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“Master, do you have something to say?”

If you’re calling me out separately like this, it must be something quite important.

Master seemed to hesitate, deep in thought.

“It’s about the recent demon attack…”

“Yes, why is that?”

Why is he taking so long to get to the point? It’s frustrating.

“…Never mind.”

“What is it…”

Interrupting halfway through is quite the annoyance, but as his disciple… I’ll just hold back.

Though he is my Master, I feel I might be older than him.

“By the way, how was the demon wearing a mask?”

Do you think it’s someone you can handle?

“That demon, the one called the Executor… hmmm.”

That spell-casting Fly Mask isn’t someone I can’t fight at all.

I think I could handle it with about 3 or 4 people.

Though the dragon head…

“Yes, it’s definitely strong.”

Not unbeatable, but!

As I passionately declared, my Master replied with a look of surprise.

“Really? If you’re not just boasting, then that’s a relief! By the way, what tier magic can you use now?”

“Tier 6.”

“I see. You aren’t hiding your strength, are you?”

“I wish I were, but…”

Unfortunately, the magic I can use is limited to Tier 6.

And that’s not pure magic but more of my Unique Ability.

But if I can unlock my Innate True Qi…

Maybe I could reach Tier 7.

However, in the standards of this world, a mage who reaches Tier 6 is rather rare.

Considering my age, reaching Tier 8 shouldn’t be too difficult.

Soon, Master will surpass that as well.

“Just wait and see! I’ll claim the title of the youngest Tier 7 mage soon.”

“Is that so… seeing you reminds me of someone.”

As he said that, a hint of sadness crossed my Master’s face.

“That child also had exceptional magical talent and worked very hard.”

Why is he suddenly boasting about his disciple…?

“That child also possessed the same Unique Ability as you.”

If they have the same Unique Ability as me…

“Are you talking about the Former Hero Party’s mage?”

“Right, you could call them your predecessor.”

“Hmm… compared to that predecessor, how do I measure up?”

At that, my Master chuckled.

“Well, that child was definitely superior. If you were to fight them now, you’d stand no chance.”

“…Is it really that much?”

Wow, that’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?

All the experiences I’ve been through, and I’m being outdone by someone I don’t even know?

Are you just lying to provoke me?

“That child learned Tier 7 magic all by themselves. And it wasn’t even unique magic, just basic magic.”

That sure hits a nerve.

“I can too! If I try, I can use Tier 6 magic without having to rely on my Unique Ability!”

As I exclaimed, my Master gently patted my head and handed me an old notebook from his pocket.

“Right, I believe you can definitely do it. Here, take it.”

“What is this…? A magic book?”

An essay? Is this…

“It’s a magic research book written by your predecessor.”

Just flipping through it quickly revealed complicated magic circles and spells that were hard to interpret.

“Is it really okay for you to just give this to me?”

Throwing someone’s lifelong work at me as if it were just a flyer?

“It’s fine; no one else is going to read it anyway.”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

Thinking about it historically, the Former Hero Party…

“There’s nothing to worry about. That child would be happy to see you receive it.”

“Me?”

I don’t know why, but this seems fortunate.

I’ve been feeling stuck lately, and if I have this, reaching Tier 7, and even the wall of Tier 8, isn’t far off.

“Anyway, thank you! I’ll make good use of it!”

“Alright, I should go meet the Chairman soon. You head back now.”

“Yes!”

As I turned to leave, my Master called out to me suddenly.

“What kind of mask was the demon you fought wearing?”

“Uh… a Fly Mask and a dragon one, I think? A red dragon.”

“Right… did that demon say anything strange?”

“Strange? Like what?”

“Like, for example, about stars or something?”

“Yes, they called me that. Something about stars and blah-blah.”

My Master’s expression shifted to one of deep contemplation but soon turned into a smile.

“Got it… take care now.”

*

Receiving the magic book seemed to lift my spirits as I walked briskly away, and Rockpelikan watched with a gentle smile.

“Honestly, the more I age, the more alike we become.”

Saying that, Rockpelikan took a photo from his chest pocket and gazed at it.

In the photo was a beautiful woman with long purple hair, smiling brightly.

“Please, protect your child, Estelle.”

