Now that I think about it... even if it was a mistake, maybe it's for the best. I don't really want to be the center of attention. But... a zero?
Did it really have to be that extreme? More than suspicious, it felt downright humiliating.
I walked back to my seat with my head down, a knot forming in my stomach. I could feel Valentina's gaze on me—sharp, analytical. Was she about to say something?
The professor glanced at me briefly, his brows furrowing for just a moment. Then, with a carefully neutral tone, he spoke:
"Young Garieth Kael... I suppose we'll need to reevaluate you later."
I nodded. "Understood, professor."
The class continued as if nothing had happened. Unfortunately, the topic couldn't have been more irrelevant to me: basic techniques for elemental summoning. Something that only a handful of students here seemed to truly understand.
I didn't bother taking notes. Why would I? According to that crystal, I didn't even have any magic.
Still, I pretended to pay attention. I forced myself to look forward, to keep my hands still. Then, suddenly, a familiar voice broke the silence around me.
"I wanted to ask you something."
Valentina. I turned slightly toward her.
"Sure. What is it?"
"Do you remember what we talked about yesterday? Well... I wanted to know who your roommate is."
"Oh, right... about that. It's Withe Marie. Though... a few things happened before we got paired up."
"I see... so it was that." Her gaze wandered for a moment. "It makes sense. You both arrived at almost the same time—just a few minutes apart."
"Exactly. By the way, what happened with those rules you mentioned the other day?"
She turned her head back toward me. Her eyes, as usual, held that cold, distant calm that made her feel untouchable.
"Ah, yes. About that... we'll talk later."
I nodded. No reason to push the issue.
A few minutes later, the class ended. Students began packing up. I was still sitting when Valentina looked at me again.
"It's time I explain the rules to you. But for that, we'll have to step outside."
She rose from her seat and headed for the door. I followed without hesitation, fully aware that whatever she had to share could save me from a lot of future trouble.
What I didn't realize was that Marie had also tried to approach me, likely with the same intention. Still, I followed Valentina out to hear what she had to say.
Once we reached the courtyard, she pulled a stack of folded papers from her skirt pocket and handed them to me.
"These are the rules. Learn them, and return them once you've memorized everything."
I nodded with a small smile.
"Thanks. Well... I guess I'll head back now. See you later, Valentina."
"Sure. It's nothing."
On my way back, I spotted Marie walking toward me, and just as our eyes met, I called out.
"Marie, I wanted to share something with you."
"Oh? What is it?"
"These are the rules. I figured you might want to read them."
Marie held the papers in both hands, scanning the improvised cover on the top sheet. Then, without a word, she reached into her bag and pulled out a sleek, glass-covered device.
"I'll take a picture of them. That way, I can read them carefully later."
"A... picture?" I repeated, confused. "What's that?"
She blinked, then looked at me with amused disbelief.
"Wow... you really don't know, huh? Oh—right. I forgot you used to live out in the mountains." She smiled. "This is a phone. I mentioned my family is one of the most influential, right? Well, they make these kinds of devices."
She didn't say it with pride—just with the casual tone of someone explaining something completely obvious. Still, the object had an odd charm. Its shape, its texture… it almost called out to be held. I couldn't help but feel a strange curiosity tug at me.
I waited silently as she worked. A few mechanical sounds came from the device, and then she handed the papers back to me with a gentle smile.
"Thanks, Kael. I'll read them carefully to avoid any misunderstandings later on."
Her voice was soft—almost warm. And then, as if she didn't want the conversation to end there, she added:
"By the way… would you like to come with me for a bit? I have a few things I want to ask you."
"Huh? Sure, I don't mind."
We walked together toward the cafeteria. She didn't seem tense, but the way she looked at me told me she wouldn't waste time dancing around her questions. That suspicion was confirmed the moment she opened her mouth.
"First of all… what's your relationship with Grey Valentina?"
…Wow. Straight to the point.
Although, to be honest, I had a feeling this was coming. The way Valentina looked at me, her closed-off demeanor—it could definitely spark curiosity. But the truth was… there wasn't much to say.
"Well… you could say her father had a good relationship with my mother. He's the one who evaluated me before I entered the academy. Beyond that, we don't have anything going on. We've only exchanged a few words. Oh—and she's the one who gave me the rule sheets."
Marie lowered her gaze toward the small stack of papers she was still holding. Her expression softened. It was as if a puzzle piece had finally fallen into place.
"I see… so that's all it was. I guess that clears things up a bit."
She paused briefly, then moved straight to her next question.
"Alright then… here's the next one."
"Go ahead. I'll answer as best I can."
"Why didn't you get a score during your test?"
Ah… that question. The one I'd been dreading. And the one I had no answer for.
"Honestly… I don't know. It felt strange in every possible way. Maybe the orb was malfunctioning… or maybe it was me."
Marie didn't reply immediately. She studied me in silence for a few seconds, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she nodded.
"I thought so… I had a feeling."
"You did?" I asked, genuinely surprised.
"Yes. You see… the same thing happened to the legendary mage when she first arrived at this academy."
"Wait—seriously? I thought I was the first one that ever happened to."
So… my mother went through the same thing?
What does that say about my level, then?