The thin screen, projected as a three-dimensional image, showed 1/119550 and a shabby single digit.

'd*mn!
...

　Tesfia screamed out and Alice, who couldn't even find her voice.

'Do you understand?'
'....eh...eh...this guy...but...'

　Tesfia dexterously turns her face to the Chancellor and points her finger at Ars.
　There are only nine single-digit mages, even if there are over a hundred thousand mages. The strongest and best of them all.
　That's the pinnacle of the current mages. It's not strange if you become an unspeakable moan.

''Hmph.......Interesting reaction. I was surprised when I saw his profile too.''
What? Because the same age...

　Still, Tesfia's finger is pointed at Ars's face.
　It's not until you enter the academy that you learn magic in earnest. Of course, there are exceptions, such as being a nobleman like Tesfia. When it comes to Ars, it's a further exception. I'm not sure I've ever seen it before, but I'm sure I've seen it before.
　Furthermore, Tesfia felt trapped that a single-digit mage couldn't possibly be the same age as her.
　But if the two letters of the first place displayed on the license are so overwhelming that even the chancellor of the school is aware of it, there is not a bit of room for doubt.

　In contrast to Tesfia, who was too surprised to speak properly, Alice had regained a bit of her composure.

　Ars found it puzzling and asked, though he didn't want to brag about it.

'Alice isn't too surprised, is she?'
"...What?　Something.

　I was surprised enough. Where were the crushed words?

'Don't be so awed, on the contrary, you'll get me in trouble.
Uh-huh.

　It turns into an embarrassed, crumbling expression, but it still seems a bit stiff.

'I guess I'll make an exception for you, Ars. I don't know what the cause of this latest altercation is, but he's done so much work on the front lines that he may be too different in his values from you guys.

　This is the reason why Tesfiria is looking at Ars with her jaded eyes, after being told that by the chancellor.
　I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done. The difference in response, even though it should be more amazing than the chancellor, is not only because they were hostile until just now.

　'Leave the Tesfia alone.

'For that matter, I believe it was the Chancellor who told you to keep the rankings secret.
'I changed my mind. I thought it was okay to teach these two men a lesson.

　Ars's question as to why was dismissed with the unreasonable hint of whimsy.

'Neither of you are to tell the other students or teachers.
Yes.
I understand.

　Tesfia still responded with an unexplained reply, and Alice was the immediate answer.

　The chancellor, who had taken his word for it, continued.

'Mr. Ars, I wonder why you are doing your research.

　It was a sudden question, but the way he spoke seemed to already know. The reason he dared to have Ars say it was probably to make these two hear it from his mouth.

''It's because I want to make myself comfortable.
".........!

　They were stunned, and the Chancellor let out a sigh with a translucent look on his face.
　Ars's achievement is extraordinary. Naturally, the chancellor is aware of this.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for. In other words, at the age when you are defined as a child by the world, you are repeatedly thrown out into the outside world, where demons are roaming over you. There was no way that this was not unusual.
　The idea of the military high command has always been to defend and retake territory. They don't have the luxury of letting battle-hardened mages play around. Ars, who was raised with a military education from a young age, also had magical qualities and was soon put into battle.
　As a result, Sisti thinks it's inevitable that Ars is now offering to retire from the military.

　When the military ordered him to enroll in the state-run Second Academy of Magic, the Chancellor was even ordered to turn Ars to the battlefield for the sake of humanity at the same time for a good sounding reason.
　Sisti was so indignant that she slammed her desk in indignation.
　It's a good thing that he has produced so many good mages from this school, but the bumbling upper management is too dependent on a single, too good mage. Of course, thanks to him, his students are less likely to go into dangerous places and the number of mage deaths has dropped dramatically.

　Sisti understood Ars's point. A plan that was too smart for the new students' adult face.

　So she put the instructions from the military in the corner and gave Ars an earful. He put his arms around Ars from behind to hug him, bringing their bodies close together. The sensational scene was created by Sisty, and Ars paid no attention to the one-sided act.
　A sweet voice sounded beside his ear, but Ars only turned his eyes indifferently.

　Tesfia and Alice didn't have the nerve to interrupt the single-digit mage's private conversation (mainly out of respect for Sisti).

'Then wouldn't it be easier to get the girls to be strong as well as research?

　Ars chuckled. That was the real reason why the Chancellor had revealed Ars's ranking to the two of them.

　Of course, Sisti has a strike against him. No matter how promising they were, they wouldn't be able to play his replacement. If the military is going to use him relentlessly, they need to make sure he finds a little something to fight for.
　Sisti had such an emotional attachment to Ars. When Sisti was still in the army...about eight years ago.
　She had met the young Ars. Ars himself didn't seem to remember, so Sisti didn't dare to let him know about it either. It must not be a very good memory for Ars, either.


　Ars took a glance at Tesfia and Alice. It was true that the girls might have the most outstanding talent in the academy. Even if they were to take on a third year student who would become a magician, they would be able to fight a good fight, if not win.
　However..........

''It's no good. I can't make it easy for me with those girls.''
That's if you graduated normally from this academy.
What do you want me to do?

