The number of people that newly obtained an enigma was a constant number of 144 each year.
Although there were a few girls that avoided the obligation to enter the school, basically everyone would be completely gathered here from within the country in order to become a freshman in the Magic Division. This was the obligation of the people who obtained an enigma.
In the Magic Division, these 144 people would be placed in the same school year and divided into three classes with a total of 38 people per class.[12]
After the entrance ceremony, the results of the class placement was revealed. Kazuki was assigned to the 1st year 2nd Class.
The classroom seating arrangement was based according to the gojūon’s[13] sequence attendance number, the eighth row’s <Hayashizaki> Kazuki’s seat was directly in the middle of the classroom.
Just when he sat down onto the seat, Kazuki was overwhelmed by the focused gazes and whispers from all directions.
Gazes of curiosity, vigilance and exclusion——And other various feelings suddenly emerged towards Kazuki.
However, because there was already nowhere for him to escape, there was no better method but to face it indifferently.
“Good morning, you group of trash! Nice to meet you!”
At the same time an arrogant voice sounded out, the classroom door opened with a powerful momentum. A blonde girl appeared.
Kazuki could not believe his own eyes, and everybody in the class was in an uproar.
What entered was a girl, with a height of around 140 cm, in a suit. In comparison to the image of the word <Female Teacher>, she had a small size body like a mini dachshund.
That face. No matter who, they would feel that she was only an elementary student. However, just like a prank, that child swiftly walked up in front of the blackboard, passed it and sat on the special seat of a teacher.
The sharp pupils that looked around the inside of the room were green. Her legs were also extremely slender.
“…WAHH, so cute!”
“Just like a doll!”
Inside the classroom, overexcited voices echoed everywhere.
“Hey, who was the one that just said cute!? Stand up for me!!”
She, *ban,ban,ban*[14], hit the podium. With a clear and sharp voice, she issued out a roar.
“…My name is Liz Liza Westwood. I was born in the birthplace of Magic, England. Listen up! I am here to make you trashes become independent knights. You should be honored!”
Was this person really the class teacher…No, perhaps a person, who is able to serve as a teacher in the Knights Academy, could not be judged from their appearance.
“Although I may look more or less young, but this is due to a certain accident, as a result my growth has been slowed down. Although I have already retired, but I still have the appropriate practical experience. Don’t take on an attitude of looking down on me. Anyways, this class…Che, what a troublesome class”
Liz Liza-sensei violently smacked her lips and her gaze stayed on Kazuki.
“Before things become troublesome, I should properly say it to all of you. That is an existence that is not worthy of your attention. More than so, he is completely an <E-Rank> trash. We, the teaching staff, have no expectations towards that guy. Don’t be mistaken.”
After hearing that the male student, who was the focus of attention, was an E-Rank, the classroom suddenly became even noisier.
That phrase was filled with provocative intent, it made Kazuki feel displeased and he could not help but refute against that tiny teacher.
“I did not misunderstand anything…And, I do not plan on remaining at E-Rank.”
The so-called E-Rank was the results of the exams before entering the school.
The freshmen of Magic Division are asked to test the amount of Magic Power they had as well as an actual test on normal Magic.
The Normal Magic that manipulates your own Magic Power was divided into 5 systems: <Psychokinetic Magic>,<Pyrokinesis Magic>, <Physical Enhancement Magic>, <Perceptibility Enhancement Magic> and <Telepathic Magic>.
However, Kazuki, who was always aiming to be a swordsman, had only trained the Physical Enhancement Magic and Perceptibility Enhancement Magic. On the contrary, he was surrounded by elites, who were born with extensive Magic Power and were aiming to be a Stigma Magic User.
Thus, Kazuki had gotten E-Rank, the worst grade.
“A good answer. It seems that he, himself, understands his own situation clearly. The rest of you should also not cry out in excitement because there is a special person, a male…Although saying that, do not bully him. Because all of you are still not independent enough. There is no spare time to underestimate others. Everyone should focus on their goal of improving themselves!”
Although her tone was poor, it seems like she was a person who did not want Kazuki to be made a fool of.
“…Also, in our class, aside from the only E-Rank in the grade, the only two A-Rank in the grade are also present. Are they throwing the top-level students and the last-place student to this competent teacher? Che, this is really the worst class.”
“Yes! I am the A-Rank Amasaki Mio!”
The student, who was number one in the attendance number, suddenly stood up and with a crashing sound.
Although Kazuki could only see the back from his seat, but he could see the honey-colored twintails fluttering and shaking around.
“As the daughter from the noble magician family, the Amasaki household, I have the goal of becoming the strongest Magic User——That is, the Student Council President! I will not lose to anyone! Everybody, please take care of me!”
