Shirone Walks Forward
Shirone walked forward silently.
"...."
Under the gaze of everyone, he stood before the bulletin board and calmly read the official notice.
The conclusion reached by the faculty council seemed to be a real-sword duel—a decisive test.
'Teleportation.'
That single word seared itself into Shirone's mind.
The So-Called "Class Seven Bullying Incident"
This incident, now dubbed the Class Seven Bullying Incident, had even piqued the interest of upperclassmen.
The fact that Shirone was the target made it all the more talked about.
Amy: "Good heavens! Something like this happened? Amy, did you know about it?"
Amy, who had only checked the bulletin board as classes ended, blankly scanned the notice.
When Seriel shared the rumors she'd heard—detailing the specifics—Amy's fists trembled uncontrollably.
'He was ostracized? And because of me?'
His classmates avoided even making eye contact with him. Some even openly mocked him when he returned from joint classes after exchanging greetings with her.
'Is that why he kept his distance?'
Seriel asked,
Seriel: "What do you think? Well, Class Seven does have younger kids, after all. Honestly, I've been through something similar. I got promoted quickly, so it wasn't a big deal."
Amy: "Being young isn't an excuse. By that logic, are we not young either?"
Seriel: "Age aside, their class matters too. Class Seven students are genuinely immature."
Amy didn't want to argue.
Her mind was a mess, and she couldn't think straight.
'You idiot! Why didn't you tell me?'
If he had confided in her, they could've found a better solution.
No—they definitely would have.
'How can someone be so kind and just take it? He should've at least flaunted being with me.'
The ones who tormented Shirone were mere juniors who wouldn't even dare meet her eyes.
Amy: "I need to see Shirone."
Seriel: "Going is fine, but what are you planning to do?"
Amy: "Give him a piece of my mind. Then, I'll gather every Class Seven student. Officially, we're lovers—I have every right to do that much."
Seriel: "What?! Are you insane? Absolutely not!"
Amy: "Why not? Should he just endure it? Especially when it's my fault he's like this?!"
Seriel: "Ugh, you really don't understand men. Do you know why Shirone didn't say anything? Pride. If you go barging in, you'll just make it worse!"
She continued,
Seriel: "Men crave recognition. They live and die by their pride. Do you think he'd want to admit being bullied to the girl he likes?"
Her words made sense—but only if they were truly in love.
'We're not actually dating.'
So why hadn't he told her?
Seriel: "Still, isn't this for the best? If he passes the promotion exam, he'll enter Class Five. The teleportation test was a smart choice. Since no one's learned it yet, Shirone isn't at a disadvantage."
Amy disagreed.
There was a clear difference between students who struggled with certain spells and Shirone, who couldn't use magic at all.
'And teleportation, of all things…'
The first emotion students felt when attempting teleportation was terror.
The speed was incomparable to flight magic. Worse, short-range teleportation risked fatal collisions if they misjudged obstacles.
Amy: "No matter how I look at it… this is extremely dangerous. Why would they decide on this?"
Seriel: "They'll adjust the difficulty. It's also a way to test the students' enthusiasm. Apparently, over half of Class Seven is taking the exam."
Amy: "What?! They've never even learned it!"
Seriel: "Passing means skipping two classes straight to Class Five. And since teleportation is new, no one can complain about fairness."
Having attempted teleportation herself, Amy considered the process.
Examinees would either seek senior guidance or hire private tutors for intensive study.
'Shirone can't do that.'
A dedicated instructor was impossible, and given his bullying, no one would offer advice.
'What if he really fails?'
She recognized his talent more than anyone, but short-term preparation didn't guarantee success.
Seriel: "Wait! Amy, why don't you help Shirone? It's a chance to make up, too."
Amy: "Hmph! After what he went through, he didn't say a word. Why should I help? I'll keep pretending I don't know."
Seriel: "Ugh, you two are impossible. If you like each other, why complicate things?"
Amy: "Mind your own business. This is our way. Besides, I'm not exactly free either. The graduation-class promotion test is right around the corner."
Seriel: "Oh, right! Sorry."
Nothing was more important to a student than promotion.
Even Amy couldn't afford distractions when facing the high barrier of the graduation class.
Amy: "Shirone will figure it out. If he can't even manage this, he shouldn't dare say he's dating me."
As she turned away, she added silently,
'Even if it's fake.'
Midnight Infiltration
Around midnight, a masked figure slipped into the boys' dormitory garden.
Moving with feline grace, their steps left no rustle in the grass.
Noticing a light on the seventh floor, the masked intruder scratched their head irritably.
'This isn't because I care! I'm just helping because it's partly my fault!'
Amy gritted her teeth.
No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, thoughts of Shirone disrupted her focus.
Amy (muttering): "Just you wait. I'll make you beg for forgiveness."
Using her Schema abilities, she scaled the high wall and reached the seventh-floor window.
If rumors spread of her sneaking into the boys' dorm at night, she'd never live it down—but Amy was confident she wouldn't get caught.
'Good thing I learned Schema.'
Swinging onto the balcony, she slipped into Shirone's room the moment the window opened.
Her plan was set:
Subdue Shirone.Toss him onto the bed.Cover his mouth before he could scream.
But the plan ended there.
She froze mid-step, unable to move.
Shirone stared blankly—while beside him sat Siana.
Shirone: "Instructor?"
Siana: "You… Amy?"
Siana studied her closely. The sharp eyes, the red hair—undeniably Amy.
She knew they were dating, but she thought they'd been focusing on their studies lately.
Siana: "Don't tell me you've been meeting like this all along? Pretending not to know each other by day, sneaking around at night?"
