‘...I see.’
Grom became increasingly convinced of his theory.
If she wasn't an Intuitive Type mage, were they going to say that this White Garden freshman, who hadn't appeared in decades, was actually an uncivilized barbarian who knew nothing about magic?
Hahaha! As expected of this old man, still as sharp as ever, not over the hill at all!
‘...It seems this child is simply not good at theoretical expression.’
At this thought, a faint trace of apology even rose in his heart.
An old man like himself, who had taught Elemental Theory for decades, using textbook theory questions to make things difficult for a child who cast spells purely by instinct...
It was somewhat like bullying.
“Ahem.” Grom coughed lightly, subtly giving himself a way out.
“Though the way of answering was... rather unique, Elemental Theory has never been a subject that can only be learned with the mouth.”
“Being able to recite a hundred definitions doesn't mean you can make a wisp of flame burn steadily in your palm.”
Irene half-understood, but her rich experience from being tormented by her master for years let her keenly grasp the core meaning—
She could sit down!
“Oh...”
The white-haired dumpling sat back in her seat as if granted a general amnesty. The moment her little bottom touched the chair, her entire body visibly relaxed.
Grom didn't push any further. He just bent down and rummaged behind the podium.
Thud!
The old dwarf comically held up a transparent crystal that was even taller than his entire body, heavily placing it in the center of the podium.
The crystal was completely clear, but inside, several colors of magical light—red, blue, green, and brown—slowly drifted.
A subtle commotion immediately broke out in the classroom.
“An element affinity crystal?”
“Isn't that something only Tier 2 labs and above can apply to use? ...Is the professor going to do an affinity test?”
Hearing the discussions below, Grom casually patted the crystal: “No matter how much theory you talk about, it's still just theory.”
“It just so happens that this old man prefers practical things.”
His gaze fell on Irene again.
“Irene Durandal.”
“Come up.”
“Eh?!”
The white-haired dumpling who had just sat down flinched, instinctively shrinking her head.
Why is it her again...
But looking at Grom's "no refusals allowed" expression, she could only sluggishly leave her seat again.
Grom didn't rush her either, and even explained with rare patience.
“It's very simple. Place your hand on the crystal and do nothing.”
“The affinity crystal will actively capture the resonance between you and the various basic elements.”
“The higher the affinity, the stronger the reaction.”
Irene nodded obediently: “I understand...”
Seeing the girl finally relax a little, the old dwarf also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
If he guessed correctly, this little girl who couldn't even express basic concepts clearly should be an extremely lopsided Intuitive Type monster.
These kinds of people often had terrifying elemental affinity.
‘Just in time, I can help her win back the face she just lost.’
Grom looked at the expensive testing crystal in front of him, feeling a trace of anticipation.
The White Garden... just how bright would it shine?
But having a little girl stand up alone to be tested was somewhat too formal. Especially since he had just made her answer a question she wasn't good at in public.
‘If it looks like an interrogation... wouldn't it seem like this old man is intentionally bullying a little girl?’
‘I don't have any intention of competing with Siss to be the academy's second most unpopular professor yet.’
The tiny bit of guilt in the old dwarf's heart popped up again.
He needed to find someone to go up with her. Preferably someone with some status, but who would serve as a stress-free foil.
Grom looked down at the roster in his hand. Then, a rather eyesore name happened to catch his eye.
【Lynn von Reinhardt】
“...”
The old dwarf's brow furrowed visibly.
‘Yo, isn't this the kind of connected person I hate the most?’
‘Hehehe, it's not like this old man is deliberately giving you a hard time! This is all just a perfectly normal classroom teaching activity!’
Just right... one was the White Garden representative who broke a thirty-year exception, and the other was a Red Garden "excellent student" who didn't even have to take the exam.
Using him as a comparison could be considered recycling trash.
Thinking of this, Grom's eyes rolled: “One more person.”
Lynn, who was sitting in the back row quietly watching the show, suddenly had a bad feeling.
The next second—
“Lynn von Reinhardt.”
“...”
Lynn slowly raised his head, locking eyes with Grom's eyes that were practically screaming "it's you."
The old dwarf impatiently curled his finger at him.
“You come up too, test with her.”
“...?”
...
The protagonist got ganked again.
Lynn sighed silently and finally stood up under Grom's increasingly impatient gaze.
He cast a pitying glance at the white-haired dumpling, who was happily squinting her eyes, completely oblivious to what she was about to face.
‘Ah, little Irene, it's not me who harmed you, it's this world that harmed you!’
Curiosity, schadenfreude, anticipation... the gazes sweeping in from all directions were complex and hard to read. Probably because the surname "Reinhardt" was too resounding, scrutinizing eyes made up the majority.
