The cafeteria is located on the east side of the first floor of the main building.

　The cafeteria is located on the east side of the first floor of the main building, and it has an open-air space to the second floor.
　The impression it gives is that it is a large scale version of a classic stylish cafe.
　White light is shining through the vertical window.

　Taking a bite of the bread.
　Munching on a piece of bread.

　The format of the meal was what is called a buffet.
　The food was served for one hour.
　Plates and cups were placed on wooden trays, and we took what we wanted from them.
　In this style, you can adjust the amount of food by yourself, which is very helpful.
　And if the platter was empty, the staff would replenish it.

　Looking at the second floor seats.
　If you walk up the stairs in the corner of the cafeteria, you will find the seats on the second floor, which are reserved for the students who are ranked in the top 100 in the school, and the special cafeteria that is reserved for them. .
　In addition, there was apparently a separate room on the second floor where only those in the top ten could use the dining room.
　This area had been explained to us in the morning.

　I drink the potato soup.
　Yeah ... it's good.

　It's good enough in the cafeteria on the first floor.
　In the first place, I'm just grateful to be able to eat.

　I sat alone in my seat and nonchalantly brought the food to my mouth.
　After the mock match was over and the game was dismissed, I thought to call out to Currier-san - to ask her if she would like to have lunch with me if I could - but when I realized that she was gone, I didn't see her.
　A quick look around the dining room didn't reveal Currier-san's presence.
　Where did she go?

　So, I'm seated on the first floor....
　One corner was very noisy.
　Even in the crowded cafeteria, there was one place where people were gathered.

　As for where it was, it was the seat where Cecily-san was eating, and the surrounding area.　
　Some students came all the way down from the second floor seats, and after all, she seemed to be the center of attention wherever she went.
　There are probably quite a few upperclassmen mixed in with that crowd, too.
　The wall of people prevented me from seeing Cecily-san.

　I, on the other hand, eat my food in silence by myself.
　Mogu........
　............
　Hmmm.
　Bocce.
　Well, I'm used to it.

　And one of the students said.

Can I come in?

　He put his hand on the back of the chair opposite me and asked me.

'What?　Oh, come in.

　It was Ira.

Thanks.

　He mouthed his thanks and Ira sat down in his chair.
　She hadn't picked up her tray.

'Miss Ira, aren't you going to have lunch?'
What?
Well, I don't have a tray.
Yeah I was having lunch over there.

　When I looked at the tip of Ira's finger, which was smiling bitterly, I saw a different round table than the horizontal one here.
　There are five well-bred-looking men and women sitting there, with one empty seat.

It's not just a matter of time before you get to know them. We know each other because of our homes. We have a relationship at home, so we'll be having lunch together.
I see.

　I heard that Ira-san's house is amazing, so regardless of the grade, she must have a thick pipe with other students from the nobility, regardless of the grade.
　However, I was curious about the part of 'association' she mentioned that sounded somewhat negative, though.
　But why did she come to me?

　Ira smiled again, a wry smile on his face.
　It was also a bit embarrassed.

''Well, um... well, what can I say about earlier... sorry?''
Just now?
Look, I told you in combat class, 'That's not swordsmanship,'
The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that I don't know anything about swordsmanship, as Ira-san says. It doesn't help to be called that.
Well that's actually, you know?　That's not what I meant.

　Hahaha," said Ira, his eyebrows forming a figure of eight while exuding an annoyance in his smile.
　Then, when her expression became somewhat somber, she put her arm on the table and looked down at the tablecloth.

It's a good thing that you're able to do that.
'Scared' ... by me?
Yes, I did. I worked hard and I thought I was getting pretty good at it, but when I saw your blow, most of the students laughed at me. But when I saw that blow from you and most of the students laughed at it, I got scared and didn't want to admit to myself that I was so frightened, so I said those things. I think I did.

　I found it somewhat strange that Ira-san, who should be much stronger than me, would say such a thing.
　Ira-san clenched her fists.

"I thought I was supposed to be strong... but the part of my heart that was strongest wasn't strong at all... When I thought that, I felt so frustrated.

　Well, I remember that handsome instructor saying that he was feeling overwhelmed because of all the pressure from home.
　Unlike me, he must have a lot of things on his back........
　And Ira-san pulled out a chair and stood up.
　The bitter smile from earlier had already returned to her face.

''So, well, it wasn't your fault. I just wanted to say sorry for that. I'm sorry, we were in the middle of dinner.
'No, don't worry about it. And I can't believe you're apologizing.... There's nothing to be bothered about. I mean, I did care about it, but I didn't get offended by it.
Well, it makes me feel a little better when you say that........Well, I'll be back soon.

　As he was leaving, Ira said.

You're a pretty cool guy.

　He said.

'...........

　But I'm not so sure about that.
　At the very least, I don't think I'm a 'good guy' for someone who can't stop looking at your chest when they're fighting seriously, but....
　In fact, I think it's Ira-san who came to apologize for worrying about me, but I think he's a good guy.

　And then I started eating again in silence and ate the rest of the food in one go.

