"…Why are you looking at me…?"
Philip asked, narrowing his eyes.
He seemed to want to show he was angry, but perhaps recalling that Tsheringen's family was no ordinary one, his voice quickly trailed off.
"Well, it's because you have the most potential for problems."
"How dare you…!"
"You think not? I wasn't trying to start a fight, but if you believe you've lived an exemplary life yourself, then my apologies."
'…Hmm.'
To be sarcastic right off the bat.
It seems his declaration to nip problems in the bud wasn't just empty words.
It's clear he won't tolerate anyone interfering with the bonus points.
Philip, perhaps feeling cornered with two problematic relationships in this very room, spoke defensively.
"…I won't interfere. My grade is on the line too."
"Right, good. Since we're on the same team, we have to do well."
Tsheringen said with a smile and a firm voice.
What a clear way to settle things.
It's convenient to have someone leading the team who knows how to handle a bastard who judges all human relationships by hierarchy.
"First, shall we investigate Unique Abilities? As you all know, mine isn't an ability I can use in this exam. You can't drop lightning bolts on someone undergoing *Vitriol*."
'Oh.'
His Unique Ability sounds quite like something out of a manga.
It's a good ability.
Perhaps noticing my expression and guessing my thoughts, Tsheringen smiled and added an explanation.
"Lucas must be hearing this for the first time today. It's not literally the ability to create lightning, but rather to manipulate water, though I'm not knowledgeable about the operating principle, so I can't apply it."
"Hmm, that's possible."
Everyone probably is like that.
Take Adelbert, for instance; he uses wind as his Unique Ability, but isn't that actually the ability to handle gases?
But there's a reason why they don't say 'gas manipulation' is their Unique Ability.
While the bastard can create wind without magic power or body movement, he isn't developed in applications like instantly removing gas from a space to create a vacuum or splitting molecules into atoms and recombining them.
That's what Unique Abilities are like.
They are abilities confined to specific fields, the reasons for which even the possessor doesn't know. Expanding the scope isn't impossible, but it is difficult.
"Alright, then… Melvin doesn't have a Unique Ability, so shall we start with Heike?"
At those words, Heike Ainsidel shook his head expressionlessly.
"Mine isn't an ability I can use right now either."
His voice, heard for the first time, was colder than expected. It didn't seem like he was speaking with ill intent, yet it felt that way.
Anyway… it means he does have a Unique Ability.
When it was my turn, I answered briefly.
"I don't have one."
Philip's face twisted slightly.
Heike Ainsidel's and Florian's gazes also turned to me.
I know what they're thinking.
'They probably think the characteristic of increasing Magic Power by drinking blood is itself a Unique Ability.'
Although it was revealed in Bavaria that my Core has no problems 'currently,' the fact that it had problems in the past is accepted as truth.
So, in people's minds, my past characteristics could manifest at any time.
I wouldn't feel so wronged if I could *actually* increase Magic Power by drinking blood.
Just then, Philip's friend, whose turn it was, hesitated before speaking seriously.
"Um, I don't know if this will be usable or not."
"Well, just say it anyway. Everyone roughly knows, no need to hold back now."
Tsheringen replied curtly, as if telling him to hurry up and finish.
Perhaps thinking he was right, he began speaking, though hesitantly.
"I can control plant growth speed a bit… but I can't make them grow beyond their limits like Leonard can. I'm just mentioning it in case there might be some use for it."
"Okay, good."
A school bully having a Unique Ability, huh.
Anyway, it's true that it could be useful.
The fields given for the exam vary from urban centers to natural environments.
It would be a usable ability in a natural field.
Tsheringen spoke to Philip, who was keeping his mouth shut tight.
"So, now only you need to tell us, Philip."
"Mine isn't a usable ability right now either."
"I wonder about that. I'd appreciate it if you'd speak properly."
At Tsheringen's firm words, Philip scoffed with a dumbfounded face.
"Why ask if you already know? It's a useless ability except when dowsing for water veins."
'How did he end up looking for water veins?'
Seeing that he can find such things, it seems he can amplify his perception abilities.
Come to think of it, on the day that fucker tried to make me eat Pai, his boast that no one would come must have been thanks to his Unique Ability.
He didn't seem to want to talk about it, perhaps thinking it didn't look very cool.
Tsheringen, writing something on a piece of paper, said indifferently.
