Book 6: Chapter 3: Mana Test (1/2)
Normally, the elective courses at Serendia Academy are conducted by all three grades.
However, only the third-year students were given elective courses at the beginning of the new semester, about a month and a half earlier than the first and second-year students.
Today's observation tour will mainly consist of freshmen and sophomores freely observing the classroom of third graders.
Since Lana and Claudia had already decided on the course they wanted to take, they each went off to observe their own courses.
Monica, who hasn't decided on one yet, was in the middle of touring each classroom with Casey, who had invited her to join her during lunch.
As she walked, Monica looked over the handouts she had been given in advance. Reading it over again, she was amazed at the variety of courses offered.
At Minerva, where she used to enroll, had all courses related to magic except for the basic education courses, so she had never had to worry about this much.
As Monica nodded in understanding, Casey, walking next to her, opened her mouth.
”I guess swordsmanship and equestrian courses are the most popular among boys. Especially with equestrian, since there are only so many horses available, it's often going to end up in a lottery. To tell you the truth, I took the equestrian course last year, too. And I was lucky enough to win the lottery.”
”Y-You're able to ride a horse, Casey?”
As Monica rounded her eyes, Casey brushed it with a laugh as if it was no big deal.
”All the men and women in my hometown knew to ride a horse. I used to accompany my father on his long rides. I even join him on a hunt sometimes with my crossbow.”
For a wealthy noble, hunting was just another form of entertainment. But to Casey, it's one way of earning a living.
Casey was amazing, Monica thought honestly.
She was energetic and capable of doing things. She was also good at cooking and embroidery. In her hometown, she used to do embroideries on days when the weather was bad and sell them to make a living.
Even without a maidservant, she had no difficulty in taking care of herself and had a good capability for living.
As Monica looked up at Casey with admiration, Casey scratched her head uncomfortably. This kind of unladylike gesture was really a part of her.
”Aw, please stop complimenting me like that, it's really embarrassing. I am not that great at all. We've always been poor because our land often heavily damaged by dragons, so we couldn't eat unless we've got skills like that.”
”B-But, you're able to keep up your grades, on general academic courses.”
Whether it was tea party class or ballroom dancing class, Casey's grades were never bad.
It was a far cry from Monica's almost catastrophic grades in everything but math.
”No, I'm just know all of them a bit.”
”Haha,” Casey gave a wry laugh before glancing at the handout in Monica's hand.
”But now that I have the opportunity to enroll at Serendia Academy, I'd like to learn things that I can't learn back home. For example… is this course.”
Casey then pointed to the text in the handout.
Looking at the words, Monica rounded her eyes. Casey pointed to the ”practical magic” course.
”I'm a little curious about practicing magic myself. In my hometown, we rarely see magicians. Are you interested in it, Monica?”
”Huh? Noooo, I just…”
If anything, Monica was actually one of the best magicians in the kingdom, one of the Seven Sages, the Silent Witch. Of course, there is no way she could tell her that.
If Monica was an ordinary magician, she would have been able to take practical magic courses without hiding her true identity.
However, Monica has a fatal flaw.
Monica, who can't chant properly in public, can't chant normally—in other words, she can only use the no-chant spell.
And the moment she uses a no-chant spell, Monica's true identity will be revealed. Because Monica was the only person in the world who could use a no-chant spell.
”I-I-I-I don't think I'm cut out for magic, so…”
”Is that so? You never know until you try… Wait, Monica, you look really pale, are you okay?”
”Th-that's no-not tr-true….”
”Now you're just gonna let it roll off your tongue.”
Casey put her hands on her hips and gave her an exasperated look… then her eyes suddenly widened.
Her gaze was not focused on Monica, but the person behind her.
”Hello, Miss Norton. How are you feeling now?”
It was impossible to mishear his soft and gentle voice.
Like a squeaky old spring, Monica turned around to see Felix smiling at her with a dignified smile.
”Y-Your… Your Highness.”
”Yeah, it's been a while since I've heard that amusing phrase.”
”A-About t-that matter, I-I am thrulledly grateful, for your help.”
”…thrulledly…”
In response to Monica's unusual comment, Felix covered his mouth with his hand as he quivered.
On the other hand, Casey's face stiffened and became rigid. He was the second prince that everyone adored, but being in a different grade, it was not often had the chance to meet in such close proximity, so her reaction was only natural.
Still paying attention to Casey, Monica asked him stiffly.
”U-Um… W-Why are you here… Y-Your Highness.”
”Some of the third-year students are helping to guide the first- and second-year students on their observation visits. Have you picked your elective courses yet, by any chance?”
When Monica was shaking her head, Felix said, ”Oh, that's a relief,” and smiled cheerfully.
She had a very bad feeling about this. Whenever his highness was in a good mood, Monica would usually end up in a bad situation.
”I think I have a course that might be suitable for you. Allow me to show you around. Your friend can tag along.”
She has especially a bad feeling about this. She had nothing but a bad feeling. However, since Felix had invited her out, there was no way Monica could refuse.
The already stiff-faced Casey replied, ”I-It's my pleasure.”
If she knew this was going to happen, she might have just picked embroidery or musical performance at that time!
Inwardly holding her head up, Monica followed Felix helplessly.
＊ ＊ ＊
”We've arrived.”
This was the very classroom that Felix had led her to. When Monica saw the sign on the door, she bawled her eyes out. Maybe her eyes had gone a little white, maybe her heart had almost stopped.
‘Practical Magic.'
It was the worst course that Monica could have chosen.
To Monica, who was shaking all over, Felix said with an oddly amused look.
”I haven't taken this particular course, but I think you might be well suited for magic.”
”W-What made you think t-t-that way…?”
What made him think that way?
Felix answered Monica's sluggish question with a simple answer.
”It's said that the more math-oriented one is, the better one is at magic. You've got an outstanding grade in mathematics, don't you? So I figured you'd be good at it.”