In the academy’s conference room, where all the professors had gathered, the voice of a man echoed.
“I oppose the girl’s admission.”
The speaker was Professor Rensanti, who was nearing middle age.
The person he spoke against was Dean Skaha.
“Oppose, you say? Why?”
“Well, it’s just common sense, isn’t it? An unknown orphan is born with mana circuits and resonance. Well, up to this point, it could be understandable. After all, there have been cases like this before.”
He sighed.
“However, Dean, you know as well as I do that someone can’t pass the academy’s threshold just through coincidence or mutation.”
He raised his palm, as though exposing the veins beneath his pale skin.
“The purest and most noble blood. Those who inherit the most valuable talents—already great and accomplished wizards. That’s who the academy’s students should be. In fact, only those from such esteemed lineages are truly capable of crossing this high threshold.”
“I’ve seen the student myself, and I say she’s more than qualified for admission.”
“Dean, I respect you, but as a human, you can’t be perfect.”
“So, in the end, you’re saying that I’m wrong this time?”
“I hope you understand that I have no intention of insulting you.”
When Skaha paused for a moment, Professor Rensanti added:
“Don’t be too disappointed that Miss Shinseergrin’s achievements might be lost. You’re capable, so when a position opens up in a few years, you could become a professor.”
Melrit, who had been attending the meeting as a prospective professor, understood the true meaning behind Rensanti’s words.
‘This guy wants to make his disciple a professor.’
Once someone becomes a professor, it’s hard to get fired unless they make a huge mistake or show extreme incompetence.
But since the number of students always remains roughly the same, new professors are selected only when a vacancy opens up—meaning existing professors must either retire or pass away.
‘Opposing Ellie is just a means to an end. It doesn’t really matter.’
What Rensanti truly wanted was to remove Melrit’s achievements so she couldn’t become a professor and replace her with someone he wanted.
‘If there’s anyone worthy among Rensanti’s disciples… could it be that girl?’
The face of a nasty classmate came to Melrit’s mind, and a bitter taste rose in her mouth.
The dean sighed.
“Don’t speak so hastily.”
“Isn’t it you, Dean, who’s acting hastily? You’re accepting a child whose background you don’t even know based on a single look—”
“Prad Rensanti.”
Her voice was cold.
Sharp.
“From now on, if you speak carelessly in front of me, be ready to face me as an opponent in a duel.”
‘Ugh…’
Rensanti’s body stiffened.
“However.”
Skaha continued calmly.
“There’s some truth to what you say. The academy’s threshold is high, and if I suddenly accepted her just because I wanted to, it could cause confusion for a while.”
“Y-yes…”
“So, it might be a good idea to have a public demonstration of her abilities. Shinseergrin, what do you think?”
Melrit’s eyes widened slightly.
Ellie’s true form—her white hair and the star-filled blue eyes—flashed in her mind.
But…
“…Yes.”
She also remembered how Ellie had concealed her true identity.
“I think it’s a good idea.”
Ellie had already hidden her true colors in the academy, knowing she would use magic here.
Asking her to show a little of her ability wouldn’t expose her identity.
“Since you agree as well, there should be no more problems. Then, we’ll have Ellie’s abilities tested in front of the professors—”
“If that’s the case.”
Rensanti spoke up.
“How about verifying it through a triad comparison?”
“…Why use that old method? Someone like Shinseergrin wouldn’t even know what that means, would she?”
In fact, Melrit and the others exchanged confused glances, not understanding what he meant.
“If you want to join the academy, you should be able to win in a triad comparison against a student who’s already been recognized. This is a line that cannot easily be crossed.”
It was forced.
It might make sense if they used one of the academy’s lowest-level students as Ellie’s opponent.
“For that, I’d recommend Prince Dein Edwick.”
Prince Dein Edwick was one of the most promising new students.
Melrit muttered curses under her breath.
‘What a disgusting human.’
Rensanti was trying to kill two birds with one stone.
Even though his opponent was an “unknown and worthless orphan,” he wanted to give Prince Edwick an opportunity to showcase his abilities in front of others.
This was, of course, an attempt to win favor from the Duke’s family.
By removing the obstacle, he simultaneously gained the favor of a powerful family.
It was a level of cunning that was hard to believe he thought of in an instant.
“…Rensanti. Now that you’ve pushed this far, it seems you’ve made up your mind?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I understand. I’ll accept the conditions you mentioned. Ellie’s admission will be contingent on her winning a triad comparison against Dein Edwick.”
“That’s a reasonable judgment. Thank you for understanding.”
“However, in case Edwick loses…”
Skaha’s voice was even, calm.
“You’d better prepare to leave the library.”
“Thank you for the advice. If necessary, I’ll certainly do so.”
“Alright. That concludes today’s meeting. Everyone may leave now.”
