Chapter 27: Magical Energy Measurement

I never knew there was a measurement for magical energy. And to make matters worse, it’s conducted in a practical format, with everyone watching. This means it will be known to everyone that I have no talent with a magical energy value of 1. In this magical kingdom, where magic prevails, having the talent of a sorcerer is considered the highest honor. And the magical energy value is considered the most accurate measure of a sorcerer’s power, above all else. In essence, a high magical energy value earns admiration, while a low one invites ridicule in society. Well, that’s obviously an exaggeration, but it’s not entirely wrong within this magical academy.

“…Why does it have to be done in front of everyone?”

Of course, having a high magical energy value alone doesn’t guarantee success as a sorcerer. It is only by combining magical knowledge and practical experience that one can truly harness that magical energy value. However, if one doesn’t have a high magical energy value to begin with, they can’t even step onto the starting line. That’s why this country values noble blood that produces talented sorcerers above all else. As someone born into nobility but lacking in sorcerer talent, I have kept my magical energy value mostly hidden from others until now. Only a few people, like Mil, are aware of it. It would be acceptable if only one or two more people knew, but if it were dozens, the situation would change. It’s simply embarrassing. In this place where raw talents gather, revealing a magical energy value of 1 would be a disgrace. Why does it have to be measured in front of everyone’s eyes?

Lezan-sensei provided the explanation for that.

“Magical energy value serves as an indicator for sorcerers, and it must be measured accurately above all else. In the past, there were cases of faculty bribery and false reporting of magical energy values, so that’s why it has become a practical examination format.”

I thought it was a story that would be found in a school for nobles. For a moment, I wondered what someone would gain from lying about their magical energy value. But this academy has a “Scholarship Student Program” where exceptionally talented students are selected. If chosen as a scholarship student, the tuition for that year is significantly reduced, and their academic record improves, giving them more control over their future paths after graduation. Being able to claim the top position in this renowned academy, where the children of distinguished families gather, is an attractive status indeed. It seems that to be selected as a scholarship student, not only good grades but also a magical energy value, which serves as a sorcerer’s indicator, are necessary. Hearing this explanation from Lezan-sensei, the motivation of the surrounding students visibly increased. They were determined to become scholarship students. Of course, motivation alone doesn’t increase one’s magical energy value, and the values are predetermined from birth.

“The method of measuring magical energy values involves the use of magical devices that apply this appraisal magic.”

Lezan-sensei brought in a “doll” about the size of an adult. I couldn’t tell what material it was made of, but it looked like a pure white mannequin. It had no face and had a smooth, featureless appearance, giving off an eerie vibe. The only standout feature was a dial on its forehead, capable of displaying three-digit numbers. That dial seemed to be the instrument-like element for measurement.

“When you cast a designated spell at this doll, the dial will rotate according to its power. The spell you will be using is called ‘Invisible Bullet: Phantom Shell,’ an attribute-less magic that simply delivers an impact forward. This way, regardless of the color of magical elements, the magical energy value is purely reflected.”

It seemed like the doll itself was the measuring device, but was it necessary for it to be humanoid? That question arose, but let’s put that aside for now. I was slightly surprised by how simple the measurement method was. Just cast the attribute-less magic into the doll. Plus, since multiple dolls were prepared, the process progressed quite quickly, with students taking turns for measurements.

After receiving the incantation from the teacher, we would cast the spell into the doll.

“Trigger pulled――Shells from the blind spot――Blast through the obstructing wall――Invisible Bullet: Phantom Shell!”

A bullet made of compressed air was shot from their outstretched palm, causing the doll to be pushed back by the invisible impact. Apparently, the magic didn’t have that much destructive power, as the doll only moved slightly even with a high magical energy value. The dial on the doll’s forehead clicked and displayed a number.

“It’s 140 for the magical energy value. Next student…”

I vaguely remembered hearing that the average magical energy value for a national sorcerer was around 150. Since the magical energy value is determined at birth, those with values close to that average were considered to have the potential to become national sorcerers. Students continued to achieve magical energy values close to the average one after another, increasing my anxiety.

“Wow, amazing!”

“Hmm?”

Noticing the commotion nearby, I turned to see an unusual crowd gathering. And at the center stood Maron, the person I had just spoken to. Maron opened her right palm with a swift motion, and in front of her was the measurement doll lying on the ground. It had been blown away to a significantly farther distance compared to the other students.

Lezan-sensei, checking the dial on the doll’s forehead, pronounced an astonishing number.

“Maron Melange, magical energy value 280!”

“2… 280?!”

Repeating once again, the average magical energy value for a national sorcerer is around 150. Having a magical energy value around that range is more than enough to be recognized by the country as a competent sorcerer. And Maron had achieved a magical energy value of over 200, an astonishing 280. While his magical energy value had likely been determined since birth, it seemed that it hadn’t been publicly disclosed in a grand manner. The surrounding students all had their mouths wide open in disbelief.

“Has there ever been a student with such a high magical energy value before?”

“There are a few students each year with values over 200, but…”

“The teacher said they’ve rarely seen values close to 300…”

I didn’t know how many years had passed since the academy’s founding, but Maron’s magical energy value would be ranked among the top students in the history of the academy. I thought she was an excellent student, but I never expected her to be that amazing. Maron herself seemed unaware of her own greatness, looking bewildered amidst the commotion. …She’s quite adorable.

