After the announcement of the successful candidates of the heroic course in the auditorium.
　The teacher on the stage announced, "Dismissed, except for those who passed and those who intend to join the Regular Course," and nearly half of the students present left.

　The remaining students were those who had passed the entrance examinations and those who had not passed the entrance examinations and were going to join the regular course.

　Those who had applied for the regular course from the beginning were said to have finished the entrance ceremony and were waiting in the classroom while the students who had applied for the heroic course were taking the entrance examination. From now on, we are going to meet up with them.

　In fact, I was supposed to be on that side, but now that I'm here, neither of us will change.

　After the exits from the auditorium disappeared, a simple entrance ceremony was held.

　After the ceremony, the new students were escorted to their classrooms under the direction of the staff.

　The classrooms were not divided by department. It seems that there is a rule that half of the students belong to the heroic department and half belong to the normal department in one classroom.

If you are a hero, please wear this white uniform, and if you are a normal student, please wear this black uniform. Please put them on when you get to your classrooms.

　The attendant handed out the uniforms as we exited the auditorium. I took the black one.

　When I arrived at the classroom, many students had already taken their seats.
　I put on my uniform and sat down in an empty seat, and as I waited, a familiar face entered the classroom.

　It was Elysia.
　She was wearing a white uniform. I knew from the announcement that she, unlike me, had successfully passed the exam.

　All the boys in the classroom were gazing at her beauty. Perhaps Elysia herself was used to such stares, but she didn't show any reaction.

　She doesn't seem to be aware of my presence yet. Should I call out to her at ......?　No, the homeroom teacher is scheduled to arrive later for a brief HR session. It would be better to talk to her afterwards.

　Eventually, the homeroom teacher arrived.

Nice to meet you all. My name is Sylphias-Machina, and I'm in charge of the first year D class. I'm also in charge of Magical Studies.

　The person was a young and beautiful woman with wavy blue hair that reached her shoulder blades.
　She took a quick look around the classroom and then smiled.

As you know, this year at Builders Academy, we will be splitting into two departments. However, just because we have different departments doesn't mean that we don't work together at all. If anything, there are more ...... general lectures in which the two departments take classes together. Therefore, the students in the classroom are also a mixture of the two departments.

　The classes held by each department are called special lectures, and they account for about a third of all classes. I recalled the contents of the handouts distributed beforehand.
　Next, Professor Sylphia wrote on the blackboard with chalk. The words "self-introduction" were written with great care.

Let's start with your self-introduction.

　Ms. Sylphias said.
　The first student in line stood up and introduced herself.

My name is Elysia Milicitan. I'm Elysia Millicitan. I entered this school because I thought I could be strong here. It's nice to meet you. ......

　Elysia introduces herself.
　She seems to be obsessed with strength. I thought she was a battle fanatic when she took the test, but she didn't look too happy when she was crossing swords with Professor Farnese.

　I wonder if she really entered the Builders Academy to become stronger, as she said.
　Or is there some other reason? As I was thinking this, Professor Sylphia opened her mouth with a smile.

Elysia defeated Farnese, the swordsmanship instructor, in the entrance exam. You are probably one of the top five students in the Hero Department. I have high hopes for you in the future.

　In response to the teacher's words, Elysia humbly replied, "I'll do my best.
　The students were impressed by her resolute demeanor.
　The self-introductions continued.

My name is Mise Hoyens. I am an aspiring adventurer. It's nice to meet you.

　The silver-haired girl stood up and said. She was as beautiful as Elysia.
　She had pale skin and a slender frame. You get the impression that you could break her hand if you touched her. She wore a black uniform. She seems to be a student of the same department as me.

"Grand-Iblis. I may look like this, but as you can see, I'm a regular student. Please feel free to talk to me.

　A muscular boy with a scar on his cheek smiled and said, "I'm Grand-Iblis.
　You can tell that he is a regular student by his black uniform,......, but his toned body and beastly eyes give him the air of a warrior.

　There are many unique students. It's like a prestigious builder's school.
　As I was thinking about something else, my turn came.

"I'm Two-Eight. I grew up in a somewhat closed-off area, so I don't know a lot of things, but I look forward to working with you.

　I say what I've been thinking and take a seat.
　The place where I grew up is, of course, an institution, but if I explain it like I just did, you'll probably interpret it as a remote countryside. I'm not lying.

　Just then, there was a crunch and a student stood up with a bang.
　It was Elysia. She stood up and looked at me with wide eyes.



"Miss Elysia?　What's wrong?

