While I was struggling to hold back my laughter, the classroom door swung open, and a woman wearing glasses walked in.
She had brown hair and was dressed in a black robe. She was definitely older than us, though she still looked fairly young. She marched up to the podium and turned to face the class.
"Good morning, everyone. Since we have a new face joining us today, I’ll introduce myself. I am Jenny, your homeroom teacher."
So, she was our teacher.
"Good morning!" I called out, at least making an effort to be polite.
"Yes, such energy is wonderful. Everyone, this is Tsukasa Nagase, who joined our class starting today."
When the teacher said that, everyone turned around to stare at me.
"Hey there," I said.
There was no reaction. Every single one of them was looking at me with eyes that seemed to be sizing me up.
"What, no applause?" I asked.
At my prompt, everyone except Toko gave a polite, light patter of applause. For the record, Toko was busy glaring daggers at me.
"I’ve never seen a new student demand a round of applause before," Cedric remarked.
"Me neither," Frank added.
Seriously? Normally people just clap automatically, don’t they? Are these guys okay? Do they have no common sense? Don't they want to welcome their new classmate?
"Right, then. I look forward to working with you. Let’s begin the lesson," the teacher said, wrapping up the introductions, and the class started without further incident.
I decided I’d just copy someone’s notes later and tried to pay attention to the Basic Studies lecture. The reason I didn’t take notes was simple: my handwriting was so atrocious I couldn’t even read it myself, and I’ve never been good at multitasking. I knew from experience that if I focused on writing, I wouldn’t hear a single word of the lecture.
"Now, in the past, it was believed that magic was fueled by pure imagery. However, recent research has proven that it is designed according to specific laws—mathematical equations known as spell formulas. I'm sure most of you are already aware of this."
Nope. Not a clue.
"Because of this, we have learned that magic is divided into many attributes, and the variety of spells has increased exponentially. Fire, water, wind, earth, lightning... these five types are probably familiar to you, but currently, there are over a hundred magic attributes, and that number continues to grow every day."
Yeah... I was in trouble. I didn't have the slightest idea what she was talking about.
The lecture continued for some time, but almost none of it registered with me.
"Now, after a twenty-minute break, we will move to the training grounds for practical training. Don't be late."
Two hours after the class began, the teacher made the announcement and left the room. Following her lead, several students, including Toko, got up and headed out.
"Phew..." I let out a long sigh.
"How was your first lesson?" Cedric asked, leaning over.
"This is hard."
"Is it? I actually thought she was covering the absolute basics for your sake, since you're new."
Teacher, thank you for the consideration. But I’m sorry to say I’m just that hopeless.
"I didn't understand a word she said," I admitted.
"Are you serious? How did you even pass the entrance exam? That stuff was all over the test questions."
That’s because I got in through the back door...
"I'm just bad at studying..."
"Well, I suppose everyone has their strengths and weaknesses," Cedric said, trying to be diplomatic.
"Practical training should be fine, though," Frank chimed in. "You look like you'd have high magic power."
Well... I wasn't so sure about that. "What exactly do we do in practical training?"
"Magic power control and things like that."
"Actually using magic," Cedric added.
That’s even worse. That’s the thing I’m worst at.
"Is there a rule where I win if I just blow the opponent away?" I asked. If so, I might have a fighting chance.
"Why would we be fighting in a Basic Studies class?"
"Practical training isn't about combat."
No luck there, then.
"Hey, is this guy going to be okay? He sounds exactly like Yuika..."
Ilmera Henselt walked over with an exasperated look on her face, accompanied, as always, by Noelle Antoine.
"So, what does this Yuika person do during the lectures?" I asked for future reference.
"She sleeps," Ilmera replied flatly.
Well, that was a dead end.
"I see... Sounds like we'd get along."
"He's hopeless..." Ilmera looked even more appalled.
"For what it's worth, Yuika-san does review her lessons at the dormitory," the gentle Noelle added with a troubled smile, trying to help.
"Only after she comes crying to you for help," Ilmera pointed out.
"Well..."
I felt like crying to someone myself. Maybe I should go cry to my dear "Ice Princess."
"Just curious, did you guys actually understand today's lesson?"
"Obviously," Ilmera said.
"Well, yes..." Noelle agreed.
Is this entire school filled with nothing but honor students besides me and this Yuika girl? At this rate, I’m going to make all Japanese people look like idiots.
"I see... The 'out of place' feeling is getting real. I should probably mention this now, but I can't actually use magic."
"............Then why did you even come to this academy?"
To break a curse... was not an answer I could give her.
"Ilmera, there are things you should and shouldn't say," Frank cautioned.
"He's right. It's a pity for the poor idiot," Cedric added.
Cedric’s "defense" was a little different from Frank’s, but I appreciated the sentiment.
"Sorry..." Ilmera apologized, looking a bit awkward.
"It's fine. It's my own fault for being an unfilial son who failed all his high school exams and became a middle-school graduate NEET."
And I even made sure to write my name correctly on the papers...
"Wait, you’re a genuine idiot? Did you not apply to any safety schools?"
"I’m telling you, I failed the safety schools too."
"I see... Well, just do your best. It doesn't really matter how many years it takes. Not many people actually graduate in three years anyway."
If I take too long, though, my left arm is going to fall off.
"Um, shouldn't we head to the training grounds? Everyone else has already left," Noelle pointed out.
She was right; we were the only ones left in the classroom.
"Ah, good point. Let's go."
We exited the classroom, left the school building, and began walking toward the training grounds. As the five of us walked, I noticed something.
"Don't you guys have bags or anything?" Everyone was empty-handed.
"That's what space magic is for... oh, wait, I forgot you can't use magic. It's not a very difficult spell, so you'd better learn it soon."
Come to think of it, Shar was using it yesterday, too.
"How do you do it?"
"How? Well, uh... like this," Ilmera said, and with a flick of her hand, a notebook appeared out of thin air.
"I strongly recommend that you never become a teacher," I told her.
"I have to agree with him there," Frank said. "Tsukasa, I'll teach you how to do it later."
"Please do." Ilmera was clearly not the teaching type.
"Am I really that bad at it? Not that I have any intention of becoming a teacher," Ilmera asked Noelle.
"Probably... I think you need to be able to explain things carefully, matching the other person's level," Noelle replied.
She didn't sound like she meant any harm, but it still made me feel like she was calling me a moron. Even if it was the truth.
"I see... So that's why Yuika never came back to me after the first time I helped her study and goes to Noelle instead..."
If I were Yuika, I'd go to Noelle too.