“…I did not let you introduce yourself. Sit down, you self-centered trash!”
After Liz Liza-sensei finished saying this in amazement, Mio sat down obediently.
A-Rank. This phrase made the classroom become noisy again.
“There are only two A-Ranks in the grade, yet both of them are actually in this class, how amazing!”
“Who is the other A-Rank?”
“Sensei, which one is the other A-Rank?”
Just when a student, who courageously raised her hand to ask, appeared, a sigh came from behind Kazuki.
“…Nonsense. The results of the rank before forming a contract with a Diva, there is no meaning to it.”
Liz Liza-sensei nodded towards the rear of Kazuki.
“It’s the other A-Rank, Hiakari Koyuki, right? Yes, it is just like what Hiakari said.”
Kazuki turned around and looked. He could only see an otherworldly girl there.
The impression that she gave off was the color white ——or rather, silver white. Her silver-colored hair sparkled. The color of her skin was also white as snow.
Long ears extended from both side of her expressionless face…It was an extremely beautiful <Elf>!
The so-called Elf, it is a human whose state of existence had been distorted due to the effects of the Magic they had within themselves.
That posture was beautiful, just like a fantasy. It gave off an impression that the inhabitants of myths had already been brought here in real time.
Because they hold a far greater Magic Power than average females, it was said that many could communicate with spirits. Although there were still many aspects of the ecology of elves that were not understood compared to the Magical Beast…
Due to this special trait, within these 15 years, elves were the object of prejudice and discrimination.
The gazes that were thrown over to this side earlier, perhaps it included the gazes towards the child behind him.
“Is there something on my body, E-Rank? Am I such a rare thing?”
The monotone voice was scolding Kazuki’s gaze. Looks like he had stared at her for a long period of time…If that’s the case, he could also not blame the surrounding girls that had constantly been looking at him.
“Sorry…Iya, because I felt that you were so beautiful. In the places such as the hair…”
In order to prevent her from misunderstanding that he was treating her as an exotic animal, he accidentally blurted out the embarrassing truth. In fact, the amount of time he watched her fascinated should be fairly long.
“I’m beautiful? …You are treating me as a monster, right?”
Koyuki felt that it was inconceivable and tilted her head. Because of this action, her silver-colored hair brushed against each other and sparkled.
“Saying such insincere words to conceal your attitude, it is really disgusting.”
…Why would you think like that? Is it because you are an elf?
Kazuki generated feelings close to anger and could not help but raise his voice.
“I did not say any insincere words! I really think that you are beautiful!”
Koyuki’s expression changed for the first time. Her eyes widened. She held her breath and whispered.
“…Anyways, it would be better if you turn your head to the front.”
After issuing an idiotic “Eh?” sound, Kazuki finally remembered the time and location.
“Hey, E-Rank trash, trying to flirt with girls when I’m talking. Are you kidding?”
For a while, the eyes of all the people in the classroom was focused on Kazuki. Liz Liza-sensei was angry to the extent that her veins were twitching.
“S, sorry…” Kazuki lowered his shoulders and hurriedly turned his head back to the front.
Kazuki hated discrimination. He could not help but lose his cool. As expected, his training was far from enough.
“…Strange guy.” Muttering sounds from behind clearly came over.
“I seem to have some misunderstanding about your gaze. But I…Towards a person, who could praise others as beautiful face-to-face, I…also don’t know how to respond. So please do not stare at me.”
Liz Liza-sensei adjusted her state and continued to speak.
“Just as Hiakari had said, the current ranks do not have much meaning. Your ranks would constantly change during your school life. And, compared to Summoning Magic, Normal Magic is useless. After your Enigma has turned into a Stigma, your struggle will officially begin.”
Compared to the Summoning Magic that requires a lot of time and concentration, Normal Magic that uses your own Magic Power lacked destructive power.
Thus, the only Normal Magic that could be used in combat were the defensive Magic that reflexively protected your body and the supportive Physical Enhancement Magic.
Typically, the Normal Magic such as Psychokinesis Magic were used for <Alchemy> to reconstruct the items from the <Roots of the Particles>. It was used to make everyday life more convenient.
To us, what was more important was the Summoning Magic that was more suitable for combat. This would depend on the future.
——For me, goals, the use of power, these kind of things did not exist.
However, remaining at the obsolete E-Rank is not acceptable.
A Contract with a Diva. I was slightly looking forward to it.
“Having said that, contracting with a Diva is based on the class order, so while we are waiting, let us have a self-introduction. Then, let’s begin from the seating number #1…Although I want to say that, but since Amasaki has already introduced herself, let’s forget it.”