"You mean you have clairvoyance. Seems quite useful. Though dowsing is certainly useless."
Perhaps because he called the only thing just mentioned as useful 'useless,' Philip's face flushed as if finding it absurd.
But I agree with Yulia. I really don't know why he thought dowsing was useful.
'But hearing this is novel.'
It's a bit ridiculous that two school bullies have Unique Abilities, but they all seem like real mages.
Especially Tsheringen, he could go shoot a movie right now.
After that, the meeting proceeded smoothly. Philip and his friend grumbled briefly but maintained a generally normal attitude.
We established strategies for the 20 fields announced by the school and concluded the meeting.
Tsheringen stood up from his seat and said.
"Team 3 said they'll vacate the training ground in an hour. We can have free time until then and gather again."
"Okay. Should we come here?"
"Yeah. Let's meet and move together."
I nodded, listening to Heike and Tsheringen's conversation.
The moment I stepped outside, a familiar voice reached me.
"Lucas!"
Team 1 must have just taken a break too; Narce was resting in the lounge area at the end of the hallway.
"There you are. When's your training?"
"There's still an hour left until our reserved time."
Narce gestured for me to sit in front of him and continued.
"So, did the meeting end well? I was surprised you and Philip ended up on the same team."
"So-so. We'll have to see how it goes, but it doesn't seem like it'll be a problem right now."
"Really? That's a relief."
Narce looked around, then used Divine Power to speak.
—"How's Ainsidel."
Looks like he's concerned about that guy too.
"Ordinary."
Except for the fact that 'Unconquerable' popped up for the first time.
Just then, I heard someone knocking on my office door through the artifact attached to my ear, and immediately warped to Bavaria.
When I returned to the same spot about ten minutes later, Narce laughed.
"Busy, huh~ Doesn't headquarters keep looking for you?"
"They do."
Feels like I go back and forth dozens of times a day.
So that they can't estimate the time I'm actually present, whenever someone knocks, I immediately warp there and then come back here repeatedly.
Since yesterday, after experiencing the Adelbert incident and announcing not to directly contact the victim's Core, I've been called even more often.
More importantly, I had something to ask Narce.
I cast a sound-proofing spell and brought it up.
"Narce. Regarding the Adelbert incident, we need to conduct a confidential investigation. What do you think I should say about my alibi?"
"Hmm, an alibi…"
Narce answered, looking troubled.
"It seems pointless to argue about it now."
"What do you mean?"
"Um…"
Narce gave a vague smile.
He means the situation won't exactly swing in my favor even if I create an alibi.
"But don't worry. In the long run, this was for the best. If you hadn't entered Adelbert, several mages would probably be dead by now."
"That's true."
Pleroma must be bewildered right now about why their new drug isn't working on mages.
Since the instruction not to touch the Core was only communicated within the organization, it will take some time for them to realize we've figured out their update.
"Then, there's one more thing I want to ask."
"What is it?"
"The place I entered was Adelbert's dream, right?"
"It's ambiguous. A dream, but perhaps simultaneously the real world."
In any case, if it was based on a dream, the fact that I used Divine Power there isn't easily explained.
Adelbert, the creator of that world, doesn't know I can use Divine Power, does he?
"Narce. I didn't enter that place as myself, but into Adelbert's body."
"Ah, as expected. I can't imagine you walking around with Adelbert's face."
We do look quite different.
"That's not important. I was able to use Divine Power in that body. I can't understand how that was possible, do you have any idea?"
"Ah, even if it's his dream, the one who entered the body was you~"
"..."
We're not understanding each other.
"Hmm, how should I explain this~? Actually, it's a field most people aren't conscious of, so it's natural not to know…"
He stroked his chin, lost in thought, then his eyes lit up as if he'd thought of a suitable analogy.
"Lucas, in the Pleroma's world, there are the incompatible and the compatible. Why don't all non-mages who receive Vitriol become equally capable of using magic?"
"..."
"Vitriol has the unique characteristic of settling as a Core, but it doesn't grant magical aptitude that wasn't there before. It's the aptitude that person basically possessed that manifests once the Core is formed."
"…Wait."
"Hmm?"
I knew that, but applying it here?
Feels like I just heard something incredibly shocking.
Then, the Magic Power I'm currently using….
Pressing a hand to my forehead, I asked.
"Narce. Then, even if I enter Adelbert's body in reality, can I still use the Magic Power I've always used?"
