I’m Not Becoming a Graduate Student! – Chapter 17

After Professor Ronda Magret’s class.

Every student at the Byzantium Academy has a student ID.

An anonymous post appeared on the community app of that student ID, which functions like a cellphone.

[Title: Let me tell you a story about a student who splashed water on a professor]

[Content: There was this commoner sitting in the front row during class, but he got caught messing around and ended up on stage. And then he just casually said, ‘Can’t we skip the incantation for this?’ Everyone looked at him like, what the heck? The professor got super mad and challenged him to use a shield spell without an incantation, saying she’d toss him some ‘Water’ to help. She threw the water, and he actually created a shield without a chant, but instead, he splashed water all over the professor’s clothes… I can’t believe it myself!]

[Likes: 23, Dislikes: 27]

A series of events that occurred during Professor Ronda Magret’s ‘Basic Magic’ class.

This was posted on the exclusive community of the Byzantium Academy, the ‘Bijanity’ free board.

It even exceeded 10 likes and made it to the ‘Hot Board’.

There were quite a few comments as well.

[Do magic department kids write novels now? Well done.]

[└ Surprisingly, it’s a true story. All the freshmen in the magic department saw it.]

[└ Right.]

[A freshman used a 1st Circle spell without an incantation? These kids are ahead of the game.]

[└ Nope; he didn’t even know how to use the shield spell so the professor told him right before.]

[└ No way, hahahaha. Honestly, I believed it for a second until I saw this and downvoted it.]

[└ Isn’t he just playing dumb when he can use it?]

[└ No, it’s really true!!]

Reactions of disbelief flooded the comments on the post.

It was, in a sense, to be expected.

A freshman who has just entered the academy used a 1st Circle spell without chanting, after all.

‘Non-incantation magic’ is a niche technique, but it certainly exists.

However, to learn it, one must take upperclassmen’s classes, and it is difficult to practice even theoretically; therefore, few students actually use it.

So, the very idea of a first-year using non-incantation magic was treated as ‘fiction.’

For Sion, it was a relief.

“Hey, stop staring at your student ID while eating.”

“…But I can’t help it; it’s bothering me.”

Sion raised his head at Patrick’s jab.

The two of them were sitting in the student cafeteria.

They headed straight to the cafeteria right after class.

“Sion, it’s bad manners to mess around while eating! Of course, since we’re friends, it’s not a big deal, but you should be careful when dining with nobles in the future! Hahaha!”

“…Sorry. I’m gonna eat.”

At Geivolg’s admonition, Sion finally picked up his spoon.

The fancy food in the student cafeteria, which he thought he could eat anytime without getting bored.

Sion’s mind was so chaotic he didn’t even realize if it was going into his mouth or not.

‘I never expected Professor Ronda Magret would react like that…’

Right after getting drenched with water, Sion had realized something.

He had splashed water to prove a point, but he expected the stern Professor Ronda to get furious like a ball of fire.

However, she neither got angry nor retaliated against Sion.

-…Hiccup.

Maybe it was because she was cold, or because she was shocked by the unexpected situation…

She covered her chest with her hands, hiccupping.

…because her white shirt was see-through due to being wet.

Then, with a red face, she bolted out of the classroom through the front door.

The students sitting down might not have heard it.

However, as she brushed past Sion, Professor Ronda Magret whispered into his ear.

That whisper still lingered in Sion’s ears.

– You… hic, just you wait.

It wasn’t her usual sharp tone but a soft voice soaked with water.

He could tell she was swallowing her anger.

Of course, Sion felt nothing but anxiety.

“Sion, make sure you eat well. You’ll need your strength soon.”

“Right. It’s swordsmanship class, isn’t it? Ugh… I’m worried about that too.”

“A healthy mind resides in a healthy body! Just because you’re a magician doesn’t mean you should neglect exercise, Sion!”

“That’s true, but…”

Snap!

Geivolg pointed his finger at Sion as if to reprimand him.

Geivolg had a decent muscular build and broad shoulders that showed he worked out hard.

Patrick wasn’t as buff, but he had a reasonably toned physique.

Meanwhile, Sion’s limbs were thin, and his body appeared straight as a stick.

To put it simply, Sion was the only one who seemed far from sporty.

‘Even in my previous life, I didn’t exercise much.’

Watching a scientific documentary felt way more fun than working out.

He hadn’t had time to exercise during college or grad school.

Even in school, he was too busy studying during gym class.

Having avoided outdoor activities so eagerly, to suddenly have swordsmanship class…

You couldn’t change the fixed schedule of first-semester freshmen classes at the academy, so it was just not an option.

For Sion, who disliked injuries and sweating, it was the worst kind of class.

“Come on, let’s go. We should get moving.”

“Sorry… I made you wait because of me.”

“Hahaha! That’s understandable. If I had soaked the professor, I’d be feeling down too!”

“G-Geivolg… could you be a bit quieter?”

“Walk with your chest out, Sion! You’re the guy who beat the professor!”

“No, please just be quiet…”

The trio stepped out of the cafeteria.

They needed to change clothes for the next class.

After stopping by the dorm to change into more comfortable outfits, upon entering the coliseum-shaped classroom…

“Is that him?”

