All the students were immediately separated into eight groups. Meaning a total of 300 or more students in one group.
I was openly left out in my circle of friends.
"Cheer up, cheer up!" Arlet consoled me while patting my shoulder which didn't help at all.
Aria, Arlet and Alric were in a different group and I was left alone. They later left me hanging and joined their group with apologies following their departure.
While I was feeling bitter in watching them, someone held my shoulder and I tried to find out who it was.
"Hello~"
"Minerva?"
It was the girl from the library the other day. I met her almost each day with how I was being tutored by her grandmother, her family is nice. Grandma didn't charge me for the tutorship but I forced her to accept a platinum coin as compensation or else I would feel ashamed for abusing their kindness.
"Anyway, good morning, Seven. Are you nervous? Did you eat breakfast? Do you need me to relieve you before we begin?"
She squeezed my cheeks while questioning me these. My cheeks were becoming pale from my blood being pushed to the other side.
"F-First, let me go."
I said stiffly. She immediately released my cheeks and I rubbed them to check if they're still alive. I can tell they're pretty red because of her squeezing though.
"Fancy seeing you here by the way." I said.
"Why? You didn't expect I would be here?"
"It's just a coincidence we're in the same team."
"Then it must be fate!"
Is she being flirty on purpose? I don't even know if she's hitting on me or not since some girls even back on Earth are like that. And this world doesn't care about gender at all, which makes the chance far higher!
"By the way, it looks like we're going to the training grounds for our magic test."
"Ah, I see."
Minerva said while looking above her shoulder at the teacher supervising us. Hm? That teacher looks familiar for some reason.
Wait... That blonde hair and those green eyes, not to mention that captivating, breathtaking and absolutely irresistible atmosphere I'm feeling about her. No doubt about it, it's Leyla-san.
As I was helping myself by staring at her figure, she noticed me and waved with a warm and elegant smile. Everyone who noticed this had their eyes locked on me.
"Do you know Professor Schwarzerrin?"
The one to question me was Minerva who seemed curious of our relationship.
"Who? Leyla?"
"It's Professor Leyla."
"Uh, yes."
I nodded and apologized before feasting my eyes on Leyla again. I could somewhat feel Minerva's intense gaze on me.
"Group 2, follow me to the training grounds."
She informed our group before sneaking a wink at me and leading us to a wide building a bit far off. Judging by the amount of footsteps simultaneous with ours, the other groups also went moving. We were on our way to the training grounds which Minerva mentioned through an arcade path with stone pavings.
"Hey, Seven. Want to be friends?"
Minerva asked me suddenly out of the blue.
"You're asking me that when you're not even using honorifics?"
"Er, then, Seven-chan."
"Forget it, we're already friends I think."
I can feel someone staring at me again. But this time, I doubt it's Minerva. Looking at Leyla's back, I'm convinced it's not her either. Then who?
As my eyes rolled from left to right, I spotted a rich looking boy with short brown hair looking at me with cold red eyes, it was bearing evil intent. And it didn't lack any essence of malice either.
Eventually, that person began walking over to us, pushing away some other students and finally reaching us in a rather brusque method. Minerva on the other hand was unaware and prattled on with trifling topics.
"...The school uniform will be given to us when we pass the exam, but some idiots are buying them already without even being sure of passing— eek!"
The boy I was talking about, rudely grabbed Minerva's hand. But this time with a supercilious expression that was eyeing me with contempt.
"Oh, Minerva. What a coincidence to see you here. Mind telling me who this friend of yours is?"
"Fredric?! Unhand me! I told you not to touch me everytime you see me. I've already told you I'm not going to answer!"
Minerva said while attempting to loosen the boy's grip on her hand. Is this person perhaps Minerva's admirer and she's coming to take her away by force?! What kind of friend am I if I just turn a blind eye to negative treatment directed to my friend? Let's go!
So I grabbed his wrists which he was shocked to see.
"Let go of her or I'll break your hand."
"This is none of your business!"
It seems like he's insinuating that his answer is a "No.", then if that's the case, I will do exactly what I said.
"A-Acckkk!"
I tightened my grip on his hands with my supernatural strength which would easily surpass most men in this world. So it goes without saying that I easily broke his hand, making him squeal on the ground, attracting many people's attention.
By the looks of it, his hand had already let go of Minerva who was currently looking like she's seeing something grotesque right in front of her.
"S-Seven! What are you doing?!"
"I'm saving you from this person, I guess?"
I said with a broad smile accompanied by the sounds of the boy howling in pain. But Minerva, instead of being thankful, retorted with a bemused demeanor.
"That's not saving! That's outright bullying!"
Eh? What does she mean by that? Aren't I supposed to be kissed on the cheek or something and thanked for getting rid of a public harasser?
"I... I only came to ask Minerva-chan... To join our Air Racing club... Why are you doing this to me?!"
I released his hand after hearing this and a student came in immediately and began casting a healing spell on him.