After all... the news that this son of a duke hadn't participated in any admission exams but was placed in the Red Garden two months in advance was no secret among the small circle of noble students.
It was just that out of fear of the Reinhardt family's power, no one was stupid enough to discuss it to his face.
But that didn't stop them from silently labeling Lynn as a "connected student" in their hearts.
Regarding this, Grom obviously held a similar view.
The old dwarf folded his arms and stood on the wooden box, looking down... well, let's assume he was looking down as he glanced at him.
“Put your hand on it. Don't deliberately channel mana, and don't actively guide the elements.”
“The affinity crystal will do the rest by itself.”
Lynn casually placed his palm against the crystal surface.
It felt icy cold, like glass freshly pulled from well water in winter.
The next moment.
Hum—
An extremely faint tremor rippled from deep within the crystal.
The drifting lights that were originally floating quietly suddenly seemed to sniff something and froze in unison.
The various colored lights began to rise together. Suddenly, a red light abruptly ignited.
As if a power switch had been pulled, the other colored lights vanished one by one. Only the green light struggled to hold on for a moment before finally fading away unwillingly.
‘Strange... this kid's fire element affinity... is a bit too lopsided.’ Grom stroked his beard.
‘This kind of scene... usually only happens when one's talent in a certain element far exceeds the others.’
‘But even for those fanatics obsessed with fireballs, isn't this a bit... too exaggerated?’
That fire element aura... rather than saying it was amazing, it was more like...
Overbearing!
As if refusing to allow rebellious subjects to touch its territory, it overbearingly swallowed the other elements' lights completely.
The first mark, the second, the third...
Initially, Grom just kept his arms folded, his expression flat.
Three marks, fairly normal. Four marks, a bit of talent.
By the time the fifth mark was completely engulfed in crimson, the old dwarf's eyes, hidden under his thick eyebrows, finally twitched imperceptibly.
‘Over five. At least it doesn't disgrace the name of the Red Garden.’
...At least it proved those old fogies in the academy weren't so senile as to use a pure useless waste to shut his mouth.
The red light climbed faster and faster. The sixth mark lit up. Then, the seventh.
The murmurs in the classroom died down unconsciously. Even the few students who had been looking down at their books slowly raised their heads.
Seven marks. This number was already enough to make the words "good talent" seem a bit too light. Even among the past generations of the Red Garden, it could definitely be called outstanding.
Before the chirping discussions in the classroom could even ferment, that red light rushed through the eighth and ninth marks without any pause.
Even though he was used to big scenes and believed his experience was by no means shallow, the old dwarf couldn't help but widen his eyes.
A wave of irrepressible gasps rose from all around.
“Hey, hey... nine marks!?”
“Are you kidding me...”
“I can't accept this!? Why does someone with family background, looks, and talent even exist? Ahhh!!!” The desperate wails of minor characters could faintly be heard.
Sitting at the very front, Veronica pouted.
Her dangling legs couldn't help but swing a bit faster, and her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. A dissatisfied hum leaked from her mouth: “What's there to make a big fuss about... for that guy, just this much...”
Isn't it only natural?
Seemingly feeling that her words were too ambiguous, her snow-white cheeks flushed with a touch of red, and she swallowed the second half of her sentence.
On the other side, Anna also raised her eyes.
The morning light fell into her violet eyes but didn't reflect much surprise.
‘Oh my~ Should I say as expected of classmate Lynn?’
The corners of her mouth curled up a bit more. However, when her gaze swept over some of the new female students who were drooling, eyes full of hearts, and looking eager to try, she couldn't help but frown.
‘Tsk—these people don't have a single bit of ladylike modesty.’
A wave of unprovoked annoyance wound around her heart.
‘This guy... doesn't he know how to show some restraint?’
‘If this continues, I... I mean little Pera, will definitely not be happy either!’
...
As for the pink-haired dumpling who was cupping her face and gazing at Lynn with eyes full of tenderness, she didn't think nearly as much!
She puffed out her cheeks angrily and gestured wildly with her hands, attempting to intimidate the glowing crystal ball.
‘Why is it only nine marks?’
What an audacious crystal ball! Of course my young master gets a perfect score! A perfect score, do you understand!?
‘Hmph, this kind of outdated antique equipment should be replaced.’
‘When I become a famous big figure, I must redesign a magical artifact for testing!’
‘As for the standard for a perfect score... of course, of course, it's limited only to my handsome, caring, gentle, and powerful blond young master (with the next ten thousand words omitted)!’
Her baby-fat cheeks puffed up slightly, her upturned lips holding a horizontally placed quill.
Lilian Anasette once again fell into beautiful daydreams.
Rate on N.U.
