Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Test (1)
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The academy teachers had gathered with serious expressions, waiting for someone.
"Has Teacher Silver still not arrived?"
"Sigh... He's not the type to be late."
"He hasn't looked well lately. Do you think he's sick?"
"If he were sick, he'd say so."
"We can't reach him either."
Silver Blanc.
He was the homeroom teacher for Beta Class in the elementary division of Phoenix Academy, known for his usual cheerfulness and robust health.
He was friendly with all the other teachers, so his sudden absence without notice naturally worried everyone.
"Does anyone know where he lives? Teacher Yu, you often went out for drinks with him after academy hours."
"We drank often, but I don't know his address. We never got drunk anyway."
Mages didn't overindulge in alcohol.
It muddled the memory domain, and a mage's memory was far too precious to risk like that. They generally avoided anything that burdened it.
So even when they drank, they stopped at the point where it just lifted their spirits.
Just then, the door opened, and little Jamie entered, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Yaaawn~ Good morning, everyone."
Jamie shuffled to his seat, still rubbing his eyes.
One of the teachers called out to him.
"Teacher Jamie. Did you happen to see Teacher Silver yesterday?"
"Teacher Silver?"
Jamie didn't remember every teacher by name, but he remembered Silver.
The man had spoken to him kindly a few times when he first arrived at the academy, leaving an impression of friendliness.
"No, I haven't seen him."
"Well, he wouldn't have been hanging around with you anyway."
"What's going on?"
One of the teachers explained the situation.
"We can't reach him?"
"Yeah. I tried earlier, but no answer."
It was Sophia, the teacher with striking wavy blue hair. She let out a quiet sigh and continued.
"I hope nothing's happened to him."
"It'll be fine. He's probably just exhausted."
"Does he have class today?"
"Luckily, no."
"Then Sophia, can you cover Beta Class just for today?"
"Sure thing."
They were worried about Silver's absence, but the academy was their workplace, and they had a duty to fill any gaps quickly.
"What's everyone gathered for?"
The back door opened, and Javelin entered.
Even in the morning, he wore a refreshed smile as he approached the teachers.
The teacher who had explained to Jamie did the same for Javelin.
"Is Teacher Silver feeling under the weather?"
"Who knows."
"I'll go check on him. I can look up his address."
As acting principal for the time being, finding a teacher's address wasn't hard for Javelin.
"As expected of the acting principal! So reliable!"
"We can count on you, Teacher!"
With Javelin solving the issue in one go, everyone praised him.
"W-Why are you all making me feel burdened? It's just what I should do."
"I feel relieved knowing you're going, Teacher Javelin."
"Now I can teach without worrying."
Javelin was a dependable man not just to the students, but to his fellow teachers as well.
Jamie always thought of him as 'hard to read,' but regardless, earning that level of trust from others was no small feat.
In many ways, he was impressive.
"Anyway, I'll let everyone know once I've checked."
With the problem seemingly resolved, Jamie headed to his seat.
He set down his bag, sat, loosened his tight tie halfway, and leaned back in his chair.
That's when a knock sounded, and the door opened as Ann entered the staff room, looking around.
She was searching for her spot.
"Ann. Over here."
"Ah! Good morning."
Ann greeted the other teachers as she hurried over to Jamie's side.
"You're here."
"Yes."
They'd met on the way home yesterday, chatted about various things, and he'd told her to come to the staff room this morning.
Jamie looked at Ann's face.
The ten-year-old girl seemed a bit tense, lips pressed tight, eyes burning with determination.
It was the look of someone who'd steeled herself in many ways to come here.
Jamie chuckled and informed her.
"After class today, come to my dorm."
"Y-Your dorm? I don't know where it is."
"Lennon does."
"...Lennon?"
"Yeah. He's going to train with you."
Ann's face crumpled at that.
No need to ask why.
Just yesterday, she'd told him exactly what she thought of Lennon.
"What? Got a problem?"
"N-Not really..."
Ann trailed off.
If it had just been her timid, trembling voice, he might have been disappointed.
But Jamie caught a hint of resentment on her face. Envy and jealousy toward Lennon wouldn't fade in a single day.
Ann still felt a strong sense of inferiority toward him.
That's why he'd given Lennon the chance too.
It was a bit unfair to Lennon, but Jamie hoped his presence would be the catalyst Ann needed.
"Anyway. Come to my dorm with Lennon today. And keep this in mind."
"What?"
"Neither of you is my disciple yet. You'll only become one after passing my test."
