The principal, Grandar, approached Noah. He couldn't believe the claim that Noah had formed a mana circle within just one hour.
"You're saying you formed a mana rotation ring?" "Yes." "The mana rotation ring isn't just about sensing the mana around you. You need to gather mana near your heart and stabilize it into a circular, rotational state. This requires a certain level of mana quantity and rotational speed…" "Yes, that's correct."
Grandar frowned.
For a student with a mana affinity of B+, it was far too early to even sense mana. If someone like that could detect mana in the air and draw even a fraction of it closer to themselves, that alone would have been praiseworthy.
But forming a mana rotation ring already? That sounded absurd.
Grandar placed a hand on Noah's shoulder.
"Would you mind if I verify whether what you're saying is true?"
"Not at all. I'd like to confirm whether I really formed a mana rotation ring myself."
Noah's confident response showed no signs of deceit.
Let's see for myself, Grandar thought.
The principal activated a magic spell to detect mana, called Mana Detect.
By casting Mana Detect on someone of a lower rank, it was possible to discern their magical circle level and the movement of their mana. What Grandar saw shocked him.
"What… what is this?"
Around Noah's heart, where he supposedly had a mana affinity of B+, a mana rotation ring had indeed formed. But what stunned Grandar even more was its size.
"How is it this small…?"
Without realizing, he spoke his thoughts aloud.
It was a size of a first circle that Grandar had never seen in his 400 years of life.
"Can such a small first circle even exist?"
Noah's mana rotation ring was absurdly small. The mana around his heart was connected by threads so fine they barely formed a ring. The amount was so minute that only a grand mage like Grandar could have detected it.
"Is something wrong?"
Noah's question brought Grandar out of his thoughts. He started to shake his head but stopped himself.
There was nothing wrong with it.
Noah's mana rotation ring was undoubtedly a first circle in terms of form and rotation speed. The only unusual thing was its size—it was minuscule.
That's the problem.
It wasn't wrong, but it was definitely strange.
For a first-time mage to form a first circle, they need a certain level of mana quantity.
The size of mana a mage could control was determined by their rank. Moving larger amounts of mana required high-level skills. But conversely, manipulating such minute amounts of mana was also something only a high-level mage could do.
This fine control… it's something that requires at least a third circle—no, more like a fourth circle. And this is a first-year student with a first circle…
Grandar asked Noah, "Did you intentionally make the ring this narrow?"
"What do you mean my mana rotation ring is narrow?"
"I understand that your fine mana control is impressive, but can you now expand it into a normal-sized mana ring?"
"Huh… is this not normal? This is the best I could gather."
It was then that Grandar realized why Noah Ashborn had been rated as B+ in mana affinity.
Mana Accumulation Density Testing… that's why it was rated as B+.
Typically, the term "mana affinity" referred to the results of this test, which measured how easily a person could accumulate mana in their body. In an era where high-circle, high-mana magic was the standard, this was a suitable way to assess someone's abilities.
However, the true meaning of mana affinity was about how well someone could control mana.
This calls for a more detailed examination.
The principal decided against reprimanding Professor Twintail. It turned out her comments about Noah being an intriguing student were correct.
"Noah Ashborn, follow me for now. As for the rest of you, continue with self-training until 11 a.m.!"
Instead of leaving Noah with Professor Twintail, Grandar brought him to the principal's office.
---
Without any explanation, the principal dragged me to his office.
It was my first time there, and the atmosphere was oddly bleak. Strange artifacts packed the shelves, each glowing faintly and exuding a peculiar presence.
A fish tank emitted a purple phosphorescence, with a breathing clam inside. Nearby was a disturbingly small skeletal hand. There was also a glass orb swirling with ominous colors.
Wait… isn't he supposed to be a High Elf?
For a race known to love nature, his collection of artifacts was unsettling.
Among them, the most unnerving object was undoubtedly the coffin made of gray wood.
Why is there a coffin here?
He wasn't a necromancer or a vampire, so why would there be a coffin in the principal's office? And it wasn't even lying flat—it was standing upright.
Then, as soon as we arrived, the principal opened the coffin.
"Uh… um, why did you bring me here?"
"Get in."
"What?"
"Oh, it's nothing special. I just need to check something."
Check something? By putting a student in a coffin?
"What exactly are you checking?"
"This coffin is an artifact I made myself. It's designed to measure mana affinity with precision."
"Ah…"
A coffin to check mana affinity? Normally, a mana accumulation density test just required placing one's hand on a specially treated mana crystal. The color change determined the result: red for S-grade, blue for F-grade.
I'd never heard of using a coffin for this process.
"Don't worry. Just get in."
Well, he was the principal, after all. It wasn't like he'd turn me into an undead. Trusting his authority and the reputation of the High Elves, I stepped into the coffin.
The space inside was larger than I expected, leaving plenty of room even after I climbed in.
"Like this?"
"Yes. Now stay still."
The principal closed the lid.
Even with the lid shut, there was a glass panel near my face that allowed me to see outside. The principal began touching parts of the coffin, activating the artifact.
Ziiing—
A strange noise filled the air as magic circles, densely etched inside the coffin, began to glow. The circles emitted a bright white light, illuminating the interior.
This feels like… Captain A**rica undergoing the super-soldier serum process.
Except in that case, he endured excruciating pain to become a super-soldier. I wasn't interested in anything like that.
