“Are we about to do the sorting?”
“What are you talking about? the sorting was already done.”
“Well, yes, that’s true… but the visual is completely that thing where they decide which of four houses you belong to…”
“Four houses…? What are you talking about?”
Playing dumb, I see.
“Anyway, let’s begin. Sit in that chair and put on the hat.”
“…”
Though unconvinced, I sit in the chair as told and try to put on the ha—
“Alright, that’s enough.”
Too fast. I haven’t even brought the hat above my head yet. This decision speed surpasses even Malfoy.
“Watagaya Yukiharu, you are Slyther—I mean, E-Rank.”
This teacher might actually be quite an airhead.
“This paper contains detailed information about your ability and such. Make sure to review it carefully.”
Saying that, Tachibana-sensei pulls out a sheet of paper from her pocket and hands it to me. Yes, from her pocket.
“…Did putting on the hat have any meaning?”
I didn’t even put it on though.
“Ah, of course it did. Everything written on that paper was investigated using that hat.”
Liar! At least put in a little more effort to make it less obvious! I scream internally.
Having finished the measurement, while returning to the classroom, I read through the paper I received. It contains detailed numerical values like mana quantity and physical strength, as well as my ability name and ability rank. The measurement method was quite questionable, but well, I’ll believe it for now. I don’t have enough knowledge to deny it anyway.
Also, what’s with this ability? Reading the written content, I can’t help but think: couldn’t you just use glue? That’s the only impression I get. Well, I’ll have to actually use it to verify. The development where a seemingly plain ability is actually… is totally, totally possible.
By the way, according to what I heard from Tachibana-sensei earlier, ability ranks are divided from A to F in descending order, and roughly the percentages are:
A – can be counted on one hand
B – 5%
C – 15%
D – 20%
E – 60%
F – can be counted on one hand
My ability rank is [E]. The average, median, and mode—neither good nor bad. Those above E are elite, and there are almost none below. To put it simply, it’s a totally ordinary rank. Nothing impressive.
Well, according to Tachibana-sensei, with effort it’s possible to go from E-Rank to A-Rank. Yeah, that’s right. Rather than being the strongest from the start, I prefer gradually growing through effort. Bring on the underdog story!
Having lifted my spirits that were beginning to sink, I happen to reach the classroom.
Then I notice the atmosphere inside the classroom is unsettled. While my own measurement ended quickly, I asked Tachibana-sensei various questions, so many classmates have already finished their measurements and returned to the classroom. I thought they’d be excited about ability ranks, but apparently that’s not the case.
Most of the expressions on my classmates’ faces are ones of contempt or pity. And they’re directed at [Watagaya Touji], who sits uncomfortably in his seat.
“Hey, did you hear? That outsider student…”
“Yeah, apparently he’s F-Rank…”
“F? That’s the first time I’ve ever seen one…”
Mixed with snickering laughter, words filled with contemptuous emotions fly around the classroom. That alone allows me to somewhat grasp the situation. Really, what textbook nasty mob behavior. Then my attitude to take is decided.
I walk while deliberately making my footsteps loud, moving toward Touji.
“Good work, Touji! What kind of measurement method did you have!? Mine was a method where the hat looked like it was about to shout!”
I talk to Touji in an unnecessarily loud voice, drowning out the surrounding noise. Touji reacts with surprise, and the classroom becomes quiet for just a moment, but soon—
“Hmph, those outsider student weaklings are sticking together.”
Apparently they have no intention of stopping the insults.
“Yukiharu… if you do stuff like that, even you’ll…”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
As I glare at the classmates, Touji tries to stop me. I’m happy about Touji’s feelings, but if things continue like this, Touji will just keep being talked about. And my mood won’t settle either. As I’m thinking about what to do—
“…It’s just licking each other’s wounds.”
Those words, muttered quietly, make me snap. Fine then. In that case, I have no intention of getting along with people like you either. Sensei interrupted me earlier, but now I’ll continue that speech from before right here.
“Listen up! You whispering mob extras!”
Shouting that, I climb onto my chair, put one foot on my desk, thrust out my fist, and declare:
“Go ahead and laugh! Mock me! Look down on me all you want! But listen! We have no intention of just taking this lying down! Just you wait! I’ll climb to the top of this academy someday! Before graduation, I’ll definitely make everyone who’s laughing and mocking me now go ‘Huh!? Akabana-san!?’ and look stunn…ed…”
My speech gets cancelled once again. The attention of my classmates is stolen by a single girl who just entered the classroom.
It’s a girl with burning red hair. Her stepping foot into the classroom—that action alone appears in slow motion to my eyes. A person with presence—this girl must be what they call that. Her surprisingly well-arranged features, her model-like well-balanced style, her beautiful red hair extending to her waist—everything about her attracts the eyes of everyone around, including mine. Even her sharp gaze that could seem displeased at first glance seems like one element enhancing her charm.
Looking at her, I’m certain. She’s definitely a [flame user].
“Eh? Why is Akabana-san here?”
“Could she be in the same class?”
“But she wasn’t here earlier…”
With the appearance of the girl called Akabana, the classroom becomes far more unsettled than before. At this point, my existence has been completely forgotten. Curse it…
“Earlier, I was at the same measurement location as Akabana-san, and she was certified as B-Rank.”
“Holy crap, B-Rank right after enrollment. Elite-born people really are different.”
As always, the classroom is filled with talk about Akabana, but strangely, no one tries to talk to her directly. Everyone uniformly keeps their distance from her standing near the teacher’s podium. …Could she be like an unattainable flower?
In the midst of this, Tachibana-sensei returns to the classroom carrying a stack of papers.
“Everyone sit down. Starting now… Watagaya Yukiharu, what are you doing? Get your foot off the desk.”
“Yes, maam…”
Having completely lost the timing to get down from the desk, I take my seat following Tachibana-sensei’s instruction.
“Good, everyone’s seated. Akabana, self-introduction.”
Saying that, Tachibana-sensei prompts Akabana standing next to her to introduce herself.
“…Akabana Akane.”
…Wait, that’s it?
“Due to family circumstances she wasn’t at the initial self-introductions, but she’s also a member of this class. Now, sit in an empty seat.”
Without even the short phrase [nice to meet you], Akabana finishes her brief self-introduction stating only her name and sits in the front right seat. But none of the classmates show any surprise at this. Could that attitude be her default?
“Now then, normally regular classes would begin from here, but you first-years will have much of your time devoted to special classes for a while.”
While saying this, Tachibana-sensei distributes the papers she brought.
“Even though it’s called special classes, it’s more like recreation. No need to be tense. Details are written on that paper.”
Receiving Tachibana-sensei’s words, I check the distributed paper to find that this recreation will be conducted in groups of three. Apparently, it also serves as a campus tour, with groups of three visiting various facilities.
On the back of the paper, everyone’s names are listed with an alphabet letter next to them. This is probably the team assignment chart.
Next to my name is the letter D. And furthermore, next to Watagaya Touji’s name is also the letter D.
“Oh, we’re together, Yukiharu.”
“Looks like it. Looking forward to it, Touji.”
Good. This avoids the situation where I’m the only one excluded from a group of three. Now then, who’s the third person? I find the letter D among the alphabets and check the name written next to it—the name [Akabana Akane] is written there.
“Where’s the first location?”
“It says Thirteenth Training Hall.”
“Thirteen… how many are there total?”
“Incredible, right? The facility scale is on a completely different level from normal schools.”
The three of us assigned to Group D—me, Touji, and Akabana—were heading toward the first recreation location… but,
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