1:07 p.m., Taimadou Academy, Concert Hall
The students of the whole cohort were brought to the concert hall to select which magic course they wanted to pick.
"Starting tomorrow onwards, you are expected to assemble in this hall punctually at 1:00 p.m., thank you very much."
The voice came from the school's general magic instructor. She was a bit shorter than the researcher from the day of the entrance ceremony but appeared older.
How magic courses are taught was explained in the school's pamphlet which was distributed to the students by mail and email before the start of the semester. Essentially, there are five magic courses taught in every magic academy. Four consisting of one for each element, and a physical armaments class.
The physical armaments class doesn't allow the use of magic and only allows the student to bring a weapon of choice with its blade sheathed.
Rin himself also considered that the clan master himself also knows this fact, and thus allowed him to enroll in this school. Rin also knew this fact as he had to get deserving grades as an heir to the Hitotsu clan.
As such, he had already decided which class he would pick.
The general magic instructor pointed to the location of the five different instructors and told that the students are free to pick which class.
A note to add is that a common misperception is that the magic class that you pick is your magic specialization. As magicians can merge spells for the cooldown of the higher tiered spell, it is also advised to learn other classes of magic other than your main specialization.
For example, even though Akane specializes in fire magic, if she feels that she wants to utilize a spell that merges fire and water magic, she can always take water magic courses. The magic schools are smart in the sense that they allow the students to learn broad applications of magic by not restricting them to their best ones. It is also shown as they especially added a physical armaments class which is related to their battle system implemented, magic chess.
However, the system wasn't always this way. Initially, students could only take courses for their specialty, which resulted in them performing poorly after graduation in different magic fields. The schools came together and founded this new system as a fix.
Most of the students, however, are rather stubborn. They still prefer to take the courses as their specialization every week as they feel that their "pride" would be hurt when they don't. While this sentiment is shared among a lot of people, there has been an attempt to change this mentality.
The school introduced a grading system for these practical courses. The grading will be conducted every Friday at every one of the five magic courses. So, if for example, a student picks to partake in water classes every day except Friday, he can still take the water class exam to maintain good grades. As a result, more students were open to not picking their specialization.
Beside Rin, Akane was strangely looking around. This behavior was not commonly displayed by Akane. She commonly paid more attention to instructions in comparison. Tracking her gaze, he found Mihiro talking with the male student from yesterday's cafeteria incident.
'I'll have a look later.'
This was what Rin ultimately decided.
As per normal, the division of classes took place. Everything was normal, except the student's reaction to a specific individual.
"Why is the heir to the Hitotsu clan not taking fire courses?"
The hall was confused that Rin was amongst the students taking physical armaments. In his right hand, he held a sword made from hard plastic.
Rin noticing the commotion in the hall just smiled as per normal. Cause, even though they wanted to know the answer to it, no one dared to question him, as they were too fearful. Rin found this funny.
Suddenly, Rin noticed someone tugging on his sleeve from behind him. He turned to find Hana standing there.
"Rin, why did you take physical armaments classes?"
The whole hall became quiet, anticipating Rin's answer.
Rin didn't expect to be asked this question by Hana at this given moment. He felt that he could easily ignore the whims of the entire cohort, but if someone he knew asked him directly, it was hard to turn them down.
It wasn't that Rin couldn't lie to others about his reason for taking physical armaments class. It was more of a half-truth than an entire lie. But Hana was displaying or especially talented in feigning innocence as her eyes looked so pure, making Rin nearly spill the truth.
"I felt that taking physical armaments classes would allow me to learn more in comparison. Also, I would like to learn how to wield this blade better as a personal interest."
This was the half-lie that was fabricated by the siblings. It isn't entirely wrong that Rin is personally interested in learning physical defense techniques. However, it isn't exactly the main reason why he is taking the classes. Secondly, Rin's interested in using a sword, not due to personal whims, but because he needs to be able to defend himself when needed.
Hana upon hearing Rin's response, thought to herself for a while, before uttering a weird statement.
"Doesn't that also mean that you don't think that taking fire classes will benefit you Rin?"
"…"
The whole hall realizing this went into a frenzy. They immediately thought that Rin had too much of an ego. Some, on the other hand, laughed at Hana's statement, as they noticed the two hidden motives Rin perhaps laid.
The instructors aren't capable of teaching me anything new, or I am too strong for this level of education.
This situation wasn't exactly what Rin was expecting upon being assembled in this hall. He certainly didn't expect Hana to be so blatant in voicing her thoughts, even though he didn't feel that there wasn't there was any ill intention behind them, it made Rin get looked at negatively.
"Rin chose physical armaments as the clan master didn't allow him to wield his magic freely."
This was voiced by Akane, who interfered in the conversation by walking toward the two as she felt that Rin was in a pinch.
This statement sounded arrogant on the surface but hides an intent for more knowledgeable magic users. There isn't a doubt that Hitotsu's clan master is saying that Rin's magic is very strong. But the hidden message is that he doesn't want outsiders to know the magic he wields. Or rather, there is no advantage to showing the public such magic.
Commonly, lower tiered magic is often viewed by the public as being more common, they are already analyzed by researchers on its optimal usage and strengths. But with higher-tiered magic, as they are often used under secrecy, there isn't a point in showing it off. Rather, getting the spell analyzed is a bane towards those that are stronger.
In Rin's case, it would thus make perfect sense that he isn't allowed to use the magic freely. Whether the clan master said this or not, only the siblings know.
"I see… Thanks for telling me you two."
It pained Rin to be wholeheartedly appreciated for telling a lie to a fellow friend. Imagining Akane feeling the same thing he is, further made him feel worse. However, he knew it couldn't be helped, as it is the choice he has made.
"Well then, see you later then."