal Zenzar put a stop to it.

“An exam? Even though you’re the one who told me to enroll?”

Mina-san’s gaze sharpened, asking what he meant.

“Ah, even so, this isn’t an examination for enrollment. It’s a test to decide which class you’ll be placed in.”

“…Ah, I see. So that’s how it is.”

Mina-san was satisfied with Principal Zenzar’s words.

Yeah, I understand it too, having heard similar things in my past life.

“Hey old man, what do you mean by ‘deciding which class’?”

However, Jairo-kun and the others didn’t seem to understand and tilted their heads in confusion.

“Various students attend this academy to learn magic. However, we cannot have all students take the same classes in the same classroom.”

“Why not? Wouldn’t it be quicker to teach everyone all at once? In my village, everyone gathered at the church and learned from the grandpa priest.”

Heeh, so that’s how Jairo-kun and the others studied.

“Yes, and if everyone could learn at the exact same pace, that would be fine, but things don’t work out like that.”

“Ah, I see what you mean.”

“That makes sense.”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

At Principal Zenzar’s words, Liliera-san and the others voiced their agreement.

“??”

But Jairo-kun still didn’t seem to get it, keeping his head tilted.

Should I offer a helping hand?

“Jairo-kun, if someone who has never held a sword and someone who practices swinging a sword every day both become disciples of a sword master on the same day, who do you think will get stronger faster?”

“Well, obviously the guy who practices every day. The one who’s been practicing from the start can keep up with the rigorous training, after all.”

“Yeah. I think this exam is just like that. Someone who has learned the basics of magic beforehand and someone studying magic for the very first time will learn at completely different speeds. In the same way, the Principal wants to confirm how much magic each of us understands. Once he knows our true strength, he intends to introduce us to teachers suited to our respective skill levels.”

“Ah, so that’s what it is! I get it now, Bro!!”

Having understood my explanation, Jairo-kun gave a thumbs up, telling me to leave it to him.

“In other words, it’s a test to sort out people like you.”

“What was that!? Are you calling me an idiot!?”

“Oh, are you not? Then how about we study some more magic theory?”

“…Being an idiot is fine.”

Just as I thought a fight was about to break out, the victory easily went to Mina-san.

Or rather, do you really hate studying magic that much, Jairo-kun…

“Good grief, even without doing such a thing, my Mina is guaranteed to be in Class A.”

While everyone else was satisfied, Nagibelt-san raised a dissatisfied voice.

“It doesn’t work like that. Considering she is your granddaughter, the fact that she formally took the exam will serve to protect her.”

Taking the exam will serve to protect her?

What on earth does that mean?

“Well then, since that’s settled, shall we head to the examination venue right away? Even though it’s called an exam, we’re just checking your magic skills, so it will be over quickly.”

Saying that, Principal Zenzar stood up and announced he would guide us to the examination venue.

“Umm, will the exam really be over that easily?”

Following behind Principal Zenzar as he led the way, I threw out a question.

“Yes, you just have to hit a target prepared by the academy with your best magic. We’ll look at the precision of that magic and sort the students into classes.”

Eh? That’s it?

“Only Attack Magic? How do you judge people who specialize in Recovery Magic, Defensive Magic, or magic used for research? Also, isn’t there a written exam to measure their magical knowledge?”

“No, Recovery Magic is the specialty of the church, so they don’t come to our academy. Besides, what’s important for the academy is mages capable of combat. Defensive Magic isn’t heavily emphasized.”

“Defensive Magic isn’t heavily emphasized, you say?”

That’s a rather heavily biased educational policy.

A normal magical educational institution should make it so you can use both offense and defense in a balanced manner.

The students of the Magic Academy I temporarily fought alongside in my past life were raised with a well-rounded balance, without specializing in any single ability.

To also check a student’s aptitude, the academy first has them study every type of magic.

Then, once their strengths and weaknesses are confirmed, they consult with the student to decide on a policy: whether to extend their strengths or cover their weaknesses.

However, to advance to the next grade and graduate, one must clear a minimum standard even for magic they are bad at.

Because of that educational policy, graduated students possess a certain level of skill in any kind of magic.

And then, those students who wish to further develop their own talents move on to specialized magic schools that teach magical techniques suited to their aptitudes.

But it seems this academy doesn’t provide such balanced education; rather, its policy is to raise specialized students right from the start.

Did the world’s educational policies change while I was dead?

“Ah, I get it.”

I figured it out. The ‘exam’ Principal Zenzar mentioned is the very embodiment of this era’s educational policy.

In other words, this academy focuses solely on teaching Attack Magic from a young age, and students who want to learn something other than Attack Magic should go to an academy that specializes in teaching that magic.

Most likely, the academies in the current era are all specialized schools that only provide highly focused education.

Just like how this academy specializes in Attack Magic, other academies probably specialize exclusively in teaching specific attributes of magic.