　Well - the next lesson of the art form, eh?
　.......................
　Uss.
　

　　　　　　　　　　*

I don't see a single letter...

　A sheet of paper on the desk.
　The paper is used to measure the sainted element that the students have.

　After the lunch break, we moved from the Lion's Classroom to the magic classroom.
　The magic classroom was a reasonably large room, with an image of a fantasy world version of a junior high school science lab.
　The first lesson there was about an hour on the magic formula.
　(By the way, I heard that the magic formula is often abbreviated to 'magic formula').

　But the problem was the measurement of the holy elements afterwards.

　Right now, the one written on the A4 size paper I'm groaning and groaning relative to is the magic formula - the jujutsu formula.
　Unlike the time of the forbidden curse, the characters here are unreadable.
　It is said to be called the Ediacan.
　It's the so-called rune characters.

　Basically, the magic formula is activated by sending the holy element into the formula written in this edia character (it is similar to the forbidden curse in that the activation formula is needed at the end properly).
　There's also apparently a way to activate it by collecting the holy element at your fingertips and drawing a jutsu formula in the air.
　For example, in Makina-san's case, the mechanism for activating the magic was by her sending the holy element into the magic formula carved on her tongue.

　There were twenty rows of consecutive letters on the paper.
　Simply put, this measurement is to see how many rows of letters can be made to shine by sending the holy element into the paper.
　It is said that the person's current level of holy elements can be determined by this measurement.
　It is said that the new students have passed the entrance test to see if they can handle the minimum level of the sacred elements, but this measurement is a more detailed one.

''..........''

　But I still haven't been able to make a single letter glow.
　Looking around, I see that everyone has at least two rows of glowing lights.
　All over the classroom, one after another, a blue-white light appears.
　As for Cecily-san, she had emitted all twenty rows of light and her paper had burned up with a splash.
　Ira-san and Currier-san, like Cecily-san, had also burned out their paper.
　Asaro, Sieg-san and Hyrgis-san also don't seem to have burned out, but the people around them are exclaiming in admiration.

　On the other hand........the words on the paper in front of me don't say a single word.
　No, it's not that the paper is talking.........
　......
　As I recall, the old instructor in charge of the jutsu class said it was an image of sensing the holy elements around you, uniting them, gathering them at the desired location and sending them all at once..........................

　

　Huh!

..........

　It's no use.
　I still don't see a single letter shining.
　Or rather, I don't feel like I can sense the holy element in the first place.
　......................
　I suddenly remember the time when Cecily-san defended me during the mock match.

''To begin with, the most important qualification for entering this academy is to be able to handle the holy element.''

　............
　Wow, isn't this just plain bad?
　And even though Cecily covered for me, if people found out that I couldn't handle the holy elements at all--

What?　What's that?　Whoa, whoa, whoa!

　
　When I noticed, Asaro was peeking at my measuring paper from behind.
　Hearing his voice, the eyes of the entire classroom gather here.

''What?　Huh?　What does this mean?　You can't make a single letter shine!　Huh?　Huh?　Why?　Why?　To be admitted as a holy warrior candidate, the minimum requirement is 'Can you handle the holy elements?' right?　Isn't that right, Cecily Sama!

　In a deliberate tone, Asaro asks.
　Cecily-san seemed to understand our situation right away, however, she didn't seem to be able to answer the question.
　Cecily-san probably didn't expect me to be able to handle the holy element at all.
　........Well, that's true.
　It seems that the least you can do to get into this school is to be able to handle the holy elements.
　It's not as if they can't handle it at all...

　Oh, what to do........
　You don't think I'm going to be expelled from the school like this...?

Why?　Why is there a guy like you in this school?　I really don't know what that means!　Hey, why not?　Do you have an appointment with someone or something?　Well, it doesn't look like it!　You look like a poor man's motherf*cker!　Oh no, I don't get it, really!　Hey, hey!　Why are you here?　Hey, why?!

　Asaro's verbal assault becomes even more intense.
　d*mn, I'm going to say this much........
　I'll just punch this guy in the face with one blow and be expelled from school for that--.

　That's when I thought that.
　The door to the classroom opened with a bang.

I'll tell you why.

　There was the headmaster of St. Renowthread Academy, accompanied by a group of uncles with stern faces - Makina-san.

　　　　　　　　　　*

So what do you want me to do?

　We're outside the witchcraft classroom now.
　The witchcraft classroom is at the west end of the main building, and behind the sliding doors on the window side, outdoors beyond that, is a huge basketball court of sorts.
　The ground is clean and uneven, and the concrete?　but it is probably a leveled stone ground.

　On the ground, robed magic instructors were staring at the books at hand, frantically writing their magic formulae on the ground with what looked like black chalk.
　What is it?
　It looks like a magic circle.........

　When I glanced over, in front of the sliding door of the magic classroom, the students of the Lion Clan and an old man with some kind of pompous attitude were standing side by side.
　And at a slight distance from them, I was now standing alongside Makina-san.
　While looking at the magic instructors who were writing the magic formula on the ground, Makina-san said.

