[227] 3. Where Is Shirone? (2)
Cheers and applause burst out. The students' expectations were higher than ever—someone who had served as headmaster of the nation's top institution was here.
"I've long known the reputation of Alpheas School of Magic, so I don't intend to upend existing policies. That said, modern mage society values efficiency and practicality. A focus on real combat. That's the seed I intend to plant during my tenure as headmaster."
The implication was that Alpheas had been teaching lessons divorced from real use. The students could have bristled, but if the archmage said it, they had little choice but to accept it.
"This is bad. I knew this would happen."
Iruki, who had once attended the Royal School of Magic, had sensed it the moment he saw Olivia.
She was supposed to have retired from the headmaster post ages ago; nobody knew what had brought her back.
Similar murmurs circulated among the Class Five students.
"I had a hunch, and sure enough. Spirit was right. We're going to be slaughtered starting tomorrow."
"I heard some of her disciples are coming too."
"I read that. One of them is Dante, right?"
Shirone listened. Many students already seemed to know, even over the break, that Olivia would be taking the headmaster position.
"Iruki, what's Spirit?"
"The Mage Council's academic journal. If you're a magic school student, you're probably a subscriber. It covers things like trends in graduation exam questions, fashionable new magic, and issues that come up at schools."
"I see. Do you read it, Iruki?"
"Are you kidding? Why should I care what other schools are doing? I do my own thing."
Shirone asked Naid as well.
"What about you?"
"I used to borrow friends' copies, but not anymore. I'm going to be an engineer, so I don't really care."
Iruki said, "Still, if it's Dante, the school's going to be turned upside down. He's basically the kingdom's number one at the student level."
The kingdom's number one. Shirone couldn't even guess the weight of that.
What kind of student—no, what kind of presence—would be first in the whole country?
After the entrance ceremony, on the walk back to the dorms, Iruki asked, "Shirone, what will you do? I don't think you'll get to see Headmaster Alpheas today."
"They'll be busy with the first day back. I'll just stop by during lunch after the morning classes tomorrow."
Shirone had a mountain of questions for Alpheas: how widely known was the existence of heaven, and what was the story behind the Labyrinth's space-time? But today wasn't the right moment. Promising himself he'd ask tomorrow, Shirone returned to the dorm.
@
Early the next morning Shirone met his friends and went into the lecture hall for the historic first class of Class Four.
Half the room was already filled. He'd always been first to class back in Class Five, so this felt different.
As nervous as Shirone was, the students of Class Four were quietly watching his group.
Shirone had risen from Class Seven to Class Four in only half a year—an unprecedented case—so he was always the center of attention.
There had been outstanding students in the school's fifty-year history, but they had been placed in high classes from the start, which made Shirone's case unique.
It felt strange that the people who'd been his seniors until yesterday were now his classmates. Naid and Iruki waved as if nothing had happened and found seats.
"Finally you made it. Good to see you."
A hand suddenly extended before Shirone. He looked up to see a boy with a round jaw and a friendly smile.
Chris Boyle, ranked number one in Class Four. A student who specialized in summoning magic.
True to his model-student image, not a single detail of his appearance was out of place. His collar was buttoned up to the neck and his hair neatly parted two-to-eight.
Shirone took Boyle's hand. "Nice to meet you. It's not like 'finally'—I only just managed to get up here."
"Haha! No need to be so modest. This is the final gate of the advanced classes. Now's the time to show off, not be humble."
Well-intentioned advice, but it sounded condescending. Still, that was one way Boyle promoted himself.
"Thanks. Let's get along."
"Yeah. Not sure how long you'll be here, though."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Obviously you'll apply for the graduating class."
Students in Class Four could apply to the graduating class at any time. This year Amy had been the first to challenge it, followed by Seriel. Eight students had already entered the graduating class, so only two spots remained.
"Usually registrations pile up later in the year, but Amy challenged so early that there aren't many spots left. First come, first served."
Boyle's words pricked ears. From Class Four onward, it mattered less whether you performed now than whether you'd punch your ticket to the graduating class or keep reinforcing basics.
Of course, no one wrote an application out of impatience.
Once you moved into the graduating class, there was little time to hone fundamentals. Also, failing the annual graduation exam hit harder than people expected.
In fact, among those who passed the graduation exam, 60 percent passed on their first attempt, while only 20 percent passed on their second—across the entire school.
On that basis, students considered entry to the graduating class very carefully.
Boyle asked, "What about you? You're going to prove yourself in Class Four and take one of those two spots, right?"
Shirone had discussed it with his friends last night and decided it was premature.
Although he'd scored over 80 in every subject in Class Five, that had been improvisation to get through the tests.
He could conceivably enter the graduating class immediately and aim to pass the exam, but it wouldn't hurt to spend about half a semester reinforcing basics first.
