The students of Class A, having finished their meal, returned to the classroom for their second lesson in beginner dark magic.
"What? The results are already out?" As soon as they entered the classroom, chaos erupted.
The test results for all of Class A were prominently displayed on one wall.
"Wow! That was really fast!" "Get out of the way!" The students rushed in, throwing their bags aside.
Their own scores, as well as those of their classmates, were all laid bare.
"Ahhh! Curse Studies, 85 points!" "Ugh, Blood Flow Studies is dragging down the average."
"Should I seriously change my major?" "See? Didn't I tell you to push for Curse Studies number 5?" "You're so fake, seriously. You cried about failing Curse Studies, and now you got 80 points?" The atmosphere was as noisy as a bustling market.
Simon didn't want to check his own score, but he wasn't foolish enough to escape reality.
He opened his eyes wide and looked at his results.
[Simon Polentia]
Curse Studies: 40
Pitch-black Studies: 33
Summoning Studies: 76
Spirit Studies: 25
Blood Flow Studies: 20
Deadly Poison Studies: 20
Mathematics Studies: 43
Holy Defense Studies: 40
'...
As expected.' He had steeled himself, but the scores were dismal.
The only consolation was that he had managed to score in the 70s in Summoning Studies.
Perhaps due to studying over the weekend, his score had turned out better than expected.
"Simon! Simon! How did you do on the test?" Dick rushed over, panting.
"Summoning Studies, 76 points. The rest are all failures."
"Wow! 76?" Dick clapped Simon on the shoulder.
"Good job! Honestly, considering you didn't do any preparatory study, that's better than expected! It's much better to have one subject you're good at than just being average across the board!" "What about you?" "My highest is Pitch-black Studies with 74 points, and the rest are around 60 to 70. I should hit an average of 70."
Simon blinked.
"You study well, huh?" "I just studied enough to not get kicked out."
Dick shrugged, but his expression stiffened slightly.
"By the way, this is an unexpected turn of events. From the very first class, everyone's scores have been completely revealed."
Dick's plan was to quickly secure capable group members while everyone lacked information about each other.
But with everyone's scores laid bare, other students would have clear criteria to choose their group members.
"Um, everyone!" The students, out of control due to the score reveal, were in a frenzy.
The assistant teacher was flustered.
"Please return to your seats! The professor will be here soon..."
"Let them be."
Just then, the classroom door opened, and Jane entered.
The noise from the students abruptly stopped at her arrival.
Still, their gazes were inevitably drawn to the score sheet.
"I will give you 30 minutes from now."
Jane said as she placed her bag on the lectern.
"After checking your scores, form groups of four. Unless there are special circumstances, this group will remain for the entire semester."
The expressions of all Class A students hardened.
Were they starting right away?
From then on, the beginner dark magic class would proceed in groups, with tasks that could only be solved through teamwork.
Individual scores and group scores would be calculated separately.
Of course, even if an individual excelled, if there was no teamwork among group members, there would be penalties.
With a sigh, she adjusted her tie and slightly raised the corners of her mouth.
"So, you need to choose your group members wisely, right?" At that one remark, an emergency switch flipped in the minds of all the students.
"30 minutes. Students who haven't formed a group by then will be grouped together with others who haven't formed a group. Now, begin."
As soon as her words ended, the students' voices burst forth like a dam breaking.
"Jasmine! Who's Jasmine?" "It's me!" "Your Curse Studies score is high! Want to join us? I have interests in Pitch-black and Spirit Studies!" "Looking for three Curse Studies students! Must be over 60 points!" "Is there no group taking top students in Spirit Studies?" The competition to recruit group members was already fierce.
Simon and Dick nodded at each other and moved separately. 'Dick will go for the first priority recruit, Jamie.' Simon moved to find his second priority recruit, Claudia.
Unfortunately, she was already talking with two other students.
Seeing her animated expression, it seemed she had already been swept away.
The third priority, Rosenthal, who was interested in Curse Studies, was actively recruiting group members as the leader.
The fourth priority, Catherine, was being persuaded by Rosenthal.
Groups were quickly forming one by one. 'This won't do.' Dick, who had gone to find Jamie, was also struggling.
The students who scored well in this test had gained a sort of power.
They wanted to form groups centered around themselves.
Especially since all groups were trying to fill the three major subjects of 'Curse, Pitch-black, and Spirit' first, the Curse Studies students were quickly being left out.
This was a crisis.
If they couldn't fill the high-credit Curse Studies, the gap would be too large.
'Stay calm.' Simon erased the anxious feelings that had risen to the top of his head and calmly analyzed the situation. 'It's still early; no group of four has been formed yet.' 'This isn't a scouting atmosphere.
With the time limit, everyone is in a hurry.
