Chapter 23: Orientation

Carl looked at Instructor Andreas with an intrigued expression.

Though the title of first‑class instructor from Bayern wasn’t common, he had reached an elite level even as a battle mage.

In terms of standing, he could easily have been a professor rather than just an instructor.

On NOX’s recruitment list, under the Bayern category, he was boldly ranked first.

‘They said he valued principle and method.’

Because he came from a military background, he appeared strict—but he was exactly the kind of talent the organization needed.

Yet why did he go so far as to mention terrorism and earn resentment from the cadets?

‘They said the academy’s training policy changed drastically this year—and he’s starting off strong.’

They said internal changes had occurred due to a terrorist incident during the entrance exams.

Instructor Andreas’s behavior likely stemmed from that context.

Proof of qualification as a Bayern cadet.

It was quite an interesting story.

Buzz—

The pressure filling the lecture hall gradually thickened.

Cadets resisted the downward force by exuding magical power.

Some wove it around themselves like a protective device, others strengthened internal resistance to cancel out the magic’s effect.

Carl leaned more toward the latter.

Rather than projecting outward, it was cleaner to manage the energy within.

‘If they’re cadets, they can barely withstand that level.’

From the get‑go, it seemed they intended to train hard with a practical focus instead of theory.

“Hmph.”

Yuria, sitting opposite Carl, crossed her arms and clicked her tongue in boredom.

Whether it was proof of Bayern credentials or whatever—she wasn’t interested.

She just wanted orientation to end quickly so she could return, finish her research, and sleep.

“……”

Instructor Andreas saw Yuria’s appearance and inwardly smiled.

While most cadets looked strained, a few had completely broken through the overwhelming pressure like her.

‘About four worth watching.’

Yuria, called the Gray Lily.

She had been famous since Bayern’s upper division as the successor to the Gray Magic Tower.

She was an already proven gem—it was best not to touch that one.

Next was Nerian of the Hopfenheim ducal house, who had even received the early‑morning medal given by the Emperor himself.

Then Mahert, eldest son of the noble Schneider knight family, and Laysis, princess of Alforam.

Only these four could relieve pressure so nearly perfectly…

“……?”

A spark of interest flitted across Andreas’s eyes.

One of the abilities his adversaries called “Tyrant” on the battlefield was the magical eye that parsed opponents by visually tracing special mana flows.

Of course, not as grand as legend would imply.

It simply allowed him to observe a bit more deeply and precisely than similar‑level wizards.

Spot—

The color inside the lecture hall shifted.

Most new cadets were about average.

Except for those four, nearly everyone shared similar mana wave patterns.

…But among them, an unexpected irregular stood out.

‘That isn’t pure mana. It’s processed somehow.’

Andreas’s gaze moved toward Carl.

While everyone has unique aura, their mana levels were usually comparable.

Maybe only Nerian, who wielded the Power of Ice, was slightly exceptional.

Most showed blue mana—around Carl was a subtle, deep gray aura blending faintly.

‘Carlos Leipzig.’

A name not to be unfamiliar.

He was the theoretical top scorer in this year’s entrance exams—a fresh shock to the academy’s upper hierarchy.

His two older brothers also received instruction from Andreas himself.

‘Carius was a flawless model student.’

He was said to be slated to join the Empire’s renowned knight order, Raging Flame.

Well‑educated in both civil and martial arts, with a gentle personality, he had a good reputation and drew favor from many.

He even served in the student council, the most honorable role among cadets.

…Meanwhile, the second brother, Darius.

‘He was like an untamed beast.’

Just thinking about him made Andreas’s head throb.

Unlike his theory‑top younger brother, all his abilities inclined toward brute force.

In any case, both brothers showed above‑average qualities.

But the most unusual seemed to be the younger sibling?

“……”

Andreas subtly tilted his gaze.

He intensified the pressure directed at Carl slightly.

Eerie—

At the same moment, the faintly flickering gray aura around Carl vanished cleanly.

As if sensing he was being observed, Carl responded swiftly.

‘Interesting.’

Andreas smirked and withdrew the pressure aimed at him.

It seemed a curious cadet had snuck in among the newcomers.

Today wasn’t the only day, so Andreas shifted his attention to observe other cadets.

“……”

Meanwhile, Carl frowned.

Earlier he had pretended to struggle under the pressure—now his expression registered genuine discomfort.

‘He clearly noticed me.’

…Could it be he’d been flagged during the entrance exams?

An instructor of Andreas’s caliber likely had close ties with the imperial court and higher authorities.

If so, NOX would have noticed immediately.

They treated information about him as top priority.

For now, assume Andreas tested the waters—Carl reacted passively.

Withdrew the rough energy feigned for a cadet, hid his presence.

While Andreas built up barriers bit by bit to prevent probing.

“……”

Then Carl noticed the unusual hue in Andreas’s pupils and vaguely understood why Andreas had paid attention to him.