“P, Please wait! I only said so little content, it is not enough for everybody to understand!”
“Your character features has already been adequately communicated to everybody, Amasaki-san from the noble magician family.”
After hearing Liz Liza-sensei’s sarcasm, the classroom burst into laughter, but Mio ignored all of this and stood up.
Her large eyes sparkled and following her turning movements, her two ponytails drew an arc.
The instant she turned around ——It made everybody have the feeling that the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.
“I am the future Student Council President, Amasaki Mio! My hobbies are drawing, writing poems and also knitting! My specialty is of course, Magic!” The loud voice was active again.
Mio, who looked around the classroom, met eyes with Kazuki’s and those large eyes suddenly widened.
Then, her expression suddenly brightened up and she, *pata,pata*[15] waved. It was as if she was reunited with someone important and her cheeks had also turned as red as an apple.
…Is she waving towards me? Kazuki was at a loss and looked behind to confirm the situation.
It could be that she was waving in response to someone behind me.
However, behind Kazuki, only an expressionless Koyuki was there.
Kazuki was confused and once again turned back to the front. He watched Mio’s symmetrical face turn unsightly and with an unhappy voice, she said “That’s all I have to say!” and, *dosun*[16] ,sat back onto her seat.
…What had just happened? Being mistaken about the person…and the like, this kind of situation should be impossible.
——Afterwards, the self-introduction also smoothly moved forward.
Because Mio had said her hobbies and specialty, the classmates all copied that format and introduced themselves.
Gradually, the atmosphere became relaxed. Conversations were produced towards hobbies, “I also like that! Let us be friendly with each other!” and towards the specialty “Amazing!”.
It was the active atmosphere of a female high school. Then, it was finally Kazuki’s turn.
“I am Hayashizaki Kazuki. Although I am an E-Rank, but I will work hard! My hobbies are training, washing clothes and cooking.”
Sounds of laughter echoed from within the classroom. Having a hobby such as washing clothes and cooking seemed to be very surprising.
His specialty was, what? Because aside from saying his <Specialty was sword skills.>, he could not think of any other words, so he said it just like this.
“Even though he is in Magic Division…yet he said sword skills.”
The instant Kazuki said this phrase out, the classroom had become a cynical atmosphere immediately.
“What is that, just like an idiot.”
The person who said this without hiding it ——was the earlier Amasaki Mio.
“What about sword skills, there is no value in it in the Magic Division. In the traditional Ancient Style Sword Skill Family there was a male, who had the goal of becoming a swordsman, yet obtained an enigma…Although I have heard this kind of news, but haven’t you already entered the Magic Division? Even though you will become a Stigma Magic User, do you still have lingering feelings towards the sword skills? Although you are an E-Rank and the last place, but you know sword skills, how unsightly!”
After hearing the phrase <Lingering Feelings towards Sword Skills>, Kazuki felt that his chest was brutally stabbed.
…No, even so, <Sword Skills have no value> this phrase was also too much!
“Hayashizaki. In the Magic Division, the moment Sword Skills or the like are said, there will be no one that would give you a good look. This is the place where Magic elites gather. Not only do they hold a sense of rivalry, most of the people look down upon Sword Skills. Perhaps you feel that it is impossible to accept, but this is that kind of place. There is no helping it. Tell this to yourself. Sit down.”
When Kazuki wanted to retort, Liz Liza-sensei preemptively put an end to it.
…What is this? While his thoughts were left inside his heart, Kazuki returned to his seat.
Mio stared at Kazuki without looking away. After her eyes met with his, she immediately pulled a long face and turned to the front again.
…Indeed, the Summoning Magic he saw at the entrance ceremony was very amazing.
But, in order to activate that large Magic, the amount of time required to chant was long. If you are on the battlefield, it made one feel that it was fatal.
If that’s the case…Even Sword Skills could have a bout with it, right?
He did not know about the other Sword Skills, but if it was the Hayashizaki-Ryuu that he and Kanae were taught by his adoptive father…
“Compared to the me that has a greater amount of magic power only because I am female, I feel that the Sword Skills that were honed through efforts are more worthy of respect.”
After hearing this sentence that seemed to be encouraging him, Kazuki was surprised and looked behind. He noticed that Koyuki had stood up.
“…Your circumstances do not matter to me. ——I am Hiakari Koyuki. No hobbies and specialty. Finish.”
After hearing the A-Rank’s overly cold self-introduction, the classroom began to become noisy again.
Kazuki stared at her in astonishment. Koyuki, who sat down again, showed a bit of emotions and frowned.
“So I said, please turn your head away. Do not look over here.”