''I'm going to summon the demons of the Holy Ruins here now,''
What?
Use the curse on this creature.
What?

　I yelled out, and the students and uncles looked at me.
　I lowered my voice and asked.

'What's the meaning of this?　In the first place, wasn't it Makina-san who told me to hide the fact that I could use the forbidden spell as much as possible?

　I'd love to hear about the Holy Ruins and the demons, but right now I'd rather hear about this first.

''Things have changed a bit,''
Have things changed?
Yes....

　And Makina-san took a glance at her uncles.
　I glance at him, too.
　Then I ask Machina-san.

I mean, who is that gentleman?
To put it simply, the people involved in this academy... well, the people who have some authority in this academy.

　Like the vice principal?
　Or is it like a board meeting...?

　With a disgusted wind, Makina-san sighed.


I don't want to be a pain in the ass...
'Really, those guys are so hard-headed and disgusting... well, since that's the case, I thought I'd make it public that you're a forbidden user already.
What?
'Now that I've got this out of the way, I'll get straight to the point. Originally, I had planned to keep you as my 'trump card' in my hands for a certain purpose. However, since it's become a lot of hassle, I've decided to use you in the opposite direction to spread the fact that 'I have a forbidden user at my disposal'.
Huh, huh...
How's that?　Did you get mad when you heard I was going to use it?
'No, you can use my services as much as you like, but are you sure you want to?　Forbidden, use it in front of everyone.
Yeah, I don't mind.

　Makina sniffed irritably, "Hmm," she said.

'It's just a pain in the ass to fake it.

　

And I happen to see that Joseph and the other instructors are very concerned about you.
Joseph and the other instructors?
I heard. I heard you were in the special exception group for today's ranked mock match?
I'm ashamed to say...
The instructor Josef and the other male instructors, who are always in the same group, said something about you, like, 'You have some good stuff, but you don't seem to fit in with the rest of the students. I thought to myself, 'I'm not sure I'll be able to get along with the other students. When thinking about the future, it might be more beneficial for you to appeal to the fact that you are a forbidden user.
Joseph and the other instructors...

　The male instructors who are always with the two of us are probably those handsome instructors.
　Ugh.........what warm adults they are.......

"And then--

　Makina looks at Asaro.

'It must be quite frustrating to keep hiding one's true power, isn't it?
Did you hear me?
I was just about to walk into a classroom.

　Makina-san cupped her hair, which was almost scattered by the wind that blew in the air, with a hand.

''Oh, and you don't have to worry about the rule that says you have to explain the forbidden spell to people as 'a rare spell' anymore. If you can't handle the holy element at all - I didn't expect you to be able to handle it at all - you can't use the excuse that you're a normal user of the chanting spell. If that's the case, it's better to clearly reveal yourself as a special case 'forbidden spell user'.
'I see...'

　With eyes that were somewhat filled with contempt, Makina-san looked at her uncles again.

''Well, rather than explaining it in words, it would be quicker to actually show it to them... anyway, people won't believe that the forbidden spell can be used unless they see it with their own eyes. Besides, this time I've prepared the perfect opponent to show off that power. So--show them off.
Is everything okay...?
If you mess up, I'll clean up your mess. Don't worry about that.

　I look at the instructors who write crunching and jutsu on the ground.
　..........
　Good.



　　　　　　　　　　*

Headmaster, we're ready for you.

　It looks like they've completed what they call a summoning ceremony.

Thank you for your efforts. Now, let's summon them.

　Saying that, Makina-san walked up to the magic circle - or should I call it a magic circle - drawn with a magic formula.
　And one of the magic instructors asked Makina-san.

''Um, Headmaster.......are you serious?''
'What?　What is it?
''No, summoning from the fifteenth level and so on.......the highest level reached by last year's graduates is the nineteenth level, right?　Speaking of demons on the fifteenth level...
It's okay. It's not a problem.
But, sir, if something were to happen...

　The tone of Makina's voice changed to a slightly sharper one.

''If it happens--I will use my 'Mistortin'

　The magic instructor makes a surprised face.

''Oh, that technique...?''
Does that still worry you?
'No, no ... well, okay ... if you'll do it for me when the time comes, I'm sure I'll be fine.
Now... we are going to activate the summoning technique.

　With Makina-san at the center, the magic instructors lined up in a line.
　And--

　The surgical team emitted a blue-white light.

　The moment - the earth began to roar.

　The light grows even stronger--!

I suppose it's a success.

　The magic instructors cross by me at a trot.
　My classmates, the magic instructors, and the academy officials are standing in front of the classroom, holding their breath and looking at me.
　And the headmaster of the school, who has become regressive due to the light emitted by the magic circle, passes by me.

　That's when I heard a thunderous groan.

　A giant with a huge white body, a huge single horn, and a bright red bloodshot eye crawled out of the magic circle, as if it were a so-called cyclops! (sighs)

Blackbird!

　I turned around to look at Makina-san.
　Then Machina-san waved her hand with a bang, as if giving her a command.

"Do it - with your forbidden curse!