“Discarding weak subjects from the very beginning and thoroughly studying only the techniques with high aptitude, huh. We’ve entered an era with a very clean-cut style.”

The examination venue we were guided to by Principal Zenzar was packed with a massive crowd of people.

“Uwaa, that’s a lot of people.”

“What is the meaning of this? Aren’t we here to take an exam? Why is there such a massive crowd gathered?”

Yeah, I was surprised too.

We just came to take an exam, so why are there so many people here?

Ah, could it be that it’s customary at this academy to take exams in front of a large crowd?

To ensure they can use magic calmly no matter the situation.

“What is this? What is the meaning of this!? Why are the students gathered at the examination venue!?”

Just as I thought that, Principal Zenzar, who brought us here, also raised his voice in surprise at the sight.

Huh? Didn’t Principal Zenzar gather these people?

“Principal, what is the meaning of this? We are supposed to take the exam here, correct?”

Even though we were supposed to be here for an exam, for some reason, the venue was packed with people.

Bewildered by this, Mina-san pressed Principal Zenzar, demanding to know what was going on.

“N-No, even I don’t know what’s going on…”

However, it seemed Principal Zenzar was just as clueless about the situation, and was only left stammering.

“Well now, it’s been a while, Mina-kun.”

” ” ” ” ” ” ” !? ” ” ” ” ” ” “

It was then. The voice of a young man echoed throughout the crowded examination venue.

Ah, he’s using Wind Magic to carry his voice clearly.

Then, a single man emerged from the crowd.

Well, age-wise, he looked to be about the same as us.

Wearing well-tailored clothes, he gave off the impression of a young man who, despite having reached adulthood, still hadn’t completely lost his boyishness.

His eyes were directed not at us… but at Mina-san.

“You are…”

“Fufu, I heard there was an unusual, out-of-season entrance exam and came to see, but to think it was you.”

It seems he is an acquaintance of Mina-san, speaking to her in a familiar tone.

“Even so, I never expected you to come to the academy at this late stage. I was entirely convinced you ran away from the exam because you were too scared of losing to me.”

Mina-san ran away? What on earth does that mean?

It’s a bit different from my image of the highly competitive Mina-san I know, though…

“…”

“Hey Mina, is he someone you know?”

Jairo-kun, who was standing nearby, spoke to Mina-san, but she seemed lost in thought and didn’t answer his question. Or rather, did she not notice?

“What on earth have you been doing until now? Ah, I see. You are the granddaughter of the Former Principal. I suppose you shut yourself up in your mansion and were taught by an excellent magic teacher? And having finally obtained enough skill to pass the exam, you came here triumphantly to take it? Oh my, at this time of year, when it’s already been over a year since we enrolled!?”

At his words, giggles could be heard from the students surrounding us.

“Well, she should be about the same age as us, yet she’s enrolling now.”

“My, my, with such a lack of talent, I wonder if she can even keep up with the academy’s classes?”

“Don’t be so harsh. If she came to take the exam, it means she possesses at least the minimum required magic power, right?”

“But if she ends up being placed in the lowest-ranked class because of it, I’d feel bad for them, you know?”

It seems we aren’t exactly welcome, as prickly words were hurled at us.

Hmm, but I’ve heard lines exactly like these quite often in my past life and the one before that.

It’s the usual routine of keeping the newcomers who stepped into their territory in check.

At times like these, the best thing to do is ignore their provocations and quickly show them your true strength.

After all, they are purposely provoking us precisely to tell us to show our strength.

And once we show our strength, they’ll welcome us as if nothing happened.

Saying things like, You’re not half bad, huh.

But I guess this kind of ‘baptism’ for newcomers never changes, no matter the era.

“What the hell is with these guys, they’ve got a terrible vibe.”

However, failing to realize their intentions, Jairo-kun showed irritation at their behavior.

It can’t be helped; even if it’s an act, his comrades were insulted.

However, Mina-san, the very person being insulted, remained silent.

“What’s the matter, Mina-san? You’ve been quiet for a while now. I highly doubt it, but is it awkward reuniting with me?”

“…Hey.”

And there, Mina-san spoke for the first time.

“Oh, you finally replied. Now then, where on earth have you been and what have you been—”

With a smirking smile plastered on his face, he spoke to Mina-san.

However, the words Mina-san uttered caused that smile to freeze over.

“Who were you again?”

“…………Hah?”

” ” ” ” ” ” Eh? ” ” ” ” ” “

Wait, huh? Isn’t he an acquaintance of Mina-san’s?

“Hm? Isn’t this guy someone you know, Mina?”

Wondering the same thing, Jairo-kun asked Mina-san.

“The thing is, I can’t remember him at all. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before, but I also feel like I don’t know him at all… Hey, who were you again?”

“…H-Haaaaaaaaah!?”

Receiving Mina-san’s merciless comment, the young man’s scream echoed throughout the examination venue.

Yeah… don’t let it get to you…