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THEIR first class prioritized verifying each student’s magical affinity and selecting elective classes. Everyone in the class would undertake general education courses together, but the electives dedicated to different practical skills would be separate. Professor Katie, in charge of Class A, explained.
“Pay attention, everyone. I distributed the forms for attribute determination. Write your name on it, slip it into the water jug on this lectern, and take it out again. When you do that, you’ll know your precise elemental compatibility.”
Precise…compatibility… Rashida thought the same as Emma because she whispered to her friend.
“Most people awaken to their magic during childhood… But perhaps it’s possible that affinity is wrong, and this is why we’re doing this activity?”
“I believe so.”
More accurately, Emma already knew. Because this was how she first learned that, in addition to the element of time, she possessed an aptitude for water, too.
“The paper will be dyed red for those attuned to fire. If someone has an affinity for fire and water, half of the sheet will be red and half blue. It’s also possible to receive inconclusive or weak affinity results. In that case, please tell me immediately for further assistance. Right then, let’s start in order… Young lady! What’s your name?”
“I… I’m Emma Grace Seagrove.”
Emma was called on first by virtue of her seat in the first row. She had no problem being first, per se. It was how the others would react to her affinities that concerned her. Someone like her, who possessed both time and water magics, was considered highly irregular. Ma’am, I’m a terrible example for your demonstration…
Sensing Emma’s hesitation, Rashida picked up her pen and started scrawling her name, thinking to volunteer instead. Meanwhile, the teacher cocked her head, puzzled by Emma’s tepid response. Students looked forward to discovering their magical affinity every year, so she found the girl’s discomfiture curious.
“Hm… Seagrove… Seagrove… Ah-ha, you’re the student with the affinity for time.”
In contrast to their teacher’s nonchalant tone, everyone else in the class stirred. Emma didn’t flinch because she’d been expecting it.
“That’s correct. Which is why I think I won’t be helpful for your demonstration.”
“Oh, no need to worry about that. Just write your name on the paper and follow my instructions anyway.”
“I… Yes, ma’am.”
With her name written on her piece of paper, Rashida held it in front of her chest. Using her eyes and hands, she silently asked Emma if she should take her place. Emma smiled and declined her friend’s kind offer with a shake of her head. She stood up from her seat and walked to where the teacher stood in front of the lecture hall. There, she gently dipped her form into the jug, watching it submerge into the water.
“What in the world…?”
Professor Katie and Emma spoke at the same time. No wonder, too, because Emma’s sheet of paper turned completely black in the blink of an eye.
What is this…? The first time she did this exercise, most of the page turned yellow, indicating her main affinity for time. A small section had been light blue, which meant some affinity for water. It should have been the same.
Except it wasn’t. Pitch black stained the whole page, leaving not a single spot of brightness. Well, that’s ominous. She had no qualms about thinking that about herself. None of her classmates could see the paper because the water jug was porcelain. But, once she took it out, there would be mayhem. Of that, she was sure.
“P-Professor…?” Emma glanced at her teacher, who had grown as quiet as a churchmouse, a far cry from her liveliness moments earlier.
“Hm… Miss Emma, you’re absolutely certain you haven’t experienced an affinity for any attributes other than time, yes?”
“That’s correct, ma’am.”
For the longest time, she had wished for an affinity other than, well, time. Unfortunately for her, fate had made other arrangements, so her wish had come to naught in her previous life.
“Fascinating…”
Quite a while had passed since Emma had first gone up to the podium. Though the class had calmed down, everyone started murmuring again. She felt Ian and Victor’s concerned gazes upon her as well.
“Professor, please allow me to test this, too.”
Neither Emma nor Professor Katie noticed the third person approaching the lectern at the front of the lecture hall. As tall as Ian, they cast a shadow over Emma and the teacher, who were both average heights for women. It was Lester, also known as Glen. Darn it! Of course, he’s in the same class!
Factoring in his ducal bloodline from the Olano Kingdom, his academic performance made sense. Still, she felt awkward in his presence, though she took two steps back to allow him access to the jug.
“Lor… I mean, Glen. I was under the impression you chose to forgo the attribute judgment because you had already done it in your own country?” Professor Katie said.
“I changed my mind, so please allow me to do so now.”
“Oh.”
Emma and the professor uttered their surprise in unison. Before he finished his last word, he flipped his sheet over and dropped it into the porcelain vessel. It rested on the surface for a second before slipping into the water.
Ngh! Emma sucked in a startled breath. Glen’s form turned black rapidly, too. At the bottom of the jug lay two pieces of pitch-black paper.
What could this mean…? She involuntarily turned her head to stare at him. To her shock, he didn’t look surprised, instead smiling back at her, unruffled and almost playful. The hint of childish mischief in his demeanor, so at odds with his clean-cut, handsome features, made Emma’s heart race.
“Well… I think the water needs to be replaced, hm?”
“I-I agree!”
Emma unthinkingly responded to Glen’s easy, affable tone.
“Hm… Understood. We’ll recommence the attribute determination after the water has been replaced. But there is no need for you to perform the exercise again.”
“Ack.”
That was unacceptable. If her secondary affinity for water wasn’t revealed in this class, she couldn’t apply to take classes in elemental magic. Her distress must have been clear to Professor Katie because the woman whispered to her.
“Don’t worry. I’ll explain everything later. Just visit me in my room.”
“Y-Yes, ma’am.”
“As I’ve made my point, my work here is done,” Glen said. “I’m sure you’ll agree there’s no need for me to do this again, Professor, since you already know about my testing back home.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Glen spoke quietly so that only the three of them could hear. Having said his piece, he turned on his heel and returned to his seat. It seemed he had been rash in his actions just now. As Emma walked back to her seat, she noticed his two attendants resting their chins in their hands, staring at him in exasperation. One of them made eye contact with her and waved kindly, silently telling her not to worry. She nodded in gratitude before sitting down again.
“Emma… Are you all right?” Rashida asked.
“Yes. Probably. It seems there was something wrong with the water. But the professor said I could perform the test again in private at another time.”
Emma replied as brightly as she could so that Rashida wouldn’t worry about her, but her mind was in shambles with every unbelievable turn of events. Did he…help me…because he knew something was wrong with the water? Even if he did, why was the professor acting so strangely?