Arthur stared at the dimensional cube, but it was empty and cracked.
{This can't be... It's a lie, isn't it? I... I felt something coming out of me, but there's nothing. It just cracked and...} — Arthur thought, his chest tightening.
Moriyama, noticing the boy's confusion, who held his head in his hands, approached him once more.
— What happened, Arthur? Are you okay? I know this was a strange occurrence, but soon we will have a result. Everyone here was stunned. — Moriyama said, in a firm but curious tone.
— I... I don't know what's happening. I'm sure I deposited my mana in there, and... — Arthur replied, hesitant, pointing to the box.
— I understand. This will be investigated by the director and the other teachers. Soon, we will have an answer. — Moriyama said, remaining calm.
As Moriyama descended the stairs, heading to the door to meet with the senseis and the director, Arthur remained nervous, his thoughts swirling in his mind.
{This can't have happened... It can't! I even felt it... so why...?} — he thought, clenching his fists.
— Hey, look at this! The mana-less loser! Haha! His artifact just malfunctioned. I knew he would be a total idiot! If he had any real power, the box would have reacted, but it seems it completely rejected him. — mocked Kidero Raiden, with a look of disdain.
Beside his friends Dakenno Sanzu and Shirō Yamasaki, Kidero laughed loudly, pointing at Arthur, who lowered his head, discouraged.
— Hey, stop it, you idiots! — Mia Haru shouted, standing up angrily.
— Leave him alone! I'm sure his magic is amazing, so cut it out now! — Mia added, her face red with fury.
{This boy is strange... When he tried to cast the magic, I swear I saw his eye glow for a moment, and something like a third eye appeared on his forehead. Plus, a strand of his hair turned red for an instant, before all that glow. What was that? I don't know why, but ever since he arrived, something about him catches my attention.} — Mia thought, intrigued.
Arthur, with his head resting on the desk, raised his gaze discreetly to see who was defending him. Mia, upon noticing, offered him a brief smile, which he shyly returned.
After some time, Moriyama returned to the classroom, and upon noticing the commotion, banged on the desk, demanding silence.
— Everyone, calm down! I know you're anxious, so I will announce the results. — Moriyama declared, with authority.
She began reading the students' numbers and their corresponding magic:
Kidero Raiden — Fire magic as the main attribute.
Mia Haru — Wind magic as the primary and healing as secondary.
Arthur listened eagerly, increasingly impressed, anxiously awaiting his turn.
Finally, Moriyama reached his name.
— 121, Arthur... I'm sorry, but you didn't present any magic. Your lessons will be different from those of the other students, but you will continue learning about magic.
Arthur's heart sank.
As Moriyama considered how to proceed, Kidero interrupted, mocking loudly.
— Didn't I say? He's a failure! He shouldn't even be here!
Several students joined him, filling the room with laughter and mocking whispers.
[Moments earlier, in the magical analysis room...]
Moriyama walked toward the magical analysis room, reflecting on what had happened.
{Hmm... That boy is peculiar. I don't understand why his box cracked and nothing appeared inside it. It seems like he's hiding something within himself, but I can't pinpoint what. When I arrive at the room, I will check with the director what happened.}
Upon arriving, she knocked on the door, still lost in thought, trying to ignore her unease.
The director opened the door, but Moriyama, distracted, remained still, staring into space, deep in thought.
— Moriyama, are you okay? — the director asked, concerned.
— Ah, yes, I'm fine. — Moriyama replied, a little startled, returning to the present.
— Don't lie to me. I know something is bothering you. Tell me what happened.
Moriyama took a deep breath and explained.
— It's the boy, number 121. He didn't present any magic, and his cube even cracked. I found it very strange. I feel an unusual aura emanating from him.
The director furrowed her brows.
— We don't know what happened, but we will find out by examining his cube.
Together with the other senseis, they began analyzing the students' dimensional cubes.
When they reached Arthur's cube, Moriyama examined it expectantly—
But something surprised her.
— How can this be? This box is empty, without a trace of magic... Could he really have no magic? — Moriyama questioned, confused.
— Let me see. — the director requested, picking up the cube.
Holding it, the director used an analysis spell—
The process took so long that the other senseis left, but eventually, something unexpected happened.
Slowly, a tear slipped from the director's eyes, as she murmured, immersed in her analysis.
— This is... it can't be, I don't believe it. Here...?
She returned to the present, completely in disbelief.
— I-it's impossible! The dimensional box was deactivated! The only thing capable of deactivating dimensional magic is... dimensional magic itself.
She lifted her gaze—
— Arthur is a dimensional magic user!
Moriyama was shocked.
— What?! That's impossible! You yourself told me stories about this magic... How it was used centuries ago and is now considered lost and extremely rare. How did this boy acquire it?!
The director took a deep breath, serious.
— There's only one thing to do: we can't tell anyone. Moriyama, this is classified and vital for his well-being and the academy.
The weight of those words hung in the air.
— Imagine the chaos if they discover that an unknown boy, without noble lineage, possesses such a powerful magic.
Moriyama nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
— Understood. I will return to the classroom, announce the results, and say nothing about Arthur's magic.
[Back in the Classroom...]
The atmosphere remained tense, with students laughing and mocking Arthur.
Moriyama banged on the desk forcefully.
— Silence! Everyone in your seats! Open your books, we have a lot to study starting today.
Mia, seated a few desks away, looked at Arthur and saw his slumped shoulders, his face marked by sadness.
Her heart tightened.
{Poor Arthur... He tried so hard, and now they say he has no magic. I don't believe it. I'm sure he will discover his magic someday. He's different, but I know he will make it.} — Mia thought, feeling a mix of pity and hope.
Over the next six months, classes continued, and Arthur never stopped trying to cast spells, even without success.
His only progress came from physical training, where he stood out for his determination, although Kidero, Sanzu, and Shirō took every opportunity to bully him.
Despite the challenges, Arthur absorbed every lesson on magic, mentally noting his strengths and weaknesses.
He wanted to become strong and intelligent, not just to prove his worth, but to please Charles and the king, who kept him alive.
Arthur knew he had to learn everything he could, because at the end of the year, in five and a half months, the Magic Academy would hold the first student battle of the class.
He was determined to win and claim first place.
As time passed, with only a week left until the battle, the senseis opened access to the Gravity Chamber, allowing students to train their endurance and physical strength.
Arthur saw this as a unique opportunity to prepare for the upcoming challenge.