Ch.9898. Scheduled Encounter (5)

Until the three voices completely disappeared, I was lost in deep thought.

“…So Charlotte is the sponsor of my scholarship.”

Due to the nature of the scholarship system at Levrant Academy, the reasons for scholarships are typically not disclosed.

The sponsor might be on a list, or they might scout students as soon as they graduate. So whenever scholarships were mentioned, I just accepted it, and since there was no direct contact, I assumed it was based on my academic performance.

But now that I know the sponsor’s identity… my head starts to ache.

…I should confirm it properly first. Maybe… it could be wrong?

“I’m Junon from Class 3-A. I’d like to know how much tuition I need to pay this semester.”

“I’ll check that for you. Please wait a moment.”

Though I clearly spoke to the staff member in front of me, the one in the next booth steps in instead.

I thought there might be a chance I was wrong, hoping for an optimistic outcome, but…

The happy scenario I’d been wishing for was being thoroughly shattered.

Still, still, you never know… Maybe a different result would appear if I checked until the end?

“You can check the amount here in this section.”

“…”

As if to drive the final nail into my hopeful thinking, the staff member adds:

“Hmm. Since you have a scholarship, Junon, you don’t have any tuition to pay this semester.”

What more was there to see? There was no mistake or misunderstanding.

This confirmed that Charlotte was paying my tuition.

The signs were there when she paid my hospital bills, and despite my telling her not to do it again, Charlotte hadn’t stopped.

“…Thank you for letting me know.”

I thanked the staff member and turned away.

Dong- Dong-

The bell rings. While the clear sound marking the hour spreads through the air, my mind remains a tangled mess of thoughts.

This semester’s inflation. The suffering of the poor. The poor heading to the Octagon. The shortage of vanguards.

The unusual magical beasts appearing during this period. And… Tembris.

I go over the keywords in my mind, agonizing again… but the easiest path would be to inform Charlotte about the Octagon.

But how could I do that?

When I know the answer to a complex problem, not using it is because I know all too well that solving it this way would lead to disaster.

If this becomes a connection to Tembris…

“No. It’s different now. Sigh… why am I even thinking like this?”

I shake my head, dismissing the option that momentarily crossed my mind.

Nothing has happened yet, so there’s no need to get ahead of myself. I still have plenty of time.

I don’t necessarily need Charlotte’s help to solve this.

If I can somehow bring down, destroy, or collapse the Octagon with my knowledge of the future, and safely position the vanguard students, that issue can be resolved.

That’s why I’ve been helping those guys in the first place.

I don’t need to worry too much about Charlotte’s sponsorship either.

Though I’m concerned about the purpose behind this sponsorship, the same applies to me.

Occasionally, sponsors might look after potential recruits through contact, but there are ways to decline.

“If she’s conscious of me, I just need to pay back more than what she’s given.”

Charlotte is a merchant. As the one who directly manages and rules the Eshrelet Trading Company, if I return that much money, there won’t be any debt.

Even if contact is made and she expresses a desire to recruit me, I can simply return all the money I’ve received, and she’ll have nothing to say.

So I have time too. Until I graduate, I just need to slowly save up extra money.

What I need right now is growth.

“Yikes, how long have I been here?”

…Being late isn’t a good sign though.

“I’d better hurry so I don’t get scolded…”

The easy path sometimes leads to the greatest risks. I decided to completely forget about the option of informing Charlotte.

***

The demerit system, which had disappeared when the nobles’ influence decreased at the Academy, was revived.

There was no need to go into details, as it was a clause close to the Academy’s founding principle of equality, which had suppressed the power of the nobles.

Thanks to the importance of demerits, there were no more nobles causing trouble. Consequently, professors could focus on their lectures.

“The demerit regulations won’t be so lenient anymore. Seeing you late for a lecture that only requires attendance once makes me wonder if that’s not the case yet.”

“…I apologize.”

Despite everyone’s doubts about the revised school regulations, no one refused to attend the lecture.

Although… there was someone who was late.

“Just to be sure, let me ask. Junon. Can you explain why you were late?”

“I won’t make excuses. It was my fault.”

“Your clean admission isn’t bad. Know that three late records accumulated in one semester equals one demerit point.”

After sending the late student back to their place, Professor Muniher displayed a drawing he had prepared on paper.

The drawing showed the familiar Kenick Hexagonal formation based on the six standard positions.

“It seems all students from Group 1 are here. Before starting the lecture, you must be wondering why you need to attend this class?”

The students all nodded in unison.

If the professor hadn’t brought it up first, someone would have asked, given how many questions surrounded this lecture.

Magic Type Studies. This mandatory lecture was held for just one day, exclusively for students who had manifested their magic weapons.

Professor Muniher pointed to one student and asked:

“You there. What form did your magic weapon manifest in?”

“A short staff form, sir.”

“What was your originally assigned position?”

“Support… position, sir.”

“Hmm. A matching case.”

Everyone seemed puzzled about why he was asking such questions.

It was obvious that professors could check a student’s talent with just one document.

Why ask about a student’s position, which had been determined since the entrance test, instead of checking the documents? That was the look in their eyes.

Given that he had even displayed the Kenick Hexagonal formation, they couldn’t help but tilt their heads in confusion.

But then, Professor Muniher caught them off guard.

“After passing the entrance test, you all just followed the results. But have you ever wondered why you follow those positions?”

“Uh…”

Brief sighs followed, and soon silence fell.

There was no way they would have had such doubts.

One word echoed in everyone’s mind.

Why?

No one had cared about why they were assigned to their positions.

Pointing out the ambiguity in the criteria, the students naturally fixed their gaze on the professor.

“That’s why I’ve displayed the Kenick Hexagonal formation. Though there are six, if we omit the range factor, there are actually five. Today’s single Magic Type Studies lecture is to explain the reason for this.”