"Didn't know you had such interesting thoughts~ You have a rich imagination."
"It's not interesting."
"Haha, anyway…"
Narce shrugged and said.
"Wouldn't it actually come out better once you adapt? Adelbert's Core test result was Special Grade 1."
"..."
"Of course, even if you become Adelbert, the Magic Power that comes out is still yours. Because that's your aptitude."
Interpreting Adelbert as Luca, and myself as my original self, leads to the same situation.
What I believed to be Luca's Magic Power all this time, wasn't Luca's, but mine?
Instantly, several questions scrambled my thoughts.
"Lucas. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
I pressed the area around my brow bone to avoid his gaze and answered.
Come to think of it, he shouldn't know.
I might get exorcised.
'…If I get exorcised now, could I return to my original world?'
No, is my original self even alive in the first place?
All these thoughts would sound strange to Narce.
"Alright, thanks for telling me."
I replied thusly and stood up from my seat.
Thankfully, judging by his expression, Narce seemed already lost in other thoughts.
"Sure~ More importantly, Lucas!"
"Yeah?"
"The Drama Club was looking for you."
"How did you know?"
"Someone came into our meeting room earlier asking which room you guys were using."
"..."
***
Now is the chance, while the president hasn't timed it right.
I don't know which department they're from, but if it's the Magic Department, they'll be having meetings like us, and if it's another department, they're not free due to morning classes.
I immediately gathered the Team 6 friends scattered throughout the building and warped to the training ground building.
Fortunately, the previous team seemed to have finished their training 20 minutes early.
As we entered the training ground we had reserved, Tsheringen said with a smile.
"Haha, I didn't know Lucas was so serious about training."
"Have to do our best."
Philip's lips were pouting, probably because I dragged him here, but thankfully he didn't say anything.
Tsheringen clapped his hands sharply, drawing attention.
"Alright. The training ground rental ends in 2 hours and 20 minutes, so shall we go seven rounds straight without breaks?"
"Let's decide after trying first. What field should we start with?"
"Let's go with the standard building."
Ainsidel said expressionlessly.
'…Saying Ainsidel feels strange.'
My left hand is definitely fine, but it keeps feeling broken.
Meanwhile, since no one objected to the building field, Tsheringen operated the spatial magic artifact installed in the training ground.
In that instant, a world stored by the school unfolded before our eyes. There were neat roads and numerous buildings.
[Wow, this is the first time I've summoned something other than the exam site with this.]
Tsheringen's voice, which had been audible right next to me, now came through the artifact.
The school had adopted this tool to receive instructions immediately, just like in the field.
I looked around.
Unlike a real site, there were no people passing by.
Tsheringen must have configured the version without people. The difficulty skyrockets if civilians are wandering around a *Vitriol* site.
Just then, Tsheringen tapped his ear, relaying words through the artifact.
[Alright. No civilians, and I raised the grade to 5. It'll be much harder compared to the Grade 6 we faced last time. Still, I'll give you direct instructions as we discussed, so let's just do well as we planned.]
He paused for a breath and continued.
[The *Vitriol* alarm will sound after the countdown. Coordinates will be given, but inside the building, we have to find the person's location ourselves. Lucas, and Philip.]
"Right."
[Once Philip finds the location, Lucas will assist him. The two of you are external, four are internal, and you two will go inside.]
My partner for this second exam will be Philip, then.
Honestly, I'd be more comfortable working with Tsheringen, but I fully understand his decision. There isn't really anyone suitable to stick next to Philip.
"Got it."
"What, wait, why am I with him…"
Philip said with an incredulous look.
But Tsheringen was already ignoring him and talking to another student.
'Why do you think?'
Since his conduct is shit, it's better to pair him with someone who has already established dominance.
Melvin is out of the question, and Philip's friend is also a no-go. Who knows what trouble those two would stir up.
Pairing him with the Class 1 Ainsidel is like taking a gamble since there's no data.
Meaning, from now on, Philip will likely move alternately with either me or Tsheringen. Problem children need close supervision.
Smiling, I spoke to Philip standing beside me.
"First time being partners with you. Let's do well."
"..."
Philip just frowned silently.
Meanwhile, Tsheringen's instructions ended, and the countdown sound began.
[3, 2, 1. Begin.]
*Beeeeep—*
Simultaneously with the exam start notification, an irritating alarm siren blared loudly.