They tend to group with those who have similar scores or different majors.' 'Groups often form quickly among those with average scores, while the top students are observing for now.'
'So, what can I do here?' Finally, Simon set his goal and moved.
Amidst the many students mingling and chatting, Simon walked steadily through the crowd.
Occasionally, a few students approached him, but he politely declined, saying they could talk later.
His target was just one person.
'I found her.' At last, Simon spotted his target.
Unlike the other students rushing around, she seemed to exist in a different world.
With her arms crossed and legs crossed, she sat calmly observing the situation.
Other students around her glanced at her but hesitated to approach.
It was understandable; convincing her with scores in the 60s and 70s was nearly impossible.
Taking advantage of that hesitation, Simon boldly approached her.
"Meilin Villeneuve."
The top student of Class A.
The top scorer in the entrance exam.
And the only student with an average score in the 90s across all subjects in this test.
"I hope you'll join our group."
Simon had aimed to recruit the top student from the start.
Students who had been watching from the sidelines began to murmur as they noticed Simon.
"Hey, hey, Simon!" Dick, who had pushed his way through the crowd, was gaping at him, thinking it was reckless.
The reason Meilin wasn't the first priority for recruitment was that Dick had concluded it was impossible for him to bring her in.
Simon raised his hand as if to say, "Leave it to me."
"... You're funny."
Her eyes, reminiscent of cold glaciers, swept over Simon's face.
"Do you think being a special admission means anything?" Her voice was as chilling as a winter wind.
"In the end, it's all about connections, right? I only trust what I can see, clear numbers."
Her attitude was firm and defensive.
"And sorry, but I don't think someone with an average of 30 points like you is my type."
The harsh reality pierced through.
But Simon endured silently.
The negotiation to gain the top student was just beginning.
First, he would throw out some bait.
"You know, your score in Summoning Studies is a bit weak. 85 points."
Her eyebrows twitched.
Summoning Studies was the only subject where Meilin had scored in the 80s, and it was her Achilles' heel.
However, she didn't budge and countered, "Are you in a position to say that? No matter what, my score in Summoning Studies is higher than yours."
Of course, he knew that.
Simon took a deep breath.
"I promise." "...?" "In one month. I will surpass you in Summoning Studies."
With the murmurs of the crowd, her pupils widened in shock.
"Are you crazy? Who can back up such a boast with words...!" "If I can't surpass you," Simon interrupted her, "I'll quit Kizen."
The shocking declaration from the top special admission student.
Sounds of people holding their breath could be heard everywhere.
Until now, no top special admission student had ever left the school of their own accord in Kizen's history.
Meilin let out a laugh, as if in disbelief, but the corners of her mouth trembled slightly.
"You really are crazy, huh? If you don't want to be embarrassed, cancel it quickly!" "I just said I would do what I can."
Simon spoke very calmly.
......
Meilin bit her lip slightly.
The atmosphere was shifting strangely as Simon quickly took control. 'You think you can surpass me? You don't know your place and are being arrogant.' Her gaze turned toward Hector, who was among the onlookers. 'But...' The mind games with Simon were separate; she had her own calculations.
Meilin had to maintain her position as the top student in Class A throughout the semester, no matter what.
The biggest obstacle to that was Hector.
His test scores were good, and more importantly, he was strong in practical situations rather than written exams.
If the upcoming duel evaluations and practical assessments were reflected in the scores, she might lose her top spot in Class A.
'So I must crush him in group classes.' One concern was that Hector had scored 88 points in Summoning Studies in this test.
It was the only subject where Meilin was outperformed by him in written exams.
Therefore, Meilin planned to recruit a Summoning Studies ace to assist her in this group class.
However, Hector moved faster than anyone else and successfully recruited Pierre Buckley, the only 90-point Summoning Studies ace in Class A.
The other Summoning Studies majors were all on a similar level, not far from her score.
Then, '...
Simon Polentia.' He hadn't done any preparatory studies, but he had clearly beaten Hector in the first Summoning Studies class.
Just like many students in Class A, Simon's performance had left a strong impression on Meilin.
Meilin found herself in a dilemma.
Should she safely recruit another Summoning Studies student with an 80-point score? Or should she take a chance with Simon, who had previously beaten Hector?
In that sense, Simon's statement about surpassing Meilin was not a provocation or a boast.
It was an appeal from the latter option she was considering.
It felt as if he could see right through her thoughts. ".... Hah."
Finally, after a long contemplation, Meilin untangled her crossed legs and stood up.
"You can really keep that promise, right?" Simon smiled brightly and extended his hand.
"I will definitely keep it."
She reluctantly grabbed Simon's hand.
It was the moment when Meilin, the top student everyone desired and the only one with a score in the 90s, joined Simon's group.