During the training class, Ichiro intentionally portrayed himself as someone lacking strength, struggling to keep up with everyone else. This performance led Senpai Fujimoto to believe that what he had witnessed earlier was merely a fluke. However, not everyone in the class bought into Ichiro's act.
"Why is he acting so weak?" Emi wondered aloud. She had witnessed Ichiro's earlier feat, albeit briefly, and knew that he had been running at an incredible speed, nearly matching her own if he had exerted himself.
"I was sure he was almost as skilled as my brother," she thought to herself, refusing to be bothered by Ichiro's deceptive display as she focused on her own training.
"Alright, apart from Ichiro, we'll draw lots to determine your sparring partners," Senpai Fujimoto announced.
Ichiro heaved a sigh of relief; he had no desire to engage in combat at the moment. Given his current situation, he needed time to ensure he could reintegrate into life without causing alarm. He realized that people might perceive him as a threat, suddenly becoming so strong after his apparent death. He feared they might even label him as a monster.
As the students gathered to draw lots, there was an air of anticipation in the training area. Each student carefully reached into the container, pulling out their assigned partner for the sparring session.
Ichiro observed with amazement as his classmates revealed their pairings. Some students couldn't help but smile with satisfaction at the results, seemingly pleased with their assigned opponents. They were eager for the challenge, ready to test their skills against a worthy adversary.
On the other hand, a few students wore expressions of disappointment and frustration. The names they had drawn clearly didn't meet their expectations. They were hoping for a more formidable opponent to truly push their limits.
Magic spells crackled through the air as students practiced their incantations, and weapons gleamed with the enhancement of magic. The training grounds buzzed with energy and determination as each student prepared to face their designated sparring partner, ready to put their abilities to the test.
However, since the class was not composed of elite students, they were limited to casting spells of only one attribute.
-Attributes can evolve or change over time, either through character growth or external factors.-
The system chimed in with its ever-present explanations.
-Before, people could only possess one attribute, but now, there are a few who are able to master two.-
Ichiro watched his classmates engage in combat, but his attention wavered as the system continued to offer its wisdom. "The system was right," he thought, "there are indeed a few individuals who can master not just one attribute."
A faint smile graced his lips as he considered that person. He wondered if he, too, could aspire to reach such heights. However, the system had repeatedly informed him that he possessed zero affinity for magic thus far, making the prospect of mastering two attributes seem impossibly distant.
His thoughts continued to drift, and Ichiro couldn't help but reflect on the tales he had heard about his mother. From a young age, she had possessed the extraordinary ability to master two attributes simultaneously. As she grew older, her mastery expanded, allowing her to single-handedly vanquish hordes of monsters. Her possession of light magic, in particular, granted her the ability to heal herself, making her nearly invulnerable.
This had always been one of Ichiro's most pressing concerns. His mother was renowned as one of the most exceptional light magic users, approaching the level of the gods themselves. So, the question that haunted him was this: how had she met her end while giving birth to him? Her abilities should have enabled her body to heal during the labor process, and yet she had passed away.
Ichiro continued to ponder the enigma of his birth. It remained an unsolved mystery, shrouded in secrecy and unanswered questions. Even his grandparents, who had raised him, couldn't provide him with any satisfactory explanations.
"Sato, you're up," the teacher called out.
Emi Sato gracefully rose from the ground and made her way to the center of the training area. Due to the uneven number of students, she found herself facing not one, but two opponents simultaneously. The class watched with keen interest, their curiosity piqued as they wondered whether the duo could land a single strike on her.
As the trio positioned themselves in the center, the teacher cast a protective shield around the area. While it was just a mock battle, students took these exercises seriously. With Ichiro unable to shield himself, precautions were necessary to prevent any injuries.
"Start!" the teacher declared, commencing the battle.
The two students who faced Emi armed themselves for the battle. One wielded a pair of gleaming dual daggers, while the other brandished a gun. They both began casting spells to enhance their vision, allowing them to perceive things in slow motion and anticipate Emi Sato's movements. Their synchronized spellcasting created a shimmering aura around them as they tapped into their magic to gain a competitive edge.
In the meantime, Emi stood calmly, her gaze fixed on her opponents. She observed the two students casting multiple spells, their magic sequences vividly visible to her. Her unique ability allowed her to read these intricate patterns, giving her a significant advantage in deciphering their tactics and countering their moves.
As the two students prepared to launch their assault, the one with the daggers charged directly at Emi, while the gun-wielding student hung back to provide support. They moved with determination, their attacks coordinated to overwhelm their opponent.
The student with the daggers lunged forward with swift, calculated strikes, his weapons slicing through the air with precision. Simultaneously, the one with the gun maintained a strategic position, ready to fire and cover his comrade's advance.
However, Emi proved to be a formidable adversary. With uncanny agility and lightning-quick reflexes, she gracefully evaded every attack. Her movements were so fluid and precise that everyone watching was left in awe of her incredible skills. Among the spectators, Ichiro was no exception. He, too, was impressed, his attention firmly fixed on the battle as the system analyzed every detail for him.
It's thanks to the system that Ichiro found out that Emi has the ability to read magic sequences.
"Does that mean she has a system too?" he wondered aloud.
-No, some people have gained the ability to read magic sequences.-
The system clarified.
"I see," Ichiro replied without realizing that his comment had caught the teacher's attention. The teacher smiled, assuming that Ichiro was merely impressed by the ongoing battle before him.
Without expending even a fraction of her true strength, Emi effortlessly defeated her two classmates. She didn't need to cast a single spell or wield any weapon; her physical prowess alone was sufficient to outmatch them.
"Ha-ha."
"They got defeated that fast."
"So weak."
Amidst the laughter and teasing from some of the students, the two defeated classmates didn't take offense. They were aware that most of those teasing them were their friends, and they took it in stride. Instead of feeling embarrassed, they laughed along, acknowledging that they had given their best in the battle, even though they hadn't managed to defeat Emi.
"Alright, well done, everyone. Make sure to prepare well; the next mock battle will be a class battle. You'll have two months to get ready," their instructor announced.
The news filled the students with eagerness and excitement. The prospect of battling another class was a thrilling opportunity for them. It was a chance to establish their rank, an important factor as they approached graduation.
Ichiro secretly smiled to himself, realizing that he had found the perfect opportunity to make his mark. If he could secure a place in the top 10 rankings, it might open doors for government or private family support. Such support could grant him the means to break free from his family and live independently.
Yet, there was a nagging concern. He worried that government support might lead to deployment on the battlefield after graduation. On the other hand, if a troublesome rich family supported him, he might end up as their pawn while they claimed all the glory on the battlefield.
As Ichiro walked toward the changing room, he pondered this dilemma. Since it was their last class of the day, he took his time. Right now, he had more pressing matters on his mind—freedom and money. He had seen an opportunity, but he also understood that it came with extreme consequences.
"System, analyze the probability of my success," Ichiro requested.
-With your current status, you have a 33% chance of reaching the top 10.-
"That low," Ichiro mused.
-If you gain even a small fraction of magic, your chances would increase to 50%.-
"Ah, I'll just stay at home for now then," Ichiro conceded, realizing that the odds were overwhelmingly against him. His coming of age was approaching, and he would soon have the freedom to leave home. However, the problem of money remained unresolved. As a student in a special academy, he couldn't take on a regular job, as those were reserved for people with no combat abilities to fight monsters. And Ichiro knew that facing monsters would likely lead to his demise.