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The grand hall of Astraea Academy buzzed with activity as students filed in for their magical and physical trials. A shimmering barrier encircled the testing grounds, separating the competitors from the crowd of instructors and spectators. Murmurs of anticipation and speculation filled the air, a palpable tension settling over the room.
Kaito and Yumi stood near the back of the line. Kaito’s expression was calm, his hands tucked into his pockets as if he had no concern for what lay ahead. Yumi, on the other hand, fidgeted nervously, her head lowered to avoid the stares.
The chatter wasn’t kind.
“Isn’t that Yumi? The one who got kicked out?”
“I heard she was abandoned by her family. Why is she even back?”
“She’s with that guy who barely has any mana. What a pair of losers.”
Kaito glanced sideways at Yumi, her trembling hands clutching her staff. His voice, low and steady, broke through her spiraling thoughts.
“They don’t matter,” he said simply.
Yumi hesitated, then nodded slightly, but her grip on her staff remained tight.
---
The Performances
The trials began with students stepping into the barrier one by one to demonstrate their magical and physical abilities.
A boy stepped forward, fire blazing to life in his hands.
“Fire manipulation. Proficiency: High,” Kaito murmured under his breath, Appraisal breaking down the boy’s movements and techniques.
Another followed, swirling gusts of wind lifting them into the air.
“Wind manipulation. Proficiency: Moderate. Potential: Above Average.”
Kaito’s sharp eyes cataloged each display, mentally dissecting their magic. His countless lives had taught him that knowledge was power. If his mana was insufficient, he would simply compensate with intelligence.
“Next!” the instructor barked.
When Kaito’s name was called, the murmurs grew louder.
“That’s the guy who supposedly has all attributes.”
“Bet he’ll flop. He doesn’t look like much.”
Kaito stepped into the circle, his face impassive. Raising his hand, he summoned water, shaping it into a smooth orb before freezing it into a jagged shard of ice. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he dissolved it into droplets and used a gust of wind to scatter them in the air.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
It was a calculated display—precise, efficient, but lacking the explosive power of the others.
The instructor sneered. “Is that all?”
Kaito’s gaze didn’t waver. “For now.”
The crowd erupted into laughter. “What’s the point of having all attributes if you’re that weak?”
Kaito walked off the stage, ignoring the taunts. His expression was unreadable, but inside, his thoughts churned.
Damn it. Nothing has changed.
---
Yumi’s Trial
When Yumi’s name was called, she stepped into the circle, her heart pounding. She raised her staff, summoning an elegant swirl of water that froze into intricate shards of ice. A gust of wind scattered them like crystal petals, creating a dazzling display.
It should have been enough, but hesitation had marred her movements.
The instructor frowned. “Your control is passable, but your hesitation is crippling. Below average.”
Yumi clenched her fists as the murmurs resumed.
“She’s weaker than I remember.”
“Looks like her shame is catching up to her.”
She returned to Kaito’s side, her face flushed with humiliation. He didn’t comment, but his presence alone steadied her.
---
Toru’s Turn
The next student to take the stage was a tall boy with broad shoulders and a worn wooden sword strapped to his back. He introduced himself as Toru, a swordsman from a remote village.
Toru’s physical prowess was remarkable. His strikes were precise, his agility and strength far exceeding the other students. But when it came to magic, the instructor’s disdain was evident.
“Little mana reserves, no control. A waste of talent.”
The crowd snickered, but Toru’s glare silenced them. He left the stage with his jaw set and fists clenched, his frustration palpable.
When the rankings were posted, Kaito, Yumi, and Toru were all placed in the lowest-ranked E-Class—the “misfit class.”
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Formation of the Misfit Class
The E-Class gathered in a dusty corner of the academy grounds. Most of the students were bitter or resigned to their placement, their whispered complaints filling the air.
Toru approached Kaito and Yumi, his expression hard. “You two got shafted too, huh?”
“Seems that way,” Kaito replied evenly.
Toru’s lips quirked in a faint smirk. “Well, at least I’m not the only one.”
Yumi managed a small nod, though her spirits were still low.
---
Kaito’s Observations
During their first training session, the E-Class was assigned basic drills. While the others struggled, Kaito stood at the edge of the field, observing. His Appraisal skill worked tirelessly, breaking down the techniques and attributes of his classmates.
A girl struggled to summon a spark of fire.
“Fire manipulation. Proficiency: Low. Potential: Moderate.”
A boy with earth magic stumbled over his control.
“Earth manipulation. Proficiency: Average. Potential: Above Average.”
Within moments, Kaito had pieced together the fundamentals of the remaining elements.
Fire: Combustion of oxygen molecules.
Earth: Manipulation of minerals and soil structures.
Light: Refraction and concentration of photons.
Dark: Absorption and negation of light.
By the end of the session, he had a working grasp of all six basic attributes. His essence, though limited, adapted to his growing knowledge.
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Forging Alliances
Later that evening, Kaito found Toru practicing alone near the dormitories. The swordsman’s strikes were heavy, his movements wild with frustration.
“You’re wasting energy,” Kaito said, approaching.
Toru turned, scowling. “What do you want?”
“A better sword would help.”
Toru scoffed. “You offering one?”
Kaito nodded and handed him a mid-grade sword he had crafted back in the capital. Toru hesitated, then took it, muttering a quiet thanks.
The next day, during a practical hunting class, Toru wielded the sword with precision, cutting through beasts with ease. Kaito noticed something remarkable: his essence reserves had increased slightly.
“So, the impact of my weapons on this world feeds my essence,” Kaito thought, his lips curling into a small smirk. “Interesting.”
---
The Mentor’s Interference
Meanwhile, Yumi’s former mentor had taken notice of her return. His disdain was palpable as he sabotaged her training materials, spread malicious rumors, and openly mocked her during lessons.
But Kaito wasn’t one to let such things slide. Each time the mentor tried to humiliate Yumi, Kaito countered with cold precision. Altered test scores? Kaito provided undeniable proof of her true performance. Framed mistakes? Kaito exposed the lies with ruthless efficiency.
The mentor’s frustration grew, but Kaito remained indifferent, his only concern being Yumi’s survival.
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Closing Scene
As the day ended, Kaito, Yumi, and Toru sat together in the E-Class training area. The atmosphere was tense but not hopeless.
“You’ve got a weird way of doing things, Kaito,” Toru said, inspecting his new sword.
“Efficiency is key,” Kaito replied, his tone calm.
Yumi glanced at Kaito, her lips curving into a faint smile. “You’re full of surprises.”
Kaito didn’t respond, but his thoughts were far from calm. This academy might be more trouble than it’s worth. But if it means surviving… so be it.
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End of Chapter 7: Part II