***
That night, in Ellie’s dorm room.
Since there was no place to entertain guests, Melrit sat on the bed with Ellie and relayed the details of the meeting.
Ellie burst into laughter.
“That happened, huh?”
“It’s not really a situation to laugh about…”
“I’m sorry. It’s just a coincidence. His name was Dein, huh.”
“What?”
“Well, the thing is, I had a bit of a commotion with that Dein Edwick earlier today.”
“What…?”
As Ellie calmly explained what had happened, Melrit was once again left in shock.
“No, that… really…?”
***
“It worked out better, actually.”
Ellie smiled gently and hugged her pillow.
“Anyway, he was someone I was bound to clash with eventually, so it was only a matter of time. And now that a conflict has happened, if I can break it in front of many people, all the better.”
“…That kind of thing.”
When talking with Ellie, Melrit often felt an impression of ‘unusualness,’ and right now, she felt that way again.
There are genius children who stand out in every field in this world, from an early age.
Except for one: society.
Understanding human psychology, the roles of each member within a community, how they interact organically, what must be done and assigned for the goal, roles, politics, conflict management, compromise—
These are the skills that require both a broad perspective and a detailed understanding of individual psychology.
It’s a skill that can’t be mastered alone through contemplation and research.
‘No way… Could she be in the same department as the dean?’
“Did you just doubt whether I’m really 15 years old?”
“!?”
This was exactly the point.
“Don’t worry. I really was born in this world 15 years ago. I swear it’s the truth.”
“Oh right, I almost forgot.”
“Should I swear by the name of the Magic Way in moments like this?”
“Well, it’s not wrong, but it’s only used in very solemn moments…”
“Oh, I see? I almost used it carelessly. That would have been embarrassing.”
The way Ellie scratched her cheek awkwardly was unmistakably that of a teenage girl.
***
“Anyway… it’s a shame I won’t be able to take your classes when you become a professor.”
It was a remark made by someone who naturally assumed that Melrit would become a professor, that she would win in that three-way comparison.
“Wait, why?”
But Melrit thought the same way, so their conversation continued without interruption.
“Well, Melrit, you’re the one who personally selected me, right? If I were to take your class, there would obviously be accusations of bias and fairness issues, wouldn’t there?”
“Well, that’s… true.”
‘It was true, but isn’t it usually the case that people want a little bit of favoritism and unfairness?’
The difference between Ellie and a straightforward principle-minded person like Melrit is this:
“If there’s a flaw like that attached, even if I get good grades, I won’t be recognized. It’d be better to get an A+ from someone like the professor who tried to kick me out today. That way, no one would dare say anything.”
It’s different from someone who is willing to suffer losses just to do the right thing.
However, if one were to ask whether Ellie’s core was driven by a goal-oriented mentality that didn’t care about good or evil…
‘No, that’s not it.’
Even though they hadn’t known each other for long, Melrit could say with certainty:
“Ah, but there’s an advantage to not being able to take your classes. It means I can ask you for more help personally, right?”
“Wait, personally? What do you mean?”
“Well, there will probably be various things that come up. When people ask who my guardian is, the closest one would be you, right?”
“That… is true.”
‘Is it, though?’
If anything, the dean of Skaha, who has the authority to provide living expenses and allowances, would be closer to a guardian, but it seems Ellie didn’t think that way.
“Yes. So, unfortunately, various things will come up.”
She added playfully.
“Please take care of me, Melrit mom?”
“…I’m not at the age where I could have a daughter your age.”
“How old are you?”
“21.”
“That…”
Ellie’s gaze moved to Melrit’s chest and then to her dark circles under her eyes.
“Ah, sorry…”
“Apologizing like that actually hurts me more,” Melrit said, sincerely.
“Melrit aunt?”
“…Wouldn’t calling me ‘sister’ sound more natural?”
‘If it were a large family, a six-year age gap between sisters wouldn’t be a big deal. Melrit’s comment was perfectly reasonable.’
“Calling you ‘sister’ feels a bit…”
“…I’ll be hurt.”
“No, it’s not that I think you look old—wait, I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean it like that! I mean… well, actually…”
Ellie was flustered, an expression she didn’t usually show.
“I just… can’t say it very well. I could say it if you were my older sister, though.”
Melrit tilted her head.
“Ellie, you’re a girl, too.”
Despite being bold and extraordinary, Ellie was also a pretty and feminine girl.
Even though she was only 15, she had already grown wonderfully, including her chest.
“Ah, right. Yes, yes, of course, I’m a girl… Now that I think about it, what exactly is this three-way comparison?”
“I heard about it from the dean, so…”
Melrit, noticing Ellie’s blatant change of subject, was puzzled but decided to let it slide.
She figured that Ellie might have a trauma related to the word “sister.”