*

After Master Stella departed, the Academy quickly returned to its usual routine.

It seems there was no more delaying the schedule after already taking a week off, and classes were soon resumed.

Word is that they’ve established a new barrier to prepare for the demon assaults.

“Good grief, this Academy never gets a break from incidents, does it?”

The monster incident was something from the original story, but this assault was unprecedented.

“At this rate, it seems like I might be the only cause…”

Many events have occurred that make it hard to believe they’re triggered by my different actions from the original.

Starting with the criminal organization Akandis, the dragon-shaped masks…

Did I do anything to provoke demons?

While adventuring, I didn’t even meet a single demon.

“Really, there’s no breathing room…”

As the ceremonial period began, students started arriving one by one.

“Ah! Good morning, Nova!”

“Hey, Shia. And good morning, Stella!”

“Yawn… well, go ahead and greet in the morning, I guess.”

“What’s with that tone?”

“What do you mean? You have to show respect since you’re my teacher.”

What’s this guy babbling about this early in the day?

“Why are you my teacher?”

“From now on, as fellow knights in the same department, I must correct your pathetic swordsmanship.”

“What’s pathetic?”

“Why, isn’t it true?”

Want to try and show me your so-called ‘pathetic’ sword skills?

But before I could utter that, a certain memory surfaced.

That scene where I knocked down that wolf with one hand…

(Though it was funny because I had to jump up to do it since I’m short.)

And the moment I kicked the mask away with just one kick…

“Thank you for teaching me, Master.”

“Yeah, give your shoulders a little rub then, my disciple.”

“You two sure get along well today… uh-oh.”

I noticed Shia start to feel nauseous mid-sentence.

“What’s wrong, Shia? Is everything okay?”

“Um, it’s nothing really…”

As she continued cautiously, Shia began glancing at Stella.

Stella, looking a little embarrassed, scratched her head and said, “This girl made me a meal last time, so I tried baking cookies in return…”

“You really made cookies? You?”

Suddenly, a recollection flitted through my mind.

When Stella insisted on cooking for me in the kitchen and almost burned the house down due to her poor heat control…

And how she confidently offered something purple (??) as ‘food’…

The memory of tasting that is utterly erased.

“Is it alright? It’s not inedible, is it? Ugh…”

“Ah… good job, Shia.”

“It’s not. It’s not inedible or anything? Nova, you should try it too!”

“No, I ate a lot for breakfast.”

I don’t have a hobby of eating poison.

While engaging in such frivolous conversation, the regular subject teacher walked into the classroom and began taking attendance.

“Shia.”

“Yes!”

“Okay, next up… Serena.”

A momentary silence fell, but there was no response.

“Is Serena Archemia absent?”

Yet there was still silence.

“Teacher, she was absent yesterday too.”

At that, the teacher appeared displeased and spoke.

“It’s quite irresponsible to be tardy on the very first day of class. When she returns, she’ll receive a penalty, so someone tell her.”

With that, the teacher continued calling the rest of the roll and started the class.

‘Strange, Serena skipping class…’

As far as I know, Serena is diligent and never skips a class.

Even basic classes she would attend without issue, always engaged.

There’s no way she would skip class now.

“Did she get heavily injured this time?”

Saying that, I glanced at Stella, who appeared lost in thought.

“Stella?”

“Uh…? Oh, it’s nothing.”

*

While all the students were engaged in Academy activities, in a room of the girls’ dormitory, the sound of quietly packing belongings could be heard.

“Now… I’m ready.”

As she said that, Serena, carrying a large bag, was about to leave the room when she spotted a figure with crossed arms looking up at her from the bottom of the dormitory stairs.

“You…”

“It’s been two days.”

“Why are you just sitting here without attending class?”

“Well, honestly, I don’t really care about being an exemplary student.”

Is that her way of saying she’s already earned her place among everyone?

Suddenly annoyed, Serena responded sharply.

“Oh really? That’s quite impressive.”

With that, she turned to walk past when the girl spoke up.

“That thing in your hand is a dropout application, isn’t it?”

“…What’s that to you?”

Looking up the upper stairs, the girl with purple hair replied seriously.

“Come out of the Magic Tower.”

 

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