Eh? Air Racing Club? Eh???
"I understand that he and his club mates had been bothering me to join their club but you didn't need to go that far, Seven."
Minerva said to me, crossing her arms. Everyone was staring at me like I'm some scary monster.
"What is this commotion all about?"
Leyla appeared from the flock of students while holding her usual thick staff which was now the same height as her now that she isn't small.
Her eyes instantly landed on me who was at the center of the crowd of students.
"Can anyone elucidate to me what had transpired here?"
She asked after closing her eyes, she had looked at me enough. Looking even more will make the students think we have an intimate relationship which would make everyone come to the conclusion that I'll receive biased treatment.
After that, Minerva was the one to explain to her what happened. Leyla decided that I'll be taken to the school's disciplinary office after the entrance exams are finished and went on with the more important matter at hand.
The battleground was a stadium of sorts. The center was a field made out of only coarse dirt and the walls of a hard golden substance. Adding up to it's stadium-like appearance which was circle, were columns of red colored seats surrounding the center. The seats were empty, actually the entire place is empty with the exception of all 299 other students and Leyla-san who is our supervisor present in the battleground.
"Originally this stadium is used to hold certain events such as duels and mock battles but during the entrance exams, this is a place for you to demonstrate your magic skills. Alright everyone, line up in 10 groups, each of you will take turns to demonstrate your magic skills and I will record your scores accordingly. You are to display your strongest Magic Spells in front of everyone."
I was fascinated by the Leyla-san in front of me now. It made me think 'So this is how she's like in her job' and my admiration for her stacked up even further. Right now I have to impress everyone if I want her to be proud of me. But what magic spell do I use? For all I know my strongest spell are the [Magic Swords], it's magic tier is still unknown since it's only been recently created by me. But I can safely conclude it can start from being Tier 1 to Tier 4 evenly depending on how much mana I infuse.
Should I try using it here? Yes or no? My answer is definitely yes! I'll show Leyla-san the progress I've made ever since we parted.
"First is Nicole Clawnorth."
A girl with silver hair and emerald eyes stepped forward and positioned herself.
20 meters from us was a practice target. There were atleast 12 of them and they're all made out of Earth Magic. Lifeless dolls that looked like scarecrows, they had a red circle on their chests which are things we're supposed to hit with our magic.
Nicole held out her palms pointed at the practice target and her wrists were immediately encircled by green magic formulas. It didn't exclude her feet.
"[Wind Armor]!"
With a burst of bullet-like speed, she rushed and soared through the air to deliver her wind coated fist to the target which made it tilt considerably from the immense impact downwards. The sound it made greatly resembled that of a balloon popping.
Remarkable, so [Wind Magic] can also be used to enhance the body. I should learn it someday to increase [Physical Enhancement Spell]'s effectivity.
"Nicole Clawnorth, magic grade 82."
If I'm to assume, that's a rating from 1-100. If that's the case, I have to atleast reach 90 and above.
"Next is Mikaela Fencestring. Step forward."
The one after Nicole was a girl with long red hair that went down to her waist. She wore a red and white uniform that normally a student would wear in this school, but how did she even get that while the exams hasn't even finished yet?
Mikaela folded her hands together, and at her front emerged a magic formula of red color. Judging by the color, I can tell it's [Fire Magic].
"[Detonator]."
From the fire magic array manifested a butterfly which made everyone watching either laugh or be amazed by it's small delicate but elaborate appearance. The fire butterfly approached the target smoothly like a regular butterfly.
"!?"
But the moment it had come close, it exploded like a grenade which everyone that watched look thunderstruck from the sudden development. This magic spell is literally for assassination.
"Mikaela Fencestring, magic grade 88. Alright, next is Farfala Endeavor."
The next students to have joined were not worth mentioning. Most of them scored a total of 80 and below until Minerva finally came in.
"...Next is Minerva Stonegale. Step forward."
Minerva walked forward confidently and started entering the 3rd Stage Of Magic Usage immediately. Green and blue overlapping magic arrays appeared from her hands and feet.
"[Riverwind Spiral]!"
From her right hand, magic energy started condensing and circulating aggressively at high speeds while converting into water and wind respectively. After that, her body shot to the direction her target was and she managed to drill the spell right to the red circle.
The compacted nature and moving speed of the water and wind grinded and penetrated the doll like it was a tree against a chainsaw. Everyone was left in awe and I saw that Leyla-san was evaluating her already.
"Minerva Stonegale, Magic Grade 90."
Minerva left her position and went back to where I was with her cheek having a drop of sweat. Almost every student present were complimenting her skills like buzzing bees.
"That really took alot of my magic power..."
She took out a handkerchief and cleaned off her small amount of sweat. Why did I somehow feel like I wanted to lick her? Was it because it was too hot? Before I could send out a reply, my name was called out by Leyla-san who was scanning me.
"Next is Seven Clavery, step forward."
Looks like it's my turn.