[Attention citizens of Kreuzberg. A *Vitriol* incident has been reported at coordinates 12:333:718. Citizens are advised to maintain order and promptly move to an open area where black smoke is not visible or to an evacuation facility.]
An alert that never quite feels familiar, no matter how often I hear it.
I plugged the coordinates into an equation I knew and snapped my fingers.
Melvin and the Class 1 Ainsidel, tasked with the exterior, were enveloping the entire building with Magic Power.
Since Philip hadn't entered the building yet, I lightly tapped his shoulder.
"Philip."
"…!"
The bastard nearly jumped out of his skin and turned to me.
"..."
What's wrong with him…
Ignoring his reaction, I led him towards the main entrance and cast sound-proofing magic matching our movement speed.
The Vitriol sphere inside the building was making no sound.
It knew it would die if caught.
The fact that it wasn't reacting animalistically but was starting to calculate already indicated a different level of danger.
Philip leaned against the wall just inside the main entrance, focused his senses, and whispered quietly.
"Not on the first floor."
[Right. I'll be waiting inside the back door, so let me know as soon as you find the location. Locking down the building now.]
Now there's no escape route. They'll be blocking the windows from the outside too.
Maintaining the sound-proofing magic, we proceeded straight up from the second to the third floor.
The bastard's ability was certainly useful.
Just focusing Magic Power in one's ears makes it hard to identify living beings inside rooms, but he focused for about 5 seconds and immediately shot upwards.
'Has he just been causing trouble all this time with this ability?'
It certainly is the best ability for causing trouble.
Living like that, no wonder finding water veins was the most useful thing he did with this ability…
Just then, Philip, leaning against the wall by the stairs on the top floor, frowned.
"5th floor, room next to the stairs on the right, relative to the main entrance."
[Got it.]
Now Yulia and her partner would be coming up that way.
To decide whether to move with a time lag from them, we need to know how much power the victim possesses and how they've currently expanded their influence.
As Philip tried to dash out first, I called him back, pulling his shoulder.
"Wait…"
"Uaack…!"
I clamped my hand over his mouth.
"Hey… I mean, Philip."
"..."
"Even if sound-proofing magic is cast, you shouldn't shout, right? The vibrations travel through the floor."
"R-Right."
"Calm down."
I placated him simply and brought up what I intended to say.
Thus, the first practice ended rather successfully.
"Wow, the recommended processing time is 20 minutes, but we finished in 15…!"
Melvin couldn't hide his excitement and laughed.
The result itself wasn't bad.
'Did I perceive it wrongly?'
Well, I'll know if we do it again.
And, 30 minutes later.
*Kwaang—!*
As I shot magic towards the target, I saw Philip, on the opposite side, flinch.
It was enough for the surrounding team members to look at Philip instead of the target.
"..."
Of course, this time too ended with results that weren't particularly bad.
Beep—
[Exam concluded.]
"Hmm, we challenged the 30-minute one, but finished within 25 minutes again this time."
"Our teamwork seems really good…!"
Melvin seemed satisfied because the results kept coming out well, even though he initially thought the team combination was the worst.
But I'm not.
'I definitely thought there'd be no problems with this combination.'
The problems I initially anticipated aren't there.
Problems like Philip causing trouble.
But while he isn't causing trouble, if he keeps freaking out like this every time he sees me…
'Are you fucking kidding me.'
Did I eat someone or what?
Without even looking, the bastard probably thinks of me as a vampire, just like Adelbert did a few days ago.
He probably has 'Pleroma' written in the conquerability stage description.
With guts like these, he bullied others just fine in the first year. Back then, Pleroma or whatever, I must have first appeared as a weakling who couldn't do anything, so he wasn't particularly scared.
"There are some regrets, but we still have two weeks left, so let's gradually fix them."
Tsheringen said, looking around at the students.
"Everyone worked hard. I've booked the training ground for tonight too, so let's rest for now and try again later."
"Okay, see you later."
Team members exchanged simple farewells and left the training ground.
Philip, perhaps drained from being constantly startled, also trudged out of the training ground with slumped shoulders.
No, he *tried* to leave.
*Kwaang—!*
I used magic to pull the training ground door shut and locked it.
"…?!"
"Philip."
Tsheringen said let's fix it gradually, but problems should be eliminated as early as possible.
Looking at the bastard's face, completely drained of color, I put on the gentlest smile possible.
"Shall we talk?"