Time flew by, and autumn arrived.

Then, the day everyone had been eagerly awaiting approached.

It was the Individual Skills Assessment, held before the Joint Assessment.

At one of the academy's open spaces, the so-called highlight of the Individual Skills Assessment, the Destructive Power Test, was taking place.

In the center of the open space stood a person and a scarecrow.

It seemed the assessment had just been conducted, as dust clouds were rising around them.

The onlookers expressed their admiration upon witnessing the scene.

"Indeed... This year's first-year students are of a high caliber."

"It's a pleasure to the eyes. To see such an assessment from first-year students."

"This is comparable to the current second-year students..."

Such comments were heard all around.

Diark Verds stood in the center.

Verds, a scion of the Verds family, a magic swordsman, and the top student, was the center of everyone's attention.

Diark lived up to the immense expectations placed on him.

In fact, he exceeded them.

Diark smiled satisfactorily.

'It was perfect.'

He seemed to have performed even better than he did usually in practice.

Diark, shining as the top student of the first year, demonstrated his skills brilliantly.

Moreover, the technique he used, a combination of sword aura and magic, was immensely destructive.

The ground around him was cratered from his technique, and the scarecrow in the center was tattered.

'Borval senior...! I did it!'

Diark mentally celebrated while looking around.

At the edge of the arena, Borval was smiling contentedly.

The ability Diark used was a technique inspired by Borval's ability, interpreted in the style of a magic swordsman.

Diark wanted to show Borval, who had helped him develop this technique, that he could be number one.

After a short wait, the announcer exclaimed loudly.

"7620 points!!! An overwhelming first place!!! A record high score."

'This should be enough...'

Diark checked the score of the second place.

Even with the highest score, the gap with the second place was crucial.

Currently, Kuhn was in second place.

Though Kuhn had just performed impressively in the assessment, he was no match for Diark.

Kuhn had scored in the 4000s.

The gap was nearly double.

However.

'The variable is...'

There was just one first-year student who possessed the ability to threaten Diark.

Yuni Von Ristonia.

The person who had outsmarted Diark in the student council president elections.

Recently, Diark had been enjoying watching Rudy tame Yuni, but he still had an unresolved grudge.

This was a debt Diark himself wanted to settle, not to be paid by someone else.

For now, Diark stepped out of the open space.

As soon as he left the open area, Diark Verds ran towards Borval.

Borval, with no particular expression, was sitting, his large muscles taking up two seats, and his axe occupying another, effectively hogging three seats by himself.

Approaching Borval, Diark opened his mouth, a look of pride on his face.

"Senior, did you see that?"

Borval nodded.

"It seemed your abilities were stronger than usual today."

Diark smiled at Borval's remark.

"Indeed, did you notice? I felt in great condition today and decided to use a bigger technique."

Borval slightly furrowed his brow.

"You shouldn't use your abilities so recklessly. It's important to control them, using only as much as necessary. Remembering the exact amount of mana and the sense of how you usually use it is important in real combat."

"Ah..."

Diark nodded, seemingly moved by Borval's words.

"You're right, senior. I shouldn't use my abilities indiscriminately just because I'm in good condition."

Using too much mana when feeling strong could create vulnerabilities.

Mana could be depleted too quickly, or one might even use more mana than they could handle.

Hence, in real battles, it was crucial to use mana in accordance with one's usual pace.

As Diark looked dejected, Borval punched him lightly in the chest.

"Still, it was an impressive technique."

After saying this, Borval turned and walked away.

Diark, wide-eyed, bowed his head towards Borval's retreating figure.

"Thank you!"

As Borval walked away, he slightly raised his hand.

"Ha ha..."

Diark smiled, pleased with the high score he had received.

With such a score, even Yuni would find it difficult to win against him.

Smiling, Diark was about to enter the building when he saw Yuni Von Ristonia inside.

"Yuni Von Ristonia..."

Yuni's face was scrunched in a frown.

This frown was different from her usual expression.

When Yuni frowned, it usually conveyed annoyance or irritation, but this time, it was a look of unease.

'Did she watch my match?'

Diark thought Yuni might have felt daunted after seeing his performance.

'It's possible.'

The technique Diark had displayed was satisfactory even to himself.

It wasn't just practical but also flashy and powerful.

Diark, intending to mock Yuni, walked towards her.

"Yuni Von..."

Before he could finish, Yuni, without turning to look at him, suddenly ran off somewhere.

"...Huh?"

Diark looked puzzled.