The students nodded in understanding.

Yes, this lecture was an extension of the Magic Weapon Manifestation Studies, aimed at guiding the proper growth of those who had successfully manifested their magic weapons during the recent aptitude test period.

“What you need to do is simple. Infuse your magic into these five types of orbs and stand where they react. The place where the orb reacts is your true position.”

What was he trying to teach? And what would the students realize?

Everyone began to move, attentively listening to Professor Muniher’s teachings, which had always been filled with skepticism.

One by one, they stood in front of the reacting magic orbs, reconfirming their positions.

Most realized that their positions from the entrance test matched those from their magic weapon manifestation.

However, they also learned that this wasn’t always the case.

“Um… Professor. I think I’m in a position that doesn’t match my original one.”

“Me too.”

“Likewise, I’ve been assigned to a different position.”

Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t just one or two. About 30% of them were assigned to positions different from their original ones, which they couldn’t accept.

Professor Muniher picked one representative and asked:

“Why do you think so?”

“Well, I learned barrier magic and was in the mid-range position. Suddenly being told I’m in the support position…”

“Yes, it’s hard to accept. But your position is indeed support.”

“…Pardon?”

To provide an explanation for them, Professor Muniher activated the measuring device used during the entrance test.

Pointing to it was clearly a request for remeasurement. So, with a puzzled look, the student complied.

─Whoa, that…

─The position really is different…?

As a result, unlike during the entrance test, it was confirmed that the support position was indeed correct.

Why such a result? Professor Muniher kindly explained:

“Didn’t you find it strange? Everyone else in your position uses wands and staffs, but your magic weapon manifested as a short staff, which is typically used by support position students.”

“Then… we’ve been…”

“Yes. Due to a critical error in the measuring device, you’ve been misinformed. Until you rotate your magic circuit to a certain extent, the results won’t be accurate. Do you now understand the significance of this lecture?”

Numbers 1 through 5.

Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth.

These five types of magic correspond to the numbers written inside the true Kenick Hexagonal formation.

This was the real criterion for determining positions: the types of magic named after the stars that symbolize the Artena Empire.

Upon manifesting a magic weapon, the magic type is reestablished, leading to finding the appropriate position for the magic weapon.

The identity of this peculiar lecture, which required attendance only once, was to correct the positions of students who had manifested their magic weapons.

Yet, there was still one person who couldn’t accept it:

“Professor. None of them react for me…”

Despite infusing magic into all the orbs, none reacted. It’s a strange story indeed.

Having manifested a magic weapon but not having a corresponding magic type.

“Ah, no need to find it strange.”

Professor Muniher responded nonchalantly. However, the issue was…

“Junon, you’re an exception type that doesn’t belong to these five. You’re a Mizar type.”

It wasn’t a matter to be taken so lightly.

***

While I hadn’t known much about other magic types until today’s explanation, most people would understand if you mentioned the Mizar type.

People who are said to have a different standard from ordinary individuals. That’s the most significant characteristic of the Mizar type.

Hence, the reactions were:

─Did you hear…? They said Mizar type.

─Junon is a Mizar type… wow…

─Considering what he’s shown so far, doesn’t it make sense?

As you can see, it was inevitable that all eyes would be on him.

“…”

In his previous life, he hadn’t manifested a magic weapon, so his knowledge on this was non-existent.

But the term “Mizar type” was very familiar to his ears.

That’s because the person who had mentioned it… was none other than the party leader of Tembris.

“No one is born with the Mizar type of magic. It requires constant effort to be determined as such. You’re finally seeing the light.”

Professor Muniher was showing a rare smile in front of the students.

Soon, applause from the students followed.

─Clap clap clap clap clap!!

The applause was so loud it hurt the ears, but despite the ongoing lecture, the professor didn’t stop it.

Professor Muniher shared the same sentiment.

Those who had repeatedly faced frustration, despair, and resignation, and had been on the verge of giving up, knew best what Junon had shown so far.

The unceasing applause in this space proved everything.

This applause was a tribute to someone who had worked harder than anyone else.

It was a reward for the traces left by someone who had climbed up from the very bottom, gritting his teeth.

‘I… have the same magic type as Goden?’

Hadn’t just hearing that guy’s name on the battlefield boosted morale?

Hadn’t the number of casualties on the battlefield decreased just because of his presence?

That power, like an impenetrable fortress, was of the same caliber as his own?

Unable to believe it, Junon asks Professor Muniher again:

“Am I… really a Mizar type?”

Of course, it’s hard to believe. Looking at the dumbfounded Junon, Professor Muniher smirks and throws something.

“For you, this method would be more appropriate than those orbs.”

“Professor, this is…?”

“It’s a mineral called Arisphea. It can’t be broken physically; you need to infuse magic to break it. But even if all the others here pour in their magic, it won’t be destroyed.”

“What?”

Wouldn’t the same apply to him? As Junon thinks this, Professor Muniher continues his explanation:

“However, if you possess the Mizar type of magic, which is different from those five types, you’ll be able to break it.”

In other words, what Professor Muniher said was this: This mineral, which can’t be broken even if everyone here pours in their magic, can only be broken by the Mizar type’s magic. By breaking it, Junon can prove that his magic is of the Mizar type.

Gulp.

Junon’s Adam’s apple moves noticeably.

His hands, filled with tension, tremble more severely than at any other time since his regression.

What if it’s not true? The anxiety.

Could it really be true? The expectation.

The thought of “maybe” created by these two mixed emotions.

Junon’s black eyes remained fixed on the Arisphea.

Finally, after taking a deep breath and infusing his magic,

Clink, clink.

The Arisphea, split in half, rolled on the floor, responding to him.