G6's confusion lasted precisely one second.
A blank mind was a luxury she could not afford.
"What does that even mean?"
Then another possibility struck her.
Her eyes widened.
"Do not tell me I am mana-less in this magic world?!"
The Queen's attention remained fixed upon the appraisal orb.
"Mana-less?"
For the first time since the reading appeared, something almost resembling amusement touched her expression.
"No, Reise. Quite the opposite."
G6 stared at her.
The Queen leaned slightly toward the crystal, studying the runes.
"Mana Reserve refers to capacity—the amount of mana one's body may hold and sustain. It does not measure skill, control, or magical proficiency."
Leo had gone unusually pale.
"Precisely, Your Majesty," he said. "A person may possess a considerable reserve and still lack the training required to use it effectively."
His eyes returned to the orb.
"However… Immeasurable is not a recognized numerical classification."
Tina adjusted her glasses.
"So, the orb is unable to determine the limit?"
"That appears to be the case."
Leo leaned closer.
"It is not saying Lady Reise possesses no mana."
His voice lowered.
"It is saying the appraisal cannot establish where her reserve ends."
Silence returned.
G6 slowly looked at the orb.
Oh.
That was considerably better.
Another gasp tore through the room.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS STATUS?!"
Everyone turned toward Leo.
His professional composure had finally shattered.
The Queen's head snapped toward him.
"Leo. Bring the orb closer. Now."
He obeyed immediately, moving the crystal stand nearer.
The white glow remained contained within the appraisal orb as its runes rearranged themselves.
Then the complete status surfaced.
MANA RESERVE:
Immeasurable
MAGIC AFFINITIES:
● Wind — S-Rank
● Cryomancy — C-Rank (Blessing of the Heavens)
SPECIAL SKILLS:
● Perfect Assassin Form — EX Rank
● Silent Reaper's Blade — EX Rank
● Eclipse-Step — EX Rank
● Death's Whisper Aim — EX Rank
SUPER EXTRA SKILLS:
● Cognitive Nullification — S
● Aura of Finality — S
● Eyes of Chronos — S
● Author's Decree — S
No one spoke.
G6's eyes moved over the display.
Wind.
Expected.
Cryomancy—not expected.
Then her gaze dropped farther.
Perfect Assassin Form.
Her expression changed.
"The fuck?" she whispered.
Her eyes narrowed.
Perfect Assassin form?
Is it trying to sell me out here?
The Queen raised one hand.
"Everyone. Calm yourselves."
Her command restored a fraction of order.
Edmund, however, had moved almost embarrassingly close to the floating status.
"Oh, Lady Reise…"
He stared.
"This is utterly unprecedented."
Tina removed her glasses and cleaned them once.
Then again.
"I have never encountered classifications called Special Skills or Super Extra Skills."
"You would not have," Leo said, though he scarcely sounded calmer. "They do not exist within the recognized registry."
Edmund finally stepped back.
"The highest accepted auxiliary classification is Extra Skill, generally recorded under established disciplines such as Physical Enhancement."
He looked toward the impossible display again.
"These categories are entirely outside conventional appraisal structure."
Leo swallowed.
"This is not simply an unusually strong noble status."
His eyes remained fixed on the runes.
"It does not resemble any standard status I have ever seen."
G6's silent panic continued.
Lilia, however, had no such reservations.
She tugged excitedly at G6's sleeve.
"Lady Reise! You are amazing! You are like a hidden final boss in the dungeon!"
G6 slowly looked down at her.
So, she is calling me a monster?
The Queen did not appear to hear them.
Her attention had stopped on one line.
Cryomancy.
The faint amusement from earlier had vanished completely.
"All of these classifications are extraordinary," she said carefully. "Yet this…"
Her finger indicated the affinity.
"This should not be here."
Leo's face tightened.
"Cryomancy."
Lilia tilted her head.
"What is Cryomancy?"
