After thinking thoroughly about the possibilities, I came to a conclusion.
"Alright. We accept your request. But I have a condition."
"And what would that be, Ms. Selena Aurelius? ", Rafaela asked with her playful voice.
I have understood one use of my passive skill.
Usually, when a person lies, there is a subtle increase in their heartbeat.
That's how lie detectors work too.
My passive allows me to detect anyone's heartbeat, so I can also detect the increase of their heartbeat if they are lying.
That was how I was able to find out Kai's lie on the entrance ceremony day.
But there is a flaw in this technique.
If you have practiced to keep your heartbeat in control, then there is no way I, or any lie detector, would be able to catch your lies.
Thus, I have been using my passive skill since before, but Rafaela's heartbeat has very minimal change, indicating she is telling the truth.
"It's not exactly a condition, but a simple suggestion. There is only 10 minutes to end this lesson, so why don't we all stay here, each and everyone of course. So that we can leave together from the portal, and ensure that no one is left out? ", I suggested.
"... There's absolutely no problem with that suggestion."
Then, she turned to all the students, and declared.
"Everyone, we would all stay here until the lesson ends. So, keep patience and stay where you are. Your mana stones would be distributed in the meantime."
Meanwhile, I observed the other students.
They were all tired, and looked like withered leaves.
Well, as they were given mana stones for almost free, Rafaela must have worked them hard.
I was relieved, because it didn't seem like they were in any condition to fight.
Rafaela instructed Samuel to start the distribution process, and after all the 95 mana stones they possess, are distributed, we would hand over 5 more mana stones.
Everything seemed alright so far, except for the fact that, that shithead Kai was cooperating with Samuel in their distribution process.
It was completely clear to me that he has joined hands with Rafaela.
So, there must be a trick here.
The problem is that, I can't say this to my groupmates, or else they would be alert that I have caught onto something.
I am racking my mind to find anyclue for mistake, but I couldn't.
There was one thing I noticed though.
The one distributing the mana stones was Kai himself.
Samuel would call out the group number, after which the 5 members of the group would form a line.
Then, Kai would give them, 1 mana stone to each student from that large bag containing all the mana stones.
That friend of Kai, Wilhelm Frost was chatting with his group 2 friends merrily.
Apart from that, there was not much, came to my notice.
Their distribution process went smoothly, as each group was handed over 5 mana stones.
Then, at last group 3, which Rafaela and Samuel both belonged to, were handed down 1 mana stone each, after I gave 5 mana stones to Kai.
Only a few seconds left to end the lesson.
And the portals started appearing one after another in front of us.
Each group started entering into the portals one by one, until only Rafaela's and my group members remained.
As I was going to enter through the portal, Rafaela called me from behind.
There was 30 more seconds to end the lesson, but I am sure that rhe portal will remain for some time even after that.
"Ms. Aurelius. "
She continued.
All of our group members including Kai too listened to what she had to say.
"Did you know that these mana stones' possession depends on touch? "
"What are you trying to say? ", I asked in confusion.
" Well, what I mean is, once a member of your group touches a mana stone, it goes into your collection displayed in the shop menu... Then, if you put it in the bag, without touching it, then it wouldn't show in your shop menu too. The point I am trying to make is... "
She took out a small pouch and showed it to me.
I couldn't tell what she was trying to say, but after some thoughts, I understood everything.
Everything all too well.
Basically, she put some of the mana stones they collected in her pouch, so that she could deceive me into believing that they had 95 mana stones in total.
But, in reality, she had more than that!
"You deceived me!", flying into rage, I lunged forward with the sword in my hand.
But, I was too late, before she entered the portal and disappeared.
That shithead Kai, also went behind her, like her dog.
" Damn that bitch! ", Arlan snapped too, understanding that we have been deceived.
" For the time being we should go back now. ", Aria told, warning that the portal might shut down, if we don't enter now.
Our group has 9 mana stones right now.
If that pouch is all the extra mana stones she had, then her might easily pass our collection, as we also handed them 5 mana stones over.
And now that the lesson is over, and the results would be declared, I can't do anything about it.
The fact that, a mana stone adds into your group's collection, if and only if one of your group member touches it directly.
I couldn't deduce that fact at all.
And, for that reason, I can't be number one, again.
Right now, standing among the crowd of students, I could do nothing other than, cursing myself.
"Shit! I lost again!"
***
5 hours of first lesson was finally over.
All the 22 groups of first year students gathered in the Central Area of CMA, as instructed.
They were all waiting for the results.
Selena Aurelius, diligently piled up mana stones, for a sure shot first position.
But she was outmanoeuvred by Rafaela Harrington, in the last few minutes.
Kai Rayleigh, a member of her own group, turned against her, and betrayed.
This loss was unbearable for her, as she stood dejected among all the students.
Dr. Berlint strode confidently to the front of the gathered students, his usual stern expression softened by a faint smile. The students were restless, some exhausted from the intense lesson while others, like Selena, were visibly frustrated. The professor glanced over the crowd, taking in the state of each group before raising his voice to address them.
"First-year students," he began, his voice commanding attention, "congratulations on completing your first major lesson at the Central Magic Academy."
A ripple of murmurs passed through the crowd, a mix of pride and tension hanging in the air. Selena crossed her arms, her jaw tight as she listened. Rafaela stood a little distance away, her expression as carefree as ever, though there was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. Kai, standing near her, remained silent, his face unreadable.
"Today was more than just a test of your combat abilities," Dr. Berlint continued, pacing slowly as he spoke. "It was a lesson in strategy, teamwork, and adaptability—skills that are just as important as your magical talents, if not more so."
He paused, letting his words sink in. The students' eyes were fixed on him, many likely reflecting on their own performances.
"I know that some of you may feel you didn't perform as well as you expected," he said, glancing toward Selena for the briefest of moments. "But remember, every loss is an opportunity to learn. This was just the first of many challenges you will face. What matters is how you improve from here."
Selena gritted her teeth, her frustration clear. Aria placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but it did little to ease the sting of defeat.
"Now, as for the results," Dr. Berlint said, raising his hand and summoning a glowing screen that displayed the rankings. "After reviewing the mana stones collected by each group, the top three performing groups are as follows."
Murmurs of disbelief spread throughout the students, as the screen flickered and the scores appeared.
Rank 1 : Group 1 (Selena Aurelius, Aria Leafsong, Arlan Valenheart, Elric Thronhill, Kai Rayleigh) = 9 Mana Stones
Rank 2 : Group 2 (Lira Dendric, Tomas Grey, Wilhelm Frost, Serena Evert, Barry Johnson) = 6 Mana Stones
No third place. All remaining groups have been disqualified.
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Author's Note :
Things are going to get crazy from now on.
Feel free to comment down your thoughts and theories.
Next Chapter - I Am Not A Traitor
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