"No. I'll stay in Class Four this semester."
Boyle was surprised. Given how fast Shirone had risen to Class Four, he expected him to challenge records.
A feint? Shirone wasn't that sort of person. In any case, it wouldn't be bad if one strong rival bowed out.
"Then it can't be helped. Anyway, let's do our best. Iruki, Naid—count on you."
"Sure, whatever… how hard we work, who knows," Iruki said nonchalantly. The others guessed none of the three would immediately enter the graduating class.
They wouldn't have made that decision without reason; it made others reconsider their plans.
It wasn't accidental that Boyle, Class Four's top, was the first to greet Shirone.
It was Class Four's power game.
Azelio Pandora, ranked second, was displeased.
When Amy had been the dominant figure, everyone else had been second fiddle and he hadn't cared. Now the point gap between Boyle and Pandora was only one.
As Boyle's conversation wound down, Pandora slid up to Shirone and lifted a hand.
"Hello."
Naid made a disgusted sound. That alone hinted how he felt about Pandora's reputation as everyone's friend.
She was a famous eccentric in the advanced classes—someone who thought herself the greatest in the world.
Shirone knew that, but her solitary, self-centered way of living looked lonely.
"Hi, Pandora. We're in the same class now. Kind of strange."
"Hehe, how does it feel to take classes with a woman of my looks?"
Pandora leaned in, batting her eyelashes. Even Shirone couldn't completely ignore that come-on.
She wasn't ugly, but her makeup was so heavy it was off-putting. Even her scent made Shirone's heart beat oddly. It probably tied into Pandora's specialty in scent magic.
"Oh my, look at you blushing. No need to be shy. Let's be close from now on."
This time Pandora's blouse had two fewer buttons done up than usual. Bent over like that, Shirone didn't know whether to look away or keep looking—either choice felt rude.
"Hey, what's this? Shirone already has someone." Naid covered Shirone's eyes and then, on his friend's behalf, peered into Pandora's blouse.
Pandora was irritated enough to ignore the boys' stares.
The someone Shirone supposedly had was none other than Karmis Amy.
When Amy had been in the advanced classes, no student had dared claim superiority.
In grades, in looks—she had been superior. Pandora's flirtation with Shirone was meant to prove she could take him if given the chance.
"Hmph, I know you're with Amy. But you hardly ever see her, right? Besides, she'll probably pass the graduation exam and leave. Shirone will need a new woman. Someone refined and intelligent—like me."
Pandora coyly pressed the chest she treasured like a possession.
"Anyway, you should get into my line. I'll catch up to Boyle soon. If you stand on my side, I'll take care of you."
Iruki, who'd pulled Shirone close, wagged a finger. "Aren't you being a bit presumptuous? We're on Shirone's side."
"Hohoho! You're new—enjoy while you can. You'll learn Class Four isn't a cakewalk. See you later, Shirone."
Pandora blew a kiss and returned to her seat. Shirone felt dizzy even before the first lesson began. Still, he now had a sense of how Class Four worked.
Boyle and Pandora, ranks one and two, were aiming for the graduating class while everyone below watched and waited.
Shirone thought he'd made the right choice to pass on the graduating class for now. He wasn't avoiding competition, but he didn't want to fight emotional battles with friends over the handful of first-come spots.
If he made remarkable progress this year, next year he'd be the first to apply like Amy.
The first three periods passed uneventfully. Waiting for the fourth period—Mentalism class—the teacher walked in with three transfer students.
Readers of Spirit recognized them and murmured.
Victor Savina.
Bonifar Closer.
Airhin Dante.
They were from the Royal School of Magic in the capital Vashka and were the most talked-about students in the kingdom.
Especially Airhin Dante—among practicing mages he was called the next-generation archmage; his talent was extraordinary, a genius among geniuses.
"All right, quiet down. From today these transfer students will take classes in Class Four. They'll introduce themselves—give them a warm welcome."
Dante stepped up onto the platform and looked over the students. His first impression was tacky. Accustomed to the capital's cutting-edge fashions, everything here looked provincial to him.
Dante fixed his gaze on Boyle. Boyle's appearance screamed mama's boy, yet his eyes were so confidently proud it gave Dante chills.
'Is that him, Shirone? No way, it can't be.'
It didn't match the impression Olivia had given of Shirone. Maybe not in looks, but certainly not that kind of aura.
Nearby a heavily made-up girl was batting her eyelashes—her face pretty, but the makeup so thick it was hard to look at. In the capital she'd be mistaken for a bar girl if she dressed like that.
"Dante, what are you doing? Introduce yourself."
Dante shrugged off the thought and spoke.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Airhin Dante. Let's get along."
That was his entire self-introduction.