Amy (flustered): "N-no! That's a huge misunderstanding!"
Siana (hushing her): "Shh! The next room might hear."
Since they were in the boys' dorm, Amy covered her mouth and glanced nervously at the wall.
If rumors spread of a girl's voice in Shirone's room, she'd be the prime suspect.
Removing her mask, Amy demanded,
Amy: "Wait—forget me, what are you doing here, Instructor? At this hour?"
If anything, Siana was the least fitting person for this scenario.
Why visit a student alone past midnight when a simple summons would suffice?
Amy (suspicious): "Explain. Why are you here?"
Caught off guard, Siana quickly regained her composure.
Siana: "I came to advise him on the promotion exam. Given the class atmosphere, I wanted to speak privately."
Amy had no rebuttal for that.
Shirone (offering tea): "Um, Senior… here."
Amy (sniffing the tea): "Hmm."
Her manners kicked in automatically as she accepted the cup.
—Then she slammed it down.
Amy (yelling): "—The hell with this! This is all your fault!"
Shirone (flinching): "S-sorry."
His meekness only infuriated her more.
No wonder the kids walked all over him.
Siana (calmly): "Sit down first. Let's finish our discussion."
As Shirone and Amy sat side by side on the bed, Siana adjusted her glasses.
Siana: "As you know, this test evaluates teleportation. It was the headmaster's direct decision."
Amy (surprised): "The headmaster?"
The final puzzle piece clicked.
Of course—Alpheas's mischief was at play.
Siana: "Yes. Honestly, I don't understand his intent. Teleportation is too dangerous for lower classes."
Amy: "The test will be at the 'Uncrossable Bridge,' right?"
Siana: "Not confirmed, but likely. There's no other suitable location."
The Uncrossable Bridge
The Uncrossable Bridge connected two mountain peaks in the training grounds, each 1,000 meters high, with a 700-meter span. Below, a violent river raged through the ravine.
Shirone (curious): "Why 'Uncrossable'?"
Amy (explaining): "Because you can't cross it normally. It's a teleportation training ground. Difficulty ranges from Level 1 to 10—even as Class Four, I found Level 8+ deadly."
Siana (adding): "The exam will obviously use Level 1—no obstacles. Completing 700 meters is impossible for Class Seven anyway."
Amy (realizing): "Then how's it graded? Fastest to the end wins?"
Siana: "Farthest leap. It's low-risk. Safety measures are in place, and upperclass instructors will supervise. The real issue is the students. Over-competitiveness leads to clashes."
Amy saw the critical point.
Amy: "Shirone will be targeted. There's one way—burst ahead early. It'll drain his stamina, but he can handle it."
Siana: "I agree. That's why I'll personally train him starting tonight."
Amy (shocked): "Wha—You?!"
Shirone looked equally stunned.
Siana smiled faintly, inexplicably irking Amy.
Amy (challenging): "Why go that far?"
Siana: "I'm partly responsible. I initially planned to place Shirone directly in Class Five, but other instructors opposed it. Had they listened, none of this would've happened."
Amy (countering): "But if word gets out, it'll backfire. Other students will scramble to learn teleportation, but if they hear you're tutoring Shirone, his victory will be questioned. I'll train him. Level 1 is easy enough for me."
Shirone's gaze shifted to Amy.
After ignoring her, he'd expected her to be furious.
Siana frowned.
Siana: "You've applied for graduation-class promotion, haven't you? Shouldn't you focus on that?"
Shirone (surprised): "Wait—Senior, really?"
Her boldness amazed him. Being the first to apply meant tackling the challenge head-on.
'Her personality's something else. Incredible.'
That she'd come despite her own struggles was astonishing.
Meanwhile, Amy and Siana stood their ground, pride flaring.
Amy: "I can spare time for teleportation. You should back off, Instructor. Your involvement could hurt his chances."
Siana: "Shirone's learning magic for the first time. A teacher should guide him. You should focus on graduation. You know how rare that chance is."
Both wore faint smiles, but their eyes were sharp.
Amy turned to Shirone.
Amy: "Fine. You choose. Me or her? Though your girlfriend teaching you would be better."
Siana (countering): "With your exam coming, how much attention can you give? Be reasonable."
Shirone didn't hesitate.
Shirone: "I'll do it alone."
Both: "What?!"
Their expressions blanked.
Shirone: "Learning from an instructor on the judging panel feels unfair. And I don't want to burden Senior Amy before her exam. I'll handle this myself."
Amy (shouting): "You idiot! Do you know what kind of chance this is? Others are hiring tutors! Everyone's gunning for you! How can you possibly—"
Shirone (calmly): "I understand."
Amy: "Huh?"
Shirone: "Senior, you're pushing for early graduation for the same reason, right? Hesitating here won't get me anywhere. Class Five is just a step toward becoming a mage. Whatever happens, I'll accept it—just like you."
Amy (coughing): "Ahem."
Feeling exposed, she cleared her throat. Shirone then faced Siana.
Shirone: "Trust me. I won't promise success, but I'll give my all—no regrets."
Reading his resolve, Siana stood.
Siana: "If that's your decision, I'll respect it. But if you're unsure, ask me anytime. That applies to all students."
Shirone (bowing): "Thank you for your concern."
Just before opening the door, Siana pointed at Amy.
Siana: "I'll let it slide today, but from now on, refrain from entering the boys' dorm. You could face disciplinary action."
Amy: "Yes, ma'am."
Amy bowed her head, flushed with embarrassment. Frankly, she'd gotten lucky—that was the only way to see it.