“Poir Mule, magical energy value 255!”

Suddenly, a voice was heard from behind, causing the students who had been focused on Maron to turn their heads simultaneously. There stood a golden-haired girl wearing a pointed hat reminiscent of a nightcap. She was none other than Poir, a classmate of ours. I often saw her spending time with Maron. Come to think of it, when I was invited to have lunch with them, she was sitting with Maron. She always seemed drowsy, with her eyes half-closed, and frequently dozed off during class, earning her reprimands. The girl whom I, on my own, dubbed the “Sleep-Deprived Girl” seemed to have achieved remarkable results in the magical energy measurement. Her magical energy value was 255, nearing Maron’s 280. Given her constant sleepy impression, it felt somewhat surprising.

“She’s from Class A, right?”

“Yeah, maybe this year Class A has an abundance of talented students.”

The gazes of students from other classes gradually shifted towards the students of Class A. Although it might just be a coincidence, there indeed seemed to be a concentration of outstanding students in Class A. With two students already surpassing a magical energy value of 250, it was natural for people around to hold high expectations. In the midst of it all, it was now my turn.

“…”

Oh no, I’m completely being watched. I’m attracting the attention of numerous students. In addition to the information about the talented students gathering in Class A… Since the mock battle with Kaien, I’ve become someone who draws attention for various reasons. It’s hard for everyone to believe that a child of a renowned magician’s family lost to a mere commoner’s child. Especially since Kaien was considered the strongest candidate in this year’s class. And now, everyone wants to know the magical energy value of the commoner girl who defeated Cayenne. Please, I want them to stop. I want them to look away. I want everyone to disappear. Because, I…

“Trigger pulled――Shells from the blind spot――Blast through the obstructing wall――Invisible Bullet: Phantom Shell!”

From my outstretched right hand, a tiny ball of air, no bigger than a candy, was released. It barely touched the doll in front of me before dissipating into nothingness. It was nothing like the bullets of compressed air that everyone else was firing—a mere puff of breath. Naturally, the dial barely moved, with only the rightmost number sluggishly rotating, as if it were a slow-paced turtle.

‘001.’

Soon, that number appeared on the doll’s forehead, and the surroundings fell into complete silence. It felt as if time had stopped. Then, laughter erupted from somewhere, starting with a light ‘pu’ sound, and it spread explosively like a contagious virus.

“Hahaha! What the heck was that?”

“I’ve never heard of a magical energy value of 1!”

“Is she really the magician who defeated Kaien?”

Laughter filled the air, and my face grew hot. Embarrassment caused my heart to race rapidly. I wished I could disappear. Eventually, the supervising teacher, sensing something was amiss, hurried over to me.

“A-Are you really putting in your best effort? I’ve never seen or heard of a student with a magical energy value of 1…”

“T-That’s… my full power…”

As I confessed with a trembling voice, the cheeks of the surrounding students loosened even further. They seemed eager to question how I managed to enter this academy and what I was doing here. Rumors began to circulate, suggesting that my victory against Kaien might have been a fluke or even a deception. Gradually, the students distanced themselves, and the gazes that had been focused on me completely vanished. No one paid me any attention anymore.

…

Unexpectedly, I had managed to escape the constant scrutiny that had been troubling me recently. Although I hadn’t been accustomed to being in the spotlight and had felt uncomfortable, suddenly being freed from the surrounding gazes also left me feeling lonely. Above all, it was disheartening to know that the reason I could escape from everyone’s gaze was the embarrassing fact of having a magical energy value of 1. Well, in a way, it was for the best. I had wanted to avoid attention as much as possible, and the attention I received was overwhelming. It left me with indescribable emotions. With a heavy heart, after finishing the final magical energy measurement of the physical examinations, I reluctantly headed back to the classroom.

Just as I took a step forward…

“W-What the heck is that guy!?”

“Huh?”

Many students were looking in surprise at something. Curious, I followed their gaze and saw that the measurement doll had flown all the way to the edge of the schoolyard. Even Maron hadn’t been able to send it flying that far—only reaching about the center of the yard. My eyes slowly moved to the person who seemed to have blown away the doll.

And there she was…

“Um, um…!”

Gathering the attention of numerous students, nervously adjusting her blue hair and fiddling with it, was my roommate, Mil. It seemed like she realized that she had done something incredible, as she wriggled her body in agitation, her eyes swimming. Did Mil blow away the doll to that extent? Eventually, the female teacher who went to retrieve the doll must have seen the dial on its forehead, as she expressed her astonishment in a voice that reached us.

“Ma-Ma, magical energy value 350!?”

“What?!”

“Huh?!”

In an instant, the gazes directed at Mil transformed into something bordering on awe. A magical energy value of 350. In an academy where it was considered rare for a student to surpass 200, she had achieved an otherworldly value exceeding 300. I had expected her magical energy value to be quite high, based on the few joint missions we had undertaken together, but I never imagined it would be such an enormous figure. And it was Mil, a fragile and timid commoner, who had accomplished it. The surrounding students stared wide-eyed in disbelief. However, the person herself remained unaware—unaware of the magnitude of her magical energy value and the numerous trials that awaited her.

“Is… is this something amazing?”

Uttering those words, the pride of a noble’s son and daughter, with their wounded pride, gritted their teeth in frustration.