‘Because of my inner‑unity qi.’

Pure mana and inner‑unity qi processed by primal unification qi were very different in nature.

Even average wizards couldn’t sense the difference until contact—but Andreas seemed slightly more sensitive in that aspect.

‘I need to refine that part.’

How much time passed like that.

When those starting to collapse from exhaustion began to appear, Instructor Andreas lightly clapped his hands.

Clap.

At the same moment, the pressure that had covered the inside of the lecture hall dissipated as if washed away and vanished.

“Thank you all for your hard work. Even though it was a difficult process, I am grateful you followed without complaint.”

“Gasp.”

“Sigh….”

“… Is it over?”

The cadets each let out a sigh of relief.

Maximilian beside Carl and the other cadets were the same.

There was some variation, but except for the four—or rather five—almost everyone looked tired.

“Invisible dangers are always lurking underneath. The terrorism during this year’s entrance exam was one such example. I deliberately provoked unpleasant cadets to create immersion. If any of you were offended, I apologize in the name of this Andreas.”

Instructor Andreas gave a light nod toward the cadets.

His very polite demeanor somewhat eased the stiff atmosphere in the lecture hall.

After all, they had felt his strength with their whole bodies.

Their minds were already inclined toward the strong.

And no one in Bayern would be so stupid as not to understand the meaning of what he said.

Instructor Andreas continued with a faint smile as he met the cadets’ gazes.

“Then let us begin the lecture orientation.”

NOX hideout.

Second leaned back in her chair with legs propped on the table, enjoying a leisurely moment.

Carl was in the academy and had no mission, so it was basically a day off.

Just as he was about to spend a relaxed time reading accumulated information and documents, Queen appeared holding a cake plate.

“Oh, isn’t that the famous dessert shop in Jedo?”

Second’s eyes sparkled.

She recognized the emblem engraved on the fork and knife from her memory.

“That’s right. Since Master stopped by, I accompanied and also bought some on guard duty.”

“Hmm.”

“Want some? There’s more.”

“No, I’m fine. Not in the mood right now.”

“Alright then.”

Second leaned back in the chair again.

Though intrigued, she didn’t particularly want to eat.

In the quiet space shared by just the two inside, only the clinking of the fork and knife resounded.

Ignoring that noise in one ear and looking at the ceiling for a moment, Second muttered briefly.

“After orientation, there’s a social gathering. Nine is busy from day one.”

NOX had of course infiltrated the Bayern Academy following Master Carl.

In case of emergency, they would support Master and gather information inside and outside the academy.

Disguising as cadets was burdensome in many ways.

Of course staff felt it too, but less so than cadet side—so they discreetly slipped into various places.

The one commanding was Nine.

She watched Master Carl from the closest seat.

“Will there be a party in dresses?”

Second looked down at her body.

Since joining NOX, she had few chances to wear dresses except during infiltration or special missions.

Usually preferred NOX uniform or clothing convenient for movement.

‘I did wear them quite a bit in the past though.’

As she grimly thought of old times, Queen glanced at her and spoke.

“If you were jealous, you should have applied. If you said you were going, Master would have approved.”

“There’s a saying: the right person in the right place. I’m not suited to petty infiltration tasks.”

Second gave a wry smile.

By position, she was one of the main force.

With Nine already scheduled to be dispatched, was there reason for her to follow?

“I’m the one who feels strange here. Queen, it’s surprising you’re not going.”

“I must fill Master’s absence, of course.”

“You used to act like you’d die if you were apart.”

“A crying child always gets an extra rice cake. That’s how you get Master’s attention. Second, if you want Master’s favor, learn this.”

“Favor earned by affectation.”

“Master knows anyway, right? We do it knowing each other. I’d be fine with just this.”

“… Sure.”

Second chuckled.

A thorough Master would hardly not notice Queen’s antics.

If he’d been swayed by a single woman, NOX couldn’t have reached this point.

“… Still, now that Master is at the academy, he might meet a woman? That would be natural.”

“…”

Queen froze mid‑bite of cake at those words.

Second looked at her with wide eyes.

“Why? Didn’t you think of that?”

“You don’t mean Master would……”

“Master is a man in his prime. He’s been busy running the organization, but once he immerses in the academy, a romantic relationship is natural.”

“… Even so.”

“In objective terms, his appearance doesn’t lag anywhere. Quite the opposite, really. Cadets being captivated wouldn’t be unexpected. Maybe someone’s already fallen for him.”

“Second.”

Queen called Second with a subdued expression.

Because she understood her intent to tease her.

“I was stating facts. Queen, if you truly harbor feelings for Master, I’ll not stop you. I’d even help.”

Startled by her serious warning, Second grinned and subtly backed off.

Leaving a little room open.

“… Don’t tease me.”

Queen set down the fork in her hand and pursed her lips as her appetites completely fell.

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