...... Excuse me.

　Dr. Sylphia tilted her head, and Elysia dropped her gaze and sat down.
　The self-introductions resumed, leaving a strange atmosphere.
　Just as the last student finished introducing himself, the chime rang out.

That's it for today. I look forward to working with you for the next three years.

　Ms. Sylphias closed the HR session.
　Shortly after, Elysia stood up and walked quickly to me.

To Eight. Come here for a minute.

　Before I could reply, she pulled me by the arm and led me down the hallway.
　When we got to the landing of the stairs, she let go of my arm and turned around.

"Let's go protest.

"Protest?

It's funny that you're a normal student.

　Oh, that makes sense.

It's okay. I was always going to be a normal student.

What?　Then why did you take the hero test?

That's .......

　In a nutshell, it was a mistake. ...... I felt like they wouldn't believe me if I told them this.

　How should I answer?
　As I pondered, I heard footsteps approaching me.

"There you are, both of you. Just in time, let's have a little chat.

　The red-haired female swordswoman, Miss Farnese, appeared at the bottom of the stairs and said.
　At the time of the test, she was wearing a silver breastplate, basket and shin guards, like a knight in light armor, but now she was dressed entirely in cloth.

The story, of course, is about the ...... toeight's rejection.

　Dr. Farnese said.
　Elysia stared at Dr. Farnese, not hiding her disbelief. It's a good thing I'm not the only one who has a problem with that.

"But ...... to eight. I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out for yourself.　Do you have any idea why you were rejected?

"What's that? You're a teacher and you're trying to blame it on the Twite?

No, I'm not. It's not that, but ...... the circumstances are what they are.

　Farnese's expression was complicated by Elysia's sharp point.

　I'll give it some thought.
　I have no problem with the rejection, but I can't ...... think of why it happened.

I'm sorry. I have no idea.

"I'm sorry. Then let's get straight to the point. The reason you were rejected is because you're barely in the farsightedness mirror.

"...... Oh.

　I couldn't help but let out a squeak at that one.
　Oh, no. I completely forgot about it.
　I have a very good idea.

I know for a fact that the two of them worked together to defeat me, and I have several witnesses. Strangely enough, while I could see Elysia in action, I couldn't see Twight in the far-sightedness at all. According to the records of the far-sighted mirror, Toate did not defeat any of them.

"Well, how is that possible ......?

　Elysia asked.

No, not usually. No, it doesn't. But it does. I also thought the decision was strange, so I talked to the judges, but ...... there is no proof of Twight's success since he was not seen in the farsightedness mirror. If it's a flaw in the farsightedness, we can give you a second chance as a result of our failure. ...... I have just confirmed that there is no flaw.

　Dr. Farnese said, unconvinced.
　I realized I had an idea, and immediately bowed my head.

"I'm sorry. I was deliberately avoiding being seen in the telescope.

"You were avoiding it?　Why would you do that? It would only hurt your case.

No, it was a ...... habit.

　Habit?　They tilted their heads.

　That's not good. The habits of the ...... agency are completely ingrained in me.
　For me, the farsighted mirror was an object to be watched out for, and I even thought that exposing myself to it would be tantamount to death. I don't need to be wary of it now, but the values I have held for so many years are not likely to be changed so easily.

In any case, that's why you were rejected. ...... Totally. Perhaps because of the expansion of admission quotas, stranger things than usual are happening in this year's exam. There are whispers of a black ghost among some of the students, ...... and now we have to investigate it.

　In the exam, she was an intimidating swordswoman, but now she was a teacher, and she was troubled.

"Teacher. Can't Tuite become a hero anymore?



　Elysia asked.

"You can, but ...... next year. You can take the exam again when you go to school.

Can't you do something about that ......?　Toate has the ability to be a hero.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's had to deal with this. I'm sure he has to admit that.

　I shake my head at Dr. Farnese's words.

Elysia. As I said before, I originally wanted to be a normal student, so I'm happy with my current situation. It's nice of you to say this for my sake, but ......

It's not for you,.......

　Elysia dropped her gaze and said.

It's not that I'm not a good person, it's just that I think it would benefit me to have a friendly competition with someone like you in the same heroic department.

　You'll be able to get a lot more than that. 　

"...... You're quite stoic.

　I'm sure you've heard of her background," Farnese said.

Have you heard anything about her background?

"No, not really.

No, not particularly. Well, then, you'll have to take my word for it. She's got a bit of a history. ...... Well, we have a lot of students like that at our school.

　Mr. Farnese said and walked away.