Chapter 69 – Magic energy measurement

Magic energy measurement is something done to all students when they join the Nastassja magic school.

It’s an opportunity for students to realize what kind of sorcerers they should be… Which sometimes doesn’t match what they dreamed of. Unfortunately, they can’t choose the quality of their magic energy and their aptitudes. For example, only people with an aptitude for healing magic can join the medical unit of the ministry of magic.

Even someone like me who graduated at the top of his class, and Sieglinde who became the youngest ever assistant chief of the ministry of magic, are no exceptions.

In the center of a dimly lit room there is a heavy pedestal, and on it is a clear crystal. There shouldn’t be any cooling magic stones placed here, but it’s chilly for some reason. I guess the kids are also picking up on the shady mood in this room, because they were pretty noisy on the way here, but now that they’re around the crystal, they’re completely silent.

Ririi is also looking all around it with an unsure look on her face.

Miss Esmeralda is behind the crystal, squinting her eyes and looking at it on the other side of the small step placed there so the kids can touch the crystal. The kids are also looking at it like they’re entranced.

“Pretty, isn’t it? This is a magic sensitive crystal, and it can tell what kind of magic energy you have if you hold your hand on top of it.

Some people are good at burning things, some are good at healing, etc. Of course, you don’t necessarily need to follow the path laid out for you, but it’s very important to know what your talents are. I hope you pay close attention.”

She says as she holds her hand over the crystal… And a faint yellow-green light glows from the crystal in the dimly lit room, making the kids murmur.

The magic sensitive crystal amplifies the magic energy it receives and presents it in the form of light. Yellow-green light means the person holding her hand over it has aptitude for lightning and wind magic, and the lack of contours means she excels at area magic. The important part is the color, the way it shines is just one reference.

…So she has two aptitudes… Should I say I’m surprised or that I should’ve seen that coming? I guess judging by her accomplishments, it wouldn’t be weird for her to have three.

Fire, water, lightning, earth, and wind.

Most sorcerers have aptitude for one of these main elements. Then we have light, which encompasses things like healing magic, and darkness, which includes things like curses. But these are said to be special elements, with two things separating them from the main five.

First, the five main elements can be used even by a sorcerer with no aptitude for them, but the same can’t be said for the special elements. That’s why someone with no aptitude for light magic can’t join the medical unit of the ministry of magic.

Second, special elements don’t manifest alone. There are people with only aptitude for fire, but none with only aptitude for light. Light and darkness manifest themselves along with the five main elements.

Incidentally, the light element isn’t all that rare, but darkness is very rare. I only know one person with aptitude for it.

Most sorcerers have aptitude for one of the five main elements, but although rare, some have two. It’s said to be about one every thousand, and they’re basically an elite class. It’s said that most people who become famous as sorcerers have two aptitudes.

And apparently there are people with three or more. They’re said to be about one every ten thousand, and I thought for sure Miss Esmeralda would be one of them.

“As you can see, I have aptitude for lightning and wind. It’s pretty rare to have two, so normally it only shows one light. Well then everyone, come hold your hands over it. One at a time, and don’t rush.”

The kids follow her instructions, and form a line in front of the crystal. Ririi is in the middle of the line, and looks excited. She’s kind of hidden from sight because she’s a little shorter than the other kids, but I don’t lose track of her because her pale blue hair stands out even in this dimly lit room. And most of the other students are human.

“…”

The first in line is a lively looking boy, who I think introduced himself as Turner. He slowly walks up the step, looks at the crystal with a serious expression, and works up the courage to hold his hand over it.

“Red light. It looks like you’re good with fire magic.”

Says Miss Esmeralda after looking at the red light projected on the room. The boy raises his arms and looks happy.

“Yay! That sounds cool!”

“Can you use magic already?”

“No. My mom told me to learn from the teachers.”

“I see. Then you can look forward to it.”

“Yes!”

The boy hops down from the step, and walks near the crystal. I guess he wants to stay close and see what aptitudes the others have.

“I’m next.”

Next in line is a girl who confidently goes up the step. The angel bear robe she’s wearing is both a symbol of power and her being spoiled, and the hair curled up on both sides of her head also gives off the feeling that she has a determined spirit.

I’m pretty sure her name is Lain Florencia, meaning she’s the daughter of Medici, my former classmate. Her family doesn’t hold a candle to Sieglinde’s, but the Florencia name still commands a lot of power in the capital.

…I thought this yesterday too, but I really didn’t expect her daughter to end up being mine’s classmate, just like we were. Back when I went out to get angel bear fur to fulfill the request from the ministry of magic, I hoped the kid of the one who put out the request didn’t end up in the same class as Ririi, but said person is a former classmate of mine, so it might not be so bad.

At least it’s one less thing to worry about.

“What kind of aptitude do I have…”

Lain puts her hand over the crystal without a hint of hesitation, and the crystal releases a piercing blue light. It’s so bright, that I have to look away.

That means she’s the opposite of Miss Esmeralda, and is good at concentrated magic. That’s the type that’s good at fighting other people.

“Does that mean I’m good with lightning magic?”

“Correct. Just like me.”

“Please teach me lots, Miss Esmeralda.”

Lain gracefully climbs down the step, and also stops near the crystal. She’s also curious about the others.

After that, many different colors illuminate the room, and after seeing new talents and averting my eyes from time to time, Ririi is finally standing in front of the line.

My heart pounds like it’s jumping out of my chest, as my daughter faces this important event. Miss Esmeralda also gives me a look.

“Here we go here we go… Ahh…”

Ririi goes up the step and takes a deep breath. Then she stares at the crystal and stretches her hand as far back as she can. You don’t have to be that fired up.

“Hm… Hm… Tah!”

Ririi raises her hand as hard as she can.

…Please, any other color. Any other color that’s not the same as mine.