The Class Seven blackboard was densely covered in chemical theory.
Today's lesson felt faster than usual, so the students scrambled to keep up.
As if confirming their suspicions, Siana ended class ten minutes early and stepped down from the podium.
"Today's lesson ends here. And I have an announcement for all of you."
The students cheered.
If it meant getting out of class early, they'd even tolerate the sound of ghosts munching on rice grains.
"The candidate for early promotion has been decided. Arian Shirone, please stand up."
Shirone jolted in surprise.
'Me?'
Meanwhile, the students who were accustomed to such situations scowled upon hearing Shirone's name.
"Shirone will be promoted to Class Five. Starting tomorrow, attend classes according to that schedule. The rest of you, work harder to earn your own opportunities. That's all."
The classroom erupted in murmurs.
The students looked as though they had just received news of a war breaking out—stunned, disbelieving.
'This isn't just an early promotion.'
Jumping from Class Seven to Class Five meant leaping two whole tiers at once.
Mark, the unofficial leader of Class Seven, slammed his hands on his desk and stood up. He was a broad-shouldered student with a square jaw.
Mark: "This is favoritism! You've said it yourself, Professor—Spirit Zones aren't everything in magic! How can Shirone skip two whole classes? She can't even cast a single spell!"
Siana blinked in surprise.
'Ethela never mentioned this…'
Perhaps even she didn't know. After all, integrated classes didn't strictly require magic.
Mark: "Well, Shirone? Is it true?"
The classmates turned to stare at her. Their eyes practically screamed:
Say you can't. Just admit it.
Shirone: "Yes. I still can't use magic."
Siana adjusted her glasses, lost in thought.
'But that shouldn't affect early promotion. Officially, magic isn't part of the curriculum until Class Five.'
Still, Shirone's inability to cast spells was undeniably unusual.
'She could learn the basics now if she tried. Unless… she's choosing not to?'
But why?
Any student passionate about magic would practice on their own, even if the school discouraged it.
Siana: "I understand the confusion. However, magic isn't graded until Class Six. Shirone's promotion will proceed as planned."
Mark: "We won't accept this!"
Another Student: "It's unfair! If we competed on grades alone, I'd beat Shirone! She barely keeps up in theory!"
Another Student: "If Shirone gets promoted, we'll petition the student council for a hearing!"
The backlash was fiercer than Siana expected. She had assumed these competitive students would simply be provoked—but what she saw was outright hostility.
'There's something I'm missing here.'
The students' eyes burned with defiance, as if they'd go to war over this.
Siana: "The decision isn't yet finalized. An official notice will be posted after faculty deliberations. Class dismissed."
Back in the staff room, Siana sank into thought.
'What was that reaction about?'
One advantage of a specialized school was that students understood the system. Just as soldiers didn't resent rank or fighters didn't complain about sparring, magic academy students accepted merit-based competition.
'If they were afraid of that, they wouldn't have enrolled.'
As long as Shirone's promotion followed the rules, it was simply a matter of focus and choice.
'This is emotional. But why…?'
Maria, a nineteen-year-old student stuck in Class Seven for four years, approached. Though not untalented, her timid nature held her back.
Maria: "Professor Siana… I need to tell you something."
She confessed everything—how Shirone was treated, the relentless bullying, the reason behind the class's outrage.
With each word, Siana's frown deepened.
This wasn't just exclusion. It was systematic torment.
Maria (tearing up): "I went through it too. They'd pretend to gag near me, whisper insults just loud enough to hear. Back then, I couldn't focus on anything. But Shirone… I don't know how she stays so calm."
Siana: "I had no idea…"
This was her first year teaching Class Seven. The cruelty shocked her.
Siana: "Thank you. I'll handle it from here."
Past midnight, Shirone returned from the library. As she washed up, a knock startled her.
'Who's here at this hour?'
Students couldn't leave the dorms after curfew, and staff had gone home.
Before she could overthink, a familiar voice called through the door.
Siana: "Shirone, are you awake?"
Shirone hurriedly opened the door. Siana stood there, hair damp from the baths.
Shirone: "Professor? Please, come in."
Siana scanned the room—unlike typical boys' dorms, it was meticulously organized. Her gaze landed on Shirone's books.
'Hmm.'
Alongside textbooks were advanced volumes on unrelated fields—yet all connected by underlying theory.
'She knows her weakness. Instead of chasing short-term results, she's building a foundation.'
A question nagged at Siana:
'Why wasn't she trained earlier?'
She didn't know Shirone was common-born, but the girl's strategy was undeniably deliberate.
Shirone: "Would you like tea?"
Siana: "No, I came to ask you something."
She sat on the bed; Shirone pulled up a chair. Up close, Siana seemed different—softer, more feminine with her hair down. Shirone averted her eyes, tense.
'How unexpected. She's shy outside class.'
Siana: "Is school difficult for you?"
Shirone: "No, I enjoy it. Studying is fulfilling."
Siana: "Then why didn't you tell me? About the bullying."
Shirone had expected this. Lately, the harassment had been too blatant to ignore.
Shirone: "It's fine. Really."
Siana: "Be honest. There's no shame in it."
Shirone: "I don't mind. I wish I had friends, but if they dislike me, that's their choice."
Her gaze held no resentment.
Siana: "Remarkable. Most would feel bitterness."
Shirone (smiling slightly): "Of course, I'm human. I want good relationships. But clinging to them by denying myself? That's foolish. Even if all forty in Class Seven reject me, the world is vast. Someone will understand me."
Her conviction was unshakable.
Siana (nodding): "Well said. I'll present this at the faculty meeting."
Siana: "In conclusion, Shirone meets all criteria for early promotion."
At the meeting, she submitted evidence of the bullying. The teachers' faces darkened as they read.
Teacher A: "This is absurd! Harassing a student over magic?"
Teacher B: "Lower classes can be brutal. Talent gaps breed pettiness."
Teacher C: "Then promote her faster. With her potential, she'll graduate in four years. We need standout students—especially now, with rival schools challenging our reputation."
Early graduates were prestige. Other schools were racing to produce prodigies; Alpheas Magic Academy couldn't fall behind.
Sade: "I disagree."
Siana's eyes narrowed. They clashed at every turn.
Headmaster Alpheas: "Oh? Explain."
Sade: "The issue isn't her talent—it's her lack of magic. The students' resentment stems from that. We must address it."
Siana: "I've already stated: Shirone prioritizes foundational knowledge. The school can't force her to learn magic prematurely."
Sade: "My concern is your bias. These students work hard too. Even if Shirone's Spirit Zones are superior, shouldn't their efforts matter?"
Siana: "Are you suggesting we stifle a genius because of petty jealousy?"
They slammed the table simultaneously, standing face-to-face.
The other teachers sighed. This was routine.
Alpheas (smiling): "Enough."
Silence fell instantly. Both respected him deeply.
Alpheas: "Both arguments have merit. However, as educators, we must also consider the students' morale."
Sade grinned; Siana remained stoic.
Alpheas (eyes twinkling): "So, how about this?"
A notice appeared on the advanced-class board, sending shockwaves through the student body:
For students unconvinced by Shirone's promotion, Class Seven will hold a special advancement test.One winner will advance to Class Five.Scoring will be based on magic—specifically, Teleportation.
Student A: "T-Teleportation?! I can't do that!"
Student B: "It's a Class Five spell! None of us know it!"
Student C: "I tried two years ago… but it was terrifying. Never again."
Student D: "The formula itself is simple. The hard part is controlling it."
The crowd suddenly hushed as a path cleared.