“Yeah. During class earlier…”

“Wow!”

“Hey, hey, don’t make eye contact.”

“Strutting around with his left hand in his pocket like he’s all that with the professor…”

“Non-incantation magic, huh….”

As Sion entered, the cold stares from those around him intensified.

Were they not clearly talking about him?

His shoulders shrank further.

‘Sigh… I already feel like my college life is ruined.’

Fortunately, Patrick and Geivolg stuck by his side.

The future seemed really rough, and tears threatened to spill.

If only he had acted like a fool instead…

While he was thinking this, someone came up to Sion.

“Are you Sion?”

“…?”

“Yeah, nice to meet you. I actually had something I was curious about.”

A sky-blue hair that swayed with the steps.

Despite a major event happening during today’s class, her eyes looked sleepy as usual.

It was Serenne Camilia, the top freshman of the Magic Department, approaching Sion.

…Wait, isn’t this a bit too close?

“Um, excuse me? Serenne…?”

“Hold on. Let me check something.”

“That’s not what I meant… you’re standing too close, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, just stay still.”

With an expression that said she wouldn’t allow him to step back, Serenne grabbed both of Sion’s wrists.

Every breath she took tickled the back of his neck and made him feel self-conscious, as if everyone around was suddenly staring at him.

About a minute passed before she finally released his wrists.

Serenne nodded with satisfaction.

Then she leaned closer and whispered in Sion’s ear.

“Yeah, I got it. You also… have a magic eye, huh.”

“…!!”

Magic eye (魔眼).

It signifies a peculiar ability that can manifest either naturally or through training.

Sion had what was called the ‘Identifying Eye.’

How did she see through the magic eye?

Did she lean in close to confirm whether Sion had one or not?

No, even more than that…

“You have one too…?”

“Yeah, I have a magic eye as well. Mine’s called the Power Eye.”

She pointed to her eye with her finger.

Though her usual eyes looked sleepy, they were different upon closer inspection.

They moved continuously, like clouds in the sky.

“The Power Eye is simple. It lets you see the flow of magic. Whether it’s magic or anything else.”

“…R-Really?”

“Of course! That’s how I knew. The magic flowing from your eyes is different from everyone else’s. And… your magic duel today was impressive. You were practicing the non-incantation barrier magic by constantly testing with your left hand, right?”

“!!!”

Sion was taken aback by her words.

She knew he was training to master barrier magic by practicing with his left hand in his pocket.

Even Professor Ronda didn’t notice, but she was the only one who picked up on that—

It was something that could only be explained by the existence of the Power Eye, which sensed the flow of magic.

“Do you really have a magic eye?”

“Yeah, I wanted to check again last time, but I couldn’t see well. But after today, I’m certain. You’re also a magic eye owner like me.”

“Last time…? Oh, then during the orientation…”

Finally, everything clicked in Sion’s mind regarding her bizarre behavior during orientation.

Her eyes had been trying to see whether Sion possessed a magic eye or not.

Though she still appeared sleepy, a hint of liveliness danced in her eyes.

With a slight puff of breath, Serenne held onto Sion’s wrists.

“It’s the first time I’ve met someone with a magic eye other than me. If you don’t mind, could you tell me what kind of magic eye you have?”

“Uh…? Well, it’s not hard to explain, but… um, no. Sorry, but I think I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“……Could you lend me your ear?”

Sion whispered into Serenne’s ear.

“If someone finds out I have a magic eye, it’d be really awkward. I can’t explain exactly what might happen, but…”

“I see. Then you can’t tell me?”

“…If you promise not to tell anyone else.”

“Alright.”

Serenne replied without hesitation.

She didn’t seem to care about that at all, her answer was clear-cut.

Instead, Sion found himself flustered.

“Are you really alright with that?”

“It doesn’t matter to me. I just wanted to meet and have a talk with someone who has a magic eye.”

“…Is that so?”

“Let’s go to a café together after class. Oh, if you don’t like open places, the training hall is a good option since it guarantees some level of soundproofing.”

Serenne said, her eyes sparkling.

It seemed she didn’t mind whatever it took to talk to another magic eye owner.

Though he had no idea why she was so eager to chat, it was a condition that didn’t seem like a loss for Sion.

The more he talked, the less she seemed like a bad person.

“Well, uh… okay. If you could let go of my hand, though?”

“Sure. Deal.”

“Um… yeah, deal.”

As Serenne extended her pinky finger, Sion followed suit.

It had been ages since he last did ‘pinky swear’ since he was a kid.

Maybe it was the soft feeling of her hand or the fact that Serenne was still looking at him closely.

His heart raced and didn’t settle down easily.

After the pinky swear, Serenne suddenly turned on her heels and left.

She walked confidently as if she didn’t care about the stares she was attracting.

Sion gazed at her back for a moment…

“Yo, what was that? Pinky swear? Huh? Sion, what were you talking about with the top student?”

“Uh? Ah, it was nothing!”

“Hahaha! Sion, you don’t need to be shy. There’s no rule in the Byzantium Academy against dating! Ahh, youth! It’s a wonderful sight!”

“Seriously, it’s not like that…”

As soon as Serenne left, Patrick and Geivolg appeared like ghosts, teasing him.