Chapter 13: Surprise Measurement
A few days after the inter-academy tournament ended, during an afternoon after school…
During homeroom, Shion was informed by his homeroom teacher, Lina Restia: “The Headmaster wishes to speak with you after school.” And so, he made his way to the Headmaster’s office.
The Headmaster was a man who appeared to be in his seventies, with a long, well-groomed white beard and neatly slicked-back hair. His dignified and graceful demeanor carried an air of authority.
“—So, what did you need from me?”
Across the glossy, high-quality dark brown table, Shion addressed the Headmaster, Rudolf.
“Hmm… You’re quite composed, aren’t you?”
From the moment Shion entered the room, his demeanor remained unfazed—as if he couldn’t care less about who he was speaking to. While slightly bewildered, Rudolf couldn’t help but be impressed.
“…Well then, I’d like to get straight to the point, but before that… First, I’d like to express my gratitude.”
“Gratitude?”
“Indeed. Truth be told, there were circumstances that made it imperative for us not to lose the recent tournament. As the Headmaster of this academy… you truly saved us this time. So, allow me to thank you.”
With that, Rudolf lowered his head slightly, averting his gaze.
“Oh, come now. No need for such formalities.”
“…I see now. I can understand why Restia-sensei held you in high regard from the start.”
Seeing how utterly unshaken Shion remained even as the Headmaster bowed to him, Rudolf let out a knowing chuckle.
“…Now then, let us proceed to the main topic.”
“Understood.”
Confirming Shion’s nod, Rudolf moved on.
“Yesterday, Restia-sensei mentioned your [transfer to Class A]. I hear you declined?”
“Yes.”
“…May I ask why?”
Facing Rudolf’s serious expression, Shion answered without changing his expression.
“As for the reason… My academic and practical exam results are only at a C-class level. I lack the qualifications for Class A, so I had to refuse.”
“Hmm, a reasonable answer. However, transferring to Class A would grant you access to far superior facilities and ensure you have no trouble securing employment after graduation. Doesn’t that sound appealing?”
As if probing Shion’s true feelings, Rudolf peered into his eyes.
“The environment, my future prospects… ‘Class C’ is where I naturally belong.”
His response was neither self-deprecating nor humble—just a simple, matter-of-fact statement.
“…Hmm.”
Rudolf slightly lowered his gaze.
“Restia-sensei mentioned you gave the same answer before… It seems you remain unchanged.”
“Yes.”
“…To be perfectly honest…”
Rudolf continued in a slightly troubled tone.
“Leaving someone with such a significant achievement—[defeating the ‘Strongest Man in the Knight Academy’ during the tournament]—in Class C poses… certain inconveniences.”
“Inconveniences?”
“Indeed. To put it simply, it risks painting this academy as ‘incompetent at properly evaluating students’ abilities.’ Of course, this is merely a possibility… but a very plausible one.”
“I see.”
“…That said, your exam results are all at a C-class level. And forcing a student who outright refuses into Class A goes against my principles…”
“……”
“…Which is why.”
Here, Rudolf looked directly at Shion, signaling the true purpose of this meeting.
“I’d like you to undergo a magic power measurement. Right here, right now.”
“…A magic power measurement?”
“Correct. You will use this magic measurement device to determine your total mana capacity. If the results show you possess mana equivalent to A-class or higher, you will transfer to Class A starting tomorrow.”
“Even if my mana is A-class, without the knowledge or skills, I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the lessons.”
“Even if that were the case, we would provide you with special tutoring until you reach Class A’s level. After all, you are the man who defeated ‘Reacher Diablo.’ As Headmaster, it is my duty to nurture rare talents like yours to their fullest potential before sending them out into the world. I cannot abandon that responsibility.”
“So even if I don’t meet A-class standards in future exams, I’d remain in Class A until graduation?”
“Precisely.”
“…Then, if my mana is only C-class, the transfer discussion will be void… Is that acceptable?”
“Indeed. I do wish to respect my students’ wishes as much as possible. If [your mana truly is C-class], then keeping you in Class C would pose no real issue.”
Rudolf nodded firmly as he explained.
“…Understood. Then, let’s proceed.”
“Good. …Now then, let us begin.”
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Thud. A slightly heavy magic measurement device was placed on the table between them. It was a rectangular wooden box, roughly 40 cm tall, 25 cm wide, and 5 cm thick, with a 10 cm thin crystal embedded at the bottom. Starting from the crystal, branching grooves ran across the surface like the veins of a tree.
“This is the mana measurement device. Place your palm on the crystal, and mana will flow through these grooves like water. The distance and width of the light determine your mana capacity and intensity.”
“Just by touching it?”
“Yes, that’s all. That’s why the results of this device cannot be falsified. …Your future will be decided by this.”
“Understood.”
“…Then, begin.”
Silently nodding, Shion reached his hand toward the crystal. Rudolf watched intently, swallowing hard.
Unlike Shion’s perfectly calm expression, Rudolf wore visible tension.
In the heavy silence, Shion’s palm touched the crystal— And like flowing water, light began tracing through the grooves.
Then, after a few seconds… the light stopped abruptly, advancing no further.
The glow on the wooden box represented the measurement result of Shion Ichinose’s mana capacity.
And the moment the result appeared—
“Wh—What…?!”
Rudolf’s eyes widened, sweat forming on his brow as he gasped.
“This… This can’t be…! Unbelievable!!”
He grabbed the device with both hands, staring at the surface in disbelief.
“Th-This… This mana is impossibly… impossibly !!”
“(Eh…?! Wait, is my mana actually beyond normal—?!)”
“This mana is far, far too weak…!!”
“(I’m going to punch this old man.)”
For a split second, Shion’s expression turned completely dead—though Rudolf didn’t notice.
Suspecting a malfunction, Rudolf measured his own mana with the same device.
The results confirmed the device was working perfectly. Shion’s measurement was accurate. And yet, Rudolf kept staring at both the device and Shion with suspicion…
Facing this, Shion spoke—
“So, my transfer to Class A is void. Correct?”
His tone was flat, as if he had known the outcome from the start.
“Y-Yes… That would be the case.”
Though still doubtful, Rudolf had no choice but to agree.
“Good. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Shion bowed once before turning toward the exit.
“…Excuse me.”
With another bow, he left the Headmaster’s office.
……Silence.
Alone, Rudolf muttered under his breath after a long pause.
“Just what… is going on…?”
An unshakable doubt lingered in his mind.
Shion Ichinose’s mana measurement result was exactly “C-class equivalent.”
Naturally, a Class C student having C-class mana was to be expected.
But Shion Ichinose had defeated Reacher Diablo—the so-called “Strongest Man in the Knight Academy”—just days prior.
The durability of Reacher’s armor—adjusted to match his SS-class mana capacity—was such that even Alphonse Fried and Yufia Queensroad couldn’t shatter it in a single strike.
And yet, Shion Ichinose had obliterated it instantly.
That was the greatest mystery gnawing at Rudolf.
Even high-level magic, when fueled by C-class mana, should see its power drastically reduced. That was an undeniable fact.
“(Then how in the world did he destroy S-class+ durability with such pitiful mana?! What the hell happened on that battlefield?)”
Victory in the captain’s match… The weapons used in battle… The unidentified magic… The impossible mana levels… The reason for hiding his strength… His insistence on staying in Class C… His connections to Eliza Lowred and Princess Luna…
……These questions swirled endlessly in Rudolf’s head.
Finally, he whispered the simplest—and most pressing—question of all.
“—Just who… is that student?”
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