He had planned to provoke her, but she ran off so abruptly that he couldn't bring himself to chase after her.

'Where is she going?'

Diark stared intently in the direction Yuni had run off to.

"...The restroom?"

The Individual Skills Assessment.

This activity, conducted before the Joint Assessment, tests the students annually in great detail.

Especially for the first-year students, as it's their first assessment, the examination is even more thorough.

The tests start with mana-related assessments and include various physical examinations.

These are designed to detect any unknown diseases early and provide treatment, thereby preventing the loss of talented individuals due to untreated ailments.

I looked at the long line of first-year students.

There are so many

The line was not diminishing quickly.

Of course, some students left the line for the Destructive Power Test, the highlight of the individual assessment, but the line never really shortened.

It looks like its going to take 2-3 hours just to get through one test

Just relax. Its a good time to rest.

Yeah, youre right.

I replied to Rie, who was standing behind me in line.

Rie and I were queuing for the same assessment.

Standing in line alone might have been boring, but having Rie there made it less so.

By the way, are you well-prepared for the Joint Assessment?

Rie tilted her head and asked.

Kind of? I mean, I didnt train specifically for the assessment. It was more like my usual training routine.

I heard youve been training hard with Astina lately.

Rie narrowed her eyes.

Just training, right?

...What else do you think I did?

If its true, then never mind.

Rie spoke with a nonchalant expression.

Whats bothering her?

Training is something anyone can do.

Lately, Rie seemed to have become more jealous.

What have you been up to lately? I asked around but no one seems to know. You also haven't been around.

If you were curious, you should have come to see me.

You told me not to look for you.

Well, yes, but what if you really didnt come? You should at least show your face occasionally. Dont you know a girls heart?

Rie stamped her feet behind me as she spoke.

Alright Ill come to see you next time.

Pleased, Rie smiled contentedly.

Thats good. Youre so nice, Rudy.

Rie tiptoed and patted my head.

People around us stared blatantly.

My face turned red with embarrassment, being so overtly affectionate in front of others.

How do couples manage to do this kind of thing?

So, what kind of training have you been doing alone?

I quickly changed the subject, fearing strange rumors might spread if we continued like this.

Oh, I wasnt training alone.

Hmm?

Serina helped me.

I tilted my head in confusion.

Serina came to the academy?

Yeah, shes part of the Royal Secret Service. They can move freely if ordered. I asked if Serina could help me for a while.

Serina had a history of causing trouble at the academy.

"Can she really just come and go as she pleases?"

"Don't worry, I've got permission for all of it. My lodging is outside the academy, and I only came in briefly from time to time."

Rie seemed to read my mind and answered my unspoken question.

"Alright, I trust you managed it well. So, did you focus on training Elemental Magic?"

"Um... Sort of?"

Rie replied noncommittally.

I looked at her intently.

"Didn't you train in Elemental Magic?"

"Well, yes, but its a bit complicated..."

"Complicated how?"

Rie chuckled and playfully patted my back.

"It wouldn't be fun if I just told you. Youll see it later."

"Okay, got it."

There would be an opportunity to showcase our abilities in the open area anyway.

It was better to witness it directly than to probe further now.

As we were chatting, a loud announcement rang out.

"Student Yuni Von Ristonia, please come to the open area."

"Is it Yuni's turn?"

It was time for Yuni to display her abilities in the open area.

As I said this, Rie frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"Hmm... I saw Yuni earlier... she didn't seem to be in good condition."

"Not in good condition?"

"Shes been acting strangely recently. Uncharacteristically intense about her studies... I'm worried."

Hearing this, I felt a pang of guilt.

I couldnt bring myself to tell Rie about the bet I had made with Yuni, who had asked to keep it a secret.

There was no need to stir up trouble.

"Ahaha... It's good to be diligent. She's probably just trying to get good grades."

"Thats true, but... Yuni has a sort of trauma. Its not good for her to be so tense..."

I tilted my head, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Yuni isnt usually the type to get nervous, but when she does, she tends to make mistakes..."

Although I initially worried about Yuni's trauma, Rie's explanation made it seem less concerning.

"Mistakes... Everyone makes mistakes when they're nervous."

"No... it's not just any mistake..."

"Hmm?"

Rie scratched her cheek awkwardly, her explanation unclear.

"Do you want to go watch if you're so concerned?"

"No, Yuni might get even more nervous if I go. I just hope she overcomes it on her own."

Rie gazed towards the open area, her expression growing darker.