I'd be fine with just being ordinary and not in pain.
The magic circles glowed for a long time, but fortunately, it didn't hurt. At most, I felt a ticklish sensation. The principal had been truthful—it really was just a mana affinity test.
Zzzzzt—
With another noise, the coffin began to spit out a sheet of paper. Like a printer, it neatly delivered the paper toward the principal. It looked like a test result.
The principal picked it up, his eyes widening.
The glow from the coffin faded, and the lid opened.
"Ha ha, I knew it! Just as I thought!"
He looked back and forth between me and the result sheet, then spoke.
"It seems your mana affinity was improperly measured."
Improperly measured?
Was my mana affinity not B+? But I'd taken the test four times to confirm it.
Seeing my confused expression, the principal explained.
"Mana affinity is determined by both mana accumulation density and mana sensitivity. While they usually align, your body is quite unique."
"Unique how?"
"Your mana sensitivity is far higher than your mana accumulation density."
"By how much?"
"So much that it couldn't even be measured."
That… sounded like a good thing?
The principal smiled and patted my shoulder. His towering frame of over two meters made even a light tap feel like a shove.
"Ha ha ha! Your properly measured mana affinity is S-grade. So don't be discouraged and make sure to attend classes diligently. Especially the 'Understanding and Practicing Mana Rotation Rings' class! In fact, come to class at 8 a.m. for personal training."
8 a.m.?
That class, taught by the principal, was scheduled every morning at 9 a.m. But now, I had to start an hour earlier than everyone else.
Great…
Being re-evaluated as S-grade felt good, but the early mornings were an unwelcome side effect.
"Do I have to be there at 8 a.m.?"
"Why, would you rather come earlier?"
"…No."
"Ha ha ha, well then, off you go. The next class should be starting soon."
As a first-year student, there was no arguing with the principal. Dejectedly, I left the office.
---
The next class was Basic Theory of Magic Formula Construction.
I ran from the principal's office to the lecture hall, arriving to find nearly 200 students already seated.
A large lecture hall, huh?
The space was massive, more like a small auditorium than a classroom. From the back seats, even the blackboard would be hard to see.
Since I was late, I had no choice but to sit in the back.
Oh well.
That was when I heard a voice calling out to me from the front.
"Noah! Over here!"
It was Rudy.
He'd saved the seat next to him and was waving me over. But thanks to his loud call, other students started staring at me.
"Isn't that the guy who's the Common Student top scorer?"
"Why did the principal call him?"
"They say he formed a mana ring in just an hour."
"What? Is that even possible?"
"It's probably a lie. That's why the principal called him."
"But he's still the top scorer…"
"Yeah, but he's just Common Student rank."
I can hear you, you know.
Ignoring their murmurs, I made my way to Rudy and sat down next to him. Curious, Rudy immediately asked, "What happened? What did the principal say? Did you really form a mana ring?"
"Yeah, I formed a first circle. But the principal said my mana affinity was mismeasured."
"Mismeasured?"
"He rechecked it in his office."
"What was the result?"
"S-grade."
"Oh, I'm an S too. Nothing special then."
Huh.
So S-grade was average around here. It hit me again how Astaran Magic Academy was the empire's top institution.
Rudy, however, seemed puzzled. "Wait, so it went down after rechecking?"
"No, it went up."
"It went up to S-grade?"
Why was he surprised? Normally, mana affinity below S-grade was common—S-grade was the exception, not the rule.
"I thought you'd at least be S+…"
"I was rated B+ before."
"…"
Rudy looked at me like he didn't believe me.
Just then, someone muttered nearby, "Hmph, how noisy. B+, S—it doesn't matter for a Common Student."
The remark was clearly directed at me and Rudy's conversation. Turning to look, I saw a boy with sharp brown hair and a chiseled jawline. His sharp eyes gave him a hostile appearance.
When I looked at him, he smirked and added, "What, am I wrong?"
Beside him, a meek-looking boy nodded like a servant.
"No, you're absolutely right."
"Commoners like them could never compete with someone of my caliber, who entered with S+ affinity and excellent grades."
"Indeed, sir."
"I suggest you stop these pathetic attempts to attract attention."
This guy was full of himself.
Rudy leaned in to whisper, "That's Milio, the eldest son of Count Brenor. The guy next to him is probably a Common Student he brought as a servant."
"Oh, I see."
I couldn't care less.
There was no reason to stir trouble with him. My goal was simple: graduate safely and use the school's name to land a stable job.
Seeing me ignore him, Milio seemed intent on provoking me further.
"Hmph. Do you think someone who got in so easily as a Common Student can keep up in class?"
Keep talking, buddy.
Fortunately, the professor entered before Milio could continue.
The professor was a sharp-looking man with a monocle and a tailored suit. As soon as he walked in, he wrote his name on the board.
Drehos.
No surname.
"I'm Drehos, your instructor for Basic Theory of Magic Formula Construction. This is an academic course, so we'll be studying from textbooks. Assistants, distribute the materials."
A tired-looking female student appeared, handing out books to the students. She was likely an upperclassman.
"These textbooks contain the foundational magic formulas you need to learn."
As the books were handed out, students who opened them began murmuring in surprise.
What's going on?
When my turn came, I received the textbook and opened it immediately. And, like the others, I was shocked.
This… is a math workbook, isn't it?