"Test..."
"So do your best. It might be just you, just Lennon, both of you, or neither."
Jamie could hear Ann gulping.
"I hope you don't waste this chance."
"I-I'll do my best!"
Ann shouted with all her might, drawing every teacher's gaze. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands and bowed her head.
Her fair skin flushed bright red—a sight worth watching.
Jamie smiled faintly and waved her off.
"Now go prepare for class."
"Yes. See you later."
Ann bowed deeply and left the staff room.
He'd probably instilled excessive motivation in the already eager girl, but he had no regrets.
'Ann needs a push.'
To draw out her lacking magical talent, he had to stir her emotions too.
Lennon might just be her fateful encounter.
Though she'd never see it that way.
"Planning to take that child as your disciple?"
"Whoa!"
Jamie nearly fell backward at Kenniac's sudden voice from behind.
This shady guy had sneaked up without a sound.
"Make some noise when you approach! You scared the life out of me."
"My apologies. You seemed distracted, so I watched quietly."
"...So, what is it?"
"You must not have heard properly from the shock. I asked if you're planning to take Ann as your disciple."
Jamie found Kenniac's formal speech burdensome.
He'd started speaking politely after the first magic circle class.
Jamie knew it showed respect, but he preferred the man's former arrogance.
"I'm just considering it for now."
"You're interested?"
"That's why I'm debating taking her. Why do you ask?"
Kenniac stared at Jamie, then leaned in close and whispered softly in his ear.
"Don't get interested."
"You'll have to explain that in detail..."
"Don't ask. Just heed my words."
Kenniac pulled back and added.
"...I don't want to see great talent snuffed out too soon. Don't take my warning lightly."
With that, Kenniac left the staff room.
Jamie stared at the spot he'd vacated, frowning.
'What the hell?'
Saying it so outright meant there was some danger around Ann, right?
Ann was a genius scholar by birth, but her family was utterly ordinary.
He'd briefly investigated her background before she entered the academy—nothing but a normal childhood like any other kid. No issues.
So Kenniac's warning made no sense.
'Above all... He didn't know anything about Siegfried and Ann either.'
Of course, Siegfried was the academy principal, but he spent far more time away from the magic world than in it, so he might not know.
This needed looking into later.
Ding~ dong~ dang~ dong~
The class bell rang.
He'd think on it later. For now, Jamie gathered his teaching materials and stood.
As Ann returned to class, she bumped into Lennon at the entrance, who was late.
The two glared at each other wordlessly.
"Hmph!"
"Hmph!"
Snorting, they entered and went to their seats.
Ann's heart was a mess.
A glance back showed Lennon glaring fiercely. They locked eyes for a moment, then he snorted again and faced forward.
'Why?'
Ann couldn't understand it.
Lennon's skills were already beyond a full-fledged mage. Plus, his Simon family was a renowned magical dynasty.
His father was especially a Crimson Lotus mage, one at the pinnacle of the magic world. With such an amazing father, why seek guidance from Teacher Jamie?
It felt like the haves were greedier.
'I'll never lose.'
She was behind now, but she'd grit her teeth and learn. She'd pass the test and become Jamie's official disciple.
Ann had always been tenacious about studying since childhood.
Young as she was, with added spite, she felt she could do anything.
Unaware Lennon felt the same, Ann prepared for class.
Then she noticed Finn beside her.
Finn looked pale, eyes slightly unfocused, lacking energy.
"Finn, you okay? Sick?"
"I'm fine."
Finn forced a smile.
"Maybe the cold weather... Feels like a quick bug."
Finn rested his chin on his hand, head drooping weakly.
He'd been full of energy yesterday. Looking half-dead after one day worried her.
"You sure you're okay?"
"Really, I am. Phew... Drink this, and I'll be back to normal. No worries."
Saying so, Finn pulled Apophis X from his bag.
Ann stopped him as he went to open it.
"Nutritional supplements aren't good if you overdo them."
"It's fine. This one's good stuff."
"You drink four or five a day."
"I said it's fine!"
Finn snapped, shoving her hand away.
Seeing Ann's startled face, Finn realized his mistake and looked shocked.
"S-Sorry. I'm really fine, so don't worry."
"...Okay."
Ann rubbed her hand and nodded.
Meanwhile, Finn twisted off the cap and chugged the Apophis X.
Was it really okay?
Ann worried about Finn's condition but couldn't intervene after that outburst.
The bell rang.
Helpless, Ann turned away and opened her textbook.