Leo hesitated.
Then glanced toward the Queen.
She gave him a slight nod.
"It is an ancient theoretical affinity," he explained. "One appearing more often in theological records than modern magical texts."
"Is it ice magic?"
"In the simplest description, yes."
Lilia brightened.
"But cannot Water and Wind mages make ice together?"
"They can."
Leo folded his hands behind his back.
"A sufficiently skilled Water mage may freeze water by manipulating temperature, while Wind may assist by drawing heat away or controlling the surrounding air. Combined techniques can create ice very effectively."
He looked toward the Cryomancy entry.
"But such ice remains the result of ordinary elemental manipulation."
"And Cryomancy?" Tina asked.
Leo's expression became more serious.
"The oldest surviving texts call it glacies vera. Meaning, true ice."
Lilia blinked.
"What is the difference?"
"That," Leo admitted, "is where certainty ends."
The Queen spoke before he could continue.
"Ancient scholars associated Cryomancy with stillness rather than cold alone."
G6 glanced toward her.
The Queen's gaze had become distant.
As though searching through something remembered.
"Some texts claim its ice may interfere with movement itself. Others suggest it may disrupt mana in ways ordinary frozen matter cannot."
Leo nodded.
"There are even theological fragments which speculate that sufficiently developed Cryomancy could impose stillness upon things normally incapable of freezing."
"Like what?"
Lilia looked fascinated.
Leo paused.
"Magic."
Another pause.
"Perhaps motion itself."
Lilia's eyes widened.
"And time?"
Leo almost smiled.
"That belongs to theory bordering on myth."
"So nobody knows."
"Precisely."
Lilia nodded solemnly.
Then smiled.
"I do not understand most of that, but it sounds really cool."
G6 had heard enough.
More importantly—everyone was looking far too closely at her.
She saw an opening.
She took it.
A dramatic sigh escaped her as she raised one hand toward her forehead.
"All this talk of oddness and myths is giving me a headache. Your Majesty, about my Professional Card…? Does this mean I can get it now? I would very much like to see this Collegium."
Her performance was shamelessly innocent.
Inside—
And I cannot wait to check out what could be a lethal spell.
The Queen did not immediately answer.
Her gaze lingered on Cryomancy for several seconds longer.
Something had changed behind her eyes.
Not recognition exactly.
Something closer to an old question resurfacing.
Then it disappeared behind royal composure.
"Patience, Reise."
Her voice had lost some of its earlier warmth.
"This development cannot simply be ignored."
G6's expression remained neutral.
"An affinity believed lost to theory has appeared in a member of one of the Three Pillars," the Queen continued. "An immeasurable mana reserve accompanies it, along with classifications unknown to the Professional Registry."
She folded her hands.
"Such information carries political consequences. Allies may become curious."
Her eyes hardened.
"Enemies may become considerably more than curious."
Ah, right.
Politics.
Just give me the card and let me leave before this 'Perfect Assassin' description gets more specific.
"We must understand the other entries as well."
The Queen looked toward Leo.
He nodded and touched one of the runes.
Additional text unfolded beneath the Special Skills.
EX — PERFECT ASSASSIN FORM
A combat-state classification reflecting exceptional bodily coordination, refined physical control, heightened combat perception, and trained response beyond ordinary appraisal parameters.
EX — SILENT REAPER'S BLADE
An extreme precision discipline emphasizing lethal blade placement, speed, timing, and minimal detectable motion.
EX — ECLIPSE-STEP
A movement discipline capable of dramatically reducing audible trace, visible intent, and perceived presence during approach or evasion.
EX — DEATH'S WHISPER AIM
An advanced marksmanship classification reflecting exceptional target acquisition, environmental compensation, and precision under difficult conditions.
Edmund's expression gradually changed from astonishment to something resembling horror.
"Oh, good grace…"
G6 stared at the descriptions.
Silent Reaper's Blade?
