Mornings at the academy were, frankly, exhausting.
Actually, "exhausting" didn't even cover it. I was pretty sure I could have dozed off mid-stride.
"I'm so... tired..."
"Please try to stay awake, Luka-sama."
Walking beside me as I stifled a yawn was the ever-present Yuka.
I had a lingering feeling that she’d been unusually quiet the night before, but it was probably just my imagination.
A few minutes later, Yuka and I parted ways in front of my classroom.
When I stepped inside, several students were already in their seats. First period today was a mandatory course for the Magic Department, which meant everyone was in attendance. That was the reason for the massive lecture hall—which, as far as I was concerned, was the perfect place to sneak in a nap.
"Ah, Luka-sama!"
"Morning, Allen."
I waved back at our class’s resident ball of energy and headed toward my seat.
And then...
"..."
I’d only been sitting for a moment before I felt a strange sense of unease.
To my left sat Elicia.
To my right sat Caiel.
I was being sandwiched between them again, wasn't I?
"Good morning, Luka-sama."
"Morning."
Elicia offered her usual, composed smile. However, she seemed to be in a particularly good mood today. Her energy was almost... high?
"Good morning, Luka-sama."
"Morning."
Caiel was smiling as well, though his expression felt different from Elicia's.
...What was this? Did I do something?
"I hear there will be a lot of practical work today," Elicia said, placing her notebook on the desk.
"Is that so?"
"Did you review yesterday's material?"
"Yeah, well... in my own way."
Truthfully, I’d just asked Yuka to explain it to me. She was honestly incredible, understanding all of it despite not even attending the lectures.
"I see." Elicia nodded, looking satisfied.
Caiel watched the exchange out of the corner of his eye. I really didn't understand the point of putting me right in the middle of this.
"Luka-sama," Caiel said, dropping his voice.
"Yeah?"
"If you're called to the front again today..."
"Right."
"Please go up yourself this time."
Wait, what? Why?
"Yesterday was strictly an exception," he continued.
"I mean, sure, but you really helped me out there—"
"I prefer things to be fair and square."
That again? I seriously wanted to deck him. (Not that it would be a fair fight, but still.)
Caiel was smiling softly, but his eyes were dead serious. I was starting to lose track of what actually motivated this guy. Maybe I really should just give him a walloping once and be done with it?
"...You don't have to push yourself," Elicia chimed in. "Luka-sama, please just go at your own pace."
"Exactly. I'm a firm believer in going at my own pace."
When I said that with a light shrug, Elicia narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Yes. I am well aware."
Man, her level of understanding when it came to me was as high as ever.
Just then, the bell rang.
"Everyone, take your seats."
The teacher walked in, and the classroom fell silent instantly. The lesson began, picking up right where we had left off yesterday.
To be honest, I only understood about half of it, but I made sure to take notes regardless. More or less.
Suddenly, I felt a gaze on me and looked up. Elicia was staring my way. When our eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze.
...?
Then I looked to the other side. Caiel was looking at me too. When our eyes met this time, he didn't look away; he just sat there, grinning at me.
...Seriously, what was his deal? Caiel’s smiles had been getting creepier by the day.
But well, thinking about it wouldn't give me any answers. I turned my attention back to the front.
The teacher finished writing on the blackboard with a dry click of the chalk, then looked around the room as if he’d just remembered something.
"...Ah, that's right."
His tone was casual, but those three words made the air in the room tighten.
"Next week, the Magic Department's Elementary Division will hold its first evaluation exam."
A small stir of whispers rippled through the room.
"The content will cover the basics: measurement of magical power amount, stability of magical power manipulation, and simple spell construction."
He listed the items concisely on the board.
"There will be no formal rankings, nor is there a pass-fail grade."
A wave of relief spread through the students for a moment. But the teacher paused, letting the silence hang.
"However... the results of this exam will serve as the benchmark for your instructional path over the next three years."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
"This is not a test to measure innate talent. It is intended to gauge what you are capable of at this exact moment."
His gaze swept across the classroom.
"There is no need to deceive us, nor is there any need to overextend yourselves."
Then, he finished with a quiet finality.
"Show us exactly who you are right now."
The bell rang, signaling the end of the period. However, the room remained deathly silent. No one stood up.
Naturally, I was among those frozen in place.
Yeah... I was doomed.
While I was busy being crushed by despair, Elicia stood up, seemingly unaffected by the heavy atmosphere.
"Let's go, Luka-sama. Our next class is in the same place, right?"
"...Ah, right."
Elicia was incredible. Even with a test—the bane of every student's existence—on the horizon, she didn't skip a beat. Also, weren't our schedules overlapping a bit too much?
"You're amazing, Elicia."
"You don't need to be so tense, Luka-sama. It's just a way to measure your current level."
Well, she wasn't wrong, but...
I was a total weakling. That was a stone-cold fact. If I actually showed my "skills" in front of everyone, they wouldn't be impressed; they’d probably pass out from the sheer secondhand embarrassment.
"Everyone else is frozen stiff. Isn't that the normal reaction?"
"That is because they lack confidence in their own abilities," Elicia said, her voice carrying through the quiet room. "Magical power amount is one thing, but manipulation is a matter of sheer effort."
The air in the classroom shifted again. It felt prickly, as if the other students were feeling a mix of tension and shame.
Lucky them. For me, hearing that from point-blank range was a massive critical hit. I was basically on life support over here.
"..."
Suddenly, someone stepped into my path.
"Luka-sama."
It was Caiel. He wore his usual gentle smile, but there was something intense hiding behind it.
"I'm looking forward to the exam."
"Looking forward to what, exactly?" I retorted instantly.
Caiel narrowed his eyes slightly. "It's a test to see who you are now, isn't it?"
"That's what the teacher said, but..."
"Then you simply have to show us that." His voice was steady and direct. Fair and square, right down the middle. "I want to see, head-on, exactly what kind of evaluation you receive."
...I really wished he’d stop saying stuff like that. It was bad for my heart.
"Don't go getting any weird expectations, okay?"
"It is not an expectation. I simply wish to see the facts."
With that, Caiel turned and walked away. Left behind, I exchanged a look with Elicia.
"Sigh..."
"Elicia?"
She looked slightly troubled for a moment before offering a smile. "I will support you no matter what happens, Luka-sama."
Man, she really was an angel.
I let out a small breath and looked ahead.
Next week. The first evaluation exam.
I had to show them who I was.
I’d do it... or at the very least, I’d do enough to make sure I didn't get expelled.