　Ars only felt like his research time was being taken up, but he would still lend his ear to the Chancellor because he wanted to make himself comfortable, but he had the potential to help.

'Try teaching you to fight a real battle,'
I can't. I don't have that kind of education.

　Of course it's not humility. I've never taught anyone anything in my life.
　But he was different.

He said, "It's all right. When it comes to the skills of combat, no one is better than you.

　The enchanted lips came closer with a sweet scent to her ear, and she felt a bit of strength in her arms that were turned.
　When Tesfia and Alice saw this, their faces flushed.

　It may not have been forced, but it was filled with a will that they couldn't refuse.

If you're not too busy with your research.

　I had no choice but to reluctantly fold. This is the result of evading the Chancellor, who holds real power in this academy, saying that he might waste more time than he does now if he is antagonized by him.

　Besides, Tesfia's character doesn't look like it would be a good time to honestly ask for a lesson.

''I was hoping you would say that.

　The arms that had been put around me were unraveling.
　The current exchange made the hierarchy clear, as it should be while at the Academy. It means he's not old enough to date, or maybe he's a cut above in bargaining, Ars thought.

　Thanks to the chancellor, the condition that Tesfia would not interfere further was reversed.

'Can I go now?'

　As soon as possible, Ars wanted to leave the place. To avoid a situation that would take up any more of his time.

''For now.''
Well, it's worth it.

　Disgusted by what was still going on, he returned the rolled up pamphlet to the Chancellor and trudged off to the exit.

　They turned their heads with interest as they passed by Tesfia and Alice.
　Tesfia almost opened her mouth to say something, but she didn't speak. Instead, she turned to the Chancellor.

'It's the end of the world to be the best like that.

　Tesfia overflowed as if she was talking to herself with a pout. It was lazy, Tesfia felt, to retreat from the previous battle in order to make herself comfortable.
----It's not just a matter of how much time you have left, it's also a matter of how much time you have left. Of course, it was Sisti who was emitting it. A part of the former single magician called a witch attacked the new student.

　The killing air felt behind her back, and although Ars felt that she was not mature, she did not stop her steps.
　Not only was Tesfia scared, but Alice was scared as well. So much so that she couldn't look directly into the chancellor's face. She instinctively understood that she had definitely touched her anger, but she didn't know what had caused it. Or rather, I couldn't get my thoughts around it.

'He's got a lot going on,'

　It was Sisti herself who broke the tense atmosphere. He told me with a wry smile.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it. I've told him, so don't hesitate to master your magic.
...

　Tesfia can't be honestly happy, he can't feel the awesomeness. The chancellor feels much more awesome than he does.
　Alice is.

'What!　Are you sure?
"--!　Alice, but he's going to teach you.
That's great. We're the only ones being taught by the most powerful wizard in the world.

　Direct instruction by the reigning mage at the pinnacle of magicians, and common sense makes it impossible for them to be so lucky. Even a double-digit mage would find it difficult to have such a relationship. It's difficult to even get close to them unless they themselves belong to the military and acquire a level of competence that rivals that of their peers.

''Yes, but...''

　There was a part of me in the Thesphere that I still couldn't believe. I aspire to be a mage with a ranking that is worthy of the name of a nobleman. Even if you don't dream of being a single-digit (single) mage, you have set a goal to aim for a ranking close to double digits.
　It's a perfect opportunity, but I'm not sure what to make of it. It's like daring a single-digit (single) magician in front of you, so it was easy for Tesfia's mind to take a hundred steps.........................two or three steps to do an equal relationship.

''I'm not going to force you. There's always something to be gained from being taught by him.''

　Sisti opens her mouth as if she were dealing with a child at Tesfia's wastefulness.

'Can't we be taught by the Chancellor?'

　Tesfia stated once and for all that it was the best thing to do. Of course, he doesn't really believe it's possible. 'I can learn from Ars because he's a student.

I'm a busy man. Besides, it's not going to be possible for you guys to be alone, is it?
Well........of course.

　Tesfia couldn't come up with a second phrase just because she knew it.　


　♢ ♢ ♢



　Ars went back to his room and rifled through the materials. He intended to devote himself to research to make up for the time, but he didn't seem to get around to it.
　That's probably because the chancellor insisted on teaching me how to fight.
　In fact, Ars isn't so keen on the idea. On the contrary, he was even reluctant to do so.
　Even if he were to teach them, he didn't think there was much that Ars could do. If you want to train a wizard who can be used in real battles, then the most efficient way to do so is to fight demons and gain real battles. That's how Ars himself gained experience.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends. There are many mages, but only about half of them have the guts to fight in a real battle.
　Fear of death and fright are feelings that hinder the use of magic. You must always remain calm. No matter how desperate the situation, the real despair is to lose faith in oneself.
　The magic that is a mage's stronghold stops working. That's immaturity ... no, that's a flaw in a mage.

　They believe that they can polish their magic by honing it, but that's a dismissive view of their aptitude as mages.

　I couldn't help but feel self-loathing that it was a cheap undertaking. And even more so after all this time, he didn't think he would be made comfortable by it.

'Oh, crap,'

　I knew that Tesfia wouldn't come, but Alice would come to teach me nine times out of ten. It was beyond troublesome.