That was Iaijutsu dressed in funeral poetry.
Eclipse-Step?
Stealth. Footwork.
Basic infiltration discipline exaggerated into mystical nonsense.
Death's Whisper Aim?
That is just being a good shot.
The names were absurd.
The techniques were not.
They were hers.
Akira's training, translated into the grandiose language of this world.
G6's eyes narrowed.
So this thing isn't giving me new skills.
It's naming what I already know.
That distinction mattered.
Leo moved to the next section.
S — COGNITIVE NULLIFICATION
Exceptional resistance to recognized forms of mental intrusion, hypnosis, psychic interference, and magical manipulation of conscious perception.
S — AURA OF FINALITY
A high-level intimidation manifestation capable of overwhelming weaker hostile intent and disrupting concentration through concentrated killing pressure.
S — EYES OF CHRONOS
An advanced perception skill enabling accelerated analysis of movement, timing, physical weaknesses, and rapidly changing combat conditions.
S — AUTHOR'S DECREE
Classification recognized.
Operational description unavailable.
Mana requirement: Extreme.
The Queen's attention stopped again.
"Unavailable?"
Leo touched the rune.
Nothing changed.
He tried once more.
"The appraisal refuses to provide further information."
"Is that common?"
"No, Your Majesty."
His answer came immediately.
"If a skill is recognized, its function should ordinarily be displayed."
Tina frowned.
"Then why provide the name at all?"
"I do not know."
G6 studied the final line.
Author's Decree.
Whatever that was, she disliked the sound of it.
Especially the word Extreme beside mana requirement.
The Queen sat back.
Enough amusement had left her face that G6 no longer mistook the situation for curiosity.
This was assessment now.
Containment. Strategy.
"This information will remain confidential."
The Queen's voice carried no room for negotiation.
"For Reise's protection, and for the stability of House Worthon."
Edmund bowed immediately.
"That would be prudent, Your Majesty. If the other Pillars or the wider nobility learned that Lady Reise had produced an unrecorded affinity alongside unknown skill classifications, speculation would spread before sunset."
"And foreign courts would hear before tomorrow," Leo added.
The Queen looked toward Tina, Edmund, and Lilia.
"Until I determine how this should be handled, none of what you have witnessed leaves this room."
All three straightened.
"Your primary duty remains Lady Reise's safety. Protect this information as you would protect her."
"With our lives, Your Majesty."
They bowed together.
G6 almost laughed.
Protect me?
Without magic, I could disarm all three of you in six seconds.
The Queen's gaze shifted back to her.
"Do you understand, Reise?"
G6 looked up.
"Perfectly, Your Majesty."
Perfect obedience. Perfectly false.
The Queen watched her for another moment.
Then her eyes returned to the Cryomancy entry.
A faint crease formed between her brows.
"I must consult my master before we proceed."
Leo looked toward her.
"Your Majesty?"
"Not regarding the card."
Her tone closed the matter immediately.
"Regarding this."
Her gaze touched Cryomancy once more.
Nothing else was said.
But G6 noticed.
Filed it. Stored it.
Master.
Another unknown. Another person with information she did not have.
The Queen turned toward Leo.
"Prepare the registration materials. Process the card."
At last.
G6's attention shifted completely.
The appraisal orb was moved aside.
Leo returned with a thin blank card, several sealed instruments, and a small ceremonial press bearing the royal crest.
The process was surprisingly efficient.
First came House Worthon's insignia.
Then a shallow prick to G6's finger.
One drop of blood struck the card.
A cool blue light moved across the metal from within the registration device itself, following engraved channels until the Worthon crest appeared upon one face.
The color belonged to the card's enchantment.
Not her mana.
Finally, the Queen pressed her royal seal against the opposite side.
The glow faded.
"It is done."
The Queen lifted the finished card.
"But understand something, Reise."
G6 reached for it.
The Queen moved it just beyond her fingertips.
G6's eyes narrowed.
"Your complete appraisal will not be entered into the ordinary Guild registry."
Leo nodded.
"Your Majesty's private record will contain the full result. Any ordinary Guild scanner will identify only your registered Wind affinity and standard credentials."
The Queen looked at G6.
"No Cryomancy."
A pause.
"No unusual skills."
Another.
"Nothing capable of provoking unnecessary attention."
That suited G6 perfectly.
"I will serve as your Guild Master for the time being."
Finally!
G6 reached for the card again.
The Queen moved it away.
Again.
G6 stared at her.
"Not so quickly."
The Queen's expression turned severe.
"First, you will make me a promise."
G6 waited.
"You will not attempt Cryomancy."
Silence.
"Not until I understand what it is and what consequences accompany its use."
Tsk. Can she read my mind?
"I promise, Your Majesty."
The sincerity in G6's voice could have convinced a priest.
The Queen continued staring at her.
Then nodded.
"Good."
She still did not hand over the card.
G6's stare sharpened.
"Secondly, you will begin daily physical training at the Bastion."
The Queen looked toward Reise's slender frame.
"Whatever your appraisal may say about your reserve, your body is visibly underconditioned."
G6 said nothing.
That accusation was unfortunately correct.
"Mana capacity does not strengthen muscle by itself," the Queen continued. "Nor does an immense reserve grant endurance, control, or trained output."
Leo inclined his head.
"A large reservoir inside an unprepared vessel may be more dangerous than useful."
The Queen's gaze returned to G6.
"Some of your recorded skills appear physically demanding. Others may require significant mana expenditure. If you attempt either without conditioning, you may exhaust the body long before the reserve itself becomes the problem."
G6 remembered the mattress.
Humiliation returned.
I was already planning to.
This body cannot even lift a damn mattress.
"I understand."
At last, the Queen extended the Professional Card.
G6 took it.
Cool metal rested against her palm.
Heavier than expected.
Worthon crest on one side.
Royal authorization on the other.
Access. Mobility.
Information. Opportunity.
"One more thing."
G6 stopped examining it.
The Queen gestured toward Tina, Edmund, and Lilia.
"Your Professional Card may authorize accompanying staff through the Ivy Wall. Touch it against their Staff Cards while aligning the crest with their registered names."
Leo added, "The authorization will bind itself to their mana signatures. They will not gain your privileges, but they will be permitted to accompany you through restricted Collegium entrances."
G6 merely nodded.
She would learn the details when she used it.
The card remained in her hand.
For once, something in this world felt genuinely useful.
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty."
The gratitude was real.
The Queen noticed.
Her expression softened.
Then—
"And one final matter."
G6's instinct immediately told her she would dislike whatever came next.
The Queen looked pointedly at the blood-red dress.
"I will not permit you to enter the Royal Collegium dressed like that."
Silence.
G6 stared at her.
The Queen remained unmoved.
"The Collegium is not merely an academic institution. Several sections are consecrated grounds, and the statue of God Eldrin stands within its central court."
Her eyes traveled once over the daring neckline.
"Appropriate decorum will be observed."
Fuck.
No.
Absolutely not.
I am not wearing a pastel cupcake dress.
Apparently, G6's face betrayed every stage of her internal devastation.
Tina noticed.
So did the Queen.
"I will not compromise on this."
G6's shoulders sank.
Complete defeat.
Behind her, Tina adjusted her glasses.
A tiny smile appeared.
Victorious.
The Professional Card rested in G6's palm.
A key into the Collegium.
The Guild. The wider world.
She had obtained precisely what she came for.
The restriction on Cryomancy could be investigated later.
The politics could be managed.
Even the mysterious master could wait.
But clothing—apparently, that was where royal authority drew its most merciless line.
G6 stared at the card.
Then at her dress.
For the first time that morning, the Reaper looked genuinely defeated.
—To Be Continued…—